6th Circuit

Circuit Judge Questions Applicability of Veil Piercing and Alter Ego to Trusts

Sixth Circuit upholds dismissal of claims for reverse veil piercing and reverse alter ego.
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Sixth Circuit Gives Primacy to the Bankruptcy Court in Rejecting Power Contracts

Over a dissent, the Sixth Circuit holds that FERC may offer its opinion but may not bar a bankruptcy court from rejecting a power purchase agreement after considering the public interest.
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Case Shows How Taggart Tilted the Scale Toward Lenders Accused of Contempt

An ambiguous demand letter violated the discharge injunction, but the lender was not held in contempt in light of Taggart.

Sixth Circuit Might Rule on Deductions for Contributions to Retirement Accounts

Courts are split on whether chapter 13 debtors may deduct voluntary contributions to retirement accounts from ‘disposable income.’

Another Judge Clamps Down on Third-Party Releases in a Major Reorganization

Extinguishing contingent environmental claims doesn’t comply with the Sixth Circuit’s Dow Corning test, Judge Koschik says.

Insurance Policy Excluding Coverage for Causing Bankruptcy Is Unenforceable

A ‘runoff’ policy purchased after filing is a continuation of a pre-bankruptcy policy, district judge says.

Michigan Court Allows Curing a Chapter 13 Payment Default After Five Years

Some lower courts don’t allow chapter 13 plan payments after five years, but two circuits do.

FDCPA Plaintiffs Aren’t Required to Plead the Debt Collector’s Knowledge of Bankruptcy

A debtor collector’s knowledge or intent aren’t elements of a claim under the FDCPA.

Sixth Circuit Muses on Whether ‘Prudential Standing’ Applies in Bankruptcy

New judge on the Sixth Circuit raises a host of questions about the requisites of standing in bankruptcy court.
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A Cash Collateral Carveout Doesn’t Automatically Make a Bank Liable for Fees

Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd limits a recent Sixth Circuit opinion to its facts in holding that a bank was not liable to pay professional fees from a cash collateral carveout.

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