Diane Weiss Sigmund
How Judge Sigmund rules, drawn from 30 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Sigmund no longer sits on this court. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Sigmund
Diane Weiss Sigmund served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 1993 until 2009 and was chief bankruptcy judge from 2004 through 2008. Before joining the bench, she practiced bankruptcy law in Philadelphia and earned her law degree from Temple University.
How Judge Sigmund decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A substantial equity cushion supported leaving the automatic stay in place while the debtor pursued confirmation.
“Debtor contends that this equity cushion is sufficient to adequately protect Commerce until confirmation. I agree.”
Procedural preferences
A debtor who expressly stipulated to stay relief after default was held to that negotiated consequence.
“entered the Stipulation with the knowledge that she may not be able make the necessary payments and expressly agreed to stay relief in the event of default, I am compelled to enforce her agreement”
Cautions
Cash-collateral and first-day relief failed when the proposed use of funds was unclear and the debtor had acted without the required authorization.
“Because I do not know how the cash collateral is to be used and because SC appears to act without regard to its statutory duty regarding the use of cash collateral, I will deny this requested relief”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
The court examined mortgage-servicing and law-firm practices on its own initiative after contested stay and claim proceedings exposed inaccurate and automated filings.
“The Dismissal Motion is DENIED.”
“The Ali and Jian Dismiss Motions are GRANTED.”
“Except as provided in paragraph 2 above, the Ali and Jian Relief Motions are MOOT.”
This PDF reproduces the same consolidated Joobeen opinion and order retained in the preceding archive row.
“It is hereby ORDERED that the Stay Motion is DENIED;”
“the Motion for Equitable Relief to Recover Repossessed Motor Vehicle and for Damages (the ‘Turnover Motion’) ... It is further ORDERED that the Turnover Motion is GRANTED In Part. Debtor is entitled to damages in the amount of $1,600 resulting from the violation of the automatic stay by Commerce.”
“It is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED.”
After trial, the borrowers did not prove that the title-insurance charge violated the Truth in Lending Act.
“It is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED in Part.”
“It is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is DENIED.”
After trial, some tax obligations were excepted from discharge while one spouse's 1995 liability was discharged.
“It is hereby ORDERED that the Motions are DENIED.”
“The Dismissal Motion is GRANTED. This Chapter 13 case is DISMISSED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
All five sampled cases were terminated between February 2000 and May 2003.
A historical record
Judge Sigmund no longer sits on this court. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.