Consumer Bankruptcy

3rd Circuit Oct 24, 2024

A Retirement Plan that’s Not ‘Tax-Qualified’ Is Still Excluded from Estate Property

Declining to create a circuit split, Third Circuit Judge Thomas Ambro held that a retirement plan structured according to ERISA is excluded from estate property even if transactions by the trust violated ERISA or IRS Code regulations.

Benchnotes December 2024

Benchnotes By Christina Sanfelippo, Aaron M. Kaufman and Bradley D. Pack 1 Delaware Bankruptcy Court Authorizes “Opt-Out” Nondebtor Third-Party Releases Hon. Craig Goldblatt of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware recently considered the standards for

6th Circuit Oct 23, 2024

Aggressive Bankruptcy Planning Didn’t Result in the Loss of Discharge

Sixth Circuit held that preferring one creditor with a nondischargeable claim before bankruptcy isn’t intent to hinder, delay or defraud.

Receipt of a Chapter 7 Discharge Doesn’t Preclude Conversion to Chapter 13

Small state exemptions mean that some low-income debtors can lose their homes in chapters 7 and 13 if there is equity.
1st Circuit Puerto Rico Oct 15, 2024

On Conversion to ‘7,’ Admin Expenses in ‘13’ Must Be Paid, Harris Notwithstanding

When chapter 13 cases are converted to chapter 7 before confirmation, bankruptcy courts are split on whether the broad language in Harris v. Viegelahn bars chapter 13 trustees from paying administrative expenses incurred before conversion.