In Re Carter: A Hard Case (Maybe) Making Bad Law?

Chapter 13 plans and confirmation orders will occasionally include post-confirmation disclosure and turnover requirements for tax returns and refunds and for other types of post-petition recoveries and income. Debtors are expected, on their own and without the need for rigorous trustee oversight, to fulfill the turnover requirements as a condition of plan completion and discharge.

What happens when the case reaches plan term end, the debtor has made all regular plan payments, but failed to fulfill the added turnover requirement? Easy answer, right? The debtor failed to satisfy all the terms and conditions of the . . .

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Owen W. Katz

Staff Attorney

Owen W. Katz, Esq.. is a staff attorney for the Office of the Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the Chapter 13 Trustee staff, he worked for Bernstein and Bernstein, then a well know Bankrutpcy and Creditors’ Rights boutique, and as a sole practitioner concentrating in bankrutpcy and general commercial law. In his time in private practice, he has represented creditors and debtors in Chapters 7, 11 and 13, and trustees in Chapters 7 and 11. Among other matters, he has represented trustees in Chapter 5 avoidance litigation, as well as representing debtors in Chapter 11 and 13 business and consumer reorganizations.

From the Editor – Claims

October 20, 2019

By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired) Claim allowed after reopening of no-asset case. The Chapter 7 case filed as no-asset was reopened after discovery of assets for distribution, and debtors objected to a claim on basis of statute of limitations. Affirming, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel held that the time to commence action on the claim had been tolled under...

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Critical Case Comment–“No Realistic Future Prospects”

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

March 26, 2023

A 34-year-old Chapter 7 debtor could discharge his student loan obligation by establishing that he could not reasonably make payments on the balance, could not maintain a reasonable standard of living, and because the expiration of his payment term had already passed, his standard of living was likely to persist, with no realistic future prospects. (Silverstein) In re Wolfson, No....

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The Bankruptcy Moot Court Experience – Duberstein 2019

August 25, 2019

By Cameron Kelly & Michael Carroll, Law Students, The University of Texas School of Law I. Starting the Journey Instead of starting class by cold-calling people, Professor Westbrook chose to suspend my terror briefly. While I was thankful for the reprieve from what would inevitably be a disappointing cold call, I was more thankful for what he had to say....

Department of Justice Guidance on Discharging Federal Student Loans in Bankruptcy Expanded to Include FFEL and Perkins Loans

Scott Waterman, Josh Cohen

October 29, 2023

“FFEL and Perkins loans are different than other federally backed student loans as these are owned by private lenders, but guaranteed by the government.”

Critical Case Comment– Reverse Mortgage May be Modified

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

May 22, 2022

A reverse mortgage, having fallen due as a result of the death of the borrower, is not protected from modification by the borrower’s heirs by virtue of § 1322(c)(2). (Halfenger) In re Sandoval, 2022 WL 982182 (Bankr. E.D. Wis. March 31, 2022) Case Summary Juan Sandoval filed Chapter 13 and proposed a plan which dealt with his principal asset, a...

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From the Editor

March 31, 2019

By Wm. Houston Brown, United States Bankruptcy Judge (Retired) Debtor’s Attorney - Chapter 13 debtors not required to seek approval to employ special counsel. The Chapter 13 debtors moved to employ special counsel for representation in state-court litigation, but § 327(e) did not apply to Chapter 13 debtors when no request was being made to pay the special counsel from...

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Bridging Relationships: Everyone Benefits

The NACTT Emeritus Trustees

June 11, 2023

Chapter 13 Trustees occupy unique positions. Every day they work with the courts, clerks’ offices, debtors, creditors, and their attorneys, and the Office of the United States Trustees. Within ethical bounds, it is important that Chapter 13 trustees build and maintain relationships with each of these constituents. Civility, professionalism, and trust are the mainstays for all of these interactions. We...

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Automatic Stay Denial of Stay Relief was Final and Appealable, Although It Was “Without Prejudice.”

The Honorable William Houston Brown

April 10, 2022

Selected Consumer Opinions Since January 1, 2022 Automatic Stay Denial of stay relief was final and appealable, although it was “without prejudice.”Deciding an issue not addressed in Ritzen Grp., Inc. v. Jackson Masonry, LLC, 140 S.Ct. 582 (2020), the Ninth Circuit concluded that the bankruptcy court’s order denying stay relief was final and appealable, despite its “without prejudice” language, because...

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Critical Case Comment – Pro Se Debtor Sanctioned

November 21, 2021

By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the Middle District of TN (Nashville) Where pro se debtors filed numerous groundless complaints and made specious allegations against their former counsel, sanctions under Rule 9011 were appropriate notwithstanding the fact that the debtors were now acting pro se. (Hopkins) In re Jones, 2021 WL 4168110 (Bankr. S.D. O.H., Sept....

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From the Editor – Dismissal

August 2, 2020

By The Honorable William Houston Brown (Retired) Undistributed funds returned to debtor upon dismissal. Under § 1327(b)’s vesting requirement, unless a confirmed plan provides otherwise, any undistributed funds held by the trustee at dismissal of the case must be returned to the debtor. Although not necessary to rely on § 347(b)(3), the conclusion on effect of vesting at confirmation was...

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