Consumer Bankruptcy

5th Circuit May 13, 2019

Fifth Circuit Facilitates ‘No Money Down’ Chapter 13s

Bankruptcy courts must cooperate before debtors’ counsel are assured of being reimbursed for advancing costs and expenses before filing.
2nd Circuit May 8, 2019

Disclosing an Asset in the Wrong Place Won’t Invoke Judicial Estoppel, Circuit Says

Second Circuit won’t give a defendant a windfall if the debtor scheduled the lawsuit in the wrong place but told the trustee and the court.
10th Circuit Kansas May 2, 2019

District Court Upholds Discharge of a Portion of Student Loan Debt

Finding ‘undue hardship’ held not to require discharging all student loan debt.
9th Circuit May 2, 2019

Ninth Circuit Uses a Technicality to Keep a ‘Marijuana’ Case Alive

If a ‘marijuana’ case dodges a motion to dismiss, objecting to confirmation is too late, the Ninth Circuit says.

Freezing a Chapter 7 Debtor’s Bank Account Doesn’t Violate the Automatic Stay

SDNY opinion seems to mean that a bank may freeze a debtor’s entire bank account at filing, without violating the automatic stay.
1st Circuit Apr 24, 2019

Equity Can’t Alter the Three Petitioning Creditors Requirement, First Circuit Rules

Even if a debtor has committed fraud, at least three creditors still must join an involuntary petition if the debtor has 12 or more creditors.