Ask Ms. Ps & Qs

Dear Readers:

Academy Exec Regina Logsdon found me a great topic for this month’s column: what happens to a lawyer when the pressures of life become difficult and the lawyer decides to do some self-medication to relieve the stress. (In other words, how far-reaching a DUI can be to one’s career.)

In the case that Regina forwarded to me, the attorney’s blood alcohol level at the time of her arrest was .28%. I’m surprised that the lawyer was able to function at all with a BAC that high.1

What . . .

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Critical Case Comment – “Extraordinary” Key to Set Aside Dismissal

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

November 13, 2022

Chapter 13 debtor must demonstrate extraordinary circumstances to justify the extraordinary relief of setting aside or “reconsidering” an order dismissing a Chapter 13 case. (Cary) In re Canas, 2022 WL 10707000 (Bankr. D. Ma. October 18, 2022) Case Summary Nelson and Annemarie Canas filed a Chapter 13 petition in August of 2019. The debtors immediately fell behind on their proposed...

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IRS Attempting to Collect on Virtual Currency

July 28, 2019

IRS has begun sending letters to virtual currency owners advising them to pay back taxes, file amended returns; part of agency’s larger efforts. On July 26th, the IRS announced that it has begun sending letters to taxpayers with virtual currency transactions that potentially failed to report income and pay the resulting tax from virtual currency transactions or did not report...

Bifurcated Fees Under Examination

The Honorable William Houston Brown

May 22, 2022

Bankruptcy and appellate courts in increasing numbers are considering whether it is appropriate for debtors filing for Chapter 7 relief and attorneys representing them to enter into bifurcated fee agreements. It has been recognized that one of the reasons that debtors may decide to file Chapter 13 rather than Chapter 7 is that attorneys require payment of the Chapter 7...

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Trustee May Use Any Law Available to Avoid a Transfer

March 17, 2019

By Herbert L. Beskin, Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Virginia (Charlottesville) *Special thanks to Gretchen D. Holland for editing this article. Facts In Vieira v. Gaither (In re Gaither), Bankr. D. S.C., # 18-01317-dd, Adv. Pro. 18 80040-dd, Chapter 7 case; 11/30/18 opinion (Duncan); 2018 Bankr. LEXIS 3816, the Debtors’ son died in an aviation accident in...

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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.

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Covid-19 and the 7 Year Plan

March 29, 2020

By Ken Siomos, Staff Attorney for Marsha L. Combs-Skinner (Newman, IL) A small part of the recently passed “Cares Act” is the ability of Chapter 13 debtors experiencing a “material financial hardship” as a result of the covid-19 pandemic to modify their plan to 84 months.i Many Chapter 13 Trustee’s are likely anticipating a series of Chapter 13 Plan defaults...

Missing Clause Sends Funds Back to Debtors

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

August 11, 2024

Even though the parties agree to apply refunds from a creditor overpayment to unsecured creditors, because the debtor completed payments under the plan, the plan cannot be modified, and the funds must be paid to the debtor.

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From the Editor – Confirmation

March 8, 2020

By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired) Good faith in plan proposal. Plan was proposed in good faith, although petition was filed only 21 days after purchase of vehicle, when plan adequately protected creditor against risk of depreciation. Opinion reviews good faith factors for plan proposal. In re Sharp, 608 B.R. 546 (Bankr. D. Kan. 2019). Compare In re Broder,...

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Saldana v. Bronitsky – POV Counter Point

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

December 8, 2024

In a point-counter-point to Cathy Moran’s Saldana v. Bronitsky article from last week, Hildebrand brings a slightly different perspective to the case which now appears headed to the Supreme Court. See also: Early Christmas Present for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorneys

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Critical Case Comment

August 1, 2021

By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee (Nashville, TN) While the debtors failed to meet the high threshold to establish excusable neglect to permit their claim filed on behalf of a creditor after the bar date to be allowed, where a Chapter 13 case is dismissed and then reinstated prior to the expiration of the bar date, the...

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Related Articles

Critical Case Comment – “Extraordinary” Key to Set Aside Dismissal

IRS Attempting to Collect on Virtual Currency

Bifurcated Fees Under Examination

Trustee May Use Any Law Available to Avoid a Transfer

Stop the Chaos and Fix Client Communication with Smart Tech

Covid-19 and the 7 Year Plan

Missing Clause Sends Funds Back to Debtors

From the Editor – Confirmation

Saldana v. Bronitsky – POV Counter Point

Critical Case Comment

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