A recent dispute in the chapter 11 case of Sears Holding
Corp.1 over the allowance of adequate-protection claims
underscores the need for bankruptcy professionals to understand the
valuation of collateral in the adequate-protection context. This
article focuses on certain aspects of the dispute that are relevant
to understanding how courts evaluate whether a diminution in value
of the secured creditor's collateral occurred.2
Adequate Protection
Nearly every large commercial bankruptcy case begins with the
debtor seeking approval of a financing or cash-collateral order. As
part of the order, the debtor's secured creditor will be
provided with "adequate protection" to protect its
interest in its collateral in the event its collateral decreases in
value during the bankruptcy case.3