Off the top of my head without researching it , I'd be surprised if the vicarious liability of your clients could be found nondischargeable in Chapter 7 under Section 523(a)(6). In Chapter 13, it's clearly dischargeable under 1328(a)(4) unless a judgment against your clients has already been entered, and even then it should be nondischargeable unless the court made findings that your clients' conduct was willful or malicious.
James R. Selth
Weintraub & Selth, APC
12424 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1120
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Telephone: (310) 207-1494
Facsimile: (310) 442-0660
E-Mail:
jim@wsrlaw.net
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To:
cdcbaa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 1/21/2008 5:46PM
Subject: [cdcbaa] Dischargeability of Vicarious Liability
>> Facts: I had a client come in today whose daughter was driving his
>> car when she fell asleep at the wheel, struck a pedestrian J-walking,
>> and killed him. She was not DUI. The pedestrian was a 70 year old
>> undocumented "visitor." She is in jail awaiting trial, had several
>> past speeding tickets and was recovering meth user. The 70 year old's
>> family is out for lottery money on a wrongful death lawsuit once
>> daughter (now incarcerated) is tried and found guilty of vehicular
>> manslaughter, or something similar (PD attorney says she will likely
>> get 3-4 years). Client's insurance was minimum $15,000 coverage.
>> House has equity (some, but declining) and he and wife have public
>> pension plans. They currently exceed the Means Test.
>>
>> Question: Regardless of whether Chapter 7 or 13, would the vicarious
>> liability of the client, as owner of the vehicle, be dischargeable or
>> nondischargeable?
>>
>> Best regards.
>>
>> Law Offices of Louis J. Esbin
>> 27201 Tourney Road, Suite 122 | Valencia, CA 91355
>> Tel: 661-254-5050 | Fax: 661-254-5252 | Web:
www.Esbinlaw.com
>>
>> Certified Bankruptcy Specialist - State Bar of California Board of
>> Legal Specialization.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
Off the top of my head without researching it , I'd be surprised if the vicarious liability of your clients could be found nondischargeable in Chapter 7 under Section 523(a)(6). In Chapter 13, it's clearly dischargeable under 1328(a)(4) unless a judgment against your clients has already been entered, and even then it should be nondischargeable unless the court made findings that your clients' conduct was willful or malicious.
James R. Selth
Weintraub & Selth, APC
12424 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1120
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Telephone: (310) 207-1494
Facsimile: (310) 442-0660
E-Mail:
jim@wsrlaw.net
NOTICE TO RECIPIENT: THIS E-MAIL IS MEANT FOR ONLY THE INTENDED RECIPIENT OF
THE TRANSMISSION, AND THIS COMMUNICATION IS INTENDED TO BE PRIVILEGED BY
LAW. IF YOU RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, ANY REVIEW, USE, DISSEMINATION,
DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS E-MAIL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. PLEASE NOTIFY
US IMMEDIATELY OF THE ERROR BY RETURN E-MAIL AND PLEASE DELETE THIS
MESSAGE FROM YOUR SYSTEM. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR COOPERATION.
--- Original Message---
To:
cdcbaa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 1/21/2008 5:46PM
Subject: [cdcbaa] Dischargeability of Vicarious Liability
>> Facts: I had a client come in today whose daughter was driving his
>> car when she fell asleep at the wheel, struck a pedestrian J-walking,
>> and killed him. She was not DUI. The pedestrian was a 70 year old
>> undocumented "visitor." She is in jail awaiting trial, had several
>> past speeding tickets and was recovering meth user The 70 year old's
>> family is out for lottery money on a wrongful death lawsuit once
>> daughter (now incarcerated) is tried and found guilty of vehicular
>> manslaughter, or something similar (PD attorney says she will likely
>> get 3-4 years). Client's insurance was minimum $15,000 coverage.
>> House has equity (some, but declining) and he and wife have public
>> pension plans. They currently exceed the Means Test.
>>
>> Question: Regardless of whether Chapter 7 or 13, would the vicarious
>> liability of the client, as owner of the vehicle, be dischargeable or
>> nondischargeable?
>>
>> Best regards.
>>
>> Law Offices of Louis J. Esbin
>> 27201 Tourney Road, Suite 122 | Valencia, CA 91355
>> Tel: 661-254-5050 | Fax: 661-254-5252 | Web:
www.Esbinlaw.com
>>
>> Certified Bankruptcy Specialist - State Bar of California Board of
>> Legal Specialization.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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