In these two cases, the bankruptcy court entered two nondischargeable judgments against the same debtor in favor of Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union and Allegheny County No. 1 Federal Credit Union. Here, the debtor was a member of both Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union (hereinafter “PPFCU”) and Allegheny County No. 1 Federal Credit Union (hereinafter […]

In this case, the Chapter 13 debtors moved to hold Idaho Central Credit Union in contempt for allegedly violating the Bankruptcy Court’s automatic stay after the credit union froze members’ funds on deposit. Debtors also sought sanctions against the credit union for the alleged violation. The credit union responded by contending it did not violate the […]

In some jurisdictions, but not in Michigan, Bankrupt debtors must either redeem, reaffirm or surrender the collateral and cannot keep the collateral and otherwise continue making payments. When a debtor files a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the Bankruptcy Code provides that the debtor(s) must either: 1) “reaffirm” their secured obligations and keep the collateral pledged on the […]

In this case the Court decided that a garnishment issued on the debtor’s wages would be valid even though the debtor moved to another state. Here, a judgment was entered against the debtor in Kentucky.  At the time of entry of that judgment, the debtor resided in Kentucky. Thereafter, debtor moved to North Carolina. After […]

The Sixth Circuit Court has ruled that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) does not require an attorney to send a collection letter to the borrowers before a creditor files suit against the borrower(s).   In this case, the creditor’s attorney did not send a demand letter to the debtor prior to filing suit. Here, the Sixth Circuit additionally ruled that […]

In the case of Union Bank & Trust v. Elmore County National Bank (Supreme Court of Alabama, Case No. 1900804), the Union Bank’s loan to a debtor resulted in a $10,900 loss. Here, Union Bank issued a loan to one Bill Burnette in the amount of $10,900 for the purpose of purchasing a Dodge Caravan. […]

In this case, Robert Schultz and his wife owed more than $15,000 to Hancock Bank on a loan secured by debtors’ Chevrolet Caprice. The amount owed was not in dispute. Debtors’ Chapter 13 Plan proposed to repay Hancock Bank the value of its security, which was listed at $8,175. The balance of the funds owed […]

A creditor who improperly identified its secured interest on a vehicle title as the “owner” instead of a “lienholder” was sufficient to perfect its security interest in the motor vehicle. In this case, the creditor intended to place a lien on the debtor’s vehicle, however, creditor mistakenly designated itself on the certificate of title as the […]

Credit Union Home Equity Mortgages and deeds-of-trust of any nature are generally junior in position to a first mortgage/lien holder. As such, the credit union can and should protect its Home Equity portfolio as securely as possible from collateral damage if a first mortgage proceeds into foreclosure. Question: Will the credit union receive a notice if the […]

In this case, the court dismissed a wrongful discharge action against the credit union.   Here, P. Douglas Maier filed suit against the credit union alleging that he had been terminated from his employment at the credit union due to the fact that he is one-quarter Native American. Maier was initially employed at the credit […]