Consumer Bankruptcy Committee
Committees
Richard Cole (rcole3@gmail.com) and Jon Lieberman (jon.lieberman@sottileandbarile.com), co-chairs of the ABI Consumer Committee, would like to thank all of the committee members and leaders who have made 2019 a most productive and exciting year.
Let’s face it: Effective consumer bankruptcy lawyers eschew litigation. Bankruptcy procedures promote compromise, and bankruptcy judges favor settlement. Many bankruptcy lawyers develop good settlement skills without ever participating in formal dispute-resolution processes. But occasionally, even effective lawyers can’t settle a case on their own.
Effective Oct. 1, 2019, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida has started its student loan management program (SLM).
On Aug. 26, 2019, the Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No: 116-51) was signed into law, substantially increasing the debt limit for agricultural producers seeking to file for relief under chapter 12. The debt limit increase — from approximately $4.3 million to $10 million — will dramatically expand chapter 12 bankruptcy eligibility at a time of turmoil for the U.S.
![Photo of Jonathan D’Andrea[1]](https://abi-org-corp.s3.amazonaws.com/committee/Authors/DAndrea.png)
Through the reaffirmation process, debtors may voluntarily enter into agreements with creditors to repay otherwise-dischargeable debts.[2] However, when a dispute arises as to whether a party has performed its end of the bargain, the question becomes whether the terms of the original agreement or the reaffirmation agreement apply.
In a chapter 13 bankruptcy, a debtor in default under a residential lease may assume the lease but the debtor’s plan must provide a cure provision for the pre-peti
On May 7, 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) issued its long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) for debt collection. These proposals precede a final rule that will be known as Regulation F and will be the first rules issued under the tenure of Director Kathleen Kraninger.
Mr. Jeffrey S. Fraser
Co-Chair
Albertelli Law
Lake Worth, FL
(954) 647-0691
Co-Chair
Albertelli Law
Lake Worth, FL
(954) 647-0691
Mr. Patrick Hruby
Co-Chair
Brock & Scott, PLLC
Tampa, FL
(813) 342-2200
Co-Chair
Brock & Scott, PLLC
Tampa, FL
(813) 342-2200
Mr. Daryl J. Smith, Esq.
Communications Manager
Chapter 13 Trustee Office
Shreveport, LA
(318) 673-8244
Communications Manager
Chapter 13 Trustee Office
Shreveport, LA
(318) 673-8244
Mr. Jeffrey S. Fraser
Special Projects Leader
Albertelli Law
Lake Worth, FL
(954) 647-0691
Special Projects Leader
Albertelli Law
Lake Worth, FL
(954) 647-0691
Mr. Ari David Kunofsky
Special Projects Leader
Alexandria, VA
(202) 353-5264
Special Projects Leader
Alexandria, VA
(202) 353-5264