Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

what are grounds to sue creditor for treble damages when pursuing previously discharged debt.


Asked on 9/06/11, 12:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

David Gibbs The Gibbs Law Firm, APC

There are no such grounds. As odd as it sounds, there is no "private right of action" provided for in the Bankruptcy Code for the Debtor to directly sue a creditor who violates either the Automatic Stay or the Discharge Injunction (the Discharge Order). Instead, a bankruptcy debtor who is the subject of a creditor's attempts to collect a discharged debt must first file a motion to reopen their case (assuming it has been both discharged AND closed). Once the case is reopened, you must then file a motion to hold the creditor in contempt of court. There is no set damages such as treble damages - instead the Court will examine the conduct, the effect of the conduct (did you suffer mental anguish, etc...) as a result of their conduct, and then will assess sanctions for violation of the Discharge Injunction.

*Due to the limitations of the LawGuru Forums, The Gibbs Law Firm, APC's (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided is general and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence. As required by 11 U.S.C. �528, we must now disclose that, "We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. Assistance we provide with respect to Debt Relief may involve bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code."

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Answered on 9/09/11, 3:39 pm


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