On Bankruptcy and Mediation
Intent? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L. Swanson Here’s a refresher on the law of nondischargeability for “embezzlement” under § 523(a)(4): Martin v. Parker (In re Parker), Case No. 23-2084 (4th Cir., decided July 1, 2025). Facts Morton and Peggy cohabit for years without marrying. But they do sign a “Post Marital Agreement,” under... Continue Reading →
What happens to a rainbow? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L. Swanson When a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee abandons the debtor’s tort claims, what happens to those tort claims? Such question is addressed in a recent opinion of the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals,[fn. 1] by describing a prior bankruptcy ruling (Martineau v. Wier,... Continue Reading →
Are they all "reasonably equivalent"? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson The opinion is Bird v. Wardley (In re White), Case No. 24-4033 (10th Cir., decided July 22, 2025). It addresses the meaning of the phrase “reasonably equivalent value” in the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act. Facts The In re White Debtor creates a start-up... Continue Reading →
A place of equity? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson The opinion is TL90108 LLC v. Ford, Case No. 21-10456 (11th Cir., decided August 11, 2025). Facts A rare vehicle is stolen from the owner’s Milwaukee garage and shipped to Europe in 2001. The owner dies in 2005 while the vehicle is missing. An... Continue Reading →
Exculpated? (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson On June 9, 2025, Justice Alito rules, “denied,” on Debtor’s request for a stay pending appeal in: Highland Capital Management, L.P. v. NexPoint Advisors, L.P., Case No. 24A1154 at U.S. Supreme Court. That’s the second denial by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Highland Capital bankruptcy. The... Continue Reading →
Standing? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L. Swanson Here’s an interesting case: In re Riddle, Case No. 23-10827, New Mexico Bankruptcy Court (decided August 15, 2025; Doc. 70). Facts Debtor has a car crash. Long story short: the Other Driver gets a $2,000,000 judgment against Debtor, and Debtor files Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Claims &... Continue Reading →
They all joined in time? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Question: May a bankruptcy court establish a deadline for creditors to join a pending involuntary petition? Answer: Yes. Such question and answer are from this informative opinion: PCC Rokita, S.A. v. HH Technology Corp. (In re HH Technology Corp.), Case No. 24-9002 (1st... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L. Swanson On July 23, 2025, the Uniform Law Commission approved and adopted the Uniform Assignment for Benefit of Creditors Act (the “Uniform Act”) for submission to state legislatures. What follows are brief thoughts on why the Uniform Act needs to be enacted by legislatures throughout these United States as soon as possible. A... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L Swanson The question of who owns “product line” successor liability claims is addressed and resolved in In re Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Inc., Case Nos. 24-2210 & 24-2211 (3rd Cir., decided September 10, 2025).## Facts The Whittaker Debtor processes, manufactures, and distributes industrial chemicals and minerals, including talc. Through a series of corporate... Continue Reading →
Reflecting (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson A study titled, “What Works,” examines the effects of mediator strategies and behaviors on case outcomes in small claims cases. [Fn. 1] The study gathers information on both the short term (immediately after the mediation occurs) and long term (up to twelve months later) effects of mediator... Continue Reading →
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