In re Rich

MEMORANDUM

Fredrick E. Clement, United States Bankruptcy Judge

Rule 4004(c)(2)1 authorizes the court to defer the entry of discharge in a chapter 7 bankruptcy, which extends the in personam protections of the stay. 11 U.S.C. § 362. The debtors owe nondischargeable taxes, which will be paid when a final distribution is made upon case closure. They fear that their tax creditors will garnish their post-petition wages after the discharge issues but before the trustee distributes estate funds. Should the court defer the discharge?

FACTS

Frederick Allen Rich and Sarah Marie Rich (“Riches”) filed…