The Supreme Court granted certiorari today in two of the three Chapter 7 lien-strip-off cases challenging the Eleventh Circuit decision in McNeal. Bank of Amer. v. Toledo-Cardona, No. 14-163 and Bank of Amer. v. Caulkett, No. 13-1421 (petition granted Nov. 17, 2014) (consolidated for argument) (Bank of Amer. v. Bello, No. 14-235 is still pending). In McNeal v. GMAC Mortg., 735 F.3d 1263 (11th Cir. 2012) pet. den. (May 20, 2014), the court bucked the trend to find that Dewsnup v. Timm, 502 U.S. 410 (1992), which held that a partially secured lien could not be stripped-down in chapter 7, did not apply to wholly unsecured liens. There are more than a dozen cases currently pending in the Eleventh Circuit challenging this decision, but, after an early abortive attempt to bring the issue before the Supreme Court (Bank of America v. Sinkfield, No. 13-700 (cert. denied, March 31, 2014)) the issue is now on track for final resolution. Briefing should be completed by March and argument is likely to be scheduled for the last week of March, with decision by June. The debtor is being represented by Stephanos Bibas, the Director of the Supreme Court Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Ongoing Homeowners Association Assessments Dischargeable
Approximately a year and a half after the debtors abandoned their condominium and stopped paying their homeowners’ assessments, they filed for chapter 13 bankruptcy. Their plan proposed to transfer title to the secured creditor, Bank of America, and made no provision for payment of ongoing Homeowners Association assessments. Both the bank and the HOA objected to confirmation of the plan. The bankruptcy court sustained the Bank’s objection but denied the HOA’s and confirmed the plan insofar as it did not include payment of ongoing HOA assessments. In re Coonfield, No. 14-2533 (Bankr. E.D. Wash. Sept. 25, 2014). [Read more…] about Ongoing Homeowners Association Assessments Dischargeable
Eighth Circuit Joins Sister Courts on Lien Stripping in Chapter 13
Dealing with the issue it side-stepped in Fisette v. Keller (In re Fisette), 695 F.3d 803 (8th Cir. 2012), and joining all other circuit courts to address the issue, the Eighth Circuit held that a wholly unsecured lien may be stripped in Chapter 13. Minn. Hous. Fin. Agency v. Schmidt (In re Schmidt), No. 13-2447 (8th Cir. Aug. 28, 2014). [Read more…] about Eighth Circuit Joins Sister Courts on Lien Stripping in Chapter 13
Debtors Enjoying Growing Consensus on Chapter 20 Lien Strip Cases
Following closely on the heels of the Eleventh Circuit decision in In re Scantling, the BAP for the Sixth Circuit held that chapter 20 debtors may strip liens despite the unavailability of discharge. In re Cain, No. 13-8045 (July 14, 2014). [Read more…] about Debtors Enjoying Growing Consensus on Chapter 20 Lien Strip Cases
Eleventh Circuit Joins Fourth in Allowing Chapter 20 Lien Strip
Yesterday, the Eleventh Circuit joined the Fourth Circuit in affirming the debtor’s ability to strip a wholly unsecured lien in chapter 13 where no discharge is available. In re Scantling, No. 13-10558 (June 18, 2014).
After reviewing the historical development of lien stripping under the Bankruptcy Code, the court, relying on its previous decision in Tanner v. Firstplus Financial, Inc., 217 F.3d 1357 (11th Cir. 2000), stated that in order for a claim to be “secured” and trigger the antimodification provisions of § 1322(b)(2), the collateral must have at least some value. In this case, it was undisputed that the amount owed on the first mortgage exceeded the property value, leaving no collateral value to support the junior mortgages. The court stated that though BAPCPA amended the discharge provision of 1328(f), it did not amend the two operative sections for lien stripping in chapter 13: §§ 506 or 1322(b)(2). Therefore, the court concluded the analysis for lien stripping in chapter 13 cases is the same irrespective of whether the debtor is eligible for a discharge.
The court rejected creditor’s argument based on In re Gerardin, 447 B.R. 342 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 2011), that its claim was an “allowed secured claim” for purposes of section 1325(a)(5)(B)(i). Section 1325(a)(5)(B)(i) provides that creditors holding allowed secured claims retain their liens until (1) payment in full under applicable non-bankruptcy law, or (2) discharge. As the Eleventh Circuit correctly noted in this case the creditor did not hold an allowed secured claim, and therefore section 1325(a)(5)(B)(i) was inapplicable.
Chapter 7 Lien Strip Issue in Eleventh Circuit Unclogged
Cases have been piling up in the Eleventh Circuit challenging that court’s position that a Chapter 7 debtor may strip a wholly unsecured lien. See In re Brown No. 13-14298 (lead case). But that court’s recent decision in Bank of Amer. v. Toledo-Cardona, No. 13-15855 (May 15, 2014) (relying on McNeal), and more significantly, its denial of petitions for rehearing and rehearing en banc in the case of McNeal v. GMAC Mortg., LLC, 735 F.3d 1263 (11th Cir. 2012) pet. den. (May 20, 2014), suggest that movement toward Supreme Court resolution may be in the offing. [Read more…] about Chapter 7 Lien Strip Issue in Eleventh Circuit Unclogged
Certiorari Denied in Lien Strip Case
The Supreme Court denied cert. in the lien strip case of Bank of America v. Sinkfield, No. 13-700, involving the issue of whether section 506(d) permits the strip off of a wholly unsecured lien in Chapter 7. [Read more…] about Certiorari Denied in Lien Strip Case
Bank of Amer. v. Sinkfield, No. 13-700 (USSCt)
Type: Amicus opposing Certiorari
Date: February 28, 2014
Description: Whether lower court record is sufficiently developed to justify Supreme Court involvement in issue of whether a wholly unsecured lien may be stripped pursuant to section 506(d).
Result: Petition denied, March 31, 2014
Broken Chain of Title Defeats Creditor’s Claim
A broken chain of title defeated a bank’s right to enforce the Note and mortgage for the debtors’ residence. In re Dorsey, No. 13-8036 (B.A.P. 6th Cir. March 7, 2014). [Read more…] about Broken Chain of Title Defeats Creditor’s Claim
Chapter 13 Debtor May Exercise Trustee’s Avoidance Power
A Chapter 13 debtor may exercise the trustee’s avoidance powers under Section 544 if doing so will benefit the bankruptcy estate. In re Aiwohi, 13-90038 (Bankr. Haw. Jan. 31, 2014). [Read more…] about Chapter 13 Debtor May Exercise Trustee’s Avoidance Power