Bankruptcy (JD Academic Unit)

Study content for Bankruptcy (JD Academic Unit): notes, practice MCQs and flashcards across 12 syllabus topics. This is AI-generated draft content — citations have not yet been independently verified.

Syllabus

• Creditor-Debtor Law FoundationsTopic

  State law creditor remedies (judgment liens, garnishment, attachment) · Pre-bankruptcy fraudulent transfers (state law — UVTA)

• Bankruptcy Code Overview & CommencementTopic

  Title 11 structure; voluntary vs. involuntary petitions · Eligibility; conversion and dismissal · Jurisdiction and the bankruptcy court system (28 USC §§157-158)

• Automatic StayTopic

  Scope and exceptions (§362(b)) · Relief from stay (§362(d) — lack of adequate protection, no equity/necessity) · Co-debtor stay (Ch. 12/13)

• Property of the EstateTopic

  §541 scope; after-acquired property; exempt property · State and federal exemptions (§522); homestead, wildcard · Turnover obligations (§542)

• Claims & PrioritiesTopic

  Proof of claim; allowance and disallowance (§502) · Secured vs. unsecured claims; claim valuation (§506) · Priority waterfall (§507) — domestic support, admin expenses, wage claims

• Trustee Avoiding PowersTopic

  Preferences (§547) — elements, defenses (contemporaneous exchange, ordinary course, new value) · Fraudulent transfers (§548); look-back periods; actual vs. constructive fraud · Strong-arm power (§544); hypothetical lien creditor

• Executory Contracts & Unexpired LeasesTopic

  Assumption and rejection (§365); cure requirements · Assignment; anti-assignment clauses · IP licenses; real property leases

• DischargeTopic

  Ch. 7 discharge; non-dischargeable debts (§523) — student loans, taxes, fraud, domestic support · Denial of discharge (§727) · Reaffirmation agreements (§524)

• Chapter 7 LiquidationTopic

  Means test (§707(b)); abuse standard; BAPCPA changes · Trustee duties; administration of estate assets · Distribution waterfall to creditors

• Chapter 13 Individual ReorganizationTopic

  Eligibility debt limits; plan confirmation (§1325) · Best-interests test; disposable income test; projected income · Modification and hardship discharge (§1328)

• Chapter 11 Business ReorganizationTopic

  DIP financing; cash collateral; adequate protection · Disclosure statement and plan confirmation (§§1125-1129) · Absolute priority rule; cram-down (§1129(b))

• Special Topics (varies by school)Topic

  Chapter 12 (family farmers/fishermen) · Cross-border / Chapter 15 (UNCITRAL Model Law) · Student loan dischargeability (Brunner test; post-2022 DOE guidance)

• In re M & S Grading, Inc.

  Define 'property of the estate' under 11 USC §541. What is included?

  541 F.3d 859
• In re M & S Grading, Inc.

  In a Chapter 11 reorganization, what is the role of the trustee or debtor-in-possession in managing estate assets?

  541 F.3d 859
• James P. Hassett v. Harry E. Goetzmann, Jr.

  Explain the 'strong-arm power' under 11 USC §544. What does a trustee do with it?

  217 B.R. 9