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Chambers' Bulletins
02/2014

Fri, 2/28/2014 - 4:00 am

Judge Waites fax line has been restored and documents may now be faxed to Judge Waites' normal fax number 803-253-3464.


Thu, 2/27/2014 - 4:00 am

Until further notice, documents faxed to Judge Waites' Chambers should be faxed to 803-253-3710.


Thu, 2/27/2014 - 4:00 am

Following a period for comment, the Stay Relief Procedures section of Judge Waites’ Chambers Guidelines has now been updated to include new procedures and forms regarding § 362 motions in Chapter 13 cases. The forms should be used for all orders submitted on or after March 10, 2014. The forms have been edited to incorporate comments received and two new forms have been added. The following forms are provided as Exhibits C – G to the Guidelines:



  1. Order granting relief from stay in Chapter 13 case based upon a failure to object to motion for relief from stay. See Exhibit C

  2. Settlement order for a motion for relief from stay based upon a post petition default in payment pursuant to a plan in a Chapter 13 case. See Exhibit D

  3. Order granting relief from stay in Chapter 13 case based upon failure to comply with settlement order. See Exhibit E (to be used in connection with Exhibit D). 

  4. Settlement order for a motion for relief from stay based upon a post petition default in payment where equity/value exists above Movant’s lien. See Exhibit F

  5. Settlement order granting relief from the automatic stay to continue or pursue an action in family court. See Exhibit G.

Exhibit E is a new form, which should be submitted in cases where the form settlement order in Exhibit D has been entered and the debtor has failed to make payments in accordance with that order. Exhibit F is also a new form, which should be used in instances where the equity/value above the Movant’s lien exceeds $5,000.00. In addition, a new CM/ECF event has been created to be used where the debtor fails to comply with the form settlement order in Exhibit F: Affidavit of Default and Request for Further 362 Hearing (available March 1, 2014).


As indicated in the Judges Corner posting on February 6, 2014, the use of the provided form orders relating to motions for relief from the automatic stay will allow for expedited consideration without a hearing. Parties may include non-standard language on the form Settlement Orders in the section provided or they may draft a settlement order containing non-standard language. Unless otherwise advised, a hearing, attended by counsel for all parties to the settlement, will be required for approval of any non-standard form settlement order or a settlement order containing non-standard language filed or presented to the Court in a Chapter 13 case on or after March 10, 2014.



Judge Waites appreciates your comments and hopes that these forms assist you in your practice.


Fri, 2/21/2014 - 4:00 am

Judge Waites is pleased to welcome Judith Benitez-Rosas to the Charleston divisional office as a member of his case team. Judith comes to South Carolina from the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Florida (Miami) where she worked since 1996, most recently as a Case Administrator.


Judge Waites’ team members are:
Agnes Babb – Courtroom Deputy
Regina Schmidt – Courtroom Deputy
Judy Smith – Case Administrator/Work Leader
Connie Brooks – Case Administrator
Nicole Stalvey – Case Administrator
Judith Benitez-Rosas – Case Administrator


Tue, 2/11/2014 - 4:00 am

Judge Waites is considering the entry of this Administrative Order to assist in the administration of Chapter 13 cases assigned to him. Any party with comments should provide them by e-mail to Sarah_Kistler@scb.uscourts.gov by February 24, 2014.


Thu, 2/06/2014 - 4:00 am

Judge Waites receives a large volume of settlement orders and other § 362 orders as a result of his assignment of Chapter 13 cases with three Chapter 13 Trustees. In order to maintain efficiency in the review and processing of these orders, Judge Waites has developed standard forms for use in his Chapter 13 cases. Effective March 1, 2014, the use of the following form orders relating to motions for relief from the automatic stay will allow for expedited consideration without a hearing:




    1. Settlement order for a motion for relief from stay based upon a post petition default in payment pursuant to a plan in a Chapter 13 case. See Exhibit A.
    2. Settlement order granting relief from the automatic stay to continue or pursue an action in family court. See Exhibit B.
    3. Default order granting motion for relief from stay in Chapter 13 case. See Exhibit C.


Parties may include non-standard language on the form Settlement Order in the section provided or they may draft a settlement order containing non-standard language. Beginning March 1, 2014, a hearing may be required for approval of any settlement order containing non-standard language.


Comments regarding the proposed forms may be submitted to Sarah_Kistler@scb.uscourts.gov on or before February 20, 2014. Any changes to the proposed forms as a result of comments received will be posted on the Court’s website prior to March 1, 2014.


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