Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases are straight liquidations sought by debtors who wish to have most or all of their debts discharged. In Chapter 7 cases, the Chapter 7 trustee obtains control over the debtor’s assets and evaluates whether any equity exists that would offset the costs of selling those assets. If the bankruptcy estate will
Bradley’s Bankruptcy Basics: The 6 Key “Players” in Bankruptcy Cases
Bankruptcy cases differ from typical lawsuits in a variety of ways, including the parties involved. Whereas standard lawsuits generally involve a plaintiff and a defendant, bankruptcy cases have a different cast of “players,” including the debtor or debtor in possession, creditors, the bankruptcy trustee (i.e., Chapter 7 trustee, Chapter 13 trustee, etc.), committees, and the
Bradley’s Bankruptcy Basics: A Multimedia Series
Bankruptcy. The arrival of that notice stating a customer has filed for bankruptcy can evoke less-than-ideal responses: forwarding the notice to someone else who might know what to do with it (resulting in the notice ending up in a forever loop of being forwarded along); immediately writing off the account and cutting your losses; or,
Four Significant Changes to Consumer Bankruptcy Included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA 2021). Similar to the March 2020 CARES Act, several temporary changes to the Bankruptcy Code are included in Title X of the CAA 2021. Below, we examine four of the CAA 2021’s most significant changes to consumer bankruptcy laws. These changes are
Top 10 Changes to Consumer Bankruptcy Proposed in the Consumer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2020
On December 9, 2020, Congressional Democrats, including Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), proposed sweeping legislation that would overhaul consumer bankruptcy law. The proposed changes generally make it easier for consumers to access the bankruptcy system and discharge their debts. Below is a discussion of 10 critical changes proposed in the Consumer Bankruptcy Reform
Mark Your Calendars: CFPB’s Debt Collection Final Rule is Set to Become Effective on November 30, 2021
On November 30, 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published its debt collection final rule in the Federal Register. This is obviously a significant event because the rule is set to become effective one year after that milestone, which means that November 30, 2021, is a day we should all be circling on
In the Strangest Year Ever, We’re Very Thankful and Wish You a Happy Thanksgiving
As everyone steps away from their (home) office to celebrate Thanksgiving, we wanted to count our blessings as we review this truly remarkable and unusual year. In addition to frontline healthcare workers, good WI-FI, food delivery services, and finally finding a mask that is comfortable, we are also thankful for the following:
1. The CARES
Certain “Nunc Pro Tunc” Relief May Still be Available in Bankruptcy
Translating to “now for then,” nunc pro tunc orders grant backdated relief. Such orders are common in bankruptcy cases. For instance, bankruptcy courts often enter orders retroactively approving retention of professionals, and in certain cases even granting retroactive relief from the automatic stay.
In February 2020, the Supreme Court held in Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
CFPB Issues Final Debt Collection Rule; Bradley to Host Initial Webinar on November 5
On October 30, 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized its long-awaited debt collection rule. The 653-page final rule addresses consumer communication, consumer disclosures, record retention, requirements related to the sale or transfer of debts, and communications with a deceased debtor’s estate. The rule will become effective one year after publication in the Federal
Individuals Can Restructure Personal Guaranties of Defunct Business’s Debt in New Bankruptcy Subchapter V
Earlier this year, Chapter 11’s new Subchapter V became a part of the Bankruptcy Code when the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA) became effective. Very shortly thereafter, the CARES Act expanded the debt limits for a business or individual to qualify as a debtor under the SBRA. In the wake of these new