» For Creditors

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

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

A recent case in the District Court, Romanucci & Blandin, LLC et al. v. Lempesis, affirmed a judgment by the Bankruptcy Court awarding $90,000 for an especially egregious violation of the discharge injunction, including damages for emotional dist… Read More

The District Court for the Northern District of Illinois just changed the discovery rules for how and when parties can get information and documents from their opponents in federal lawsuits. If you are involved in a federal lawsuit, it is important t… Read More

Recently the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (which covers Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi) held in Tower Credit, Incorporated v. Martin A. Schott (In re Jackson), No. 16-30274 (5th Cir. March 13, 2017), that a judgment creditor had to return… Read More

When the Supreme Court decided Wellness Int’l Network Ltd. v. Sharif this year, one issue resulting from Stern was finally put to rest. A bankruptcy judge may enter final judgment in Stern matters with the consent of the parties, even when that… Read More

In 2004, Reginice Rabiola bought a farm in Kane County where she built an indoor horse riding ring and a hay field. To get equipment onto the hay field, she used a grassy patch on her neighbor’s land. In 2007, Jon DeRaedt, the neighbor, sued her fo… Read More

The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether a transfer designed to hinder, delay or defraud a creditor renders the amounts owed to the creditor non-dischargeable. Read More