Sec. 5331.

(1) The judge shall fix the amount of each claim, regardless of whether or not it exceeds the jurisdiction of the court in civil actions, for the purpose of participating in the funds only. The fixing of these amounts shall not be construed to be a judgment, but a creditor may at any time during the pendency of the proceeding or afterwards, take any legal action he may desire against the debtor and any means to collect any judgment secured, excepting to garnish the assigned wages. In the case of a judgment creditor who is such when the petition is filed, the amount fixed shall be the amount of the judgment with costs and legal interest, less any payments thereon. When a creditor reduces his claim to judgment during the pendency of the proceedings, the amount of his claim for participating in the funds shall thereupon be fixed at the amount of the judgment and costs, but in such case payments previously made to creditors shall not be affected.

(2) The judge, debtor, or any creditor may dispute the claim of any creditor, at any time during the pendency of the proceedings. Upon the determination of the judge to dispute a claim, or upon the filing of a written notice of intention by the debtor or creditor to do so, the judge shall cause notice of hearing to be served on the debtor, the creditor whose claim is disputed, and the objector, and have a hearing thereon, and may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses as in civil actions therein.

(3) Any costs incurred by the hearing may be taxed against either the debtor, the objector, or the creditor whose claim is disputed, as the judge may deem just, and may be deducted from any funds in the custody of the court which would otherwise be paid to the person against whom taxed, and paid to the person in whose favor they are taxed.

(4) Any person claiming to be a creditor of any person taking advantage of this chapter who has not been listed may intervene and prove his claim the same as though his claim had been listed.

History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 297, Eff. Apr. 1, 1975