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In re: Thomas William O'Hara
Date: 02-14-2026
Case Number: 24-CV-916
Judge: Robert J. Jonker
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Kent County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Scott Smith
Defendant's Attorney: United States District Attorney's Office in Grand Rapids
Description:
Grand Rapids, Michigan, bankruptcy lawyer represented the Petitioner seeking a chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Thomas O’Hara filed for Chapter 13
bankruptcy. At a hearing on the United States Trustee’s motion to dismiss, the bankruptcy court made clear its intent to convert the case to Chapter 7. But O’Hara did not move to dismiss his Chapter 13 case until after the bankruptcy court had entered its conversion order. The bankruptcy court denied both that motion to dismiss and O’Hara’s subsequent Rule 60(b) motion. The district court affirmed in its appellate capacity.
Orders converting a bankruptcy case to Chapter 7 are final, appealable orders. Cal. Palms Addiction Recovery Campus, Inc. v. Vara (In re Cal. Palms Addiction Recovery Campus, Inc.), 87 F.4th 734, 739–40 (6th Cir. 2023).5 Here, the May 8 Conversion Order underlies the August 7 Order. Because the former is a final, appealable order, so too is the latter.
Thomas O’Hara filed for Chapter 13
bankruptcy. At a hearing on the United States Trustee’s motion to dismiss, the bankruptcy court made clear its intent to convert the case to Chapter 7. But O’Hara did not move to dismiss his Chapter 13 case until after the bankruptcy court had entered its conversion order. The bankruptcy court denied both that motion to dismiss and O’Hara’s subsequent Rule 60(b) motion. The district court affirmed in its appellate capacity.
Orders converting a bankruptcy case to Chapter 7 are final, appealable orders. Cal. Palms Addiction Recovery Campus, Inc. v. Vara (In re Cal. Palms Addiction Recovery Campus, Inc.), 87 F.4th 734, 739–40 (6th Cir. 2023).5 Here, the May 8 Conversion Order underlies the August 7 Order. Because the former is a final, appealable order, so too is the latter.
Outcome:
Affirmed
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of In re: Thomas William O'Hara?
The outcome was: Affirmed
Which court heard In re: Thomas William O'Hara?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Kent County), mi. The presiding judge was Robert J. Jonker.
Who were the attorneys in In re: Thomas William O'Hara?
Plaintiff's attorney: Scott Smith. Defendant's attorney: United States District Attorney's Office in Grand Rapids.
When was In re: Thomas William O'Hara decided?
This case was decided on February 14, 2026.