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.
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.
Debtors May Avoid Judicial Liens Under Section 522(f) Securing Nondischargeable Debts
Bankruptcy Judge Alan Koschik declined to follow cases decided before Congress amended Section 522(f) to preclude avoiding judicial liens securing domestic support obligations.
Fraudulent Transfers to Revocable Trusts May or May Not Zap Homestead Exemptions
In Ohio, the debtor won’t lose the homestead exemption by transferring a home to a revocable trust.
Taggart Means No Strict Liability for Violating a Corporate Debtor’s Automatic Stay
Persuasive authority is required before a creditor can be held in contempt for violating the automatic stay protecting a corporate debtor.
Circuit Split on U.S. Trustee Fees Likely Won’t Reach the Supreme Court Until Fall 2022
Judge Hoffman sets up Sixth Circuit to opine on the circuit split regarding the constitutionality of the 2018 increase in fees for the U.S. Trustee system.
Judge Kendig Implies that Failure to Run a Lien Search is Tantamount to Malpractice
The debtors’ lawyer’s lack of diligence allowed the creditor to invoke laches and beat a belated motion to avoid a lien that impaired a homestead exemption.
Contested Matters Aren’t ‘Civil Actions’ Under the Equal Access to Justice Act
A contested matter in bankruptcy court isn’t a ‘civil action’ allowing the debtor to recover attorneys’ fees from the U.S. Trustee under the Equal Access to Justice Act.
An Undersecured Lender Can Indirectly Waive the Right to an 1111(b) Election
Agreeing to bidding procedures can waive the right to make the Section 1111(b) election, Judge Hoffman says.
Parental Support Isn’t Counted on Discharge of Student Loans, Judge Kendig Says
Private charity is not considered to be part of a debtor’s income under the first part of the Brunner test.