Federal Land Bank of Omaha v. Ellingson (In Re Ellingson)

63 B.R. 271, 1986 Bankr. LEXIS 5821
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Iowa
DecidedJune 20, 1986
Docket19-00242
StatusPublished
Cited by32 cases

This text of 63 B.R. 271 (Federal Land Bank of Omaha v. Ellingson (In Re Ellingson)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Iowa primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Federal Land Bank of Omaha v. Ellingson (In Re Ellingson), 63 B.R. 271, 1986 Bankr. LEXIS 5821 (Iowa 1986).

Opinion

FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, and ORDER re: § 727 COMPLAINT

MICHAEL J. MELLOY, Bankruptcy Judge.

The complaint of the Federal Land Bank of Omaha (Federal Land Bank) objecting to Debtors’ discharge pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 727 came on for trial before the court pursuant to notice to all parties. The court now issues its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Orders pursuant to F.R. B.P. 7052. This is a core proceeding to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(J).

FINDINGS OF FACT

The Debtors, Scott and Cynthia Elling-son, are a young farm couple. In April, 1980, the Ellingsons purchased a 95-acre farm. Federal Land Bank of Omaha loaned $110,000.00 towards the $270,000.00 purchase price. This amount was evidenced by a variable interest rate note dated April 9, 1980. The note was secured by the real estate being purchased. The loan represented 46 percent of the purchase price. A Federal Land Bank appraisal indicated that the purchase price did represent the fair market value as of the date of purchase. Payments of approximately $7,000.00 were due January and July of each year. Those payments were timely made until the payment due January, 1985, was not made by the Ellingsons.

The balance of the purchase price was loaned by the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). In addition to the loan for the purchase of the property with FmHA, the Ellingsons had other loans with FmHA. These loans included operating loans, as well as various emergency loans. These loans were secured by Debtors’ livestock, crops and machinery. In regard to these loans, the Ellingsons were required to keep FmHA advised of their farming situation including preparation of annual financial statements. According to the testimony of Wayne Ziegler, FmHA representative, the Ellingsons were good farmers, and were above average in keeping FmHA advised of changes in their farm operation.

The years 1980-1984 were difficult ones for the Ellingsons. There were at least three years when they had below average crops, in one year due to drought and in two other years due to flooding. In addition, land values were beginning to plummet. By the date the Ellingsons filed their Chapter 7 petition on July 30, 1985, the 54 percent equity cushion of the Federal Land Bank had been completely eliminated.

In 1982, Clifford Nelson, a farmer in the area, approached Scott Ellingson with an *273 offer to lease 160 acres of land to the Ellingsons on a crop-share basis. Mr. Nelson was interested in helping a young person get started in farming and was willing to lease the property on a crop share basis, which was very advantageous to the tenant. Most land was being cash rented at that time at high prices. Scott Ellingson discussed the proposed lease with FmHA, which stated that it had no objection, and in fact, felt the lease would be helpful to the Ellingsons in starting their farming operation. Later in 1982, Mr. Nelson offered to lease the Ellingsons the remainder of his 320-acre farm when he retired in 1983, with an option to purchase. Again this was to be on a crop-share basis. FmHA advised Scott Ellingson that it would work with him on this lease arrangement.

In 1983 Mr. Nelson and the Ellingsons continued to talk about the lease and option to purchase. It was also agreed that a small acreage consisting of about five acres would be separated and would be sold to the Ellingsons. The separate acreage contained a house and would be used as the Ellingsons’ homestead. These matters were, again, discussed with FmHA.

On May 5, 1983, the Nelsons and Elling-sons entered into an option for purchase of the farm land. The agreement also contained a 20-year crop-share lease of real property. The option provided that the price was to be determined at the time the option was exercised, with an appraisal clause if agreement as to purchase price could not be reached. The option was exclusive to the Ellingsons.

On May 16, 1983, the Ellingsons purchased by real estate contract the separate Nelson acreage. The five-acre tract had been appraised at $62,000.00. Mr. Nelson agreed to reduce the price to approximately $40,000.00 for these five acres. Another ten acres were added to the five-acre tract at $2,000.00 per acre. The total purchase price was $62,440.00 with a $1,000.00 down-payment. The first payment was due March 1, 1985, when yearly installments of $5,000.00 plus interest were to begin. Possession date was set for March 1, 1984.

After signing the lease agreement and the real estate contract, the Ellingsons attempted to sell their 95 acre farm. Initially, the Ellingsons tried to sell the farm without the services of a real estate broker. When those efforts proved unsuccessful, the Ellingsons entered into a listing agreement for the 95 acre farm with a realtor on April 10, 1984. The farm was listed for $250,000.00.

During 1984 the Ellingsons continued to suffer adversity in their farming operation. They again were troubled by diseased hogs, a problem which had been occurring for several years. Eventually the Elling-sons decided to get out of the livestock operation altogether. FmHA was kept advised of the Ellingsons’ decision to discontinue the hog operation. FmHA advised it had no objection, provided the operating loans which were secured by the livestock were paid in full at the time the hogs were sold. The hogs eventually were sold and the FmHA was paid on all operating loans. FmHA released any lien it had against any of the Ellingsons’ livestock, machinery and crops. This left as the only loan with FmHA the second mortgage against the 95 acre farm which secured the Federal Land Bank debt.

At the end of 1984 the Ellingsons discussed with FmHA their financial situation and the prospects for continued support by FmHA in their farming operation. FmHA advised Scott Ellingson to prepare a typical ’‘farm and home plan” which would show one year’s income and one year’s expenses. This plan was prepared and reviewed by FmHA representatives. After conferences with FmHA officials, it was determined that the Ellingson operation would not cash flow and that FmHA would not loan him any additional money for operating expenses.

FmHA officials were also of the opinion that the equity in the 95 acre farm had deteriorated to the point where FmHA would realize little, if anything, over and above the Federal Land Bank mortgage. FmHA advised Scott Ellingson to urge his realtor to sell the farm for what it was *274 worth in hopes that it would clear the Federal Land Bank mortgage. On December 20,1984, a new listing agreement for $142,-500.00 was entered into with the realtor. FmHA also advised Scott Ellingson to contact Federal Land Bank regarding the possible voluntary conveyance of the 95 acres to Federal Land Bank.

Scott Ellingson did meet with Federal Land Bank officials. He prepared a financial statement and advised Federal Land Bank that he was thinking of deeding the farm back or selling the farm. Federal Land Bank told Scott Ellingson he could hold off making the January 1, 1985 payment until the farm was appraised and the parties came to some conclusion as to the course of action to be taken in connection with the property.

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Bluebook (online)
63 B.R. 271, 1986 Bankr. LEXIS 5821, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/federal-land-bank-of-omaha-v-ellingson-in-re-ellingson-ianb-1986.