Discharge/Dischargeability

SCOTUS Update

Judge Explains Why Tax Liens Are Subordinated to Domestic Support Obligations

Congress decided to deviate from standard priorities by providing in Section 724 that unsecured domestic support obligations come ahead of tax liens.

Hot Topics with Bill Rochelle

Issue Preclusion Saddles Alex Jones with $1.2 Billion in Nondischargeable Debt

Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez of Houston will hold trials that could result in more nondischargeable debt for Alex Jones.

Benchnotes December 2023

Dec 2023

Fifth Circuit Expands Bartenwerfer to Saddle Alter Egos with Nondischargeable Debts

An alter ego may be of the same ilk as a partnership or agency, so there may be no inconsistency between the Fifth Circuit opinion and the Bartenwerfer concurrence.

Student Loan Topics

Debtors May Avoid Judicial Liens Under Section 522(f) Securing Nondischargeable Debts

Bankruptcy Judge Alan Koschik declined to follow cases decided before Congress amended Section 522(f) to preclude avoiding judicial liens securing domestic support obligations.