Opinion ID: 3025513
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: When the Debtor filed a petition in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case (“Case”) on March 3, 2000, he had previously filed five cases within a three year period. The Debtor, in the current petition filed in the Case, stated that he would file a plan within the time allowed under the law. Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 3015(b) states, “[i]f the plan is not filed with the petition, it shall be filed within 15 days thereafter, and such time may not be further extended except for cause shown and on notice as the court may direct.” The Debtor did not file a plan and did not request an extension of time to file a plan on or before March 20, 2000, the deadline provided in Rule 3015(b).2 On March 21, 2000, the Chapter 13 trustee filed and served a motion to dismiss. When the bankruptcy court called the motion for hearing on April 10, 2000, the Debtor appeared in person. Although the Debtor did not introduce any evidence at the hearing, the Trustee introduced evidence that the Debtor had filed five previous bankruptcy cases, all of which were dismissed for the Debtor’s failure to file schedules and plans. In addition, the court noted that the Debtor stated in court that, “the purpose of these filings was to stay the City of Kansas City, Missouri from exercising its police power to issue citations and/or demolish buildings by him.” The court stated that if the Debtor wanted to contest the city’s actions, he should do so in a court with proper jurisdiction. 2 Because March 18, 2000, which was 15 days after the filing of the Petition, fell on a Saturday, the plan was not due until March 20, 2000. -2- The court announced its decision and entered an order on April 10, 2000, dismissing the Debtor’s Case and forbidding him to refile for 180 days from the date of the order pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 109(g). The Debtor then filed his Notice of Appeal and Request for Stay Pending Appeal. In a subsequent order, the bankruptcy court denied the Debtor’s request for stay pending appeal.