Geesey General Contractors, Inc. v. Central & Western Chester County Industrial Development Authority (In re Geesey General Contractors, Inc.)
Geesey General Contractors, Inc. v. Central & Western Chester County Industrial Development Authority (In re Geesey General Contractors, Inc.)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
The issue before us is whether we have summary jurisdiction to authorize the trustee to sell, free and clear of liens, certain realty in which the bankrupt estate claims an equitable interest where there has been a timely objection to our jurisdiction by one who also claims an equitable interest in the property and where it appears that the bankrupt was never in possession of that property. We conclude that we do not have summary jurisdiction to authorize the sale of that property because it is not in the actual or constructive possession of this court.
On June 27, 1979, the bankrupt filed its petition in bankruptcy listing both the Rental Office Building and the Industrial Tract as realty in which the bankrupt had an interest. The bankrupt’s schedules also indicated that there was currently owing to the Bank the sum of $150,063.40 as a result of the transaction with the Authority and that the debt was secured by the above two properties, title to which was held by the Authority. On September 12, 1979, the bankrupt filed amended schedules which deleted all reference to the Rental Office Building.
On September 18, 1979, Dennis J. Ward was elected trustee of the bankrupt and, within the time set by the court, the trustee assumed the installment sales contract between the bankrupt and the Authority. On February 15, 1980, the court-appointed appraiser filed appraisals stating that the fair market value of the Industrial Tract was presently $165,000 and the fair market value of the Rental Office Building was $74,-000. On February 27 the trustee filed two separate complaints seeking leave to sell each of the properties free and clear of all liens, and alleging that the only non-avoidable lien against the two properties is that held by the Bank in the approximate amount of $168,000.
On March 21, 1980, Shirley Geesey
At the hearing held on this matter, the trustee contended that, even if Mrs. Gees-ey’s assertions about the purpose of the conveyance were true, the equitable title to the property was in the bankrupt by virtue of the installment sales contract, there being no agreement by the Authority or the bankrupt to convey that property back to the Geeseys at any time. The Bank also appeared, through counsel, at the hearing and objected to the sale of the Industrial Tract if the Rental Office Building was not also sold. The basis of the Bank’s objection was that the value of the Industrial Tract alone was not enough to cover the costs of the sale and its mortgage in full.
We conclude that on the facts of this case we are without summary jurisdiction to authorize the sale by the trustee of the Rental Office Building. In order for the bankruptcy court to have summary jurisdiction over a controversy concerning the title to property, that property must be in the actual or constructive possession of the bankruptcy court.
It is now settled that the bankruptcy court has power in a summary proceeding to adjudicate, without consent, controversies concerning the title to property the physical possession of which is in the actual or constructive possession of the trustee, and with consent of the adverse claimants, the title to property not in the possession of the trustee; but the court is without power to adjudicate adversary claims to the title to property, without consent, not in the actual or constructive possession of the trustee.8
In the ease at bench, the property in controversy, the Rental Office Building, is not in the possession of the trustee and, therefore, is not in the possession of this court. Instead, the property is in the possession of the tenant of one who claims the equitable title to that property. The affidavit and letters produced by Mrs. Geesey, as well as the stipulated facts, demonstrate that Mrs. Geesey’s equitable claim to the property is more than merely colorable.
. This opinion constitutes the findings of fact and conclusions of law required by Rule 752 of the Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
. The deed of conveyance from Carl and Shirley Geesey, attached as Exhibit “A” to the stipulation of facts, states that the consideration therefor was $24,000.
. The Industrial Tract was bought from Joseph P. McGrail. The deed of conveyance, attached as Exhibit “B” to the stipulation of facts, states that the consideration therefor was $140,000.
. Carl Geesey died on February 3, 1979. Shirley Geesey thereupon succeeded to his interest in their entireties property including their interest, if any, in the Rental Office Building.
. See 2 Collier on Bankruptcy ¶ 23.04[2] (14th ed.) and cases cited therein.
. Id.
. 106 F.2d 217 (8th Cir. 1939), rev’d on other grounds, Thompson v. Magnolia Petroleum Co., 309 U.S. 478, 60 S.Ct. 180, 84 L.Ed. 513 (1940).
. See 2 Collier on Bankruptcy ¶| 23.06 (14th ed.)
. See id. at ¶ 23.08.
. See id. at ¶ 23.02 & ¶123.12-¶ 23.16.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In re GEESEY GENERAL CONTRACTORS, INC., formerly Geesey Masonry Contractors, Inc., Bankrupt. GEESEY GENERAL CONTRACTORS, INC., formerly known as Geesey Masonry Contractors v. CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHESTER COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, National Bank & Trust Co. of Kennett Square, Jefferson Bank, Hajoca Corporation, Shirley A. Geesey
- Status
- Published