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.
If a state court rules on the applicability of the automatic stay, is the decision binding on the bankruptcy court under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine?
The Bankruptcy Code is a hash when it comes to saying how or whether a chapter 13 debtor must obtain court approval for incurring new debt — for instance, to purchase a car after confirmation.
Although the courts are split on the standards justifying a hardship discharge, incarceration under any formulation does not warrant shedding debt.