A Look at the Origins of Chapter 13

By Rebecca B. Connelly, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge Western District of Virginia

Recent dialogue about Chapter 13 reflects skepticism. Doubts about success rates or chapter choice infuse our discussions.

While Chapter 13 remains popular, of late the emerging trend is to view Chapter 13 as the unfavorable chapter choice. In recent times, we have heard calls to eliminate Chapter 13 and replace it with one consumer chapter. We have heard allegations that consumer chapter choice may be fueled by nefarious purposes or attorney self-interest.

What is overlooked in this dialogue is the history of this unusual . . .

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“Jan Hamilton” – Need We Say More?

Teresa L. Arnold

September 25, 2022

Just prior to a confirmation docket in September of 2006, a local creditor attorney asked me if I would be interested in coming to work at his firm. The chapter 13 trustee was in the room and could not help but overhear. After the docket that trustee asked me if I was looking for a job. I wasn’t . ....

Employment Law Alphabet Soup

October 24, 2021

By Merideth Akers, CPA, PHR, Comptroller for Bradford W. Caraway (Birmingham, AL) I have taught Compensation and Benefits to candidates preparing to take the Professional in Human Resources certification exam. These two topics include a great amount of employment law. So, I know just enough about employment law to be scared… or maybe cautious is a better term. I am...

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When Life Backs Chapter 13 Debtors Into A Corner, § 1329 May Provide A Way Out Of Trouble And A Shorter Path To Discharge

February 17, 2019

By Veronica D. Brown-Moseley, Boleman Law Firm, P.C. (Virginia Beach, VA) Many things can, and often do, change between the time debtors file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition and the end of their case. A variety of circumstances impact a debtor’s ability to afford their Chapter 13 plan payments, including but not limited to: medical problems, disability, loss of employment,...

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Critical Case Comment – Present Tense in § 544(b)

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

February 19, 2023

When case converts from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7, the Chapter 7 trustee is not limited to the valuation of the debtor’s home as stated on the original schedules and may capture the increase in equity resulting from the property’s appreciation. (Dales) In re Adams, 2022 WL 2079725 (Bankr. W.D. Mich. June 9, 2022) Case Summary Matthew and Katherine Adams...

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From the IRS – Using Strong Password Is a Strong Defense Against Identity Thieves

December 15, 2019

Two things taxpayers can do to protect themselves from identity theft is to use strong passwords and keep those passwords secure. While many people use fingerprint or facial recognition technology to protect their devices, sometimes it’s still necessary to use a password. In recent years, cybersecurity experts’ recommendations on what constitutes a strong password has changed. With that in mind,...

Bankruptcy Lawyer Must Have Otherworldly Powers

Cathy Moran

November 5, 2023

Just for fun . . .

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Critical Case Comment – A Mixed Bag of Inheritance

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

June 18, 2023

When a debtor fails to disclose a post-petition asset as required by Local Rule and the terms of her plan, the trustee may seek a modification of the plan notwithstanding the expiration of the applicable commitment period; the best interest of creditors test applies only at commencement of the case and not to a plan modification; a trustee’s motion to...

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The First Thing a Chapter 13 Debtor’s Attorney Should Know About the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019

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...

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Passing of Memphis’ Beloved Judge Kennedy

The Academy

December 3, 2023

The Honorable David S. Kennedy, retired Chief U. S. Bankruptcy Judge, Western District of Tennessee, passed away on November 26, 2023.

U.S. Trustee Fee Unconstitutional

The Honorable William Houston Brown

June 12, 2022

On June 6, the Supreme Court’s unanimous opinion in Siegel v. Fitzgerald1 held that the increase in U.S. Trustee fees in Chapter 11 cases violated the uniformity requirement of the Constitution’s Bankruptcy Clause,2 because the fee increase in 2017 only applied to in the U.S. Trustee districts and didn’t apply to the Bankruptcy Administrator districts in Alabama and North Carolina....