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U.S. Supreme Court clarifies that Chapter 13 debtors may not deduct car ownership expenses when they make no loan or lease payments

In Ransom v. FIA Card Servs., N.A., --- S.Ct. ----, 2011 WL 66438 (U.S. 2011), the United States Supreme Court took up the question of whether a Chapter 13 debtor who owns his or her vehicle outright (“free and clear”) may claim an allowance for car ownership costs and thereby reduce the amount that he or she will repay creditors. In her first opinion, Justice Kagan answered simply—no. The Ransom opinion has been seen as a victory for not only credit card companies like the one involved but other creditors, as well.

USA, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Frost Brown Todd LLP, Bankruptcy, Costs in English law, Debtor, Unsecured debt, Debt, Tax deduction, Internal Revenue Service (USA), Supreme Court of the United States, Ninth Circuit, Bankruptcy Appellate Panel
Sixth Circuit rules in favor of bank and resolves conflict among bankruptcy courts concerning whether the arrearage amount on mortgages includes fees and costs permitted by the contract terms and non-bankruptcy law

Deutsche Bank held an under-secured home mortgage from a Chapter 13 debtor. The debtor was in arrears, but wanted to retain possession and control of her home. Thus, in her Chapter 13 plan, the debtor proposed to cure the arrearage, as required by 11 U.S.C. § 1322(e). The problem, however, was that the parties could not agree on the arrearage amount.

USA, Banking, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Frost Brown Todd LLP, Bankruptcy, Costs in English law, Debtor, Collateral (finance), Statutory interpretation, Federal Reporter, Mortgage loan, Attorney's fee, US Congress, Deutsche Bank, Westlaw, US Code, United States bankruptcy court, Sixth Circuit