⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Ninth Circuit hears argument in In re Miles, a bankruptcy appeal. The appellant, appearing pro se, challenges the dismissal of his Chapter 13 bankruptcy case by the bankruptcy court. At the heart of the dispute is a disagreement over payments, claims, and whether the bankruptcy court followed proper procedure before dismissing the case. The appellant argues that a disputed claim in the amount of eighty-five thousand seven hundred thirty-three dollars and eighty-four cents should have been resolved before his case was dismissed, and that he made all required plan payments. The Chapter 13 trustee counters that the debtor failed to make timely payments and fell behind on post-petition domestic support obligations, both valid grounds for dismissal. The panel of Judges Lafferty, Brand, and Spraker faces an additional procedural hurdle: the record on appeal is incomplete, with no transcript of the dismissal hearing and uncertainty about exactly what issues were properly noticed for appeal. This incomplete record shapes much of the argument.

In re Miles (No. 26-1014) — United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Ninth Circuit, argued July 16, 2026.