On Bankruptcy and Mediation
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Today, the sole function a bankruptcy discharge is to rid the debtor of debts and, thereby, provide a fresh financial start. But in the 1700s, the focus was on getting a debtor’s body discharged from debtor’s prison, to provide a fresh start through personal liberty. And... Continue Reading →
“commercial or business activities”? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson “We now hold that a not-for-profit company can be ‘engaged in commercial or business activities’ as that phrase is used" in Subchapter V of the Bankruptcy Code. Guan v. Ellingsworth Residential Community Association, Inc., 125 F.4th 1365 (11th Cir. 2025). Guan is a homeowner... Continue Reading →
Deceptive? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By Donald L. Swanson Here’s a refresher on legal standards, and the application of those standards, for denying a debtor’s discharge for “actual fraud” under § 523(a)(2)(A): the opinion is Capital, Inc. v. Novak (In re Novak), Adv. Pro. No. 23-01005 in the Eastern Louisiana Bankruptcy Court (decided October 21, 2024;... Continue Reading →
An unholy alliance? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson I’m reading the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest opinion on a bankruptcy subject: U.S. v. Miller (decided March 26, 2025). And I’m looking for something in the opinion that’s interesting . . . anything! The opinion is about whether sovereign immunity has been waived for transfer... Continue Reading →
BAPCPA By: Donald L Swanson The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (“BAPCPA”) was signed into law on April 20, 2025, as “Public Law 109—8.” Here is a link to the text of that law. By the time of BAPCPA’s 2005 enactment, I had already been practicing bankruptcy law for a quarter century. ... Continue Reading →
Bicycles are used everywhere (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson I’ve always maintained that the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (“BAPCPA”) is heavy on “preventing abuses” (mostly phantom abuses) and skinny on “protecting consumers.” IRA Exemption in BAPCPA But there is a consumer protection in the Bankruptcy Code, added by... Continue Reading →
BAPCPA By: Donald L Swanson On April 20, 2005 (that's 20 years ago this Sunday), the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (“BAPCPA”) is signed into law, after being passed by bi-partisan majorities in both the House and the Senate. But BAPCPA has been tough on middle class debtors and on debtors with... Continue Reading →
Opposition! (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Bankruptcy laws in these United States need to be reformed. For example: About a year ago, Congress allowed the $7,500,000 Subchapter V debt limit to expire, reducing that limit to an inflation-adjusted $3,024,725 and leaving many entrepreneurs without viable bankruptcy relief—this needs to be fixed! Also about... Continue Reading →
Empowered (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson “chapter 15 authorizes this Court to enforce nonconsensual third-party releases ordered by foreign courts.” That’s the conclusion of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court in In re Real, Case No. 25-10208, Doc. 65 at 19 (decided April 1, 2025). The Facts Here is a quick summary of the In... Continue Reading →
Authorized to act (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Some time ago, I’m discussing the role and powers of a Chapter 12 trustee. In response to a question, I say that a Chapter 12 trustee has no authority to sell estate assets unless and until the debtor is removed from possession. Someone promptly counters... Continue Reading →
MEDIATBANKRY 