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Andrea Chase

Partner

Andrea Chase square image

T 816.292.8279
F 816.474.3216
achase@spencerfane.com

Changes to Chapter 12 Bankruptcy May Increase Farmers’ Ability to Reorganize in Bankruptcy

Farmers attempting to reorganize under Chapter 12 of the Bankruptcy Code may propose selling land as a means of generating cash to pay creditors. This sale creates a large capital gains tax, as the cost basis for the land is likely low. That capital gains tax has priority over general unsecured creditors, and the farmer needs to pay that capital gains tax in full to get a Chapter 12 plan confirmed.

Bankruptcy Rule Changes: What You Need to Know

Nearly every year, there are changes to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. 2017 was no exception, and new rules went into effect on December 1, 2017. Creditors should be aware of the new timeframe for filing claims and new relief that can be sought in Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 plans. Below is a summary of some of the new rule changes.

Western District of Missouri Bankruptcy Court Finds No FDCPA Violation for Proof of Claim Filed on Time-Barred Debt

Recently, several courts across the country have considered whether filing a proof of claim on debt that is barred by the statute of limitations violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”). The increased attention on this issue was sparked by the Eleventh Circuit’s decision in Crawford v. LVNV Funding, LLC, 758 F.3d 1254 (11th Cir. 2014). The Eleventh Circuit held that filing a proof of claim on debt that is barred by the applicable statute of limitations violates the FDCPA. After the Eleventh Circuit’s decision, many other courts have decided the issue, and the results of these cases have been mixed. Last week, the Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri weighed in, and it found that there was no violation of the FDCPA. Dunaway v. LVNV Funding, LLC, No. 14-04132-drd, Adv. No. 14-4132, Doc. 29 (Bankr. W.D. Mo. May 19, 2015).

Application of Equal Credit Opportunity Act’s Notice Provisions to Delinquent Borrowers

A California court recently found that delinquent borrowers may bring a claim under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”) when a lender does not respond to an application for a loan modification within thirty days. MacDonald v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 14-cv-04970 (N.D. Cal. Apr. 24, 2015).

Proceeds from Insurance Settlement Outside the Scope of Article 9

The Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit recently held that a creditor holding a perfected security interest in accounts and payment intangibles did not have a perfected security interest in the proceeds of an insurance settlement.

A New Bill Could Pave the Way for the Post Office to Join the Financial Services Industry

On July 23, 2014, Representative Cedric Richmond introduced the Providing Opportunities for Savings, Transactions, and Lending Act of 2014 (also referred to as the POSTAL Act of 2014).  The bill proposes that the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) be allowed to provide some financial services, including small-dollar loans, checking accounts, and interest-bearing savings accounts.