4 Collier on Bankruptcy P 502.03
Summary
- [1] Overview of Section 502(b)
Under section 502(a), a claim or interest, evidenced by a proof filed under section 501, “is deemed allowed, unless a party in interest … objects.” Section 502(b) states that if objection to a claim is made, the court, after notice and a hearing, “shall determine” the amount of the claim fixed as of the date of the filing of the petition. Some courts have interpreted section 502(b)’s mandatory language to require a judicial ruling on a creditor’s objection to a claim once a creditor objects to a claim. In that instance, the trustee cannot enter into a settlement agreement with respect to the claim before the creditor’s objection is heard and the allowable amount of the claim is determined.1
Other courts, however, have concluded that a creditor’s claim objection does not deprive the trustee of authority to settle with the claimant, ...