From the Editor’s Desk – Priority Claims • NACTT Academy

From the Editor’s Desk – Priority Claims

By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired)

Periodic alimony is domestic support obligation. The debtor filed an adversary proceeding contesting that his obligations under a divorce settlement were domestic support obligations. The portion of the obligation that was called periodic alimony was a domestic support obligation, which the debtor had treated as alimony deductions on tax returns. Moreover, that obligation met the factors, beyond merely the label in the settlement agreement, found in In re Benson, 441 Fed.Appx. 650 (11th Cir. 2011), and that obligation was a priority claim. However, another obligation to . . .

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Meet a Newish Trustee

The Academy

June 18, 2023

By Regina Logsdon, Academy Executive Director Erin M. McCartney was appointed as the Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the District of Nebraska beginning on January 1, 2022. Erin stepped into metaphorically very large and capable shoes as she replaced retiring Kathleen Laughlin. Erin grew up in Illinois, graduating college from Bradley University in Peoria (Go Braves!). Law school required a...

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By James J. Robinson, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge, Northern District of Alabama What are the statutory duties of the standing chapter 13 trustee? Bankruptcy Code §§ 1302 and 704 provide the statutory framework for the trustee’s duties, and provide as follows: 11 U.S.C. § 1302. Trustee (a) If the United States trustee appoints an individual under section 586(b) of...

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Critical Case Comment

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By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee (Nashville, TN) A prior servicer of a mortgage claim subsequently transferred to another servicer could be held liable if the transferor servicer provided inadequate or incorrect information to the transferee. (Aron) In re Bivens vs. NewRez LLC (In re Bivens), 625 B.R. 843 (Bankr. M.D. N.C., March 25, 2021) Case Summary...

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From the Editor

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By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired) Three-month delay in completing bare-bones petition. When the Chapter 13 debtor filed a skeletal petition, her motion for more time to complete schedules, statement and plan was denied, with no cause found for extending time after three-month delay, and show cause hearing was set to determine if case should be dismissed with 180-day...

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Fulton’s Aftermath – What Do Chapter 13 Practitioners Need To Know?

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By Nathan E. Curtis and Peter Francis Geraci, Geraci Law L.L.C. Debtors who are not current on mortgage or vehicle payments may file for Chapter 13 relief and propose to cure arrears, and force creditors to accept future payments. Mortgage creditors must give multiple notices before taking real estate away from a debtor, but vehicle creditors are allowed to repossess...

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The Case of the Naked Client

Cathy Moran

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“The bankruptcy petition came to my desk for review with no entry for “clothing and wearing apparel”. Funny, I think I’d remember if I’d interviewed any naked people lately.” Although filled with Attorney Moran’s wit, there is an important lesson here! Feel free to add your own ‘naked client’ story in the comments section below the article.

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Passing of Affable, Humanitarian Trustee

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By Dynele Schinker-Kuharich, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee (Canton, OH) On Thursday, September 16, 2021, the bankruptcy community lost a good friend and esteemed colleague, Robert S. Thomas II. In an effort to pay tribute to Robert, who was loved and respected by so many, The NACTT Academy is privileged to share comments, thoughts, and tributes made by Robert’s bankruptcy colleagues....

The Day the Music Died

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

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I never set out to be a bankruptcy lawyer, much less a trustee. It was always my intent to be trial lawyer. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and the captive audience of a jury; having to think fast on your feet was exciting. Facing jurors and witnesses with a modicum of confidence was what my view of...

Critical Case Comment – How Many Cats?

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

August 7, 2022

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The Student Loan Debacle: Causes & Cures

R. Michael Smith

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As we observe the growing discussion over the tremendous amount of outstanding student loan debt, several points of clarification might do us well. There are those favoring relief for debtors now unable to pay their student loans. They have proposed various forms of relief, including several forgiveness programs and re-allowing such debts to be discharged in bankruptcy under more usual...

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