ATexasBankruptcyLawyersBlog

Second Western District Judge Finds Proceeds From Post-Petition Sale Can't Be Clawed Back in Chapter 7

11/05/15
After sorting through conflicting precedents, Judge Craig Gargotta has ruled that a chapter 7 debtor who owned a homestead property on the date of bankruptcy and claimed the property as exempt did not lose the exemption when the property was sold and proceeds were not reinvested within six months.    Lowe v. DeBerry (In re Deberry), Adv. No. 15-5054 (Bankr. W.D. Tex.
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Fifth Circuit Report: August-September 2015

10/23/15

The summer months have been slow at the Fifth Circuit.   August and September's opinions include an update on a prior opinion about abstention related to a chapter 15, judicial estoppel, mootness of an appeal of a sale order, a motion to compromise, removal of a trustee, recognition of a foreign judgment and issues relating to a homestead.
 
Bankruptcy; Abstention; Remand

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After Woerner, Courts Look for "Good Gambles"

09/15/15

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Texas Judges Explore State Law on Liens and Homestead Exemptions

09/08/15
Much state law regarding liens and property rights emerges from the Bankruptcy Courts because they are frequently the first to confront novel issues.   Two recent opinions from the Western District of Texas bankruptcy judges confirm this trend.   In one case, Judge Tony Davis found that an option to acquire a leased homestead could be claimed as exempt, No. 14-11006, James Wayne See (Bankr. W.D. Tex.
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Fifth Circuit Report: June 2015

07/18/15
This month's Fifth Circuit report doesn't have a lot of bankruptcy sizzle:  an interesting case on abstention and remand,  two unpublished cases about how not to reserve a claim under a plan and a case about suing a trustee.   However, there are some fascinating cases about lenders, liens, fraudulent transfers, the Texas Debt Collection Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
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Supreme Court Says Lawyers Don't Get Paid for Defending Their Fees

07/08/15

A Texas law firm did a great job and beat back a punitive attack on their fees.   However, the Supreme Court has ruled that they may not receive compensation for defending their work.   Baker Botts, LLP v. ASARCO, LLC, No. 14-103 (6/15/15).

Introduction

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Sale Watch: Esco Marine, Inc.

07/07/15

Case No. 15-20107; Esco Marine, Inc.; Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division

Bidding Procedures Order:   Dkt. #260; 6/26/15

Assets to be Sold:    Assets of Debtors other than Chapter 5 causes of action, claims against insiders, unscheduled or undisclosed assets, cash

Minimum Bid:    Amount of third party liens against property

Bid Deadline:    July 20, 2015 (extended from initial date of July 17, 2015)

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Sale Watch: WBH Energy, Ltd.

06/25/15

This is a new feature on A Texas Bankruptcy Lawyers Blog.   Whenever I hear about Section 363 sales in Texas, I will mention them here to try to get the word out.   Please feel free to send me any sales you are involved in or happen to hear about.

Case No. 15-10003; WBH Energy, Ltd.; Western District of Texas, Austin Division

Bidding Procedures Order:    Dkt. #361; 5/11/15

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Supreme Court Extends Dewsnup But Suggests They Really Don't Care for the Decision

06/02/15
The Supreme Court extended the holding of Dewsnup v. Timm, 502 U.S. 410 (1992) to a fully unsecured junior lien in a chapter 7 case.    However, the Court suggested in a footnote that they are ready to reconsider the underlying precedent.    This suggests that the Petitioners may have lost because they were not bold enough in challenging Dewsnup.   Bank of America v. Caulkett, No.
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