Sinclair v. Hodge

PRADO, Circuit Judge:

Appellant, a debtor in bankruptcy, contends that Louisiana law protects certain amounts of money in his checking account from seizure because this money is attributable to his wages. Although the bankruptcy court agreed with appellant, the district court reached the opposite conclusion and ruled that the funds in appellant’s accounts were not exempt from turnover. We agree with the district court and so affirm.

Toby James Sinclair filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition eight days after his monthly salary was direct-deposited into his checking account. Sinclair, a teacher,…