Opinion ID: 570088
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Counting of Harriet Rimell's Creditors

Text: 11 Although an involuntary case generally requires three or more creditors to join the petition, the Code requires only one creditor to request involuntary proceedings if the debtor has less than twelve creditors. 11 U.S.C. § 303(b)(2) (1988). It does not appear that the bankruptcy court erred in classifying Harriet Rimell's creditors and concluding that she had less than twelve creditors; however, we do not address this issue in detail because we agree with the district court that Pioneer Bank's joinder in the petition renders this issue moot. 12 The Code specifies that a creditor holding an unsecured claim that is not contingent ... may join in the petition with the same effect as if such joining creditor were a petitioning creditor.... Id. § 303(c). The joining creditor must not have been an original party to the petition and the joinder must take place before the case is dismissed or relief is ordered. Id. 13 Pioneer Bank joined the petition filed by Mark Twain Bank and First Bank within the time required by § 303(c). Therefore, Pioneer Bank is to be treated as if it had joined the petition ab initio, thereby increasing the effective number of petitioning creditors to three. Consequently, it no longer matters how many creditors were needed to join the petition. 2 Collier on Bankruptcy p 303.33 (15th ed.1979).