UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
In re: Case No. 23-41465
RHONDA L. WILLIAMS, pro se, Chapter 7
Debtor. Judge Thomas J. Tucker ________________________________________/
ORDER DENYING DEBTOR’S MOTION TO REOPEN CASE, BUT WAIVING MOTION FILING FEE
This case is before the Court on the Debtor’s motion entitled “Motion to Reopen Case and Wa[i]ve Fee,” filed December 29, 2025 (Docket # 28, the “Motion”). The Motion seeks to reopen the case to add a creditor named VA Canteen Services.
The Court notes that this was a “no-asset” Chapter 7 case. As a result, it is unnecessary to reopen this case merely to enable the Debtor to amend her schedules to add a creditor who was not listed previously. Because this was a no-asset case, such an unscheduled debt is discharged to the same extent it would be discharged if it had been scheduled. See In re Madaj, 149 F.3d 467 (6th Cir. 1998).
Because it appears that reopening this case for the purpose stated by the Debtor’s Motion would serve no useful purpose, the Motion must be denied. This Order is without prejudice to the Debtor’s right to file a timely motion for reconsideration or to re-file her motion if she believes that cause exists to reopen this case notwithstanding the Sixth Circuit's decision in Madaj, and explain what that cause is. Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that the Motion (Docket # 28), is denied, except that the filing fee for the Motion is waived.
Signed on January 5, 2026
23-41465-tjt Doc 29 Filed 01/05/26 Entered 01/05/26 11:41:03 Page 1 of 1