§ 1112 Conversion or dismissal

§ 1112. Conversion or dismissal

    (a) The debtor may convert a case under this chapter to a case under chapter 7 of this title unless--

        (1) the debtor is not a debtor in possession;

        (2) the case originally was commenced as an involuntary case under this chapter; or

        (3) the case was converted to a case under this chapter other than on the debtor's request.

    (b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) and subsection (c), on request of a party in interest, and after notice and a hearing, the court shall convert a case under this chapter to a case under chapter 7 or dismiss a case under this chapter, whichever is in the best interests of creditors and the estate, for cause unless the court determines that the appointment under section 1104(a) of a trustee or an examiner is in the best interests of creditors and the estate.

        (2) The court may not convert a case under this chapter to a case under chapter 7 or dismiss a case under this chapter if the court finds and specifically identifies unusual circumstances establishing that converting or dismissing the case is not in the best interests of creditors and the estate, and the debtor or any other party in interest establishes that--

            (A) there is a reasonable likelihood that a plan will be confirmed within the timeframes established in sections 1121(e) and 1129(e) of this title, or if such sections do not apply, within a reasonable period of time; and

            (B) the grounds for converting or dismissing the case include an act or omission of the debtor other than under paragraph (4)(A)--

                (i) for which there exists a reasonable justification for the act or omission; and

                (ii) that will be cured within a reasonable period of time fixed by the court.

        (3) The court shall commence the hearing on a motion under this subsection not later than 30 days after filing of the motion, and shall decide the motion not later than 15 days after commencement of such hearing, unless the movant expressly consents to a continuance for a specific period of time or compelling circumstances prevent the court from meeting the time limits established by this paragraph.

        (4) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘cause’ includes--

            (A) substantial or continuing loss to or diminution of the estate and the absence of a reasonable likelihood of rehabilitation;

            (B) gross mismanagement of the estate;

            (C) failure to maintain appropriate insurance that poses a risk to the estate or to the public;

            (D) unauthorized use of cash collateral substantially harmful to 1 or more creditors;

            (E) failure to comply with an order of the court;

            (F) unexcused failure to satisfy timely any filing or reporting requirement established by this title or by any rule applicable to a case under this chapter;

            (G) failure to attend the meeting of creditors convened under section 341(a) or an examination ordered under rule 2004 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure without good cause shown by the debtor;

            (H) failure timely to provide information or attend meetings reasonably requested by the United States trustee (or the bankruptcy administrator, if any);

            (I) failure timely to pay taxes owed after the date of the order for relief or to file tax returns due after the date of the order for relief;

            (J) failure to file a disclosure statement, or to file or confirm a plan, within the time fixed by this title or by order of the court;

            (K) failure to pay any fees or charges required under chapter 123 of title 28;

            (L) revocation of an order of confirmation under section 1144;

            (M) inability to effectuate substantial consummation of a confirmed plan;

            (N) material default by the debtor with respect to a confirmed plan;

            (O) termination of a confirmed plan by reason of the occurrence of a condition specified in the plan; and

            (P) failure of the debtor to pay any domestic support obligation that first becomes payable after the date of the filing of the petition.

    (c) The court may not convert a case under this chapter to a case under chapter 7 of this title if the debtor is a farmer or a corporation that is not a moneyed, business, or commercial corporation, unless the debtor requests such conversion.

    (d) The court may convert a case under this chapter to a case under chapter 12 or 13 of this title only if--

        (1) the debtor requests such conversion;

        (2) the debtor has not been discharged under section 1141(d) of this title; and

        (3) if the debtor requests conversion to chapter 12 of this title, such conversion is equitable.

    (e) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (f), the court, on request of the United States trustee, may convert a case under this chapter to a case under chapter 7 of this title or may dismiss a case under this chapter, whichever is in the best interest of creditors and the estate if the debtor in a voluntary case fails to file, within fifteen days after the filing of the petition commencing such case or such additional time as the court may allow, the information required by paragraph (1) of section 521(a), including a list containing the names and addresses of the holders of the twenty largest unsecured claims (or of all unsecured claims if there are fewer than twenty unsecured claims), and the approximate dollar amounts of each of such claims.

    (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a case may not be converted to a case under another chapter of this title unless the debtor may be a debtor under such chapter.