For purposes of lien avoidance under section 522(f), the debtor was able to claim a homestead exemption in the amount of the California exemption in effect at the time of his bankruptcy petition, despite California law that fixed the exemption amount at the time of lien creation. Barclay v. Boskoski (In re Boskoski), No. 22-55098 (9th Cir. Nov. 14, 2022). [Read more…] about Exemption Amount in Lien Avoidance Action
Tribal Sovereign Immunity Waived
In a succinct opinion, the Ninth Circuit reaffirmed its 2004 decision that Congress abrogated tribal sovereign immunity with respect to the automatic stay. Numa Corp. v. Diven, No. 22-15298 (9th Cir. Nov. 14, 2022) (unpublished).
NCBRC and NACBA filed an amici brief in support of the debtor in this case. [Read more…] about Tribal Sovereign Immunity Waived
Ovation Denied Keys to the Candy Store
A bankruptcy court rejected the tax lender’s challenge to the district’s Mandatory Form Chapter 13 Plan where it found the lender, whose claim would be fully paid through that plan, simply did “not want this Court’s oversight in approving claims for reimbursement for any post-petition expense charges.” In re Martin, No. 22-30148 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. Nov. 14, 2022). [Read more…] about Ovation Denied Keys to the Candy Store
Pawn Contract Disavowing Bankruptcy Intent Is Enforceable
A pawn agreement requiring the borrower to affirm that she was not in bankruptcy and did not intend to file for bankruptcy was not unenforceable as against public policy because the agreement did not commit the borrower to an agreement not to file for bankruptcy at a later date. TitleMax v. Roby, No. 21-630 (M.D. Ala. Sept. 19, 2022). [Read more…] about Pawn Contract Disavowing Bankruptcy Intent Is Enforceable
Post-petition Appreciation Not Part of Chapter 13 Estate
The “estate termination theory” allows the debtors to retain proceeds from the post-confirmation sale of prepetition property, where the value of the property appreciated and was sold after the property had revested in the debtors. In re Klein, No. 17-19106 (Bankr. D. Colo. Aug. 23, 2022). [Read more…] about Post-petition Appreciation Not Part of Chapter 13 Estate
Absent Objection 100% FMV Exemption May Exceed Statutory Cap
A claimed exemption for 100% of FMV is allowed when no party in interest objects even though once the property appreciated post-petition, the exemption was greater than the statutory limit. Masingale v. Munding (In re Masingale), No. 22-1016 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. Nov. 2, 2022). [Read more…] about Absent Objection 100% FMV Exemption May Exceed Statutory Cap
Plan’s Discriminatory Treatment of Student Lender not Unfair
Two Chapter 13 plans providing for maintenance of the debtors’ student loans outside the plan satisfied section 1325(b)(1)(A)’s requirement that claims be paid at 100%, and did not unfairly discriminate against the class of student lenders even though they would receive smaller monthly payments than other unsecured claims and not be fully paid at the end of the plan. In re Durand-Day, No.22-40089 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. Oct. 26, 2022). [Read more…] about Plan’s Discriminatory Treatment of Student Lender not Unfair
No Discharge of Post-Petition Transaction Based on Pre-Bankruptcy Guaranty
A post-discharge liability arising out of pre-petition personal guaranty was not discharged in the debtors’ bankruptcy where the debt was based on transactions occurring four years after the debtors received their discharge. Reinhart Foodservice, LLC v. Schlundt, No. 21-1027 (E.D. Wisc. Oct. 27, 2022). [Read more…] about No Discharge of Post-Petition Transaction Based on Pre-Bankruptcy Guaranty
Statutory vs. Judicial Lien
Where the state workers’ compensation procedure involves quasi-judicial steps including the right to notice, an opportunity to be heard, and the right to appeal an unfavorable decision, a lien arising out of that process is “judicial” rather than “statutory.” In re Shippy, No. 22-40706 (Bankr. W.D. Wash. Oct. 24, 2022). [Read more…] about Statutory vs. Judicial Lien
Sixth Circuit All But Eliminates Defense to Judicial Estoppel
Stating that it “is always in a Chapter 13 petitioner’s interest to minimize income and assets,” and speculating that “had the bankruptcy court and Stanley’s creditors known about [his civil] claim, the outcome of Stanley’s bankruptcy petition could have been less favorable to Stanley,” the Sixth Circuit all but eliminated a bankruptcy debtor’s defense against judicial estoppel based on lack of motive to conceal the claim. Stanley v. FCA US, LLC, No. 21-4238 (6th Cir. Oct 18, 2022). [Read more…] about Sixth Circuit All But Eliminates Defense to Judicial Estoppel