Newsletters
Equity Security Holders
An equity security holder is a holder of an equity security of the debtor in a bankruptcy case. Examples of an equity security are a share in a corporation; an interest of a limited partner in a limited partnership; or a right to purchase, sell, or subscribe to a share, security, or interest of a share in a corporation or an interest in a limited partnership.
Bankruptcy During Divorce
Problems may result from the conflict of interests between domestic relations courts and bankruptcy courts when a couple files for bankruptcy during a divorce. The conflict arises because of the differing policies between the courts. Bankruptcy courts have a policy of providing a fresh start and distributing the debtors' assets equally among all of their creditors. Family courts have a policy of equitably dividing the property between the spouses.
Administrative Claims
Administrative expense claims in bankruptcy cases are entitled to first priority ahead of all other general unsecured claims and, therefore, they are paid in full before all other unsecured claims to the extent there are available unencumbered funds in the debtor's bankruptcy estate. Administrative expense claims are given first priority status in bankruptcy to induce parties to do business with the debtor's bankruptcy estate.
Chapter 13 Hardship Discharge
Although a chapter 13 debtor generally receives a discharge only after completing all payments required by the court-approved repayment plan, there are some limited circumstances under which the debtor may request the court to grant a "hardship discharge." After confirmation of a plan, there are limited circumstances under which the debtor may request the court to grant a hardship discharge even though the debtor has failed to complete plan payments.
Creditor Attempts to Collect Discharged Debt
A debt no longer exists after it is discharged in bankruptcy. The court enters an order prohibiting the debtor's creditors from later attempting to collect any discharged debt from the debtor.
