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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.

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Curated (Free) Selections

Debt and the Economy

American Shoppers Wrap Up the Year in a Spending Mood, Boding Well for U.S. Economy

CFPB Research Reveals Heavy Buy Now, Pay Later Use Among Borrowers with High Credit Balances and Multiple Pay-in-Four Loans

California Fires Show States’ ‘Last Resort’ Insurance Plans Could Be Overwhelmed - Homeowners everywhere could get stuck with the bill when disaster strikes, experts fear.

Of Interest

I Was Forced to Evacuate My Home - Do I still need to pay my mortgage, rent, utility bills? (Article offers some good resources for your clients.)

U.S. Trustee Program Appoints 35 Private Trustees in 2024

BAPCPA: A Radical Departure from Historical Bankruptcy Laws (A Report from May of 1900)

Sanctions and Irony and Fraud, Oh My!

CFPB Sues Experian for Sham Investigations of Credit Report Errors - Experian does not properly investigate disputes and fails to remove or reinserts errors on reports, threatening consumers’ access to credit, employment, and housing (See also The Academy’s webinar What Bankruptcy Lawyers Should Know About the Fair Credit Reporting Act)

RI Bankruptcy Fraudster Who Taunted Feds Asks for Early Release. Here's Why.

Student Loan Chronicles

Student Loans Chronicles

CFPB Takes Action to Address Illegal Debt Collection Practices by the National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts

Congressmen Cohen, Davis and Swalwell Reintroduce the Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act

Biden Administration Seeks to Avoid Default Crisis for Student Loan Borrowers as Garnishments Resume

For Your Blog

Twelve Tips for Homeowners After Natural Disasters (Free resource from NCLC)

Am I Depressed or Lazy?

Super Inexpensive Treatment for Severe Eczema

For Your Health

What’s the Connection Between Diabetes and Stroke?

More Selections

New Trustee

Congratulations New Trustee

Stephen Troy Staley has been appointed at the Interim Standing Trustee for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Farmers

Climate Change, Erratic Weather Taking Toll on Michigan Cherry Industry

From NCLC

CFPB Rule Removes Medical Debts from Credit Reports

Mortgage Servicing and Loan Modifications - Chapter 12 Homeowner Rights During Natural Disasters and COVID-19

Disaster Relief (This is a page of free resources.)

From the AO

From the AO

The following rules and form were published for comment in August: Bankruptcy Rules 1007, 3018, 5009, 9006, 9014, 9017, new Rule 7043, and Official Form 410S1. The comment period is open until February 17, 2025. Click here for the proposed amended rules and directions on how to submit comments. Comments are encouraged.

From the AO

From the AO

The following rules and form were published for comment in August: Bankruptcy Rules 1007, 3018, 5009, 9006, 9014, 9017, new Rule 7043, and Official Form 410S1. The comment period is open until February 17, 2025. Click here for the proposed amended rules and directions on how to submit comments. Comments are encouraged.

This Week's Featured Articles

Stop the Chaos and Fix Client Communication with Smart Tech

Jen Lee

January 19, 2025

“Technology isn’t a replacement for the human element of your practice—it’s a solution to the logistical headaches that prevent you from being the attorney your clients need.” See also: Spitballing Chapter 13’s Image Makeover Ditch the Bankruptcy Jargon—Marketing Chapter 13 as the Ultimate Solution (Note that there are a few comments on this article.) Think Chapter 13 needs an image makeover? Let us hear from you.

Members

Property of the Estate or Appeal Rights for Sale?

M. Jonathan Hayes

January 19, 2025

Atty Hayes takes a look at a very interesting aspect of law we probably don’t think about on a regular basis. Are appeals for sale? “. . . maybe the answer is that the right to appeal is always property of the estate and may be sold to the opposing party.”

Members

From the AO

The Academy

January 19, 2025

Director’s Awards Recognize 16 Employees for Leadership, Service FOUR are from bankruptcy courts!!

CHAPTER 12 CONFERENCE ● FARM REORGANIZATION ● 3 HOURS OF CLE

The Academy

January 19, 2025

The Association of Chapter 12 Trustees is excited to announce its virtual seminar scheduled for February 13, 2025. The seminar is a one-day virtual seminar with three sessions. The ACT12 board and officers have worked hard to put together a seminar packed full of great information. REGISTER NOW!

Other Recent Articles

Spitballing Chapter 13’s Image Makeover

Cathy Moran

January 12, 2025

“Three cheers for Jen Lee’s piece on the need to pitch the manifest strengths of Chapter 13. Her advice to use head-to-head comparisons with alternative approaches to debt for the client is right on. An image makeover for Chapter 13 would be even more powerful if we can spread the word to a broader audience, before they’ve shorted their tax withholding, encumbered their exempt homestead, signed on with a profit-focused ‘debt consolidation’ company, or dipped into their retirement funds.” Think Chapter 13 needs an image makeover? Let us hear from you.

Members

Big Dog Bites Back but Too Late

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

January 12, 2025

An alleged lessor’s tardy objection to confirmation of a Chapter 13 plan which treats the obligation as a secured loan is precluded from pursuing that objection after passage of the deadline established by the court.

Members

Towering Victory: UT Law Shines Bright with Third Duberstein Moot Court Championship

Debbie Langehennig

January 12, 2025

Trustee Deborah Langehennig lead University of Texas to its third national Duberstein championship. GO DEB!!!!

CHAPTER 12 CONFERENCE ● FARM REORGANIZATION ● 3 HOURS OF CLE

The Academy

January 12, 2025

The Association of Chapter 12 Trustees is excited to announce its virtual seminar scheduled for February 13, 2025. The seminar is a one-day virtual seminar with three sessions.The ACT12 board and officers have worked hard to put together a seminar packed full of great information. REGISTER NOW!

Ditch the Bankruptcy Jargon—Marketing Chapter 13 as the UltimateSolution

Jen Lee

January 5, 2025

“If you want to connect with more clients, you must stop talking about bankruptcy as though it exists in isolation. Instead, compare it head-on with the alternatives.” New author to ConsiderChapter13.org, Jen Lee will be bringing readers a series, primarily, on law firm management and marketing.

Members

Fast Track to Freedom: Judge Greenlights Early Payoff

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

January 5, 2025

Chapter 13 debtor has the right to modify a confirmed Chapter 13 plan to pay off the plan early; at modification the “best interest of creditors test” applies to the modified plan as of the effective date of the modification.

Members

Lessons From In Re Chase: Student Loan Discharge and Loan Consolidation

Rahaf Alrehaili, Esq.

January 5, 2025

A recent decision out of Maine underscores the strategic nuances of discharging student loans in bankruptcy.

Members

Happy New Year

The Academy

December 29, 2024

Re-Examining the Means Test Cost of Home Ownership

Cathy Moran

December 29, 2024

From June: Bankruptcy lawyers can better present non-mortgage homeownership expenses to reflect current economic realities on the means test. By advocating for realistic expense allowances, based on a percentage of the home’s purchase price, attorneys can ensure fairer assessments and more successful bankruptcy plans. Additionally, Trustees and Judges should look at Atty Moran’s analysis here – change will take the whole village.

Members

Ask Ms. Ps & Qs

Nancy B. Rapoport

December 29, 2024

From February, Prof. Rapoport looks at the question: What should happen when the Rule 2016 statement on compensation conflicts with the SOFA #16?

Members

Reconversion to Chapter 13 – Betwixt and Between?

Michael B. Joseph

December 29, 2024

From January: “Is it possible to voluntarily convert a chapter 13 case to chapter 7, and later reconvert back to chapter 13? There is a split of authority on whether this maneuver is allowed.”

Members

Still Crazy After All These Years

Cathy Moran

December 22, 2024

“ . . . , as far as I can find, no court has approved a modification that reduced the liquidation dividend when assets have lost value, such as falling stock values, catastrophic events, or business failure.”

Members