GCK On Law
Effect and Severance of Rights of Survivorship in Bankruptcy Proceedings under Section 541(a)
In In re Chernushin, 911 F.3d 1265 (10th Cir. 2018), Gregory and Andrea Chernushin owned a second home in Colorado in joint tenancy with right of survivorship. Eventually, Mr. Chernushin (but not Ms. Chernushin) filed for bankruptcy. During the bankruptcy...
Courts Disagree Whether Post-Petition Acquisition of Property May be Basis for Revocation of Discharge Under Section 727(d)(2)
Section 727(d) of the Bankruptcy Code provides for a debtor’s discharge to be revoked in certain circumstances, including under subsection which states: (d) On request of the trustee, a creditor, or the United States trustee, and after notice and a hearing, the court...
Eligibility considerations in Chapter 13 for Simultaneous Proceedings under Section 109(e)
The Bankruptcy Code (the “Code”) does not expressly prohibit a Chapter 7 debtor from simultaneously seeking relief under Chapter 13. Notwithstanding this fact, courts have split on whether a debtor may maintain two separate pending bankruptcy proceedings. A majority...
Courts Disagree Whether the Attorney-Client Relationship Gives Rise to “Fiduciary Capacity” as Required by Section 523(a)(4)
Section 523(a)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code excepts from discharge all debts “for fraud or defalcation while acting in a fiduciary capacity, embezzlement, or larceny.” The term “fiduciary” has traditionally been given a “strict and narrow” definition, referring to...
Circuit Survey of Section 523(a)(1)(C) Willful Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax Liability
Section 523(a)(l)(C) of the Bankruptcy Code provides that a discharge under Section 727 “does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt - (1) for a tax or a customs duty - (C) with respect to which the debtor made a fraudulent return or willfully attempted in...