Subchapter V Trustees: Compensated On Hourly Fee, Not Percentage of Disbursements (In re Tri-State & Subchapter V Handbook)

By: Donald L Swanson Subchapter V trustee compensation is based on an hourly fee. Unlike compensation for a Chapter 7, Chapter 12 or Chapter 13 trustee, a Subchapter V trustee’s compensation has nothing to do with the amount of funds disbursed. That’s the conclusion of a Bankruptcy Court opinion: In re Tri-State Roofing, Case No. 20-40188,... Continue Reading →

What Are Owners Of A Closely-Held Business To Do, When Subchapter V Is Not Available?

By: Donald L Swanson It happens.  There are businesses in financial stress who, for a variety of reasons, can’t qualify for Subchapter V.  Owners want to save the business, but Subchapter V is not available. Reasons why Subchapter V might be unavailable include: Debtor has more than $7.5 million of qualifying debt and can’t get enough... Continue Reading →

Subchapter V Eligibility: Congress Needs To Permanently Extend The $7.5 Million Limit — Now!

A permanent extender? (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L. Swanson The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (aka “Subchapter V”) has been in effect since February 19, 2020.  And here’s something we’ve learned since then: Subchapter V meets a definite need in our society for helping small businesses and owners in financial stress. I’ve seen... Continue Reading →

Subchapter V: What Does “Fair and Equitable” Mean For Plan Confirmation? (In re Pearl & In re Ellingsworth)

The path to confirmation? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson 11 U.S.C. § 1191 is Subchapter V’s plan confirmation statute.  One confirmation essential, from § 1191(b), is that a Subchapter V plan must be “fair and equitable” to each impaired class that does not accept the plan. This article summarizes two bankruptcy court opinions... Continue Reading →

Do Creditors Vote on Subchapter V Plans? (In re Desert Lake / In re Pearl Resources)

Voting (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson In Subchapter V of the Bankruptcy Code, the “Post-Petition Disclosure and Solicitation” provisions of § 1125 do not apply without a specific court order (see § 1181(b)). Voting Questions So, a question exists on how the plan voting provisions of § 1126 and Fed.Bankr.R. 3018 might apply... Continue Reading →

Subchapter V Debt Limit: Lease Rejection Damages and PPP Loans (In re Parking)

Well-defined limits (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By Donald L. Swanson The opinion is In re Parking Management, Inc., Case No. 20-15026, in the Maryland Bankruptcy Court (decided August 28, 2020, Doc. 224). The Question The question is whether Debtor has too much debt to qualify for Subchapter V relief. Background —Subchapter V The new Subchapter V... Continue Reading →

Subchapter V and § 543 “Custodian” Rules (In re U.S.A. Parts Supply)

Custodians By: Donald L Swanson The case is, In re U.S.A. Parts Supply, Cadillac U.S.A. Oldsmobile U.S.A., L.P., Case No. 20-bk-241, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern West Virginia (decided Aug. 17, 2020, Doc. 143). On March 22, 2020, Debtor files a voluntary Chapter 11 petition under Subchapter V as a small business debtor. Creditors promptly file a... Continue Reading →

Subchapter V and § 1111(b) Election

An election system and process (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Wow—didn’t expect to see an § 1111(b) election opinion under Subchapter V this soon! But here it is: In re Body Transit, Inc. d/b/a/ Rascals Fitness, Bky. No. 20-10014 in Eastern Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court (decided August 7, 2020, by Hon. Eric. L. Frank,... Continue Reading →

Subchapter V Eligibility: No “Currently” Engaged In Business Requirement (In re Blanchard)

“Currently" engaged in flying By: Donald L Swanson In re Blanchard, Case No. 19-12440, Bankr. E.D. La. (Doc. 137, decided 7/16/2020), is a Subchapter V eligibility opinion. The opinion stands for two propositions: Subchapter V exists to help small businesses reorganize; andNothing in Subchapter V, or in the definition of a small business debtor, requires a... Continue Reading →

Beware The Automatic Stay Termination When Dismissing To Refile (In re Crilly)

Beware (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson We are seeing voluntary dismissals of Chapter 11 cases these days.  Some dismissals occur to take advantage of Subchapter V.  Others occur to receive pandemic benefits unavailable to debtors in bankruptcy. But hazards are lurking for debtors in such dismissals. One such hazard is the automatic termination... Continue Reading →

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