If you are contemplating filing for Bankruptcy and own a home, you probably will want to consider waiting a few weeks. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed House Bill HB 1024, which increases the Georgia Homestead Exemption from the current $21,500.00 to $50,000.00 effective July 1, 2026. If the residence is titled in the name… Continue Reading
In In re Antman, 2024 WL 4786241, Ch. 13 Case No. 23-60317-ejc (Bankr. S.D. Ga. Nov. 14, 2024), the debtor’s father died in 1996 and in his will left his house to debtor and her three siblings in equal shares. Debtor and her husband had lived in the house since 1999. Debtor filed a Chapter… Continue Reading
In a very detailed 91-page Order entered in the Northern District of Georgia- and adopted by all Judges in the District – Judge Sacca addressed serious concerns of the United States Trustee over the handling of a Chapter 13 case by the Debtor’s lawyer. The United States Trustee is also investigating several other cases with… Continue Reading
The Honorable Walter Homer Drake, Jr. November 21, 1932 – December 9, 2022. Retired United States Bankruptcy Judge Walter Homer Drake, Jr., 90, passed away Friday, December 9, 2022 at his home in Newnan. He was born November 21, 1932 in Colquitt, Georgia to the late Walter Homer Drake and Mary Lois Cowart Drake. In… Continue Reading
In Georgia, does a judgment lien attach to real property as of the date the judgment was entered or as of the date and time the writ of fieri facias on that judgment is properly recorded in the county records, as required under Georgia law? The Supreme Court of Georgia answered this question in Synovus… Continue Reading
In In re Hoffman, 2022 WL 203415 (11th Cir. January 24, 2022) (click here for .pdf) the issue before the Court was whether Roth IRAs were exempt pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §541(c)(2) or O.C.G.A. § 44-13-100(a)(2)(E). This is a case of first impression in the Circuit, based upon recent amendments to the Georgia exemption statutes.… Continue Reading
Health Savings Accounts were adopted by federal law in 2003, and allowed in Georgia in 2008. They have been a tremendous benefit to many families since that time. A simple explanation of a Health Savings Account (“HSA”), from Judge Wiki, is: [An HSA] is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers in the United… Continue Reading
Did the Georgia Supreme Court effectively repeal the foreclosure confirmation statute by affirming the rights of lenders to include waivers in their standard loan documents for both borrowers and guarantors? That appears to be the case. In PNC Bank, NA v. Smith, No. S15Q1445, 2016 WL 690406 (GA 2016) (download .pdf), the U.S. District Court… Continue Reading
The Georgia Supreme Court recently answered certified questions from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals regarding whether a single premium annuity was exempt in a Chapter 7 case, where the annuity was purchased a year before filing with $220,000 in inherited funds. A debtor’s transfer of $220,000 a year before filing Chapter 7 is certainly… Continue Reading
On February 18, 2013, the Georgia Supreme Court issued its opinion in Wells Fargo Bank. N.A. v. Gordon, No. S12Q2067, 2013 Ga. LEXIS 158 (Feb 18, 2013). The case was certified to the Georgia Supreme Court by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in In re Codrington, 691 F3d 1336 (11th Cir. 2012) (click here… Continue Reading
In a case of first impression, the Georgia Court of Appeals has held that a foreclosure notice must identify both the secured lender and the "individual or entity who shall have full authority to negotiate, amend, and modify all terms of the mortgage with the debtor." Reese v. Provident Funding Associates, LLP, 2012 Ga. App. LEXIS… Continue Reading
In CML V, LLC v. Bax, No. 735, 2010 (Del. Supr. Sept. 2, 2011) (click here for .pdf of opinion), the Delaware Supreme Court addressed the questions of whether a creditor can file a derivative action against a limited liability company. Plaintiff CML asserted the following derivative claims against the present and former members of… Continue Reading
In this prior post, I discussed a ruling by Judge Massey, wherein he ruled in favor of a Chapter 7 Trustee who sought to set aside a security deed that did not contain the appropriate signature of an unofficial witness. Gordon v. Wells Fargo, Adv. No. 08-6612, 430 B.R. 287 (December 10, 2009) (click here… Continue Reading
The State of Georgia is among the national leaders in banks closed by state and federal agencies. So far in 2011, six Georgia banks have been closed, with the latest two being Habersham Bank and Citizens Bank of Effingham. Since late 2008, when the banking crisis hit, a total of fifty seven Georgia banks have… Continue Reading
By: Scott B. Riddle, Esq. Vibratech, Inc. v. Frost, et al., 2008 WL 1704091 (Ga. App. March 27, 2008). Although this Georgia Court of Appeals opinion involves a bankruptcy issue, it is more important for the discussion and holding on personal jurisdiction. This case indicates that a defendant can be hauled into Georgia Courts based on… Continue Reading
By: Scott B. Riddle, Esq. Huffman v. Armenia, Case Nos. A06A2105; A06A2106; A07A0616, 2007 Ga. App. LEXIS 325 (Ga. App. March 20, 2007). In a prior post, I discussed a case that held that a debtor entity may file a Bankruptcy petition even when a Receiver has been appointed by the state court. While I do not… Continue Reading
By: Scott B. Riddle, Esq. In a prior post, I noted that the Georgia Court of Appeals had recognized a cause of action for aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. You can review that post for lengthy excerpts from the opinion in Insight Technology, Inc. v. Freightcheck, Inc., No. A06-0710, Ga. App. LEXIS 738, 2006… Continue Reading
In Roy v. Garden Ridge, LP, Case No. A06-A-2065 (December 5, 2006), plaintiffs filed a personal injury suit against the defendant. The defendant subsequently filed a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy petition, staying the tort case. Defendant’s plan of reorganization was confirmed. Defendant then filed a motion for summary judgment in state court on the grounds that the… Continue Reading
Hill v. Green Tree Servicing, Inc., A06–0530, 2006 Ga. App. LEXIS 771 (Ga. App June 26, 2006) – Prior to this action, Borrower, the owner of a residential mobile home, had asserted a claim against Conseco Financial Services in Conseco’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. The Borrower ultimately settled the proceeding, agreeing on a general unsecured… Continue Reading
In a significant corporate governance case, the Georgia Court of Appeals officially recognized a claim of aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. Federal courts have recently dismissed such claims because, they believed, Georgia state courts would not recognize such a cause of action. See Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of PSA, Inc. v. Edwards,… Continue Reading
Yet another lesson that divorce decrees do not bind creditors, or trump a bankruptcy discharge – In McGahee v. Rogers, No. 06A0885, 2006 Ga. LEXIS 674 (Ga. July 13, 2006), the husband was liable for certain joint debts pursuant to the divorce decree. The final decree incorporated a settlement agreement pursuant to which neither party… Continue Reading
Judicial Estoppel; Standing Lee v. Owenby & Assoc., Inc. 2006 Ga. App. LEXIS 604 (May 17, 2006) Prior to filing bankruptcy, the debtor asserted claims against his landlord. After his filing, the trustee entered an appearance in the state action on behalf of the debtor’s estate, and dismissed without prejudice the claims against the landlord.… Continue Reading
Federal Judicial Estoppel Benton v. Benton, 2006 Ga. LEXIS 241, No. 06-A-0605 (GA April 25, 2006). The husband and wife were involved in a pending divorce action, wherein the wife had asked for alimony and a division of property, when the wife filed a Chapter 7 petition. Her Statement of Financial Affairs identified the divorce… Continue Reading
11 U.S.C. §727(a)(2); Fraudulent Conveyance; Collateral Estoppel Playnation Play Systems, Inc. v. Hammer, 277 Ga. App. 675 (February 20, 2006). Prior to filing for bankruptcy, the debtor transferred property after a state court judgment was entered against him. Debtor then filed a Chapter 7 petition and the creditor challenged his discharge pursuant to §727(a)(2) (transfer… Continue Reading
