Apathy? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Here’s the latest opinion on a controversial question: In re Franco’s Paving LLC, Case No. 23-20069, Southern Texas Bankruptcy Court, (decided 10/5/2023; Doc. 74). The Question & Answer Voter apathy is a problem in Subchapter V cases. That apathy is in the form of creditors failing or... Continue Reading →
Litigating Legacy Debt: “Commercial Or Business Activities” for Subchapter V Eligibility? (In re Fama-Chiarizia)
A different kind of legacy? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson “courts agree that . . . evaluating, asserting, pursuing, and defending litigation claims . . . can satisfy Section 1182(1)(A)’s requirement of ‘commercial or business activities.’” In re Fama-Chiarizia, Case No. 21-42341, E.D.N.Y. Bankruptcy Court, issued 9/15/2023, Doc. 238, at 37. One of... Continue Reading →
Individual Subchapter V Debtor’s Liquidating Plan: Can Discharge Be Denied Under § 1141(d)(3)? (In re Lucido)
A liquid plan? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Here’s a Bankruptcy Court opinion addressing a no-discharge claim under § 1141(d)(3) against an individual debtor who proposes a liquidating Subchapter V plan: RGW Construction, Inc. v. Lucido (In re Lucido), Adv. No. 21-4031, Northern California Bankruptcy Court (issued 9/13/2023, Doc. 113). The Issue... Continue Reading →
Subchapter V Debtor’s Exclusive Right To File A Plan: Not A Super-Power
No super-power here (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Question Once a Subchapter V debtor is removed from possession under § 1185(a), what happens next? The answer to this question seems to have evolved over the few years of Subchapter V’s existence: from a low-power position for debtor, early-on; to a high-power position for... Continue Reading →
Subchapter V Trustee’s Facilitation Role (Part 6)—DUTIES & INHERENT POWERS
Inherent power of ocean waves (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson “(b) Duties.—The [Subchapter V] trustee shall— . . . (7)facilitate the development of a consensual plan of reorganization.” From 11 U.S.C § 1183(b)(7)(emphasis added). Facilitation is, by statute, a duty of every Subchapter V trustee—something a Subchapter V trustee must do. But the nature and boundaries of the facilitation... Continue Reading →
Subchapter V Trustee’s Facilitation Role (Part 5)—INVESTIGATION DUTIES
Facilitating investigation (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson “(b) Duties.—The [Subchapter V] trustee shall— . . . (7)facilitate the development of a consensual plan of reorganization.” From 11 U.S.C § 1183(b)(7)(emphasis added). Facilitation is, by statute, a duty of every Subchapter V trustee—something a Subchapter V trustee must do. But the nature and boundaries of... Continue Reading →
Subchapter V Trustee’s Facilitation Role (Part 4)—A CITY OF DETROIT MODEL
Facilitating cultural preservation (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) “(b) Duties.—The [Subchapter V] trustee shall— . . . (7)facilitate the development of a consensual plan of reorganization.” From 11 U.S.C § 1183(b)(7)(emphasis added). Facilitation is, by statute, a duty of every Subchapter V trustee—something a Subchapter V trustee must do. But the nature and boundaries of the facilitation... Continue Reading →
Subchapter V Trustee’s Facilitation Role (Part 2)—NOT MEDIATION
Facilitating safety and relaxation (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson “(b) Duties.—The [Subchapter V] trustee shall— . . . (7)facilitate the development of a consensual plan of reorganization.” From 11 U.S.C § 1183(b)(7)(emphasis added). Facilitation is, by statute, a duty of every Subchapter V trustee—something a Subchapter V trustee must do. But the nature and... Continue Reading →
Subchapter V Trustee’s Facilitation Role (Part 1)—NOT NEUTRAL
Facilitating fun: a primary duty (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson “(b) Duties.—The [Subchapter V] trustee shall— . . . (7)facilitate the development of a consensual plan of reorganization.” From 11 U.S.C § 1183(b)(7)(emphasis added). Facilitation is, by statute, a duty of every Subchapter V trustee—something a Subchapter V trustee must do. But the nature... Continue Reading →
Beating The “Single Asset Real Estate” Exclusion From Subchapter V Eligibility (In re Evergreen)
A “single asset real estate”? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Excluded from Subchapter V eligibility is a “single asset real estate” debtor. We have a recent opinion on a Subchapter V debtor who beats that exclusion: In re Evergreen Site Holdings, Inc., [Fn. 1] What follows is a summary of that opinion. Eligibility... Continue Reading →