In re Laber

64 B.R. 86, 3 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 1043, 1986 Bankr. LEXIS 5926
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, D. North Dakota
DecidedJune 5, 1986
DocketBankruptcy No. 86-05080
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 64 B.R. 86 (In re Laber) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, D. North Dakota primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In re Laber, 64 B.R. 86, 3 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 1043, 1986 Bankr. LEXIS 5926 (N.D. 1986).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

WILLIAM A. HILL, Bankruptcy Judge.

The matter before the court is a Motion to Avoid Lien, filed April 17, 1986, by the debtors, George and Dianne Laber (Debtors). The Debtors allege that the lien held by First State Bank of New Rockford (Bank) is a nonpossessory, nonpurchase-money security interest, avoidable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 522(f). On April 21, 1986, the Bank filed its response in resistance to the Debtor’s motion. The Bank alleges that its security interest came into effect prior to enactment of section 522(f) of the Bankruptcy Code, has remained in effect at all times pertinent thereto, and consequently is not subject to avoidance under section 522(f).

A hearing was held before the undersigned on May 14, 1986. The material facts are as follows:

FINDINGS OF FACT

The Debtors filed a joint bankruptcy petition February 3, 1986, wherein they exempted farm machinery and equipment in the amount of $16,810.00. The parties are apparently in agreement that the lien of the Bank is a nonpossessory, nonpurchase-money lien of the Bank as to the specifically identified farm machinery and equipment.

The security interest held by the Bank originally attached and was perfected in 1971. The security interest has subsequently been continued on four occasions by filing of a UCC-3 continuation statement, twice prior to October 1, 1979, and twice thereafter. The original security agreement executed in 1971 is apparently the document which the parties agree establishes a security interest in the Debtors’ machinery. Although various renewal notes have been executed since 1971, there is no evidence to establish that any additional security agreements have been executed. The most recent note which is evidence of the Debtors’ obligation to the Bank was executed on January 29, 1985, in the amount of $191,544.86. This note states that the purpose of credit is to “renew notes” and the following line is checked:

“This note is secured by a Security Agreement dated_, 19_”

Also, within the section entitled “SECURITY” is the following:

“Crop Mortgage, Farm Machinery, Pigs.”

Although the above facts were not formally received into evidence, they were contained within the parties’ briefs. Both parties have agreed to the facts as portrayed in the briefs.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

Section 522(f) of the Bankruptcy Code provides for the avoidance of certain liens, including implements and tools of the trade, to the extent the liens are nonposses-sory, nonpurchase-money liens and the property is eligible for exemption. 11 U.S.C. § 522(f). The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, Pub.L. 95-958, 92 Stat. 2549, from which section 522(f) is derived, was enacted on November 6, 1978, and became effective on October 1, 1979. United States v. Security Industrial Bank, 459 U.S. 70, 71, 103 S.Ct. 407, 408, 74 L.Ed.2d 235 (1982).

In United States v. Security Industrial Bank, the United States Supreme Court was presented with the issue of whether section 522(f) was to be applied retrospectively or prospectively. Based upon principles of statutory construction, the Court affirmed the Tenth Circuit and concluded that liens which were established before [88]*88the enactment date of the statute were not subject to being avoided pursuant to section 522(f). Security Industrial Bank, 459 U.S., at 81-82, 103 S.Ct. at 413-14. Thus, the issue for this court to decide is whether the lien, which the parties agree was in effect on the date the Debtors filed their petition, was established prior to enactment of section 522(f), subsequent to its effective date of October 1, 1979, or within the gap period. The Supreme Court did not consider the effect of a security agreement created during the gap period. Id., at 82 n. 11, 103 S.Ct. at 414 n. 11.

Prior to the enactment of the Uniform Commercial Code, which has been adopted in North Dakota, the substitution of a new note for one secured by a chattel mortgage did not extinguish the debt evidenced by the latter note so as to discharge the mortgage, unless such had been the intention of the parties as shown by something more than the mere act of substitution. 69 Am. Jur.2d, Secured Transactions § 542 (1973). See also Edison Bank v. Mayer, 202 F.Supp. 620, 623 (D.N.J.1962); Miller v. McCarty, 47 Minn. 321, 50 N.W. 235, 236 (1891). The mortgage was considered to secure the debt, and not merely the evidence of it; and since the mortgage continues, a change in the evidence did not pay the debt. 69 Am.Jur.2d, Secured Transactions § 542 (1973); Stram v. Jackson, 248 Mich. 171, 226 N.W. 888, 890 (1929). Absent any indication in the Uniform Commercial Code that the above rule was changed, it appears that substitution of notes, taking of a new note, or change in the security agreement should not by themselves affect a security interest. 69 Am. Jur.2d, Secured Transactions § 542 (1973).

The rule in many states is that a renewal obligation does not extinguish the original obligation unless a novation occurs. See, e.g., Cantrill Construction Co. v. Carter, 418 F.2d 705, 707 (6th Cir.1969), cert. denied, 397 U.S. 990, 90 S.Ct. 1124, 25 L.Ed.2d 398 (1970). Likewise, the law in North Dakota is that the “taking of a new note does not operate to discharge indebtedness unless it is agreed that the indebtedness should be discharged.” Dakota Northwestern Bank Nat. v. Schollmeyer, 311 N.W.2d 164, 167 (N.D.1981). See also Karzen v. Heitzmann, 86 N.W.2d 514, 516 (N.D.1957); Anderson v. Kain, 40 N.D. 632, 169 N.W. 501, 503 (1918).

Under N.D.Cent. Code § 41-03-68(2) (U.C.C. § 3-601(2)), a party’s liability on an instrument may be discharged by any act or agreement with such party which would discharge a contract for the payment of money. This section allows for discharge of a negotiable instrument by novation. In re Roberts, 54 B.R. 765, 769 (Bankr.D.N.D. 1985). Although the Debtors do not specifically allege that a novation has occurred, the court cannot conceive how a security agreement, between the Debtors and the Bank, could have terminated absent a novation.

A novation results in a new note being substituted. for the old note. Id., at 769. “Novation is never presumed but must be proved by the party asserting it existence.” Id., See also Am.Jur.2d Novation §§ 12, 70. The question of novation turns upon the intent of the parties. There must be demonstrated a clear mutual intent or agreement between the parties that the old obligation was to be extinguished by the new. In re Roberts, 54 B.R., at 769.

Whether a novation has occurred is a question of fact.

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Bluebook (online)
64 B.R. 86, 3 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 1043, 1986 Bankr. LEXIS 5926, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-laber-ndb-1986.