Richard T. Ford
How Judge Ford rules, drawn from 13 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Ford no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Ford decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A sustained pattern of nonpayment, late filing, nominee ownership, cash use, and luxury spending supported willful tax-evasion findings.
“The totality of debtors’ conduct distinguishes them from the ‘honest, but unfortunate’ taxpayers for whom the bankruptcy discharge is reserved.”
Procedural preferences
A stay-relief movant failed when its proof rested on a duplicate of an unsigned original declaration.
“This Court finds and holds that Avco has failed to meet its burden respecting lack of equity in the estate property and moreover that Avco has not submitted cogent evidence making a prima facie showing upon which relief could be granted.”
Cautions
A passenger vehicle was not treated as exempt commercial property when the record did not establish the statutory commercial-vehicle requirements.
“Since none of the demonstrated requirements for a commercial vehicle have been addressed in this case, the Court concludes that the vehicle at issue in this proceeding is not exempt as a commercial vehicle under § 704.060 of the California Code of Civil Procedure.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Therefore, debtors’ general bankruptcy discharge is denied pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(2)(A).”
“Therefore, debtors’ bankruptcy discharge is denied pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(4)(A).”
“Based on the preponderance of the evidence, the Court concludes that debtors have willfully attempted to evade or defeat the federal tax liabilities at issue in this case. Therefore, those tax liabilities are excepted from discharge pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 523(a)(1)(C).”
“Therefore, debtors’ federal tax liabilities for tax years 2002, 2003, and 2004 constitute non-dischargeable priority tax claims.”
“Therefore, the Club Drive Residence constitutes property of the bankruptcy estate, by operation of 11 U.S.C. § 541(a)(1), and title to the property shall be corrected to properly reflect debtors’ ownership thereof.”
“defendants Warren Swenson and Vicky Senella are hereby enjoined from taking any action with respect to the Club Drive Residence pending further instructions from this Court.”
“Based on the’evidence and authorities provided by the parties, the trustee’s Objection to Debtor’s Exemption is SUSTAINED.”
“Accordingly, confirmation is DENIED.”
“In light of the foregoing, the preliminary injunction entered against NATTS in this proceeding is dissolved, and Golden State’s request for a permanent injunction is denied.”
“DEFENDANTS’ request for additional time to conduct discovery and more fully develop the facts in this case under F.R.C.P. Rule 56(f), incorporated in Bankruptcy proceedings by F.R.B.P. Rule 7056, is denied.”
“The COMMITTEE’S request for severance of these three claims under F.R.C.P. Rules 21 and 42(b), as incorporated by F.R.B.P. Rules 7021 and 7042 respectively, is granted.”
“Summary judgment on the third cause of action is appropriate as the notes on their face bear an interest rate in excess of the New York criminal usury statute.”
“Restitution .is appropriate as prayed for under the eighth cause of action.”
“The granting of summary judgment as to the Third and Eighth Claims renders determination of the First Claim moot and therefore that Claim is not decided.”
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that judgment shall be and hereby is entered in favor of the U.S. Department of Education against James F. Malone in the principal amount of $11,299.00, plus pre-judgment interest in the amount of $6,923.40, for a total judgment of $18,222.40, with interest accruing thereon at the legal rate of interest from and after entry of judgment.”
“the discharge must be denied.”
“confirmation of said plan is denied.”
“Then subtracting $106,504.00 that counsel has already removed from the estate, it leaves a net of $209,336.00 due as an administrative claim.”
“Then subtracting $31,875.00 that counsel has already removed from the estate, it leaves a net of $107,476.00 due as an administrative claim.”
“the Court concludes that a Trustee’s fee of $7,500.00 is a reasonable fee.”
“That the Resolution Trust Corporation’s Motion for Summary Judgment is granted in part determining the Lamont Lions Club’s interest in the real property commonly known as 10401 San Diego Street, Lamont, California, to be junior, unenforceable, and invalid as to the Resolution Trust Corporation’s interest in the same.”
“The Chapter 7 Trustee’s motion for sanctions is denied.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Completed-case duration is reported for the one terminated matter in the fixed sample.
A historical record
Judge Ford no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.