Critical Case Comment

By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Trustee for the Middle District of Tennessee (Nashville)

There is nothing inherently wrong or in bad faith for a poor but struggling debtor to file a Chapter 13 plan where the results pay only the filing fee, the attorney’s fee, and the Trustee commission; whether a particular case is filed in good faith or is feasible is determined on a case by case basis. In re Wark, 2015 WL 927216 (Bk.D. Kans. December 17, 2015) (Karlin)

Case Summary

The United States Trustee contested the confirmation . . .

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Sanctions in South Carolina

Ashley Baxter Curry

December 12, 2021

In a recent case out of South Carolina, rather than a debtor seeking sanctions against a creditor, it was the creditor’s counsel who sought sanctions against counsel for a Chapter 13 debtor in an adversary proceeding. Ruling on a Motion for Sanctions in James Defoe v. Winyah Surgical Specialists, P.A. doing business as Winyah Surgical Specialists (In re Defoe), 632...

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Kellner Retires

September 29, 2019

By Academy Staff Jeffrey M. Kellner graduated from THE Ohio State University in 1975. Between then and entering law school, Jeff worked in Montana for the park service. He graduated from Capital University College of Law in 1985. After law school, he worked for two years as a law clerk for Judge Calhoun in Columbus, OH. He then went to...

Post-Petition Equity in Chapter 13 – Who Gets The $$$

Thomas D. DeCarlo

October 2, 2022

So, what happens to post-petition appreciation of assets during a Chapter 13? Does the Debtor get to keep the money? Or does the Chapter 13 Trustee get it for the benefit of creditors? That was the question for the Court in In re Klein, 2022 WL 3902822 (Bankr. D. Colo. 2022). The question in Klein is a bit different than...

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What Does the Bankruptcy Code Say About Interest and Unsecured Debts

Hale Andrew Antico

March 24, 2024

“. . . the law is so clear that of course it's not allowed. However, some courts have twisted themselves into pretzels to create a creditor right to postpetition unmatured interest.” The article explores this not so simple issue by examining relevant sections of the Bankruptcy Code and case law from various circuit courts.

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Senior Headaches Caused by Junior Liens: Lien Stripping Under § 522(f)

Arya Omshehe, The Honorable John P. Gustafson

October 13, 2024

“In evaluating lien avoidance, we often default to the most common scenario: a first mortgage, perhaps a second mortgage, and the debtor’s homestead exemption. The question then becomes, is the total of these obligations more than the value of the property? If so, the judicial liens are avoided. If not, the judicial liens are either partially avoidable or fully secured.But that’s not quite how it works.” What a treat!!!! With no tricks. Judge Gustafson and Law Clerk Omshehe bring subscribers an in-depth look at the sexy topic of stripping.

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Critical Case Comment – Swackhammer Smackdown

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

July 2, 2023

In order to modify a plan confirmed under Chapter 12 pursuant to § 1229, the movant must demonstrate that there was a substantial change in circumstances that is sufficient to justify modification of a plan. (Norton) Farm Credit Services of America PCA v. Swackhammer, 2023 WL 3591920 (8th Cir. BAP May 23, 2023) Case Summary The Swackhammers were farmers who...

How To Manage Incompetent, Unprepared, and Negligent Bankruptcy Counsel

The NACTT Emeritus Trustees

February 12, 2023

Previously the Emeritus Trustees (“ETC”) were asked to comment on “How to Manage Unprofessional and Discourteous Attorneys”. We now turn to ETC to share their collective wisdom when addressing the issues raised by incompetent, unprepared, and negligent bankruptcy counsel. Chapter 13 Trustees are required to administer cases in accordance with the duties set forth in 11 U.S.C. Sec. 1302 and...

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Taxes, Offset, and Mutuality

October 13, 2019

By Cathy Moran, Esq. (Redwood City, CA) Bankruptcy lawyers are accustomed to evaluating the dischargeability of taxes when deciding when to file a client's bankruptcy case. But as we approach the end of the tax year, a client’s current year tax situation becomes another moving part in the “when do we file” analysis. In the simplest situation, the client owes...

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From the Editor – Claims

June 21, 2020

By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired) Objection to proof of claim barred by preclusion. The Chapter 13 debtor objected to Wells Fargo’s proof of claim in an adversary proceeding that alleged the note had been procured by fraud and was unenforceable; but the debtor had previously litigated those and other issues in the state court. Preclusive effect of the...

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Don’t Bank on Withdrawal

Cathy Moran

June 23, 2024

What do you know about FRBP 7041? Maybe younever gave it much thought. Here, Atty Moran shares her encounter with the rule which ended up at the 9th Circuit. She concluded that the “Withdraw” event on ECF enabled a trap for the unwary counsel and court.

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