Cap on Employee Benefit Claims Is Per Plan, Not Per Debtor, Seventh Circuit Says
The $13,650 cap on priority claims for each employee under an ‘employee benefit plan’ applies to each benefit plan, not to all of an employer’s benefit plans added together, the Seventh Circuit says.
Court:
Holding Impounded Cars Still Might Violate the Automatic Stay, Seventh Circuit Says
Seventh Circuit says that Fulton left open the question of whether holding an impounded car violates Sections 362(a)(4) or (a)(6).
Court:
Costs of a Disciplinary Proceeding Held Nondischargeable Under Section 523(a)(7)
Another court strains to explain why costs incurred by disciplinary authorities were not in compensation for “actual pecuniary loss.”
Statutory Basis for Permanent Injunctions in Chapter 15 Explained by Judge Barnes
The statutory basis for permanent relief under today’s chapter 15 was found in former Section 304, which chapter 15 superseded.
Seventh Circuit Primed to Take on a Circuit Split on Automatic Stay Termination
District judge in Indiana holds that the automatic stay only ends as to the debtor’s property after a repeat filing, not also as to estate property.
Bankruptcy Judge Helps a Debtor Who Couldn’t Defend a Dischargeability Suit
Bankruptcy judge had tricks up his sleeve to help a debtor who couldn’t afford a lawyer to defend a dischargeability suit.
Courts Are Split on Whether Counsel Fees Are Considered in the Chapter 13 Best Interests Test
Deferred payments to unsecured creditors in a chapter 13 plan must equal the present value of the distributions required by the best interests test, Judge Halfenger says.
Espinosa Doesn’t Forgive All Procedural Defects in Confirmation, Judge Ludwig Says
To sell free and clear, someone with an interest in the property must receive the notice required for service of a summons and complaint. Actual notice doesn’t suffice.
Debtors Win in District Court: They Can Avoid Judicial Liens on Impounded Cars
Car owners lost in Fulton but won when a Chicago district judge affirmed and ruled that debtors may avoid judicial liens on impounded cars.
Insurers Don’t Pay Bankruptcy Costs in a Mass-Tort Chapter 11
A voluntary chapter 11 case is neither a ‘suit’ nor a ‘claim’ against a debtor giving rise to an insurer’s duty to defend.