From the Editor – Automatic Stay

By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired)

Repossessing creditor’s passive retention of vehicle did not violate stay. A vehicle had been repossessed pre-bankruptcy, and the Chapter 13 debtor moved for turnover and for stay violation damages related to retention of the vehicle. The court concluded that in Chapter 13 it is the debtor, rather than the trustee, who has standing under § 542(a) to seek turnover of property that the debtor could use, sell or lease. Although this debtor did not have legal title to the vehicle, she had an equitable interest at the . . .

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