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Montoya v. Campos (In re Tarin)

Ruling
Check to wedding planner for debtors' daughter's wedding was not avoidable.
Procedural posture

Plaintiff Chapter 7 trustee filed a complaint against defendant, the debtors' daughter, seeking to avoid a transfer under 11 U.S.C.S. § 548. The trustee alleged that the transfer was made with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud creditors, or, alternatively, that the debtors were insolvent at the time of the transfer or became so as a result thereof and that they received less than reasonably equivalent value for the transfer.

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on April 04, 2011 , LexisNexis #0511-122

In re Market Ctr. E. Retail Prop.

Ruling
Debtor's president's attorney awarded 15 percent of increased amount of sale proceeds attributable to attorney's efforts as fee.
Procedural posture

Debtor corporation filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, and an attorney and the attorney's law firm filed an application seeking compensation in the amount of $1,473,236 for serving as special counsel for the debtor in a dispute over the sale of real property. The debtor opposed the application.

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Commercial opinion summary, case decided on March 30, 2011 , LexisNexis #0411-106

In re K-Ram Inc.

Ruling
Creditor not entitled to proceeds of sale deposited in court registry as its security interest was unperfected.
Procedural posture

Chapter 11 debtor and a claimant filed cross motions for summary judgment to determine ownership of funds in the court's registry.

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Commercial opinion summary, case decided on March 22, 2011 , LexisNexis #0411-122

In re Lancaster

Ruling
Above-median debtors' case dismissed for abuse due to excessive disposable income.
Procedural posture

In this chapter 7 proceeding, the United States Trustee (UST) filed a Motion to Dismiss debtors' case for abuse under 11 U.S.C.S. § 707(b).

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on February 03, 2011 , LexisNexis #0311-024

In re Pfiester

Ruling
Amounts recovered from credit card company were not exempt as they were paid voluntarily pursuant to marital settlement agreement.
Procedural posture

Debtor filed a petition under chapter 7 and claimed that money the chapter 7 trustee recovered from a credit card company was exempt from creditors' claims. The trustee filed an objection to the debtor's claim, and the debtor filed an objection to a final report the trustee filed because the trustee's objection had not been resolved.

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on January 24, 2011 , LexisNexis #0211-081

Marcott v. Luna (In re Luna)

Ruling
Debtors' failure to record mortgage did not result in nondischargeable debt.
Procedural posture

Plaintiff creditor filed an adversary proceeding against defendant Chapter 7 debtors, seeking a determination that the debtors owed the creditor a debt that was nondischargeable under 11 U.S.C.S. § 523(a)(2). The creditor filed a motion for partial summary judgment on his claim, and the debtors filed a cross-motion for summary judgment and asked the court to award them attorney fees and costs pursuant to § 523(d).

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on January 18, 2011 , LexisNexis #0211-049

In re Market Ctr. East Retail Prop.

Ruling
Creditor's attorneys' fees allowed with one-third reduction.
Procedural posture

Debtor filed a petition under chapter 11, and a creditor filed a secured claim against the debtor's bankruptcy estate. In a prior ruling, the court allowed the creditor's claim in part and authorized the creditor to file a supplemental application for reimbursement of attorney fees and costs. The creditor filed a supplemental application for fees and costs, and the debtor filed an objection to the creditor's application.

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Commercial opinion summary, case decided on November 30, 2010 , LexisNexis #1210-112

In re Schena

Ruling
Debtor who elected federal exemption scheme could not invoke federal non-bankruptcy exemption for military retirement funds.
Procedural posture

Before the court was a creditor's objection to the chapter 11 debtors' claimed exemption of a checking account holding military retirement funds. Debtors had elected to use the "federal exemptions" under 11 U.S.C.S. § 522(b)(2). In Schedule C they claimed an exemption under 11 U.S.C.S. § 522(d)(10)(E) and 38 U.S.C.S. § 5301 for a bank checking account containing the sum of $10,800 (Account).

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on October 14, 2010 , LexisNexis #1110-087

Dorris v. Chacon (In re Chacon)

Ruling
Relief from stay granted to allow sexual assault victim to pursue civil case against debtor who pled guilty to criminal charges.
Procedural posture

Plaintiff, a mentally disabled woman ("victim"), filed an adversary proceeding by and through her guardian, seeking a determination that claims she filed against defendant Chapter 13 debtor in a New Mexico court were nondischargeable under 11 U.S.C.S. § 1328(a)(4), an order granting relief from the automatic stay so she could proceed with an action that was filed in state court. The victim filed a motion for summary judgment.

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on October 01, 2010 , LexisNexis #1110-064

In re Borges

Ruling
Debtor excused from compliance with credit counseling requirement due to effects of stroke but §1112(b)(2)(B) did not excuse debtor spouse's compliance.
Procedural posture

Debtors, a husband and wife, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, and stated that they had completed, signed, and attached the "Individual Debtor's Statement of Compliance with Credit Counseling Requirement." The court found that the debtors had not attached that statement, and it issued an order to show cause why the debtors' case should not be dismissed.

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on September 08, 2010 , LexisNexis #1010-037