Georgia Bankruptcy Blog

Georgia Bankruptcy Blog

Category Archives: Miscellaneous Cases

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The Discharge Injunction – Violations and Damages

It seems like violations of the discharge injunction get much less publicity than violations of the automatic stay.  Perhaps that is because by the time a discharge is entered the creditor has received the message.  When there is a violation the Eleventh Circuit has a good body of law on the issue and I happen… Continue Reading

Obituary of Judge Walter Homer Drake, Jr.

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

The Trap of Merchant Cash Advances and Financing

If you have a business, you have no doubt received advertisements for “merchant cash advances,” “merchant loans” or “merchant financing,” whether or not those specific terms are used.  If in doubt, just do a search for those terms and you will get a couple pages of sponsored ads (but be warned the big brother of… Continue Reading

Elite Bankruptcy Consulting Firms Battle It Out With Fraud and RICO Claims Related to Bankruptcy Disclosures and Lost Engagements

In Jay Alix, as assignee of AlixPartners, LLP v. McKinsey & Co., Inc., 2022 WL 163800 (2nd Cir., January 19, 2022) (click here for .pdf), two major competitors in the niche market of Bankruptcy advising to estates with a billion dollars or more of assets were in court against each other over lucrative consulting assignments.… Continue Reading

Second Circuit Court Of Appeals: “We Said What We Said” About Brunner Test And Student Loans

In In re Tingling, __ F3d __, 2021 WL 922448 (2nd Cir. March 11, 2021) (click for .pdf), the Debtor filed an adversary proceeding seeking discharge of her student loans.  The Bankruptcy Court determined that the debtor failed to meet the Brunner Test, and the District Court affirmed.  The Debtor appealed to the Second Circuit,… Continue Reading

Fourth Circuit: Debtors Entitled To Full National And Local Standard Amount Of Expenses If They Incur An Expense In That Category.

Our neighbors to the north recently had a key, debtor-friendly, decision in a Chapter 7 case regarding what expenses may be used in the means test calculations.  In In re Jackson, 2017 WL 59011, Ch. 7 No. 16-1358 (4th Cir., January 5, 2017) the debtors had used the entire amount allowed by the “National and… Continue Reading

Can Non-Citizens, “Undocumented Workers,” and “Illegal Aliens” File For Bankruptcy In The United States?

Quite obviously, both immigration and the status of “undocumented” or “illegal” aliens currently in the United States is a hot topic now, and surely will be for a long time.   One issue that shows up in Bankruptcy Courts, albeit rarely, is whether non-citizens, whatever their official status, have access to Bankruptcy Courts in the United… Continue Reading

What?!? Debtors Claim Fraudulent Conveyance For Benefit Of Daughter Was In Return For (Theoretical) Future Care, And They Won!

 This opinion just seems a little crazy on the surface.  The short version of the facts — The debtors paid for their daughter’s college education to the tune of almost $65,000, and the Trustee filed suit against the school, Sacred Heart University, to recover that amount as a fraudulent conveyance under §548 and the Mass.… Continue Reading

Georgia Supreme Court: Foreclosure Confirmation Requirements Can be Waived By Borrowers And Guarantors

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

Bitcoin – Currency or Commodity For Purposes of §550 And Avoidance Actions? What About Claims?

Bitcoin – currency, the equivalent of U.S. dollars, or a commodity more similar to a product or stock? (What is Bitcoin?).  If a Trustee sues to avoid and recover a transfer of Bitcoin, is the claim amount for the value of the transfer at the time of the transfer, or increased (or decreased) value at… Continue Reading

Arrested For Not Paying Student Loans? No – The Paul Aker Story Was Essentially Fabricated

“Believe it or not, the US Marshals Service in Houston is arresting people for not paying their outstanding federal student loans.”  So says Fox 26 Houston reporter Isiah Carey.  The problem is, this statement is absolutely false.  Paul Aker owed student loans, and was apparently in default.  Paul Aker was sued for the student loan… Continue Reading

Filing Proof Of Claim For Time Barred Debt Violates FDCPA, Says Eleventh Circuit, But They Leave An Escape Hatch.

In the last couple of years, claims against creditors for alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) have become a hot item in Bankruptcy Courts.  One such question is whether the filing of a proof of claim for a stale debt (i.e., one that has become unenforceable pursuant to the applicable statute… Continue Reading

Reese v. Provident Funding: Georgia Court of Appeals Ruling Potentially Invalidates Thousands Of Foreclosures

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

Can Creditors File A Derivative Action Against Limited Liability Company?

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

Assignments of Trademarks in Bankruptcy – Judge Posner and 7th Circuit Provide Answer

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has issued the first published Circuit Court opinion on the question of whether trademarks are assignable in a Bankruptcy case.  The opinion, authored by Judge Posner, is in the case of In re XMH Corp., Nos. 10-2596, 10-2597, 10-2598, 10-2599,  2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 15372 (7th Cir. July 26, 2011) (click… Continue Reading

Business Owners: When Can You Decline Employment To Applicant With Previous Bankruptcy Filing

With the economy and unemployment figures as they are today, many businesses find they have many more applicants for a job opening.  This means employers may look for more ways to filter the resumes before the final rounds of interviews.  Should a personal bankruptcy filing in the applicant’s past be considered in employment decisions? Many employers… Continue Reading

Lawsuits Being Flying Against Officers, Directors, Insiders And Professionals Of Failed Banks

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

Individual Liability For Unpaid Federal Withholding Taxes

It is not uncommon for financially distressed businesses to get behind on payroll taxes, especially when the company does not have a payroll service that handles the payment of all taxes and automatically deducts the full amount from the company’s bank accounts.  Chapter 11 cases often have significant unpaid payroll taxes scheduled as a priority… Continue Reading

When Are 529 Educational Funds Property Of The Bankruptcy Estate?

Section 529 Plans are tax advantaged savings plans intended to encourage saving for future college costs. There are two types of qualified tuition programs: a prepaid tuition plan or a college savings plan They are authorized under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 529).  Click here for a basic summary of 529 Plans. Are… Continue Reading