A Refinanced Consumer Loan Might Not Be a ‘Consumer Debt,’ Ninth Circuit Says
Refinancing a consumer loan to obtain a lower interest rate might make an individual debtor eligible for chapter 7.
Willful Breach of Contract Doesn’t Result in Section 523(a)(6) Nondischargeability
Without allegations of an intentional tort, a willful breach of contract can’t be nondischargeable as a ‘willful and malicious’ injury.
Ninth Circuit: State Law Can’t Require More than What Rule 3001 Requires for Claim Validity
Reversing the BAP, the Ninth Circuit (erroneously) holds that state law cannot demand more documentation for a proof of claim than Bankruptcy Rule 3001 requires for prima facie validity.
Discharge Isn’t an Automatic Bar to Conversion from ‘7’ to ‘13’
A district court opinion from Michigan raises the question of whether the Supreme Court’s decision in Marrama is still good law after Law v. Siegel.
Benchnotes January 2024
Benchnotes By Bradley D. Pack, Aaron M. Kaufman and Christina Sanfelippo BAPCPA Did Not Abrogate Absolute-Priority Rule in Chapter 11 Cases Hon. Peter D. Russin of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida recently ruled that the absolute-priority
The Transition to Virtual § 341 Meetings: Lessons Learned, and Looking Ahead
The Transition to Virtual § 341 Meetings: Lessons Learned, and Looking Ahead By Michael Bujold, Robert Gebhard, Patrick Layng, Krista Hale and Nicole Zollars Before the COVID-19 pandemic, with few exceptions, § 341 meetings of creditors 1 for chapter 7, 12 and 13 cases
State Law Lines Up with Federal Judicial Estoppel When Assets Aren’t Scheduled
Oregon Supreme Court allows substitution of a bankruptcy trustee as the real party in interest because denial would chiefly punish the debtor’s creditors.