MEMORANDUM OF DECISION
JAMES B. HAINES, Jr., Bankruptcy Judge.
First National Bank of Damariscotta (“First National”), holding a claim secured by a mortgage on the debtors’ principal residence, has moved for relief from § 362’s automatic stay.
Having considered the evidence, including the parties’ post-hearing stipulations, for the reasons set forth below, First National’s motion is granted, but only to the extent that continued operation of the automatic stay will be conditioned as set forth below.
Procedural History
Lawrence and Mary Sidelinger (“Sideling-ers” or “debtors”) filed bankruptcy under Chapter 7 on March 14, 1994. On April 26, 1994, they converted the case to Chapter 13.
The Sidelingers have amended their schedules and statements twice. They’ve amended their proposed Chapter 13 plan once.
First National filed its motion for relief from stay within weeks of the conversion. Following a timely,
telephonic preliminary hearing on the motion, the parties agreed that the stay would continue to operate pending a final hearing in mid-September 1994.
The Mortgage Obligation
As of September 14, 1994, the Sidelingers owed First National $108,324.27. First National’s claim is secured only by a mortgage on the Sidelingers’ residence. The home, valued at $125,000.00 is also encumbered by a $21,357.46 mortgage obligation to Farmers’ Home Administration (“FmHA”). The debtors’ monthly mortgage payment to First National is approximately $850.00.
On the bankruptcy filing date, the Sidel-ingers’ mortgage arrearage to First National was $4,671.00, exclusive of interest, penalties and fees. At conversion to Chapter 13 the arrearage totalled $5,524.90. On June 14, 1994, it was $7,223.42, the level at which it remained through the final hearing.
Postpetition Performance
Between filing and the final hearing, the debtors paid First National three of the five monthly mortgage payments that came due. In addition, they made regular payments to the Chapter 13 trustee ($379.00 per month under the current plan version). The trustee’s initial disbursement ($705.00) to First National on account of the mortgage arrear-age issued on September 7, 1994.
The Plan
The debtors predict they will soon amend their plan to provide increased payments (when Mary Sidelinger secures employment at one of several positions for which she’s interviewed). Its present term is sixty months. It requires the Sidelingers to cure prepetition and postpetition mortgage ar-rearages (with interest) through the plan,
while making monthly mortgage payments as they come due “outside the plan.” With plan payments as presently proposed, it will take
approximately thirty-six months to cure mortgage arrearages.
DISCUSSION
First National seeks relief from stay under § 362(d)(2).
The parties agree that the Si-delingers have no equity in the property. Thus the pivotal issue is whether the property is “necessary to an effective reorganization.”
First National argues that the plan’s legal deficiencies, as well as the debtors’ inability to execute the plan, establish that successful reorganization is beyond the Sidelingers’ grasp. Conceding that the debtors need their residence to go forward, the bank asserts that it cannot be “necessary to an effective reorganization” because an effective reorganization is not possible.
1. Burden of Proof.
Opposing relief from stay, the debtors bear the burden of demonstrating that their residence is “necessary to an effective reorganization.”
See
§ 362(g) (party seeking relief has burden of proof on the issue of a debtor’s equity in the property; party opposing relief bears burden on “all other issues”).
See also Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v. Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc.,
814 F.2d 844, 847 (1st Cir.1987);
Marder v. Turner (In re Turner),
161 B.R. 1,
3-4
(Bankr.D.Me.1993);
Davis v. Crescent Beach Inn, Inc. (In re Crescent Beach Inn, Inc.),
22 B.R. 161,163 n. 4 (Bankr.D.Me.1982);
Farina v. Ford Motor Credit Company (In re Farina),
9 B.R. 726, 730 (Bankr.D.Me.1981).
But the hurdle confronting the debtors at this stage is substantially lower than those they must clear at confirmation. To defeat First National’s motion, the Sideling-ers must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that there is “ ‘a reasonable possibility of a successful reorganization within a reasonable time.’ ”
United Savings Assoc. of Texas v. Timbers of Inwood Forest Assoc. Ltd.,
484 U.S. 365, 376,108 S.Ct. 626, 633, 98 L.Ed.2d 740 (1988) (Chapter 11) (citations omitted) (quoting
In re Timbers,
808 F.2d 363, 370 (5th Cir.1987) (en banc));
In re Sun Valley Newspapers, Inc.,
171 B.R. 71, 74 (9th Cir. BAP 1994);
In re Turner,
161 B.R. at 3 (Chapter 13).
2. How Long May Cure Endure?
Preserving the family residence is this Chapter 13 case’s
raison d’etre.
First National contends that the debtors’ plan’s cure provision is legally impermissible because it proposes to cure over an unreasonably lengthy period of time.
Section 1322(b)(5) provides Chapter 13 debtors the opportunity to deaccelerate, cure and reinstate residential mortgages, notwithstanding § 1322(b)(2), which precludes “modifying” the rights of secured claimants holding only a security interest in real estate that is a debtor’s principal residence.
See Jim Walter Homes, Inc. v.
Spears (In re Thompson),
894 F.2d 1227, 1228 n. 4 (10th Cir.1990);
In re Roach,
824 F.2d 1370, 1376-77 (3d Cir.1987);
Foster Mortgage Corp. v. Terry (In re Terry),
780 F.2d 894, 896 (11th Cir.1985);
Federal Land Bank v. Glenn (In re Glenn),
760 F.2d 1428, 1434-45 (6th Cir.),
cert. denied, sub nom. Miller v.
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MEMORANDUM OF DECISION
JAMES B. HAINES, Jr., Bankruptcy Judge.
First National Bank of Damariscotta (“First National”), holding a claim secured by a mortgage on the debtors’ principal residence, has moved for relief from § 362’s automatic stay.
Having considered the evidence, including the parties’ post-hearing stipulations, for the reasons set forth below, First National’s motion is granted, but only to the extent that continued operation of the automatic stay will be conditioned as set forth below.
Procedural History
Lawrence and Mary Sidelinger (“Sideling-ers” or “debtors”) filed bankruptcy under Chapter 7 on March 14, 1994. On April 26, 1994, they converted the case to Chapter 13.
The Sidelingers have amended their schedules and statements twice. They’ve amended their proposed Chapter 13 plan once.
First National filed its motion for relief from stay within weeks of the conversion. Following a timely,
telephonic preliminary hearing on the motion, the parties agreed that the stay would continue to operate pending a final hearing in mid-September 1994.
The Mortgage Obligation
As of September 14, 1994, the Sidelingers owed First National $108,324.27. First National’s claim is secured only by a mortgage on the Sidelingers’ residence. The home, valued at $125,000.00 is also encumbered by a $21,357.46 mortgage obligation to Farmers’ Home Administration (“FmHA”). The debtors’ monthly mortgage payment to First National is approximately $850.00.
On the bankruptcy filing date, the Sidel-ingers’ mortgage arrearage to First National was $4,671.00, exclusive of interest, penalties and fees. At conversion to Chapter 13 the arrearage totalled $5,524.90. On June 14, 1994, it was $7,223.42, the level at which it remained through the final hearing.
Postpetition Performance
Between filing and the final hearing, the debtors paid First National three of the five monthly mortgage payments that came due. In addition, they made regular payments to the Chapter 13 trustee ($379.00 per month under the current plan version). The trustee’s initial disbursement ($705.00) to First National on account of the mortgage arrear-age issued on September 7, 1994.
The Plan
The debtors predict they will soon amend their plan to provide increased payments (when Mary Sidelinger secures employment at one of several positions for which she’s interviewed). Its present term is sixty months. It requires the Sidelingers to cure prepetition and postpetition mortgage ar-rearages (with interest) through the plan,
while making monthly mortgage payments as they come due “outside the plan.” With plan payments as presently proposed, it will take
approximately thirty-six months to cure mortgage arrearages.
DISCUSSION
First National seeks relief from stay under § 362(d)(2).
The parties agree that the Si-delingers have no equity in the property. Thus the pivotal issue is whether the property is “necessary to an effective reorganization.”
First National argues that the plan’s legal deficiencies, as well as the debtors’ inability to execute the plan, establish that successful reorganization is beyond the Sidelingers’ grasp. Conceding that the debtors need their residence to go forward, the bank asserts that it cannot be “necessary to an effective reorganization” because an effective reorganization is not possible.
1. Burden of Proof.
Opposing relief from stay, the debtors bear the burden of demonstrating that their residence is “necessary to an effective reorganization.”
See
§ 362(g) (party seeking relief has burden of proof on the issue of a debtor’s equity in the property; party opposing relief bears burden on “all other issues”).
See also Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v. Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc.,
814 F.2d 844, 847 (1st Cir.1987);
Marder v. Turner (In re Turner),
161 B.R. 1,
3-4
(Bankr.D.Me.1993);
Davis v. Crescent Beach Inn, Inc. (In re Crescent Beach Inn, Inc.),
22 B.R. 161,163 n. 4 (Bankr.D.Me.1982);
Farina v. Ford Motor Credit Company (In re Farina),
9 B.R. 726, 730 (Bankr.D.Me.1981).
But the hurdle confronting the debtors at this stage is substantially lower than those they must clear at confirmation. To defeat First National’s motion, the Sideling-ers must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that there is “ ‘a reasonable possibility of a successful reorganization within a reasonable time.’ ”
United Savings Assoc. of Texas v. Timbers of Inwood Forest Assoc. Ltd.,
484 U.S. 365, 376,108 S.Ct. 626, 633, 98 L.Ed.2d 740 (1988) (Chapter 11) (citations omitted) (quoting
In re Timbers,
808 F.2d 363, 370 (5th Cir.1987) (en banc));
In re Sun Valley Newspapers, Inc.,
171 B.R. 71, 74 (9th Cir. BAP 1994);
In re Turner,
161 B.R. at 3 (Chapter 13).
2. How Long May Cure Endure?
Preserving the family residence is this Chapter 13 case’s
raison d’etre.
First National contends that the debtors’ plan’s cure provision is legally impermissible because it proposes to cure over an unreasonably lengthy period of time.
Section 1322(b)(5) provides Chapter 13 debtors the opportunity to deaccelerate, cure and reinstate residential mortgages, notwithstanding § 1322(b)(2), which precludes “modifying” the rights of secured claimants holding only a security interest in real estate that is a debtor’s principal residence.
See Jim Walter Homes, Inc. v.
Spears (In re Thompson),
894 F.2d 1227, 1228 n. 4 (10th Cir.1990);
In re Roach,
824 F.2d 1370, 1376-77 (3d Cir.1987);
Foster Mortgage Corp. v. Terry (In re Terry),
780 F.2d 894, 896 (11th Cir.1985);
Federal Land Bank v. Glenn (In re Glenn),
760 F.2d 1428, 1434-45 (6th Cir.),
cert. denied, sub nom. Miller v. First Federal of Michigan,
474 U.S. 849, 106 S.Ct. 144, 88 L.Ed.2d 119 (1985);
In re Clark,
738 F.2d 869, 872 (7th Cir.1984);
Grubbs v. Houston First American Savings Association,
730 F.2d 236, 241 (5th Cir.1984) (en banc);
Di Pierro v. Taddeo (In re Taddeo),
685 F.2d 24, 27-28 (2d Cir.1982);
Oregon, Department of Veterans’ Affairs v. Braker (In re Braker),
125 B.R. 798, 800-01 (9th Cir. BAP 1991).
Cf. In re Cormier,
147 B.R. 285, 293 (Bankr.D.Me. 1992) (the Code’s cure provisions provide Chapter 13 debtors a prescription for preserving property in circumstances where state law does not);
In re Tucker,
131 B.R. 245, 246 (Bankr.D.Me.1991) (determination of whether a Chapter 13 debt- or has a right to cure is a matter of federal bankruptcy law).
See generally
1 Keith M. Lundin,
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
§§ 4.37-4.44 and Vol. 2 at Appendix I (1993); 2 Epstein, Nickles.& White,
Bankruptcy
§ 9-17 (1992); 5 Lawrence King,
Collier on Bankruptcy
¶ 1322.09 (15th ed. 1994) [hereinafter “Collier”]; Shawn A. Holcombe, Comment,
The Power to Cure Default Under Chapter 12,
7 Bankr.Dev.J. 261, 262-278 (1990) (discussing Chapter 13); James S. Sable,
A Chapter 13 Debtor’s Right to Cure Default Under Section 1322(b): A Problem of Interpretation,
57 Bankr.LJ. 127, 134-136 (1983) (federal policy takes precedence over state law).
Chapter 13’s cure enables debtors to reinstate credit relationships with those holding claims on which payments continue to accrue after the final plan payment is due, but requires the “curing of any default within a
reasonable time ”
coupled with “maintenance of payments while the case is pending.” § 1322(b)(5) (emphasis supplied).
See Sapos v. Provident Institution of Savings,
967 F.2d 918, 926 (3d Cir.1992);
Shearson Lehman Mortgage Corp. v. Laguna (In re Laguna),
944 F.2d 542, 544 (9th Cir.1991),
cert. denied,
— U.S.-, 112 S.Ct. 1577, 118 L.Ed.2d 219 (1992);
Landmark Financial Services v. Hall,
918 F.2d 1150, 1153-54 (4th Cir.1990);
In re Taddeo,
685 F.2d at 28;
In re Lessman,
159 B.R. 135, 137 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.1993).
Section 1322(b)(5)’s “reasonable time” is neither defined nor limited by the Code. The legislative history is unilluminating.
See e.g., In re Herrera,
No. 89-05207, 1991 WL 7704, at *1, 1991 Bankr. LEXIS 71, at *2-*3 (Bankr.D.P.R. Jan. 15, 1991);
In re Hickson,
52 B.R. 11 (Bankr.S.D.Fla.1985);
In re King,
7 B.R. 110, 112 (Bankr.S.D.Cal.1980),
aff'd,
28 B.R. 779 (9th Cir. BAP 1982)).
Virtually all authorities agree that a bankruptcy court exercises its discretion in light of each case’s unique facts to determine whether a given plan’s cure terms are “reasonable” within § 1322(b)(5)’s meaning.
Grundy Nat. Bank v. Stiltner,
58 B.R. 593, 596 (W.D.Va.1986);
In re Masterson,
147 B.R. 295, 296 (Bankr.D.N.H.1992);
In re Herrera,
1991 WL 7704 at *1, 1991 Bankr. LEXIS 71 at *3;
In re Chavez, 117
B.R. 730, 731-32 (Bankr.S.D.Fla.1990);
Fleet Finance, Inc. v. Randolph (In re Randolph),
102 B.R. 902, 903 (Bankr.S.D.Ga.1989).
See generally
5
Collier
¶ 1322.09[5] at 27.
The “time” for cure extends forward from the bankruptcy filing.
In re Taddeo,
685 F.2d at 29 (noting that pre-bankruptcy events may be considered in the court’s reasonable time determination). ' But it most certainly may not extend beyond the plan’s term.
Sapos,
967 F.2d at 928.
Given the discretionary nature of the “reasonable time” determination and the myriad fact patterns Chapter 13 eases present, it is not surprising that a review of reported cases addressing the time within which cure must take place yields no rule of thumb.
Compare, e.g., In re Brooks,
51 B.R. 741 (Bankr.S.D.Fla.1985) (nineteen months unreasonable);
In re Hailey,
17 B.R. 167 (Bankr.S.D.Fla.1982) (twelve months unreasonable); and
GMAC v. Lawrence, 11
B.R. 44, 45 (Bankr.N.D.Ga.1981);
with In re Cole,
122 B.R. 943 (Bankr.E.D.Pa.1991) (sixty months reasonable);
In re Seem,
92 B.R. 134 (Bankr.E.D.Pa.1988) (same); and
In re Harmon,
72 B.R. 458 (Bankr.E.D.Pa.1987) (same). Cure term “reasonableness” does not present itself as a notion suited to application of
per se
rules.
See In re King,
7 B.R. at 112-13 (rejecting notion that mortgage default cure term that equals or approximates plan term is
per se
unreasonable).
In re Brooks
refused to confirm a plan proposing to cure mortgage arrearages over approximately nineteen months, terming the proposed cure period “unreasonable.” 51 B.R. at 742^13.
Its holding was based in part on the court’s conclusion that § 1322(b)(5)’s reasonable time for cure requirement is substantively equivalent to § 365(b)(l)(A)’s requirement that a debtor must “promptly cure” defaults when assuming an executory contract.
Id.
at 743. The court also commented: “While each case must be judged on its own facts, I have yet to see any ease where it would be reasonable to permit a mortgagor without the lender’s consent to take over a year to cure a default.”
Id.
Relying on
Brooks,
First National argues that the Sidelingers’ cure proposal is unreasonable as a matter of law. But
Brooks
runs neither so clear nor so far as the bank would have it. Although the court’s additional observations added volume to the flow,
Brooks’
course did not meander from mill run analysis: the court cautioned that “each case must be judged on its own facts.”
Id. Brooks’
conclusion that § 365(b)(l)(A)’s “prompt cure” term should be read in
pari materia
with § 1322(b)(5)’s “reasonable time” provision wanders too far from the opinion’s acknowledged “facts of the case” analysis and too far from the statutory language to be convincing. One need navigate the respective Code sections only a little way to conclude that, in using different terms, Congress buoyed divergent channels respecting execu-tory contract assumptions and plan cure terms. A reasonable time for cure may, but need not be, a “prompt” cure.
See In re Masterson,
147 B.R. at 297 and n. 2;
In re Lawrence,
11 B.R. at 45.
Short of a
per se
rule, at least one court has adopted the premise that there should be a “presumptive” twelve month limitation on cure, subject to a debtor’s showing that a longer period is reasonable under the circumstances.
In re Newton,
161 B.R. 207, 211-12 (Bankr.D.Minn.1993).
Newton
utilized the presumptively reasonable cure period model to allocate burdens of production in confirmation determinations, but it, too, stands for the
proposition that determining a reasonable time for cure is a fact-driven exercise.
Some courts have employed multi-factor formulae to gauge cure term reasonableness.
See, e.g., In re Newton,
161 B.R. at 215-16 (fourteen factor test);
In re Lessman,
159 B.R. at 138 (eight factor test);
In re Master-son,
147 B.R. at 296-97 (analyzing reasonableness of cure term with reference to factors demonstrating “cause” for extending plan beyond thirty-six months);
In re Herrera,
1991WL 7704 at *1,1991 Bankr. LEXIS 71 at *3 (five factor test).
Although a full and final evaluation of the Sidelingers’ plans’ reasonableness must await confirmation hearings, it is sufficient, for now, to note that the Sidelingers’ mortgage obligation was in default for a matter of months before their bankruptcy filing. They have made substantial, if irregular, postpetition payments to the mortgagee. They have made substantial, regular payments to the trustee in accordance with their proposed Chapter 13 plan. The plan proposes cure within approximately thirty-six months. First National has already begun to receive distributions from the Chapter 13 trustee in respect of the mortgage arrears.
The debtors have demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of reorganization within a reasonable time. I cannot conclude to the contrary by dint of the plan’s cure term’s length alone.
S. Hoiv Sure is the Cure?
First National’s second line of attack assumes that the debtors’ plan might be permissible. Even so, it argues, the debtors lack financial wherewithal to execute its terms successfully. Again, however, the analysis must proceed under the “reasonable likelihood of reorganization” model.
Mr. Sidelinger works no fewer than six days a week in two lines of self-employment. He sells advertising on commission for a local newspaper. From the back of a van, he sells fish to wholesale and retail customers in western Massachusetts. The latter venture is a new one, but he has already tested the waters. He has substantial prior experience in the seafood businest nd although income from the two jobs is variable, it is reasonable to forecast that he will net enough to fund the plan.
. Mrs. Sidelinger is presently unemployed. However, she is pursuing
employment that will provide additional income and benefits. Plan success does not depend on her immediate employment.
The debtors have demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that their plan is sufficiently feasible to be confirmed.
k. An Ounce of Prevention.
All of this is not to say that the Sidelingers’ prospects for Chapter 13 rehabilitation are assured. They concede that they have not made two of the five mortgage payments that fell due to First National after they initiated bankruptcy. Although such postpetition mortgage arrearages are not yet fatal to the debtors’ efforts,
see, e.g., Green Tree Acceptance, Inc. v. Hoggle (In re Haggle),
12 F.3d 1008, 1010 (11th Cir.1994) (§ 1322(b)(5) permits cure of postconfirmation defaults, let alone postpetition defaults);
In re Lessman,
159 B.R. at 137;
In re Ford,
84 B.R. 40, 44 (Bankr.E.D.Pa.1988);
In re Parker,
46 B.R. 106, 108 (Bankr.N.D.Ga. 1985).
See Also
5
Collier
¶ 1322.09[1] at 22, further arrearages would seriously threaten reorganization prospects.
See
§ 1322(b)(5) (cure entails “maintenance of payments while the case is pending”).
See also In re Less-man,
159 B.R. at 137-38 (confirmation denied because, although § 1322(b)(5) permits curing postpetition, preconfirmation defaults, debtors were ten months in arrears on the mortgage when they commenced the case and made no postpetition mortgage payments);
In re Ford,
84 B.R. at 44 (modest and justifiable post-petition delinquency can be cured; excessive delays in making current payments may run afoul of § 1322(b)(5)’s requirement that the debtor maintain payments, or become impermissibly onerous to the creditor).
Cf. In re Sensabaugh,
88 B.R. 95, 96 (Bankr.E.D.Va.1988) (modification to cure seven postconfirmation defaults denied);
In re Parker,
46 B.R. at 108 (cure rights do not vitiate the obligation to afford adequate protection).
In addition, notwithstanding passage of a considerable length of time, the debtors’ plan has yet to be confirmed. Indeed, it may be amended further. Although the delays to date may be understandable, the debtors have had the benefit of a relatively lengthy “breathing space” and must immediately get about the business of confirming a plan.
Terminating the automatic stay is not in order, but the bankruptcy court may grant relief by imposing appropriate conditions upon its continued operation. § 362(d)
(relief
may include “terminating, annulling, modifying, or
conditioning
[the] stay”) (emphasis supplied).
See Superior Paint Manufacturing Co., Inc. v. Lopez-Soto (In re Lopez-Soto),
764 F.2d 23, 28 (1st Cir.1985) (bankruptcy court retains power to control the § 362(d) proceeding through ability to impose conditions upon those wish to maintain the stay);
Richmond Leasing Co. v. Capital Bank, N.A.,
762 F.2d 1303, 1307 and 1313 (5th Cir.1985);
Browning v. Navarro,
743 F.2d 1069, 1074 and 1084 (5th Cir.1984) (court has authority and discretion to fashion relief according to the needs in a particular bankruptcy proceeding.);
Monopearl, Inc. v. Feldstein (In re Del Gizzo),
5 B.R. 446, 448 (Bankr.D.R.I.1980).
See generally
2
Collier
¶ 362.07.
To prevent additional mortgage arrearages from accruing, and in light of the time that has elapsed since filing, I will condition continued operation of the stay on the debtors’ full performance of all obligations coming due hereafter under the First National mortgage note and agreement and, further, upon their prompt finalization and confirmation of a Chapter 13 plan.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, First National Bank of Damariscotta’s motion for relief from stay is GRANTED to the extent that continued operation of the automatic
stay is conditioned upon the debtors’ performance of all obligations coming due under their mortgage note and agreement with First National Bank of Damariseotta and, further, if changes to the present plan are necessary, upon the debtors’ filing their final proposed Chapter 13 plan within 10 days, and bringing a plan on for confirmation within 45 days of the date of this court’s order.
Should they fail to meet these conditions in any respect, First National Bank of Damaris-eotta shall be granted relief from stay on five days’ notice, without further hearing.