⇐  2010 Index  | Next Page   ⇒

2010 NORTON BANKRUPTCY LAW SEMINAR MATERIALS

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN DISCHARGE AND DISCHARGEABILITY LITIGATION

By Hon. Keith M. Lundin

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. COMMENCEMENT, TIMING AND PROCEDURE 1
A. Commencement 1
1. Adversary proceeding governed by Part VIII of the Bankruptcy Rules.
Bankr. R. 7001
1
2. Commenced by filing a complaint. Bankr. R. 7003 1
B. Timing and extensions of time 1
1. Section 523(a)(2), (4) or (6) complaint must be filed no later than 60 days after
the first date set for the meeting of creditors. 11 U.S.C. § 523(c);
FED. R. BANKR. P. 4007(c
1
2. No specific limitation on other dischargeability complaints. Case can be
reopened without payment of additional filing fee. Bankr. R. 4007(b)
1
3. Complaint objecting to discharge in a Chapter 7 case must be filed no later than
60 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors. Bankr. R. 4004(a)
1
4. Complaint objecting to discharge in a Chapter 11 case must be filed no later
than the first date set for the hearing on confirmation. Bankr. R. 4004(a)
1
5. Sixty days from meeting of creditors at which debtor was present, 60 days
from date first set, or 60 days from date of continued meeting?
1
6. Cause for extension of time 1
7. Party in interest must seek extension of time before original deadline expires 1
8. Deadline affected by notice or actual knowledge? 1
9. Deadline affected by debtor's misconduct 1
10. Effects of clerk's office notice and administrative mistakes 1
11. Conversion from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 commences new period 1
12. Can timeliness of complaint be waived? 1
13. Effect of conversion to Chapter 13 1
C. Statutes of limitations 1
D. Service of process 2
1. Delayed service of summons 2
2. Error in service of process 2
3. Debtor and debtor's attorney must be served

2
E. Amending complaint after filing deadline 2
1. Allowing amendment 2
F. Intervention; substitution 2
G. Counterclaims 2
H. Jury trial in discharge and dischargeability proceedings 2
I. Estoppel and res judicata 2
1. Res judicata or "claim preclusion" generally not available in discharge
and dischargeability proceedings.
2
2. Collateral estoppel or "issue preclusion" may be available in discharge
and dischargeability proceeding
2
3. Judicial estoppel 4
4. Equitable estoppel 4
5. "Quasi-estoppel" and "Judicial admissions" 4
J. Exceptions to dischargeability apply to individual debtors only 4
K. Individual debtor's fifth amendment privilege 4
L. Exceptions to discharge and community property 4
M. Exceptions to discharge and dischargeability are narrowly construed 4
N. Jurisdiction, concurrent jurisdiction and abstention 4
O. Eleventh amendment immunity and sovereign immunity 4
P. Standing 5
Q. Settlement of discharge and dischargeability litigation 4
R. Effect of prebankruptcy settlement or novation 4
S. Enhanced damages and costs 4
1. Punitive damages are dischargeable 4
2. Punitive damages are nondischargeable 4
3. Treble damage 4
4. Attorney fees, interest, other damages and costs 4
T. Motion for new trial 5
U. Motions to alter or amend and motions for relief from judgment 5
V. New Issues or evidence on appeal 5
W. Default judgments 6
X. Entry of final judgment5
II. LITIGATION OF DISCHARGEABILITY COMPLAINTS: 11 U.S.C. S 523 5
A. Standard of proof 5
B. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(1) 5
1. Counting and tolling of time periods 5
2. Dummy, substitute and unsigned returns 7
3. Trust fund, excise or gross receipts tax 7
4. Fraudulent return or willful attempt to evade 7
5. Dischargeability of interest and penalties 8
6. "Responsible person" liability 8
7. Subrogation 8
8. Miscellaneous § 523(a)(1) cases 8
C. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2) 8
1. Standard of proof 9
2. Elements of proof under § 523(a)(2)(A) 9
3. Elements of proof under § 523(a)(2)(B).10
4. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(C): Luxury goods and cash advances 11
5. 11 U.S.C. § 523(d): Fees and costs 11
D. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(3) 11
E. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(4) 14
1. Fraud or defalcation `14
2. Fiduciary capacity 14
3. Embezzlement or larceny 15
F. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(5) 15
1. Procedure and jurisdiction 9
2. To spouse, former spouse or child 15
3. Separation agreement, divorce decree, order of a court of record,
determination by government unit, property settlement
15
4. Alimony, maintenance or suppor15
5. Changed circumstances 15
6. Assignment of support rights 15
7. Postpetition and postdischarge alimony or support modification 15
G. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(6) 15
1. In general 16
2. Libel and slander. 16
3. Drunk driving 16
4. Conversion 16
5. Assault or battery 16
6. Professional "negligence" 16
7. Breach of contract 16
8. Other wrongful acts 16
9. Agency, master-servant and imputed liability16
H. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(7) 16
I. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(8) 17
1. Cosigners, guarantors and non-students 17
2. Government made, government guaranteed or funded by non-profit institution 17
3. Scholarship v. loan or educational benefit 17
4. Measurement of seven-year period 17
5. Undue hardship 17
J. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(9) 19
K. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(10) 19
L. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(11) 19
M. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(12) 19
N. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(13) 19
O. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(14) 19
P. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(15) 19
1. Standing 19
2. Burden of proof 19
3. Timing of decision 19
4. "Hold harmless" or similar language 19
5. Tests and standard 19
6. Income or property of debtor 19
7. Partial discharge? 19
8. In general. 19
Q. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(16) 19
R. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(17) 19
S. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(18) 19
T. 18 U.S.C. § 3613(e) and (f) 19
U. 37 U.S.C. § 302(g)(3) 19
V. 11 U.S.C. § 523(b) 19
W. 11 U.S.C. § 523(c)(1) and (2) 19
W. 11 U.S.C. § 523(e) 19
III. LITIGATION OF COMPLAINTS TO BAR DISCHARGE: 11 U.S.C. § 727 19
A. In general 19
B. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(1) 19
C. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(2) 19
D. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(3) 20
E. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(4) 20
F. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(5) 21
G. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(6) 21
H. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(7) 21
I. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(8) 21
J. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(9) 21
K. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(10) 21
L. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(11) 21
IV. REVOCATION OF DISCHARGE: 11 U.S.C. § 727(c), (d) AND (e) 21
V. DISCHARGE INJUNCTION 21

 

 

⇐  2010 Index  | Next Page   ⇒

Copyright 2007 Norton Institutes