Courts Have Made the FDCPA a ‘Dead Letter,’ Chicago District Judge Says
The opinion tells plaintiffs what actions to take before filing suit to ensure constitutional standing to pursue a claim under the FDCPA.
Holding Impounded Cars Still Might Violate the Automatic Stay, Seventh Circuit Says
Seventh Circuit says that Fulton left open the question of whether holding an impounded car violates Sections 362(a)(4) or (a)(6).
Costs of a Disciplinary Proceeding Held Nondischargeable Under Section 523(a)(7)
Another court strains to explain why costs incurred by disciplinary authorities were not in compensation for “actual pecuniary loss.”
Seventh Circuit Primed to Take on a Circuit Split on Automatic Stay Termination
District judge in Indiana holds that the automatic stay only ends as to the debtor’s property after a repeat filing, not also as to estate property.
Bankruptcy Judge Helps a Debtor Who Couldn’t Defend a Dischargeability Suit
Bankruptcy judge had tricks up his sleeve to help a debtor who couldn’t afford a lawyer to defend a dischargeability suit.
Courts Are Split on Whether Counsel Fees Are Considered in the Chapter 13 Best Interests Test
Deferred payments to unsecured creditors in a chapter 13 plan must equal the present value of the distributions required by the best interests test, Judge Halfenger says.
Debtors Win in District Court: They Can Avoid Judicial Liens on Impounded Cars
Car owners lost in Fulton but won when a Chicago district judge affirmed and ruled that debtors may avoid judicial liens on impounded cars.
Claims Discharged in Chapter 7 Revive If the Case Is Converted to Chapter 13
Courts are split over the effect on claims discharged in chapter 7 if the debtor converts the case to chapter 13.
Seventh Circuit Requires Court Findings for a Plan Provision the Code Allows
The Seventh Circuit opinion raises the question of whether (or when) a court may restrict the use of a provision in a chapter 13 plan that Section 1322(b) permits.
Another Case Shows the Need to Provide Remedies for Discharge Violations
Discharge was violated, but sanctions are likely out of reach.