Henderson Glass, Inc. v. Remes Glass, Inc. (In Re Remes Glass, Inc.)

136 B.R. 132, 17 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 1176, 1992 Bankr. LEXIS 106, 22 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 905
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Michigan
DecidedJanuary 14, 1992
Docket11-12574
StatusPublished

This text of 136 B.R. 132 (Henderson Glass, Inc. v. Remes Glass, Inc. (In Re Remes Glass, Inc.)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy 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
Henderson Glass, Inc. v. Remes Glass, Inc. (In Re Remes Glass, Inc.), 136 B.R. 132, 17 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 1176, 1992 Bankr. LEXIS 106, 22 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 905 (Mich. 1992).

Opinion

OPINION AND JUDGMENT

DAVID E. NIMS, Jr., Bankruptcy Judge.

PREFERENCES IMPROVEMENT OF POSITION AMENDMENTS

This is an action originally brought by Henderson Glass, Inc. (Henderson) and Henderson Glass Grand Rapids, Inc. (H.G.G.R.) against Remes Glass, Inc. (Debt- or). As this adversary proceeding was filed during the Chapter 7 case, the Debtor never filed an answer. However, James W. Hoemer (Trustee), the duly appointed, qualified and acting trustee filed an answer and counterclaim. Involved is the respective rights of Henderson as secured creditor, H.G.G.R. as the purchaser of all of the assets of Debtor, and the Trustee in a bank money order, proceeds of the sale of the Debtor by the first lienholder Old Kent Bank and Trust Company (Old Kent), all funds in the Debtor’s checking accounts, any tax and insurance funds, and the right to the corporate name of the Debtor.

JURISDICTION

All parties concede that this adversary proceeding arises out of and is related to the Chapter 7 case of Debtor, the case is proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(K) and (O), and that this court has jurisdiction.

FACTS

For many years Remes carried on a retail and wholesale automobile parts business in the Grand Rapids area under the name of “Remes Auto Parts.” Henderson had been carrying on a like business in the Detroit area. In 1988, Henderson became interested in expanding to the Grand Rapids area and in November of that year an agreement was entered into whereby Henderson would purchase the assets of Remes. However, investigation by Henderson revealed that Remes was hav *134 ing problems. Operating capital was gone, there were payrolls to meet, and Internal Revenue back taxes were approaching $100,000. A possible loan was discussed and the sale was postponed.

Anson E. Moore, Jr. (Moore), who had been employed by Henderson since December of 1973, entered into the employment of Remes in December 1988 as its president. Around the same time Carlton P. Ostdiek, president of Henderson and Diversified Services, the parent company of Henderson, was made the chairman of the board of Remes. Bill Remes remained on the board of directors.

On January 20, 1989, Henderson loaned $200,000 to Remes. The Debtor executed and delivered to Henderson a promissory note and security agreement on all of the Debtor’s intangibles. Moore and Ostdiek signed the said documents. All of the parties were aware of the fact that Old Kent had a previously perfected security interest in all assets of the Debtor.

In a proceeding in the Circuit Court for the County of Kent, State of Michigan, Case No. 89-62285-CK, captioned Henderson Glass, Inc. v. Remes Glass, Inc. and Old Kent Bank and Trust Company, a consent judgment was entered on July 11, 1989 in which the Honorable Donald A. Johnston made the following findings:

1. Remes is indebted to Henderson in the amount of $205,661.11 through July 7, 1989 plus interest at $77.78 per diem thereafter plus attorneys’ fees and costs of $4,050.00.
2. Remes is additionally indebted to Henderson in the amount of $46,548.75 as of July 7, 1989 and interest shall accrue thereon at the statutory rate of interest on judgments.
3. Remes is indebted to Old Kent in the sum of $365,198.10, plus accrued and unpaid interest of $12,263.72 from June 13, 1989 to July 5, 1989, plus a per diem interest charge of $118.05.
4. Remes is liable to Old Kent for all of its attorneys’ fees and costs incurred and to be incurred in connection with this matter, which attorneys’ fees and costs amount to $6,381.48.
5. Old Kent holds valid, perfected, and first priority security interests and liens in essentially all of Remes’ intangible and tangible property, to wit: all accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, general intangibles (including, without limitation, telephone numbers, business names and goodwill), inventory, documents of title evidencing inventory, machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures (including, without limitation, signs), and the proceeds thereof (the “Collateral”).
6. To secure all of the sums due and owing to it by Remes, Henderson holds valid, perfected, and second priority security interests and liens in the Collateral, which liens and interests also secure all of Henderson’s foreclosure expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

Judgment was entered in favor of Henderson and against Remes, in the amount of $252,209.86, plus interest as set forth above, costs of $50 and attorneys’ fees of $4,000.

This court finds that it is bound by the above findings of fact and judgment by virtue of the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel. 1

The court ordered the collateral to be sold at a private sale on or after 1:00 p.m. on July 29, 1989 at the office of Old Kent. A hearing was set for July 28, 1989 at 9:30 *135 a.m. at which any intervening creditor might be heard. If there were no objections, or if the court allowed the sale to proceed in spite of objections, then the proceeds of the sale were to be distributed first to Old Kent; second, after satisfaction of Old Kent, to Henderson; and third, any remaining surplus to Remes.

On the 28th at 9:30 a.m. in the Kent County Circuit Court, an objection was made to the sale, which was overruled. There was an indication that some creditors were considering the filing of an involuntary petition in bankruptcy. After returning from the hearing, Moore asked the bookkeeper of the Debtor to draw out all the money in the bank account and pay it to Old Kent. The bookkeeper wrote a check to Old Kent and received a bank money order made payable to Old Kent in the sum of $18,000. At 4:01 p.m. an involuntary petition for relief was filed against the Debtor. When the $18,000 was tendered to Old Kent, it was refused as Old Kent then had knowledge of the bankruptcy and the 11 U.S.C. § 362 automatic stay.

The Debtor had planned that Saturday, July 29, would be its last day of business. In the morning a few insurance cases were processed but retail trade was discouraged. The doors were closed at 1:00 p.m. and no operations took place nor were any bank deposits made by the Debtor thereafter. Moore resigned as president of the Debtor at 1:00 p.m. that day.

On Monday, July 31 after a hearing at which no objection was made, this court granted a motion by Old Kent for relief from stay and the original sale ordered by the state court took place. The assets of the Debtor were purchased by H.G.G.R. for $410,000.00 which was paid to Old Kent. Although originally it was planned that Diversified Services would take over the Grand Rapids operations, H.G.G.R. was newly incorporated for this purpose and Moore became president of the new corporation.

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Bluebook (online)
136 B.R. 132, 17 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 1176, 1992 Bankr. LEXIS 106, 22 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 905, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/henderson-glass-inc-v-remes-glass-inc-in-re-remes-glass-inc-miwb-1992.