In Re Johns

342 B.R. 626, 56 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 245, 2006 Bankr. LEXIS 968, 2006 WL 1528983
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Oklahoma
DecidedMay 26, 2006
Docket05-87034
StatusPublished
Cited by17 cases

This text of 342 B.R. 626 (In Re Johns) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Oklahoma primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re Johns, 342 B.R. 626, 56 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 245, 2006 Bankr. LEXIS 968, 2006 WL 1528983 (Okla. 2006).

Opinion

ORDER

TOM R. CORNISH, Bankruptcy Judge.

On the 27th day of April, 2006, the United States Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 707(b)(1) Based on Presumption of Abuse Arising Under 11 U.S.C. 707(b)(2) with Authority in Support and with Notice and Opportunity for Hearing, Objection to Motion to Dismiss, filed by the Debtors, United States Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 707(b)(3) with Authority in Support and with Notice and Opportunity for Hearing, Objection to Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 707(b)(3), filed by the Debtors, and Memo Brief in Support of Debtors’ Objection to Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 707(b)(3), came on for evidentiary hearing. Appearances were entered by Paul Thomas, Attorney for the United States Trustee (the “UST”) and Jimmy Veith, Attorney for Debtors. Each party filed an additional supporting brief following the evidentiary hearing. After reviewing the testimony and evidence, this Court does hereby enter the following findings and conclusions in conformity with Rule 7052, Fed. R. Bankr.P., in this core proceeding.

Section 707(b)(1) provides that, after notice and a hearing, the Court may dismiss a case filed by an individual whose debts are primarily consumer debts if it finds that granting relief would be an abuse of the provisions of Chapter 7. 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(1). Under the new Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (“BAPCPA”), the means test determines whether a presumption of abuse arises in a debtor’s bankruptcy case using debtor’s current monthly income and certain allowed deductions. Section 707(b)(2)(A)(i) provides:

In considering under paragraph (1) whether the granting of relief would be an abuse of provisions of this chapter, the court shall presume abuse exists if the debtor’s current monthly income reduced by the amounts determined under clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), and multiplied by 60 is not less than the lesser of-
(I) 25 percent of the debtor’s nonpri-ority unsecured claims in the case, or $6,000, whichever is greater; or (II) $10,000.

11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(2)(A)®. This presumption of abuse may only be rebutted by:

(B)(i) ____ demonstrating special circumstances, such as a serious medical condition or a call or order to active duty in the Armed Forces, to the extent such special circumstances that justify additional expenses or adjustments of current monthly income for which there is no reasonable alternative.
*628 (ii) In order to establish special circumstances, the debtor shall be required to itemize each additional expense or adjustment of income and to provide-
(I) documentation for such expense or adjustment to income; and
(II) a detailed explanation of the special circumstances that make such expenses or adjustment to income necessary and reasonable.
(iii) the debtor shall attest under oath to the accuracy of any information provided to demonstrate that additional expenses or adjustments to income are required.
(iv) The presumption of abuse may only be rebutted if the additional expenses or adjustments to income referred to in clause (i) cause the product of the debt- or’s current monthly income reduced by the amounts determined under clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of subparagraph (A) when multiplied by 60 to be less than the lesser of-
(I) 25 percent of the debtor’s nonpri-ority unsecured claims, or $6,000, whichever is greater; or (II) $10,000.

11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(2)(B).

Debtors filed for bankruptcy relief under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code on December 9, 2005. On their means test calculation, Debtors report current monthly income of $6,123.61 and annualized income of $73,483.32. 1 The Debtors household consists of four people, and the applicable median family income for a family of four is $49,881.00. After subtracting the allowed deductions, Debtors report $489.67 of monthly disposable income under § 707(b)(2). The 60-month disposable income of $29,380.20 ($489.67 x 60) far exceeds $10,000.00, and therefore a presumption of abuse arises under § 707(b)(2). Debtors checked the box on the means test calculation form indicating the presumption of abuse in their case.

The UST filed the Motion to Dismiss based on the presumption of abuse on March 6, 2006, and the Motion to Dismiss pursuant to § 707(b)(3) was filed on March 24, 2006. Debtors objected to both Motions. At the evidentiary hearing, counsel for the UST withdrew the Motion to Dismiss pursuant to § 707(b)(3), and this Court approves that withdrawal.

Both Debtors testified at the evidentiary hearing regarding the circumstances in their case that, they argue, rebut the presumption of abuse. On their original means test calculation, Debtors underestimated their monthly medical expenses by about twenty dollars, and also underestimated their monthly telecommunication expenses by about forty dollars. Mrs. Johns also testified regarding the circumstances surrounding their decision to file bankruptcy. Mrs. Johns is a registered nurse and prior to bankruptcy she was in danger of losing her nursing license due to past due state taxes. A judgment creditor also began garnishing her wages immediately prior to the bankruptcy filing. Mrs. Johns was allowed to renew her license, however, following the bankruptcy filing.

Debtors state that if they were in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the distribution to general unsecured creditors would be zero. They note that the monthly child support payment included as current monthly income in their Chapter 7 means test calculation would not be included as income in a Chapter 13. Further, the Debtors would be allowed to deduct their 401K loan pay *629 ments and 401K contributions in a Chapter 13. Debtors also testified as to the poor condition of their home and vehicles. Both vehicles and the home are owned by the Debtors free and clear but they assert it would be more difficult to replace the home and vehicles in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

The UST objects to the Debtors’ inclusion of future payments on secured claims on two vehicles which were surrendered after the filing of bankruptcy.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Robbins v. Alther (In re Alther)
537 B.R. 262 (W.D. Virginia, 2015)
In Re Fechter
456 B.R. 65 (D. Montana, 2011)
In Re Harmon
446 B.R. 721 (E.D. Pennsylvania, 2011)
In Re Rieck
427 B.R. 141 (D. Minnesota, 2010)
In Re Siler
426 B.R. 167 (W.D. North Carolina, 2010)
In Re Tauter
402 B.R. 903 (M.D. Florida, 2009)
In Re Smith
388 B.R. 885 (C.D. Illinois, 2008)
In Re Cribbs
387 B.R. 324 (S.D. Georgia, 2008)
In Re Lightsey
374 B.R. 377 (S.D. Georgia, 2007)
In Re Littman
370 B.R. 820 (D. Idaho, 2007)
In Re Delbecq
368 B.R. 754 (S.D. Indiana, 2007)
In Re Haman
366 B.R. 307 (D. Delaware, 2007)
In Re Tuss
360 B.R. 684 (D. Montana, 2007)
In Re Tranmer
355 B.R. 234 (D. Montana, 2006)
In Re Castle
362 B.R. 846 (N.D. Ohio, 2006)
In Re Barraza
346 B.R. 724 (N.D. Texas, 2006)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
342 B.R. 626, 56 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 245, 2006 Bankr. LEXIS 968, 2006 WL 1528983, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-johns-okeb-2006.