Kontrick v. Ryan

Summary

Justice Ginsburg delivered the unanimous opinion holding that Bankruptcy Rules 4004 and 9006(b)(3) establish claim-processing deadlines, not limits on bankruptcy courts’ subject-matter jurisdiction. A debtor forfeits the right to invoke those deadlines by failing to raise untimeliness before the bankruptcy court adjudicates the creditor’s objection to discharge on the merits. Because Kontrick first asserted the defense on reconsideration after losing on the merits, the Court affirmed the Seventh Circuit. The Court did not decide whether equitable exceptions could excuse an untimely objection. There were no separate opinions.