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Eleventh Circuit Holds that a Chapter 13 Plan Alone Can’t Assume a Lease or Contract

In the first court of appeals decision on the topic, the Eleventh Circuit holds that the chapter 13 trustee alone has power to assume a lease or contract.
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Fifth Circuit Cites ‘Clearly Erroneous’ Findings to Declare a Debt Nondischargeable

Circuit says it’s easy to show reasonable reliance on a false financial statement.
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Delaware District Court Upholds Discharge of Environmental Fines in Chapter 11

Environmental fines are discharged in chapter 11 because they do not result from pecuniary loss.

Must a Debtor Be Destitute Before Discharging Student Loans?

Unemployed for 16 months, surviving on food stamps, and living rent-free enabled a debtor to discharge student loans.

Silence in the Face of a Duty to Disclose Is Not a ‘Statement,’ 9th Cir. BAP Holds

The Ninth Circuit BAP closed a loophole that would have allowed a recipient of public assistance benefits to discharge a debt for overpayment.
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Eleventh Circuit Opinion Shows Taggart’s Effect on Discharge Contempt Disputes

Taggart allows a court to deny a contempt motion without deciding whether the creditor’s action actually violated the discharge injunction.
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May a Chapter 13 Plan Pay a Larger Percentage Toward Student Loans?

Since Congress has made student loans virtually nondischargeable, why can’t a chapter 13 plan discriminate in favor of paying more toward student loans?

First Circuit Reverses the BAP for Fact-Finding on Appeal

First Circuit requires detailed fact-finding by the bankruptcy court on the credibility of witnesses and the elements of nondischargeability for false representations.
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