A Modest Proposal for the Care & Fee’ding of Debtor’s Counsel

By Peter C. Fessenden©i, Chapter 13 Trustee – District of Maine

(Reprinted with permission. Prepared for and first published by for the National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees Annual Conference, July 2012, New Orleans, Louisiana)

I am a thrifty fellow. But when I had gall bladder surgery, I did not shop around for the cheapest surgeon. I looked for the person who was best qualified for my needs. The operation wasn’t pleasant. But I had the reassurance of knowing I would receive excellent care from a skilled professional. The operation was . . .

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