Conditions of use · Every effort has been made to reproduce the code accurately.  However there could be errors which would change the effect of the code.  Permission to use these materials is given only on the condition that the user will be solely responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information contained herein.x

Text size · You may adjust the size of the text from your browser's control bar: View, Text Size.

Printing · If the top menu bar stays at the top of the window as you scroll in your browser, return the browser to the top of the page before printing or the menu bar may obscure some text.  You may print selected pages of the web page by printing from File, Page Preview instead of Print.  More printing tips.

Annotations · We have added notes linking to cases and other information to some sections of the code.  You may chose to or the annotations.

Redline Display · The Bankruptcy Code shown is as amended by The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. You may choose to or the redline version showing the changes made by the act.

Link to the Code · You may link your web page directly to this version of the code, or to any subsection.  More link information.

TITLE 11.  BANKRUPTCY  ·  UNITED STATES CODE

Chapter 5.  Creditors, the Debtor and the Estate

Subchapter III.  The Estate

11 USC § 544.  Trustee as lien creditor and as successor to certain creditors and purchasers

(a) The trustee shall have, as of the commencement of the case, and without regard to any knowledge of the trustee or of any creditor, the rights and powers of, or may avoid any transfer of property of the debtor or any obligation incurred by the debtor that is voidable by--

(1) a creditor that extends credit to the debtor at the time of the commencement of the case, and that obtains, at such time and with respect to such credit, a judicial lien on all property on which a creditor on a simple contract could have obtained such a judicial lien, whether or not such a creditor exists;

(2) a creditor that extends credit to the debtor at the time of the commencement of the case, and obtains, at such time and with respect to such credit, an execution against the debtor that is returned unsatisfied at such time, whether or not such a creditor exists; or

(3) a bona fide purchaser of real property, other than fixtures, from the debtor, against whom applicable law permits such transfer to be perfected, that obtains the status of a bona fide purchaser and has perfected such transfer at the time of the commencement of the case, whether or not such a purchaser exists.

(b)

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the trustee may avoid any transfer of an interest of the debtor in property or any obligation incurred by the debtor that is voidable under applicable law by a creditor holding an unsecured claim that is allowable under section 502 of this title or that is not allowable only under section 502(e) of this title.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a transfer of a charitable contribution (as that term is defined in section 548(d)(3)) that is not covered under section 548(a)(1)(B), by reason of section 548(a)(2). Any claim by any person to recover a transferred contribution described in the preceding sentence under Federal or State law in a Federal or State court shall be preempted by the commencement of the case.

[Rev. 5-17-05]