7th Circuit

On an issue dividing the courts, the Seventh Circuit rules that an obligation to repay a domestic support obligation is a dischargeable debt, not a nondischargeable DSO.

Disagreeing with the Tenth and D.C. Circuits and siding with four other circuits, the Seventh Circuit rules that passively holding estate property violates the automatic stay.

Overruling its own precedent, the Seventh Circuit dismissed an appeal when the appellant had not filed a motion in the appeals court for permission to undertake a direct appeal, even though the bankruptcy court had certified the question to the circuit.

Judge Perkins in Illinois says the ‘sufficiently rooted’ test from Segal v. Rochelle did not survive Butner and the adoption of the Bankruptcy Code.

Judge Hunt in Chicago tells debtors’ counsel to oppose inclusion of unjustifiable provisions in chapter 13 plans, even if it means contested confirmation hearings.

Fed up with a lawyer’s frivolous litigation tactics, the federal and state courts suspended a lawyer from practice.

Judge Easterbrook pens another gem. Even if you don’t like the result, you gotta like the language.

The Seventh Circuit’s opinion interpreting the amendment to Rule 62 is nonprecedential and prompted a dissent, and it may apply only in some states.

Bankruptcy judge reluctantly follows precedent where the Seventh Circuit is in the minority on the new value defense.

Local rules may not impose confirmation requirements beyond those contained in the statute.