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.
Regarding the right of a chapter 13 debtor to dismiss a case filed in bad faith, Bankruptcy Judge Stacey L. Meisel of Newark, N.J., said it all in the second paragraph of her opinion:
A Chapter 13.....
At least in the Third Circuit, it’s permissible for a bankruptcy judge to give the debtor a grace period to cure a default beyond the five-year life of a chapter 13 plan, according to a decision by a.....
Taking sides with the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel and splitting with the First Circuit, Bankruptcy Judge Andrew B. Altenburg, Jr., of Camden, N.J., gave the post-petition appreciation in.....
On a question where the courts are split, Bankruptcy Judge Jerrold N. Poslusny, Jr. of Camden, N.J., allowed a debtor to pay post-petition mortgage arrears through an amended chapter 13 plan.
Siding.....