Secret Liens: Can They Really Have Super-Priority Status?

In the restructuring world certain constants exist: The Bankruptcy Code (Code) has not dramatically changed since 1978, a Chapter 7 corporate debtor cannot receive a discharge, and exemptions are defined to the penny. But be wary -- there are unknown pitfalls out there. State governments, to appear responsive to local issues caused by distressed businesses, have increasingly enacted laws that spring "secret liens" or other penalties on debtors. Although bankruptcy practitioners may instinctively deride such laws as subordinate to the federal Code, recent federal opinions disagree.

24 minute read March 02, 2004 at 08:31 AM
By
Anne Marrs Huber
Secret Liens: Can They Really Have Super-Priority Status?

In the restructuring world certain constants exist: The Bankruptcy Code (Code) has not dramatically changed since 1978, a Chapter 7 corporate debtor cannot receive a discharge, and exemptions are defined to the penny.

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