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New Plan Provision Allows Lien Stripping Without An Adversary Proceeding

Published on September 14, 2010 in Bankruptcy Filings. 0 Comments

Stripping unsecured liens without an adversary proceeding is now easier for debtors in the Northern District of Illinois (Chicago).  The new Model Plan adds a section specifically for lien stripping.  Debtors will be required to use this new plan commencing October 15, 2010, but the plan is available online now, and debtor’s attorneys can start using it immediately. 

Previously, if a plan sought to strip a lien, language to that effect was inserted in the Special Terms section at the end of the plan.  A creditor must be aware of this new section so as not to miss a debtor’s intention to strip its lien.

The new Model Plan adds Sec. E. 3.2, titled Other secured claims treated as unsecured, and is as follows:

The following claims are secured by collateral that either has no value or that is fully encumbered by liens with higher priority. No payment will be made on these claims on account of their secured status, but to the extent that the claims are allowed, they will be paid as unsecured claims, pursuant to Paragraphs 6 and 8 of this section.
(a) Creditor: _________________Collateral:_________________________

This section permits a debtor to declare a lien unsecured and then pay it as an unsecured claim along with other unsecured creditors.  Coupled with Sec. B. 3, which provides that a creditor must release its lien upon discharge (or earlier if the debtor pays off the debt in full), this permits lien stripping without an adversary proceeding.  Liens would be stripped at discharge.

To further trip up lien holders, the plan also provides in Sec. E. 8. that:

Any claim for which the proof of claim asserts secured status, but which is not identified as secured in Paragraphs 2, 3.1, or 3.2 of this section, will be treated under this paragraph to the extent that the claim is allowed without priority.

This means that if a creditor files a secured claim, and it is not listed in these sections, it will be paid as an unsecured claim by operation of the plan.

Some of the judges in the Northern District of Illinois will still require an adversary proceeding to strip liens even if debtors fill out this section.  I’ve talked to the chair of the court’s liaison committee, and this will be on the agenda at the next meeting.  Hopefully, the inquiry will help identify which of our eleven judges will accept the plan provision in lieu of an adversary proceeding.

So, lien holders must now check in three places within the plan to determine the treatment of their claim.  First, look to see if your claim is identified as secured in Sec. E. 2, 3.1, or 3.2.  If it is not listed at all, it will be treated as unsecured.  If it is listed in Sec. E. 3.2, it will be treated as unsecured. Finally, check in the Special Provisions Section at the end of the plan.  If a judge still requires an adversary proceeding, the intention to file an adversary to strip the lien and pay the claim as unsecured may be listed there.

If you have any questions on this matter, please contact Ms. Monette W. Cope, Esq. Monette is a junior partner in the bankruptcy department of Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA located in the Chicago office. She can be reached directly at 312-253-9614 or via email at .

New Bankruptcy Filing Requirements In The Northern District of Illinois

Published on August 20, 2009 in Chapter 13, Local Procedures & Rules and Motion. 0 Comments

NEW: A post-petition payment history must be attached to all Chapter 13 motions for relief in the Northern District of Illinois.

The Northern District of Illinois (Chicago) requires filers to attach a “Statement to Accompany Motions for Relief from Stay” to all motions for relief.  The Statement has been revised three times in the last year.  The revisions have progressively required more details about payment defaults.

The latest revision (sent to all practitioners on August 19, 2009, and effective immediately) requires a post-petition payment history be attached to the Statement in all Chapter 13 motions for relief.  This is not required in Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 cases.

The history must detail the dates of individual payments and the amounts of those payments.  This can be satisfied in most cases by attaching a computer record for the period beginning on the date of the filing of the bankruptcy through the date of the referral.  If no payments have been made, a payment history is still required.

In addition to including a post-petition payment history for all Chapter 13 cases, all motions for relief (for all chapters) must include the following information:  the current balance, the next due date on the account, the amount of arrears, the amount of the regular payments, and the value of the collateral. 

The change occurred in part because courts are now heightening their scrutiny of mortgage defaults, but the result is that courts are requiring creditors holding collateral other than real estate, such as vehicles, to make the detailed disclosures as well.

Document Challenges To Motions For Relief From Stay In Chicago

Published on April 9, 2009 in Chapter 13, Chapter 7 and Motion. 0 Comments

There are ten bankruptcy judges in the Northern District of Illinois (Chicago).  Only one of these judges, Judge Schmetterer, has a standing order requiring supporting documents be filed with motions for relief.

Copies of the note and security interest must be filed as exhibits to the motion.  If the collateral is real estate, a recorded copy of the mortgage is required.  If it is a vehicle, the title is required, and if equipment, the UCC statement must be attached. None of the judges at this point require recorded assignments that show the moving party is the true party in interest, but Judge Schmetterer does require the relationship between the moving party and the original creditor be explained in the motion.

While vehicle titles and UCC statements are rarely challenged, debtor’s attorneys are increasingly asking for recorded documents and assignments or servicing agreements to prove that the moving party is the true party in interest.  This trend has been driven somewhat by activist attorneys, but perhaps as much or more so by debtors who have been paying attention to the media and surfing the net on the troubles some mortgage holders may have in proving they are the real party in interest.

It is always the best practice to send your attorney the note and/or security agreement, evidence of security, and any assignments or documents showing a servicing agreement. However, not every loan is equipped with a perfect portfolio of documents.  This is a problem only when the court requires them or debtors demand them.  In these cases, your WWR attorney will work with you to overcome or satisfy the debtors’ demands.