When Chapter 13 Debtors Receive Windfalls – Part 1 of 3

Community property works differently in bankruptcy. I probably don’t have to tell you that. On the issue of assets and debts, community property is pretty straightforward. All of the community property comes into the estate upon the commencement of a bankruptcy case, even when only one spouse files. §541(a)(2). Every creditor with a right to be paid from the community can file a claim, regardless of which spouse incurred the debt. §101(7). So creditors of the nonfiling spouse are proper claimants in the filing spouse’s bankruptcy case. If the bankruptcy estate contains separate property as well, §726 creates a distribution scheme that segregates community assets from separate property assets in paying community and non community debts. So far pretty straightforward. Right?

“A recent decision from the Western District of Washington held that the clock starts with the first meeting of creditors scheduled in the case. . .”

Cathy Moran’s article Bankruptcy Lawyer Must Have Otherworldly Powers raised an interesting issue: what should a lawyer do when a client calls and says, “what the heck IS this [notice, letter, order, whatever] that I just got?” Professor Rapoport’s take on this issue is not at all what you would expect. She puts the responsibility squarely on . . .

Although it is easy for a consumer practitioner to skim over decisions relating to Chapter 11, occasionally, a Chapter 11 decision requires attention. This is particularly true when the decision is issued by a Circuit Court of Appeals. Here, compelling circumstances must be demonstrated to justify a post-confirmation amendment to a proof of claim.