Joining the Tenth Circuit, the Ninth Circuit also has held that chapter 13 trustees are not paid their fees when cases are dismissed before confirmation. The identical issue was argued on February 15 before the Second Circuit.
In short order, we’ll have either unanimity or a split of circuits. A split will give rise to an issue worthy of a grant of certiorari by the Supreme Court.
Notably, the Ninth Circuit’s opinion on June 12 adopted reasoning in an amicus brief filed in support of the debtor by the National Consumer Bankruptcy Rights Center and National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Wildcard Exemption Covered a Prepetition Malpractice Claim
Section 522 g does not bar an individual debtor from claiming a wildcard exemption over a prepetition malpractice suit against the debtor’s.....
Courts Are Split on Breach of Contract Resulting in Nondischargeability
On an issue where the circuits are divided, Bankruptcy Judge David T Thuma of Albuquerque, New Mexico, decided that the door is.....
Ninth Circuit Allows Counsel Fees when Debtor Successfully Appeals a Stay Violation
The Ninth Circuit became the first court of appeals to rule that a debtor is entitled to appellate counsel fees for.....
Advice of Counsel Must Be Given in Advance to Constitute a Defense, Circuit Says
The advice of counsel defense only applies in discharge litigation if the debtor receives advice before taking action.....
Section 1326 Preempts State Law on Levies to Collect Child Support, Fourth Circuit Says
The Bankruptcy Code preempts state law allowing recovery of child support arrears by levying on money held by a.....
New Jersey Judges Side with the Minority on Turnover of Repossessed Autos
A bankruptcy judge and a district judge in New Jersey both predict that the Third Circuit will follow the minority and hold.....
Invocation of Rooker-Feldman Requires Finality in the State Court Judgment
The Eleventh Circuit explained when the Rooker-Feldman doctrine does not apply despite a judgment in state court.
Named for.....
Equity Can’t Bar a Chapter 13 Discharge After the Debtor Makes All Plan Payments
Building on Law versus Siegel, a district judge in Kansas upheld Bankruptcy Judge Robert E. Nugent and ruled that the.....
Denial of Motion to Dismiss Chapter 13 Is Not Appealable, Bankruptcy Appellate Panel Says
Combining the Supreme Court’s Bullard decision with an opinion handed down by the Sixth Circuit on October 16.....
Circuits Split on Trustee’s Ability to Extend the Dischargeability Deadline
On an issue where the circuits are split, Bankruptcy Judge Donald R. Cassling of Chicago ruled that a chapter 7 trustee has.....