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Richard Kiefer v. Kevin George Klein (In re Klein)

Bankr. No.: 
89-50131
Adv. No.: 
89-5032
Chapter: 
7
Date of Decision: 
January 5, 1990
Issue: 
(1) Whether a state court default judgment against debtor must be accorded res judicata or collateral estoppel effect. (2) Whether debtor's action was willful and malicious, thus preventing discharge under ยง 523(a).
Ruling: 
(1) Bankruptcy Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a state court judgment will not be given res judicata or collateral estoppel effect. (2) Debtor's action in remodeling house was not willful and malicious, thus state court default judgment is dischargeable.
Full Bankruptcy Court Decision: