2016 Southeast Bankruptcy Conference

This panel is designed to give practical advice, including checklists, to attorneys, lenders and other insolvency professionals dealing with a pre-petition receivership action in state or federal court, as well as the appointment of a chief restructuring officer (CRO) in a chapter 11 case, with an emphasis on hotels and multi-family/multi-use developments.

This panel will examine the risks associated with purchasing claims and debt positions for strategic purposes in bankruptcy cases. Issues to be discussed include whether a claim can be purchased free and clear of any defenses to the claim (KB Toys), designation of claims (DBSD), and other risks associated with the purchase of secured and unsecured claims.

Although many "experts" predicted that we would be out of the foreclosure crisis well before 2013, many are still dealing with the ramifications of the burst real estate bubble. This session will explore current issues regarding mortgage claims and real property issues in chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, including how the National Mortgage Settlement affects debtors, Bankruptcy Rules 3001 and 3002.1, and general chapter 13 confirmation and cramdown issues.

The panel will address, in an interactive format, the equitable decisions rendered by courts that may modify, diminish or impact secured claims or secured creditors’ pre-petition agreements. For example, the program will cover the limitations on the post-petition effects of a security interest based on the equities of the case, surcharge issues and § 363(k) cause to preclude credit-bidding, as well as other equitable theories.

This panel will discuss the creative ways that debtors, committees and settling parties are utilizing channeling injunctions, bar orders and settlements to curtail continued litigation to facilitate settlements in bankruptcy. In particular, the panelists will cover the applicable standards and the benefits that can be obtained for a bankruptcy estate and all settling parties.

As if the Bankruptcy Code doesn’t give us enough to ponder, bankruptcy practitioners must consider the impact of the U.S. Tax Code on the decision-making process. This session will address the Internal Revenue Code “section 1398 short year” election and separate entity rules, discharge of tax claims, cancellation of debt (COD) income, and tax issues arising from mortgage modification, foreclosure, and transfer or abandonment of property.

There are many changes occurring in consumer bankruptcy law. Find out the latest developments in your neighborhood and around the country.

Means Test: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Form B22 Analysis This panel will discuss recent developments in means test issues, including what constitutes current monthly income, defining household size, secured payments on collateral to be surrendered, and disposable monthly income and applicable commitment period for chapter 13 debtors.

Let's Make It Clear: Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 3001 and 3002 and Lien-stripping in a Distressed Real Estate Market On Dec. 1, 2011, Federal Bankruptcy Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 3001 and 3002 were amended to provide increased transparency in proofs of claim and costs assessed during chapter 13 cases. This panel will focus on the effects of these changes on debtors, secured lenders and chapter 13 trustees. We will also review recent lien-stripping litigation, including the latest “chapter 20” case developments.

This panel will discuss domestic support obligation (DSO) and alimony/property settlement dischargability issues. When does the automatic stay apply and not apply? Should a bankruptcy be considered before, during or after the divorce? What about exemptions? In addition, the panel will discuss the threshold amount that a trustee is likely to pursue, as well as locating real estate assets and checklists for managing a real estate asset. The panel will also examine procrastination as the greatest enemy of a chapter 7 trustee, and pushing an asset liquidation to closing as quickly as possible.