An ATV Is an Exempt ‘Motor Vehicle’ in Ohio, Judge Whipple Says
Judge Mary Ann Whipple declined to engraft a ‘use’ restriction onto the broad meaning of ‘motor vehicle’ in Ohio.
The ‘Ordinary Course’ Defense Is Satisfied by Showing One of the Two Tests, Not Both
Following the 2005 amendments, satisfying either the subject test or the objective test will prove the ‘ordinary course’ defense to a preference, Judge Hoffman says.
Evidence of Intent to ‘Hinder’ Wasn’t Sufficient to Deny Discharge, District Judge Says
The bankruptcy court’s inference of intent to hinder the trustee wasn’t supported by the evidence, the district judge says in reversing a denial discharge.
A Bankrupt Defendant Complicates Filing an Appeal Against Everyone Else
The Sixth Circuit explains how to appeal when the automatic stay prevents an order in a multi-defendant suit from becoming a final order.
Court:
A Stipulated Dismissal Won’t Serve as the Basis for Res Judicata, a/k/a Claim Preclusion
A stipulated dismissal, even with prejudice, doesn’t mean that the claims were ‘actually litigated’ for the purpose of claim preclusion, the Sixth Circuit says.
Court:
Dispositions of Marital Property Aren’t Always Beyond the Avoiding Powers
A division of marital property on consent to someone other than a spouse might be a fraudulent transfer.
Courts Are Split on Including a Nonfiling Spouse’s Social Security Benefits
Judge Beth Buchanan decided that the ‘totality of the circumstances’ test for ‘abuse’ doesn’t permit disregarding the exemption for Social Security benefits.
U.S. Trustee Dodged Payment of Attorneys’ Fees Under the Equal Access to Justice Act
The Sixth Circuit holds that a debtor cannot recover attorneys’ fees from the U.S. Trustee under the EAJA in a contested matter, but leaves open the possibility of liability for counsel fees in a losing adversary proceeding.
Court:
Discharge Isn’t an Automatic Bar to Conversion from ‘7’ to ‘13’
A district court opinion from Michigan raises the question of whether the Supreme Court’s decision in Marrama is still good law after Law v. Siegel.
Bankruptcy Judge Refuses to Enforce an Arbitration Agreement
An exculpation clause in a chapter 11 plan protected the owner’s counsel from a malpractice suit.