J. Craig Whitley

How Judge Whitley rules, drawn from 20 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

Judge Whitley no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.

Court
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Position
bankruptcy
Status
Retired 2024
Served
1994–2024
Commissioned
1994-01-01
Signed orders read
20

How Judge Whitley decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

Full payment of allowed unsecured claims satisfied the confirmation requirement without also requiring every dollar of projected disposable income.

“Only one of the prongs need be met, not both.”

Detailed allegations of director misconduct were sufficient to permit the challenged claims to proceed beyond the pleading stage.

“each of the aforementioned causes of action state plausible claims for relief”

Procedural preferences

Late counterclaims that duplicated an existing statutory remedy and expanded the dispute were disfavored.

“These counterclaims were late, improperly filed and at the most inopportune time opened a new front in the litigation.”

Cautions

Equitable considerations could not excuse noncompliance with an unambiguous eligibility deadline.

“It is well established that equitable principles cannot override the clear dictates of a statute.”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

In re Winn
· 2012-05-10
Motion to modify chapter 13 plan (debtors) Granted

“CONSEQUENTLY, the Winns’ Motion to Modify Plan is GRANTED.”

Ward v. Estate of Reese (In re Hickory Printing Group, Inc.)
· 2012-04-19
Motion to dismiss adversary claims (defendants) Denied

“Based on the foregoing, the Defendants’ Partial Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint is DENIED.”

Helms v. Belfor USA Group, Inc. (In re Helms)
· 2010-10-18
Motion to avoid judgment lien (debtors) Denied

“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that Debtors’ Motion to Avoid Judgment Lien is denied with prejudice.”

In re Preston
· 2009-09-24
Objection to exemption (chapter 7 trustee) Granted

“The Trustee’s Objections to Exemptions are SUSTAINED.”

Motion to amend exemptions (debtor) Granted in part

“Preston’s Motion to Amend her Exemptions is DENIED as to the residential exemption, N.C. Gen.Stat. § 1C-1601(a)(1), but ALLOWED as to the N.C. Gen.Stat. § lC-1601(a)(2) ‘wildcard’ exemption to the extent of $5,000”

Motion for turnover (chapter 7 trustee) Granted

“The Trustee’s Motion for Turnover is GRANTED to the extent of $2,887.59.”

Andresen & Arronte, PLLC v. Hill (In re Hill)
· 2010-03-23
Motion for directed verdict (Sabrina Collins Hill) Granted

“Defendants’ Motion for Directed Verdict as to Sabrina Collins Hill is GRANTED;”

Motion for directed verdict (Ronald Creigh Hill) Denied

“Defendants’ Motion for Directed Verdict as to Ronald Creigh Hill is DENIED;”

In re Siler
· 2010-03-23
Motion to dismiss bankruptcy case (bankruptcy administrator) Denied

“For the reasons stated above, the BA’s motion to dismiss is DENIED.”

Staton Holdings, Inc. v. Mileski (In re Mileski)
· 2009-04-28
Summary judgment (Staton Holdings, Inc.) Granted in part

“(1) Partial Summary Judgment is GRANTED to Staton, as to the following matters:”

Summary judgment (Steven Mileski) Granted in part

“(3) Mileski’s Cross Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED to the extent of deeming Staton’s damages (excluding the attorneys fee award) to be outside the ambit of Section 523(a)(6).”

Blue Cross & Blue Shield v. Jemsek Clinic, P.A. (In re Jemsek Clinic, P.A.)
· 2010-09-22
Motion for sanctions (Jemsek defendants) Granted in part

“MEMORANDUM OPINION GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART DEFENDANTS’ MOTION”

Congressional Federal Credit Union v. Pusateri (In re Pusateri)
· 2010-06-30
Summary judgment (Congressional Federal Credit Union) Denied

“CFCU’s Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED.”

Summary judgment (Michael Pusateri) Granted in part

“Pusateri’s Motion for Summary Judgment for an Order Granting Attorney’s Fees, Costs, and Expenses is GRANTED IN PART.”

Motion for voluntary dismissal (Congressional Federal Credit Union) Granted

“CFCU’s Motion to Dismiss its claims against the Debtor is GRANTED.”

Shuford v. Citizens South Bank (In re Yatko)
· 2008-09-10
Summary judgment (chapter 7 trustee) Granted

“The Trustee’s motion for summary judgment is therefore GRANTED.”

Hasalia v. Walker (In re Walker)
· 2009-06-26
Motion to dismiss adversary proceeding (Carrol Wall Walker) Denied

“denying Walker’s Motion to Dismiss”

Summary judgment (Carrol Wall Walker) Denied

“denying Walker’s Motion for Summary Judgment”

Motion to amend complaint (purchasers) Granted

“allowing Purchasers’ Motion to Amend their complaint to state a third legal grounds for nondischargeability, under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(6).”

Motion for directed verdict (Carrol Wall Walker) Denied

“Walker moved for a directed verdict. Her motion was denied.”

In re Dyer
· 2007-06-27
Motion for reconsideration (debtors) Denied

“Accordingly, the reconsideration motion is DENIED.”

Caseload & timing

From public federal docket records for this judge.

All five sampled matters were terminated and every entry stream was empty.

A historical record

Judge Whitley 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.