Discharge/Dischargeability

5th Circuit Jan 28, 2025

A Disguised Loan Agreement Didn’t Create a ‘Fair Ground of Doubt’ Under Taggart

The Fifth Circuit undertook a legal analysis of a complex loan agreement to decide there was no ‘fair ground of doubt’ under Taggart that the lender was violating the discharge injunction.
8th Circuit Minnesota Jan 13, 2025

Debtor Not Compelled to Arbitrate Automatic Stay or Discharge Violations

A district court in Minnesota left the door open for sometimes compelling debtors to arbitrate claims arising in a bankruptcy case.

Betting on a Fresh Start? Gambling Debt Dischargeability in an Era of Online Sports Betting

Betting on a Fresh Start? Gambling Debt Dischargeability in an Era of Online Sports Betting By Connor D. Hicks The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) on May 14, 2018. 1 PASPA had largely made it unlawful for states

9th Circuit Hawaii Dec 17, 2024

Debt Held Nondischargeable as to Someone Who Didn’t Commit a Defalcation

Bartenwerfer held to make a debt nondischargeable as to someone who was neither a partner nor an agent.

Student Loan Discharge: Where Are We Headed?

Student Loan Discharge: Where Are We Headed? By Stacy Lutkus The discharge and forgiveness of student loan debt has long 1 been a contentious topic, both inside and outside of bankruptcy circles. With escalating student loan debt levels 2 a focus of national attention

9th Circuit Dec 20, 2024

Ninth Circuit Primed to Decide Whether Emotional Distress Damages Survived Taggart

The Ninth Circuit BAP eased the burden on debtors needing to prove that a lender violated Section 524(i) by failing to credit payments made under a plan.
9th Circuit Nov 25, 2024

For Nondischargeability, a Bankruptcy Court Can Find a Securities Law Violation

A decision from a state or federal court before bankruptcy finding a securities law violation isn’t required for nondischargeability under Section 523(a)(19).
6th Circuit Oct 23, 2024

Aggressive Bankruptcy Planning Didn’t Result in the Loss of Discharge

Sixth Circuit held that preferring one creditor with a nondischargeable claim before bankruptcy isn’t intent to hinder, delay or defraud.
9th Circuit Oct 1, 2024

Even if Ineligible for Chapter 13, Ninth Circuit Says the Debtor Can Still Dismiss

In a split decision, the Ninth Circuit majority held that a chapter 13 debtor has the right to dismiss under Section 1307(b) before the bankruptcy court decides whether the filing was in good faith.