Judge Appoints Fiduciaries to Oversee Camp Mystic
A federal bankruptcy judge has named two independent overseers to run the Kerr County camp's business and legal affairs while lawsuits proceed.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Debt Relief
A federal bankruptcy judge approved the appointment of two independent fiduciaries to take over Camp Mystic's business and legal affairs, removing the Eastland family from decision-making authority. The camp, an all-girls summer camp in Kerr County, filed for bankruptcy amid multiple lawsuits tied to last year's flood.
Why it matters
The judge said the fiduciaries are needed to prevent conflicts of interest because members of the Eastland family are defendants in the lawsuits. The ruling shapes how the camp's assets and liabilities are handled as the flood-related claims move forward.
The bankruptcy court approved two fiduciaries to replace the Eastland family's control, with the judge declining to appoint a Chapter 11 trustee. The camp faces multiple pending lawsuits, and the case's final resolution remains unknown.
The players
Camp Mystic
An all-girls summer camp in Kerr County, Texas, whose bankruptcy and flood-related lawsuits are at the center of the case.
Mark Andrews
An attorney appointed to oversee the business and legal affairs of Camp Mystic under the bankruptcy court's order.
Craig Gargotta
A retired bankruptcy judge appointed to oversee Natural Fountains Properties, which owns the camp's land.
The details
Attorney Mark Andrews will oversee Camp Mystic, while retired bankruptcy judge Craig Gargotta will oversee Natural Fountains Properties, which owns the camp's land. The judge ruled that the fiduciaries accomplish the same goal as a Chapter 11 trustee by removing the Eastlands from decision-making authority.
Timeline
Last year: flood in Kerr County killed 28 people at Camp Mystic.
Week of publication: federal judge approved the independent fiduciaries.
Legal Context
Rather than appointing a Chapter 11 trustee, the judge chose independent fiduciaries to achieve the same goal of removing the Eastland family from control. The approach reflects the court's concern about conflicts of interest when family members are defendants in related lawsuits.
Creditors and stakeholders with claims against Camp Mystic or Natural Fountains Properties will see decisions made by the court-appointed fiduciaries rather than the Eastland family. How the bankruptcy proceeds will affect the recovery available to those with claims against the camp's assets.
The takeaway
When a business in bankruptcy faces conflicts of interest, courts may replace its owners with independent overseers to protect creditors and claimants. Anyone tracking a case like this can follow the court docket for updates on the fiduciaries' decisions.
Further reading
For related context on how bankruptcy cases are structured, see Debt Relief coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
