From the Editor

From the Editor – Chapter 7 Issues

By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired)

Means Test: Nondischageable student loans are not priority debts for means test. The mere fact that $240,000 student loan debt would be nondischargeable, in absence of undue hardship proof, did not make it priority debt for purposes of the means test calculation, nor did the fact that the student loan debt was substantial constitute a special circumstance—the debtors put on no proof to support special circumstance finding. In Matter of Martin, 505 B.R. 517 (Bankr. S.D. Iowa 2014).

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The Honorable William Houston . . .

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ABI Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy – Recommendations Related to Exemptions

August 11, 2019

By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee (Nashville, TN) Exemptions in consumer cases have always presented difficult problems for practitioners and trustees. In a bow to states’ rights, the Bankruptcy Act of 1898 deferred to exemptions created by state law. When BAPCPA was enacted in 2005, Congress continued the practice of allowing each state to “opt out” of...

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April 7, 2019

By Wm. Houston Brown, United States Bankruptcy Judge (Retired) Confirmation - Debtors could not deduct ownership costs for vehicle secured by non-purchase money lien. The above-median debtors claimed ownership deduction of $497 from projected disposable income, when the title loan payments on the vehicle were only $66.67. The difference in these amounts meant unsecured creditors could receive $25,819.80 over the...

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For You, What Is the Best Part About Retirement

The NACTT Emeritus Trustees

March 3, 2024

We were curious about what our NACTT Emeritus Trustees have been doing in retirement. How have they been spending their time since making the decision to retire and moving on from the daily challenges as a Chapter 13 Trustee. Here are their replies to our inquiry:

A Look at Setoff and Recoupment as Fourth Circuit Permits IRS to Grab Exempt Overpayment Refund

July 19, 2020

By Lawrence R. Ahern III, Brown & Ahern (Nashville, TN) Introduction In Copley v. United States,1 Chapter 7 debtors attempted to exempt under Virginia law their right to a prepetition federal income tax overpayment refund. After the bankruptcy filing, the IRS set off the overpaid funds to satisfy the debtors' tax liabilities under 26 U.S.C. § 6402. In a matter...

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Ask Ms. Ps & Qs

Nancy B. Rapoport

June 4, 2023

Dear Readers: We’re now at the season where things go a bit wacky, and one thing that can go wacky has to do with people who are represented by counsel who want to talk with you. “Let’s cut out the middleman,” they think. After all, what harm could it be to save time? Plenty of harm, actually: Model Rule 4.2...

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Don’t Be Dismissive – Rule 41

Cathy Moran

August 6, 2023

I was the third attorney on this lien avoidance matter. Instead of it being “third time’s the charm”, it came close to being “three strikes and you’re out.” All because of FRBP 7041. This was the set up: debtor’s original counsel filed a number of lien avoidance actions, including the one against a landlord with a large default judgment. The...

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Critical Case Comment – No Such Thing as “Technical” Violation of the Stay

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

February 20, 2022

Bankruptcy Court found violation of automatic stay to be “technical”, thus no damages. Ninth Circuit BAP did not agree. Continuing to pursue state court fraudulent transfer action after transfer or filed for Chapter 7 relief violated the automatic stay; even if the violation of the stay is “technical”, damages, including attorneys’ fees and costs, should be assessed against the violator....

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Practice Tips from Hon. Meredith Jury (Ret.)

October 17, 2021

(Published with the consent of the Central District Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Assn Newsletter, October 2021) By M. Jonathan Hayes, Resnik Hayes Moradi LLP (Encino, CA) Question from old bankruptcy lawyer: Judge Jury, chapters 13s are such a huge amount of work. Do you have any pointers on avoiding common mistakes? Response from Judge Jury: Of course! I will focus on...

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Critical Case Comment – Separate Class Classy Option for Student Loans

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

January 14, 2024

In some instances, this case could be a real game-changer for dealing with student loans. Chapter 13 plan may classify student loans in a separate class!

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ABI Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy – Collateral Repossessed Pre-Petition

October 6, 2019

By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee (Nashville, TN) One of the most difficult situations faced by a debtor and debtors’ counsel is the repossession of important collateral securing a debt owed to a creditor. These items, such as automobiles, furniture, boats, and mowers which have been pledged to a creditor are important – often critical – to...

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From the Editor – Chapter 7 Issues

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Related Articles

ABI Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy – Recommendations Related to Exemptions

From the Editor

For You, What Is the Best Part About Retirement

A Look at Setoff and Recoupment as Fourth Circuit Permits IRS to Grab Exempt Overpayment Refund

Ask Ms. Ps & Qs

Don’t Be Dismissive – Rule 41

Critical Case Comment – No Such Thing as “Technical” Violation of the Stay

Practice Tips from Hon. Meredith Jury (Ret.)

Critical Case Comment – Separate Class Classy Option for Student Loans

ABI Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy – Collateral Repossessed Pre-Petition

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