NACTT Academy Columns & Resources

Home
Academy Columns & Resources
- An Introduction: to Academy Resources
  
  The Academy's Inaugural Press Release
Meet Our Directors & Advisor
Contact Us
Join the Academy!

Chapter 13 Assistance
- Chapter 13 Myths: A Bankruptcy Judge dispels some common myths about Chapter while offering great advice to debtors or potential debtors.
  
  Ten Things To Ask When Selecting A Bankruptcy Attorney
  
  U.S. Trustee's Chapter 13 Trustee Locator
  
  Trustees' Education Network Library: Invaluable collection of information for debtors and other participants in the Chapter 13 process.
Helpful Links & Blogs
Mortgage Morass
- The Mortgage Morass: Links to news articles discussing the Mortgage Morass, its fallout, and potential solutions. Updated Biweekly!

Bankruptcy Ethics
- I Was Just Following Orders: Both on the world stage and in local courtrooms, the words “I was just following orders” have a hollow ring and fail to provide an acceptable defense for unacceptable actions or, quite frequently, failures to act.
  
  How Did This Happen To Me?: How did this ethics problem happen to me? It should come as no surprise that this simple column will not provide a once-and-for-all answer to that question; however, this column will identify one example which could be helpful in limiting, if not avoiding, the presence of that question in a legal career.
  
  The Controlling Ethics Model: The controlling model must be the “Ethics Model,” i.e. the state and federal law which govern every attorney’s and law firm’s ethical obligations in the practice of law.
Podcast Interviews
- Listen, Download and Read Transcripts
  of These Interviews
  
  Henry E. "Hank" Hildebrand, III: Chapter 13 Trustee, Middle District of Tennessee
  
  Andrea E. Celli: Chapter 13 Trustee, Northern District of New York
  
  Hon. Roger L. Efremsky: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Northen District of California
  
  Richardo I. Kilpatrick: Bankruptcy Attorney, Kilpatrick & Associates
Chapter 13 Comments
- Judge Gorman inquires – “Just what are we doing here?” (Court Comment) This article considers the importance of assessing, and continually reassessing a client’s goals in a chapter 13 case.
  
  Motor Vehicle Trade-In: "Negative Equity" and the Hanging Paragraph (Debtor Comment) This article examines the issue of negative equity, particularly in connection with the Eleventh Circuit’s determination of this issue.
  
  Some Thoughts and Experiences on the Paperless Office (Trustee Comment) Stepping through the steps to a Chapter 13 Trustee's Paperless Office.
  
  Judge Gerling observes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. (Court Comment) A look at chapter 13 complications arising from the 2005 amendments.
  
  The Face of Chapter 13 (Debtor Comment) A Debtor's Attorney introduces the real debtor.
  
  Past Comments: Discriminating Against Non-Priority Unsecured Claims (Trustee Comment); Chapter 13: It Works (Court Comment); Chapter 13 Myths (Court Comment); Veterans' Benefits (Trustee Comment); Proof of Claim Best Practices (Creditor Comment); Good for the Goose? (Debtor Comment); A Bankruptcy Judge Comments on Proofs of Claim (Court Comment); Chapter 13 Audits: All Bark and No Bite? (Debtor Counsel); Loss Mitigation in the Changing Mortgage Market (Creditor Counsel); Business Expenses and CMI (Trustee Comment); Why Can't We Get Quicker Answers? (Court Comment); 401(k) Loans: More Than Meets The Eye (Trustee Comment); The Case for Conduit Mortgages (Debtor Counsel); Loss Mitigation in Home Retention (Creditor Counsel).

Chapter 13 Considerations
- Judge Littlefield stresses the significance of counsel focusing on their specific chapter 13 cases. This article reviews some of the proceedings which receive the attention of a judge hearing chapter 13 cases and warns of the danger of simply viewing repetitive issues as identical issues.
  
  Judge Parsons: How Chapter 13 Could Be Even More Helpful In The Mortgage Crisis This article considers the national financial problems and chapter 13’s present ability to assist debtors and creditors, which, with Congressional action, could provide an enhanced opportunity to address the mortgage crisis.
  
  Judge Kennedy: Considering the Advantages of Chapter 13 After getting to know chapter 13 from the bench, it's now Judge Kennedy's favorite.
  
  Judge Markell: A Great Business To Be In Judge Markell is in the business of hope and redemption.
  
  David Epstein Considers Chapter 13 Professor Epstein thinks there are too many rules.
A Variety of Views on Chapter 13 Issues
- A Variety of Views: Objections to Unsecured Claims
  
     A Debtor Attorney's View
           Creditor's Response to Debtor
           Trustee's Responses to Debtor and Creditor
  
     A Creditor Attorney's View
           Debtor's Response to Creditor and Trustee
           Trustee's Responses to Debtor and Creditor
  
     A Trustee's View
           Creditor's Response to Trustee
           Debtor's Response to Creditor and Trustee

NACTT Academy Columns & Resources

In celebration of our inaugural year and to provide an opportunity to preview our site and services, the Academy's entire site is available to all visitors until December 31, 2008! Our content and resources are divided among Public Content, which will remain available to anyone at any time, and Member Content, which will be available only to Academy Members — Member Content is designated by the icon and message at the below right (pass your mouse over the icon to view the message).

You must join the Academy in order to take advantage of our full range of resources and benefits. Annual memberships cost $275, with reduced rates for Chapter 13 Trustees ($250) and Judicial, Academic, or Government members ($95).

The materials and resources on our home page have been categorized as Getting Started, Public, and Member Content for your conveneince. And remember: the Academy is just getting started and your feedback is critical to growing our organization in the right directions and procuring or creating the right resources for you. Please contact us anytime with your thoughts, comments, and ideas at: Suggestions@ConsiderChapter13.org!