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.
Two bankruptcy judges in Texas have now rejected clever arguments that would have effectively overruled the Texas legislature and terminated the state exemption for owners and beneficiaries of life.....
The settlement of a lawsuit where the debtor does not expressly admit liability may nevertheless result in automatic nondischargeability under Section 523(a)(19) if the complaint was properly drafted.....
An opinion by Bankruptcy Judge Scott M. Grossman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., could be read to imply that a chapter 13 debtor outside the Eleventh Circuit is not required to disclose the receipt of a.....
During an era when courts torture the language of opaque statutes to find answers for difficult questions, it was refreshing to read an opinion by Bankruptcy Judge Robert A. Mark of Miami, who used.....
Writing an opinion that reads like a law review article, Bankruptcy Judge Michelle V. Larson of Dallas decided that the so-called economic unit approach is the best method for deciding the size of a.....
Ruling in favor of the debtor on an issue similar to the question before the Supreme Court this coming term in Bartenwerfer, Bankruptcy Judge Joshua P. Searcy of Tyler, Texas, held that a debt is.....
A district court decision from Houston is required reading for plaintiffs’ tort lawyers to understand how they must write jury instructions and special verdict forms to ensure that judgments for.....
The estate of a chapter 13 debtor who dies before completing plan payments may still be granted a discharge despite the decedent’s inability to complete the required financial management course.....
To bar discharge of a debt for violation of securities laws, Bankruptcy Judge Peter D. Russin of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., held that the debtor must have been a party in the lawsuit finding a violation.....
Now that the Eleventh Circuit has seemingly abolished the Barton doctrine as protection for estate professionals after bankruptcy cases have closed, an opinion by Bankruptcy Judge Erik P. Kimball.....