Monthly Archives: August 2018

Bad Faith Filing: A Debtor’s “Business” Must Consist of More Than Litigating with the Mortgagee

In re Encore Prop. Mgmt. of Western N.Y., LLC, 585 B.R. 22 (Bankr. W.D. N.Y. 2018) – A mortgage lender moved to dismiss a chapter 11 case on the grounds that it was filed in bad faith. This was the second … Continue reading

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Covenants Running with the Land: To Be or Not to Be a Claim

American Std. Energy, Corp. v. Geronimo Holding Corp. (In re Geronimo Holding Corp.), 585 B.R. 138 (Bankr. W.D. Tex. 2017) – An assignment of a group of oil and gas leases required the debtor to reconvey the leases upon termination of … Continue reading

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Defective Mortgages: Variations on a Theme

Harker v. PNC Mtg. Co. (In re Oakes), 581 B.R. 500 (6th Cir. B.A.P. 2018) – A chapter 7 trustee sought to avoid a recorded mortgage with a defective acknowledgment using his strong arm powers. The bankruptcy court ruled in favor … Continue reading

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Interests Held by the Bankruptcy Estate: Can Contingent Interests Go Poof?

Reinbold v. Thorpe (In re Thorpe), 881 F.3d 536 (7th Cir. 2018) – A chapter 7 trustee sought to avoid the interest of a debtor’s wife in property that was awarded to her in a state court divorce proceeding. This decision … Continue reading

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Defective Mortgages: There Is Constructive Notice, and Then There Is Inquiry Notice

Kelley v. USAA Fed. Sav. Bank (In re Jones), 580 B.R. 916 (Bankr. M.D. Ga. 2017) – A chapter 7 trustee sought to avoid a lender’s lien on property of the debtor. The recorded deed of trust was not signed by … Continue reading

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