Opinion ID: 2977690
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dismissal of the Olivers’ Case

Text: The bankruptcy court order of August 13, 2008 stated, in pertinent part: For the reasons stated in open court and on the record, the court finds that cause exists under 11 U.S.C. § 1307(c) to convert or dismiss this case, and that the best interests of the creditors and the estate are served by dismissal. The trustee’s motion to convert is, therefore, denied, the debtors’ objection is overruled, and the case is dismissed. (Appellee’s App. at 36). The Olivers’ appendix does not include a transcript of the hearing at which the bankruptcy court stated its reasons for dismissing the case. Local Rule 8009-3 of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel requires the appendix to include portions of any transcripts necessary for adequate review of the issues before the Panel. “‘It is the duty of the appellant to bring up sufficient portions of the record to affirmatively show the error claimed.’” R.D.F. Devs., Inc. v. Sysco Corp. (In re R.D.F. Devs., Inc.), 239 B.R. 336, 339-40 (B.A.P. 6th Cir. 1999) (quoting Hawke v. Servicised Prods. Corp., 95 F.2d 710 (6th Cir. 1938), cert. denied, 306 U.S. 650, 59 S. Ct. 592 (1939)). Because the Olivers have failed to meet their burden to provide an adequate record on appeal, we have grounds for affirming the bankruptcy court’s decision. Abrams v. Sea Palms Assocs. Ltd. (In re Abrams), 229 B.R. 784, 789 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. 1999). Without a transcript of the hearing, there is insufficient information to determine whether the bankruptcy court abused its discretion in dismissing the case. In such a case, “‘the presumption must prevail that the [bankruptcy] court acted properly . . . and upon lawful grounds.’” R.D.F. Devs., Inc., 239 B.R. at 340 (quoting Hawke, 95 F.2d at 710-11.) While the Olivers filed this appeal pro se and pro se litigants are generally entitled to some latitude - latitude we have already extended, this latitude is not extended to “‘straightforward procedural requirements that a layperson can comprehend as easily as a lawyer.’” In re Linder, -7- 215 B.R. 826, 831 (B.A.P. 6th Cir. 1998) (quoting Jourdan, 951 F.2d at 109). See also Jones v. Phipps, 39 F.3d 158, 163 (7th Cir. 1994) (“[P]ro se litigants are not entitled to a general dispensation from the rules of procedure . . .”). Even making reasonable allowance for the Olivers’ pro se status and liberally construing the documents filed on appeal, the record lacks evidence to support their arguments. Based on the record before us, the bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the Olivers’ chapter 13 case.