Retirement of the Honorable John E. Hoffman, Jr., Chief Judge

In the continually evolving field of consumer bankruptcy law, a series of Supreme Court decisions shape how cases are administered nationwide. Over the coming weeks, we will highlight key decisions that every bankruptcy practitioner should recognize—both by name and by the issues they resolve. This week’s ‘memory work’ is: United Savings Association of Texas v. Timbers of Inwood Forest Associates; Citizens Bank of Maryland v. Strumpf; Grogan v. Garner; and Ron Pair.

Carefully following In re Nolan and In re Adkins, a debtor may modify a confirmed Chapter 13 plan to surrender a car so long as the full secured claim is paid although with a modified interest and paid without a regular monthly payment.

At the end of this calendar year, after 44 years, the Southern District of Texas and the bankruptcy community will lose one of our standard bearers. William E. Heitkamp, “Bill” was appointed Chapter 13 Trustee in 1979. His appointment came shortly after the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 became law.