Consumer Bankruptcy

Student Loans

A Trustee Receives Statutory Commissions Unless the Amount Is ‘Offensive’

A trustee’s commissions can’t be based on a percentage of disbursements to the trustee’s own counsel, so says a New Jersey district judge.

Connecticut Supreme Court: Increased Homestead Exemption Applies to Existing Debts

Even under an unfavorable choice of law, a debtor in Connecticut was allowed to enjoy the state’s new $250,000 homestead exemption, even though her debts had accrued before the increase went into effect.

Lack of Creditor Opposition Isn’t Grounds for Extending an Expiring Automatic Stay

A repeat filer in chapter 13 must show ‘clear and convincing evidence’ of improved financial condition to warrant an extension of the automatic stay under Section 362(c)(3)(B), Chief Judge Taddonio says.

Ethics Potpourri

Equitable Tolling Cannot Extend the Deadline for a Dischargeability Objection

The Third Circuit lauded Bankruptcy Judge Craig Goldblatt for a ‘well-reasoned’ opinion correctly interpreting Supreme Court authority.

Bartenwerfer Doesn’t Apply if the Debtor Isn’t a Partner or Agent, Bankruptcy Judge Says

Bankruptcy Judge Klinette H. Kindred declined to expand Bartenwerfer by imputing fraud or larceny when the debtor wasn’t a partner or agent.

Judge Kathryn Ferguson Evokes Bob Dylan with Regard to Changing Rules on Setoff

Times are a-changin’ when it comes to setoff against exempt assets.