A bankruptcy judge is a judicial officer of the United States district court who is the court official with decision-making power over federal bankruptcy cases. Judges are appointed for a 14-year term, renewable by the United States Court of Appeals for the county in which the county is located. The number of judges is determined by Congress, which receives periodic advice on the number needed from the Judicial Conference of the United States.
In each judicial district, sitting judges constitute a unit of the district. The bankruptcy court for that county The President of the Bankruptcy Court ensures that the rules of the Bankruptcy Court and that District Court are followed and that the Bankruptcy Court’s cases are dealt with efficiently and expeditiously.
The vast majority of all bankruptcy proceedings are conducted by a US bankruptcy judge. They have a great deal of responsibility placed on them and for carrying this burden they earn a great deal of respect from their judicial colleagues. That said, bankruptcy judges did not always enjoy their status as respected colleagues and a bankruptcy judge’s role as a judicial officer took several versions of the Bankruptcy Code before obtaining the status that bankruptcy judges have today.
Even though they are some of the most respected offers of the court, these judges only receive an annual salary that is 92% of that of a district court judge. Which is substantially lower than that of many first-year law associates.
A debtor’s involvement with these judges is usually very limited. A typical chapter 7 debtor will not appear in court and will not see a judge unless an objection is raised in the case. A chapter 13 debtor may appear before a judge at their plan confirmation hearing.
In addition to providing over bankruptcy common cases, bankruptcy judges also have the power to hear and decide on probate counterclaims against persons filing probate claims.
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