Rents: What Happens to Unclaimed Rents Collected from Property That Is Abandoned?

Posted on September 25, 2019 by

In re Pena, 600 B.R. 415 (9th Cir. BAP 2019) –

Well over a year after a bankruptcy case was closed, the debtor filed an application with the bankruptcy court seeking to recover unclaimed rent from deed of trust property that had been abandoned by the chapter 7 trustee. Although none of the unsecured creditors who were served with notice of the application objected, the bankruptcy court denied the request, and the debtor appealed to the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (BAP). Continue reading →

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Marijuana: Should a Plan “Go up in Smoke” Because a Debtor’s Tenant Operates a Marijuana Establishment?

Posted on September 18, 2019 by

Garvin v. Cook Investments NW, SPNWY, LLC, 922 F.3d 1031 (9th Cir. 2019) –

The U.S. trustee objected to a chapter 11 plan of reorganization proposed by a group of real estate holding companies on the grounds that a tenant of one of the debtors was involved in a marijuana growing operation that was illegal under federal laws. The bankruptcy court overruled the objection and confirmed the plan; the district court affirmed on appeal; and the U.S. trustee further appealed to the Ninth Circuit. Continue reading →

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Bankruptcy Sale: Maximizing Bankruptcy Estate Assets Trumps Contractual Obligations

Posted on September 11, 2019 by

Gluckstadt Holdings, L.L.C. v. VCR I, L.L.C. (In re VCR I, L.L.C.), 922 F.3d 323 (5th Cir. 2019) –

The bankruptcy court granted a Chapter 7 trustee’s motion to approve holding a public auction and selling property of the debtor free and clear of claims and interests to the highest and best bidder. A prior prospective buyer that objected appealed to the district court, which affirmed the bankruptcy court, and then to the Fifth Circuit. Continue reading →

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Agricultural Liens: Better Figure out the Right i’s To Dot and t’s to Cross

Posted on September 4, 2019 by

Fishback Nursery, Inc. v. PNC Bank, N. A., 920 F.3d 932 (5th Cir. 2019) –

In this priority dispute two nurseries sold trees and shrubs to a commercial wholesale farm that went bankrupt. They claimed their agricultural liens in the debtor’s assets were senior to a third-party bank’s security interests. The district court found in favor of the bank, and the nurseries appealed to the Fifth Circuit. Continue reading →

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Bankruptcy Sales: Highest Is Not Always Best

Posted on August 28, 2019 by

In re 160 Royal Palm, LLC, 600 B.R. 119 (S.D. Fla. 2019) –

A bankruptcy court granted the debtor’s motion to withdraw a public auction sale procedure that it had already approved and to instead to approve a private sale of the debtor’s property. A former owner that would no longer be allowed to bid appealed to the district court. Continue reading →

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Sheriff’s Fees: Surprise, a Commission May Be Due for a Foreclosure Sale That Did Not Take Place

Posted on August 21, 2019 by

Dobin v. Golden (In re Smith), 599 B.R. 266 (Bankr. D. N.J.) –

A chapter 7 trustee brought an adversary proceeding objecting to (1) a claim filed by a sheriff for a commission based on a prebankruptcy foreclosure sale that does not take place and (2) a claim by the secured creditor for reimbursement to the extent it was liable for payment of the commission. The bankruptcy court treated the parties’ pleadings as cross-motions for summary judgment. Continue reading →

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Reverse Mortgages: Can A Reverse Mortgage Loan Be Reinstated?

Posted on August 14, 2019 by

Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. v. Nunez, 598 B.R. 876 (S.D. Fla. 2019) –

A debtor filed a chapter 13 plan that proposed to cure defaults under a reverse mortgage by paying unpaid taxes and insurance. The mortgagee objected, arguing that because the debtor was not a “Borrower,” it was entitled to accelerate the loan and the debtor was required to pay the loan in full in order to retain the property. The bankruptcy court ruled in favor of the debtor, and the mortgagee appealed to the district court. Continue reading →

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