Of Tax Refunds, Exemptions, Setoffs, and Roman Gods

By Herbert L. Beskin, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the Western District of Virginia (Charlottesville)

If you’re looking for a well-written and clear appellate opinion about a much-litigated topic, with a bit of ancient mythology thrown in for good measure, this HUD’s for you.

The case is Wood v. U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (In re Larry and Jessica Wood), #20—1161, and the opinion was handed down by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on 4/7/21. The facts are not unfamiliar. The debtors borrowed $39 . . .

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Meet Another New Trustee

January 20, 2019

On October 1, 2018, Dynele L. Schinker-Kuharich was appointed as a Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the Northern District of Ohio. She maintains her offices in Canton. Ms. Schinker-Kuharich replaces retiring Toby Rosen who served in this position for 30 years. Prior to her appointment as a Standing Chapter 13, Schinker-Kuharich was on the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for...

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The Cloud Cometh

Naliko Markel

October 23, 2022

The cloud seems to be all anyone wants to talk about these days in the tech field. I presented on it at the annual meeting in San Francisco this past summer and I presented on it at the first annual Region 9 I.T. Conference last month. I’m not tired of talking about it because the cloud is the future for...

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4 Reasons to Keep Time Records No One Discusses

Cathy Moran

July 17, 2022

Mention keeping time records to a bankruptcy lawyer and you’re likely met with expressions of utter revulsion. All too many assert that the major appeal of being a bankruptcy lawyer is precisely that they don’t have to keep time. Between flat fee deals with clients, and no look fees in Chapter 13, they feel liberated from the clock and the...

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Tax Projections and the Means Test – Parts I and II

Cathy Moran

December 17, 2023

Part I discusses projecting income tax deductions on the means test when the year of filing situation looks much like last year. Part II looks at things when they aren’t the same year over year.

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ABI Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy – Collateral Repossessed Pre-Petition

October 6, 2019

By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee (Nashville, TN) One of the most difficult situations faced by a debtor and debtors’ counsel is the repossession of important collateral securing a debt owed to a creditor. These items, such as automobiles, furniture, boats, and mowers which have been pledged to a creditor are important – often critical – to...

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Surrender of Collateral in a Plan- What Is the Court to Do if the Debtor Doesn’t Follow Through?

June 2, 2019

By Tammy E. Stickley and Francis J. DiCesare, Staff Attorneys for Margaret A. Burks, Esq. Chapter 13 Standing Trustee (Cincinnati, OH) In a media age in which people expect to be told when “spoilers” are ahead, this summary needs no such warning. Courts have little patience for debtors who surrender collateral – especially real estate – then oppose the foreclosure...

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U.S. Trustee Program to Implement Virtual Section 341 Meetings of Creditors Nationwide

The Academy

September 3, 2023

These virtual 341 meetings via Zoom will be implemented on a rolling basis through early 2024.

Fourth Circuit Overrules Own Precedent, Holds Certain Primary Residence Claims Can be Crammed Down in Chapter 13 Bankruptcies

October 20, 2019

(First published here on August 19, 2019. Used with permission.) By Daniel Cohn, Esq., Legal Department, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. General Rule: No Primary Residence Mortgage Changes The general rule in bankruptcy is that debtors cannot cram down loans secured only by mortgages on their primary residences. But wait, “what’s a cram down?” you ask. For non-bankruptcy folks, a cram...

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From the Editor

September 20, 2020

By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired) Debt buyer was debt collector under FDCPA. The Ninth Circuit agreed with the Third Circuit that an entity purchasing consumer debts qualified as a debt collector under the Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692(a)(6), even though it outsourced the actual debt collection activity. McAdory v. M.N.S. & Assoc., LLC, 952 F.3d 1089 (9th Cir....

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Tax Time Guide: Contribute to an IRA by April 15 to claim it on 2018 tax returns

March 24, 2019

3/19/19 IRS reminded taxpayers that it’s not too late to contribute to an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) and still claim it on a 2018 tax return. Anyone with a traditional IRA may be eligible for a tax credit or deduction on their 2018 tax return if they make contributions by April 15, 2019. This news release is part of a...