Florida Family Farmer

Definitions and Legal Terminology Used by Florida Bankruptcy Lawyers, Courts and Trustees

In general, to be considered a family farmer by the Code, the majority of the debtors income must be earned from farming operations, and, this income must be sufficiently stable to make regular payments to a trustee while the plan is pending.

11 U.S.C. 101(18) defines an individual family farmer as a person, and spouse if any, engaged in a farming operation whose aggregate debts do not exceed $1,500,000 and not less than 80 percent of whose aggregate noncontingent, liquidated debts (excluding a debt for the principal residence of such individual or such individual and spouse unless such debt arises out of a farming operation), on the date Florida bankruptcy is filed, arise out of a farming operation owned or operated by such individual or such individual and spouse, and such individual or such individual and spouse receive from such farming operation more than 50 percent of such individual's or such individual and spouse's gross income for the taxable year preceding the taxable year in which the Florida bankruptcy concerning such individual or such individual and spouse was filed.

The Florida Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District issued Administrative Order No. 04-6 on March 31, 2004. This order pertains to proposed amendments to local rules. In particular, this order requires an en banc hearing (all judges present) to consider public comments. anyone who wishes to have personal comments considered by the court must submit proposals in writing. Anyone wishing to address the court must file a request for appearance. The Florida Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District amended Local Rule 5005-1 on September 15, 2003. This amendment states" The Court shall permit documents and papers to be filed, signed, or verified by electronic means that are consistent with technical standards, if any, that the Judicial Conference of the United States establishes." Soon, all courts will require electronic submission.

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