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.
To deny an individual’s discharge under Section 727(a)(5) for failure “to explain satisfactorily” a loss of assets, the First Circuit held that the missing assets need not be substantial.
Objecting to.....
Some exemption planning is permissible, but Bankruptcy Judge Pamela W. McAfee of Raleigh, N.C., had a case where it went too far. Indeed, marriage can be a badge of fraud.
In an opinion on February 13.....
For debtors in chapter 7, the sale of cryptocurrency is considered “income” in the calculation of current monthly income and in deciding whether there is a presumption of abuse, in the eyes of.....
Believe it or not, a debtor can have a homestead exemption in property in another country, even when the debtor doesn’t live there. Bankruptcy Judge Pamela W. McAfee explained how it works in a July 7.....
While most courts more recently are allowing the debtor to dismiss a chapter 13 case even when creditors prefer conversion to chapter 7, a decision by Bankruptcy Judge Michael A. Fagone of Bangor.....
On a question where the bankruptcy courts are divided, Bankruptcy Judge Pamela W. McAfee of Raleigh, N.C., sided with the majority in holding that a chapter 13 debtor does not have standing to compel.....
The broad language in Harris v. Viegelahn, 575 U.S. 510 (2015), does not obviate a chapter 13 trustee’s obligation duty to pay administrative expenses when a chapter 13 case is converted to chapter 7.....
Bankruptcy Judge Christopher J. Panos of Boston joined the majority of courts by holding that a Subchapter V plan may affect a mortgage even when the debtor was not a maker of the mortgage and is not.....
If a chapter 13 debtor unintentionally fails to disclose an asset, the debtor keeps the asset if it was discovered after discharge and the completion of plan payments, according to Bankruptcy Judge.....
On an issue of first impression, the First Circuit has held that a bankruptcy court need not retain jurisdiction to entertain an alleged debtor’s post-dismissal request for attorneys’ fees under.....