(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Mar. 9, 2017)
The bankruptcy court grants summary judgment in favor of the creditor in this adversary proceeding in which the debtor alleged violations of the automatic stay and claims under the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act. The court holds that the creditor bank’s restriction of the debtor’s electronic privileges with respect to her accounts did not violate the automatic stay. Opinion below.
Judge: Stout
Attorney for Debtor: Ross Benjamin Neuhauser
Attorney for Creditor: Christopher M. Hill
(Bankr. E.D. Ky. Dec. 6, 2016)
(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Sep. 12, 2016)
The bankruptcy court grants the motion to terminate the automatic stay. The creditor and the debtor entered into a sale contract prepetition for sale of the debtor’s real property. The debtor argued that the sale contract terminated prepetition, and the creditor argued that it should be permitted to pursue its claims on the contract in state court. The court finds that the debtor has no equity in the property and that it is not necessary to an effective reorganization. Thus, stay relief is appropriate. Opinion below.
Judge: Lloyd
(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Aug. 16, 2017)
(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Mar. 9, 2017)
The bankruptcy court grants the secured creditor’s motion for stay relief because it was inadequately protected as a result of there being insufficient funds to make the first payment to the creditor under the confirmed Chapter 12 plan. Opinion below.
Judge: Lloyd
Atttorneys for the Debtor: Kaplan & Partners LLP, James Edwin McGhee, III, Charity Bird Neukomm
Attorneys for Creditor: Andrews Law Firm, PLLC, Ashley Sanders Cox
(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Dec. 1, 2016)
Following trial, the bankruptcy court excepts from discharge a debt arising from a loan, but holds the plaintiff failed to meet its burden with respect to other debts. The court also finds that a lien was not created where there was no proof of an actual levy, but a seperate judgment lien is held valid. The court denies the debtor’s motion to avoid the lien. Opinion below.
Judge: Stout
Attorneys for Plaintiff: Thomas, Arvin & Adams, James G. Adams, III, David E. Arvin
(6th Cir. B.A.P. Aug. 4, 2016)
(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Aug. 10, 2017)
The bankruptcy court denies the U.S. Trustee’s motion to enter an order for sanctions and requiring disgorgement of fees. The attorney had provided advice to the debtor about the petition and schedules that the debtor had drafted. The attorney was not aware that a bankruptcy was filed until he received the U.S. Trustee’s motion. The court declines to grant the relief requested under these circumstances. Opinion below.
Judge: Lloyd
(Bankr. S.D. Ind. Feb. 24, 2017)
The bankruptcy court denies the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment in this nondischargeability action under 11 U.S.C. §§ 523(a)(2), (4), and (6). The plaintiff argued that a state court judgment collaterally estopped the debtor from defending against the claims. The court holds that the findings in the state court judgment are insufficient to prevent the debtor from asserting a defense in this action. Opinion below.
Judge: Carr
Attorney for Plaintiff: Mulvey Law LLC, Joseph L. Mulvey
(Bankr. E.D. Ky. Nov. 28, 2016)
The bankruptcy court enters summary judgment in favor of the plaintiffs in this 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(6) nondischargeability action. The plaintiffs had obtained a state court default judgment against the debtor for damages caused to them when the debtor drove to their home and shot one of the plaintiffs and injured the other plaintiff with flying debris. The court holds that collateral estoppel bars the debtor from relitigating the issue of whether the debtor caused a willful and malicious injury to the plaintiffs. Opinion below.
Judge: Wise