LAWDOG BANKRUPTCY: CHAPTER 7

Relief From Stay

Automatic Stay

An automatic stay is a statutory "order" which protects the debtor and his property, and prohibits actions by creditors after the filing of a bankruptcy. The "automatic stay" arises automatically, and does not require any specific order by a judge. Generally, most acts against the debtor, the bankruptcy estate, or the property of the debtor MUST CEASE upon the filing of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. See Section 362 (a) reproduced here for illustration purposes only.

The automatic stay generally applies to everyone, and to every entity. The stay gives immediate relief to the debtor. The stay is an important concept which permits the orderly administration of a bankruptcy case. All proceedings against a debtor, with the few exceptions listed below, are prohibited. The enforcement of a judgment entered prior to the filing, against the debtor, or the property of the estate is prohibited. The enforcement, initiation or continuation of a lawsuit, acts to repossess collateral, and wage garnishments, may all be prohibited. Most acts to enforce or perfect liens against the debtor's property are prohibited. A limited exception is discussed in Actions To Perfect Security Interests below.

For so long as the stay is in effect, creditors generally cannot even make a telephone demand for payment to a debtor. The automatic stay should be respected and taken seriously. Section 362 (h) provides that an individual injured by any willful violation of a stay shall recover actual damages, including costs and attorneys' fees, and, in appropriate circumstances, may recover punitive damages. Actual cases should be discussed with your actual legal advisor or legal department.

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Exceptions To The Automatic Stay

The exceptions to an automatic stay are generally not very relevant to creditors. The exceptions include things such as criminal proceedings, child or spousal support exceptions, and tax audit exceptions. However, in a case involving a nonresidential real property lease, if the term of the lease expired prior to the bankruptcy filing, a landlord may be permitted to take appropriate action to obtain possession, despite the automatic stay. See Section 362 (b)(10) linked here for illustration purposes only. Actual cases should be discussed with your actual legal advisor or legal department.

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Actions To Perfect Security Interests

The perfection of an interest in property may not be prohibited by an automatic stay if it occurs during the 10-day grace period provided by Section 547(e)(2)(A), or under other limited situations. The period may be extended for purchase money security interest transactions that are perfected on or before 20 days after the debtor receives possession of such property. Purchase money security interests that secure new value given by the secured party to enable the debtor to acquire property, and in fact used by the debtor to acquire property described as collateral in the security agreement may meet the requirements of Section 547 (b) (3) . The filing of a continuation statement to maintain secured status of the creditor may be permitted by Section 362(b)(3), which is reproduced for illustration purposes only here. Always discuss actual cases with your actual legal advisor or legal department.

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Relief From Stay

The stay of an act against property of the estate continues until such property is no longer property of the estate; and the stay of any other act under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code continues until the earliest of the time the case is closed, or dismissed, or if the case is a case under Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the Bankruptcy Code concerning an individual, the time a discharge is granted or denied. See Section 362 (c) linked here for illustration purposes only.

Upon the filing of a request by an interested party, the Court may also grant relief from automatic stay under limited circumstances. That is, the Court may terminate or modify the stay so that a creditor may, for example, foreclose upon or repossess certain secured property held by the debtor. See Section 362 (d) linked here for illustration purposes only.

Generally, if the property in which the creditor holds a security interest is held by the debtor or the Trustee, and the stay remains in effect, the debtor must provide "adequate protection" of the creditor's interest in the property. See Section 361 reproduced here for illustration purpose only. To obtain relief from automatic stay, a creditor must file a written motion, and must demonstrate at the hearing on the motion, that the property to which the creditor has an interest is not adequately protected, or that the debtor has no equity interest in the property. See Section 362 (d) linked here for illustration purposes only.

In any hearing under this section concerning relief from stay, the party requesting such relief has the burden of proof on the issue of the debtor's equity in property; and the party opposing such relief has the burden of proof on all other issues. Actual cases should always be discussed with your actual legal advisor or legal department.

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