Yes, you read that correctly. Debit audits are officially back as of May 12, 2008. This is despite the fact that the panel trustee already examines the debtor, and despite the fact that the U.S. Trustee already reviews every petition filed with the Clerk.
The new notice from the office of the U.S. Trustee, dated May 9, 2008, clearly states that the U.S. Trustee will resume debtor audits.
Isn't the U.S. Trustee technically doing debtor audits when bringing 2004 Exam Subpoenas? Isn't the U.S. Trustee already seeking tax documentation and proof of income through these 2004 Exam Subpoenas? Of course. Although, they are not the technical audits that the bankruptcy code mandated.
Personally, I am still looking for the consumer protection portion of the Act. I know I saw it somewhere, but I just don't see how the consumers are really being protected. I suppose that the reaffirmation hearings are some sort of consumer protection.
Or you could say that the hearings are just another burden placed on the debtor to convince the court that the debtor can afford his or her car. This often requires additional time off of work, but that's the debtor's problem. It will just make it a little harder to pay for the car on time.
I would have simply called the Act the Bankruptcy Code and I would have subtitled a section of that Code, Abuse Prevention. Anyway, sorry for my digression. The reason that the debtor audits were suspended was due to budgetary reasons. I suppose everyone associated with bankruptcy, including myself, is spending more money than they did prior to bankruptcy reform. The new audits will be comprised of 1 out of every 1000 Chapter 7 bankruptcy case filings as opposed to the prior audits of 1 out of every 250 Chapter 7 bankruptcy case filings.
Lastly, I don't recall how many cases were dismissed or how many discharges were denied due to a debtor's failure to pass the audit. Were these audits simply attempts to demonstrate the type and extent of abuse promulgated by debtors? If so, will the new audits make any significant difference? The truth is simply that the U.S.
Trustee is doing just what the Act mandates. I would suggest that instead of robotically adhering to all provision of the Act, we should instead, make some revisions. The reforms laws may have looked good on paper to those who lobbied eight years for the changes.
But looking good on paper and having an actual positive result are two different things. It's o.k. to admit that and to acknowledge that. Now, an effort should be made to smooth over the rough spots and to clarify some of the ambiguities. Otherwise, we will continue to wade in the minutia, all the while pretending to be walking on soft, sandy beach.
If debtor audits are not producing results, why not make a change to the program for the good of the entire bankruptcy process. Throw it back to the lawmakers to make it right. If everyone works together, it can probably get done within the next eight years.
David M. Siegel is the author of Chapter 7 Success: The Complete Guide to Surviving Personal Bankruptcy. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and currently practices bankruptcy law in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. Additional information is available at Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
