Nichols v. Align Western States Learning Corp. (In Re Nichols)

605 F. App'x 660

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: May 22, 2015
• Docket: 13-60093
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Eric Nichols and Bonita M. Nichols appeal pro se from the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel’s order affirming the bankruptcy court’s order dismissing the Nichols’ adversary proceeding seeking to discharge Eric’s student loans. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 158. We independently review the bankruptcy court decision, reviewing the bankruptcy court’s interpretation of the code de novo and its factual findings for clear error. Educ. Credit Mgmt. Corp. v. Mason (In re Mason), 464 F.3d 878, 881 (9th Cir.2006). We affirm.

The bankruptcy court properly dismissed the Nichols’ adversary proceeding because they failed to make a prima facie showing that excepting the debt from discharge would constitute an undue hardship. Rifino v. United States (In re Rifi no), 245 F.3d 1083, 1087-88 (9th Cir.2001) (debtor has burden of proof on undue hardship, and must satisfy all three elements of the Brunner test before a discharge can be granted).

We reject the Nichols’ contentions that the bankruptcy judge was biased, violated due process, and erred in announcing its findings of fact and conclusions of law on the record following the close of the hearing.

AFFIRMED.

** This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.