Rule 2017. Examining Transactions Between a Debtor and the Debtor's Attorney

(a) Payments or Transfers to an Attorney Made in Contemplation of Filing a Petition or Before the Order for Relief. On a party in interest's motion, or on its own, the court may, after notice and a hearing, determine whether a debtor's direct or indirect payment of money or transfer of property to an attorney for services rendered or to be rendered was excessive if it was made:

(1) in contemplation of the filing of a bankruptcy petition by or against the debtor; or

(2) before the order for relief is entered in an involuntary case.

(b) Payments or Transfers to an Attorney Made After the Order for Relief Is Entered. On motion of the debtor or the United States trustee, or on its own, the court may, after notice and a hearing, determine whether a debtor's payment of money or transfer of property-or agreement to pay money or transfer property-to an attorney after an order for relief is entered is excessive. It does not matter whether the payment or transfer is made, or to be made, directly or indirectly, if the payment, transfer, or agreement is for services related to the case.

(As amended Mar. 30, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Aug. 1, 1991; Apr. 2, 2024, eff. Dec. 1, 2024.)

Notes of Advisory Committee on Rules-1983

This rule is derived from §60d of the Act and former Bankruptcy Rule 220 and implements §329 of the Code. Information required to be disclosed by the attorney for a debtor by §329 of the Code and by the debtor in his Statement of Financial Affairs (Item #15 of Form No. 7, Item #20 of Form No. 8) will assist the court in determining whether to proceed under this rule. Section 60d was enacted in recognition of "the temptation of a failing debtor to deal too liberally with his property in employing counsel to protect him in view of financial reverses and probable failure." In re Wood & Henderson, 210 U.S. 246, 253 (1908). This rule, like §60d of the Act and §329 of the Code, is premised on the need for and appropriateness of judicial scrutiny of arrangements between a debtor and his attorney to protect the creditors of the estate and the debtor against overreaching by an officer of the court who is in a peculiarly advantageous position to impose on both the creditors and his client. 2 Collier, Bankruptcy  329.02 (15th ed. 1980); MacLachlan, Bankruptcy 318 (1956). Rule 9014 applies to any contested matter arising under this rule.

This rule is not to be construed to permit post-petition payments or transfers which may be avoided under other provisions of the Code.

Notes of Advisory Committee on Rules-1991 Amendment

This rule is amended to include within subdivision (a) a payment or transfer of property by the debtor to an attorney after the filing of an involuntary petition but before the order for relief. Any party in interest should be able to make a motion for a determination of whether such payment or transfer is excessive because the funds or property transferred may be property of the estate.

The United States trustee supervises and monitors the administration of bankruptcy cases other than chapter 9 cases and pursuant to §307 of the Code may raise, appear and be heard on issues relating to fees paid to the debtor's attorney. It is consistent with that role to expect the United States trustee to review statements filed under Rule 2016(b) and to file motions relating to excessive fees pursuant to §329 of the Code.

Committee Notes on Rules-2024 Amendment

The language of Rule 2017 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Bankruptcy Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only.