From the Editor’s Desk – Avoidance Actions

By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired)

Trustee may avoid entire charitable contribution, if it exceeds 15% of gross annual income. Under the Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Protection Act’s safe harbor of 15% of gross annual income (GAI), charitable contributions are protected from § 548 avoidance, but The Tenth Circuit found the language of § 548(a)(2) to be plain--“[w]ithout language limiting the word ‘transfer’ to that portion of the transfer exceeding 15%, the entire transfer is avoidable.” The statute was also not absurd; “The statute establishes a bright-line rule—donations not . . .

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

November 8, 2020
By David Cox,1 Cox Law Group, PLLC (Lynchburg, VA) Some Basics about Secured Claim Treatment in Chapter 13 What is a Secured Claim under § 506(a)? Secured by a lien on property of the debtor’s bankruptcy estate. Some value in the property to which the lien may attach. Must be secured by property that is property of the debtor’s bankruptcy...
Members
October 13, 2019
By Lawrence R. Ahern, III, Brown & Ahern (Nashville, TN) Click here for Part I, Introduction to the 2019 Legislation Click here for Part II, Five Things a Trustee Should Know About SBRA Part III The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA)1 is of interest to attorneys whose clients in troubled . . . It looks like you are...
Members
Hale-Andrew-Antico
September 25, 2022
Sahni v. Tajima (In re Tajima) 2022 WL 3354006 (9th Cir. BAP Aug 15, 2022)(unpublished) S.Klein J ISSUE Did the Bankruptcy Court err when confirming Chapter 13 plan? RULING Yes. FACTS This case involves the tension of litigation in bankruptcy causing delay, and the need to get a Chapter 13 plan confirmed quickly. Here, there was a dispute between debtors...
Members
Consumer Bankruptcy Education
May 11, 2025
On May 9th, the 2nd Circuit issued an opinion in Soussis v. Macco joining other Circuits holding that the Bankruptcy Code does not permit a Chapter 13 Trustee to retain the percentage fees collected on payments that a chapter 13 debtor made pre-confirmation in accordance with 26 U.S.C. §586 but, upon dismissal prior to confirmation of the plan, is obligated to return the fee to the debtor, as required by § 1326.
Copy of Hildebrand-2016
September 25, 2022
Where a debtor and debtor’s counsel initiated a Chapter 13 petition in an effort to halt a foreclosure against property held by the debtor’s LLC, and where the debtor took no steps to correct the filing, sanctions would be imposed against debtor’s counsel. (Grabill) In re Scaccia, 2022 WL 1216284 (Bankr. E.D. La. April 25, 2022) Case Summary Scaccia owned...
Members
Consumer Bankruptcy Education
August 9, 2026
“For the past seven months, the National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees has hosted and participated in a working group (the “Working Group”) comprised of individuals from the financial services industry. . . . The Working Group’s stated purpose was to discuss the issues, concerns and challenges involved with providing debtors in consumer bankruptcy cases with the ability to make online post-petition payments to creditors holding secured claims and access to online account information related to such claims.”
Members
Hayes Jury
February 1, 2026
Judge Jury gives a thoughtful answer to Attorney Hayes question: “My client is adamant that I appeal but I'm afraid the judge will be mad at me. Do you have a comfort blanket I might use to quell my fears?”
Members
rmichaelsmith
September 18, 2022
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...
Members
moran_cathy
August 17, 2025
More than the title implies, this piece offers real-world pointers on preparing clients for their Meeting of Creditors – both legal and emotional. “My rules for those testifying under oath are simple: . . . If I start talking, you stop talking.”
Members
Copy of Hildebrand-2016
July 21, 2024
When a Chapter 7 trustee discovers non-exempt, undisclosed equity in the debtor’s property, the Chapter 7 trustee is entitled to be compensated in the case based upon the hours actually performed by the trustee in a lodestar method as an administrative expense when the case is converted to Chapter 13.
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: