In re Cook
In re Cook
Opinion of the Court
Memorandum-Decision and Order
This chapter 13 case was commenced on July 5, 2012 at 2:36 p.m. eastern standard time. On the morning of that day, at least two hours prior to the filing, the Debtors’ residence located at 2733 Franklin Street, Weedsport, New York was sold at a foreclosure sale as the final step of a foreclosure proceeding brought by Nationstar Mortgage, LLC, the holder of the first mortgage. Thereafter, on August 19, 2012, Debtors’ counsel filed the present motion to “enforce the automatic stay or to avoid transfer of real property.” (Docket No. 18) (“Motion”). The Motion, returnable before the court on September 11, 2012, was served on the purchaser at the
Factual Background
The facts are not in dispute and the court accepts the debtors’ factual allegations as to value for purposes of this decision. Debtors list their residence at a value of $129,000, based upon the tax assessment ascribed by Cayuga County. The Debtors’ schedules list two mortgages that encumber the property: the first, held by Nationstar Mortgage, LLC, in the amount of $59,000.00 and the second, held by First Niagara Bank, in the amount of $56,120.00. Debtors’ schedules also claim a homestead exemption in the remaining equity of $22,880.00 in the property. Debtors reside on the property with their two dependent children.
According to counsel’s affidavit, Debtors were aware of the pending foreclosure proceeding but mistakenly believed that the property was scheduled for sale on July 9, 2012. Counsel avers that he unsuccessfully attempted to verify the date of the foreclosure sale. Debtors executed their voluntary petition on July 3, 2012, as reflected by the date below their signature line. On the morning of July 5, David Heuy purchased the property for $66,600.00 at the foreclosure sale, depositing ten percent of the sales price with the state court-appointed referee. Hours later, Debtors filed their petition in bankruptcy. Neither in the papers filed with the court, nor, when specifically asked by the court, did counsel allege that there was anything irregular about the conduct of the foreclosure sale conducted pursuant to New York State law nor question the good faith of the purchaser. The court, further, takes judicial notice of the fact that neither the purchaser nor the foreclosing first mortgagee has filed a proof of claim in this bankruptcy proceeding.
Arguments of Debtors’ Counsel
The Debtors allege that they have “an equitable possessory interest” in the property which, they aver, is sufficient to invoke the automatic stay, relying upon In re 48th Street Steakhouse, Inc., 835 F.2d 427, 430 (2d Cir. 1987). Recognizing that the foreclosure sale effected a transfer of legal title to the property, counsel relies upon his clients’ continued possession to prevent Heuy from taking any additional steps “to obtain title or possession” to the property, citing to 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)(3) and (5).
Debtors further seek to avoid as a fraudulent transfer under Bankruptcy Code § 548(a), the transfer of the Debtors’ property to Heuy for $66,600.00, a sum which Debtors allege is “considerably below” fair market value. Based upon the stated value of the Debtors’ assets and liabilities as listed in their schedules, Debtors claim that they were insolvent at the time of the foreclosure sale. Debtors further claim that because less than a reasonably equivalent value was realized at the sale, the transfer to Heuy may and should be avoided. Debtors cite to this court’s opinion in In re Martyak, 432 B.R. 25 (Bankr.N.D.N.Y. 2010), as setting forth the legal standard and measure of proof, both of which they claim they have met, for setting aside the transfer.
Discussion
The provisions of the automatic stay which the Debtors invoke enjoin, re
The Debtors request that the foreclosure sale be declared null and void and the transfer to the purchaser be set aside under Code § 548(a)(1)(B)© and (ii).
“We deem, as the law has always deemed, that a fair and proper price, or a ‘reasonably equivalent value,’ for foreclosed property, is the price in fact received at the foreclosure sale, so long as all the requirements of the State’s foreclosure law have been complied with.”
For the foregoing reasons, this court denies the relief sought by the Debtors as unwarranted under existing law. Notwithstanding that the forms of relief sought by the Debtors appear to be “core proceedings” under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(G) and (H), involving determinations as to the automatic stay and avoidance of a purported fraudulent transfer, the Supreme Court’s decision in Stern v. Marshall, — U.S. -, 131 S.Ct. 2594, 180 L.Ed.2d 475 (2011), gives this court pause as to its ability to enter a final order with respect to the fraudulent transfer claim and the request to declare the sale null and void. As noted above, neither the foreclosing mortgagee nor the purchaser filed a claim in bankruptcy, nor did they respond or appear on the return date of the Motion. In light of this court’s determination to deny awarding affirmative relief in favor of the Debtors, it will proceed to enter this order. Nevertheless, if a reviewing court subsequently should determine that this court did not have the constitutional authority to enter a final order, then this memorandum-decision is submitted as proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law for appropriate review and consideration by the district court. See Kirschner v. Agoglia, 476 B.R. 75, 82 (S.D.N.Y. 2012).
So ordered.
. Title 11 hereinafter referred to as "Bankruptcy Code” or "Code”.
. In pertinent part, Code § 548(a)(1)(B) provides: "The trustee may avoid any transfer ... of an interest of the debtor in property ... that was made or incurred on or within 2 years before the date of the filing of the petition, if the debtor voluntarily or involuntarily — (i) received less than a reasonably equivalent value in exchange for such transfer ... and (ii)[ ] was insolvent on the date that such transfer was made.”
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In re Jeffrey A. COOK and Sherrie A. Cook, Debtors
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published