Source: http://www.utb.uscourts.gov/localOpinions/rkmopinion.htm
Timestamp: 2014-10-25 15:13:50
Document Index: 722985956

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1325', '§ 1325', '§ 1325', '§1325', '§1325', '§1325', '§ 362', '§ 362', '§ 362', '§ 78', '§ 544', '§ 78', '§ 544', '§ 522', '§ 327', '§ 328', '§ 330', '§ 329', '§ 727', '§ 502', '§ 523', '§ 546', '§ 546', '§ 549', '§ 542', '§ 549', '§ 105', '§ 362', '§ 523', '§ 727', '§ 523', '§ 523', '§ 727', '§ 727', '§ 727', '§ 727', '§ 506', '§ 506', '§ 506', '§ 101', '§ 543', '§ 542', '§ 542', '§ 548', '§ 548', '§ 548']

Judge Cornish Opinion
Recent Opinion Index For Judge R. Kimball Mosier with Case Summaries
(529) 5/12/2009, UNPUBLISHED, In re Timothy, Case No. 08-28332, Judge Mosier.
Chapter 13 Debtors’ Official Form 22C reflected Current Monthly Income of $6,181.31 which exceeded the median family income for a household of the same size in Utah. The Debtors’ monthly Disposable Income reflected on Form 22C was -$188.70 (negative $188.70). Trustee objected to confirmation arguing that because this is an above-median income case, the applicable commitment period requires 60 monthly payments under § 1325(b)(4)(A)(ii)(II). Debtors’ Schedules I and J disclosed total monthly income of $4,910.00 and total monthly expenses of $4,780.00, resulting in Schedule J monthly net income of $130.00. Debtors’ plan proposed payments of $130.00 per month for so long as necessary to return $1,750.00 to non-priority unsecured creditors. The court held; (1) when a debtor’s Form 22C Disposable Income is negative, in order for the debtor to propose a confirmable chapter 13 plan, projected disposable income under § 1325(b)(1)(B) may be calculated using Schedules I and J, and (2) when a debtor’s Current Monthly Income is above the applicable state median income the "applicable commitment period" is defined by § 1325(b)(4) and is 60 months in all instances. The Court also held that when debtors include social security income to calculate a positive projected disposable income, all of the debtors’ projected disposable income, including any amount attributable to social security income, to be received in the applicable commitment period must be applied to make payments under the chapter 13 plan.
(533) 7/17/2009), UNPUBLISHED, In re Hughes, Case No. 08-24736, In re Ulloa, Case No. 08-29072, Judge Mosier.
Chapter 13 debtors’ confirmed chapter 13 plans required debtors to pay their tax refunds into their plan. Debtors sought to modify their plans to permit them to retain their tax refunds. Held: Prepetition tax refunds are property of the bankruptcy estate and should be considered in §1325(a)(4) liquidation analysis. Agreement to pay tax refunds into plan eliminates need for §1325(a)(4) liquidation analysis of tax refunds for confirmation. Debtors must demonstrate a legitimate reason to modify their confirmed chapter 13 plan and any modification must satisfy §1325(a)(4) liquidation analysis, including value of prepetition tax refunds.
(536) 3/1/2010, PUBLISHED, In re Underhill, Case No. 09-30745, Judge Mosier. Chapter 13 debtor filed three bankruptcy petitions within a one year period and the automatic stay did not go into effect in the third case. The debtor proposed a plan that would cure his prepetition default on a secured claim. The secured creditor objected to confirmation arguing: (1) the presumption under § 362(c)(4)(D) establishes that the debtor’s petition was not filed in good faith and the plan can not be confirmed, and (2) confirming the chapter 13 plan that proposes to cure the debtor’s prepetition default with the debtor is a de facto reinstatement of the automatic stay and impermissibly circumvents the statutory scheme established by Congress to reinstate the automatic stay. The court held; (1) the presumption under § 362(c)(4)(D) is limited in application to § 362(c)(4)(B), (2) even if there is no automatic stay in effect the court may confirm a chapter 13 plan that cures a prepetition default on a secured claim, and (3) if a secured creditor objects to confirmation the chapter 13 debtor has the burden to establish that his petition was filed in good faith and the plan is proposed in good faith. The debtor failed to carry his burden on these issues and confirmation was denied. (540 ) 4/12/10, PUBLISHED, In re Duffin, Case No. 09-28879, Judge Mosier. Under U.C.A. § 78B-5-505(1)(a)(xiii) in the absence of a creditor’s levy or execution, proceeds or avails of insurance policies are exempt. Because the Trustee’s rights and powers as a hypothetical creditor under § 544 are based on hypothetical events Section 544(a)(2) is inapplicable to U.C.A. § 78B-5-505(1)(a)(xiii). In the absence of express Congressional intent the Trustee’s rights and powers as a hypothetical creditor under § 544 may not be used to limit state law exemptions provided for and allowed by Congress in § 522. (541 ) 10/1/2010, PUBLISHED, Rushton v. Woodbury & Kelser, P.C., 09-2382, Judge Mosier. Attorneys representing the debtor in an involuntary chapter 11 case during the "gap" period may not be compensated if they are not employed under § 327. If attorneys representing the debtor in an involuntary chapter 11 case during the "gap" period represent an interest adverse to the estate or are not disinterested they may be denied compensation under § 328 and/or § 330. If attorneys representing a debtor in an involuntary chapter 11 case during the "gap"period fail to comply with § 329 they may be denied compensation and may be ordered to disgorge fees they have been paid. (542) 10/1/2010, UNPUBLISHED, Rupp v. Wood, 09-2482, Judge Mosier.
A chapter 7 trustee is not entitled to a default judgment on his complaint objecting to debtor’s discharge under § 727 and seeking a money judgment against the debtor unless his complaint contains specific factual allegations which constitute a legitimate cause of action. Mere conclusory allegations without supporting factual averments are insufficient to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
(543) 10/1/2010, PUBLISHED, In re Ruiz, Case No. 10-25368, Judge Mosier.
Chapter 7 debtors are not obligated to turnover to chapter 7 trustee funds that debtor’s bank paid postpetition to honor checks debtors wrote prepetition.
(544) 10/1/2010 UNPUBLISHED, Carroll v. Key Bank and John Does 1-3 10-02259, Judge Mosier. Section 506(d) does not allow a debtor to "strip off" a creditor’s lien of the creditor has a claim that is allowed pursuant to § 502.
(547) 3/31/11, PUBLISHED, Cyprus Credit Union v. Dehlin, 09-2176, Judge Mosier. In deciding the dischargeability of a debt arising from a "stated income loan" under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(B), the Court found that the evidence presented confirmed the Debtors’ statements that their income listed on the loan application was correct and the creditor failed to carry its burden of proof. Further, an inadvertent mistake on a confusing form was not sufficient to prove the Debtors had an intent to deceive the creditor. Finally, a debtor’s representation cannot be the sole basis upon which a creditor can reasonably rely because a creditor has a duty to ensure some basis exists for relying upon the debtor’s representations. Self-developed procedures that excuse reasonable reliance cannot insulate a creditor’s claim from discharge.
(548) 3/31/11, PUBLISHED, Rushton v. Bevan, 09-2082, Judge Mosier.
In defending a fraudulent transfer action, the defendants attempted to rely on 11 U.S.C. § 546(e), but adopting the proposed reading would have produced an absurd result. The protection of § 546(e) cannot be extended to include transactions related to a purchase or sale of securities simply because the parties utilize the banking industry to effect the transaction. The Court looked to congressional intent as explained in Kaiser Steel Corp. v. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Kaiser I), 913 F.2d 846 (10th Cir. 1990) and Kaiser Steel Corp. v. Pearl Brewing Co. (In re Kaiser) (Kaiser II), 952 F.2d 1230 (10th Cir. 1991) to grant summary judgment for the trustee and deny summary judgment for the defendants as to this defense.
(554) 9/30/2011, UNPUBLISHED, In re Rushton v. Bank of Utah, 10-2712, Judge Mosier.
Pre-petition, Bank of Utah entered into a letter of credit transaction with the Debtor wherein the Bank issued a letter of credit in the amount of $362,000 secured by funds in the amount of $362,000 deposited with the Bank by the Debtor. In addition to being secured by the funds on deposit, the letter of credit was cross collateralized to other assets of the Debtor. Post-petition, and knowing that the Debtor was in bankruptcy, the Bank declined to renew the letter of credit and applied the proceeds from the certificate of deposit to payoff the indebtedness. The Trustee commenced an adversary proceeding to recover the entire $362,000 plus interest free and clear of any encumbrance in favor of Bank arguing that by avoiding the transfer under § 549, the Trustee could recover the transfer free and clear of the Bank’s security interest and that the transfer was void as a violation of the automatic stay and that the Trustee was entitled to turnover of the $362,000 plus interest under § 542. In doing so, the Trustee did not allege that the post-petition actions of the Bank caused any damage to the Debtor. The Court held that a transfer to a fully secured creditor may not be avoided under § 549 without reviving the secured creditor’s lien, that the remedies available to a non-individual debtor are subject to the limitations of the Court’s § 105 powers, that § 362(a) does not permit the Court to strip a bank’s lien, and that although an act committed in violation of the automatic stay is “void,” some acts cannot be undone. The law does not recognize a void act, and that judicial machinery is not available for use to one that acted in violation of the automatic stay. 2012
(560) 9/28/2012, UNPUBLISHED, In re In the Paint, LLC v. Archibald, 10-3057, Judge Mosier.
Creditors filed and adversary proceeding against the Debtor under § 523(a)(2)(A) and § 727(a)(2). Creditors asserted that their debt should be excepted from discharge because the Debtor failed to disclose that he had violated his noncompete agreement when the parties were negotiating a separation agreement. The Creditors also asserted that the Debtor should be denied a discharge because he transferred his equity interest in a business within one year of filing for bankruptcy.
Creditors’ § 523(a)(2)(A) claim. Held: To prevail on a claim for nondisclosure, the plaintiff must establish that the debtor had a duty to disclose a fact, that the undisclosed fact was material and that the debtor knew the undisclosed fact was material. In addition, the plaintiff must establish that the debtor failed to disclose the fact with intent to deceive the creditor, that the creditor relied on the nonexistence on the fact and that the creditor’s reliance was justified. Creditors failed to establish any of the elements under § 523(a)(2)(A) and their debt was therefore dischargeable. Creditors’ § 727(a)(2) & (5) claims. Held: To prevail on a § 727(a)(2) claim the plaintiff must establish that a transfer was made with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors. To prevail on a § 727(a)(5) claim the plaintiff must establish that there was a loss or deficiency of debtor’s assets. Absent any evidence that a transfer hindered or delayed a creditor, the transfer of an asset with little or no value did not give rise to a § 727(a)(2) or (5) claim. Debtor was granted a discharge.
(569) 08/23/2013, UNPUBLISHED, In re Patrick Evans, 11-35963 Judge Mosier. Debtor filed a chapter 13 plan, which was neither novel or complex. The plan provided for payment of a prepetition arrearage to an oversecured creditor. A dispute arose between debtor and creditor over the amount of the prepetition arrearage and, at the court's urging, the parties negotiated a settlement. After reaching the settlement, creditor filed a motion under § 506(b) for allowance of postpetition attorney's fees in the amount of $24,647.50. Debtor objected arguing that the fees sought by creditor were unnecessary, that creditor did not act reasonably or prudently and the time expended by creditor"s counsel was excessive, not adequately described, and that many services were duplicative. The Court found that § 506(b) awards were controlled by federal law and that a lodestar approach to allowance of a § 506(b) claims should be followed using a two step approach: 1) were the services were necessary to protect the creditor's legitimate interests ?; and 2) were the fees sought for the legal services reasonable? The Court allowed some, but not all of the fees requested and applied nine factors to weigh the necessity and the reasonableness of the fee request. 2014
(573) 03/31/2014, PUBLISHED, Rushton v. Tennessee Valley Authority (In re C. W. Mining Co.), 10-2816, Judge Mosier.
Postpetition, a garnishee and customer of the Debtor paid to the Debtor’s agent funds that were garnished prepetition. After conversion from chapter 11 to chapter 7, the trustee commenced an adversary proceeding to recover the garnished funds from the garnishee and alleged custodian of those funds. Relying on its prior determination that the Debtor’s agent had authority to receive payments from purchasers during the time between the filing of the bankruptcy petition and the order for relief, the Court held that the bankruptcy estate was not injured by the payment to the Debtor’s agent because payment to the agent was equivalent to payment to the then Debtor in possession. The Court also held that the garnishee was not a custodian under § 101(11) and therefore did not have the duties of a custodian under § 543. Even if the garnishee did have those duties, however, the Court held that it fulfilled them by delivering the garnished funds to the Debtor’s agent. Because the Debtor received, through its agent, what it was entitled to receive, and the estate was not entitled to receive more from the garnishee, the Court granted the garnishee’s motion for summary judgment. (574) 03/31/2014, PUBLISHED, Rushton v. Standard Industries, Inc. (In re C. W. Mining Co.), 09-2047, Judge Mosier. One of the Debtor’s customers interpleaded funds resulting from payments withheld on certain invoices into the Court. After conversion from chapter 11 to chapter 7, the trustee commenced an adversary proceeding to recover the interpleaded funds for the benefit of the estate. The Court initially granted the trustee’s motion for summary judgment in part and ordered that the interpleaded funds be paid to the trustee. After the Court’s decision was appealed and the case was remanded from the District Court, a creditor moved for summary judgment on the issue of whether the estate was entitled to the interpleaded funds. The Court granted the creditor’s motion, holding that because the Debtor only assigned its interest in contract proceeds to its agent, but not the contract itself, and because the agent did not perfect its interest in the proceeds under the UCC, the trustee’s interest in the interpleaded funds was superior to that of the agent. The Court also held that the invoices, though generated in the agent’s name, did not create a genuine dispute regarding the ownership of the account with the customer or the interpleaded funds. (577) 6/20/2014) PUBLISHED, Gary E. Jubber, Chapter 7 Trustee v. Hiawatha Coal Proceeds, et al., 11-08001, Judge Mosier.
The Debtor was party to a contract that gave the Debtor the exclusive right to mine coal. An involuntary chapter 11 petition was filed against the Debtor. During the GAP period, the Debtor transferred its rights in the mine to a third party, which mined coal until an order for relief was entered and the case was converted to chapter 7. The Chapter 7 Trustee brought an adversary proceeding against the third party and others seeking avoidance of the mine’s transfer and recovery of the mined coal under §§ 542, 549 and 550, arguing, inter alia, that the coal mined post-petition, as well as any proceeds of the coal, was property of the estate. The Court denied the Trustee’s claims to the mined coal and the Trustee appealed to the District Court. The District Court affirmed that the mined coal, while it was in situ, was not property of the estate but remanded the case to address the Trustee’s additional arguments. On remand, the Court found that, under the terms of the contract and Utah law, the Debtor’s property interest was an incorporeal hereditament, a future right to possession of the coal, which was contingent on the Debtor mining the coal. While the Trustee may have a claim for damages, the Debtor had no possessory interest in the mined coal because the third party, not the Debtor, mined the coal. The Court also held that none of the Trustee’s alternative arguments – (1) the third party was not authorized to mine the coal; (2) the Debtor had expenditure significant sums preparing the coal for extraction; (3) the estate was liable for royalties on the coal it did not mine; (4) the transfer of the mine was a violation of the automatic stay; and (5) equity supported finding the coal to be property of the estate – were sufficient to create a possessory interest in the mined coal. The Court therefore denied the Trustee’s §§ 542, 549 and 550 causes of action with respect to the mined coal.
(579) 8/13/2014, UNPUBLISHED, Gillman, Chapter 7 Trustee v. Geis (in re TWIN PEAKS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.), 09-02574, Judge Mosier. The Trustee brought an avoidance action against the defendants under § 548 to recover payments they received in excess of their investment in the debtor’s ponzi scheme. The defendants argued that they were entitled to offset their potential claim for securities fraud under Utah state law or retain the payments under § 548(c). Held: Defendant’s may not offset a pre-petition claim against the Trustee’s avoidance claim. The defendant’s potential statutory claim does not constitute value for purposes of § 548(c) and the payments the defendants received were not in satisfaction of the potential statutory claim.