Making Amends in Chapter 13: Why Davis Should Cause You to Take Action

By Alexander Schmidt, Law Clerk to The Honorable John P. Gustafson, United States Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Ohio, Western Division (Toledo, OH)

While the requirement of full and honest disclosure is a cornerstone of the bankruptcy process and a key component of a debtor’s eligibility for discharge of their debts, a rigid, formulaic approach can lead to harsh results that look more like punishment than mere enforcement of a rule. Such was the case in a recent unpublished opinion out of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, a case in which a debtor’s failure to . . .

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Supreme Court Revisits Finality of Orders in Bankruptcy: Comment on Ritzen and Review of “Finality”

February 9, 2020

By Lawrence R. Ahern III, Brown & Ahern (Nashville, TN) Introduction The Supreme Court unanimously held on January 14 that an order denying stay relief was final in Ritzen Group, Inc. v. Jackson Masonry, LLC.1 Thus, the creditor should have appealed the denial instead of waiting until later in the case to seek again to pursue its pre-bankruptcy litigation against...

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For Shame

The Academy

June 25, 2023

Litigation Practice Group Lawsuits: 4 Cases to Know (This is the only free article we could find on Litigation Practice Group a/k/a Phoenix Law and disbarred Tony Diab. He has been disbarred from both Nevada and California.)

Chapter 13 Trustee Duties, Powers, And Limitations – Part 4

October 25, 2020

By James J. Robinson, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge, Northern District of Alabama Exactly whose interests does the trustee represent, and when should the trustee object or move to modify? Hope v. Acorn Financial, Inc., 731 F.3d 1189 (11th Cir. 2013). The Eleventh Circuit held that a chapter 13 trustee who was aware of defects with a secured claim before...

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Personal Injury Attorney’s Duty of Reasonable Inquiry of a Client’s Bankruptcy

Michael B. Joseph

August 28, 2022

An attorney meets with a potential client about a recent auto accident personal injury claim. The client suffered severe injuries and may be entitled to a large award. The client fails to mention that he is a debtor in an active bankruptcy. The client also has failed to advise his bankruptcy attorney about the personal injury claim. The debtor/client does...

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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Does Section 1325(b)(1)(A) Hold Your Interest?

Daniel M. Tavera, The Honorable John P. Gustafson

July 9, 2023

When Does The Bankruptcy Code Require The Payment Of Interest On Unsecured Claims In Chapter 13? I. Introduction This article primarily discusses the interpretation and application of § 1325(b)(1)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code in relation to the payment of interest to general unsecured creditors in chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. Section 1325(b)(1)(A) generally states that a court may not approve a chapter...

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Impact of COVID-19 and the CARES ACT on Mortgages

April 19, 2020

By Michael McCormick, Senior Partner, McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC (Roswell, GA) H.R. 748, also known as the CARES Act (herein, “the Act”), was enacted into law on March 27, 2020. The Act is meant to address the economic fallout of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Act contains numerous consumer protections, including several pertaining to residential mortgages. Relief from Foreclosure Section...

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Chapter 13 NoLook Fees: The Horns of a Dilemma

Cathy Moran

December 3, 2023

“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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IRS Attempting to Collect on Virtual Currency

July 28, 2019

IRS has begun sending letters to virtual currency owners advising them to pay back taxes, file amended returns; part of agency’s larger efforts. On July 26th, the IRS announced that it has begun sending letters to taxpayers with virtual currency transactions that potentially failed to report income and pay the resulting tax from virtual currency transactions or did not report...

Absolute Right to Dismiss? Sixth Circuit Says “Yes”

August 8, 2021

By Academy Staff Section 1307(b) provides: On request of the debtor at any time, if the case has not been converted under Section 706, Section 1112, or Section 1208, the court shall dismiss a case under this chapter. This seemingly straightforward provision has generated significant litigation and produced multiple conflicting decisions. Does a Debtor have a right to dismiss a...

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