American Underwriting Services LLC (“AUS”) filed a Voluntary Petition seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on May 18, 2018.  On June 27, 2018, S. Gregory Hays was appointed as the Chapter 11 Trustee for AUS.

The Trustee has determined that it is no longer feasible for AUS to conduct business operations and the Trustee is accordingly closing the AUS Office and terminating its remaining employees.  The Trustee has also filed a Motion to Convert the AUS Bankruptcy Case to a Chapter 7 Liquidation Case and the Bankruptcy Court has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, July 31, 2018 to consider this Motion.

AUS is ceasing all business operations effective immediately and will no longer service any policies, bind any coverages or accept any new policies or amendments thereto.  The remaining employees of AUS will be terminated as of July 31, 2018 and no one will be available to address any policy issues after that date.  To the extent that your firm needs to make alternate arrangements to service your insurance needs, you should do so immediately.

 You will receive a notice and claim form after the case is converted.

Initial distribution checks pursuant to the confirmed Plan of Distribution will be mailed on July 3, 2013. If you have an IRA account, the funds were sent to the IRA Custodian and you should contact First Trust Company of Onaga.

Founded in 1987, The Money Tree, Inc. (“The Money Tree” or the “Company”) operated 46 consumer finance branch offices in Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Louisiana.   Based in Bainbridge, Georgia, the Company originated and serviced direct consumer loans, consumer sales finance contracts and motor vehicle installment sales contracts.  The Money Tree also sold retail merchandise (principally furniture, appliances and electronics) at certain branch office locations and operated two used automobile dealerships in Georgia operated separately under the “Best Buy Auto” brand name.

On December 16, 2011, each of the Debtors listed below filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The cases were assigned the case numbers listed below (collectively, the “Bankruptcy Cases”) and are jointly administered under case no. 11-12254. The Bankruptcy Cases are pending before the Honorable William R. Sawyer in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama.

Please see Documents section for additional information and a current status report.

On October 23, 2012, the Trustee filed his Third Status Report. Click here to review.

Email the Trustee at ghays@haysconsulting.net.

S. Gregory Hays was appointed Ch. 7 Trustee of this fantasy sports company on November 29, 2011.  This case has been closed.

Engaged to be the Litigation Trustee to benefit the unsecured creditors of this bankrupt ethanol manufacturer.

In April 2011, Scovill Fasteners Inc., a 209-year-old manufacturer of engineered closure products for the apparel and industrial markets, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. On June 30, 2011, S. Gregory Hays was appointed Ch.11 Trustee of Scovill Fastners, Inc. At the time of filing, Global SFI Holdings LLC emerged as the stalking horse bidder for all the assets and operations of the company.  The stalking horse bidder prevailed at the Section 363 Sale and the sale closed in June 2011. All assets of the company were sold and the company continues to operate as a division of Global SFI Holdings.

Appointed the Chapter 7 Trustee for this designer and manufacturer of reusable specialty shipping cases for fragile merchandise.

Stewart Finance Company (“SFC”) and Stewart National Finance Company (“SNFC”) filed voluntary petitions for relief under the reorganization provisions of Chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia on February 10, 2003. On February 23, 2003, D & E Acquisitions, Inc. (“D&E”) filed a voluntary petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. On September 9, 2003, the bankruptcy court approved the appointment of Mr. Hays to serve as the Chapter 11 Trustee on behalf of SFC, SNFC, and D & E. The bankruptcy cases of SFC, SNFC, and D & E were jointly administered under Case No. 03-30277 RFH.

Stewart Finance Company and related companies operated a consumer finance business with 38,000 consumer loans in five states and the company had over 170 employees. The businesses were sold in a bankruptcy court auction in December, 2003 and February, 2004. The Trustee settled litigation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, Georgia Secretary of State, related companies and other third parties. A Plan of Liquidation was confirmed and Mr. Hays became the Liquidating Agent. The Liquidating Agent made a final distribution and closed the case in July, 2009.