An Alternative to One Size Fits All

By David Peake, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the Southern District of Texas (Houston)

There was an interesting development recently in the ongoing topic of the wisdom of adopting a mandatory national form plan (Official Form 113). On January 23, 2015, the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Judicial Conference of the United States, held a public forum. At this forum, witnesses testified regarding the prudence of adopting Official Form 113.

During his testimony, The Honorable Marvin Isgur, Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Texas, proffered a compromise (see Hearing Transcript PDF pages 37 . . .

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“We’re confronted with a dilemma: if we pay practitioners fairly,we price ourselves out of reach of the very individuals we hope to help.”

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By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee (Nashville, TN) Homeowner association fees that obligate homeowners of condominium and planned unit developments can be a substantial obligation that accrue on a monthly basis. These obligations are generally a burden when a debtor files for bankruptcy relief. To be fair, homeowners’ associations provide a significant benefit to homeowners. Exterior maintenance,...

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From the Editor

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By Wm. Houston Brown, United States Bankruptcy Judge (Retired) Debtor’s Attorney - Chapter 13 no-look fee subject to Hawai’i’s general excise tax. Construing the State’s excise tax, the Chapter 13 debtor’s attorney could not collect the required excise tax in addition to the agreed upon no-look fee. The district’s Rights and Responsibilities Agreement between debtor and attorney did not contain...

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Kristina Stanger and Jessica Hopton Youngberg

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Last week, we asked for your help in developing a Means Test webinar and you came through for us. Congratulations to the winner of the 6-month subscription: R. Michael Smith.

When The Marital Community Doesn’t Get a Bankruptcy Discharge

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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...

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The Honorable William Houston Brown

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Cert granted in bankruptcy case regarding Fed. Rule Civ. P. 60(b)(4).

Critical Case Comment–Should’a Returned the Car

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

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Post-petition repossession of debtor’s automobile, deliberate indifference to debtor’s request for return and ignoring hearings before the Court merit not only award of damages for violation of the stay but substantial punitive damages. (Bonapfel) In re Hamby, 2022 WL 17428947 (Bankr. N.D. Ga. November 29, 2022) Case Summary Cole Hamby purchased a 2012 GMC Sierra from Everybody Rides Auto Sales....

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