Mains v. Foley, Nos. 1:11-CV-456, 1:11-CV-740, 2012 WL 612006, at *3 – *6 (W.D. Mich. Feb. 24, 2012) (Jonker)

Good faith under § 1325(a)(3) includes consideration of Social Security income notwithstanding exclusion of Social Security from the projected disposable income test. “The subjective good faith test of section 1325(a) is distinct from and independent of the objective requirement of section 1325(b) . . . . Congress actually reinforced the point in the 2005 BAPCPA amendments by expressly excluding Social Security benefits from the objective ‘disposable income’ analysis of section 1325(b), but leaving undisturbed the open-ended and unqualified subjective determination of good faith under section 1325(a). . . . [I]t is entirely possible for a debtor to satisfy the objective test of section 1325(b) while at the same time leaving ample factual basis upon which to find a subjective lack of good faith. . . . [N]othing in section 407 of the Social Security Act gives a debtor immunity from demonstrating good faith as a pre-condition to confirmation of a Chapter 13 plan . . . . The intrinsic flexibility of the standard is its strength, both in general, and in the particular assessment of whether, when and how Social Security benefits must fit into the good faith determination. A per se rule in either direction defeats the purposes of the good faith test.”

No Author Biography has been linked to this Article.

Related Articles

January 19, 2020
Two new proposals from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) could make it easier for payday and other high-cost lenders to use banks as a fig leaf, allowing online lenders to offer predatory loans at interest rates that are prohibited under state law. Online lenders have become increasingly bold in...
gustafson2
Conduit vs. Direct Mortgage Payments – The Case Law To Consider1 The requirement that debtors pay their mortgage payments to their Chapter 13 Trustee as a “conduit” has advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is the fact that the Chapter 13 Trustee’s records are readily accepted by both the court and creditors in the event of a payment dispute. This advantage...
Members
January 17, 2021
By Lawrence R. Ahern III, Brown & Ahern (Nashville, TN) PART VII – CONSUMER CREDITORS' PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF FORECLOSURE AND OTHER ARTICLE 9 RULES Introduction In this space, we have looked at numerous topics involving the operation of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) in bankruptcy; in the current series, we are reviewing Article 9's important rules...
Members
January 6, 2019
By John P. Gustafson, United States Bankruptcy Judge, Northern District of Ohio, Western Division (Toledo, OH) Click here for Part 1 of 6 Click here for Part 3 of 6 Click here for Part 4 of 6 Click here for Part 5 of 6 Click here for Part 6 . . . It looks like you are not signed in...
Members
Copy of Hildebrand-2016
Chapter 13 plan cannot be modified to treat a priority claim as general unsecured after the time for reconsideration of the order has passed. (Easterbrook) Matter of Terrell, 39 F.4th 888 (7th Cir. July 12, 2022) Case Summary The Terrells’ Chapter 13 plan proposed a classification to pay the State of Wisconsin in full as a priority claim because, they...
Members
March 24, 2019
By Lawrence R. Ahern III, Brown & Ahern (Nashville, TN) PART IV: What's an Attorney to Do? Considerations for Counsel on all Sides of the Arbitration Question Click here for Part I Click here for Part II
Members
Scott Waterman
March 24, 2024
An ordinary title for a very NON-ordinary article! A computer program which will accurately predict whether a borrower will default and relief extended based on the data. WHAAAT???
chiefjusticemarshall
March 31, 2024
Launching a new feature - Supreme Court Corner - Jon Hayes will periodically share a look at a historical bankruptcy case. As the title indicates, Sturges v. Crowninshield looks at state bankruptcy law in the absence of federal law.
Members
June 23, 2019
By Herbert L. Beskin, Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Virginia (Charlottesville) Let’s take the following set of facts and see how it plays out in the labyrinthian world of hardship discharge of student loan debt. The case is In re Lozada (Lozada v. Educational Credit Management Corporation), 594 B.R. 212 (Bankr. S.D. N.Y. 2018). Years ago (30...
Members
gavel
June 18, 2023
Appeals Court Names Erie Lawyer as Newest Bankruptcy Judge – John C. Melaragno has been named the new judge for the Erie Division of U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Looking to Become a Member?

ConsiderChapter13.org offers a forum to advance continuing education of consumer bankruptcy via access to insightful articles, informative webinars, and the latest industry news. Join now to benefit from expert resources and stay informed.

Webinars

These informative sessions are led by industry experts and cover a range of consumer bankruptcy topics.

Member Articles

Written by industry experts, these articles provide in-depth analysis and practical guidance on consumer bankruptcy topics.

Industry News

The Academy is the go-to source for the latest news and analysis in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy industry.

To get started, please let us know which of these best fits your current position: