Scott W. Dales
How Judge Dales rules, drawn from 20 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Dales
Scott W. Dales joined the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan in October 2007. He serves as its chief judge.
Judge Dales's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Dales, as published on the court's website (checked October 11, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
- Proposed Order Procedures ↗
- Procedure Governing Live Testimony ↗
- Procedure Governing Motions to Extend the Automatic Stay ↗
Key rules
Filing
Upload proposed orders served under the notice procedure only after the objection period expires.
“Proposed orders related to matters served pursuant to LBR 9013 should be uploaded after the objection period has expired.”
Motions
If an objection to a negative notice motion to extend the stay prevents a hearing within 30 days of the petition, request special scheduling in writing.
“the moving party may file an ex parte written request to set the hearing on a non-motion day or on a motion day in another city, in order to meet the 30 day deadline.”
Conferences
Regular motion day hearings are ordinarily not evidentiary; live witnesses require an applicable exception.
“any hearing scheduled on the court’s regular motion day shall not be conducted as an evidentiary hearing, and the court will not permit witnesses to testify except in the form of affidavit or solemn declaration”
Conferences
For an exception allowing live testimony on a regular motion day, confer and file a written request at least 14 days before the hearing.
“Any party who seeks an exception to the procedure described in Paragraph 1 shall, at least 14 days in advance of the hearing: (1) consult with opposing parties regarding the need for live testimony, in order to seek consensus; and (2) file a written request”
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 11, 2026).
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the Plaintiff's Motion is GRANTED”
“the Defendant's Motion is DENIED”
The signed decision is retained for context but excluded from motion statistics.
The signed decision is retained for context but excluded from motion statistics.
“the following motions are DENIED”
The signed decision is retained for context but excluded from motion statistics.
“The Consents Motion is DENIED”
“The Motion to Schedule is DENIED”
“The Dismissal Motion is GRANTED”
“the Motion is DENIED as unnecessary under the statute”
“United States Trustee's Motion (ECF No. 10) is DENIED as moot”
“IFP Application (ECF No. 4) is DENIED on the merits”
“Adjournment Motion (ECF No. 329) is DENIED for lack of cause”
“all other pending motions are DENIED as moot”
Draft for Judge Dales with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Dales, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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