diff --git a/breacharbiter.go b/breacharbiter.go
index 692cb8f36..3045a1e7a 100644
--- a/breacharbiter.go
+++ b/breacharbiter.go
@@ -176,6 +176,7 @@ func (b *breachArbiter) start() error {
 	}, func() {
 		breachRetInfos = make(map[wire.OutPoint]retributionInfo)
 	}); err != nil {
+		brarLog.Errorf("Unable to create retribution info: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -190,6 +191,9 @@ func (b *breachArbiter) start() error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	brarLog.Debugf("Found %v closing channels, %v retribution records",
+		len(closedChans), len(breachRetInfos))
+
 	// Using the set of non-pending, closed channels, reconcile any
 	// discrepancies between the channeldb and the retribution store by
 	// removing any retribution information for which we have already
@@ -199,6 +203,9 @@ func (b *breachArbiter) start() error {
 	// TODO(halseth): no need continue on IsPending once closed channels
 	// actually means close transaction is confirmed.
 	for _, chanSummary := range closedChans {
+		brarLog.Debugf("Working on close channel: %v, is_pending: %v",
+			chanSummary.ChanPoint, chanSummary.IsPending)
+
 		if chanSummary.IsPending {
 			continue
 		}
@@ -212,6 +219,9 @@ func (b *breachArbiter) start() error {
 				return err
 			}
 			delete(breachRetInfos, *chanPoint)
+
+			brarLog.Debugf("Skipped closed channel: %v",
+				chanSummary.ChanPoint)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -220,6 +230,9 @@ func (b *breachArbiter) start() error {
 	for chanPoint := range breachRetInfos {
 		retInfo := breachRetInfos[chanPoint]
 
+		brarLog.Debugf("Handling breach handoff on startup "+
+			"for ChannelPoint(%v)", chanPoint)
+
 		// Register for a notification when the breach transaction is
 		// confirmed on chain.
 		breachTXID := retInfo.commitHash
diff --git a/contractcourt/channel_arbitrator.go b/contractcourt/channel_arbitrator.go
index 93710f047..19d68a554 100644
--- a/contractcourt/channel_arbitrator.go
+++ b/contractcourt/channel_arbitrator.go
@@ -435,10 +435,10 @@ func (c *ChannelArbitrator) Start(state *chanArbStartState) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	log.Debugf("Starting ChannelArbitrator(%v), htlc_set=%v",
+	log.Debugf("Starting ChannelArbitrator(%v), htlc_set=%v, state=%v",
 		c.cfg.ChanPoint, newLogClosure(func() string {
 			return spew.Sdump(c.activeHTLCs)
-		}),
+		}), state.currentState,
 	)
 
 	// Set our state from our starting state.
@@ -795,7 +795,7 @@ func (c *ChannelArbitrator) stateStep(
 		// default state. If this isn't a self initiated event (we're
 		// checking due to a chain update), then we'll exit now.
 		if len(chainActions) == 0 && trigger == chainTrigger {
-			log.Tracef("ChannelArbitrator(%v): no actions for "+
+			log.Debugf("ChannelArbitrator(%v): no actions for "+
 				"chain trigger, terminating", c.cfg.ChanPoint)
 
 			return StateDefault, closeTx, nil
@@ -1303,7 +1303,7 @@ func (c *ChannelArbitrator) advanceState(
 	// transition to is that same state that we started at.
 	for {
 		priorState = c.state
-		log.Tracef("ChannelArbitrator(%v): attempting state step with "+
+		log.Debugf("ChannelArbitrator(%v): attempting state step with "+
 			"trigger=%v from state=%v", c.cfg.ChanPoint, trigger,
 			priorState)
 
@@ -1324,7 +1324,7 @@ func (c *ChannelArbitrator) advanceState(
 		// our prior state back as the next state, then we'll
 		// terminate.
 		if nextState == priorState {
-			log.Tracef("ChannelArbitrator(%v): terminating at "+
+			log.Debugf("ChannelArbitrator(%v): terminating at "+
 				"state=%v", c.cfg.ChanPoint, nextState)
 			return nextState, forceCloseTx, nil
 		}