Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Audits Are Back

Yes, you read that correctly. Debit audits are officially back as of May 12, 2008. This is despite the fact that the panel trustee already examines the debtor, and despite the fact that the U.S. Trustee already reviews every petition filed with the Clerk. The new notice from the office of the U.S. Trustee, dated May 9, 2008, clearly states that the U.S. Trustee will resume debtor audits.

Isn't the U.S. Trustee technically doing debtor audits when bringing 2004 Exam Subpoenas? Isn't the U.S. Trustee already seeking tax documentation and proof of income through these 2004 Exam Subpoenas? Of course. Although, they are not the technical audits that the bankruptcy code mandated.

Personally, I am still looking for the consumer protection portion of the Act. I know I saw it somewhere, but I just don't see how the consumers are really being protected. I suppose that the reaffirmation hearings are some sort of consumer protection. In reality, the reaffirmation hearings are simply an additional burden placed upon the debtor and the debtor's counsel. This often requires additional time off of work, but that's the debtor's problem. It will make it more difficult to make the required car payments.

I would have simply called the Act the Bankruptcy Code and I would have subtitled a section of that Code, Abuse Prevention. Anyway, sorry for my digression. The reason that the debtor audits were suspended was due to budgetary reasons. I suppose everyone associated with bankruptcy, including myself, is spending more money than they did prior to bankruptcy reform. The new audits will be comprised of 1 out of every 1000 Chapter 7 bankruptcy case filings as opposed to the prior audits of 1 out of every 250 Chapter 7 bankruptcy case filings.

Lastly, I don't recall how many cases were dismissed or how many discharges were denied due to a debtor's failure to pass the audit. Were these audits simply attempts to demonstrate the type and extent of abuse promulgated by debtors? If so, will the new audits make any significant difference?

The truth is simply that the U.S. The Trustee is acting with the full authority of the bankruptcy code. Instead of blind adherence to the Act, some alterations should be made. The reforms laws may have looked good on paper to those who lobbied eight years for the changes. But looking good on paper and having an actual positive result are two different things. It's o.k. to admit that and to acknowledge that. At present, an effort should be made to correct some errors and clarify some uncertain areas. Otherwise, we will continue to wade in the minutia, all the while pretending to be walking on soft, sandy beach. If the debtor audits produced little fruit and if the cost of said audits was prohibitive, why not look to make a change. Throw it back to the lawmakers to make it right. If everyone works together, it can probably get done within the next eight years.

David M. Siegel is the author of Chapter 7 Success: The Complete Guide to Surviving Personal Bankruptcy. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and currently practices bankruptcy law in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. Additional information is available at Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

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