Opinion ID: 20226
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the recorded deed to Trinh;

Text: 4. the execution, order of sale, and final judgment from the state district court; and 5. Intertex’s purchase of the property. In its June 13 final judgment, the bankruptcy court ordered the automatic stay on disposition of the property terminated under 11 U.S.C. § 362. The bankruptcy court also ordered that $8,684 in Intertex’s attorney’s fees be paid from the proceeds of the foreclosure sale, along with $3,000 if Trinh unsuccessfully appealed in district court, and an additional $5,000 if he unsuccessfully appealed in the Fifth Circuit. Trinh did appeal to the district court unsuccessfully, which affirmed the bankruptcy court in all respects. Specifically, the district court held that Trinh could not avoid the property transfer under § 544 of the bankruptcy code, and that even if he could, the question was moot because of the bankruptcy court’s dismissal of the bankruptcy proceeding. Moreover, the district court concluded that the attorney’s fees award was within the court’s discretion. Finally, the district court allowed payment of the fees from proceeds of the foreclosure sale because Trinh had failed to challenge that ruling before the bankruptcy court, 3 because Trinh did not have Chapter 13 protection, and because he had failed to establish that the property was his homestead. Trinh appealed.