State and Federal Concurrent Jurisdiction of the Dischargeability of Family Law Obligations

PART I

INTRODUCTION

My bankruptcy students are often surprised that the dischargeability of every debt is not always resolved by the time the case is closed. Those students are even more surprised to learn that state courts have concurrent jurisdiction with the bankruptcy courts to determine if most debts are dischargeable. After drawing their attention to section 523(c)(1), they express their dismay that such oblique language provides the statutory basis for concurrent jurisdiction. (Naturally, they also want to know if it will be on the exam!)

Section 523(c)(1) provides:

(c)(1 . . .

It looks like you are not signed in or registered! This content is only available to members.

Or Sign In Below:

No Author Biography has been linked to this Article.

Related Articles

Copy of Hildebrand-2016
A reverse mortgage, having fallen due as a result of the death of the borrower, is not protected from modification by the borrower’s heirs by virtue of § 1322(c)(2). (Halfenger) In re Sandoval, 2022 WL 982182 (Bankr. E.D. Wis. March 31, 2022) Case Summary Juan Sandoval filed Chapter 13 and proposed a plan which dealt with his principal asset, a...
Members
lynch
March 17, 2024
“The problem in the past for student loan borrowers in bankruptcy has been that hardship discharge litigation has been complex, expensive and arbitrary. . . . The new guidance has simplified the process.”
Members
Copy of Hildebrand-2016
December 5, 2021
Although a Chapter 13 debtor has the absolute right to voluntarily dismiss her Chapter 13 case, even after a motion to convert is filed, the Court retains the rights to impose restrictions on the dismissal. (Waites) In re Brittany Frances Minogue, 2021 WL 4453589 (Bankr. D. S.C. September 29, 2021) Summary Brittany Minogue filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 13...
Members
Copy of Hildebrand-2016
September 18, 2022
Insurance proceeds generated due to a totaled car treated under the “hanging paragraph” of 1325(a) covers the entire claim; interest, however, is not recalculated even though it was a higher rate than the interest paid under the plan. (Hanan) In re Pagan, 638 B.R. 887 (Bankr. E.D. Wis. Jan. 24, 2022) Case Summary Bankruptcy judges have been overheard saying that...
Members
AAA_4864
January 30, 2022
(Used with expressed permission from the MI Bankruptcy Journal and the Steven W. Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference) I. Introduction Although the Bankruptcy Code has been around for decades, bankruptcy courts continue to be faced with significant disputes regarding the interpretation of its provisions. An emerging issue that has gained traction in recent years involves the compensation of a chapter 13...
Members
KIMBALL
October 8, 2023
“In most cases, debtor’s counsel addresses only the argument that the debtor’s personal or financial affairs have substantially changed since dismissal of the preceding case.”
Members
April 4, 2021
The CARES Act, Public Law 116-136 had amended several parts of the Bankruptcy Code, but included sunset provisions terminating March 27, 2021. The COVID-19 Bankruptcy Relief Extension Act of 2021, H.R.1651, passed by the House and Senate and signed by the President on March 27, 2021, extended some provisions for another year. Section 1113 of the CARES Act had amended...
Copy of Hildebrand-2016
April 24, 2022
In re Frank, 638 B.R. 463 (Bankr. D. Colo. 2022) A Chapter 13 trustee’s request to dismiss a Chapter 13 case upon discovery of an undisclosed asset held by the debtor cannot be granted after the debtor completes payments under the plan. (Brown) Case Summary John and Jessica Frank filed a Chapter 13 petition on April 8, 2018. Prior to...
Members
March 15, 2020
By Jen Grondahl Lee, Jen Lee Law, Inc. (San Ramon, CA) When is a collected fee not a collected fee? When the statutes authorizing payment to the standing Chapter 13 trustee do not provide clear guidance on when that fee is paid and/or earned. The most recent case on this issue is In re Evans (Bankr. Idaho 2020).1 In a...
Members
February 24, 2019
By Cathy Moran, Esq. (Redwood City, CA) We all get sucked in, at some time, to try and rescue a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case gone bad. Make sure that you don’t let a bad situation get worse. Get your arms around §109(g). When only a do-over will do, don’t wait around. No Payments for Months The debtor came to me...
Members

Looking to Become a Member?

ConsiderChapter13.org offers a forum to advance continuing education of consumer bankruptcy via access to insightful articles, informative webinars, and the latest industry news. Join now to benefit from expert resources and stay informed.

Webinars

These informative sessions are led by industry experts and cover a range of consumer bankruptcy topics.

Member Articles

Written by industry experts, these articles provide in-depth analysis and practical guidance on consumer bankruptcy topics.

Industry News

The Academy is the go-to source for the latest news and analysis in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy industry.

To get started, please let us know which of these best fits your current position: