Court Opinion

ID: 4193004
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-08-03 17:03:44.326201+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:40:25.435619
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                           AUG 19 2014
 1                         NOT FOR PUBLICATION
                                                       SUSAN M. SPRAUL, CLERK
 2                                                       U.S. BKCY. APP. PANEL
                                                         OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
 3                  UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY APPELLATE PANEL
 4                            OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
 5   In re:                        )        BAP No. NC-13-1507-JuKuD
                                   )
 6   SIMONE ST. CLARE,             )        Bk. No. NC-12-47701-MEH
                                   )
 7                  Debtor.        )
     ______________________________)
 8                                 )
     SIMONE ST. CLARE,             )
 9                                 )
                    Appellant,     )
10                                 )
     v.                            )        M E M O R A N D U M*
11                                 )
     BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.; UNITED )
12   STATES TRUSTEE; MARTHA        )
     BRONITSKY, Chapter 13 Trustee,)
13                                 )
                    Apellees.      )
14   ______________________________)
15                   Argued and Submitted on July 24, 2014
                         at San Francisco, California
16
                            Filed - August 19, 2014
17
               Appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court
18                 for the Northern District of California
19      Honorable M. Elaine Hammond, Bankruptcy Judge, Presiding.
                        _________________________
20
     Appearances:     Michael James Yesk, Esq., argued for appellant
21                    Simone St. Clare; Tami S. Crosby, Esq., of Miles
                      Bauer, Bergstrom & Winters, LLP, argued for
22                    appellee Bank of America.
                           ________________________
23
     Before:   JURY, KURTZ, and DUNN, Bankruptcy Judges.
24
25
26       *
          This disposition is not appropriate for publication.
27 Although it may be cited for whatever persuasive value it may
   have (see Fed. R. App. P. 32.1), it has no precedential value.
28 See 9th Cir. BAP Rule 8013-1.

                                      -1-
 1           Chapter 71 debtor Simone St. Clare appeals from the
 2   bankruptcy court’s orders (1) overruling her objection to
 3   claim 8-1 filed by Bank of America, N.A. (BANA) and (2) denying
 4   her motion for reconsideration of that ruling.       We AFFIRM.
 5                                 I.   FACTS
 6           In September 2005, debtor obtained a loan from Countrywide
 7   Bank, N.A. in the principal amount of $1,340,000, which was
 8   evidenced by a note and secured by a first deed of trust on her
 9   property located in Martinez, California (the Martinez
10   Property).
11           Debtor was in default on the loan when she filed her
12   chapter 13 petition pro se on September 18, 2012.       In
13   Schedule A, debtor listed the Martinez Property as unencumbered
14   with no secured debt.     Debtor listed no secured creditors in
15   Schedule D.
16           On February 26, 2013, debtor amended her Schedule A to
17   state that the Martinez Property was encumbered by a secured
18   claim in the amount of $1,865,299.       On the same day, debtor
19   filed an adversary proceeding against BANA and others (Adv.
20   No. 13-04044) seeking, among other things, to have the
21   bankruptcy court determine the extent and validity of BANA’s
22   lien against the Martinez Property and quiet title.       On May 29,
23   2013, debtor voluntarily dismissed the adversary proceeding
24   without prejudice.
25
26       1
          Unless otherwise indicated, all chapter and section
27 references are to the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1532, and
   “Rule” references are to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy
28 Procedure.

                                        -2-
 1        A few months before, on March 15, 2013, BANA timely filed a
 2   proof of claim (POC) designated as claim 8-1, asserting a
 3   secured claim against the Martinez Property for amounts due
 4   under the note in the total amount of $1,894,662.21, including
 5   an arrearage and other charges in the amount of $472,439.20
 6   (representing fifty-two monthly payments for February 15, 2008
 7   through the petition date).
 8        Attached to the POC was (1) an itemized statement of
 9   interest, fees, expenses and charges; (2) a copy of the note
10   which contained an endorsement in blank; (3) a copy of the deed
11   of trust dated September 29, 2005; (4) a copy of the assignment
12   of the deed of trust dated April 8, 2011, executed by Mortgage
13   Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS) in favor of BAC
14   Home Loans Servicing, LP, fka Countrywide Home Loans Servicing,
15   LP (BAC); and (5) a copy of the certificate of merger filed in
16   the Office of the Secretary of State of Texas on June 28, 2011,
17   evidencing the merger of BAC into BANA.   The assignment shows
18   that the deed of trust was assigned to BAC by virtue of an
19   Assignment of Deed of Trust, duly acknowledged on April 8, 2011
20   and recorded April 15, 2011 as document 2011-0078100-00 in the
21   Contra Costa, County recorder’s office.   The Certificate of
22   Merger shows that on June 28, 2011, the Secretary of State of
23   Texas issued the certificate merging BAC into BANA, effective
24   July 1, 2011.
25        On May 16, 2013, debtor filed an objection to the POC.
26   Stripped to its essence, debtor alleged that the POC was not
27   accompanied by any evidence that BANA had authority to bring the
28   claim or standing to enforce the note.    BANA filed a response to

                                   -3-
 1   the objection and a supplemental opposition.
 2           At the September 12, 2013 hearing on the matter, the
 3   bankruptcy court recited its findings of fact and conclusions of
 4   law on the record and overruled debtor’s objection.     Instead of
 5   providing an official or unofficial transcript of the hearing,
 6   debtor prepared a summary from the digital audio recording which
 7   she included in the record.     According to debtor’s summary, the
 8   bankruptcy court found that BANA’s POC complied with Rule 3001:
 9   the POC was executed by BANA’s attorney and attached to the POC
10   was (1) a copy of the note with endorsement in blank; (2) an
11   itemized statement of interest, fees, expenses and charges as
12   required under Rule 3001(c); and (3) a copy of the deed of trust
13   which was required under Rule 3001(d).     The bankruptcy court
14   decided that debtor’s arguments regarding BANA’s standing to
15   enforce the note were without merit, overruled her objection,
16   and concluded that BANA’s POC was secured and allowed in the
17   amount of $1,894,662.21.
18           After allowing BANA’s secured claim, the bankruptcy court
19   found debtor’s liquidated secured debt was no longer subject to
20   dispute.     The court thus concluded that debtor was over the debt
21   limit stated in § 109(e)2 and no longer eligible for chapter 13
22   relief.     The bankruptcy court stated its intent to dismiss the
23   case within ten days of the hearing unless debtor requested
24   conversion of the case to either chapter 7 or 11 and entered the
25
         2
26        Section 109(e) provides that “[o]nly an individual with
   regular income that owes, on the date of the filing of the
27 petition, noncontingent, liquidated, unsecured debts of less than
   $382,175 and noncontingent, liquidated, secured debts of less
28 than $1,149,525 . . . may be a debtor under chapter 13 . . . .”

                                      -4-
 1   order (Conversion/Dismissal Order) consistent with its decision.
 2          Debtor timely moved for reconsideration of this order,
 3   which the bankruptcy court denied.    The court found no new facts
 4   and again explained the reasoning for the court’s decision.     In
 5   a nutshell, the court explained that BANA’s POC was prima facie
 6   valid and debtor’s arguments were not of equal probative force.
 7   Debtor also requested the court to place in writing its oral
 8   findings of fact and conclusions of law made at the
 9   September 12, 2013 hearing.    The court noted that it had stated
10   its findings of fact and conclusions of law on the record at the
11   September 12, 2013 hearing, and that debtor could request
12   through the clerk’s office a transcript of the hearing for her
13   anticipated appeal.    The bankruptcy court gave debtor an
14   additional five days to decide whether to convert her case.
15          Thereafter, debtor filed a timely notice of appeal of the
16   Conversion/Dismissal Order and the order denying her motion for
17   reconsideration.    At the same time, debtor also sought a stay
18   from the bankruptcy court.    The bankruptcy court denied her
19   request, but gave debtor additional time to seek a stay from the
20   BAP.    Debtor filed an Emergency Motion for Stay Pending Appeal
21   with the BAP which was denied on October 25, 2013.    Debtor went
22   back to the bankruptcy court to request extension of the
23   temporary stay of the Conversion/Dismissal Order despite the
24   fact that it had already expired.     The bankruptcy court granted
25   debtor’s request by extending the stay of the Dismissal/
26   Conversion Order through November 7, 2013.
27          On November 7, 2013, debtor voluntarily converted her case
28   to chapter 7.    Debtor then made numerous attempts to stay entry

                                     -5-
 1   of her chapter 7 discharge, all of which either the bankruptcy
 2   court or the BAP denied.      The chapter 7 trustee has since filed
 3   a report of no distribution and debtor received her discharge on
 4   February 12, 2014.
 5                               II.    JURISDICTION
 6        The bankruptcy court had jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
 7   §§ 1334 and 157(b)(2)(B).         As discussed below, we have
 8   jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 158.
 9                                 III.     ISSUES
10        A.   Does debtor have standing to pursue this appeal?
11        B.   Did the bankruptcy court err by overruling debtor’s
12   objection to claim 8-1?
13                         IV.    STANDARDS OF REVIEW
14        Standing and mootness are jurisdictional questions that we
15   review de novo.    Palmdale Hill Prop., LLC v. Lehman Commercial
16   Paper, Inc. (In re Palmdale Hills Prop., LLC), 654 F.3d 868, 873
17   (9th Cir. 2011).
18        The bankruptcy court’s decision to allow or deny a POC is
19   reviewed for an abuse of discretion.         Bitters v. Networks Elec.
20   Corp. (In re Networks Elec. Corp.), 195 B.R. 92, 96 (9th Cir.
21   BAP 1996).   A bankruptcy court's denial of a motion for
22   reconsideration is also reviewed for an abuse of discretion.
23   Arrow Elecs., Inc. v. Justus (In re Kaypro), 218 F.3d 1070, 1073
24   (9th Cir. 2000); Sewell v. MGF Funding, Inc. (In re Sewell),
25   345 B.R. 174, 178 (9th Cir. BAP 2007).          In determining whether
26   the court abused its discretion we first determine de novo
27   whether the trial court identified the correct legal rule to
28   apply to the relief requested and then, if the correct legal

                                          -6-
 1   standard was applied, we determine whether the court’s
 2   application of that standard was “(1) illogical,
 3   (2) implausible, or (3) without support in inferences that may
 4   be drawn from the facts in the record.”     United States v. Loew,
 5   593 F.3d 1136, 1139 (9th Cir. 2010).
 6                             V.   DISCUSSION
 7   A.   Standing
 8        Due to debtor’s voluntary conversion of this case from
 9   chapter 13 to chapter 7 while this appeal was pending, BANA
10   contends that debtor does not have standing to pursue to this
11   appeal.   “In addition to having standing at the outset, a
12   plaintiff’s stake in the litigation must continue throughout the
13   proceedings, including on appeal.”    Williams v. The Boeing Co.,
14   517 F.3d 1120, 1128 (9th Cir. 2008).   Standing is not subject to
15   waiver and must be considered by the court at all stages of
16   litigation.   Because this court’s jurisdiction is limited,
17   debtor must have standing to continue this appeal.
18        To have standing to bring this appeal, debtor must
19   demonstrate that she is directly and adversely affected
20   pecuniarily by the order of the bankruptcy court.    Fondiller v.
21   Robertson (In re Fondiller), 707 F.2d 441, 442 (9th Cir. 1983).
22   The Ninth Circuit has held that “the allowance or disallowance
23   of ‘a claim in bankruptcy is binding and conclusive on all
24   parties or their privies, and being in the nature of a final
25   judgment, furnishes a basis for a plea of res judicata.’”
26   Bevan v. Socal Commc’ns Sites, LLC (In re Bevan), 327 F.3d 994,
27   997 (9th Cir. 2003) (quoting Siegel v. Fed. Home Loan Mortg.
28   Corp., 143 F.3d 525, 529 (9th Cir. 1998)).    Because the

                                     -7-
 1   bankruptcy court in a claim objection proceeding makes a
 2   substantive ruling that binds the parties in all other
 3   proceedings and may finally adjudicate the parties’ underlying
 4   rights, an affirmance by us could have preclusive effect if the
 5   debtor subsequently challenged the validity of claim 8-1 in some
 6   other forum.   Id.    Consequently, if we were to reverse, we would
 7   be able to provide the debtor effective relief.     See People of
 8   Village of Gambell v. Babbitt, 999 F.2d 403, 406 (9th Cir. 1993)
 9   (if there is a present controversy as to which effective relief
10   can be granted, then the appeal is not moot).     Accordingly,
11   debtor has standing to pursue this appeal.
12   B.   The Merits
13        Initially, we mention that our review in this appeal is
14   hampered because there is no official transcript in the record
15   that contains the bankruptcy court’s findings of fact and
16   conclusions of law overruling debtor’s objection to claim 8-1
17   at the September 12, 2013 hearing.     Although the bankruptcy
18   court told debtor to request an official transcript of that
19   hearing from the Clerk’s Office in the context of the
20   reconsideration order, she failed to do so, instead providing
21   her own summary.     28 U.S.C. § 753 provides:
22        An official transcript in any case certified by the
          reporter or other individual designated to produce the
23        record shall be deemed prima facie a correct statement
          of the testimony taken and proceedings had. No
24        transcripts of the proceedings of the court shall be
          considered as official except those made from the
25        records certified by the reporter or other individual
          designated to produce the record.
26
27   Pursuant to this statute, debtor’s summary of the September 12,
28   2013 hearing cannot be deemed a correct or official statement of

                                      -8-
 1   the testimony taken and proceedings had.     Further, although
 2   there is precedent for considering unofficial transcripts under
 3   some circumstances, see Gasprom, Inc. v. Fateh (In re Gasprom,
 4   Inc.), 500 B.R. 598, 602 at n.4 (9th Cir. BAP 2013), there is no
 5   precedent that authorizes us to consider a summary of the
 6   hearing transcript prepared by a litigant.     Such summaries are
 7   inherently unreliable.   For this reason alone, we may summarily
 8   affirm.   See Ehrenberg v. Cal. State Univ., Fullerton Found.
 9   (In re Beachport Entm’t), 396 F.3d 1083, 1087–88 (9th Cir.
10   2005); Morrissey v. Stuteville (In re Morrissey), 349 F.3d 1187,
11   1189 (9th Cir. 2003) (failure to provide a critical transcript
12   may result in summary affirmance).
13        However, even without the required transcript, we may
14   affirm the bankruptcy court’s ruling on the merits.      The filing
15   of a proof of claim in a bankruptcy case is authorized by § 501:
16   “A creditor . . . may file a proof of claim.” § 501(a).       The
17   requirements of a proof of claim are provided in Rule 3001,
18   which mandates, among other things, that a proof of claim be in
19   writing and conform substantially to the appropriate Official
20   Form 10, be executed by the creditor or the creditor’s
21   authorized agent, and, where based on a writing, filed with the
22   original or a duplicate of that writing.     Rule 3001(a)-(c).      “If
23   a security interest in property of the debtor is claimed, the
24   proof of claim shall be accompanied by evidence that the
25   security interest is perfected.”     Rule 3001(d).
26        “A proof of claim executed and filed in accordance with
27   these rules shall constitute prima facie evidence of the
28   validity and amount of the claim.”     Rule 3001(f).   Upon

                                    -9-
 1   objection, the proof of claim provides “some evidence as to its
 2   validity and amount” and carries over a “mere formal objection.”
 3   Lundell v. Anchor Constr. Specialists, Inc. (In re Lundell),
 4   223 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 2000).      The objector must produce
 5   sufficient evidence “tending to defeat the claim by probative
 6   force equal to that of the allegations in the proofs of claim
 7   themselves.”    Id.   “The ultimate burden of persuasion remains at
 8   all times upon the claimant.”    Id.    Debtor acknowledges and
 9   relies on these principles in this appeal.
10        Debtor contends that the bankruptcy court clearly erred
11   when it applied an incorrect legal standard in overruling her
12   objection.   Specifically, debtor maintains that in “direct
13   contravention” to Rule 3001, claim 8-1 was not “executed by the
14   creditor or the creditor’s authorized agent” and no box was
15   checked to indicate the authority to file the POC.      Due to this
16   alleged deficiency, debtor argues that claim 8-1 was not
17   entitled to the prima facie validity found by the bankruptcy
18   court.
19        Contrary to debtor’s assertion, the bankruptcy court did
20   not apply the wrong legal standard in finding that BANA’s POC
21   was entitled to prima facie validity.      First, a POC that
22   substantially complies with Rule 3001 is prima facie valid.
23   Rule 3001(a).    Debtor fails to recognize that Ms. Jones signed
24   the POC as “Attorney for Creditor” and BANA is named as the
25   creditor on the face page.    Despite the obvious connection
26   between Ms. Jones and BANA, debtor simply argues that Ms. Jones
27   did not check the box that says she was acting as BANA’s agent.
28   In addition, the documents attached to the POC detail the

                                      -10-
 1   underlying debt.   In short, the record shows that the POC was
 2   executed and filed in accordance with the Rules and Official
 3   Form 10 and was prima facie valid.
 4        The burden then shifted to debtor to present evidence to
 5   overcome the prima facie case, In re Lundell, 223 F.3d at 1039,
 6   which she did not do.   “The objector must produce evidence
 7   which, if believed, would refute at least one of the allegations
 8   that is essential to the claim’s legal sufficiency.”    Id. at
 9   1040.    Debtor makes no argument on appeal that her evidence was
10   of sufficient probative weight to overcome the prima facie
11   validity of BANA’s POC.   Indeed, she does not tell us how the
12   bankruptcy court erred in either its findings of fact or
13   conclusions of law stated at the September 12, 2013 hearing.
14        Notwithstanding the absence of an official transcript for
15   the September 12, 2013 hearing, the bankruptcy court made
16   several findings and conclusions in its order denying debtor’s
17   motion for reconsideration.     Debtor does not make any arguments
18   on appeal that the bankruptcy court’s factual findings or legal
19   conclusions contained in the reconsideration order were
20   erroneous.   Those arguments are deemed waived for purposes of
21   this appeal.   Smith v. Marsh, 194 F.3d 1045, 1052 (9th Cir.
22   1999).
23                             VI.   CONCLUSION
24        For the reasons stated, we AFFIRM the bankruptcy court’s
25   orders (1) overruling debtor’s objection to BANA’s POC and
26   (2) denying her motion for reconsideration on the grounds that
27   BANA’s POC was prima facie valid and debtor’s arguments were not
28   of equal probative force.

                                      -11-