Critical Case Comment

By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Trustee, Nashville, TN

In re Dickens, 513 B.R. 906 (Bankr. E.D. Ark. July 25, 2014) (Evans)

A Chapter 13 trustee is not entitled to collect a percentage fee on funds deposited with the trustee where the case is not confirmed and funds are returned to the debtor.

Case Summary

Richard and Lee Ann Dickens filed a Chapter 13 petition on December 2, 2012 but could not confirm a plan. Finally, in September of 2013, the case was dismissed.

While the case was pending, the Dickens paid $21 . . .

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

moran_cathy
July 31, 2022
It started as a means test question: could emergency medical expenses be deemed non consumer debt. It ended up as a step back to get the bigger picture. Well seasoned bankruptcy counsel brought the fact pattern to a list serve of colleagues. The prospective debtors’ income in a small consulting corporation is declining, his health crisis raises not only income...
Members
davis26
December 8, 2024
The amendments to the Bankruptcy Rules that took effect on December 1, 2024, are primarily stylistic, but they do include a few substantive changes. More controversial changes are in the pipeline for December 2025, however, with significant changes to Rule 3002.1 proposed.
Members
June 21, 2020
By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired) Recordation of divorce judgment created secured claim. In Chapter 13 case, the debtor objected to former spouse’s secured claim, with pre-bankruptcy divorce judgment awarding former marital home to the husband but ordering equalization payments to the wife. No security was mentioned in the judgment, but its recordation created a lien under Wisconsin law....
Members
August 1, 2021
By Cathy Moran, Esq., (Redwood City, CA) Eighteen years elapsed between the close of the 2003 tax year and the Tax Court’s 2021 decision Barnes v. Comm'r, T.C. Memo. 2021-49 (U.S.T.C. May 4, 2021) regarding the debtors’ 2003 tax liability. While the most recent decision in the debtors’ battle with the IRS challenged the discretion of a tax officer in...
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
Copy of Hildebrand-2016
September 3, 2023
To pay present value to a secured creditor, a reorganization plan may start with a treasury rate and add a risk factor and need not start with a prime rate plus a risk factor.
Members
Consumer Bankruptcy Education
December 10, 2023
Congratulations to all but specifically the two bankruptcy courts with recognized recipients!
September 29, 2019
By Academy Staff Jan P. Johnson served as a Chapter Standing 13 Trustee for the Eastern District of California, Sacramento Division, from 1998 to September 30, 2019. Prior to this appointment, he served as Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the District of Puerto Rico from 1989 where he was responsible for over 25,000 cases. He was also appointed as Standing...
regina26
January 11, 2026
On November 24, 2025, the United States Postal Service quietly revised its policy on when mail is postmarked — a change that could have big implications for anyone who relies on postmarks to prove they mailed something on a specific date.
Members
Brett Rodgers
March 9, 2025
“That’s what we do as trustees: we help. Help the court, the debtors, the creditors and help each other.”

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: