Consumer Bankruptcy

This panel will conduct a mock oral argument at the conclusion of a confirmation hearing in an individual chapter 11 bankruptcy case. Issues unique to individuals who file chapter 11 will be explored by counsel for the debtor and an objecting creditor, as well as by the three-judge panel.

Puerto Rico judges will discuss attorneys’ fees in chapter 13 cases; summons, service of process, defaults and default judgments; the Puerto Rico homestead exemption law and recent decisions; and conducting evidentiary hearings (handling witnesses, documents and objections).

This panel will provide practical advice to attendees from the viewpoint of a chapter 7 trustee, an accountant and an attorney regarding completeness of schedules, how to properly prepare a debtor to face a chapter 7 trustee interrogation, and discussions on several administrative matters such as late-filed claims, asset-liquidation accounting and § 341 hearing continuances. The panel will also cover recent chapter 7 case law developments.

This panel will discuss the effects of recent decisions regarding the Puerto Rico homestead exemption in chapter 13 cases; chapter 13 debtors’ pre and post-petition causes of action, and the disclosure and determination of value of same; and the management of plan provisions, as well as objecting to and defending them.

This panel will focus on the sale of discharged debts, the intersection between the Code and the FDCPA, the involvement of the CFPB in consumer cases, and more.

This panel will focus on recent trends in student loan dischargeability cases, including whether the Brunner standard should be revisited, and recent case law involving tax debts.

This panel will focus on recent Supreme Court decisions impacting the consumer world, the unbundling of attorney services, and attorney compensation issues. Supreme Court decisions to be discussed include Wellness, Harris v. Viegelahn, Bank of America v. Caulkett, Baker Botts and Oglethorpe.

This panel will discuss new issues arising post-BAPCPA regarding § 524 and mortgage payments, disclosure of post-confirmation income and assets, revesting of estate property, post-petition changes to assets, and others.