Frank J. Santoro
How Judge Santoro rules, drawn from 9 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Santoro
Frank J. Santoro is a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia. He hears matters in the Norfolk and Newport News divisions.
Judge Santoro's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Santoro, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
- Norfolk procedures for hearings before Hon. Frank J. Santoro ↗
- Newport News procedures for hearings before Hon. Frank J. Santoro ↗
Key rules
Contacting chambers
Submit an electronic device request at least two business days before the hearing unless compelling circumstances prevent it.
“Absent compelling circumstances, the request form should be submitted no later than two (2) business days prior to the hearing or proceeding.”
Conferences
For Norfolk Chapter 13 trustee motions to dismiss, set no more than 30 cases on one hearing date.
“For Trustees’ Motions to Dismiss, set no more than 30 cases per hearing date.”
Conferences
For a Newport News motion to extend the automatic stay, counsel may choose a Norfolk hearing date.
“Motions to extend the automatic stay in Newport News cases may also be set for a Norfolk hearing date in the attorney’s discretion.”
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 10, 2026).
How Judge Santoro decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A garnishing creditor must act affirmatively after notice of bankruptcy, but counsel is not invariably required to draft the dismissal order when counsel cooperates and does not refuse dismissal.
“As a legal principle, however, compliance with the automatic stay does not mandate that counsel for the judgment creditor undertake the legal work necessary to prepare the dismissal order in every instance.”
Cautions
Poor communication can prolong a simple garnishment dismissal without establishing a willful stay violation.
“To the extent that there was any delay between notification of the bankruptcy petition and preparation of the Dismissal Order, it was due to a misunderstanding of the requirements imposed by the automatic stay and miscommunication between the parties (or, more accurately, a nearly complete lack of professional communication).”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Accordingly, the Court finds that the Motion to Hold Defendant in Contempt of Court for Violation of the Automatic Stay should be denied.”
After trial, the court held a personal-injury judgment nondischargeable as a willful and malicious injury.
“The Motion to Revoke Recognition is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. The Debtor may file pleadings to revisit this ruling if and when he is prepared to complete fully the record.”
“For the reasons stated above, the Court finds as a finding of fact and conclusion of law that the Defendants are in default and, therefore, that the Plaintiff is entitled to avoidance of the Transfers and Additional Transfer pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 548(a)(1)(B).”
“For these reasons, the Court finds that the Motion to Reconsider must be denied.”
After an adversary trial, the court found the debt dischargeable because the creditor did not prove the mental state required for fiduciary defalcation.
The court dismissed the remaining count of an adversary complaint because the plaintiff lacked standing to enforce the pooling and servicing agreement; no pending motion disposition was identified.
Following counsel's requested hearing, the court kept a case-specific suspension of the presumptively reasonable fee in place and reserved compensation for a later application.
After an adversary trial, the court barred a gate across the debtor's easement during the bankruptcy case but declined broader speech and declaratory relief.
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
All six usable reviewed matters were terminated. Four streams supplied express plan, claim, stay-relief, objection, dismissal, employment, sale, compensation, procedural, and final-decree outcomes.
Draft for Judge Santoro with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Santoro, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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- Grounded in Judge Santoro's own signed orders
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