11th Circuit

Validity of Inherited Homestead Exemption Decided by Allusion to Baseball

A house that wasn’t a homestead on the filing date held eligible for the exemption.

FDCPA’s One-Year Statute of Limitations Strictly Enforced

FDCPA suit must begin within one year of the filing of a time-barred claim.

Chapter 13 Plan Ok’d with Balloon Payment for Secured Lender

Georgia judge parts with ‘overwhelming majority’ of decisions precluding balloon payments.

Florida Judge Extends a Trustee’s Statute of Limitations to 10 Years

Courts split on giving trustees the IRS’ 10-year statute of limitations for avoidance actions.

Alabama Judge Takes Majority View on Automatic Stay Termination for Repeat Filers

For serial filers, automatic stay held to terminate only on the debtor’s property.

Chapter 13 Remains a Haven from Paying Support Even after BAPCPA Amendment

Try garnishment, not contempt, to collect support from a chapter 13 debtor.

Chapter 13 Confirmation Bars Garnishment to Pay Child Support

BAPCPA didn’t end all restraints on the collection of child support, Eleventh Circuit holds.
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Calculation of Punitive Damages Did Not Consider Amount of Attorneys’ Fees

$50,000 in punitive damages held excessive when actual damages were $1,500.

Using Untrained Personnel Is No Defense Against Willful Stay Violation

Simple mistake mushrooms into $50,000 in punitive damages for stay violation.