Judge Court
District of New Mexico
Having Committed Fraud Doesn’t Prevent a Debtor from Vacating a Judicial Lien
If a creditor’s judicial lien is avoided, how can the creditor collect the underlying debt if it’s excepted from discharge?
Properly Written, a Divorce Decree Doesn’t Create a Debtor/Creditor Relationship
A properly written divorce decree can create a separate property interest that won’t be part of the bankruptcy estate of a bankrupt spouse.
State Court Is the ‘More Appropriate Forum’ to Divide Marital Property
The bankruptcy court can divide marital property, but just because it can doesn’t mean it should, Judge Thuma says.
Survivor’s Benefits Under a Pension Plan Might Not Become Estate Property
Unlike Clark v. Rameker, where an inherited IRA wasn’t exempt, the inheritance of benefits under a pension plan might not become estate property under Section 541(c)(2).
Defamation and IIED Claims Are Not ‘Personal Injury Torts’
Section 157(b)(5) does not bar the bankruptcy court from trying defamation and IIED claims, Judge Thuma says, siding with Judge Bernstein.
Courts Are Split on Breach of Contract Resulting in Nondischargeability
In some circuits, never intending to repay a loan can result in nondischargeability under Section 523(a)(6).