Mark W. Vaughn
How Judge Vaughn rules, drawn from 5 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Vaughn no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Vaughn decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A debt remained nondischargeable where a court-appointed guardian failed to account for ward property, even though the obligation was later memorialized in a promissory note.
“Public policy does not allow a settlement agreement to silently transform an otherwise nondischargeable obligation into a dischargeable debt.”
Cautions
Summary judgment was unavailable where the debtor’s ability to pay divorce obligations and the former spouse’s comparative finances remained factual questions.
“whether the Defendant’s current financial circumstances afford him an ability to pay these debts or not, in addition to the Plaintiff’s comparative financial ability, are both questions of fact.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Therefore, for the aforementioned reasons, the Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is denied.”
“The Court, however, denies Family Bank’s motion without prejudice.”
“the Court finds that Mr. Hellesen’s retirement plan is exempt under the terms and provisions of ERISA, and overrules Family Bank’s objection.”
“At the outset of the trial, the Court denied the Plaintiffs’ motion to amend to include a claim under section 523(a)(15) for the reasons set out in the record.”
“This arrangement to provide an unencumbered real estate to Allison was clearly negotiated as a means of support for Allison. As such, it is excepted from discharge under section 523(a)(5) of the Bankruptcy Code.”
“At the conclusion of trial, the Court denied the Defendant’s motion for reconsideration of attorneys’ fees and other relief”
“Therefore, the Debtors’ motion for summary judgment is granted, and the IRS’s motion for summary judgment is denied.”
“Therefore, for the aforementioned reasons, the Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is granted.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The five 1995 matters were terminated, with a median recorded duration of 153 days. All ten reviewed entry streams were empty and supplied no classifiable motion outcome.
A historical record
Judge Vaughn 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.