On Bankruptcy and Mediation
By: Donald L Swanson Merchant cash advance loans provide ready-cash for businesses in desperate need of cash. Because of the desperation, terms of merchant cash advance loans can be oppressive. For example: Repayments are made daily—by automatic cash withdrawals from debtor’s bank account; Rates of return, if repaid as scheduled, often range from 50% per annum... Continue Reading →
By Donald L. Swanson On July 25, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passes on voice vote H.R. 2336, which raises the debt limit for Chapter 12 eligibility from $4.4 million to $10 million. And both parties voted, "Aye"! Who would've thunk it: bi-partisan action by a partisan political body, in today's political environment?! The subject... Continue Reading →
By Donald L. Swanson It’s been 40 years since enactment of the Bankruptcy Code [Fn. 1]. And the Code has been highly effective in many contexts. But the Bankruptcy Code is, and always has been, inadequate for the needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs in financial stress. Congress needs to address this deficiency. What Works &... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L. Swanson On June 28, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari in the case of Rodriguez v. FDIC, (Supreme Court Case No. 18-1269). The case is about a $4 million tax refund received by a parent corporation in bankruptcy, based upon losses from one of its wholly owned subsidiaries. The question is this:... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L. Swanson “Estate planning” is a frequently utilized, but rarely successful, defense against fraudulent transfer claims. Here’s why: estate planning strategies that make perfect sense when everyone is solvent become cloaked with “badges of fraud” amid insolvency, demonstrating “actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors.” Estate planning to address financial defaults is usually... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L Swanson The Bankruptcy Code is in a precarious position. It is a “transformative piece of legislation,” but it is without a strong agency in the Executive Branch to interpret it, enforce it, and promote its interests. [Fn. 1] Each Federal agency is part of the Executive Branch and has an area of responsibility... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L. Swanson On June 3, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in the Taggart v. Lorenzen case. The Question The question before the Supreme Court, in Taggart v. Lorenzen, “concerns the legal standard for holding a creditor in civil contempt when the creditor attempts to collect a debt in violation of a... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L. Swanson Business reorganization in bankruptcy gets a bad rap. Here’s why: “bankruptcy” deals with failed promises to pay (if you google synonyms for “failure,” the first word to appear is “bankruptcy") and implies a moral shortfall in the minds of many. That’s unfortunate because business reorganization can be a good thing. When utilized... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L. Swanson “Appellate deadlines cannot serve their purpose when their trigger is unclear.” --U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Ritzen v. Jackson. This should be interesting. On May 20, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari to decide whether the denial of a motion for relief from automatic bankruptcy stay is appealable as a... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L. Swanson “Rejection of a contract—any contract—in bankruptcy operates not as a rescission but as a breach.” Essential declaration of law from U.S. Supreme Court opinion on trademark issues in Mission Product Holdings, Inc. v. Tempnology, LLC, (Case No. 17-1657), issued May 20, 2019. Photocopier Lease Illustration The Supreme Court’s opinion illustrates and clarifies how... Continue Reading →
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