Here, a Federal Court granted the credit union’s motion for summary judgment and dismissed Plaintiff’s claim that the credit union had discriminated against her by failing to promote her to a higher position. This case had traveled extensively throughout various federal courts and was previously sent back to this court from the U.S. Supreme Court. In […]
Archive for National
Bankruptcy Redemption Requires Lump-Sum Payment
Bankrupt Debtor may only redeem collateral in one payment. Redemption installment payments prohibited if debtor elects to retain vehicle. Here, debtor sought to redeem Ford Motor Credit collateral by paying installment payments for the value of the vehicle, instead of one lump-sum redemption payment. Section 722 of the Bankruptcy Code provides, in pertinent part: An individual debtor may, whether or not the […]
Wrongful Transfer of Property
In this case, the bankruptcy court denied debtors’ discharge after debtors transferred property, without consideration, to close friends and relatives with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors. Here, debtors filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and a creditor filed an adversary complaint with the court seeking to deny debtors’ discharge. The creditor’s complaint alleged […]
Deficiency Judgment: Fatal Error
In this case, a credit union member obtained two loans from L.C.E. Federal Credit Union secured by his Jeep Comanche and Mazda RX-7. The loans went into default and both vehicles were repossessed by the credit union. Thereafter, the credit union sent a notice to the debtor advising him that the vehicles would be sold at […]
Student Loan: Preferential Status Denied
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy debtor attempted to confirm a plan that provided for 40% repayment on unsecured student loans and only 8% repayment on all other unsecured loans. The debtor created two classes of unsecured loans and provided unequal repayment between the student loans and all other general unsecured creditors. Often, if the debtor can […]
Garnishment Funds: Property of Bankruptcy Estate
In this case, a creditor obtained a state court judgment against Dodds and garnished her wages. The garnishment was issued by the state court prior to debtor’s filing bankruptcy. In addition, the garnishment was served and debtor’s employer withheld $214.78 from her wages. Eleven days after the funds were withheld from debtor’s paycheck, Dodds filed […]
Bankruptcy: No Tolling Statute of Limitations On Co-Maker
Creditors must be aware that a bankruptcy filing by a principal debtor may not toll (delay) the Statute of Limitations to proceed against a non-bankruptcy co-debtor. The Credit Union in this case was prevented from collecting a deficiency amount owed and suffered a financial loss. This Court held that a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing does not toll […]
Malicious Violation of Automatic Stay
Here, Blackstone Financial Services “Blackstone” held a loan with the debtor secured by debtor’s automobile. The loan was in default and Blackstone had a repossession order out on the collateral. Although Fisher filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, an individual allegedly from Blackstone, referred to here as Mr. Clemente, contacted Fisher by telephone and stated that […]
Defective Lien Ruled Valid
A creditor who improperly identified its secured interest on a vehicle title as the “owner” instead of a “lien-holder” was sufficient to perfect its security interest in the motor vehicle. In this case, the creditor, Microbank Companies Inc., the intended to place a lien on the debtor’s vehicle, however, creditor mistakenly designated itself on the […]
Credit Union Liable for Certificate of Deposit
In the case, a member of Austin Area Teachers Federal Credit Union (Austin Area) pledged her certificate of deposit at the credit union as collateral for her son’s note to First City Bank-Northwest Hills (First City). When the son defaulted on the loan, First City demanded the credit union release the pledged certificate of deposit to […]