-
Notifications
You must be signed in to change notification settings - Fork 0
Expand file tree
/
Copy pathexceptions.html
More file actions
516 lines (512 loc) · 38.4 KB
/
Copy pathexceptions.html
File metadata and controls
516 lines (512 loc) · 38.4 KB
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<link href="https://www.googletagmanager.com" rel="preconnect"/>
<!-- BTN:GA4:START -->
<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-FTWLM223G7"></script>
<script>
window.dataLayer=window.dataLayer||[];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)}
gtag('js',new Date());gtag('config','G-FTWLM223G7');gtag('config','G-053Z64N82F');
</script>
<!-- BTN:GA4:END -->
<meta charset="utf-8"/>
<meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" name="viewport"/>
<meta content="no-referrer-when-downgrade" name="referrer"/>
<title>Exceptions to the Automatic Stay [2026]: 11 USC 362(b) Criminal Cases, Domestic Support, Tax Audits</title>
<meta content="Under 11 USC 362(b), the automatic stay does not stop criminal prosecutions, domestic support proceedings, tax audits, eviction post-judgment under 362(b)(22), or paternity actions. Full list of 28 statutory exceptions and how each interacts with debtor protection." name="description"/>
<link href="https://automaticstay.org/exceptions.html" rel="canonical"/>
<meta content="Exceptions to the Automatic Stay [2026]: 11 USC 362(b) Criminal Cases, Domestic Support, Tax Audits" property="og:title"/>
<meta content="Under 11 USC 362(b), the automatic stay does not stop criminal prosecutions, domestic support proceedings, tax audits, eviction post-judgment under 362(b)(22), or paternity actions. Full list of 28 statutory exceptions and how each interacts with debtor protection." property="og:description"/>
<meta content="article" property="og:type"/>
<meta content="https://automaticstay.org/exceptions.html" property="og:url"/>
<meta content="automaticstay.org" property="og:site_name"/>
<meta content="summary_large_image" name="twitter:card"/>
<meta content="/og-image.svg" property="og:image"/>
<meta content="/og-image.svg" name="twitter:image"/>
<link href="/favicon.svg" rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml"/>
<meta content="#0d1117" name="theme-color"/>
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Does bankruptcy stop criminal proceedings?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "No. Under Section 362(b)(1), the automatic stay does not apply to the commencement or continuation of a criminal action or proceeding against the debtor. Criminal cases proceed regardless of the bankruptcy filing. This includes criminal contempt proceedings and criminal fraud prosecutions."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Does bankruptcy stop child support collection?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "No. Domestic support obligations - child support and alimony - are exempt from the automatic stay under Section 362(b)(2). Collection of domestic support from property that is not property of the estate can continue. Establishment and modification of support orders also proceed without interruption."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Does bankruptcy stop an eviction if my landlord already has a judgment?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Generally no. Under Section 362(b)(22), if the landlord obtained a judgment for possession before the bankruptcy was filed, the automatic stay does not prevent the landlord from proceeding with the eviction. The debtor may be able to extend protection by filing a certification under Section 362(l) and paying any rent that comes due within 30 days, but only in narrow circumstances involving the right to cure under applicable state law."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Does bankruptcy stop a tax audit?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "The automatic stay stops tax collection but generally does not stop tax assessment or audit. Under Section 362(b)(9), the IRS can continue to assess taxes, issue deficiency notices, demand filing of tax returns, and conduct audits. However, they cannot levy, seize property, or garnish wages to collect taxes while the stay is in effect."
}
}
]
}
</script>
<style>
:root { --bg: #0d1117; --surface: #161b22; --border: #30363d; --text: #e6edf3; --text-muted: #9eaab6; --accent: #58a6ff; --green: #3fb950; --red: #f85149; --yellow: #e3a835; }
* { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; }
body { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background: var(--bg); color: var(--text); line-height: 1.7; }
a { color: var(--accent); text-decoration: none; }
a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }
a:focus-visible, button:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--accent); outline-offset: 2px; }
nav { background: var(--surface); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); padding: 0.75rem 2rem; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 0.5rem; }
nav .site-name { color: #f0f6fc; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1.1rem; text-decoration: none; }
nav .site-name:hover { text-decoration: none; color: var(--accent); }
.nav-links { display: flex; gap: 1.25rem; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; }
.nav-links a { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.9rem; }
.nav-links a:hover { color: var(--accent); text-decoration: none; }
.nav-links a.active { color: var(--accent); font-weight: 600; }
.hamburger { display: none; background: none; border: none; color: var(--text); font-size: 1.5rem; cursor: pointer; padding: 0.25rem; }
header { background: var(--surface); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); padding: 3rem 2rem; text-align: center; }
header h1 { color: #f0f6fc; font-size: 2rem; margin-bottom: 0.75rem; }
header .subtitle { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 1.05rem; max-width: 700px; margin: 0 auto; }
main { max-width: 820px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 2rem 1.5rem; }
.breadcrumb { font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(--text-muted); margin-bottom: 1.5rem; }
.breadcrumb a { color: var(--text-muted); }
.breadcrumb a:hover { color: var(--accent); }
.content-section { background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: 6px; padding: 2rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; }
.content-section h2 { color: #f0f6fc; font-size: 1.3rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; padding-bottom: 0.5rem; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }
.content-section h3 { color: #f0f6fc; font-size: 1.1rem; margin: 1.5rem 0 0.75rem; }
.content-section p { color: var(--text); margin-bottom: 0.75rem; font-size: 0.95rem; }
.content-section ul, .content-section ol { margin: 0.75rem 0 0.75rem 1.5rem; color: var(--text); font-size: 0.95rem; }
.content-section li { margin-bottom: 0.4rem; }
.statute-box { background: #21262d; border-left: 3px solid var(--accent); padding: 1rem 1.25rem; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; margin: 1rem 0; }
.statute-box p { margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
.statute-box p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
.warning-box { background: #21262d; border-left: 3px solid var(--red); padding: 1rem 1.25rem; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; margin: 1rem 0; }
.warning-box p { margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
.warning-box p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
.green-box { background: #21262d; border-left: 3px solid var(--green); padding: 1rem 1.25rem; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; margin: 1rem 0; }
.green-box p { margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
.green-box p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
.yellow-box { background: #21262d; border-left: 3px solid var(--yellow); padding: 1rem 1.25rem; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; margin: 1rem 0; }
.yellow-box p { margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
.yellow-box p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
footer { background: var(--surface); border-top: 1px solid var(--border); padding: 2rem; text-align: center; margin-top: 2rem; }
footer p { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.8rem; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
.footer-links { display: flex; justify-content: center; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; }
.footer-links a { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.85rem; }
.footer-links a:hover { color: var(--accent); }
@media (max-width: 600px) {
header h1 { font-size: 1.5rem; }
main { padding: 1.5rem 1rem; }
.content-section { padding: 1.25rem; }
nav { padding: 0.75rem 1rem; }
.hamburger { display: block; }
.nav-links { display: none; width: 100%; flex-direction: column; gap: 0; padding-top: 0.75rem; }
.nav-links.open { display: flex; }
.nav-links a { display: block; padding: 0.6rem 0; font-size: 0.95rem; min-height: 44px; line-height: 2; border-bottom: 1px solid #21262d; }
}
.quick-answer { background: var(--surface); border-left: 3px solid var(--accent); border-radius: 0 8px 8px 0; padding: 16px 20px; margin-bottom: 24px; }
.quick-answer p { color: var(--text); margin: 0; font-size: 0.95rem; }
</style>
<script type="application/ld+json">
{"@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Open Bankruptcy Project", "url": "https://1328f.org", "description": "Free, open-source bankruptcy court transparency tools and research.", "foundingDate": "2026-03-27", "areaServed": "US", "nonprofitStatus": "Nonprofit501c3", "sameAs": ["https://1328f.com", "https://1328f.org"]}
</script>
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@graph": [
{
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Exceptions to the Automatic Stay",
"description": "The automatic stay is powerful but not absolute. Criminal proceedings, domestic support obligations, tax audits, certain evictions, and police power actions are",
"author": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Open Bankruptcy Project"
},
"publisher": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Open Bankruptcy Project",
"url": "https://1328f.org"
},
"datePublished": "2026-03-28",
"dateModified": "2026-05-01",
"mainEntityOfPage": "https://automaticstay.org/exceptions.html"
},
{
"@type": "BreadcrumbList",
"itemListElement": [
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
"name": "Home",
"item": "https://automaticstay.org"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 2,
"name": "Section 362 Automatic Stay",
"item": "https://automaticstay.org"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 3,
"name": "Exceptions to the Automatic Stay",
"item": "https://automaticstay.org/exceptions.html"
}
]
},
{
"@type": "HowTo",
"name": "Exceptions to the Automatic Stay",
"step": [
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 1,
"text": "window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];\n function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}\n gtag('js', new Date());\n gtag('config', 'G-FTWLM223G7');\n\n\n\nExceptions to the Automatic Stay - What Bankrup"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 2,
"text": "Criminal sentencing proceeds"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 3,
"text": "Probation and parole proceedings are not affected"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 4,
"text": "Criminal contempt proceedings continue"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 5,
"text": "Restitution orders entered as part of a criminal sentence are not stayed"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 6,
"text": "Establishment of paternity"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 7,
"text": "Establishment or modification of a domestic support order"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 8,
"text": "Collection of domestic support from property that is not property of the estate"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 9,
"text": "Income withholding orders for domestic support"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 10,
"text": "Reporting of overdue support to credit agencies"
}
]
},
{
"@type": "WebPage",
"name": "Exceptions to the Automatic Stay",
"url": "https://automaticstay.org/exceptions.html",
"speakable": {
"@type": "SpeakableSpecification",
"cssSelector": [
".quick-answer",
"h1",
".summary",
"p:first-of-type"
]
}
}
]
}
</script>
<link href="https://automaticstay.org/exceptions.html" hreflang="en" rel="alternate"/>
<link href="https://automaticstay.org/exceptions-es.html" hreflang="es" rel="alternate"/>
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NonprofitOrganization",
"name": "Open Bankruptcy Project",
"alternateName": "OBP",
"url": "https://openbankruptcyproject.org",
"email": "info@openbankruptcyproject.org",
"taxID": "41-5159631",
"nonprofitStatus": "Nonprofit501c3",
"description": "The Open Bankruptcy Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free tools, research, and consumer guides to help people navigate the federal bankruptcy system. We also conduct and publish empirical research on how the system actually works for consumers and share findings with rule-making bodies, regulators, and the public.",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "1000 W 100th St",
"addressLocality": "Kansas City",
"addressRegion": "MO",
"postalCode": "64114",
"addressCountry": "US"
}
}
</script>
<script type="application/ld+json">{"@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "ItemList", "name": "Exceptions to the Automatic Stay - What Bankruptcy Does NOT Stop", "url": "https://automaticstay.org/exceptions.html", "numberOfItems": 3, "itemListElement": [{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": {"@type": "LegalForceStatus", "name": "Citizens Bank Of Md V Strumpf", "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/117977/citizens-bank-of-md-v-strumpf/", "alternateName": "516 U.S. 16"}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": {"@type": "LegalForceStatus", "name": "Mwangi V Wells Fargo Bank Na In Re Mwangi", "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1812448/mwangi-v-wells-fargo-bank-na-in-re-mwangi/", "alternateName": "432 B.R. 812"}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": {"@type": "LegalForceStatus", "name": "Taggart V Lorenzen", "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4625564/taggart-v-lorenzen/", "alternateName": "587 U.S. 554"}}]}</script>
</head>
<body>
<nav aria-label="Main navigation">
<a class="site-name" href="/">automaticstay.org</a>
<button aria-controls="nav-links" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation menu" class="hamburger">☰</button>
<div class="nav-links" id="nav-links">
<a href="/">Home</a>
<a href="/what-it-covers.html">What It Covers</a>
<a href="/violations.html">Violations</a>
<a class="active" href="/exceptions.html">Exceptions</a>
<a href="/serial-filer-limits.html">Repeat Filers</a>
<a href="/motion-for-relief.html">Relief from Stay</a>
<a href="/how-long-does-it-last.html">Duration</a>
<a href="/362c-repeat-filer.html">30-Day Limit</a>
</div>
</nav>
<script>document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',function(){var b=document.querySelector('.hamburger');if(b)b.addEventListener('click',function(){var n=document.getElementById('nav-links');n.classList.toggle('open');b.setAttribute('aria-expanded',n.classList.contains('open'))})});</script>
<header>
<h1>Exceptions to the Automatic Stay</h1>
<p class="subtitle">The automatic stay is one of the most powerful protections in bankruptcy, but it is not absolute. Section 362(b) lists more than two dozen exceptions.</p>
</header>
<main>
<div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a> / Exceptions</div>
<div class="content-section">
<div class="quick-answer">
<p>No. Under Section 362(b)(1), the automatic stay does not apply to the commencement or continuation of a criminal action or proceeding against the debtor. Criminal cases proceed regardless of the bankruptcy filing. This includes criminal contempt proceedings and criminal fraud prosecutions.</p>
</div>
<h2>The stay does not stop everything</h2>
<p>While the automatic stay stops most creditor collection activity, Congress carved out specific exceptions in Section 362(b). These reflect policy decisions that certain proceedings are too important to pause - criminal justice, child support, public safety, and certain regulatory functions.</p>
<p>If your situation involves one of these exceptions, the stay may not help you. Understanding the boundaries is just as important as understanding the protection.</p>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>Criminal proceedings - Section 362(b)(1)</h2>
<p>The automatic stay does not apply to <strong>criminal actions or proceedings</strong> against the debtor. This means:</p>
<ul>
<li>Criminal prosecutions continue regardless of the bankruptcy filing</li>
<li>Criminal sentencing proceeds</li>
<li>Probation and parole proceedings are not affected</li>
<li>Criminal contempt proceedings continue</li>
<li>Restitution orders entered as part of a criminal sentence are not stayed</li>
</ul>
<div class="yellow-box">
<p><strong>Important distinction:</strong> Criminal proceedings are not stayed, but criminal <em>fines</em> that are essentially debt collection may be treated differently. The line between criminal enforcement and debt collection is not always clear and may depend on the specific facts.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>Domestic support obligations - Section 362(b)(2)</h2>
<p>The stay does not stop collection of <strong>domestic support obligations</strong> - child support and alimony. Specifically:</p>
<ul>
<li>Establishment of paternity</li>
<li>Establishment or modification of a domestic support order</li>
<li>Collection of domestic support from property that is <strong>not property of the estate</strong></li>
<li>Income withholding orders for domestic support</li>
<li>Reporting of overdue support to credit agencies</li>
<li>Interception of tax refunds for domestic support</li>
<li>Enforcement of medical support obligations</li>
</ul>
<div class="warning-box">
<p><strong>Note:</strong> While collection of domestic support from non-estate property continues, a creditor still cannot take property that belongs to the <a href="https://1328f.com/glossary.html#estate" title="estate">bankruptcy estate</a> to satisfy domestic support. The distinction between estate and non-estate property matters here.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>Tax audits and assessment - Section 362(b)(9)</h2>
<p>The IRS and state tax agencies can continue to <strong>assess</strong> taxes during bankruptcy. The stay stops collection, not assessment. This means:</p>
<ul>
<li>Tax audits can proceed</li>
<li>The IRS can issue statutory notices of deficiency</li>
<li>Tax Court proceedings can continue (though some are also covered by 362(a)(8))</li>
<li>The IRS can demand that you file delinquent tax returns</li>
<li>The IRS can make tax assessments</li>
</ul>
<p>What the IRS <strong>cannot</strong> do: levy your wages, seize your bank accounts, place liens on your property, or take any other collection action. Assessment and collection are legally distinct activities.</p>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>Certain evictions - Sections 362(b)(22) and 362(l)</h2>
<p>Eviction is one of the most complex areas of the automatic stay. The general rule is that filing bankruptcy pauses eviction proceedings. But <a href="https://1328f.com/glossary.html#bapcpa" title="BAPCPA">BAPCPA</a> added significant exceptions in 2005:</p>
<h3>Pre-filing judgment for possession</h3>
<p>Under Section 362(b)(22), if the landlord obtained a <strong>judgment for possession</strong> before the bankruptcy was filed, the stay does not prevent the landlord from proceeding with eviction.</p>
<h3>The certification procedure - Section 362(l)</h3>
<p>Even when the landlord has a pre-filing judgment, the debtor may be able to temporarily extend the stay by:</p>
<ol>
<li>Filing a certification with the bankruptcy petition stating that applicable state law permits the debtor to cure the default after the judgment</li>
<li>Depositing with the court clerk any rent that comes due within 30 days of filing</li>
<li>Actually curing the default within 30 days</li>
</ol>
<p>If the debtor fails to file the certification, or fails to cure the default within 30 days, the stay terminates and the landlord can proceed.</p>
<h3>Illegal substance or endangerment - Section 362(b)(23)</h3>
<p>The stay does not prevent eviction if the landlord's action is based on endangerment of the property or illegal use of controlled substances on the property.</p>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>Police and regulatory power - Section 362(b)(4)</h2>
<p>The automatic stay does not apply to actions by a governmental unit to enforce its <strong>police or regulatory power</strong>. This includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Environmental enforcement actions (e.g., EPA cleanup orders)</li>
<li>Health and safety code enforcement</li>
<li>Zoning enforcement</li>
<li>Securities regulation</li>
<li>Consumer protection enforcement by state attorneys general</li>
<li>License revocation proceedings</li>
</ul>
<p>The test is whether the government is acting in its regulatory capacity to protect public health, safety, or welfare, versus acting as a creditor to collect money. The former is exempt; the latter is stayed.</p>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>Other notable exceptions</h2>
<h3>Pension loan repayments - Section 362(b)(19)</h3>
<p>Withholding from a debtor's income for repayment of a loan from an employer-sponsored pension plan (401(k), 403(b), etc.) is not stayed. The payroll deduction continues during the bankruptcy.</p>
<h3>Securities regulatory actions - Section 362(b)(25)</h3>
<p>The SEC and other securities regulators can continue enforcement actions against the debtor.</p>
<h3>Setoff by domestic and foreign banks - Section 362(b)(17)</h3>
<p>A swap participant, repo participant, or other financial market participant can exercise certain contractual setoff and netting rights despite the stay.</p>
<h3>Presentment of negotiable instruments - Section 362(b)(11)</h3>
<p>The stay does not prevent presentment of a negotiable instrument (like a check) and the giving of notice of dishonor.</p>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>The full list: Section 362(b)</h2>
<div class="statute-box">
<p>Section 362(b) contains <strong>28 subsections</strong> listing specific exceptions to the automatic stay. The exceptions described above are the most commonly encountered. For the complete statutory text, see <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/362" rel="noopener">11 U.S.C. Section 362</a> at Cornell LII.</p>
</div>
<p>If you are uncertain whether a specific action falls within an exception, consult a bankruptcy attorney. The exceptions are narrowly construed - the stay applies broadly, and exceptions are read narrowly.</p>
</div>
<!-- BTN Cross-Links (auto-generated by crosslink_builder.py) -->
<div class="btn-crosslinks" style="max-width:820px;margin:1.5rem auto;padding:1.5rem;background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.75rem 0">Related Guides</p>
<ul style="list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(200px,1fr));gap:0.5rem">
<li><a href="https://362stay.org" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none">Section 362 Automatic Stay</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</main>
<div style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:6px;padding:1.5rem;text-align:center;max-width:600px;margin:2rem auto">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-size:1rem;font-weight:600;margin-bottom:0.5rem">Stay updated on new datasets and research findings</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin-bottom:1rem">No spam. No marketing. Just data.</p>
<form action="https://formspree.io/f/xkoqeyzw" method="POST" style="display:flex;gap:0.5rem;justify-content:center;flex-wrap:wrap">
<input name="email" placeholder="your@email.com" required="" style="padding:0.5rem 1rem;border-radius:6px;border:1px solid #30363d;background:#0d1117;color:#f0f6fc;font-size:0.9rem;min-width:250px" type="email"/>
<input name="_subject" type="hidden" value="OBP Research Subscriber"/>
<button style="padding:0.5rem 1.5rem;border-radius:6px;border:none;background:#238636;color:#fff;font-weight:600;font-size:0.9rem;cursor:pointer" type="submit">Subscribe</button>
</form>
</div>
<div style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #238636;border-radius:6px;padding:1rem 1.5rem;text-align:center;max-width:600px;margin:2rem auto 1rem">
<p style="color:#e6edf3;margin:0 0 0.5rem;font-size:0.95rem">This site is free and open-source. Donations support the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 41-5159631), funding PACER access fees and bankruptcy court transparency research.</p>
<a href="https://buy.stripe.com/7sY7sE7qbeIZdQfclSaVa05" onmouseout="this.style.background='#bf3989'" onmouseover="this.style.background='#9e2c6f'" style="display:inline-block;background:#bf3989;color:#fff;padding:0.6rem 1.8rem;border-radius:6px;font-weight:600;font-size:0.95rem;text-decoration:none;transition:background 0.2s">♥ Donate</a>
</div>
<div style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:6px;padding:1.5rem;max-width:700px;margin:2rem auto">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-weight:600;font-size:1.05rem;margin:0 0 0.75rem 0">Further Reading & Resources</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0 0 1rem 0">Authority sources for deeper research on the automatic stay:</p>
<ul style="list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0">
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/362" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">11 U.S.C. Section 362</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Cornell LII - the statute that creates the automatic stay</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1301" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">11 U.S.C. Section 1301</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Cornell LII - codebtor stay in Chapter 13</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Bankruptcy Basics</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">U.S. Courts official guide</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-bankruptcy-en-1935/" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy?</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.lawhelp.org/" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Find Free Legal Aid</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">LSC legal aid finder</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22automatic+stay%22+%22362%22+bankruptcy" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Automatic Stay Research</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Google Scholar</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.fjc.gov/research/idb" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">FJC Bankruptcy Statistics</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem"><a href="https://www.fjc.gov/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Federal Judicial Center</a></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<!-- RELATED GUIDES - injected by inject_related_guides.py -->
<div id="related-guides" style="max-width:900px;margin:2.5rem auto;padding:0 1rem">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-weight:700;font-size:1.2rem;margin:0 0 1rem 0;text-align:center">Related Guides</p>
<div style="display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(200px,1fr));gap:1rem">
<a class="related-card" href="https://codebtorstay.org?utm_source=automaticstay.org&utm_medium=related-guides&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px;padding:1.25rem;text-decoration:none;display:block;transition:border-color 0.2s,transform 0.2s">
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.4rem 0">Codebtor Stay in Chapter 13</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0;line-height:1.4">Protecting cosigners in Chapter 13</p>
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.8rem;margin:0.5rem 0 0 0">codebtorstay.org →</p>
</a>
<a class="related-card" href="https://relieffromstay.org?utm_source=automaticstay.org&utm_medium=related-guides&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px;padding:1.25rem;text-decoration:none;display:block;transition:border-color 0.2s,transform 0.2s">
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.4rem 0">Relief from Stay Motions</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0;line-height:1.4">When creditors can lift the automatic stay</p>
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.8rem;margin:0.5rem 0 0 0">relieffromstay.org →</p>
</a>
<a class="related-card" href="https://serialfiler.org?utm_source=automaticstay.org&utm_medium=related-guides&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px;padding:1.25rem;text-decoration:none;display:block;transition:border-color 0.2s,transform 0.2s">
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.4rem 0">Serial Filer Rules</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0;line-height:1.4">Rules for repeat bankruptcy filers</p>
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.8rem;margin:0.5rem 0 0 0">serialfiler.org →</p>
</a>
<a class="related-card" href="https://cosignerrights.org?utm_source=automaticstay.org&utm_medium=related-guides&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px;padding:1.25rem;text-decoration:none;display:block;transition:border-color 0.2s,transform 0.2s">
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.4rem 0">Cosigner Rights in Bankruptcy</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0;line-height:1.4">Free bankruptcy information guide</p>
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.8rem;margin:0.5rem 0 0 0">cosignerrights.org →</p>
</a>
</div>
</div>
<style>
.related-card:hover {border-color:#58a6ff !important;transform:translateY(-2px)}
</style>
<!-- /RELATED GUIDES -->
<h2>Foundational Caselaw</h2>
<p>The cases below define the doctrine on this site:</p>
<ul>
<li><em>Citizens Bank of Maryland v. Strumpf</em>, <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/117977/citizens-bank-of-md-v-strumpf/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">516 U.S. 16</a> (1995) - administrative freeze of a debtor's bank account does not violate Section 362(a)(3) so long as the bank does not unilaterally deduct funds; defines what does NOT constitute "exercise control over property of the estate."</li>
<li><em>Mwangi v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (In re Mwangi)</em>, <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1812448/mwangi-v-wells-fargo-bank-na-in-re-mwangi/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">432 B.R. 812</a> (9th Cir. BAP 2010) - bank that froze debtor's account without releasing exempt funds promptly violated the automatic stay; defines what DOES constitute a stay violation.</li>
<li><em>Taggart v. Lorenzen</em>, <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4625564/taggart-v-lorenzen/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">587 U.S. 554</a> (2019) - civil-contempt standard for discharge-injunction and stay violations: contempt is appropriate only when there is no fair ground of doubt as to whether the order barred the creditor's conduct.</li>
</ul>
<!-- BTN:FOOTER:START -->
<footer class="network-footer" role="contentinfo">
<p><strong>Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network</strong></p>
<p>Real information, no strings.</p>
<div class="links">
<a href="https://1328f.com?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Discharge Screener</a>
<a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Open Bankruptcy Project</a>
<a href="https://chapter7vs13.org?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Ch.7 vs Ch.13</a>
<a href="https://howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Bankruptcy Cost</a>
<a href="https://automaticstay.org?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Automatic Stay</a>
<a href="https://341meeting.org?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">341 Meeting</a>
<a href="https://bankruptcyexemptionsbystate.com?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Exemptions by State</a>
<a href="https://meanstest.org?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Means Test</a>
<a href="https://filebankruptcywithoutlawyer.com?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">File Without a Lawyer</a>
<a href="https://rebuildcreditafterbankruptcy.com?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Rebuild Credit</a>
<a href="https://1099cdebt.com">1099cdebt.com</a>
</div>
<p class="disclaimer">Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice.
If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state.
A project of the <a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Open Bankruptcy Project</a>,
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631).</p>
<p><a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org/privacy.html?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Privacy</a> |
<a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org/terms.html?utm_source=1099cdebt.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">Terms</a></p>
<a href="https://buy.stripe.com/7sY7sE7qbeIZdQfclSaVa05" style="display:inline-block;background:#bf3989;color:#fff;padding:0.6rem 1.8rem;border-radius:6px;font-weight:600;font-size:0.95rem;text-decoration:none;transition:background 0.2s" onmouseover="this.style.background='#9e2c6f'" onmouseout="this.style.background='#bf3989'">♥ Donate</a>
<div style="text-align:center;padding:1rem 0 0;border-top:1px solid #30363d;margin-top:1.5rem">
<p style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.75rem">Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as <a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/records-and-archives-rules-committees/rules-suggestions" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff">Suggestion 26-BK-3</a></p>
</div>
</footer>
<!-- BTN:FOOTER:END -->
<div style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:6px;padding:1.5rem;text-align:center;max-width:900px;margin:2rem auto 0">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-size:1.1rem;font-weight:600;margin-bottom:0.25rem">PACER cases made free through RECAP: <span id="recap-count" style="color:#58a6ff">91</span> of 37.9 million</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin-bottom:0.75rem">Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor.</p>
<div style="background:#21262d;border-radius:6px;height:22px;overflow:hidden;margin:0.75rem auto;max-width:400px"><div id="recap-bar" style="background:linear-gradient(90deg,#238636,#2ea043);height:100%;width:0%;border-radius:6px;min-width:2px"></div></div>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.25rem"><span id="recap-donated" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:1.2rem;font-weight:700">$0</span> <span style="color:#9eaab6">of</span> <span style="color:#f0f6fc;font-size:1.2rem;font-weight:700">$5,000</span> <span style="color:#9eaab6">Q1 PACER research goal</span></p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.8rem;margin-bottom:0.75rem">1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing.</p>
<a href="https://1328f.org/support/" style="display:inline-block;background:#238636;color:#fff;padding:0.5rem 1.5rem;border-radius:6px;font-weight:600;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none">Sponsor this research</a>
</div>
<script>fetch("https://1328f.com/data/recap-count.json").then(function(r){return r.json()}).then(function(d){var e=document.getElementById("recap-count");if(e&&d.count!==undefined)e.textContent=d.count.toLocaleString();var b=document.getElementById("recap-bar");if(b&&d.count)b.style.width=Math.min(100,d.count/37900000*100).toFixed(4)+"%";var dn=document.getElementById("recap-donated");if(dn&&d.donated!==undefined)dn.textContent="$"+d.donated.toLocaleString()}).catch(function(){})</script>
<script defer="" src="/btn-engage.js"></script>
<div style="text-align:center;padding:16px;color:#8b949e;font-size:0.8rem;border-top:1px solid #30363d;margin-top:20px"><p>This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation.</p></div>
<!-- BOOST-TOP10 internal links (boost_internal_links.py) -->
<div class="boost-top10" style="max-width:820px;margin:2rem auto;padding:1.5rem;background:#0d1117;border:1px solid #238636;border-radius:8px">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-weight:700;font-size:1.05rem;margin:0 0 0.75rem 0">You May Also Find Helpful</p>
<ul style="list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0">
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://ceaseanddesistdebt.com/?utm_source=automaticstay.org&utm_medium=boost-top10&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none;font-size:0.9rem">Cease and Desist Letters for Debt Collectors</a> <span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">-- ceaseanddesistdebt.com</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://chapter7vs13.org/?utm_source=automaticstay.org&utm_medium=boost-top10&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none;font-size:0.9rem">Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Comparison</a> <span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">-- chapter7vs13.org</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://1099cdebt.com/?utm_source=automaticstay.org&utm_medium=boost-top10&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none;font-size:0.9rem">1099-C Cancellation of Debt Tax Guide</a> <span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">-- 1099cdebt.com</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<script defer="" src="https://openbankruptcyproject.org/btn-search.js"></script>
</body>
</html>