Susan D. Barrett
How Judge Barrett rules, drawn from 26 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Barrett
Susan D. Barrett has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Georgia since March 2006. She was the first woman appointed to a federal judgeship in that district. Before joining the court, she practiced law in Augusta.
Judge Barrett's practices and standing orders
The court's website lists no individual practices or standing orders of Judge Barrett's own (checked October 10, 2026), so the court's local rules and general orders are the place to look (court page ↗).
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026).
- General Order 2024-3: Electronic Case Files and Administrative Procedures ↗
- General Order 2022-1: Negative Notice Procedures ↗
- General Order 2017-1: Motion for Relief from Stay ↗
- General Order 2024-1: Discharge Requirements ↗
- General Order 2017-2: Chapter 13 Attorney Compensation ↗
- E-Orders Trustee and Attorney Guidelines and Procedures ↗
How Judge Barrett decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Adams v. Volpitto, Barrett found the retirement plan's language clear and unambiguous and rejected the former employees' recovery theory based on a different interpretation.
“I have found the Plan’s language is clear and unambiguous and therefore, Plaintiffs are not entitled to recover under this theory.”
Procedural preferences
A deliberate tactical choice to miss a claims deadline is not excusable neglect.
“the intentional and tactical decision not to file a claim does not amount to ‘neglect’”
A debtor seeking to reduce a confirmed plan must show changed circumstances; an existing interpretation of Social Security income did not reopen a choice made at confirmation.
“This Court continues to conclude a change in circumstances is required and has not occurred in this case.”
Cautions
Material omissions and undervaluations in the schedules can justify a broad examination even after plan confirmation.
“the UST raised serious questions regarding the truth and veracity of Debt- or’s schedules.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“it is therefore ORDERED that the Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED.”
“For the reasons set forth below, I find this debt is dis-chargeable.”
“Len-Verandahs’s Motion to Allow Late Claim is DENIED and its claim is DISALLOWED.”
“Debt- or’s request for declaratory judgment, in-junctive and equitable relief, including actual and punitive damages, is ORDERED DENIED.”
“HSBC’s request for relief from the automatic stay is GRANTED”
“For the foregoing reasons, Movants’ motions are denied.”
“Debtor’s attorney’s Motion to Direct Payments is granted in part”
“Wells Fargo’s Motion for Relief from Stay is DENIED as MOOT.”
“Debtor’s Objection to the United States Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”
“The United States Trustee’s Motion to Extend Time is DENIED.”
“Debtor’s Motion to Direct Payment of Funds Held by Chapter 13 Trustee is ORDERED GRANTED in part.”
“Capital One’s Objection is GRANTED.”
“Debtor’s Motion to Strike is DENIED”
“United States Trustee’s Motion for Rule 2004 Examination is GRANTED”
“Debtor’s Motion for Protective Order is DENIED.”
“the IRS’s motion for summary judgment is GRANTED”
“El-kins’s summary judgment motion is DENIED.”
“the Court DENIES both Debtor’s Motion to Continue the Stay”
“and Debtor’s Motion to Declare the Motion Moot.”
“the Trustee’s Motion to Sell is DENIED”
“QZO’s Objection to the Motion to Sell is GRANTED.”
“QZO’s objections to the expert testimony and the Alford Report are OVERRULED.”
Draft for Judge Barrett with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Barrett, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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