SCOTUS Rules Insurer Is Party in Interest, Reversing Fourth Circuit

Party in interest construed. In a Chapter 11 case, the Supreme Court held that an insurer for gypsum manufacturers and sellers was a party in interest under section 1109(b) for purposes of objecting to a proposed plan. The insurer had financial responsibility for asbestos claims filed in the bankruptcy, and the insurer could be directly and adversely affected by the proposed plan. The term “party in interest” is applied broadly to cover the insurer. The holding has no direct application to Chapter 13 but could have implications for an insurer in consumer cases. Truck Insurance Exchange v. Kaiser Gypsum Co., Inc., et al., 2024 WL 2853106 (June 6, 2024).

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Critical Case Comment – Debtor Bears Burden of Proof to Be Ones Own Disbursing Agent

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

January 21, 2024

There is a presumption that the trustee will make disbursements under a confirmed Chapter 13 plan and the debtor bears the burden of demonstrating sufficient grounds to justify acting as her own disbursing agent.

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Why Address Formatting Is So Important for Jurisdiction

October 24, 2021

By Jay S. Jump, CEO, CertificateofService.com (Pasco, WA) My guess is you initially saw the title of this article and promptly pressed right on past it. Who needs to learn how to properly address an envelope? You didn’t spend three years in law school plus all that money in student loans to address an envelope! But, If the purpose of...

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Critical Case Comment – Prime vs. Riskless Treasury Rate

Henry E. Hildebrand, III

May 28, 2023

In determining the appropriate “present value” factor to be added to the payment of a secured claim in a Chapter 12, the Court should look at the “riskless” treasury rate rather than the “prime rate” before enhancing it with a risk factor. (Ebinger) Farm Credit Services of America v. Topp, 2022 WL 2981590 (S.D. Iowa, July 19, 2022) Case Summary...

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The Academy

July 21, 2024

Selection of Kyu Young (Mike) Paek to Serve as Bankruptcy Judge in the Southern District of New York. See also: ABI 40 Under 40

United Student Aid Funds, Inc. v. Espinosa Ten Years After

May 3, 2020

By Hon. Brian Lynch, United States Bankruptcy Judge, Western District of Washington, Tacoma Division When the Supreme Court issued United Student Aid Funds, Inc. v. Espinosa1 on March 23, 2010, commentators were perplexed.2 On the one hand, the Court upheld the 9th Circuit’s ruling allowing a hardship discharge of student loans in a chapter 13 plan. The Court held that...

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Carl L. Bekofske – When a Man Has Made His “Mark” and the Next Step Is Retirement…

Kathleen A. Leavitt

October 8, 2023

How do you acknowledge such an accomplished man; especially one who is also the consummate gentleman; a man of integrity; a community leader; the sharer of wisdom and knowledge? Of course, you list his impressive biographical accomplishments. But you also think about his influence on you and others in your circle. You reach out to those you know who were...

A Day in the Life of a Chapter 13 Trustee

May 12, 2019

By Margaret A. Burks, Esq., Chapter 13 Trustee (Cincinnati, OH) I was recently asked to expound on a “Day in the Life of a Chapter 13 Trustee.” Then Regina (Logsdon, Executive Director of ConsiderChapter13.org) asked me to write an article for the Academy. I believe in fate so here goes. Please see ‘Effective Communication Guide.’ It came out about four...

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Reconversion to Chapter 13 – Betwixt and Between?

Michael B. Joseph

January 21, 2024

“Is it possible to voluntarily convert a chapter 13 case to chapter 7, and later reconvert back to chapter 13? There is a split of authority on whether this maneuver is allowed.”

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When $400 Emergency Pushes You Over the Edge

September 8, 2019

By Cathy Moran, Esq. (Redwood City, CA) The Federal Reserve reported that 40% of Americans couldn’t meet a $400 emergency without borrowing. A significant slice of them couldn’t pay it at all. So, a Bloomberg economist devoted his column to deconstructing how the press and political figures, in his opinion, misused that finding. OMGoodness. The guy was too caught up...

Recent Trends in the Interpretation of Midland v. Johnson and the Applicability of the FDCPA to Bankruptcy Cases

January 3, 2021

By Mark C. Leffler, Boleman Law Firm, PC (Richmond, Hampton, and Va. Beach, VA) Part I: Derby v. Portfolio Recovery Associates Recently, Hon. Keith L. Phillips of the Eastern District of Virginia Bankruptcy Court issued his fourth and final written opinion in the Derby v. Portfolio Recovery Associates adversary proceeding, Adv. Pro. No. 18-03097-KLP, 2020 Bankr. LEXIS 2589 (Bankr. E.D.Va....

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