Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance v. Litman

How later courts describe this case

• reversing bankruptcy court ruling that disallowed a proof of claim based on a default judgment because default judgment is enforceable in New York
• “[ajbsent a Supreme Court decision to the contrary, district courts are compelled to follow the mandates of appellate courts”
• Bankruptcy court in passing on objection to claim required under 28 U.S.C. § 1738 to give preclusive effect to state court default judgment
• default judgment against debtor, who subsequently filed bankruptcy, precluded bankruptcy court from disallowing claims
• default judgment in State Court binding in bankruptcy ease