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Timestamp: 2017-08-21 06:49:42
Document Index: 146449606

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 257', '§ 101', '§ 103', '§ 522', '§ 1501', '§ 1101', '§ 101', '§ 522', '§ 1201', '§ 801', '§ 901', '§ 1007', '§ 701', '§ 255', '§ 4', '§ 541', '§ 523', '§ 1322', '§ 541', '§ 1325', '§ 523', '§ 524', '§ 1302', '§ 727', '§ 727', '§ 1326', '§ 109', '§ 1322', '§ 506', '§ 1123', '§ 1328', '§ 1328', '§ 1325', '§ 109', '§ 1325', '§ 1322', '§ 1123', '§ 1322', '§ 1325', '§ 1325', '§ 1325', '§ 1123', '§ 1322', '§ 206', '§ 306', '§ 102', '§ 2', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1328', '§ 1328', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 507', '§ 206', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1123', '§ 1322', '§ 1325', '§ 507', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1123', '§ 1322', '§ 1325', '§ 1123', '§ 1123', '§ 1322', '§ 1122', '§ 1322', 'art. 635', '§ 1123', '§ 1322', '§ 1123', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1322', '§ 1123', '§ 1325', '§ 707', '§ 502', '§ 109', '§ 1325', '§ 104', '§ 1322', '§ 1123']

Bufford-4544 Ch13 Law Review University of Richmond Law School | Chapter 13 | Chapter 7
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The Honorable Samuel L. Bufford * I. INTRODUCTION The Great Recession that began in approximately 2008 brought severe financial difficulties to a large number of homeowners in the United States. With a rise in the unemployment rate from 4.6% to 10%,1 many lost their jobs and their ability to make their home payments. At the same time, with an average 30.3% reduction in housing values2 (which in some places has approached nearly 60%),3 many homes are now worth substantially less than
* Judge Bufford served as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in Los Angeles for twenty-five years until his retirement in 2010. He is now a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Dickinson School of Law, Pennsylvania State University. 1. According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rates rose from 4.6% in January 2007 to a peak of 10% in December 2009. See BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, U.S. DEP’T OF LABOR, USDL 07-0159, THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION: JANUARY 2007, at 1 (2007), available at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ archives/empsit_02022007.pdf (noting an unemployment rate of 4.6% in January 2007); BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, U.S. DEP’T OF LABOR, USDL 09-1583, THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION—DECEMBER 2009, at 1 (2010), available at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ar chives/empsit_01082010.pdf (noting an unemployment rate of 10% in December 2009). 2. Press Release, Standard & Poor’s, U.S. Home Prices Keep Weakening as Nine Cities Reach New Lows According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices (Jan. 25, 2011), available at http://standardandpoors.com/indices/sp-case-shiller-home-price-indices /en/us/?indexId=spusa-cashpidff--p--us (explaining that the 30.3% value reflects the reduction in housing values from their peak value in 2006 through November 2010). 3. Id. (noting that Las Vegas has seen the greatest decline in housing values since 2006).
[Vol. 45:1091
the debt owed on mortgages secured by the homes.4 Some 5 million homeowners are at least two months behind in their mortgage payments, and RealtyTrac predicts that some 1.2 million homes will be foreclosed on in 2011.5 The housing crisis continues to get worse, not better.6 Large amounts of public funds, through a variety of programs, have been expended to try to ameliorate this problem, with disappointing results.7 The federal Home Affordable Modification Program (―HAMP‖) alone, for example, has been allocated $50 billion of U.S. government funds, of which $652.4 million has been expended to produce a meager 520,000 permanent modifications.8 However, none of these government programs has made a substantial dent in the backlog of 11.1 million homes that are under water where homeowners cannot make their mortgage pay-
4. See Nick Timiraos, U.S. News: Home-Purchasing Power Increases, WALL ST. J., Feb. 9, 2011, at A4. As of the end of 2009, nearly 27% of all U.S. homeowners owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth. Id. 5. Janna Herron, Banks Repossessed 1 Million Homes Last Year—and 2011 Will Be Worse, MSNBC.COM, Jan. 13, 2011, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41051419/ns/businessreal_estate/. 6. Residential foreclosures are predicted to increase by 20% in 2011. Dan Levy & Prashant Gopal, Foreclosure Filings in U.S. May Jump 20% from Record 2010 as Crisis Peaks, BLOOMBERG, Jan. 13, 2011, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-13u-s-foreclo sure-filings-may-jump-20-this-year-ds-crisis-peaks.html. 7. Created during the second Bush administration, the Hope for Homeowners Program and FHASecure (discontinued Dec. 31, 2008), as well as President Obama’s Making Homes Affordable Program, were meant to encourage lenders to voluntarily modify mortgages held by certain qualified debtors. HOPE for Homeowners Program, 24 C.F.R. § 257 (2010); Press Release, U.S. Dep’t of Hous. & Urban Dev., Bush Admin. to Help Nearly One-Quarter of a Million Homeowners Refinance, Keep Their Homes; FHA to implement new ―FHASecure‖ refinancing product (Aug. 31, 2007), available at http://archives.hud. gov/news/2007/pr07-123.cfm; Press Release, Making Homes Affordable Program, U.S. Dep’t of the Treasury, U.S. Dep’t Of Hous. & Urban Dev. & The Ad Council Unveil Nat’l PSA Campaign To Raise Awareness Of Making Home Affordable Program (July 28, 2010), available at http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/news/latest/Pages/pr_07282010.aspx. HOPE NOW is a prominent non-governmental modification program administered by the mortgage industry. Press Release, HOPE NOW, HOPE NOW: Mortgage Servicers Completed 101,000 Loan Mods for Homeowners in January (Mar. 10, 2011), available at http:// www.hopenow.com/press-releases.php. 8. See CONG. OVERSIGHT PANEL, DECEMBER OVERSIGHT REPORT: A REVIEW OF TREASURY’S FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, 16 n.23, 18, 44 n.114 (2010) (―To date, HAMP has processed 519,648 permanent modifications.‖).
No. 15. Nonetheless. Posner & Luigi Zingales. 577 (2009). a homeowner whose property value is less than the outstanding mortgage loans (or if the property value is near this demarcation line) has typically been shut out of the opportunity to refinance to reduce home mortgage costs. REV. (c) change any adjustable rate to a fixed rate. 2011) (displaying that interest rates on thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages have fallen from an annual average of 6.12 In many such cases. WALL ST. This article discusses minor changes to the U.03% in 2008 to an annual average of 4. See Ruth Simon & Nick Timiraos.C. J. http://www. 10.. there are a substantial number of homes where the owners could make the payments with appropriate mortgage payment modifications. §§ 101–1532 (2006). The article does not address the political issue of what pro- 9. 12. R. making home ownership much more affordable for a given income level and debt service capacity. & ECON. 11. 2009). and (d) adjust the monthly payments correspondingly.. 09-4. supra note 4 (stating that many economists expect that home prices will decline by 5% to 10% before bottoming out in late 2011 or early 2012). Timiraos. See 11 U.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 2011] CHAPTER 13 ALTERNATIVE 1093 ments. Eric A. (b) reduce the interest rate to the current interest rate. Bankruptcy Code that would make these changes possible.69% in 2010). 11 AM. 13.11 However. and Securitization (Fed. 575. See.S. FREDDIE MAC. 51 SANTA CLARA L. 2011. Manuel Adelino et al.9 Home prices are expected to decline another 5–10% before they reach bottom near the end of 2011. the refinancing of the mortgage debt would make the mortgage payments affordable instead of putting them beyond an owner’s reach. Such a modification would (a) reduce the amount of the secured debt to the reduced value of the house.htm (last visited Apr. L. Self-Cures.freddiemac.. interest rates for secured credit have lowered dramatically. at C1.10 In addition. A Loan Modification Approach to the Housing Crisis.g. .S.13 These changes would make avoiding foreclosure possible for a homeowner who (a) is presently not able to make the mortgage service payments but (b) could make payments for a mortgage that is reduced to the market value of the property and to a fixed market mortgage rate. The Trillion Dollar Problem of Underwater Homeowners: Avoiding a New Surge of Foreclosures by Encouraging Principal-Reducing Loan Modifications.com/pmms/pmms30. 28. Mortgage Faceoff Looms for Lenders. See Primary Mortgage Market Survey: 30-year Fixed-Rate Mortgages Since 1971. Mar. Gregory Scott Crespi. 168–69 (2011). e. 153. Why Don’t Lenders Renegotiate More Home Mortgages? Redefaults. Reserve Bank of Boston.
They result in the realization of prices substantially lower than could be achieved in a market where a private (usually resident) owner of a home sells it to a buyer who also expects to reside in it. 1106.17 14. a vast impairment of the public credit of the government). at the cost of creating a scarcity of funds for other public purposes (or alternatively. Through and through. as Professor Adam Levitin has shown. 17. 2009). bankruptcy law sits on the solid rock that private economic losses should be kept private: government money should not be used to bail out private economic adversities. e. See Adam J. 2009 WIS. . H. at 599. L. § 103 (1st Sess. These processes are very cumbersome and inefficient.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 1094 UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LAW REVIEW [Vol. 565. See Press Release.realtytrac.com/content/ press-releases/foreclosure-homes-account-for-25-percent-of-all-q3-2010-residential-sales6194. Foreclosure Homes Account for 25 Percent of All Q3 2010 Residential Sales (Dec. 601–02. The main advantage is that it would permit the clearing of a substantial segment of the market of nonperforming mortgage loans and the resulting processes of foreclosure and resale. Levitin.14 A highly important advantage of such legislation is that it would preserve the principle embodied in bankruptcy law—that the private sector should bear the economic losses resulting from financial adversity. See Levitin. available at http://www. REV. 16. 15. 2010). RealtyTrac. see. none is a clean bill that would enact only this proposal.15 Further. Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. this proposal could substantially ameliorate the now depressed housing market that is dominated by the sale of foreclosed homes by institutions at prices substantially lower than the prices of private home sales. none has been enacted. While several bills have included such a proposal. this change in Chapter 13 will have little or no impact on mortgage credit cost or availability. Resolving the Foreclosure Crisis: Modification of Mortgages in Bankruptcy. supra note 15. Further.R.16 At the same time.g. As the experience of the last few years has demonstrated. a breach of this principle can lead (as it has led) to a vast depletion of public resources to support private investment. 1.. 111th Cong. 45:1091 tections Congress might decide to provide to mortgage owners and servicers as a part of such legislation. 603–06 (2009). For draft legislation of this type. Other advantages of adopting this revision to the Bankruptcy Code would also arise.
C. 119 Stat. Id. 25. 3. is best understood as an alternative to a consumer Chapter 7 case.23 Chapter 15 was added in 2005 to provide for the coordination of international insolvency cases.C. § 522. 95-598. 21. 4. §§ 1501-1532 (2006)). See Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. §§ 1101–1174. §§ 101-562. 23.21 Chapter 12 was added in 1986 to provide for the adjustment of debts of family farmers22 (and. There is no Chapter 2. and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act of 1986. which provides generally for the adjustment of debts of individuals with regular income. ch.). in § 522(b)(2).24 Chapters 1. §§ 1201-1231 (2006)). Chapter 7 provides for the orderly liquidation of debtors with insufficient assets to pay their creditors in full.20 Chapter 9 provides for the reorganization of certain municipalities. 134–45 (codified at 11 U. 92 Stat. The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. 3105–14 (codified as amended at 11 U. 100 Stat. Pub. 109-8. and 5 of the Bankruptcy Code contain general provisions applicable to all kinds of bankruptcy cases (with certain exceptions).). but it was different in many material respects. L. See id. CHAPTER 13 Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code was enacted in 1978 as part of a thoroughgoing revision to the U.C. Some thirty-three states have exercised this . § 801. 3088.S. 1. The 1978 amendments went into force on October 1. 53 AM.S.S. 23. §§ 901–946. 2549. § 1007.19 Chapter 11 provides for the reorganization of individuals and businesses pursuant to a plan voted on by the creditors.S. bankruptcy law. L.C.C. at 17–18. 3 (1979). 1979. 13. The General Scope of Chapter 13 Chapter 13. 24. BANKR. These chapters are saved for use. L. see id. No. The basic structure of a consumer Chapter 7 case is that an ―honest but unfortunate‖ debtor gives up all non-exempt property26 (if any)27 in which the debtor has an interest on the date of 18. For property exemptions applicable to individuals. Klein. 23.C.S. 19. 8. 22. See id. United States Trustees.S.25 A.C. See id. and 28 U. See 11 U. See 11 U. 99-554. 20. L. No. Alternatively.18 Generally. Congress authorized any state to opt out of the federal exemption provisions and to substitute its own state law exemptions.S. 119 Stat. See Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. in subsequent bankruptcy legislation.J. §§ 701–784 (2006).S. See Martin I. 187–88 (codified in scattered sections of 11 U. See Bankruptcy Judges. 6. Pub. Pub. 2645–51 (codified in scattered sectiosn of 11 U. No. beginning in 2005. 10. if needed. § 255. The prior law had a Chapter 13 that had similarities to the present Chapter 13. 26. or 14. for family fishermen).DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 2011] CHAPTER 13 ALTERNATIVE 1095 II.
and Other Gender-Neutral Topics. .‖). WOMEN’S L. in 2001. AHERN. which provides for the reorganization of a business and the payment of its debts pur- option. See id. 381 (2007) (quoting Grogan v. 33. See 11 U. In addition. Marrama v. 29.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 1096 UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LAW REVIEW [Vol. BANKR. BANKR. 365. EXEMPTION MANUAL § 4:2 (2010 ed. see id. the debtor keeps all of her32 prepetition property and in exchange makes monthly payments through a Chapter 13 plan for three to five years. chiefly within the bankruptcy case itself.. See 11 U. who distributes them to the creditors according to the Chapter 13 plan approved by the court.S. 31. 19.. 45:1091 the bankruptcy filing in exchange for a discharge28 of all unsecured debts29 and a fresh start in economic life. the collateral for any secured debt (typically a house or a car) remains liable for the debt. Elizabeth Warren.J. in a Chapter 7 case. While Chapter 7 provides for the discharge of all debts. (6).S.34 Chapter 13 is inspired by Chapter 11. 367. Garner. 25 HARV. § 541(a)(5). In fact. § 523. See id. § 1322(a)(1). 27.S. It is a fair inference that women were debtors in a majority of the Chapter 13 cases included in that sample. It is very uncommon for a Chapter 7 debtor to receive property of this type.C.J. See id. any inheritance. See. at 579. While the pronoun ―her‖ is used as a convention in legal scholarship. What Is a Women’s Issue? Bankruptcy. certain prepetition debts are not subject to the discharge.33 These payments go to a Chapter 13 trustee. There is a minor exception that. § 541(a)(1). 27 n.C. in fact a majority of Chapter 13 debtors are women. § 1325(a)(4). 795.40 (2002) (giving data to show that. §§ 523. as a practical matter a Chapter 7 discharge discharges all unsecured debt and the debtor remains liable for house and car payments. supra note 15. e. See 11 U. § 524(e). See id. the debtor is permitted to keep all postpetition earnings and other postpetition property. 279. See Dalié Jiménez. LAWRENCE R. 488 U.g. See WILLIAM HOUSTON BROWN. Commercial Law. L. 32.g. 727(b).S. in a Chapter 13 case.. 30. 34.30 In a Chapter 7 case.S. § 1302 (describing the appointment and tasks of the trustee). 287 (1991)) (internal quotations omitted) (stating that the basic purpose of bankruptcy is to give ―a fresh start to the honest but unfortunate debtor.S. Levitin.31 By contrast. approximately 93% of Chapter 7 cases are ―no asset‖ cases where the trustee finds no property to administer for the benefit of creditors. e.). 797 (2009). Citizens Bank of Mass. or marital property settlement received by the debtor within 180 days after filing also becomes property of the estate and available for liquidation and distribution to creditors. 286. This section provides for the denial of a discharge for a Chapter 7 debtor for certain misconduct. which must total at least as much as the creditors would receive in a Chapter 7 case. The Chapter 7 discharge is provided by § 727. life insurance proceeds (from a decedent).C. See id. 71% of individual consumer (and all Chapter 13) bankruptcy cases were filed either by women alone (39%) or as joint petitions (32%)). 83 AM.C. See. The Distribution of Assets in Consumer Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cases. 549 U. III & NANCY FRAAS MACLEAN. In consequence. § 727(a). 28. 11 U.
40 Secured creditors are treated quite differently from unsecured creditors under a Chapter 13 plan. § 1326(a)(2). § 109(e) (West 2011). 42.e. a Chapter 13 debtor receives a discharge of all unsecured debts (unless the plan provides otherwise). See id. 2011)). 39. See id.45 35. See id. First. Id. if the secured creditor is undersecured (i. 15. § 1322(b)(5).uscourts. 37.. 43. arrearages are cured and regular monthly payments are made for the life of the plan and until the debt is retired). § 506(a)(1). U.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 2011] CHAPTER 13 ALTERNATIVE 1097 suant to a plan over a course of years. the plan typically provides for the cure of any arrearages (i. See id. P.aspx (last visited Apr. A Chapter 13 plan typically has two separate provisions for secured debt.38 The unsecured creditors receive payments from the trustee (who passes them on from the debtor) as provided in the Chapter 13 plan.A. . In certain cases the secured debt (such as a car loan) may be paid in full according to its terms before the end of the Chapter 13 plan. See FED.C.37 A Chapter 13 plan deals with unsecured debt by providing for the debtor to make such payments as the debtor can afford and discharging any unpaid balance at the end of the plan after the debtor makes the plan payments (―unsecured creditor treatment‖). See id. BANKR.36 The debtor must propose a feasible plan for the adjustment of debts within fourteen days after the filing of the case. § 1123.S. 45. 41. Id.. See 11 U. 40.S. See id. which usually means that it is paid a much lower percentage (and perhaps nothing at all).. see also Chapter 11: Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code. R.44 The unsecured portion is given unsecured creditor treatment.e. 36.42 Second. § 1328(a) (2006). COURTS.C.39 In due course. § 1328(a). http://www. the debt is divided into two parts.35 A Chapter 13 debtor must have regular income. 44.43 The secured portion is given secured creditor treatment (i.gov/federalcourts/bankruptcy/bankruptcybasics/chapter 11. 3015(b). the value of the collateral is less than the unpaid amount on the debt). missed payments) on a secured debt and the payment of the regular monthly (or other periodic) payments for the life of the plan and thereafter until the debt is paid in full41 (―secured creditor treatment‖).S.e. See 11 U. 38.
There are no estimates as to how many undersecured debtors would qualify for Chapter 13 treatment. INST. the collateral is worth less than the amount owing on the debt. Nonetheless. 465. B. this group would have substantial size.A. See 11 U. 48. 302 (2006) (discussing secured car lenders and home mortgage lenders in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases). but probably far less than half. 50.47 Only a debtor who can afford a loan within these limits can qualify for the modification of a loan under Chapter 13. the foregoing description of the treatment of an undersecured creditor was the typical pattern for the treatment of automobile loans in Chapter 13 cases: the secured debt was written down to the value of the automobile and paid over the life of the plan until the debt was paid in full (whether before or after the completion of the plan). § 1325(a)(5). 301. This figure likely includes a substantial portion of those with undersecured mortgages who are presently unable to make their payments.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 1098 UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LAW REVIEW [Vol. REV.48 In addition. 45:1091 Chapter 13 secured debt modifications are limited by federal bankruptcy common law. 479 (2004) (discussing the factors used to determine the size of a risk adjustment). L. Chapter 13 Treatment of Debts Secured by Automobiles The most common kind of secured debt in a Chapter 13 case is a debt secured by an automobile.46 and the plan must provide for the secured creditor to receive the present value of its collateral. 49.S. § 109(e) (West 2011). See generally David Gray Carlson.51 Until 2005. 51.S. Cars and Homes in Chapter 13 After the 2005 Amendments to the Bankruptcy Code. § 1325(b).S. See Till v.50 In virtually every case where the debtor has such a loan.S.. A modified loan must provide a reasonable risk premium for the debtor. See 11 U. SCS Credit Corp. a debtor must undertake a plan requiring the debtor to live at or near the poverty level for three to five years (mostly five years in the present economic environment) to qualify for a Chapter 13 discharge that would accomplish the changes described.C. See 11 U. 14 AM. and the un- 46.49 It is likely that a substantial number of homeowners whose property is undersecured and who cannot afford their present payment schedules would qualify for such a Chapter 13 plan. . 541 U. BANKR.C. See id. 47.C.
Other secured debt in a Chapter 13 case may be collateralized with appliances.S. 108 Stat. 128–29 (3d Cir. .56 Unlike all other secured debt held by a Chapter 13 debtor (except for certain automobiles since 2005).. Congress changed Chapter 13 so that it now prohibits the bifurcation of a debt secured by an automobile if the debtor has not owned the vehicle for at least 910 days before the date of filing the bankruptcy petition. a Chapter 13 plan may not modify the rights of a holder of a secured claim ―secured only by a security interest in real property that is the debtor’s principal residence.C. No. or electronic equipment. See id. 57. Pub. All such debts are subject to the same treatment in a Chapter 13 case as a car loan before 2005. § 1322(b)(2). 56. § 1123(b)(5)).C.S. 58. Id. 53. The debtor may pay arrearages over the life of the plan (up to five years). § 1322(b)(5). supra note 50. Wilson v.C. 895 F.55 C. L. 103-394. § 1325(a). § 1325(a)). § 1325(a). See Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. at 302–04. 54. See Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994. Carlson.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 2011] CHAPTER 13 ALTERNATIVE 1099 secured portion of the debt was paid at the same rate as other unsecured creditors.C.S.52 In 2005.53 Under Chapter 13 as modified. 11 U. 119 Stat.2d 123. a vehicle owned no more than 910 days is treated as fully secured and must be given secured creditor treatment under the plan. 23.58 Thus a Chapter 13 plan may provide for the payment of secured debts owing by the debtor according to the following pattern. except that arrearages on a mortgage secured by 52. L. In 1994 Congress added § 1123(b)(5) to prohibit the modification of a mortgage secured by a debtor’s principal residence in a Chapter 11 case. investment property. Commonwealth Mortg. Id. Pub. 55. No.54 Other vehicles are treated the same as all other secured debt (except for principal home mortgages) described above. Chapter 13 Treatment of Debt Secured by the Debtor’s Principal Residence Chapter 13 singles out home mortgages for special treatment. 80 (codified at 11 U. jewelry. 4123 (codified at 11 U. 1990) (appliances and furniture). Co.‖57 Notwithstanding this prohibition. 4106. See 11 U. See 11 U. Id. § 1322(b)(2).S. the plan may provide for the curing of any default ―within a reasonable time‖ and maintenance of payments during the life of the plan. 109-8. a vacation home.C.S. § 206. § 306(b).
‖ ―reasonable time‖ is limited to three years ―unless the court approves a longer period not to exceed five years. 963.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 1100 UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LAW REVIEW [Vol. The Federal Response to Home Mortgage Distress: Lessons from the Great Depression. we now turn to the proposal to permit a debtor to use a Chapter 13 case to modify an undersecured home loan to make it affordable. see also David C. L. The main purpose of this article is to describe in detail how Chapter 13 would need to be changed to accomplish such a modification and to specify exact language that would accomplish such a change.g. Why Home Values May Take Decades to Recover. there was relatively little pressure to change the special treatment of home mortgages in Chapter 13 cases.pdf. See Arthur E.59 III. 50 (B.A. 967 (2009). REV. The Dark Side of Universal Banking: Financial Conglomerates and the Origins of the Subprime Financial Crisis.R. INT’L U. 72 B. REV. 61.‖). 462 (Bankr. is a flexible concept.62 59.60 At the same time. Chapter 13 Background Until recently. 385 n. until the 1990s. See Dennis Cauchon.pdf. 41 CONN. Sav. .P. it was customary for residential mortgages to require a down payment of at least 10%. United Ca. determined on a case-by-case basis. The Subprime Crisis—Some Thoughts on a “Sustainable” and “Organic” Regulatory System. 458. 381. 12. 45:1091 the debtor’s principal residence must be paid within ―a reasonable time‖ (which is typically less than five years). 1999) (stating that while ―reasonable time . Apart from specific markets. RESERVE BANK OF ST. E. 1987). Pa.61 Thus.R. Jr. Even junior mortgage holders were typically ―in the money‖ in Chapter 13 cases. USA TODAY.L. 133. While the recent advent of mortgages with lower down payments produced an occasional Chapter 13 case with an undersecured home mortgage holder. Jerry W.D. 145 (2008). A. this was relatively uncommon. LOUIS REV. available at http://research. Martin (In re Martin).org/publications/review/08/05/Wheelock.. 60. . 62.. 90 FED. Bank v. the value of personal residences had never depreciated more than 10% since the Great Depression. Dec. http://liusatoday. In re Harmon. See. Markham. 2008.net/news/graphics/housing_prices/home_prices. it was unusual for a home mortgage holder to become undersecured. THE CHAPTER 13 PROPOSAL Given this description of the treatment of undersecured debts in a Chapter 13 plan. 156 B. Wilmarth. 47. . 9th Cir. Wheelock. e.stlouisfed.22 (2009). 4 FLA.
at 169–70. See Adam J. adopt some of the recommendations made here. the reduction in home values has approached 60%. and their counterparties are too numerous and dispersed to make any efficient modification.70 The mortgage would be 63. the average rate for a home mortgage was 6. 64. this article describes a Chapter 13 modification that provides an alternative procedure for modifying an undersecured consumer mortgage. because they cannot provide an equity cushion for a new mortgage. 65. Home Owners’ Mortgage and Equity Savings (HOMES) Act. homes have depreciated by an average of 30. Helping Homeowners: Modification of Mortgages in Bankruptcy. See supra note 3 and accompanying text.69 This securitization has created a collective action problem that bankruptcy law is uniquely designed to solve in ordinary circumstances. U. See supra note 1 and accompanying text.68 The development of the securitization market for home mortgages has added to this problem.pdf. inter alia. the average interest rate for home mortgages dropped drastically.. The Chapter 13 Proposal In light of these problems. 69. changed this picture dramatically. 110th Cong. 19. at 1. § 102 (2007). 2009. 110th Cong. & POL’Y REV. B. See supra note 2 and accompanying text. the unemployment rate rose from 4.69%. Several bills have been introduced in Congress that would. Since that date. See. 66. 2136. supra note 12.65 At the same time. 70. 68.67 However. L. Levitin. beginning in 2008. a very large number of homeowners have been unable to refinance their homes to take advantage of the lower rates.3%.com/ Levitin_HLPR_011909. it had fallen to 4. Jan.6% to 10%. Securitization has stratified the home mortgage market so that mortgage holders are contractually prohibited from making substantial modifications to home mortgages.g.63 In some markets.03%. Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2008. In 2008. See Crespi. 67.S. See supra note 11. which left many homeowners unable to pay their mortgages. See supra note 11. http://hlpronline. S. § 2 (2007). 3–5. Emergency Home Owner- . ONLINE. In addition.64 This change has made a large number of mortgages undersecured. 3 HARV. e.66 At the end of 2010. S. 2133.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 2011] CHAPTER 13 ALTERNATIVE 1101 The advent of the Great Recession.
2. H. e. & TECH. . 465.g. BUS. three alterations in the language of § 1322(b). plus one in § 1322(c)..R. 110th Cong. . (2) modify the rights of holders of secured claims. .71 If the debtor completes the payments under the plan. Hauser. For an explanation of the calculation of an appropriate interest rate in the bankruptcy context. 5 J. The interest rate would be reduced to the present market rate (for a borrower with the credit standing of the Chapter 13 debtor). L. see Till v. 1. the unsecured portion of the debt (the portion not supported with collateral) would be discharged through the Chapter 13 discharge.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 1102 UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LAW REVIEW [Vol. None has been enacted. 541 U. are required. First Change: Amend the Language of § 1322(b)(2) The first change is to amend subsection (b)(2) as follows: (b) Subject to subsections (a) and (c) of this section. . or of holders of unsecured claims. The unsecured portion of the loan would be given the same treatment as other unsecured debt in the Chapter 13 plan.. 45:1091 written down to the fair market value of the property (the debtor’s home) serving as collateral for the loan. Cutting the Gordian Knot: The Case for Allowing Modification of Home Mortgages in Bankruptcy. The collective action problem is solved by requiring all parties in interest to negotiate their interests in a bankruptcy forum. 3609. 71. 478–81 (2004).72 To permit a Chapter 13 debtor to make such a change in her mortgage. 72. SCS Credit Corp. See.. the plan may— . Second Change: Add New Provision § 1322(b)(6) To make the change to § 1322(b)(2) effective and to assure that the intention of this change is realized (and to overrule contrary ship and Mortgage Equity Protection of 2007. 207. or leave unaffected the rights of holders of any class of claims.. 225 (2010). other than a claim secured only be a security interest in real property that is the debtor’s principal residence.S. Susan E.
3. it is necessary to add a new provision inspired by Chapter 11: (6) provide for the extension of the maturity date beyond the date when the final payment on the plan is due or change the interest rate or other terms of a secured claim.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 2011] CHAPTER 13 ALTERNATIVE 1103 case law). Third Change: Two Technical Amendments As a result of the change in subparagraph (2). Whitford. as described above. The remaining subparagraphs of § 1322(b) should be renumbered to provide for the insertion of subparagraph (6). .J. and Consumer Protection in Consumer Bankruptcy. § 1328(b) (2006) (discussing when a court may grant a hardship discharge to a debtor). subparagraph (c) should be amended as follows: (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b)(2) and applicable nonbankruptcy law. . .73 The plan of reorganization would then be required to provide at least for the payment of the present value of the allowed secured claim. Thus subparagraph (5) should be amended as follows: (5) notwithstanding paragraph (2) of this subsection. . provide for the curing of any default within a reasonable time and maintenance of payments while the case is pending on any unsecured claim or secured claim on which the last payment is due after the date on which the final payment under the plan is due . Another substantial segment provides for the payment of 70% of unsecured debts (so that the debtor can qualify for a hardship discharge under § 1328(b). . The Ideal of Individualized Justice: Consumer Bankruptcy as Consumer Protection. . See 11 U. . and would pay the remainder at the rate provided in the plan for unsecured creditors. if it becomes applicable during the life of the plan). 405 (1994). . . 68 AM.S.C. While a number of Chapter 13 plans provide that general unsecured creditors be paid little or nothing. BANKR. Similarly. the debtor would become responsible only for the value of the allowed secured claim (the value of the collateral). a substantial number of Chapter 13 plans provide for the payment of all unsecured creditors in full over the life of the plan. two references in § 1322 to the deleted clause need to be removed. 397. Pursuant to amended § 1322. See William C. a debtor would be authorized to bifurcate an undersecured mortgage claim. In consequence. . not the entire under- 73. L.
This issue is beyond the scope of this article. §§ 507. § 206. 4123 (codified at 11 U.76 The second change.3d 1165 (9th Cir. or nothing at all.74 The amount of the underlying lien exceeding the value of the collateral (the allowed unsecured claim) would be treated like any other general unsecured claim. Enewally . Washington National Bank (In re Enewally) from the Ninth Circuit.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 1104 UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LAW REVIEW [Vol. 727(a). No. which is identical to § 1322(b)(2). 368 F. C. The leading opinion needing reversal to implement this proposal is Enewally v. 45:1091 lying lien. Section 1123(b)(5) was borrowed from Chapter 13 when it was added to the Bankruptcy Code in 1994. is required to reverse case law interpreting § 1322. 1322(a)(2). Id.77 In that case. See 11 U. and the secured creditor was undersecured as to each. L. 78.S. § 1123(b)(5) (providing that a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan may not modify a claim secured by a security interest in real property). § 1322(b)(2) (providing that a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan may not modify a claim secured by a security interest in real property).S. § 1325(a)(5)(B)(ii). should also be amended to delete the same phrase. at 478–81.C. §§ 507(a). It deletes the provision prohibiting a Chapter 13 plan from modifying a claim secured only by a security interest in the debtor’s principal residence and permits a Chapter 13 plan to include such a modification. the addition of a new § 1322(b)(6).C. Compare id. None of the congressional bills has addressed this issue. 726(a). Id.78 The Chapter 13 74. as to which the plan proposed to cure the arrearages over the life of the plan as provided in § 1322(b)(5). 4106. the debtor owned two rental properties. § 1123(b)(5)). See id. Explanation of the Proposal The first change is the substantive change in Chapter 13. The debtor also had a principal residence. 541 U. amending § 1322 will not fundamentally change or affect the administration of the Bankruptcy Code. Id. § 1325(a)(4). with id. 103-394. Till. 2004). It could be argued that § 1123(b)(5). As a practical result of this provision. taking into account the length of the mortgage agreement and adjusting payments to reflect an interest rate determined by the national prime rate adjusted by the risk of a debtor default under the plan. See Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994. 76. 75. 77. Unsecured creditors in Chapter 7 frequently receive payment on a very small percentage of their claim. 108 Stat.S.75 Because present law permits debtors to offer plans—and courts to confirm plans—that cram down undersecured claims (except those secured by the debtor’s principal residence or a recently purchased automobile). it is quite possible that a Chapter 13 debtor will have to devote very few or no funds to the repayment of general unsecured claims that are not entitled to priority. at 1167. Pub.
C. SA CV 02-459-GLT. Back to the Future with Chapter 13: A Response to Professor Scarberry.80 The Ninth Circuit upheld a reversal by the district court and found that Chapter 13 requires that all changes in a claim must include the payment in full of the claim as changed over the life of the plan. Professor Adam Levitin contends. 2002). 410. 85.R. See Adam J. § 1123(b)(5) (same language in each provision).85 Chapter 11 also authorizes stripping the unsecured claim of an undersecured creditor in a v. in his response to Professor Scarberry. 368 F. See 11 U. This paper proposes the legislative overruling of Enewally to make clear that it will no longer be good law anywhere after the Chapter 13 change proposed herein is legislatively adopted. See Jack Friedman. 2002 WL 34178495 (C.79 The bankruptcy court (pursuant to an opinion written by the author herein) held that Chapter 13 permitted such a plan proposal for rental property because it did not come within the exception of § 1322(b)(2). 81. 502 U. However.3d 1165 (9th Cir.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 2011] CHAPTER 13 ALTERNATIVE 1105 plan (as modified) proposed to strip off the unsecured claims on the two rental properties. provided that such a discharge was entered. with id. § 1122(a)(5)(H) (2006). 276 B. 661–65 (2010). 417 (1992). See Dewsnup v.S. 276 B.3d at 1171–72. Professor Mark Scarberry argues that Enewally prohibits stripping down a lien in a Chapter 13 case even without the language in § 1322(b)(2). aff’d. Levitin. Nat. 2002). See In re Enewally.D. at 652–53. aff’d in part. 635. 647–48 (Bankr. the practice has always been different in Chapter 11 cases. 84. particularly since it has not been followed much. A Critique of Congressional Proposals to Permit Modification of Home Mortgages in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. No. 1261. REV. See In re Enewally. Section 1322(b)(2) has prohibited such an action in a Chapter 13 case since it went into force in 1979. 83. Id. 368 F.3d at 1172. 14 CARDOZO L. C. In re Enewally. REV.83 § 1123(a)(5)(H) is needed in Chapter 1184 to support the common practice in Chapter 11 cases of modifying the duration.S. See Mark S. Wash. Cal. L. Nov. Stripping down the unsecured portion of an undersecured creditor’s claim is not permitted in a Chapter 7 case. Timm.81 New § 1322(b)(6) is inspired by § 1123(a)(5)(H) in Chapter 11. but not to change either the duration of each loan or the interest rates. amount and interest rate of a secured claim. 643. 80. L. Bank (In re Enewally). at 645.82 Because Chapter 11 now includes the language of § 1322(b)(2). at 645–46. 82. that Enewally is a decision from only one circuit court (albeit from the largest United States federal circuit) that does not establish national case law. . the unsecured overage claims in the rental properties would be discharged at the end of the plan. 1495. What Courts Do to Secured Creditors in Chapter 11 Cram Down.D. 2004). 368 F.R. Pursuant to the plan. 26. Scarberry. rev’d in part. REV. § 1322(b)(2). 79. Compare id. 1267–69 (2010). See id. 37 PEPP. 37 PEPP. Cal. 1496 (1993).
Harmon v. there are debt ceilings that exclude creditors with too much debt: a Chapter 13 debtor is disqualified if the debtor has more than $1. id. Thus. a debtor would have to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. Bank of Ca. Farmers Home Admin. First. Since amended § 1322(b)(2) will permit the modification of all contract rights. 101 F. D. In re Jones. However. § 1322(c) should also be identically amended. U.S. 1996) (allowing lien stripping in a Chapter 12 case). United States ex rel. First Fed.uscourts.400 in ―noncontingent. secured 86. 1994) (noting that Chapter 11 debtors could strip down lien on residence notwithstanding Dewsnup). For that same reason. 155.R.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 1106 UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LAW REVIEW [Vol.gov/News/News view/10-11-08/Bankruptcy_Filings_Up_Nearly_14_Percent_Over_Last_Fiscal_Year.191 Chapter 11 cases were filed nationwide. it is not necessary to include language in § 1322(b)(5) to ensure that result. 173 (Bankr.. 8. See.. 227 B. 1998) (recognizing an established pre-1994 practice to permit a Chapter 11 individual debtor to strip down an undersecured mortgage on the debtor’s principal residence). both of which simply remove the extraneous references to the repealed antimodification provision in § 1322(b)(2). Bradford. cf. 2010).g.P. F-2 (12-Month Period).3d 1126. 1129 (10th Cir.86 It will have the same effect in a Chapter 13 case pursuant to the proposed change.D. The third change involves two technical amendments to § 1322.3d 574.87 In order to avoid the strict time constraints for repayment required by Enewally. 581 (8th Cir. v. Weinstein (In re Weinstein). In the fiscal year ending September 30.081. only a small proportion of these cases involved individual debtors. 9th Cir.aspx. 152 B. E. http://www. e. See Bankruptcy Filings Up Nearly 14 Percent Over Last Fiscal Year. Wade v.R.A. It could be argued that § 1123(b)(5) should also be repealed. this change in Chapter 11 would have little impact on the existing home mortgage crisis. COURTS (Nov. 2010. tbl. liquidated. amount. and only a small portion of the individual debtor Chapter 11 cases involved an issue of stripping down an undersecured home mortgage.4 (B. there are rather few Chapter 11 cases where a debtor seeks to strip down the unsecured portion of an undersecured home loan. Mich. However. 45:1091 Chapter 11 plan. including those resulting in the cure and reinstatement of a claim secured by a principal residence. and interest rate of all secured claims. . 87. only 14. 284. the best solution is the addition of a new provision to Chapter 13 permitting the modification of the duration. 1993) (stating that a categorical prohibition on lien stripping in Chapter 11 cases ―would disrupt established pre-Code law‖). Chapter 13 has entry requirements that such a debtor must satisfy. 290 n. 39 F. Who Will Qualify to Use This Change To qualify for mortgage modification under the amended Chapter 13.
a Chapter 13 debtor must propose a plan that meets the statutory requirements for confirmation.S. § 1325 (2006).94 E.475 in similar unsecured debts.90 This would require that the debtor and the debtor’s family live at or near the poverty level for the life of the plan. § 707(b)(2)(A)–(B) (discussing when granting relief by dismissing a case under Chapters 11 or 13 would constitute abuse). Timm. and most important. R. the plan must be supported by a budget showing that the debtor plans to live (with certain qualifications) within the spartan restrictions that the Internal Revenue Service attempts to impose on taxpayers to qualify for a plan to pay tax arrearages over a period of time.S. 420 (1992) (holding that a Chapter 7 debtor cannot strip down an undersecured claim that ―is secured by a lien and has been fully allowed pursuant to § 502‖).92 Thus a debtor opting under Chapter 7 for a clean slate and a fresh start as of the date of filing the bankruptcy petition (after turning over all non-exempt property to the trustee for liquidation for the benefit of creditors)93 would not be eligible for this treatment for her home.C. § 109(e) (West 2011). § 1325(b)(3).S. 502 U.C. See supra text accompanying notes 26–31. The costs of the Chapter 13 system are carried by the U. These statutory ceilings are adjusted for inflation every three years.S. 410. 91. 90.A. A Chapter 7 trustee would not sell a debtor’s home if the secured creditor was undersecured. L. 93. III 2009). 94. See FED. 89.89 Third. 2010.C. in due course the trustee would abandon the property back to the debtor. The last such adjustment was made effective April 1. 3 RUTGERS BUS. 417. 11 U. BANKR. Instead. 2. An Empirical Analysis of the Causes of Consumer Bankruptcy: Will Bankruptcy Reform Really Change Anything?. for our discussion here. See id.S. this strip-down would not be available to debtors filing their cases under Chapter 7. See id. 6007. 8 (2006). court system. is that it restricts the losses in the consumer real estate market to the private sector and insulates the government purse from these losses. III. . 92. Chapter 7 accounts for approximately 70% of consumer bankruptcies. see also id. The government does not contribute any funding to achieving this result. 11 U.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 2011] CHAPTER 13 ALTERNATIVE 1107 debts‖ and more than $360.91 the most popular chapter for consumer debtors. See Dewsnup v. See 11 U. The Benefits of this Change in Chapter 13 The most important benefit of such a change in Chapter 13. because the creditor would be entitled to all of the value in the house and there would be no benefit for the unsecured creditors. Robert J. § 104(a) (Supp.J. Notably. Landry. P.88 Second. supple88.
100 This change in bankruptcy law also solves the contractual. and economic problems resulting from the securitization of the vast majority of home mortgages.‖ Levitin. practical. than bankruptcy modification of their loans. Chapter 13 is cheaper for the lender. at 7. See id. at 606–07. childcare. transportation. Private losses in the residential real estate market. Foreclosure imposes larger losses on lenders. In addition. . See id. at 607. The debtor does not incur the loss of the home or the impact of a foreclosure on the debtor’s credit report. and the debtor can get on with her life. 98. religious affiliation. or of recognizing this loss on its balance sheet.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 1108 UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LAW REVIEW [Vol. 97. supra note 15. See id. at 610–11. the debtor can keep the home and make affordable payments to the lender (or its successor). under mortgage securitization. 99. First.99 In addition. 100. This proposal has two additional important features. for a Chapter 13 debtor who can afford the payments under the restructured loan. The present value of the stream of payments under the plan will most likely substantially exceed the amount that a bank can realize from reselling the property after foreclosure (which must be discounted for the delay in the foreclosure process and in the resale process). almost surely at a loss.96 The lender is much more likely to be paid. See id. mortgage servicers are typically the only parties who have any author95. friendships. The costs to a debtor of foreclosure are usually substantial. medical care. see also Levitin. The bankruptcy solution solves the collective action problem that prevents mortgage owners from finding an economic solution to a mortgage affordability problem. supra note 69.98 The lender likely receives no payments during the foreclosure process and certainly receives none during the delay between foreclosure and resale of the residence. remain private and do not drain the public treasury.95 At the same time. 45:1091 mented by filing fees (court costs) and a percentage payment to the Chapter 13 trustee who administers the case (administration costs). at 569. the lender does not incur the costs and administrative burden of owning and marketing the property. at 629. 96. See id. and even employment. at 606. The debtor suffers a loss of community ties. ―schooling. See id. at 618. on the average. if any.97 A court-approved repayment plan providing for the payment of reduced mortgage payments is likely to result in payments to the secured creditor.
g.103 IV. Unlike any other existing or proposed solutions to the problem. CONCLUSION The principal purpose of this article is to specify the changes needed in Chapter 13 of the U. . Bankruptcy Code to put into place a Chapter 13 solution for the home ownership problem in the United States. Because such a program would reduce the incentives for a homeowner to abandon the property. foreclosure is more profitable to loan servicers than modification of a loan. some minor technical changes would implement these alterations. This solution is both simple and elegant: delete from § 1322(b)(2) the phrase ―other than a claim secured only by a security interest in real property that is the debtor’s principal residence.102 All of these problems disappear immediately for loans modified pursuant to the proposed Chapter 13 change.101 The servicers lack sufficient personnel to handle a large number of consumer contacts and lack the financial resources to hire such personnel.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 2011] CHAPTER 13 ALTERNATIVE 1109 ity to act on behalf of mortgage holders. Furthermore. loss of property taxes. See Levitin. e. ―bankruptcy modification offers immediate relief. in many cases. supra note 15. 102. As the foreclosure crisis continues to deepen. modification of certain underwater mortgages under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code can make a substantial contribution to the stabilization of the housing market. at 5. at 569 (discussing the costs foreclosure can have for third parties). such a program makes good politics. solves the market problems created by securitization. Levitin. 101. supra note 69. Third.S. or their right to make such modifications is severely limited. the community bears a smaller burden of vacant houses. and the failure of the residents to maintain their properties and to support and contribute to community life. See. 103. See id..‖ A second change incorporates language from § 1123(a)(5)(H) to make it explicit that a Chapter 13 plan may extend the maturity date and change the interest rate and other terms of a debt instrument. In addition. and the servicers are typically prohibited by contract from making loan modifications.
screens out speculators. at 9. 45:1091 addresses both problems of payment-reset shock and negative equity. efficient.DO NOT DELETE 4/22/2011 1:30 PM 1110 UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LAW REVIEW [Vol. and avoids both the costs and moral hazard of a government bailout. and administrable response that would help stabilize the housing market and prevent the deadweight social and economic losses of foreclosure. spreads burdens between borrowers and lenders. while the bankruptcy solution is not a magic bullet. 105. 104. ―it is a quick. Levitin. at 647–48. fair. . the costs of this solution rest entirely on the private sector (and rest principally on those responsible for bringing on the housing crisis). supra note 69.‖105 Most importantly. Like all bankruptcy law.‖104 Thus. Id. this solution can be accomplished at no cost to the federal government or any other governmental agency.
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