Kathryn Belfance

Kathryn A. Belfance received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron School of Law. While at the law school, she was among the first women to serve as an associate editor on the Law Review. In 1979, the Northern Ohio Law Review published an article written by Ms. Belfance entitled, "The Inadequacy of Pecuniary Loss as a Measure of Damages in Actions for the Wrongful Death of Children". This article was instrumental in effecting changes in the law involving wrongful deaths of minors. In 1977, Ms. Belfance managed her own practice until joining Roderick Linton Belfance in 2008. Ms. Belfance was among the first women in the area to master the complex bankruptcy laws. In 1978, she was appointed as the first female Bankruptcy Trustee to administer bankruptcy cases in the Northern District of Ohio. Since 1978, she has continuously served as Bankruptcy Trustee. Over the years, Ms. Belfance has been appointed as trustee in numerous Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 cases. Ms. Belfance also serves as counsel for individuals, small businesses and corporate debtors as well as creditors. She represents individuals and businesses in seeking relief under Chapter 7, 13 and 11 of the bankruptcy laws. Ms. Belfance has successfully litigated bankruptcy issues that resulted in reported opinions that have been the subject of national seminars. Ms. Belfance has also distinguished herself in the field of domestic relations. Ms. Belfance has handled many complex divorce and custody matters. With knowledge of the divorce and custody laws, along with her strong business background, Ms. Belfance has provided sound advice and assistance to clients in resolving financially complex divorce cases, often involving businesses, novel financial structures, as well as many other substantial financial assets. Ms. Belfance has has lectured nationally as well as locally on a variety of bankruptcy and domestic relations issues including the intersection between bankruptcy and divorce laws.