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In re Anderson

Ruling
Equity accumulated in homestead during look back period did not limit exemption.
Procedural posture

A bankruptcy debtor claimed a homestead exemption which was unlimited under state law, but the bankruptcy trustee asserted that the exemption was limited by 11 U.S.C. § 522(p) based on the equity in the homestead which the debtor accumulated by paying down the mortgage on the homestead during the 1,215-day look-back period of section 522(p). The trustee objected to the claimed exemption and moved for summary judgment.

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on October 02, 2007 , LexisNexis #1107-009

Shapland v. Shapland (In re Shapland)

Ruling
Discharge denied due to debtor's attempts to hinder, delay or defraud former spouse with regard to debts owed pursuant to divorce decree.
Procedural posture

Plaintiff, chapter 7 debtor's former wife, filed an adversary proceeding against debtor, seeking an order denying debtor a discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 727(a).

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opinion summary, case decided on February 16, 2007 , LexisNexis #0407-100

PHH Mortgage Corp. v. Dick (In re Dick)

Ruling
Property which was undisclosed in schedules and remained in estate was subject to stay.
Procedural posture

Plaintiff creditor filed a Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss defendant trustee's counterclaim against the creditor for damages and for violating the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362(h) by including a mobile home in a foreclosure action and by commencing a quiet title action.

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opinion summary, case decided on February 09, 2007 , LexisNexis #0307-130

In re Helmers

Ruling
Voluntary dismissal granted as better serving interests of creditors than conversion to chapter 7.
Procedural posture

After debtors, a husband and wife, filed a chapter 11 bankruptcy, the U.S. Trustee ("UST") filed a motion pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 1112(b) to convert the case to a proceeding under chapter 7 for cause. Debtors objected to conversion and sought an outright dismissal thereof.

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opinion summary, case decided on January 30, 2007 , LexisNexis #0307-052

Speth v. Vaupel (In re Smith)

Ruling
Postpetition recording of warranty avoided as unauthorized transfer.
Procedural posture

Plaintiff chapter 7 trustee brought an adversary proceeding seeking to avoid a postpetition transfer made to defendant transferees by virtue of a warranty deed from debtor to defendants that was not recorded until well after the date of the petition. The trustee proceeded under 11 U.S.C. § 549. The matter was pending judgment. Also pending was defendants' motion to sell the property.

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opinion summary, case decided on December 08, 2006 , LexisNexis #0307-024

Davis v. I.P.H.F.H.A. Inc.

Ruling
Ordinary course of business defense to avoidance did nto apply to late insurance payments where premiums were not regularly paid on a late basis.
Procedural posture

Plaintiff chapter 7 trustee sought to avoid as preferences under 11 U.S.C. § 547(b) debtor's payments to defendant association for past due commercial insurance premiums. The association stipulated that the trustee met the elements for a preference but asserted the ordinary course of business and new value defenses under section 547(c)(2) and (1). The trustee filed a motion to exclude invoices from evidence.

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opinion summary, case decided on November 09, 2006 , LexisNexis #1206-096

In re Mayer

Ruling
Increased workload under BAPCPA justified higher attorneys'fees.
Procedural posture

The standing trustee objected to confirmation of three chapter 13 plans. At issue was whether the amount sought to be paid as fees to counsel for the debtors, which fees were higher than the "presumptive" amount previously approved by the court, was properly charged and the impact on that determination of changes in counsel's responsibilities resulting from enactment of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 ("BAPCPA").

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opinion summary, case decided on October 02, 2006 , LexisNexis #1106-076

Case v. Hilgers (In re Hilgers)

Ruling
Debtor's remainder interest in revocable inter vivos spendthirft trusts was property of the estate where the trusts were terminated prepetition.
Procedural posture

Plaintiff bankruptcy trustee sought a declaration that defendant debtor's remainder interests in three revocable inter vivos trusts were assets of the debtor's bankruptcy estate and subject to turnover. Defendant oil company claimed an interest in the debtor's remainder interests as a prepetition judgment creditor. The case was tried by the bankruptcy court.

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opinion summary, case decided on September 25, 2006 , LexisNexis #1006-134

In re Rolling Thunder Gas Gathering LLC

Ruling
Claim based on note from debtor to creditors for assignment to debtor's parent company disallowed.
Procedural posture

The Official Unsecured Creditors Committee for chapter 11 debtor objected to a claim filed by alleged creditors of debtor.

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opinion summary, case decided on August 16, 2006 , LexisNexis #1106-022

United States v. Krause (In re Krause)

Ruling
Payment of fees for debtor's counsel as special counsel to United States Trustee from frozen assets denied.
Procedural posture

Debtor moved for the payment of the professional fees of his counsel as special counsel to the U.S. trustee, to be paid from frozen funds that either belonged to the estate or various trusts and other entities. The court conditioned any such payment upon a requirement that debtor to make full disclosure of all potential estate assets. A second defendant also sought payment for his counsel.

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opinion summary, case decided on August 08, 2006 , LexisNexis #1006-004