Court Opinion

ID: 4192858
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-08-03 17:03:00.954263+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:40:22.486317
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                AUG 04 2015
 1                         NOT FOR PUBLICATION
 2                                                          SUSAN M. SPRAUL, CLERK
                                                              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.     CC-14-1338-DKiBr
                                   )
 6                                 )       Bk.   No.    6:12-35965
     MELISSA RODRIGUEZ LIRA,       )
 7                                 )
                    Debtor.        )
 8   ______________________________)
                                   )
 9   MELISSA RODRIGUEZ LIRA,       )
                                   )
10                  Appellant,     )
                                   )
11   v.                            )       MEMORANDUM1
                                   )
12   WELLS FARGO BANK N.A.,        )
                                   )
13                  Appellee.      )
     ______________________________)
14
                           Submitted Without Argument
15                              on July 23, 2015
16                           Filed - August 4, 2015
17               Appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court
                     for the Central District of California
18
              Honorable Wayne Johnson,2 Bankruptcy Judge, Presiding
19
20   Appearances:     Appellant Melissa Rodriguez Lira, pro se, on
                      brief; Conrad V. Sison and Shiva Delrahim Beck of
21                    Locke Lord LLP on brief for appellee.
22
23
          1
            This disposition is not appropriate for publication.
24
     Although it may be cited for whatever persuasive value it may
25   have (see Fed. R. App. P. 32.1), it has no precedential value.
     See 9th Cir. BAP Rule 8024-1.
26
          2
27          The Hon. Wayne Johnson heard the matter on appeal. The
     bankruptcy case was reassigned to the Hon. Scott H. Yun on
28   July 21, 2014.
 1   Before: DUNN, KIRSCHER and BRANDT,3 Bankruptcy Judges.
 2
 3        The debtor, Melissa Rodriguez Lira (“Debtor”), appeals the
 4   bankruptcy court’s order granting relief from stay, including an
 5   “in rem” provision under § 362(d)(4).4    We AFFIRM.
 6                          I.   FACTUAL BACKGROUND
 7        This appeal is all about the on-going efforts of the Debtor
 8   and her family to retain their residence property (“Property”) in
 9   Rancho Cucamonga, California.     On or about October 12, 2006,
10   Debtor’s husband Frankie R. Lira (“Frankie”)5 and her father-in-
11   law Frank Lira, Jr. (“Frank, Jr.”) purchased the Property.     The
12   purchase was funded by a loan (“Loan”) from Soma Financial
13   (“Lender”) in the original principal amount of $960,000, with
14   Frank, Jr. providing the $240,000 downpayment plus approximately
15   $30,000 to cover closing costs.
16        Apparently, because of Frank, Jr.’s low credit score, the
17   Loan was made to Frankie only in order to qualify for a 1% ARM
18   loan.    Repayment of the Loan was secured by a trust deed (“Trust
19   Deed”) on the Property.     Section 18 of the Trust Deed provided
20   that if the Borrower (Frankie) transferred any interest in the
21
          3
22          Hon. Philip H. Brandt, United States Bankruptcy Judge for
     the Western District of Washington, sitting by designation.
23
          4
24          Unless specified otherwise, all chapter, section and rule
     references are to the federal Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C.
25   §§ 101-1532, and to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure,
     Rules 1001-9037.
26
          5
27          We refer to members of the Lira family other than the
     Debtor by their first names for ease of reference. No disrespect
28   is intended.

                                        2
 1   Property without the Lender’s consent, the Lender, at its option,
 2   could accelerate the Loan.   However, in an Addendum to Closing
 3   Instructions (“Addendum”) for the Soma Financial/Frankie Loan
 4   transaction, Frankie as Borrower was “approved and authorized to
 5   transfer a beneficial interest to immediate family member(s) as
 6   governed by Section 18” of the Trust Deed.   Accordingly, while
 7   Frankie apparently took title to the Property initially in his
 8   name only, he transferred title to the Property to himself and
 9   Frank, Jr. as Joint Tenants by grant deed recorded on October 27,
10   2006.    At the same time, the Debtor and her mother-in-law Cynthia
11   Lira (“Cynthia”) transferred any interests that they might have
12   in the Property to their respective husbands as “sole and
13   separate property” by Interspousal Transfer Grant Deeds recorded
14   on October 27, 2006.
15        As a result of economic hardships in light of the 2008
16   recession, Frankie filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy case on July 30,
17   2009, and received his discharge on January 12, 2010.   Frank, Jr.
18   followed his son into bankruptcy on November 9, 2009, and
19   received his chapter 7 discharge on March 17, 2010.6
20
21        6
            Cynthia filed two chapter 7 bankruptcy cases as well (Case
22   Nos. 6:11-bk-34330-SC and 6:11-bk-41440-MH). We exercise our
     discretion to take judicial notice of the electronic dockets in
23   Cynthia’s two bankruptcy cases. See O’Rourke v. Seaboard Sur.
     Co. (In re E.R. Fegert, Inc.), 887 F.2d 955, 957-58 (9th Cir.
24
     1989); Atwood v. Chase Manhattan Mortg. Co. (In re Atwood),
25   293 B.R. 227, 233 n.9 (9th Cir. BAP 2003). Case No. 6:11-bk-
     34330-SC, filed on July 28, 2011, was dismissed on August 17,
26   2011, for failure to file required documents. However, Cynthia
27   received a discharge in Case No. 6:11-bk-41440-MH on June 13,
     2012. Cynthia did not list the Property as an asset on her filed
28                                                      (continued...)

                                       3
 1        In Frank, Jr.’s case, an order granting relief from stay to
 2   “Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Trustee for the
 3   certificateholders of Structured Asset Mortgage Investments II
 4   Inc., Bear Stearns Mortgage Funding Trust 2006-AR5, Mortgage
 5   Pass-Through Certificates Series 2006-AR5" was entered on May 25,
 6   2010.    Since by that time, Frank, Jr. had received his discharge,
 7   the automatic stay already had terminated as to Frank, Jr. by
 8   operation of law (see § 362(c)(2)(C)), and the order was
 9   effective immediately on its entry.   However, in order to allow
10   Frank, Jr. time to complete a “workout plan,” the order
11   specifically provided that no foreclosure sale of the property
12   could be conducted before July 23, 2010.
13        On March 29, 2012, the Trust Deed was assigned to the
14   appellee Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”), by a corporate
15   assignment (“Assignment”) recorded on April 11, 2012.
16        On October 10, 2012, Frankie and Frank, Jr. transferred
17   title to the Property by grant deed, recorded the same date, to
18   “Frankie R. Lira and Melissa Lira, Married, as Joint Tenants and
19   Frank Lira, Jr. and Cynthia L. Lira, Married, as Joint Tenants.”
20        Four days later, the Debtor filed a chapter 13 bankruptcy
21   petition.    Her chapter 13 case (“Chapter 13 Case”) was dismissed
22   on November 6, 2012, for failure to file required documents.
23        Approximately two weeks later, the Debtor filed her
24   chapter 7 petition, identifying the Property as her address,
25   initiating a chapter 7 case (“Chapter 7 Case”).   In her
26
          6
27         (...continued)
     Schedule A or as her residence on either of the petitions, but
28   she did list the Property address as her mailing address.

                                       4
 1   Schedules A and D, Debtor listed the Property as having a value
 2   of $600,000, subject to a Trust Deed debt of $1,150,000, leaving
 3   a deficit of $550,000 unsecured.       Since the Chapter 13 Case had
 4   been filed and dismissed within one year preceding her chapter 7
 5   filing, the Chapter 7 Case was presumptively not filed in good
 6   faith, and if the Debtor did not obtain an extension of the
 7   automatic stay, the stay would terminate on the thirtieth day
 8   after her filing.    See § 362(c)(3).     The Debtor did not seek or
 9   obtain an extension of the stay.
10        The chapter 7 trustee filed a “no asset” report on
11   January 2, 2013.    However, our review of the docket in the
12   Chapter 7 Case indicates that a discharge has not yet been
13   entered.
14        On January 9, 2013, Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC (“Bayview”)
15   filed a motion for relief from stay in the Chapter 7 Case with
16   respect to unscheduled property.       Bayview alleged that it was
17   entitled to stay relief “for cause” under § 362(d)(1) in that the
18   Chapter 7 Case was filed in bad faith to delay, hinder or defraud
19   Bayview and requested in rem relief under § 362(d)(4) because the
20   filing of the Chapter 7 Case was “part of a scheme to delay,
21   hinder, or defraud creditors that involved the transfer of all or
22   part ownership of [property] without the consent of Bayview or
23   court approval.”7   The Debtor filed a late response to the
24
25
          7
            We refer to factual information from the Panel’s prior
26   unpublished disposition in BAP No. CC-13-1086-DPaKi, filed
27   April 23, 2014, with respect to the Debtor’s prior appeal of the
     bankruptcy court’s order granting stay relief and in rem relief
28   to Bayview.

                                        5
 1   motion.
 2        The bankruptcy court granted Bayview’s motion in all
 3   respects without a hearing, as under the local rules of the
 4   bankruptcy court for the Central District of California,
 5   LBR 9013-1(h), the failure to file a timely response to a motion
 6   is deemed consent to the relief requested in the motion, and
 7   Bayview had set forth a prima facie case in support of its
 8   motion.   The Debtor appealed, and our prior Panel affirmed the
 9   bankruptcy court’s relief from stay order in favor of Bayview by
10   memorandum disposition filed on April 23, 2014.
11        On May 14, 2014, Wells Fargo filed a motion for relief from
12   stay (“RFS Motion”) in the Chapter 7 Case with respect to the
13   Property.    In the RFS Motion, Wells Fargo requested relief from
14   stay for cause under § 362(d)(1), alleging that its interest in
15   the Property was not adequately protected and that the Chapter 7
16   Case was filed in bad faith to hinder, delay and defraud Wells
17   Fargo.    Wells Fargo also requested relief from stay under
18   § 362(d)(2), alleging that the Debtor had no equity in the
19   Property, and in this Chapter 7 Case, the Property was not
20   necessary to an effective reorganization.    Wells Fargo further
21   requested relief in terms of an “in rem” order under § 362(d)(4),
22   alleging that the Debtor was engaged in a scheme to delay, hinder
23   and defraud Wells Fargo through transfer of an interest in the
24   Property without Wells Fargo’s consent or court approval and
25   through multiple bankruptcy filings affecting the Property.    In
26   the RFS Motion, Wells Fargo alleged that 65 payments on the Loan
27   obligation had been missed, and the total amount of arrears was
28   $293,601.86.    The copy of the Loan promissory note included among

                                       6
 1   the exhibits to the RFS Motion included an endorsement without
 2   recourse from the Lender to Wells Fargo.    Wells Fargo also
 3   attached a copy of the recorded Assignment as Exhibit 3 to the
 4   RFS Motion.    Copies of both the Loan promissory note and the
 5   Assignment were authenticated by the declaration of Wells Fargo’s
 6   Document Control Officer, Dianne French.
 7        On June 6, 2014, the Debtor filed a response (“Response”) in
 8   opposition to the RFS Motion.    While the Response is wide-
 9   ranging, and the Debtor chides Wells Fargo for waiting so long
10   after the Chapter 7 Case was filed to file the RFS Motion, the
11   Debtor raised four arguments in opposition to the RFS Motion:
12        1) Wells Fargo had not established its standing to prosecute
13   the RFS Motion.
14        2) Wells Fargo had not made an adequate showing to establish
15   that the Debtor had filed the Chapter 7 Case in bad faith.
16   Accordingly, “in rem” relief under § 362(d)(4) was not
17   appropriate.    Specifically in support of her argument
18   (unfortunately, and perhaps critically, inartfully phrased) that
19   the Liras did have consent to transfer interests in the Property
20   among family members, the Debtor submitted the declaration of
21   Frankie asserting that the Lender was aware of the projected
22   transfer of an interest in the Property by Frankie to himself and
23   Frank, Jr. as joint tenants.    Frankie’s declaration also
24   authenticated an “Escrow Amendment” authorizing vesting of title
25   to the Property in Frankie and Frank, Jr., in spite of the Loan
26   being made to Frankie only, as Exhibit A, and the Addendum, as
27   Exhibit B, to the Response.
28        3) In light of the termination of the automatic stay as to

                                       7
 1   the Debtor early in the Chapter 7 Case under § 362(c)(3), Wells
 2   Fargo’s RFS Motion was moot.   Considering that Frankie’s and
 3   Frank, Jr.’s bankruptcies were filed and discharged years earlier
 4   and Debtor’s explanation of her abortive chapter 13 filing, where
 5   was the “scheme” to delay or hinder?   Since relief from stay had
 6   been granted in Frank, Jr.’s bankruptcy case in May 2010, no
 7   effort to foreclose on the Property had been initiated.
 8        4) With property values having increased rapidly since the
 9   Chapter 7 Case was filed, the Property was necessary to an
10   effective reorganization that could be effected through “some
11   kind of a workout plan” that could be proposed “like in a
12   chapter 20.”
13        The Response was supported by the declarations of the
14   Debtor, Frankie and Frank, Jr.
15        The bankruptcy court heard argument on the RFS Motion on
16   June 17, 2014 (“Hearing”).   After discounting the Debtor’s
17   argument as to absence of consent to transfers among Lira family
18   members, counsel for Wells Fargo focused on the Liras’ multiple
19   bankruptcy filings.   He noted that an in rem order already had
20   been entered in the Chapter 7 Case against the Debtor with
21   respect to a different property and a different creditor.     In
22   addition, he pointed out the evidence in the record as to Wells
23   Fargo’s standing and questioned the Debtor’s standing to oppose
24   the RFS Motion because there was no stay in place as to her.
25   Wells Fargo was asking for relief from stay as to the estate and
26   in rem relief as to the Property.
27        Frank, Jr. accompanied the Debtor at the Hearing, but the
28   bankruptcy court refused to hear him as he was not an attorney.

                                      8
 1   The Debtor then argued that the bankruptcy filings of her husband
 2   and father-in-law were not relevant “since the bankruptcies were
 3   four years ago.”    She also argued that after she filed the
 4   Chapter 13 Case, she realized that she could not afford it and
 5   let it get dismissed.    However, she had a legitimate reason to
 6   file the Chapter 7 Case to avoid garnishment by a judgment
 7   creditor.   In addition, she contested Wells Fargo’s allegation
 8   that the Loan was $293,000 in arrears.    By her calculations, the
 9   arrears were “only $115,000.”    She concluded by asserting that
10   once she obtained her discharge in the Chapter 7 Case, her intent
11   was to get a modification of the Loan approved.
12        At the conclusion of the Hearing, the bankruptcy court
13   announced its decision orally.    It granted relief from stay “for
14   the reasons set forth in the motion.”    It also granted relief
15   under § 362(d)(4) “based on the unauthorized transfers of
16   property and the filing of multiple bankruptcy cases . . . .”
17        On July 9, 2014, the bankruptcy court entered the order
18   granting the RFS Motion, as submitted by counsel for Wells Fargo
19   (“RFS Order”).8    The Debtor filed a premature Notice of Appeal on
20   June 30, 2014 that became timely once the RFS Order was entered.
21   See Rule 8002(a)(2).
22                             II. JURISDICTION
23        The bankruptcy court had jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.
24
25
          8
            The RFS Order generally is consistent with the bankruptcy
26   court’s oral ruling, but it is incorrect in one respect in that
27   the form order box for relief under § 362(d)(3) is checked.
     Relief from the stay under § 363(d)(3) was neither requested in
28   the RFS Motion nor granted in the bankruptcy court’s oral ruling.

                                       9
 1   §§ 1334 and 157(b)(2)(G).    We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.
 2   § 158.
 3                                III.   ISSUES
 4        1) Did the bankruptcy court err in failing to hold a
 5   separate evidentiary hearing to consider the Debtor’s argument
 6   that Wells Fargo had no standing to prosecute the RFS Motion?
 7        2) Did the bankruptcy court err in effectively overruling
 8   the Debtor’s standing objection?
 9        3) Did the bankruptcy court abuse its discretion in granting
10   the RFS Motion and granting in rem relief to Wells Fargo under
11   § 362(d)(4)?
12        4) Did the bankruptcy court err in refusing to hear argument
13   from Frank, Jr., thereby unfairly prejudicing the Debtor?
14                         IV.   STANDARDS OF REVIEW
15        We review issues as to a party’s standing de novo.      Loyd v.
16   Paine Webber, Inc., 208 F.3d 755, 758 (9th Cir. 2000); Kronemyer
17   v. Am. Contractors Indem. Co. (In re Kronemyer), 405 B.R. 915,
18   919 (9th Cir. BAP 2009).    Whether a particular procedure comports
19   with basic requirements of due process is a question of law which
20   we review de novo.   Alonso v. Summerville (In re Summerville),
21   361 B.R. 133, 139 (9th Cir. BAP 2007).       De novo review requires
22   that we consider a matter anew, as if no decision had been made
23   previously.    United States v. Silverman, 861 F.2d 571, 576 (9th
24   Cir. 1988); B-Real, LLC v. Chaussee (In re Chaussee), 399 B.R.
25   225, 229 (9th Cir. BAP 2008).
26        We review an order granting relief from stay and/or in rem
27   relief under § 362(d)(4) for an abuse of discretion.
28   In re Kronemyer, 405 B.R. at 918.

                                         10
 1        A bankruptcy court abuses its discretion if it applies an
 2   incorrect legal standard or misapplies the correct legal
 3   standard, or if its factual findings are illogical, implausible
 4   or unsupported by evidence in the record.      Trafficschool.com,
 5   Inc. v. Edriver Inc., 653 F.3d 820, 832 (9th Cir. 2011).        Only if
 6   the bankruptcy court did not apply the correct legal standard or
 7   improperly applied it, or if its fact findings were illogical,
 8   implausible, or without support in inferences that can be drawn
 9   from facts in the record, is it proper to conclude that the
10   bankruptcy court abused its discretion.      United States v.
11   Hinkson, 585 F.3d 1247, 1262 (9th Cir. 2009) (en banc).
12        We may affirm the bankruptcy court’s orders on any basis
13   supported by the record.   See ASARCO, LLC v. Union Pac. R. Co.,
14   765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014); Shanks v. Dressel, 540 F.3d
15   1082, 1086 (9th Cir. 2008).
16                              V.   DISCUSSION
17   A.   Standing
18        Standing is “a jurisdictional requirement which remains open
19   to review at all stages of the litigation.”      Nat’l Org. for
20   Women, Inc. v. Scheidler, 510 U.S. 249, 255 (1994).      In addition
21   to arguing that Wells Fargo lacked standing to bring the RFS
22   Motion, the Debtor argues, for the first time in this appeal,
23   that the bankruptcy court was required to hold a separate
24   evidentiary hearing on the standing issue.
25        1.   The Debtor’s argument regarding a hearing on standing
26        Although the Debtor objected to Wells Fargo’s standing
27   before the bankruptcy court, she never requested a separate
28   hearing on the standing issue or argued that such a hearing was

                                       11
 1   necessary.   Thus, we do not consider this issue, as it was not
 2   raised in the bankruptcy court.    U.S. v. Real Prop. Located at
 3   17 Coon Creek Rd., Hawkins Bar Cal., Trinity Cty., 787 F.3d 968,
 4   979 (9th Cir. 2015) (“general practice” is not to consider
 5   arguments raised for the first time on appeal).    Furthermore,
 6   both Wells Fargo and the Debtor filed declarations together with
 7   the RFS Motion and Response, respectively, and the bankruptcy
 8   court considered those declarations.
 9        2.   Wells Fargo’s standing to bring the RFS Motion
10        Standing before a federal court is a matter of both
11   “constitutional limitations on federal court jurisdiction and
12   prudential limitations on its exercise.”    Warth v. Seldin,
13   422 U.S. 490, 498 (1975); Veal v. Am. Home Mortg. Servicing, Inc.
14   (In re Veal), 450 B.R. 897, 906 (9th Cir. BAP 2011).    We
15   understand the Debtor to be challenging Wells Fargo’s prudential
16   standing to bring the RFS Motion.9
17        To satisfy the prudential standing requirement, a party must
18   assert its own legal rights.   Dunmore v. United States, 358 F.3d
19
20
          9
            The Debtor’s Opening Brief on Appeal does not clearly
21   articulate any particular argument challenging Wells Fargo’s
22   standing, as distinct from the argument regarding the purported
     need for a separate hearing on standing. Ordinarily we do not
23   consider any issue not clearly addressed in the appellant’s
     opening brief. Law Offices of Neil Vincent Wake v. Sedona Inst.
24
     (In re Sedona Inst.), 220 B.R. 74, 76 (9th Cir. BAP 1998). In
25   the spirit of construing a pro se appellant’s arguments
     liberally, we address the underlying standing issue. See
26   Shahrestani v. Alazzeh (In re Alazzeh), 509 B.R. 689, 694, n.5
27   (9th Cir. BAP 2014) (BAP interprets pro se pleadings liberally);
     Ozenne v. Bendon (In re Ozenne), 337 B.R. 214, 218 (9th Cir. BAP
28   2006) (same).

                                       12
 1   1107, 1112 (9th Cir. 2004).   Section 362(d) permits a “party in
 2   interest” to request relief from the automatic stay.    The Code
 3   does not define the term “party in interest.”    Instead, the
 4   bankruptcy court must determine on a case-by-case basis whether a
 5   movant is a party in interest, but the term can include any party
 6   that is impacted by the automatic stay.    Brown v. Sobczak
 7   (In re Sobczak), 369 B.R. 512, 517-18 (9th Cir. BAP 2007).
 8        Relief from stay proceedings do not “involve an adjudication
 9   on the merits . . . but simply determine whether the creditor has
10   a colorable claim to the property of the estate.”    Biggs v.
11   Stovin (In re Lux Int’l, Ltd.), 219 B.R. 837, 842 (9th Cir. BAP
12   1998).   When a party moves for relief from stay to foreclose on
13   real property, the determination whether the movant has a
14   colorable claim, hence whether it is a party in interest, depends
15   on “the minimum requirements for the initiation of foreclosures
16   under applicable nonbankruptcy law[.]”    In re Veal, 450 B.R. at
17   917 n.34.
18        CAL. CIV. CODE § 2924(a)(1) permits a “trustee, mortgagee, or
19   beneficiary, or any of their authorized agents” to commence the
20   nonjudicial foreclosure process.     The record reflects that Wells
21   Fargo was the assignee beneficiary under the Trust Deed, and the
22   declaration of Dianne French authenticated the promissory note
23   and the Assignment.   Thus, it follows that Wells Fargo had a
24   “colorable claim” to foreclose on the Property, which made it a
25   party in interest under § 362(d).    The bankruptcy court did not
26   err in effectively overruling the Debtor’s standing objection.
27   B.   The RFS Order
28        In the RFS Order, the bankruptcy court granted relief to

                                     13
 1   Wells Fargo under subsections (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4)
 2   of § 362;10 however, the Debtor takes issue only with the
 3   bankruptcy court’s § 362(d)(4) ruling, in particular the granting
 4   of in rem relief.
 5        Section 362(d)(4) permits the bankruptcy court to grant in
 6   rem relief from the automatic stay under certain circumstances.
 7   An order granting such relief, if recorded in compliance with
 8   applicable state law, is binding for a period of two years in any
 9   bankruptcy case filed by any person.     See § 362(b)(20); see
10   also First Yorkshire Holdings, Inc. v. Pacifica L 22, LLC
11   (In re First Yorkshire Holdings, Inc.), 470 B.R. 864, 870 (9th
12   Cir. BAP 2012).   A creditor seeking relief under § 362(d)(4) must
13   establish three elements.   “First, debtor’s bankruptcy filing
14   must have been part of a scheme.     Second, the object of the
15   scheme must be to delay, hinder, or defraud creditors.11    Third,
16   the scheme must involve either (a) the transfer of some interest
17   in the real property without the secured creditor’s consent or
18
19
          10
            As noted above, the mention of § 362(d)(3) in the
20   RFS Order was an error, as relief under that section was neither
     requested in the RFS Motion nor granted at the Hearing. Since
21
     the Debtor makes no argument with respect to that aspect of the
22   RFS Order, we do not discuss it further.
23        11
            Prior to December 22, 2010, the relevant language in
     § 362(d)(4) read “hinder, delay and defraud creditors” (emphasis
24
     added). The Bankruptcy Technical Corrections Act of 2010,
25   Pub. L. No. 111-327, 124 Stat. 3557 (2010)(effective December 22,
     2010) replaced this language with “hinder, delay or defraud”
26   (emphasis added). The mandatory form used for the RFS Order
27   contained the outdated “and” language. However, we find that the
     bankruptcy court’s decision was not an abuse of discretion under
28   the currently applicable, less demanding standard.

                                     14
 1   court approval, or (b) multiple bankruptcy filings affecting the
 2   property.”   Id.
 3        The bankruptcy court correctly identified these elements in
 4   its RFS Order, and found that each was satisfied.     We now
 5   consider whether the bankruptcy court’s factual determinations
 6   were adequately supported by inferences that could be drawn from
 7   facts in the record.
 8        1.    Part of a scheme
 9        Section 362(d)(4) does not define the term “scheme,” but it
10   has been held in this context to refer to “an artful plot or
11   plan.”    In re Duncan & Forbes Dev., Inc., 368 B.R. 27, 32 (Bankr.
12   C.D. Cal. 2006), quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 1372 (8th ed.
13   2004).    Generally, a bankruptcy court must rely on circumstantial
14   evidence to infer the existence of a scheme, as direct evidence
15   usually is not available.     In re Duncan & Forbes Dev., Inc.,
16   368 B.R. at 32.    In paragraph 9 of the RFS Order, the bankruptcy
17   court determined that the filing of the Chapter 7 Case was part
18   of such a scheme.
19        The evidence before the bankruptcy court showed that a total
20   of four members of the Lira family had at various times held a
21   title interest in the Property.     Each of those family members had
22   filed at least one bankruptcy petition, and three of them
23   (Frankie, Frank, Jr. and the Debtor) had included the Property in
24   their bankruptcy schedules.     Finally, the Debtor filed her first
25   bankruptcy case (the Chapter 13 Case) a matter of days after she
26   obtained a title interest in the Property, and her second (the
27   Chapter 7 Case) just two weeks after the Chapter 13 Case was
28   dismissed.

                                       15
 1        On the other hand, the Debtor submitted declarations from
 2   Frankie and Frank, Jr., in which they denied that their
 3   bankruptcy filings were part of a scheme to delay, hinder or
 4   defraud any creditor.    The Debtor’s declaration contains the same
 5   statement with regard to her own bankruptcy filings.     The Debtor
 6   also argues that the length of time that passed between Frankie
 7   and Frank, Jr.’s filings and her own Chapter 13 Case pointed to
 8   the absence of a scheme.
 9        Although the evidence was far from unequivocal in
10   establishing the existence of an “artful plot,” we cannot
11   conclude that the bankruptcy court’s determination was illogical,
12   implausible or unsupported by inferences that can be drawn from
13   the record.
14        2.     Delay, hinder or defraud
15        It does not appear that the bankruptcy court based its
16   decision on a finding that the Debtor intended to defraud
17   creditors, and we do not understand Wells Fargo to argue that any
18   fraud took place.    However, the applicable statutory language is
19   in the disjunctive and requires only that one of three elements
20   (delay, hinder or defraud) be established before in rem relief
21   can be granted.
22        To “delay” is to “postpon[e] or slow[].”     In re Dorsey,
23   476 B.R. 261, 268 (C.D. Cal. 2012), quoting Black’s Law
24   Dictionary (9th ed. 2009).    Similarly, to “hinder” is “to slow or
25   make difficult;” “to hold back;” or “to impede, delay, or
26   prevent.”    Black’s Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014).   Thus, the two
27   terms are essentially synonymous.      See also In re Duncan & Forbes
28   Dev., Inc., 368 B.R. at 34 (noting that these terms “have the

                                      16
 1   same meaning” as used in § 362(d)).12
 2        The record before the bankruptcy court supported its
 3   conclusion that the Chapter 7 Case was part of a scheme to delay
 4   or hinder Wells Fargo.    Wells Fargo’s efforts to foreclose on the
 5   Property have been postponed, delayed and impeded by each of the
 6   bankruptcy cases.    Although the Debtor offers alternative
 7   explanations for her bankruptcy filings, the bankruptcy court was
 8   not required to accept those explanations as determinative in the
 9   matter before it.
10        3.     Transfer of property without creditor consent
11        There appears to be no dispute that an interest in the
12   property was transferred to the Debtor, and the Debtor does not
13   suggest that the transfer was made with court approval.     The
14   Debtor does, however, dispute the bankruptcy court’s
15   determination that this transfer was without the consent of the
16   creditor.    In support of this contention, the Debtor points to
17   the Addendum permitting Frankie to transfer title in the property
18   to “immediate family member(s).”
19        The language of the Addendum shows that the Lender gave its
20   consent to some transfer of interest in the property,
21   specifically to the transfer between Frankie and Frank, Jr. at
22
23
          12
            The bankruptcy court in Duncan & Forbes went on to
24
     conclude that, for purposes of § 362(d), the delay or hindrance
25   must be shown to be unlawful. 368 B.R. at 34. We agree with the
     bankruptcy court in Dorsey and conclude that no such showing is
26   required by the statutory language. 476 B.R. at 268 n.3. We
27   also note that Duncan & Forbes construed the pre-2010 version of
     the statute, which required a showing of intent to “delay, hinder
28   and defraud.”

                                      17
 1   the time of closing.13    However, the Debtor submitted no evidence
 2   that either the Lender or Wells Fargo approved any subsequent
 3   transfers of interest in the property, including the transfer to
 4   the Debtor made before the filing of the Chapter 13 Case.
 5   Although the Debtor argued before the bankruptcy court, and
 6   continues to argue on appeal, that her beneficial interest in the
 7   Property had existed since 2006, her own exhibits submitted with
 8   the Response to the RFS Motion show otherwise.    The Interspousal
 9   Transfer Grant Deed executed in 2006 purported to transfer the
10   Property from the Debtor to Frankie, as his sole and separate
11   property.    The Debtor did not obtain an interest in the Property
12   until October 10, 2012.
13        This record provided support for the bankruptcy court’s
14   determination that the Property had been transferred without
15   Wells Fargo’s consent.    That determination was not clearly
16   erroneous.
17        4.     Multiple bankruptcy filings affecting the property
18        As noted above, three members of the Lira family have filed
19   a total of four bankruptcy cases affecting the property.    The
20   Debtor filed two bankruptcy cases within a period of less than
21   two months.    The bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion
22   when it determined that the Chapter 7 Case was one of “multiple
23   bankruptcy filings” affecting the Property.
24
25
          13
            The relevant language from the Addendum is as follows:
26   “AT THE CLOSE AND OUTSIDE OF THE ABOVE REFERENCED ESCROW BARROWER
27   [sic] IS APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED TO TRANSFER A BENEFICIAL
     INTEREST TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER(S) AS GOVERNED BY SECTION 18.
28   AT PAGE 10 OF DEED OF TRUST” (emphasis added).

                                       18
 1   C.   The bankruptcy court’s refusal to hear from Frank, Jr.
 2        The Debtor argues that the bankruptcy court’s refusal to
 3   hear from Frank, Jr. at the Hearing was prejudicial and
 4   unconstitutional.   To the extent the Debtor argues that she had a
 5   constitutional right to have Frank, Jr. speak on her behalf, we
 6   reject the argument.14
 7        Rule 9010(a) governs representation and appearances in
 8   bankruptcy courts by debtors.   A debtor may “appear in a case
 9   . . . and act either in the [debtor]’s own behalf or by an
10   attorney authorized to practice in the court[.]”    Rule 9011-2(b)
11   of the Local Bankruptcy Rules for the Central District of
12   California provides that an individual appearing pro se “must
13   appear personally for such purpose.”   The bankruptcy court’s
14   decision to preclude Frank, Jr. from speaking on the Debtor’s
15   behalf comported with these rules.   The Debtor has cited no
16   authority for the proposition that she had a constitutional right
17   to be represented before the bankruptcy court by a layperson, and
18   we perceive no basis for recognizing such a right.   The
19   bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to
20   allow Frank, Jr. to speak on the Debtor’s behalf.
21                             VI. CONCLUSION
22        Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the bankruptcy
23
24        14
            At the Hearing, the bankruptcy court understood Frank,
25   Jr. to be appearing on behalf of the Debtor. In her brief, the
     Debtor argues that Frank, Jr. and Frankie should have been
26   permitted to speak because they were parties in interest. To the
27   extent the Debtor argues that Frank, Jr. and Frankie themselves
     were prejudiced, we do not consider the argument. Frank, Jr. and
28   Frankie are not parties to this appeal.

                                     19
 1   court did not err in effectively overruling the Debtor’s standing
 2   objection.   We further conclude that the bankruptcy court did not
 3   abuse its discretion in granting the RFS Motion, including its
 4   granting of in rem relief to Wells Fargo.    Finally, we conclude
 5   that the bankruptcy court did not err in refusing to hear
 6   argument from Frank, Jr. at the Hearing.    We AFFIRM.
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