Carter v. Patterson (In re Patterson)

485 B.R. 905, 2013 WL 264365, 2013 Bankr. LEXIS 280
United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Arkansas·Decided January 24, 2013·No. Bankruptcy No. 5:12-bk-11501; Adversary No. 5:12-ap-01052·Published

Opinion

OPINION

RICHARD D. TAYLOR, Bankruptcy Judge.

On April 10, 2012, plaintiffs Mary D. Carter (“Carter”) and her attorney, Michael D. Ray (“Ray”), filed a Complaint and Objection to Discharge of Debt and Dischargeability of Debt (“Objection”). The debtor, Ricky W. Patterson (“Patterson”), filed his Answer to Complaint and to Objection to Discharge of Debt and Dischargability of Debt (“Answer”) on May 10, 2012. In the Objection, Carter and Ray seek a denial of discharge based on 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(2) and a determination that debts owed to Carter resulting from a state court order are nondischargeable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2), (4), (6), and (19)(B). The parties tried this matter on December 6, 2012. For the reasons stated below, the discharge and dischargeability counts are denied.

I. Jurisdiction

This court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334 and 157. This is a core proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(I) and (J). The following opinion constitutes findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 7052.

II. Findings of Fact

Carter presented evidence in three forms: (1) a state court order that Carter suggests should have a dispositive collateral estoppel effect; (2) direct testimony; and (3) documents admitted into evidence. The first form represents the majority of the evidence introduced at trial.

Patterson started Patterson House Moving (“PHM”) as a sole proprietorship in 1972. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 7 at 3.) In 2003, he met and began dating Carter, who was working for another home moving business, Ferrell House Moving (“FHM”). Shortly thereafter, the couple moved in together. During the course of their relationship, they began working together at PHM. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 4 at 2.) Eventually, Carter bought FHM from her employer. Patterson wanted to sell his business to her as well; she agreed, but they never reduced their agreement to writing. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 4 at 1-2.) Over the years, Carter paid Patterson approximately $40,000 for the business. Despite equivocating as to the existence of an agreement to buy him out, Patterson acknowledged the sale as recently as August 27, 2007. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 3 at 1.) Specifically, as part of his testimony in Patterson v. Sanders, No-CV-2004-291-2-5, Patterson stated, under oath, that “he had sold his business including the equipment which was the basis of this lawsuit to [Carter].” (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 3 at 1.)1

While they worked together at PHM, Carter ran the crew and equipment. Patterson obtained the necessary permits, insurance, licenses, and surety bonds. He was the only one capable of obtaining the surety bonds, which are necessary to move homes, because of Carter’s credit history. She testified, however, that Patterson gave her the impression that she could buy his bonds from him. Though Patterson handled the PHM paperwork, Carter provided [911] the money to pay for the permits, insurance, licenses, and bonds.

Patterson set up a checking account in Carter’s name in December of 2007. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 4 at 2.) The address listed on the account is hers. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 1 at 1.) Patterson was authorized to withdraw money from the account. He also deposited money into it. This money came from moving homes and Patterson’s Social Security checks.2 (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 7 at 10.) Since 2007, tax returns for PHM were filed in Carter’s name as sole proprietor. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 8 at 7.)

Carter and Patterson worked together at PHM from 2003 until January of 2010 when their personal relationship ended. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 4 at 5.) Thereafter, a disagreement arose regarding the ownership of PHM, and Patterson began harassing Carter. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 8 at 3.) Carter obtained an Order of Protection against Patterson on February 10, 2010. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 8 at 3.) On March 9, 2010, Patterson attempted to have the Order of Protection set aside so he could retrieve his property from Carter’s home, but instead of setting it aside, the state court extended the Order of Protection for an additional six months. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 5 at 1.) According to Carter, even after the Order of Protection became effective, Patterson went to her home and removed the majority of the PHM equipment. As a result, she has been unable to move homes.

Patterson used the PHM equipment he removed from Carter’s property to continue moving homes. He moved two homes after their relationship ended and received $11,000 for the work. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 8 at 8.) He also procured house moving permits that were issued in PHM’s name after his personal and professional relationship with Carter ended. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 2 at l.)3 Additionally, he removed the remaining balance from the PHM bank account that he had set up in Carter’s name. According to his testimony, before closing the account, he withdrew approximately $700 to pay for insurance on the equipment for 2011. This amount, however, was not enough to cover the total insurance premium payment. He personally paid $5,000 to cover the premium payment for the surety bond for a full term. (Plaintiffs’ Ex. 6 at 1.)

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Carter v. Patterson (In re Patterson), 485 B.R. 905, 2013 WL 264365, 2013 Bankr. LEXIS 280 (Ark. 2013).

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