Bryan v. Clark
Opinion of the Court
This appeal arises out of an adversary proceeding brought by the trustee of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy estate to determine
In a thorough opinion, the BAP affirmed the bankruptcy court order in all respects but one. Peters v. Clark (In re Bryan), Nos. CO-15-020 & CO-15-024, 2016 WL 1170810 (10th Cir.BAP Mar. 25, 2016). In particular, the BAP concluded the bankruptcy court correctly declined to apply the doctrine of marshaling in favor of a secured creditor, because the common debtor requirement imposed by Colorado law was not satisfied. The BAP also concluded the bankruptcy court did not err in determining the bankruptcy estate was entitled to retain the proceeds from the sale of the property subject to a home equity line of credit hen, or in determining the amount due under that lien. But the BAP found the bankruptcy court erred under 11 U.S.C. § 506(c) by surcharging the secured collateral—and thereby reducing a secured creditor’s share—for expenses incurred contesting the validity of that secured creditor’s hen. This decision led to a three-party cross-appeal to this court, and we exercise jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 158(d)(1).
“Although this is an appeal from a BAP decision, ‘[this court] review[s] only the [bankruptcy [c]ourt’s decision.’ ” Rebein v. Cornerstone Creek Partners, LLC (In re Expert South Tulsa, LLC), 842 F.3d 1293, 1296 (10th Cir. 2016) (quoting Alder-ete v. Educ. Credit Mgmt. Corp. (In re Alderete), 412 F.3d 1200, 1204 (10th Cir. 2005)). “[This court] treat[s] the BAP as a subordinate appellate tribunal whose rulings may be persuasive but are not entitled to deference.” Id. Furthermore, “[mjatters of law are reviewed de novo, and factual findings (which are made only by the bankruptcy court, not by the BAP) are reviewed for clear error.” Id. (citing Gullickson v. Brown (In re Brown), 108 F.3d 1290, 1292 (10th Cir. 1997)).
We have conducted a complete and independent review, and with several caveats discussed below, affirm the BAP’s judgment and formally adopt its opinion for the court. The BAP opinion is attached as an appendix.
First, we find we have jurisdiction over this appeal. Under 28 U.S.C. § 158(d), this court only has jurisdiction over final orders from the BAP. “The BAP’s final decision is appealable when the BAP does not remand for ‘significant further proceedings.’ ” Clark v. Zwanziger (In re Zwanziger), 741 F.3d 74, 75 n.1 (10th Cir. 2014) (quoting Farmers Home Admin, v. Buckner (In re Buckner), 66 F.3d 263, 265 (10th Cir. 1995)). “ ‘[M]ere ministerial computations involving little ju dicial discretion’—like simple arithmetic— are not ‘significant further proceedings.’ ” Id. (quoting In re Buckner, 66 F.3d at 265). Here, the BAP remanded to the bankruptcy court to allocate costs into three conceptually and chronologically distinct categories, a task requiring little judicial discretion. This being the case, we conclude the BAP decision was a final order in the meaning of § 158(d), and that we therefore have jurisdiction to hear this appeal.
Second, we address specifically several arguments involving the BAP’s methodology and interpretation:
(2) The trustee also argues the secured creditor failed to preserve the § 506(c) issue. This argument is belied by the trustee’s own submissions to this court. The secured creditor filed a written objection before the bankruptcy court objecting to the surcharge because the expenses did not benefit him. Peters App., Vol. I at 153-56. The trustee even mentions that objection elsewhere in his brief. Peters Br. at 42 (“[The secured creditor] objected to the Affidavit of Attorneys Fees submitted by the Trustee ... and the [c]ourt sustained the objection in part, reducing the fee request by approximately $10,000.”).
(3) Next, the trustee argues the BAP erred by disregarding the bankruptcy court’s finding that the trustee’s statutory commission could have been included in the § 506(c) surcharge, even though it was not. The trustee opted not to include the commission in the surcharge to allow the secured creditor some recovery. Because the commission would have been more money than the costs incurred contesting the validity of the secured creditor’s lien, argues the trustee, any error in the § 506(c) “benefit” analysis was harmless.
But this argument is unpersuasive. The trustee chose not to include his statutory commission in the surcharge. That choice was a litigation strategy that might have allowed the secured creditor some recovery. But that fact does not create a benefit where none exists. And the harmless-error doctrine, which the trustee cites, does not apply here. It applies only where “preserved trial errors ... do not affect the substantial rights of a complaining party.” Harry T. Edwards & Linda A. Elliott, Federal Standards of Review 79 (2007); see .also 28 U.S.C. § 2111 (“[T]he court shall give judgment ... without regard to errors or defects which do not affect the substantial rights of the parties.”). Here, a substantial right is at issue: the amount of money the secured creditor will receive.
(4)Finally, the BAP opinion resolves issues that have not been raised by the parties on appeal to this court. We therefore adopt the BAP’s opinion on the surcharge issue only to the extent that it addresses the costs incurred contesting the validity of the secured creditor’s lien, which the parties and the BAP refer to as the Lien Priority Adversary.
APPENDIX
Nos. 16-1172, 16-1213, 16-1214, In re Bryan
Concurring in Part
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
I join the majority opinion, except for its rejection of one issue raised by the trustee in his cross appeal. The trustee argues, and I agree, that the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (BAP) erred by disregarding the bankruptcy court’s acceptance of a proposal by the trustee to take the commission he earned pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 326 from the estate, rather than includ
I
When the trustee commenced the lien priority adversary proceeding that is the subject of this appeal, he sought
(a) a declaration as to the interests of all the parties in the Net Sale Proceeds and (b) in the event the [bankruptcy court] determined that ... Clark held a valid lien against the bankruptcy estate’s share of the Net Sale Proceeds, recovery of the estate’s expenses and his statutory commission from the amounts subject to ... Clark’s hen pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 506(c).
Bankruptcy Ct. Doc. 190 at 11 (Adversary Proceeding # 10-01189-JGR).
After conducting a trial on the matter, the bankruptcy court issued written findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an order regarding the validity, extent and priority of lien claims on the net sale proceeds. The bankruptcy court concluded that Clark possessed a “second priority hen against the bankruptcy estate’s share of the Net Sale Proceeds.” Id. at 13. The bankruptcy court also concluded, however, thqt the trustee was entitled under § 506(c) to recover against the bankruptcy estate’s share of the net sale proceeds his undisputed “statutory commission in the amount of $45,850.00 pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 326 and attorney’s fees and costs in the approximate amount of $65,000.” Id. at 17. In doing so, the bankruptcy court acknowledged that the trustee’s “statutory commission and the fees and costs” would “exceed the bankruptcy estate’s share of the Net Sale Proceeds,” leaving nothing for Clark. Id. at 20. But the bankruptcy court concluded that the equities of the case justified that result. More specifically, the bankruptcy court cited Clark’s years-long efforts “to obtain a windfall at the expense of the bankruptcy estate,” and the resulting and “needless accrual of some $70,000 of interest” on the first priority lien against all of the net sale proceeds (the Aurora Deed of Trust). Id.
To Clark’s good fortune and because of the trustee’s proposal, however, Clark was not left with nothing. The trustee, who prior to trial had received on behalf of the bankruptcy estate a second priority lien (a home equity line of credit deed of trust) against Ms. Bryan’s share of the net sale proceeds, “proposed relief that w[ould] ensure [that] Clark receive[d] some distribution on account of [his] Lien.” Id. at 20. Specifically, the trustee “propose[d] that only the bankruptcy estate’s attorney’s fees and expenses be recovered from the proceeds subject to ... Clark[’s lien] pursuant to ... § 506(c),” and that his statutory commission be paid from the estate’s recovery on the second priority lien. Id. The bankruptcy court accepted the trustee’s proposal, but “note[d] that because ... Clark in all likelihood would have incurred the same or greater fees had he come forward much earlier and sought to enforce his hen interest, any contrary result would amount to a windfall to ... Clark at the direct expenses of the estate.” Id.
In his appeal to the BAP, Clark brazenly challenged the entire § 506(c) surcharge. The BAP agreed with the bankruptcy court that all of the fees and costs incurred by the trustee were necessary and reasonable, and that Clark benefitted from the fees and costs incurred by the trustee in challenging the validity of the trust and in selling the property. As for the lien priority adversary proceedings, the BAP concluded that while they “provided a potential benefit to the class of general unsecured creditors,” they did not “provide! ] any benefit to the secured collateral or to Clark,” whose lien the trustee contested. Aplt. App. at 170. Thus, the BAP concluded that the fees and costs incurred by the trustee in connection with the lien priority adversary proceeding “d[id] not fulfill the requirements of § 506(c).” Id. at 173. Ultimately, the BAP affirmed part of the § 506(c) surcharge, but reversed the bankruptcy court’s decision awarding the trustee fees associated with the hen priority adversary proceeding totaling $43,795. Id at 174 (BAP Opinion at 24). The BAP also “remand[ed] th[e] case to the bankruptcy court for the limited purpose of determining which [of $2,949.34 in] costs awarded by the bankruptcy court” related to the lien priority adversary proceeding. Id. Any such costs, the BAP admonished, were not to be surcharged against the bankruptcy estate’s share of the net sale proceeds. Id.
Notably, the BAP made no mention in its decision of the trustee’s entitlement to a statutory commission or of the trustee’s proposal, and the bankruptcy court’s acceptance of that proposal, to take the commission from the estate rather than include it, as the bankruptcy court had originally intended, in the § 506(c) surcharge. This despite the fact that the trustee specifically pointed out this important case history in the brief he submitted to the BAP.
The trustee filed with the BAP a motion for rehearing, noting that the BAP’s original decision “made no mention of the Trustee’s proposal” and its impact on the case. Aple. Supp. App. at 192. The BAP summarily denied the trustee’s motion, noting only that “[t]he Trustee did not challenge the bankruptcy court’s treatment of the statutory [commission].” Id. at 196.
Ill
I agree with the BAP and the majority that the fees and costs incurred by the trustee in the lien priority adversary proceeding did not benefit Clark and thus the trustee was not entitled to recover those fees and costs under § 506(c). But I disagree with the BAP and the majority that the trustee’s proposal to take his statutory commission from the estate rather than include it in the § 506(c) surcharge, which was accepted and adopted by the bankruptcy court, was simply a “litigation strategy” that has no bearing on the outcome of this case. Maj. Op. at 1082.
Bankruptcy courts are of course bound by “what the Bankruptcy Code itself provides.” Raleigh v. Illinois Dep’t of Revenue, 530 U.S. 15, 24, 120 S.Ct. 1951, 147 L.Ed.2d 13 (2000). But within those statutory limitations, they are courts of equity. Id.; see Young v. United States, 535 U.S. 43, 50, 122 S.Ct. 1036, 152 L.Ed.2d 79 (2002). And the bankruptcy court in this case made quite clear, having overseen the case for years, that the equities strongly disfavored Clark. Indeed, as noted, the bankruptcy court expressly stated in its order that an equitable solution would have been for Clark to receive nothing from the net sale proceeds. The only reason it did not order that result was because of the trustee’s proposal to take his commission from the estate, rather than including it in the § 506(c) surcharge. And
All of which leads me to conclude that the proper resolution of this case is to remand to the bankruptcy court so that, along with completing the task assigned to it by the BAP (determining which of the trustee’s costs were associated with the lien priority adversary proceeding), it may consider anew whether the trustee’s statutory commission should be taken from the estate or included in the § 506(c) surcharge.
APPENDIX
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY APPELLATE PANEL
OF THE TENTH CIRCUIT
IN RE GARY L. BRYAN, also known as Gary L Bryan; officer, director, shareholder of G.L. Bryan Investments, Inc.; also known as Gary Bryan; officer, director, shareholder of Fort Love Aviation Services, Inc.; officer, director, shareholder of Second Story Ventures, Inc.; officer, director, shareholder of Disconnect, Inc.; officer, director, shareholder of Tepgarde, LLC; officer, director, shareholder of Reflex Systems, LLC; officer, director, shareholder of Home Closings, LLC; officer, director, shareholder of Goodrich Bryan Investments, Inc.; officer, director, shareholder of Ft. Collins Tire & Auto Services, Inc.; officer, director, shareholder of Uni-comm Power Sources, LLC; officer, director, shareholder of Check Processing Resources, Inc., Debtor.
M. STEPHEN PETERS, Trustee, Plaintiff-Counter-Defendant-Appellee, v. ARTHUR CLARK, Defendant-Counter-Claimant-Appellant/Cross-Appellee, and JANEL K. BRYAN, Defendant-Counter-Claimant-Appellee/Cross-Appellant, and AURORA LOAN SERVICES, LLC and SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Defendants-Appellees, and VECTRA BANK COLORADO, N.A., Defendant.
BAP Nos. CO-15-020 & CO-15-024
Bankr. No. 05-38302
Adv. No. 10-01189
Chapter 7
OPINION
Appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado Before KARLIN, Chief Judge, CORNISH, and MICHAEL, Bankruptcy Judges. MICHAEL, Bankruptcy Judge.
One of the unwritten rules of bankruptcy practice is this: when you are fighting over a piece of property, convert it into cash. While most property cannot be cut into pieces (how does one dissect a house or a 1957 Chevy?), money is easily divided. Once property has been sold, the parties usually tire of watching their money dwindle as the attorneys’ fees mount and reach an agreement as to who gets what. The rule has its exceptions. This case is one of them. Here, the players have been fighting over a parcel of residential real estate for more than ten years. The property was eventually sold, but that failed to move the parties toward a resolution. After much
We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand to the bankruptcy court for further proceedings.
I. Background
A The Players and the Property
The players in this appeal are Gary Bryan (the “Debtor”), the debtor in the bankruptcy case underlying this appeal, Janel Bryan (“Ms. Bryan”), the Debtor’s non-filing spouse (hereafter collectively referred to as the “Bryans”), M. Stephen Peters (“Peters” or the “Trustee”), the trustee in the Debtor’s bankruptcy case, and Arthur Clark (“Clark”), a creditor of the Debtor holding a judgment lien. At issue are the net sale proceeds of a residence (the “Residence”) sometimes owned and always controlled by the Bryans.
B. How We Got Here
The history of ownership of and encumbrances upon the Residence can best be understood as a game of financial “hot potato.” In 2001, the Bryans executed a Deed of Trust on the Residence in favor of Washington Mutual Bank (‘WAMU”) to secure a $203,000 loan. The Bryans then conveyed the Residence to the Bryan Family Trust (the “Trust”). Over the years, the Bryans transferred the Residence in and out of the Trust on multiple occasions in order to obtain loans using the Residence as collateral. In February 2003, the Trust transferred the Residence back to the Bryans, and the Bryans used the Residence as collateral to refinance the mortgage with WAMU. Once the refinance was completed, the Bryans transferred the Residence back to the Trust. In June 2003, the Trust executed and delivered a Deed of Trust on the Residence to Vectra Bank (“Vectra”) as collateral for a $250,000 loan. In January 2005, the Trust transferred the Residence to Ms. Bryan individually, who then obtained a $560,000 loan from Vectra (the “Refinance Loan”). As security for the Refinance Loan, the Bryans executed and delivered to Vectra a joint Deed of Trust on the Residence. Proceeds from the Refinance Loan satisfied the existing loans from WAMU and Vectra. The Refinance Loan was ultimately transferred to Aurora Loan Servicing, LLC (“Aurora”). After obtaining the Refinance Loan, Ms. Bryan transferred the Residence back to the Trust.
In May 2005, the Trust transferred the Residence to the Bryans jointly, who used the Residence to secure a home equity line of credit not to exceed $55,000 (the “HE-LOC”) with Vectra. Vectra later assigned its interest in the HELOC to Specialized Loan Servicing, LLC (“Specialized”). Ms. Bryan drew down $53,969 in cash proceeds from the HELOC. The Bryans then transferred the Residence back to the Trust.
At some time prior to 2002, Clark and the Debtor entered into an agreement whereby Clark was to perform environmental remediation services upon property owned by the Debtor. A dispute arose as to the terms of the agreement. In 2002, Clark sued the Debtor in Colorado state court. On June 1, 2004, Clark was awarded a $211,000 judgment against the Debtor. He recorded his judgment in Jefferson County, Colorado, where the Residence was located. When Clark recorded his judgment, the Residence was titled in the name of the Trust.
C. The Bankruptcy Case and Related Litigation
In October 2005, the Debtor filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. His case was con
After the case was converted to Chapter 7, the Residence was sold and two adversary proceedings were filed that are germane to this appeal.
1. The Sham Trust Adversary
In January 2008, the Trustee filed an adversary proceeding (the “Sham Trust Adversary”) against the Bryans and the Trust seeking recovery of assets on behalf of the estate primarily, but not exclusively, from the Trust. The assets sought by the Trustee included the Residence. On June 4, 2009, after a three-day trial, the bankruptcy court issued a memorandum opinion and order concluding that the Trust was an invalid spendthrift trust under Colorado law. The bankruptcy court authorized the Trustee to sell the Residence and to distribute to Ms. Bryan, after payment of debts secured by liens on the Residence, her one-half interest in the proceeds. Ms. Bryan appealed this order to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado (the “District Court”). The District Court affirmed the bankruptcy court’s decision. The decision of the bankruptcy court was not further appealed, and the order invalidating the Trust is now final.
2. The Sale of the Residence
In July 2009, the Trustee requested authorization to employ a broker and sell the Residence. In October 2009, the bankruptcy court issued an order authorizing the Trustee to sell the Residence (the “Sale Order”).
Until his lien was discovered by the title company, no one (including Clark) considered Clark a secured creditor. The Debtor scheduled Clark as an unsecured creditor. Clark filed his proof of claim as an unsecured creditor. Prior to the Sale Order, Clark took no action to assert rights as a secured creditor. Once Clark was reminded of his judgment hen, he took the position that he had a first priority lien on the Residence. The Trustee took the position that Clark had a totally unsecured claim.
In November 2009, the Trustee informed the bankruptcy court of Clark’s purported lien in a motion to amend the Sale Order (the “Amended Sale Motion”).
The Trustee sold the Residence, generating $851,656.18 in sale proceeds (the “Sale Proceeds”). The parties could not agree on how to divide the Sale Proceeds, and the sixty day time frame established by the Amended Sale Order expired. Thereafter, as required by the Amended Sale Order, the Trustee commenced another adversary proceeding.
3. The Lien Priority Adversary
In February 2010, the Trustee initiated an adversary proceeding (the “Lien Priority Adversary”) against Clark, Ms. Bryan, Aurora, Specialized, and Vectra to determine the validity, priority, and extent of the various liens against the Residence. He also sought a surcharge against the Sale Proceeds pursuant to § 506(c) for all fees and costs incurred in relation to the Sham Trust Adversary, the sale of the Residence, and the determination of lien priorities. Throughout the litigation, the Trustee took the position that Clark did not hold a valid lien against the Residence.
In December 2011, the bankruptcy court conducted a two-day trial in the Lien Priority Adversary. Specialized did not appear. At the commencement of the trial, the Trustee advised the bankruptcy court that Specialized had assigned the HELOC to the Trustee. No one contested this statement, and the case proceeded to trial. The parties -stipulated to the validity of the HELOC and the existence of the HELOC Deed of Trust. Ms. Bryan’s testimony in the Sham Trust Adversary that the balance owed on the HELOC was $55,000 was admitted into evidence without objection.
In March 2012, the bankruptcy court entered a memorandum opinion and order (the “Lien Priority Opinion”), ruling that Aurora held a first priority lien and the Trustee, by virtue of the assignment of the HELOC from Specialized, held a second priority lien against the Residence. The bankruptcy court concluded that Clark did not hold a valid lien against the Residence and had no interest in the Sale Proceeds.
Clark appealed the Lien Priority Opinion to the District Court, arguing that the bankruptcy court had erred in determining that (1) he did not perfect a valid judgment hen; and (2) the doctrine of marshaling was not applicable. The District Court affirmed the Lien Priority Opinion. Clark further appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (the “Tenth Circuit”). On December 5, 2013, the Tenth Circuit issued its ruling affirming in part, reversing in part, and remanding the Lien Priority Adversary to the bankruptcy court for further proceedings.
In March 2015, the bankruptcy court issued its opinion on remand (the “Remand Order”).
The Court also ruled that the estate’s share of the Sale Proceeds was subject to a surcharge under § 506(c) for the reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Trustee in the Sham Trust Adversary, the sale of the Residence, and the Lien Priority Adversary. The Trustee provided the following itemization of his fees and costs for the period ending December 11, 2011.
Fees related to the Sham Trust Adversary: $45,084.00
Fees related to the sale of the Residence: $4,932.50
Fees related to the Lien Priority Adversary: $12,845.00
Total fees: $62,861.50
Total costs prior to December 11, 2011: $3,177.04
Total fees and costs prior to December 11, 2011: $66,038.54
In the Remand Order, the bankruptcy court also allowed the Trustee to submit an affidavit detailing the additional fees and costs incurred during and after December 11, 2011. The Trustee timely submitted his affidavit requesting an additional $30,950 in fees and $126.89 in costs, all of which related to the Lien Priority Adversary and the appeals related thereto.
The bankruptcy court then issued its order regarding distribution of Sale Proceeds (the “Final Distribution Order”).
Clark filed a timely appeal, arguing that the bankruptcy court erred when it failed to apply the doctrine of marshaling and granted the Trustee’s request for a surcharge of the Sale Proceeds of the Residence pursuant to § 506(c). Ms. Bryan filed a cross-appeal, arguing that the bank
II. Standard of Review
Our review of bankruptcy court decisions is traditionally divided into three categories: (1) questions of law, which we review de novo; (2) questions of fact, which we review for clear error; and, (3) matters of discretion, which are reviewable for abuse of discretion.
III. Discussion
A. The bankruptcy court correctly refused to apply the doctrine of marshaling.
Marshaling of assets is an equitable doctrine resting “upon the principle that a creditor having two funds to satisfy his debt may not, by his application of them to his demand, defeat another creditor, who may resort to only one of the funds.”
The bankruptcy court correctly concluded that the three elements required for application of the doctrine of marshaling are not present in this case. In the Remand Order, the bankruptcy court found that the common debtor requirement for marshaling was not met because only Ms. Bryan was personally liable on the Refinance Loan. In his brief, Clark states that “[b]oth Aurora and Mr. Clark share a common debtor, the Debtor Mr. Bryan.”
Clark contends that Colorado law supports application of the doctrine of mar.-shaling in this case. He relies upon Legge v. Peterson, a 1929 decision of the Colorado Supreme Court.
“It has been held that, where one creditor holds a claim against two joint debtors, and another creditor holds a claim against one of those two, equity will not, for the sake of the creditor who has the single claim, compel the other creditor to proceed against that one of his joint debtors against whom he has no claim; but that it may do so when it is equitable as between the two debtors that it should be done. ”... The law, as above quoted from Corpus Juris, finds support and approval in Story’s Equity Jurisprudence (14th Ed.) vol. 2, p. 246, § 867, and 18 R. C. L. 460, par. 9.30
While the quote is accurate, it must be taken in context. The quote is not reflective of the ruling in Legge. It is a mere recital of authority contained in a treatise. In Legge, the trial court refused to apply the doctrine of marshaling. On appeal, the Colorado Supreme Court affirmed because two of the elements of marshaling were not present:
The evidence in this case does not disclose that the bank and the plaintiff are creditors of the same debtor, but it does disclose that the plaintiff is the creditor of the judgment debtor alone, and that the bank is the creditor of both the judgment debtor and the lessee. The evidence in this case does not disclose two funds belonging to the common debtor, but it does disclose that there are two debtors jointly interested in one fund, and a separate fund, i.e., the cattle, farm animals, and equipment, in which only one of the debtors, the lessee, is interested. It will thus be readily seen that at least two of the necessary requisites to marshaling are lacking, and therefore marshaling by subrogation was properly denied.31
Legge does not stand for the principle that the elements of marshaling need not be present in order to apply the doctrine. To the contrary, the court in Legge refused to apply the doctrine because all necessary elements were not present. The Colorado Court of Appeals reached the same conclusion some fifty years after Legge,
B. The bankruptcy court erred in allowing part of the Surcharge.
As a general rule, the expenses of administration in a Chapter 7 case may not be surcharged against secured collateral.
The trustee may recover from property securing an allowed secured claim the reasonable, necessary costs and expenses of preserving, or disposing of, such property to the extent of any benefit to the holder of such claim, including the payment of all ad valorem property taxes with respect to the property.38
A surcharge pursuant to § 506(c) “is an assessment against a secured party’s collateral as reimbursement for a particular benefit to such a secured creditor.”
Clark argues that the bankruptcy court erred in awarding the Surcharge. Clark contends that the fees and costs that constitute the Surcharge were largely unnecessary and failed to benefit Clark in his status as a secured creditor. The Trustee responds that all of the fees and costs encompassed in the Surcharge represent reasonable and necessary efforts to liquidate the Residence and determine who was properly entitled to the Sale Proceeds.
The fees and costs that comprise the Surcharge fall into three separate categories: those relating to the Sham Trust Adversary, those relating to the sale of the Residence, and those relating to the Lien Priority Adversary. Clark has focused upon the fees and costs relating to the Lien Priority Adversary. In order to assist the parties and any other court called upon to review the bankruptcy court’s decision, we will examine all aspects of the Surcharge.
i. Fees and Costs Relating to the Sham Trust Adversary
In his brief and at oral argument, counsel for Clark conceded that the portion of the Surcharge relating to the Sham Trust Adversary was beneficial and at least “arguably necessary.”
ii. Fees and Costs Relating to the Sale of the Residence
Clark takes the position that all fees and costs incurred by Trustee after the conclusion of the Sham Trust Adversary were unnecessary and of no benefit to him.
iii Fees and Costs Relating to the Lien Priority Adversary
Clark contends that the bankruptcy court erred in determining that the portion of the Surcharge related to the Lien Priority Adversary was necessary. He argues that any actions by the Trustee following the Sham Trust Adversary were unjustified, as the Trustee’s obligations to recover property of the estate had been fulfilled. Clark posits that the parties claiming an interest in the Residence were free to dispute the validity and priority of their liens, and it was not necessary for the Trustee to initiate the Lien Priority Adversary. We do not agree.
The Amended Sale Order ordered the Trustee to initiate the Lien Priority Adversary if the parties were unable to voluntarily resolve the lien priority dispute. Clark did not appeal the Amended Sale Order. Both Clark and Trustee were bound by its terms. Clark cannot now be heard to argue that the Trustee’s compliance with that order was “unnecessary.” In addition, the bankruptcy court made several findings regarding the necessity of the Trustee’s actions to preserve and liquidate a valuable estate asset, which included the fifing of the Lien Priority Adversary to determine, among other things, whether Clark had a valid lien on the Residence. We cannot say that these findings are clearly erroneous.
For the reasons discussed supra, the Court considers the issue of the reasonableness of the Trustee’s attorney’s fees waived.
The remaining issue under § 506(c) is whether the Trustee’s efforts in conducting the Lien Priority Adversary benefited Clark. Clark argues that throughout the Lien Priority Adversary the Trustee maintained an adverse position to Clark, insisting that he did not have a valid lien against the Residence.
The Trustee argues that because the Lien Priority Adversary was necessary, i.e., the parties refused to settle their priority dispute, it benefited Clark by bringing resolution to the matter. This ignores the fact that throughout the Lien Priority Adversary and its appeal, the Trustee actively sought to deny Clark’s status as a secured creditor.
Some courts have suggested an alternative to the “benefit” element of § 506(c) exists where a secured creditor caused or consented to the incurred expenses.
The Trustee suggests that Clark caused all of the expenses incurred in the Lien Priority Adversary, pointing to: (1) the eleventh hour assertion of Clark’s lien interest; and (2) Clark’s insistence that his lien was in first position. This argument does not withstand scrutiny. Clark’s lien was discovered prior to the initiation of the Lien Priority Adversary. Although the Trustee argues that he would have made different choices regarding administration of the estate had he known about Clark’s lien sooner, he does not explain why the “lateness” of the discovery affected his litigation choices going forward.
In support of his arguments regarding consent and causation, the Trustee relies on In re Trim-X, Inc., a 1982 decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
The Trustee also states that Clark’s insistence on a first priority position for his lien caused the expenses related to the Lien Priority Adversary.
Both the Trustee and the bankruptcy court suggest that the Surcharge is required to prevent Clark from “obtain[ing] a windfall at the expense of the bankruptcy estate.”
This Court concludes that the portion of the Surcharge related to the Lien Priority Adversary does not fulfill the requirements of § 506(c). Although the fees and costs related to the Lien Priority Adversary were necessary and reasonable expenses for the Trustee to incur on behalf of the estate, there was no evidence or facts presented to show a concrete and quantifiable benefit to the secured collateral or to Clark as a secured creditor. Therefore, to the extent the bankruptcy court based the Surcharge upon a finding that the Lien Priority Adversary benefited Clark for purposes of § 506(c), it was error to do so.
The bankruptcy court’s decision with respect to the Surcharge is affirmed in part and reversed in part. To the extent the Surcharge represents fees incurred in the Sham Trust Adversary and the sale of the Residence, the decision is affirmed. Those fees total $50,016.50. To the extent the Surcharge represents fees incurred with respect to the Lien Priority Adversary, the decision of the bankruptcy court is reversed. Those fees, which total $43,795, may not be surcharged against the Sale Proceeds.
On the issue of costs, the record before us does not establish which specific costs related to the Sham Trust Adversary, the sale of the Residence, or the Lien Priority Adversary. We therefore remand this case to the bankruptcy court for the limited purpose of determining which costs awarded by the bankruptcy court and incurred prior to December 11, 2011, related to each of these three categories.
C. The bankruptcy court did not err in determining that the bankruptcy estate was entitled to retain the Sale Proceeds subject to the HELOC lien.
Ms. Bryan contends the bankruptcy court’s finding that the estate was the holder of the HELOC was clearly erroneous. She argues that, because of Specialized’s failure to'participate in the trial of the Lien Priority Adversary and an insufficient factual basis to support the bankruptcy court’s finding that Specialized assigned the HELOC to the Trustee, the
With respect to the issue of standing, we have held only a “person aggrieved” by a bankruptcy court order may appeal.
Even if Ms. Bryan had standing to contest the estate’s interest in the HELOC, there was a factual basis for the bankruptcy court’s determination that the HELOC was valid and the estate was the proper holder of the HELOC. Until this cross-appeal, Ms. Bryan stipulated to and never challenged the validity of the HELOC. The Trustee represented to the bankruptcy court he had reached an agreement with Specialized in which the HELOC was assigned to the bankruptcy estate. No party, including Specialized and Ms. Bryan, challenged this representation at trial. Specialized was served with the complaint and summons in the Lien Priority Adversary. Specialized filed its answer and submitted its list of witnesses and exhibits. Specialized participated in the proceedings and had an opportunity to challenge any inaccurate representations. Accordingly, the bankruptcy court’s findings regarding the assignment from Specialized to the bankruptcy estate are not clearly erroneous.
In reviewing whether the bankruptcy court made erroneous factual findings as to the validity, priority, and extent of the HELOC lien, we examine whether there is sufficient factual support in the record for the bankruptcy court’s findings. With respect to the validity of the HELOC lien, the parties stipulated to the existence of the HELOC lien before the trial.
D. The bankruptcy court did not err in determining the amount due under the HELOC.
Ms. Bryan next contends the bankruptcy court made erroneous factual findings regarding the amount due under the HE-LOC. The Trustee argues there was ample evidence in the record to support the bankruptcy court’s findings. We agree with the Trustee.
The record contains ample evidence to support the bankruptcy court’s factual determination of the amount owed on the HELOC. First, the bankruptcy court previously determined the outstanding balance on the HELOC as of the date of the Sham Trust Adversary. This finding was not contested or . appealed. Second, the HELOC Deed of Trust, which stated the interest rate of the HELOC, was offered and admitted into evidence at trial of the Lien Priority Adversary. Finally, all parties to the Lien Priority Adversary, including Ms. Bryan, stipulated to the admittance of Ms. Bryan’s testimony from the trial of the Sham Trust Adversary that established the amount owed on the Deed of Trust. As there was no evidence that any payments had'been made on the HE-LOC after the commencement of the Sham Trust Adversary, calculating the balance due on the HELOC was a matter of simple arithmetic.
IV. Conclusion
The bankruptcy court decision is affirmed in part and reversed in part. We reverse the decision of the bankruptcy court to the extent it determined that the Trustee’s fees and costs incurred in the Lien Priority Adversary are the proper subject of a surcharge under § 506(c). We remand this case to the bankruptcy court for the limited purpose of determining which costs incurred by the Trustee prior to December 11, 2011, related to the Sham Trust Adversary, the sale of the Residence, and the Lien Priority Adversary, with instructions that to the extent the costs relate to the Sham Trust Adversary and the sale of the Residence, they are the proper subject of a surcharge, and, to the extent the costs relate to the Lien Priority Adversary, they may not be surcharged against the Sale Proceeds. In all other respects, the decision of the bankruptcy court is affirmed.
This unpublished opinion may be cited for its persuasive value, but is not precedential, except under the doctrines of law of the case, claim preclusion, and issue preclusion. 10th Cir. BAP L.R. 8026-6.
. Clark also brought an adversary objecting to the Debtor’s discharge pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4)(A), and (a)(7). This adversary proceeding was rendered moot when the Debtor voluntarily waived his discharge. No aspect of that adversary is involved in this appeal.
. Order Granting Trustee’s Application to Employ Real Estate Broker; Motion to Sell Real Estate Free and Clear of Liens, Claims and Interests Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 363(F) and (H); and Motion to Pay Administrative Expenses (Including Broker’s Commission), in Appellant Clark’s App. at 1094.
. See Trustee’s Motion for Entry of Amended Order Authorizing Sale of Real Estate Free and Clear of Liens, Claims and Interests Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 363(f) at 2 I 12, in Appellee Peters’s App. at 14 ¶ 12.
. Id., in Appellee Peters’s App. at 13.
. All future references to "Code,” "Section,” and "§” are to the Bankruptcy Code, Title 11 of the United States Code, unless otherwise indicated.
. Amended Order Authorizing Sale of Real Estate Free and Clear of Liens, Claims and Interests Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 363(f), in Appellee Peters’s App. at 17.
. See Joint PreTrial Statement at 1, 3, in Appellant Clark's App. at 267, 269.
. As a result of its ruling that Clark did not have a valid lien, the bankruptcy court did not reach Clark's marshaling argument.
. See Clark v. Peters (In re Bryan), 547 Fed. Appx. 892 (10th Cir. 2013).
. Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order Re: Validity, Extent and Priority of Lien Claims on Remand from Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, in Appellant Clark's App. at 717-37.
.Explanation and Summary of Sender & Wasserman Billing Records, in Appellant Clark's App. at 1097. December 11, 2011, is the date immediately preceding the trial of the Lien Priority Adversary.
. The cost award was slightly less than the amount requested by the Trustee. No explanation was given for this difference.
. Remand Order at 20, in Appellant Clark’s App. at 736.
. Affidavit of Attorneys Fees and Costs, in Appellant Clark's App. at 740.
. Objection to Affidavit of Attorney's Fees and Costs, in Appellant Clark’s App. at 747.
. Minutes of Electronically Recorded Proceeding, Peters v. Bryan, et. al. (In re Bryan), Ch 7 Case No. 05-38302-SBB, Adv. Proc. No. 10-01189-SBB (Bankr. D. Colo. May 4, 2015) (Adv. ECF No. 206), in Appellant Clark's App. at 1121.
. Final Order Regarding Distribution of Net Sale Proceeds in Appellant Clark’s App. at 755.
. Id. at 3, in Appellant Clark's App. at 757.
. Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552, 558, 108 S.Ct. 2541, 101 L.Ed.2d 490 (1988); Fowler Bros. v. Young (In re Young), 91 F.3d 1367, 1370 (10th Cir. 1996).
. Salve Regina Coll. v. Russell, 499 U.S. 225, 238, 111 S.Ct. 1217, 113 L.Ed.2d 190 (1991).
. Las Vegas Ice & Cold Storage Co. v. Far W. Bank, 893 F.2d 1182, 1185 (10th Cir. 1990) (quoting LeMaire By and Through LeMaire v. United States, 826 F.2d 949, 953 (10th Cir. 1987)).
. McEwen v. City of Norman, 926 F.2d 1539, 1553-54 (10th Cir. 1991) (quoting United States v. Ortiz, 804 F.2d 1161, 1163 (10th Cir. 1986)).
. Meyer v. United States, 375 U.S. 233, 236, 84 S.Ct. 318, 11 L.Ed.2d 293 (1963) (quoting Sowell v. Fed. Reserve Bank of Dallas, Tex., 268 U.S. 449, 454-57, 45 S.Ct. 528, 69 L.Ed. 1041 (1925)).
. Legge v. Peterson, 85 Colo. 462, 277 P. 786, 788 (1929) (hereafter ''Legge”).
. McKinney v. Gannett Co., 817 F.2d 659, 670 (10th Cir. 1987). See also In re Carson, 374 B.R. 247, 249 (10th Cir. BAP 2007) (citing In re Laufenberg, No. KS-05-053, 2004 WL 2731670, at *4 (10th Cir. BAP Nov. 30, 2004)) (failure to apply doctrine of marshaling was not error). Clark argues that, because the bankruptcy court determined that the doctrine of marshaling did not apply as a matter of law to the facts of this case, we should review the decision de novo. As explained infra, we conclude that the bankruptcy court was correct in its application of Colorado law to the facts of this case. Were we to accept Clark’s argument and apply a de novo standard of review, the result would be the same.
. Appellant Clark's Br. 14.
. Legge, 277 P. 786.
. Appellant Clark's Reply Br. 8 (quoting Legge, 277 P. at 788-89 (emphasis added by Appellant Clark)).
. Legge, 277 P. at 789.
. W. Nat’l Bank of Casper v. ABC Drilling Co., 42 Colo.App. 407, 599 P.2d 942, 946 (1979) ("Before the doctrine of marshaling assets is applicable there must be a common debtor of the two creditors.” (reversing deci
. Ramette v. United. States (In re Bame), 271 B.R. 354 (Bankr. D. Minn. 2001), aff'd, 279 B.R. 833 (8th Cir. BAP 2002).
. Houghton v. United States (In re Szwyd), 394 B.R. 230, 241 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2008), aff'd, 408 B.R. 547 (D. Mass. 2009).
. In re Domistyle, Inc., 811 F.3d 691, 695 (5th Cir. 2015); In re Visual Indus., Inc., 57 F.3d 321, 324 (3d Cir. 1995) (hereafter "Visual Industries”); Weinman v. City of Pueblo (In re Adam Aircraft Indus., Inc.), 527 B.R. 709, 715 (D. Colo. 2014) (''Ordinarily, the costs and expenses detailed in Section 506(c) are paid from the unencumbered assets of a bankruptcy estate rather than from secured collateral.”) (quoting In re Smith Int’l Enters. Inc., 325 B.R. 450, 453 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2005)).
. In re Swann, 149 B.R. 137, 143 (Bankr. D.S.D. 1993) (citing In re Saybrook MFG. Co., 130 B.R. 1013, 1021 (Bankr. M.D. Ga. 1991)).
. Domistyle, 811 F.3d at 695 (“Section 506(c) provides a ‘narrow' and 'extraordinary' exception to this general rule.”); In re Trim-X, Inc., 695 F.2d 296, 301 (7th Cir. 1982) (hereafter “Trim-X”); Adam Aircraft Indus., Inc., 527 B.R. at 715; Swann, 149 B.R. at 143.
. § 506(c).
. In re InteliQuest Media Corp., 326 B.R. 825, 832 (10th Cir. BAP 2005).
. Domistyle, 811 F.3d at 695 (quoting In re Delta Towers, Ltd., 924 F.2d 74, 76 (5th Cir. 1991)). See also Trim-X, 695 F.2d at 299; Visual Industries, 57 F.3d at 325 (expenditures must "provide a direct benefit to the secured creditors”); Swann, 149 B.R. at 143.
. In re Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino, Inc., 255 F.3d 1061, 1068 (9th Cir. 2001) (“a party seeking a surcharge faces an onerous burden of proof) (emphasis added); Adam Aircraft Indus., Inc., 527 B.R. at 715 (same).
. Domistyle, 811 F.3d at 695; Trim-X, 695 F.2d at 299 n.4. See also In re Miniscribe Corp., 309 F.3d 1234, 1240 (10th Cir. 2002).
. Domistyle, 811 F.3d at 695; Visual Industries, 57 F.3d at 324. See also Miniscribe Corp., 309 F.3d at 1240.
. Appellant Clark’s Br. 22.
. Remand Order at 19, in Appellant Clark’s App. at 735.
. Appellant Clark’s Br. 13, 19, 20.
. Visual Industries, SI F.3d at 325 ("The rule understandably shifts to the secured party, who has benefited from the claimant's expenditure, the costs of preserving or dispos
.Although Clark raised the issue of the hourly rate charged by the Trustee’s counsel before the bankruptcy court, he did not brief the issue on appeal. As a result, we deem the issue abandoned. See Headrick v. Rockwell Int'l Corp., 24 F.3d 1272, 1277-78 (10th Cir. 1994) (issue not briefed in opening brief is deemed abandoned on appeal).
. See id.
. Appellant Clark’s Br. 10 ¶ 14.
. Although the Trustee stipulated to the validity of Clark’s lien on the eve of the trial of the Lien Priority Adversary before the bankruptcy court, he acknowledges that he “defended” that court's ruling in the appeals before the District Court and Tenth Circuit. See Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law at 11, in Appellant Clark's App. at 705; Appellee Peters’s Br. 6.
. In re Domistyle, 811 F.3d 691, 698 (5th Cir. 2015).
.Trim-X, 695 F.2d at 301; In re Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino, Inc., 255 F.3d 1061, 1068 (9th Cir. 2001) ("Debtor’s counsel should receive the payment to the extent of the benefit provided or, in this case, to the extent agreed to by the secured creditor.”); In re Swann, 149 B.R. 137, 143 (Bankr. D.S.D. 1993).
.Trim-X, 695 F.2d 296.
. Id. at 301.
. The cases cited in Trim-X are equally narrow. See In re Tyne, 257 F.2d 310 (7th Cir. 1958) (storage charges); Equitable Loan & Sec. Co. v. R.L. Moss & Co., 125 F. 609 (5th Cir. 1903) (taxes and insurance premiums); In re Hotel Assocs., Inc., 6 B.R. 108, 112 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1980) (creditor held to have consented to payment of expenses incurred by Chapter 11 trustee appointed upon motion of the creditor). None of the facts of these cases even remotely resemble the facts of this case.
. See Appellee Peter's Br. 47 ("The Lien Priority Adversary was required as a result of Mr. Clark’s decision to assert this position.”).
. Remand Order at 20, in Appellant Clark's App. at 736 (“Given Mr. Clark's efforts of the past four years to obtain a windfall at the expense of the bankruptcy estate, Aurora, and Ms. Bryan, ... the Court finds sufficient grounds exist to allow the Trustee to recover the full amount of the proceeds subject to the Clark Lien pursuant to § 506(c).”).
. See id. at 19, in Appellant Clark's App. at 735 (citing Visual Industries, 57 F.3d 321 (3d Cir. 1995)). The court in Visual Industries addressed the question of whether § 506(c) authorized payment to trade creditors whose provision of materials helped sustain a debt- or’s operations, but did not directly benefit a secured creditor’s property. The court held that direct benefit to a secured creditor must be shown.
. Visual Industries, 57 F.3d at 325, 327 ("Merely providing some benefit to the debtor ... does not satisfy § 506(c)’s requirement that the claimant in order to prevail must provide a direct benefit inuring to the secured . lender for the preservation or disposition of the secured property.”).
. Clark asks us to remand the decision to the bankruptcy court for a determination as to what fees benefited him and are thus the proper subject of surcharge. With the exception of costs, we decline to do so. The record before us supports our decision to reverse the bankruptcy court’s decision to include the fees incurred in the Lien Priority Adversary as part of the Surcharge. There is no need for remand of that issue.
. These costs were $2,949.34. See Final Distribution Order at 3 ¶ 7, in Appellant Clark's App. at 757. On the record before us, the only costs clearly attributable to the Lien Priority Adversary are the $126.89 in costs incurred after December 11, 2011, awarded in the Final Distribution Order. Id. The latter may not be surcharged against the Sale Proceeds.
.We are not suggesting that the Trustee should not be paid the fees and costs incurred in the Lien Priority Adversary. Those administrative expenses may be eligible to be paid in the same fashion as any other Chapter 7 administrative expense. Whether these expenses are allowable as an administrative expense is not before us. Our holding is limited to the decision that fees and expenses incurred by the Trustee in the Lien Priority Adversary do not meet the criteria for a surcharge under § 506(c).
. In re Petroleum Prod. Mgmt., Inc., 282 B.R. 9, 13-14 (10th Cir. BAP 2002).
. Id. at 14 (quoting Lopez v. Behles (In re Am. Ready Mix, Inc.), 14 F.3d 1497, 1500 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 818, 115 S.Ct. 77, 130 L.Ed.2d 31 (1994)).
. Id. (citing In re Am. Ready Mix, Inc., 14 F.3d 1497, 1500 (10th Cir. 1994) quoting GMAC v. Dykes (In re Dykes), 10 F.3d 184, 187 (3d Cir. 1993)).
. Remand Order at 6 n.37, in Appellant Clark’s App. at 722.
. Id. at 13, in Appellant Clark's App. at 729.
. The Residence was sold in December 2009. The bankruptcy court calculated two years of interest from 2009-2011 equaling $7,425. The bankruptcy court then determined that as of December 2011 the amount due under the HELOC was $62,425, with interest continuing to accrue at the per diem rate of $10.17. The bankruptcy court then calculated interest from December 15, 2011, through April 30, 2015 totaling $12,547.91 and concluded, as of April 30, 2015, the total amount due on the HELOC was is $74,972.91. Final Distribution Order at 3, in Appellant Clark’s App. at 757.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In RE: Gary L. BRYAN, A/K/A Gary L. Bryan, Officer, Director, Shareholder of G.L. Bryan Investments, Inc., A/K/A Gary Bryan, Officer, Director, Shareholder of Fort Love Aviation Services, Inc., Officer, Director, Shareholder of Second Story Ventures, Inc., Officer, Director, Shareholder of Tepgarde, LLC, Officer, Director, Shareholder of Reflex Systems LLC, Officer, Director, Shareholder, of Home Closings, LLC, Officer, Director, Shareholder of Goodrich Bryan Investments, Inc., Officer, Director, Shareholder of Ft. Collins Tire & Auto Services, Inc., Officer, Director, Shareholder of Unicomm Power Sources, LLC, Officer, Director, Shareholder, of Check Processing Resources, Inc., Debtor, M. Stephen Peters, Plaintiff Counter Defendant-Appellee/Cross-Appellee/Cross-Appellant, v. Arthur Clark, Defendant Counter-claimant-Appellant/Cross-Appellee/Cross-Appellee. Janel K. Bryan, Defendant Counter-claimant-Appellee/Cross-Appellant/Cross-Appellee. Aurora Loan Services, LLC, Defendant-Appellee and Specialized Loan Servicing, LLC. and Vectra Bank Colorado, N.A., Defendants
- Cited By
- 12 cases
- Status
- Published