Discharge/Dischargeability

9th Circuit Mar 17, 2020

Ninth Circuit Equivocates on ‘Collection Injunctions’ in Individual Chapter 11s

Dissenter in the Ninth Circuit says that utilizing provisions in the Bankruptcy Code is not bad faith barring confirmation.
9th Circuit Mar 6, 2020

Ninth Circuit Takes a Hard Line Against Waiving Discharge Inadvertently

The Ninth Circuit may be backing off from Ybarra, a case that waives discharge for attorneys’ fees if the debtor ‘returns to the fray.’

Must a Debtor Be Destitute Before Discharging Student Loans?

Unemployed for 16 months, surviving on food stamps, and living rent-free enabled a debtor to discharge student loans.
9th Circuit Feb 7, 2020

Silence in the Face of a Duty to Disclose Is Not a ‘Statement,’ 9th Cir. BAP Holds

The Ninth Circuit BAP closed a loophole that would have allowed a recipient of public assistance benefits to discharge a debt for overpayment.
11th Circuit Feb 25, 2020

Eleventh Circuit Opinion Shows Taggart’s Effect on Discharge Contempt Disputes

Taggart allows a court to deny a contempt motion without deciding whether the creditor’s action actually violated the discharge injunction.

May a Chapter 13 Plan Pay a Larger Percentage Toward Student Loans?

Since Congress has made student loans virtually nondischargeable, why can’t a chapter 13 plan discriminate in favor of paying more toward student loans?

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.