James K. Coachys
How Judge Coachys rules, drawn from 20 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Coachys no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Coachys decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On summary judgment, the absence of contrary evidence can be decisive when the existing record establishes the required state of mind.
“Roberts failed to offer any evidence on summary judgment that would support a different conclusion.”
A documented student-loan burden may rebut the means-test presumption when realistic repayment alternatives are unavailable.
“the Court concludes that because of her student loan, Debtor does not have a meaningful ability to repay her debts either outside of bankruptcy or under Chapter 13.”
Procedural preferences
New claims may relate back when they arise from the same core transaction described in the original complaint.
“a new substantive claim that would otherwise be time-barred relates back to the date of the original pleading, provided the new claim stems from the same ‘conduct, transaction, or occurrence’ as was alleged in the original complaint”
A party seeking relief from a confirmed plan should identify the disputed provision and object while confirmation remains pending.
“the Trustee had more than enough opportunity to ‘catch’ the Student Loan Provision and object to it.”
Cautions
A conversion request may be denied when the record shows it was filed to shield estate proceeds rather than to pursue repayment in good faith.
“the Court must conclude that the Debtor’s Conversion Motion was filed in bad faith.”
Committee expense requests should distinguish reimbursable out-of-pocket costs from compensation for an employee's time.
“any expenses related to ‘time spent’ by Nijack must be disallowed.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Based on the foregoing, the Court denies the Trustee’s Motion.”
“In the absence of any compelling argument, the Court denies the Trustee's request.”
“Based on those conclusions, the Court grants summary judgment in favor of Woods and against Roberts.”
“Roberts’ request for summary judgment on that issue is, therefore, denied.”
“Thus, the Court grants Downey’s summary judgment motion against those Plaintiffs whose security interests in the goods they delivered to Downey were not perfected. Because Disons Gems and SAI’s security interest were perfected, Downey is not entitled to judgment against them.”
“The Court grants Chrysler’s motion for summary judgment, and it will issue a Judgment contemporaneously herewith that is consistent with these Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.”
“Based on the foregoing, the Court denies the Motion to Dismiss except as it relates to Counts VI and XXII, with respect to which the Motion to Dismiss is granted in part and denied in part, and to Count XV, with which the Motion to Dismiss is granted.”
“Debtors are ordered to calculate their exemption pursuant to the limits set forth in Indiana Code § 24-4.5-5-105 and, unless the Trustee expresses an intention to declare this case to be a ‘no asset’ case, turn over any non-exempt balance to the Trustee for administration.”
“Based on the foregoing, the Court overrules the Trustee’s Objection to Confirmation and concludes that Debtor has met § 1325’s ‘disposable income’ and ‘good faith’ requirements.”
“As such, the Court cannot conclude that granting Debtor relief would be an abuse of Chapter 7. The Trustee’s Motion is, therefore, denied.”
The court dismissed the case on its own analysis because the debtor did not satisfy the prepetition credit-counseling requirement.
“The Motion to Reconsideration is granted and the Debtor’s Objection to the Claim is overruled in its entirety.”
“In exercising its inherent authority to prevent bankruptcy abuse, the Court denies the Debtor’s Motion and orders that the Debtor’s counsel immediately turn over the amount currently deposited in his trust account, along with the Certificate of Deposit, to the Trustee.”
“Accordingly, Dilk’s Motion to Dismiss is DENIED.”
A historical record
Judge Coachys 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.