In re Chamberlain

721 Fed. App’x 826 (2018)

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In re Chamberlain

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
721 Fed. App’x 826 (2018)

  • Written by Liz Nakamura, JD

Facts

Stephen Chamberlain (defendant) and Judith Chamberlain (plaintiff) divorced after a 21-year marriage. The Chamberlains had three children—John, Sarah, and Kate—whom Judith stayed home to raise while Stephen worked. The support provisions of the Chamberlains’ divorce agreement required Stephen to pay the three children’s college costs because of his substantially greater income. In 2011, after Stephen failed to pay Kate’s and Sarah’s college expenses, Judith petitioned for enforcement. In a consent order, Stephen agreed to repay Kate’s and Sarah’s student loans. In 2014, Judith filed another enforcement petition after Stephen failed to pay John’s college expenses. In another consent order, Stephen agreed to pay John’s college expenses up to a cap of $14,000 per year. However, after Judith initiated collection proceedings, Stephen filed for bankruptcy. Judith filed a proof of claim in the bankruptcy proceedings arguing that the outstanding amounts Stephen owed toward the children’s college expenses constituted a domestic-support obligation (DSO) that could not be discharged in bankruptcy. Stephen countered, arguing that his obligation to pay for the children’s college expenses could not be classified as a DSO because it was not an obligation in the nature of maintenance, alimony, or child support. The bankruptcy court agreed with Judith and held that Stephen’s obligation to pay the children’s college expenses could not be discharged. Stephen appealed to the district court, which affirmed. Stephen then appealed to the Tenth Circuit.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Bacharach, J.)

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