One rumor floating around related to the soon-to-be-vacant bankruptcy judgship in Rochester is that the Hon. Margaret Cangilos-Ruiz, currently the bankruptcy judge in the Northern District of New York, Syracuse Division, would be appointed to the Rochester position. I...
Month: December 2011
Debtor Who Spent Annuity After Filing Bankruptcy Granted Discharge – In re Leone Albany Case
"Something went awry in this case", and indeed it did. This understated line opens the conclusory paragraph of the decision by Judge Robert E. Littlefield Jr. in In re Leone, Bankruptcy Court Northern District of New York (Albany Division) Chapter 7 #05-16603; AP...
NY Homestead Exemption Applies to Entire Property Even If Partially Rented Out: In re McCarthy (Syracuse case)
Syracuse bankruptcy judge Margaret Cangilos-Ruiz has ruled that a bankruptcy debtor can claim a homestead exemption on an entire parcel or residential property, even if the debtor only resides in part of the property. In re Craig Michael McCarthy; WDNY Bk #11-31499;...
Retirement Package for Bankruptcy Judges – Full Salary after 14 Years if Over 65
With the impending retirement of Bankruptcy judge John C. Ninfo II of Rochester, it might be interesting to review the retirement package available to bankruptcy judges. Under 28 USC Sect. 377, a bankruptcy judge over the age of 65 who has served at least 14 years is...
Bankruptcies continue decline to 23 year low; Share a Judge with Syracuse?
Through the end of November, bankruptcy filings in the Western District of New York continue to decline, off 20% from the first eleven months of of 2010. Rochester's share of filings are down slightly more - 21%, with Buffalo's filings down 19%. This follows a 10%...
Pillar Processing Closes in Buffalo – Fallout of Baum Closure
As I reported two weeks ago, the large-volume foreclosure firm Steven J. Baum PC of Amherst NY is closing. The Buffalo News is now reporting that Pillar Processing LLC, a foreclosure services company affiliated with the Baum office is also shutting its doors. Pillar...