Client Alert: Proposed Mandatory Chapter 13 Plan for the Southern District of Ohio

The Bankruptcy Judges and Chapter 13 Trustees for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio have reviewed and approved a proposed District Wide Mandatory Form Chapter 13 Plan and proposed form Order Confirming Chapter 13 Plan and Awarding Attorney Fees. Currently, the Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus Bankruptcy Courts use different Chapter 13 form plans. The use of these different form plans makes it difficult for practitioners and creditors to keep track of the particular requirements for each court location.

The proposed Mandatory Form Chapter 13 Plan starts with a “Notice to Creditors” to make them aware of the importance of reviewing Chapter 13 Plans before the confirmation hearing and filing timely objections. Within the confirmation process, valuation issues are considered and creditors’ claims may be reduced, modified, or eliminated.

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio has published the proposed District Wide Mandatory Form Chapter 13 Plan and the proposed form Order Confirming Chapter 13 Plan and Awarding Attorney Fees on its website: https://www.ohsb.uscourts.gov/FormsPublication/LocalRulesComments30.aspx  and is seeking public comment(s) on the proposed Chapter 13 Plan. The deadline for submission of comments is June 24, 2016.

If you have any questions concerning the proposed District Wide Mandatory Form Chapter 13 Plan or the process being instituted by the Southern District, please do not hesitate to contact Brenda K. Bowers at  bkbowers@vorys.com or at 614.464.6290.