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Chicago Court orders City to surrender vehicle to Debtor notwithstanding asserted possessory lien to secure traffic tickets

In a recent case, Judge Schmetterer held in In re Cross, Adversary No. 18 AP 00154, that the City of Chicago did not have the right to retain a chapter 13 debtor’s vehicle to protect its possessory lien on the car that allegedly secured payment… Read More
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Parties to a Civil Union Held Eligible to File a Joint Petition

As reported by Rochelle’s Daily Wire on May 23, 2018, Bankruptcy judges in California and Chicago disagree on whether parties to a civil union or domestic partnership are “spouses” eligible to file a joint bankruptcy petition. In the Chicag… Read More
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Bankruptcy Costs Limit Access

According to an article published in Pro Publica, a consumer’s inability to pay attorneys’ fees prevents many consumers from filing for bankruptcy. This phenomenon has spawned considerable debate about the appropriate “fix”, b… Read More
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The average American has a credit card balance of $6,375, up nearly 3 percent from last year, according to Experian.

According to the Tribune (1/22/18) Americans are defaulting on their credit cards at the highest rate in nearly a year, and Chicagoans are leading the pack. Chicago residents are now more likely to miss a credit card payment than residents of any oth… Read More
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Ariane Holtschlag Interviewed at ABI Winter Meeting

We are proud to share an exclusive interview conducted by Bill Rochelle of the ABI with Ariane Holtschlag, FactorLaw’s bankruptcy attorney, regarding some of the cutting edge consumer issues in the Northern District of Illinois. Watch the inter… Read More
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Documents for filing bankruptcy

Boston Judge Allows Conversion to Chapter 13 Just to Prevent the Sale of a Home

As reported by the American Bankruptcy Institute on December 29, 2017, a Boston Judge Allows Conversion to Chapter 13 Just to Prevent the Sale of a Home Consumers are entitled to convert a Chapter 7 case to Chapter 13 even if the only reason is to pr… Read More
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Eleventh Circuit Joins Ninth in Allowing Appellate Counsel Fees for a Stay Violation

According to the ABI’s Rochelle’s Daily Wire: The Eleventh Circuit ruled that a debtor is entitled to recovery of attorneys’ fees incurred in upholding a judgment for violation of the automatic stay, siding with the Ninth Circuit’s de… Read More
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Bankcrupty Chapter 13 text on Document form and Gavel isolated on office desk.

Most Districts Opt Out of National Chapter 13 Plan

Research by Bloomberg Law shows that only about 13 of a total 94 judicial districts will use the national Chapter 11 plan form. The others all have local forms (although Bloomberg Law hasn’t independently confirmed if or how many of these conform w… Read More
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Court Rules Engagement Rings are Exempt

On Nov. 20, Bankruptcy Judge Jack B. Schmetterer of Chicago ruled that a wedding ring and an engagement ring are exempt as “necessary wearing apparel” without regard to value, as long as the wearer is still married to the person who gave it. Judg… Read More
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Pre-bankruptcy Tuition Payments not Subject to Clawback

It is not uncommon for a chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee to sue an educational institution to recover pre-bankruptcy tuition payments parents make on behalf of their children. The theory is that such payments benefit the child, not the parents, and can… Read More
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