Automatic Stay

Section 362(k)(1) Sanctions Apply to Automatic Stay Violation Continuing After Discharge

Almost $35,000 in actual and punitive damages was imposed on a judgment creditor and its collection law firm for failing to vacate a garnishment following notice of bankruptcy and discharge.

Holding a Contempt Hearing May Be Ok, but the Remedy Might Violate Automatic Stay

A contempt hearing fell under the ‘criminal’ exception to the automatic stay, but jailing a debtor to coerce payment of a prepetition debt violated the stay, Judge Grossman ruled.

Treasury Offset Program Can’t Be Used After Bankruptcy, District Judge Says

Now on the district court bench, then-Bankruptcy Judge Frank Volk was upheld in a tricky case involving the government’s right of setoff.
5th Circuit Dec 10, 2019

Fifth Circuit Creates a Circuit Split on Stay Termination for Repeat Filers

Disagreeing with a decision by the First Circuit last December, the Fifth Circuit rules that the ‘plain language’ in Section 362(c)(3)(A) does not terminate the automatic stay as to estate property 30 days after the second filing within one year.
Supreme Court Nov 13, 2019

Supreme Court Grapples with ‘Finality’ in Ritzen v. Jackson Masonry

Justices may narrow Bullard by drawing back from the requirement that finality requires a change in the status quo.