11 U.S.C. § 102 — Rules of construction

This section explains how to read certain phrases used throughout the bankruptcy code (this title). (1) "After notice and a hearing," or a similar phrase: (A) means whatever notice fits the situation, and whatever chance for a hearing fits the situation; but (B) still allows an act to happen without an actual hearing if proper notice was given and either (i) no interested party asked for a hearing in time, or (ii) there isn't enough time to hold a hearing before the act must happen, and the court allows the act anyway. (2) "Claim against the debtor" also includes a claim against the debtor's property. (3) The words "includes" and "including" are not limiting — they don't shut out other things not named. (4) "May not" means something is forbidden, not just optional. (5) "Or" is not exclusive — it doesn't rule out both options being true. (6) "Order for relief" means the entry (the official recording) of an order for relief. (7) Singular words include the plural. (8) If one section of this title defines a term by referring to another section, that reference does not change how the term is used in that other section. (9) "United States trustee" also includes anyone the United States trustee designates to act for them.