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.
Supreme Court Grants Cert to Decide Whether Good Faith Is a Defense to Contempt
On Friday afternoon, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in Taggart versus Lorenzen to decide whether good faith is a.....
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.....
An Interest in Property as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship Drops Out of the Estate on Death of the Debtor
At least when joint tenancies with right of survivorship are involved, the common.....
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.....
Gift cards purchased before bankruptcy won’t qualify for an exemption beyond whatever cash the debtor could exempt, according to Chief Bankruptcy Judge Dale L. Somers of Topeka, Kan.
The husband and.....
District Court Limits Bankruptcy Judges’ Ability to Enact Local Rules
A district court in Illinois limited the ability of bankruptcy judges to adopt local rules adding more requirements for confirming.....
Divorcing While Bankrupt Lays Traps for the Unwary
When divorce coincides with bankruptcy, the debtor’s matrimonial lawyer should take counsel from a bankruptcy expert to avoid the kind of mistakes.....
Tuition Payments for Adult Children Squarely Held to Be Constructively Fraudulent
On an issue dividing the lower courts, Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn of New York squarely held that educational.....
First Circuit Terminates the Stay Entirely as to Repeat Filers
On an issue long dividing the lower courts, the First Circuit became the first court of appeals to decide whether the automatic.....