Rogers N Perkins

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
In re
ROGER N PERKINS,
Debtor.
)
)
)
)
)
Case No. 05-00891
(Chapter 7)
DECISION RE TRUSTEE’S
APPLICATION FOR COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES
The trustee has filed an application for compensation and
for reimbursement of expenses. 	The debtor has objected on the
basis of a prior award of compensation and reimbursement of
expenses, mistakenly viewing that prior award as having been to
the trustee, whereas it was instead to the law firm representing
the trustee (of which the trustee is a member). 	The Bankruptcy
Code authorizes a trustee to employ his own law firm, and makes
no provision for reducing a trustee’s compensation by the fees
awarded to his law firm.
The debtor does not suggest that the compensation sought by
the trustee is excessive, nor could he credibly do so. 	(The
trustee seeks $605.28 in compensation, and he spent 6.2 hours on
the case. 	This works out to less than $100 per hour in
The decision below is signed as a decision of
the court.
Signed: December 19, 2006.
_____________________________
S. Martin Teel, Jr.
United States Bankruptcy Judge
Case 05-00891 Doc 59 Filed 12/19/06 Entered 12/19/06 11:33:50 Desc Main
Document Page 1 of 2

2	O:\Judge Temp Docs\Perkins (Roger N) Decision re Trustee's Fee App.wpd
compensation.) 	Nor are the expenses incurred unreasonable.
Although the debtor was hoping that administrative claims
would be lower, leaving more to be distributed on the one
creditor claim filed in the case, the trustee’s right to
compensation, as a cost of administration, takes priority over
the claims of creditors. 	Accordingly, the court will grant the
trustee’s application.
[Signed and dated above.]
Copies to: Debtor; Debtor’s attorney; Chapter 7 Trustee; Office
of United States Trustee.
Case 05-00891 Doc 59 Filed 12/19/06 Entered 12/19/06 11:33:50 Desc Main
Document Page 2 of 2