First Savings & Loan Ass'n v. Bennett (In Re Bennett)

29 B.R. 380, 1981 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10188
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Michigan
DecidedDecember 16, 1981
DocketG81-244 C.A.
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 29 B.R. 380 (First Savings & Loan Ass'n v. Bennett (In Re Bennett)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Michigan primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
First Savings & Loan Ass'n v. Bennett (In Re Bennett), 29 B.R. 380, 1981 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10188 (W.D. Mich. 1981).

Opinion

OPINION

NOEL P. FOX, Senior District Judge.

A mortgage foreclosure by advertisement was instituted against appellees, Alfred and Janet Bennett, in November 1979. The sheriff conducted a public sale of their home on January 4, 1980. Appellant, First Savings and Loan Association of Saginaw (hereinafter First Savings), was the mortgagee and only bidder at that sale. The sheriff executed a deed conveying the premises to First Savings, and this Sheriff’s Deed was recorded on January 4,1980. The deed provided for the statutory one year redemption period.

On December 22,1980, the Bennetts filed a Chapter 13 petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court. See, 11 U.S.C. § 1301 et seq. As this court has previously discovered, Chapter 13 is a comprehensive and flexible system which enables an individual to repay his debts over time, while avoiding the psychological stigma of being adjudged a bankrupt. The goal of Chapter 13 is to provide a “fresh start” for the debtor, while ensuring equality in the treatment of creditors. In re Polak, 9 B.R. 502 (D.W.D.Mich.1981). When the Chapter 13 petition was filed, an automatic stay was entered protecting the debtors from collection attempts by the creditors. The mortgage arrearages were listed as a debt on the petition.

After the redemption period expired, First Savings filed a complaint in the bankruptcy court seeking an order awarding possession of the residence to First Savings, and evicting the Bennetts. The bankruptcy court treated this complaint as one seeking a modification or termination of the stay. After trial, the court held that no basis for relief had been shown. Judge Nims found that the property is necessary for the debt *381 ors Chapter 13 plan, and First Savings’ interest was adequately protected. First Savings has appealed the decision of the bankruptcy court denying the requested relief. The only real issue before this court is whether the findings of the bankruptcy court are “clearly erroneous.”

After reviewing the law and the facts in this case, it is apparent that First Savings has not been deprived of any right in the property. Michigan law is clear that after foreclosure, legal title does not vest until the expiration of the redemption period. The court in Bankers Trust Co. of Detroit v. Rose, 322 Mich. 256, 260, 33 N.W.2d 783 (1948), stated:

Legal title does not vest at once upon the auction sale on statutory foreclosure (Jones on Mortgages, § 1884), but only at the expiration of the period allowed for redemption.

The mortgagor does not lose all interest in the property until the time for redemption under the foreclosure decree expires. Detroit Fidelity & Surety Co. v. Donaldson, 255 Mich. 129, 237 N.W. 380 (1931). The purchaser at a foreclosure sale is not guaranteed that he is going to get a particular estate, or any estate in return for his purchase price. National Acceptance Company v. Mardigian, 259 F.Supp. 612 (E.D.Mich.1966).

In this case, at the time the Chapter 13 petition was filed, appellees still retained an interest in their home. This interest, a statutory right of redemption, passed into the estate. 4 Collier on Bankruptcy, ¶ 541.-07[3] (15th ed. 1980). Bank of the Commonwealth v. Bevan, 13 B.R. 989, 7 B.C.D. 557 (D.E.D.Mich.1981). Code section 541(a) defines an estate in broad terms. It provides in relevant part:

(a) The commencement of a case under section 301, 302, or 303 of this title creates an estate. Such estate is comprised of all the following property, wherever located:
(1) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c)(2) of this section, all legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case. (Emphasis added.)

Upon the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, an automatic stay takes effect which precludes certain action against the debtor or his property. See, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a). The legislative history of this section indicates that the stay provisions are a mechanism to protect both debtor and creditor. The debtor is relieved from further collection efforts, harassment, and foreclosure actions, and is permitted to work out his repayment. Creditors are protected by insuring that liquidation proceedings are orderly and all creditors are treated equally. Creditors who act first to obtain payment cannot prosper to the detriment of other creditors. H.R.Rept. No. 95-595, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. 340 (1977), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 1978, p. 5787. The purpose of § 362(a) is to freeze the debtor’s financial relationships and conditions at the date of the petition. In re Johnson, 8 B.R. 371, 7 B.C.D. 222 (Bkrtcy.D.Mn.1981).

Section 362(d) declares that an automatic stay can be modified or terminated by the bankruptcy court, after notice and a hearing:

(1) for cause, including lack of adequate protection of an interest in property of the applicant; or
(2) as concerns a stay of an act against property; and
(a) the debtor has no equity in the property; and
(b) it is not necessary to an effective Chapter 13 plan.

5 Collier on Bankruptcy, ¶ 1300.45[5] (15th ed. 1980).

Judge Nims found that the debtor was regularly employed and had been working for the same employer for the past seven years. The current mortgage payments are being made outside the plan, and the ar-rearages will be made up in less than one year. Judge Nims ruled that First Savings was adequately protected. The land was originally worth $8,000 and the home $17,-000. Recent valuations placed the value of the land at $27,500 and the home at $30,000. Since the amount due at the time of fore *382 closure was $17,185.99, Judge Nims concluded that First Savings was protected by the large equity. Further, the debtors needed the home to carry out their plan.

The bankruptcy court relied on Hallenbeck v. Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co., 323 F.2d 566 (4th Cir.1963), in denying appellant’s request for modification of stay. That case held that a bankruptcy referee, exercising his discretion under the Wage Earner’s Plan chapter of the Act, could enjoin the foreclosure of mortgaged property. The court stated that before a bankruptcy court enjoins any action to foreclose,

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Bluebook (online)
29 B.R. 380, 1981 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10188, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/first-savings-loan-assn-v-bennett-in-re-bennett-miwd-1981.