Does the automatic stay force a creditor to return seized property without a court order?

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.

1. Argument 1 · 2020-10-13

   What happened at the argument

   Craig Goldblatt argued the stay does not require immediate return.

   He stated creditors in lawful possession need not return property.

   He argued they need not pay damages for holding it.

   Ms. Sinzdak argued Section 362(a)(3) precludes acts to gain control. She said creditors may not repossess vehicles themselves. She said they may not direct tow companies to take vehicles. Mr. Wedoff asked if a creditor may stop a debtor from recovering property. He noted the debtor lacks a court order directing return. He argued the differences between statutes are insignificant.

   Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details

   Sources used for this argument breakdown

   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 30-12 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 30-12
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 12-14
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 18-32
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 48-48 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 48-48
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 36-38
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 44-44 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 44-44
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 48-32 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 48-32
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 44-42 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 44-42
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 10-20
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-28 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-28
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 14-10 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 14-10
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-36 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 30-36
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 30-48 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 30-48
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 50-26 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 50-26
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 28-50 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 28-50
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 36-52 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 36-52
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 52-12
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 8-16
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 20-28 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 20-28
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 38-12 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 38-12
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 20-32 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 20-32
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 34-42
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 6-12
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 16-42 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 16-42
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 48-54 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 48-54
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 20-34
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 18-30 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 18-30
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 44-36 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 44-36
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 38-46
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 26-36 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 26-36