October Term 2003 · Docket 02-693
Can a Chapter 7 debtor's lawyer use estate funds for fees?
The dispute centers on whether bankruptcy law allows a debtor's attorney to be paid from funds meant for creditors.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Goldstein stated the parties agree the statute has a mistake.
Ms. Blatt stated the code lacks authority for this payment.
The Chief Justice noted the case was submitted.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-31
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of a specific bankruptcy statute. The lower court ruled against the debtor. the side that brought the case seeks to overturn that result.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 10, 2003.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the lower court's action overturned.
The government wants the lower court's action to stand.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the statute contains a mistake.
The government argues the statute lacks authority for this payment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
What the justices asked
The Chief Justice asked if the parties agreed on the statute's error.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-31
Why it matters
This issue determines how bankruptcy estates fund legal representation. It affects the financial resources available to creditors. It shapes the rights of debtors in Chapter 7 cases.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-31
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.