Family/Divorce Issues

Proven Fraud Won’t Always Cut Down the Amount of a Homestead Exemption, BAP Says

To limit the amount of a homestead exemption under Section 522(q)(1)(B)(ii), the fraud must have occurred after the debtor became a fiduciary.

The ‘Domestic Violence’ Stay Exception Applies to Sexual Violence Decades Earlier

Bankruptcy Judge Robert Mark held that the Section 362(b)(2)(A)(v) exception to the automatic stay covers more than imminent or ongoing sexual abuse.

Married Immediately Before Bankruptcy, the ‘Household’ Is Two, Not One

Wife who contributed nothing toward household expenses is still counted as part of the ‘household,’ Chicago’s Judge Slade says.

May 2025

Sex Abuse Victims to Have a Private Conference with the Judge and the Catholic Bishop

Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Klein said it was ‘nonsense’ to argue that ‘a Bankruptcy Court lacks authority to permit survivor statements to be made to the Court and to the Bishop.’

Chapter 13 Debtors Can’t Sell Co-Owned Property Under Section 363(h)

On a question where the courts are split, Bankruptcy Judge Pamela McAfee sides with the majority and holds that a chapter 13 debtor can’t sell co-owned property.

May 2025

New York Judge Devises a Flexible Remedy to Deal with Repeated Bad Faith Filings

New York’s Judge Philip Bentley and Prof. Robert Lawless urge Congress to adopt the ABI Commission’s recommendations for dealing with bad faith filings.

Chicago Judge Devises a Better Method to Allocate Income Tax Refunds Between Spouses

Whoever was overwithheld is entitled to the IRS refund when one spouse doesn’t file, Judge Michael Slade says.