In a 9-page opinion issued in the Syntax-Brillian case on July 20, 2016, Judge Kevin J. Carey denied the motion of equity holders in Syntax-Brillian seeking to terminate the Liquidation Trustee (the “Trustee”). A copy of the Opinion is available on the Court’s website: Here.

On July 29, 2016, SLJ Trucking Inc. (“Debtor” or “SLJ”) filed a voluntary bankruptcy petition under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The Debtor is a licensed and bonded freight shipping and trucking company running freight hauling business from Newark, Delaware.

(7th Cir. July 28, 2016)

(7th Cir. July 27, 2016)

The Seventh Circuit affirms the bankruptcy court’s order finding that the debtor’s prepetition transfer of a farm to the defendant was a fraudulent transfer subject to avoidance. The debtor transferred the farm in exchange for the defendant’s agreement to abandon litigation he had brought against the debtor. The bankruptcy court found that the debtor did not receive reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the farm. Opinion below.

Per Curiam

Defendant: Pro Se

Attorney for Trustee: Brenda L. Zeddun

(7th Cir. July 26, 2016)

The Seventh Circuit interprets a Wisconsin exemption statute applicable to annuity contracts. The statute provides that such a contract is exempt from assets available to creditors so long as it “complies with the provisions of the internal revenue code.” The trustee argued for a narrow interpretation of this language, while the Court ultimately agrees with the broader interpretation of the statute employed by Wisconsin bankruptcy courts. Opinion below.

Judge: Hamilton

Attorney for Debtors: Dewitt Ross & Stevens S.C., Craig E. Stevenson

On July 25, 2016, Judge Kevin Carey of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court issued a thorough decision pursuant to a motion for judgment on the pleadings analyzing the intersection of a preference defendant’s post-petition administrative claim and their preference exposure. A copy of the Opinion is available here.

On July 13, 2016, Appalachian Conventional Production Comp (“Appalachian” or “Debtor”) filed a Chapter 7 liquidation in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. According to the Debtor’s Petition, Appalachian has assets less totaling less than $500,000, and liabilities between $500,000 and $1 million.

On July 18, 2016, Judge Walrath issued a concise written opinion ruling upon whether an executive’s claim for unpaid stock-based compensation was an equity security or rather a general unsecured claim against the Debtors’ estate. The opinion is styled as GSE Environmental, Inc., et al. v. Sorrentino (In re GSE Environmental, Inc., et al.), Adv. Pro. No. 16-50377 (MFW) (Bankr. D. Del.

While many people only see the glamorous, large Chapter 11 cases filed in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court, the Court still handles individual bankruptcies – treating them with just as much respect as any other case. On July 8, 2016, the chief bankruptcy judge, Brendan L. Shannon, issued an opinion valuing the mobile home of Ms. Anita Barnard.

(Bankr. S.D. Ind. July 8, 2016)

The court overrules the debtor’s ex-spouse’s objection to confirmation of the Chapter 13 plan. The creditor argued her claim could not be discharged because it was a domestic support obligation. However, the court analyzes the divorce decree and determines that the payments ordered were not tied to health or employment prospects or the creditor’s ability to support herself. Under the circumstances, the court concludes the claim is not for a domestic support obligation and may be discharged. Opinion below.

Judge: Moberly