Plan Confirmation

The Wrath of Res Judicata: A Creditor’s Cautionary Tale

In In re Smith, [1] the Third Circuit reminded consumer bankruptcy practitioners of the wrath of res judicata. The debtor owned an encumbered rental property with an assignment of rents to her mortgage lender. The debtor’s proposed chapter 13 plan included a cramdown of the mortgage lender’s claim that reduced the secured portion of the claim from $150,000 to $95,000 — the value of the collateral. The plan further provided that the payment of rents would pay down the secured portion of the lender’s claim.

A Vote for a Plan After the Deadline Won’t Be Counted, Judge Blise Says

Because ‘excusable neglect’ won’t allow a late vote to be counted, counsel must solicit votes on a plan before the voting deadline.

Delaware Judge Sets the Standards for Nondebtor Releases Following Purdue

Nondebtor releases are valid whether the creditor votes for or against the plan, as long as notice to opt out was clear and conspicuous.

Debt Market Efficiency

Nov 2024

Second Circuit Affirmance Shows How Proper Structuring Avoids Merit Management

The Second Circuit shows how a properly structured leveraged refinancing avoids attack as a fraudulent transfer despite the Supreme Court’s effort at narrowing the ‘safe harbor.’

Supreme Court Round-Up

Getting to Confirmation: Update on Developments

Common Valuation Errors: The DCF Methodology

Nov 2024

Benchnotes November 2024

Nov 2024