Bankruptcy Law Commons^™

Bankruptcy Judges, United States Trustees, And Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act Of 1986, Moussa Ismael Abojhanim

LLM Theses and Essays

The Bankruptcy Judges, United States Trustees, and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act of 1986, enacted as Public Law No. 99-554, introduced Chapter 12 to the Bankruptcy Code specifically aimed at providing debt relief to family farmers. This thesis explores providing debt relief to family farmers. It also explores the background leading to the enactment of Chapter 12, including the economic challenges faced by American family farmers in 1970s and 1980s. Additionally, it discusses the legislative history, congressional response, and the provisions of Chapter 12, noting its advantages over chapter 11 and 13 for family farmers in reorganizing their finances and maintaining …

Some Gloomy Thoughts Concerning Cross-Border Insolvencies, Douglass Boshkoff

Articles by Maurer Faculty

No abstract provided.

The Attack On Chapter 11, Douglass G. Boshkoff

Articles by Maurer Faculty

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Japanese And American Bankruptcy Law, Brooke Schumm Iii

Michigan Journal of International Law

The outline and direction of this article are arranged approximately in the order of provisions under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The article focuses on Japanese reorganization proceedings, but necessarily discusses Japanese bankruptcy provisions at length. First, eligibility and types of proceedings are discussed. Second, commencement details and administrative provisions, including the "automatic stay" and assumption and rejection of leases and contracts are presented. Third, the debtor's duties and the handling of claims are reviewed. Fourth, liquidations are compared. Fifth, confirmation and reorganization are explored in detail. Last, a comparison of bankruptcy provisions for individuals concludes the article.

Debtor-Creditor Relations—Arkansas Fraudulent Transfer Act, Coleen Miller Barger

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Bankruptcy Reform Act Of 1978–A Review And Comments, Glenn E. Pasvogel Jr.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review

No abstract provided.

Statutory Liens And The Bankruptcy Act: U.C.C. § 2-702 And Section 67(C), Robert A. Green

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

Bankruptcy Proceedings For Insolvent Decedents' Estates, Richard V. Wellman

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Under present law, bankruptcy proceedings cannot be instituted by or against insolvent decedents' estates. Creditors of insolvent decedents must look to state probate laws for satisfaction. But these laws are more concerned with the control of solvent estates than with the affairs of the impecunious. Also, transfers of wealth at death by nonprobate means are coming to be the rule rather than the exception, and it is frequently very difficult for creditors of decedents to obtain satisfaction of unsecured claims from nonprobate assets. This article advocates the extension of bankruptcy laws to insolvent decedents' estates and explores problems and solutions …

Federal Income Taxation--Section 165 (C) Loss Allowed For Securities Loaned To Brokerage Firm That Subsequently Became Insolvent And Sold The Securities To Meet The Claims Of Creditors--Stahl V. United States, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

It is frequently said that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recently upheld a district court decision that considerably eased the latter burden for plaintiff-taxpayer in Stahl v. United States. On April 12, 1962, Mrs. Stahl, a widowed musician and music teacher, reached an agreement with Balough & Company (Balough), a Washington securities firm, under which she was to surrender to it control of securities with a market value of approximately $210,000. Balough used the securities to meet the minimum capital requirements for brokerage firms established …

Reclamation Of Goods From A Fradulent Buyer, Robert Braucher

Michigan Law Review

Sections 2-702(2) and (3) of the Uniform Commercial Code (Code), defining the right of a seller to reclaim goods from an insolvent buyer, have for years been the subject of controversy. The sponsors of the Code have stood firm on the basic policy of these sections for more than twenty-five years, but, in its 1966 Official Recommendations for Amendment of the Uniform Commercial Code, the Permanent Editorial Board includes an amendment striking the words "or lien creditor" from section 2-702(3). That change has already been made in six states: California, Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York. In …

Bankruptcy-Prior Discharge Within Six Years As Bar To Wage Earner's Extension Plan, Anthony Lynch

Michigan Law Review

Appellant, a debtor, sought confirmation of a wage earners' extension plan pursuant to Chapter XIII of the Bankruptcy Act. Section 656 prohibits confirmation of a plan under Chapter XIII if the debtor would have been denied an ordinary discharge in bankruptcy had he been seeking one. A discharge within six years prior to the date of filing constitutes a bar to such discharge. The referee, finding that the debtor had obtained a discharge within six years, dismissed the proceedings. On appeal from the district court's affirmance, held, affirmed. Since a wage earner's extension plan clearly contemplates a discharge of …

Insolvency In Bankruptcy: A Synthesis, G. Stanley Joslin

Indiana Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Fiduciary Duty Owed Creditors By Director Of Insolvent Corporation

Indiana Law Journal

Recent Cases: Corporations

Bankruptcy-Set-Off-Bank Deposits, A. E. Anderson S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Endorsers of a corporation's notes caused the corporation to make deposits in the payee bank in the regular course of business, knowing the corporation to be insolvent, and the bank took over the deposits within four months of adjudication in bankruptcy. It was contended that under the amended definition of "transfer" as set out in section 1 (30) of the Bankruptcy Act of 1938, this transaction resulted in a voidable preference to the endorsers under section 60. The trial court rejected this contention. On appeal, held, affirmed. Although the 1938 amendment gave a broader significance to the term "transfer" …

Banks And Banking - Immunity Of National Banks From State Escheat Statute, Spencer E. Irons

Michigan Law Review

A Michigan statute provided that bank deposits, in the possession or control of insolvent banks, which have remained inactive for a period of seven years or more shall escheat to the state. In a suit for a declaratory judgment, filed by the Attorney General of Michigan, against the receiver of an insolvent national bank and the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States, the federal district court held that the receiver must turn over deposits coming within the terms of the statute. Held, the statute is invalid if so applied, since it would constitute an unlawful interference with …

Equity - Specific Performance Of Contract To Lend Money, Robert C. Lovejoy

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, through the Mortgage Service Bureau, which acted as intermediary, negotiated a loan from defendant bank, secured by a mortgage on plaintiff's land. Plaintiff executed and delivered notes and a mortgage, and defendant drew a check for one of the loan installments payable to plaintiff and the bureau, The latter without authority took the check, forged plaintiff's signature, and kept the money. The bureau being out of business and insolvent, plaintiff, with an unfinished house on his hands and without funds to complete it, sought specific performance of the agreement to lend. Held, plaintiff was entitled to specific performance, …

Bankruptcy - Corporate Reorganization - Absolute Priority Rule, Kenneth J. Nordstrom

Michigan Law Review

-A plan for reorganization under section 77B of the Bankruptcy Act involved a debtor holding company and two subsidiaries. Each subsidiary had a bonded indebtedness which, including unpaid accrued interest, was in excess of the value of assets that were s

Trusts - Tort Liability Of Trustee In His Representative Capacity, Reid J. Hatfield

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff brought suit to recover damages for injuries allegedly sustained because of the unsafe condition of a hotel building owned and operated by the defendant trustee. The trustee was an insolvent bank and trust company in the hands of the state superintendent of banks, who was also joined as defendant. The prayer was for a "judgment against the defendants in their fiduciary capacity toward the trust." On appeal of the lower court's judgment sustaining defendants' demurrer, held, that the trustee could be sued in his representative capacity. Carey v. Squire, 63 Ohio App. 476, 27 N. E. (2d) …

Some Problems Arising Out Of Deposits To Pay Principal And Interest On Bonds, Paul P. Lipton

Michigan Law Review

Since Lawrence v. Fox contracts students have been puzzled by the numerous and varying relations that may arise when A, the debtor, delivers money to B to pay C, his creditor. Equally puzzling and much more complicated are the rights and relations of the obligor, trustee and bondholders with respect to sums deposited with the trustee to pay principal and interest on bonds.

The insolvency during recent years of many large trust companies that had been named as trustees in indentures securing corporate bonds, having on hand at the time of their failure large sums of money which …

The Distinction Between The Equity Rule And The Bankruptcy Against Insolvent Estates In Kentucky, Richard Priest Dietzman

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Bankruptcy-Corporate Reorganization - Fraternal Benefit Society Entitled To Benefits Of Section 77b, Russel T. Walker

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff's right to petition for reorganization under section 77 B of the Bankruptcy Act was challenged on the ground that plaintiff was an "insurance corporation" within the meaning of section 4 of the Bankruptcy Act and therefore excepted from the benefits of the act. Held, that when Congress used the words "insurance corporation" in the Bankruptcy Act, it meant a corporation authorized by the law of its creation to do an insurance business. As Congress knew that the various States had authorized the formation of fraternal benefit societies, described as such in enabling statutes, when Congress passed this statute …

Banks And Banking - Relationship To Customers - Principal Or Creditor, Charles E. Nadeau

Michigan Law Review

A collection agreement permitted plaintiff to clear items through defendant bank in return for maintaining a balance of $10,000 which was not subject to check. All items received immediate credit, and twice weekly defendant bank remitted, in New York exchange, all amounts in excess of $10,000. On insolvency of defendant bank, plaintiff sought a preferred claim on the basis that the bank was its agent for collection. Held, where, as here, the bank may use the funds before remittance, or where the depositor may withdraw any part of the funds, the relationship is that of debtor-creditor and not of …

Corporations - Corporate Form Used To Evade Bank Double Liability, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, the receiver for an insolvent bank, sued the individual stockholders of an investment corporation on an assessment to the amount of the par value of the bank stock as provided by the constitution and statutes of South Carolina. The investment corporation had been organized several years previously to secure control of a group of banks. Its holdings throughout consisted only of bank stock, and finally solely of stock of the closed bank. Plaintiff claimed, since the corporation had no assets, that the stockholders of the investment corporation were individually liable, because the use of a holding company for the …

Executors And Administrators -- Quasi-Contract Liability Of Decedent's Estate -- Administrative Expenses As A Prior Charge On The Estate, Ralph Winkler

Michigan Law Review

After the supply of feed for the decedent's livestock had been depleted and before the appointment of an administrator, the plaintiff furnished some grain at the request of the decedent's daughter and son-in-law, no other parties attempting to assist in any way. It was understood that the plaintiff would look to the estate for payment. In an action of contract against the administrator in his representative capacity for the value of the grain the court held that the plaintiff had a valid claim in quasi-contract against the estate, basing the decision upon "broad considerations of policy." Since the estate was …

Banks And Banking - Collections - Trust Or Debt, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

A certificate of deposit issued by A bank and owned by plaintiff was presented for collection in a routine clearance transaction between defendant bank and A bank. A bank paid for the several items presented with other items and a draft. The draft was dishonored. After both banks closed, defendant bank collected the amount of the draft from A bank as a preferred claim. Plaintiff seeks full payment of the certificate of deposit. Held, payment terminated the agency for collection and gave rise to a debtor-creditor relation, and, for this purpose, payment by draft was equivalent to any other …

Corporations - Rights Of Creditors Of Insolvent Corporation - Greater Than Rights Of Corporation

Michigan Law Review

The dissenting and majority opinions of Justices Roberts and Cardozo in the recent case of McCandless v. Furlaud are illustrative of basically divergent conceptions of the status and function of the corporate receiver. In the following examination and evaluation of these conflicting positions, attention will be directed chiefly to those situations involving the problem of promoter's profits. The language and attitude of the courts, however, is typical of that adopted in all cases in which the questions considered arise and the conclusions suggested are of general application.

Bankruptcy - Recovery Of Preferences - Requirement That Defendant Be Paid A Greater Percentage Of His Claim Than Other Creditors

Michigan Law Review

In a suit by the trustee in bankruptcy to recover as preferences part payments to defendant within four months of bankruptcy, the trial court refused to rule that the trustee had the burden of proving that each payment had the effect of giving to the defendant a greater percentage of his claim than other creditors would have received if the estate had been liquidated at that time. Held, the court's refusal was proper. Palmer Clay Products Co. v. Brown, 297 U.S. 227, 56 S. Ct. 450 (1936).

Corporations-Validity Of Option To Convert Preferred Stock Into Mortgage Bonds

Michigan Law Review

A corporation issued preferred stock, with a fixed dividend rate, power to elect a director voting as a class, and an option in the holder to convert, at his election, into mortgage bonds which were issued at the same time. After a substantial indebtedness had been incurred by the corporation, the stockholders exercised their option to convert into bonds. The corporation then went into bankruptcy, and in reorganization proceedings, the bondholders claim a preference over general creditors. Held, that the former holders of the preferred stock were stockholders and not creditors of the corporation and that, in the absence …

Assignments - Effect Of Assignment Of Contract By Receiver Of Liquidating Insolvent Corporation

Michigan Law Review

The Chicago Tribune contracted to furnish the Washington Post with four comics and two features at a stipulated price per week. The Post went into the hands of a receiver who continued the contract and eventually assigned it to the Washington Post Publishing Company, plaintiff, along with "all assets of said company [the Post] of every kind, character, and description, except cash." The Post then went out of existence. The plaintiff, assignee, sued to enforce the contract, tendering payment in cash. Held, that the contract was assignable, that there had been a valid assignment, and that the contract remained …

Banks And Banking - Reorganization Under Enabling Statutes Requiring Less Than Unanimous Agreement - Effect On Special Deposits

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff issued drafts to the defendant bank under a special agreement that they were to cover certain checks already cashed or to be cashed. When a balance of such drafts stood at $2,000 in favor of the plaintiff, the defendant bank became insolvent. A North Dakota statute provided that if eighty per cent of the deposit creditors agreed to a plan of reorganization, and such plan was approved by the state bank examiner and the secretary of the guarantee fund commission, it was to be held binding on all other unsecured creditors. Eighty per cent of the depositors of …