In Re Land

82 B.R. 572, 5 Bankr. Ct. Rep. 86, 18 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 348, 1988 Bankr. LEXIS 117, 1988 WL 8151
United States Bankruptcy Court, D. Colorado·Decided February 3, 1988·No. 17-15433·Published·Cited by 19 cases

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

ROLAND J. BRUMBAUGH, Bankruptcy Judge.

THIS MATTER came before the Court on July 20, 1987, upon the Debtor’s Motion to Confirm his Chapter 12 Plan and Objection and a Motion to Dismiss filed by the Travelers Insurance Company (“Travelers”). Travelers also filed a contemporaneous Motion for Relief From Stay against the Debtor, Oscar G. Land (“Land”) which was heard by the Court at the same time on July 20, 1987. The Debtor filed his Chapter 12 petition on January 26, 1987; thus, giving this Court jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157.

On August 31, 1987, this Court denied confirmation on a very narrow ground, i.e. “The plan is not feasible as required by 11 U.S.C. § 1225(a)(6) because the Debtor will have insufficient cash to pay both his creditors and the Trustee’s fee.” The Trustee and the Debtor had agreed that the total Trustee’s fee would be $2,500.00. The Court, in interpreting 28 U.S.C. § 586(e)(2) held that such an agreement would not be approved because the Trustee was entitled to ten percent of all payments made through the Trustee. If such payments were made through the Trustee as contemplated under the Debtors then current plan, there were insufficient funds to satisfy the plan requirements. Thus, on September 8, 1987, the Debtor filed his Second Amended Chapter 12 Plan by which payments would be made directly to secured creditors, and not through the Trustee. This Plan retained the $2,600.00 fee for the Trustee.

*574 Now, Travelers renews its original objections and the Trustee objects to payments not being made through his office and has “withdrawn his offer to settle this [fee] matter for $2,500.00”.

FINDINGS OF FACT

The instant matter involves a family farm which is owned by Mr. Land who has been a farmer all his life. Mr. Land purchased his 320 acre farm located outside of Herford, Colorado, in 1976. He and his son Charles work on the farm together which has two irrigation circles and has been the site of crop raising (alfalfa and corn) as well as cattle operations (limosine and dairy). The evidence is uncontroverted that Mr. Land acts in an advisory and working capacity on the farm and in both 1985 and 1986 received more than 50% of his income from the farm. Charles, who lives on the farm with his family, performs most of the labor but continually discusses matters pertinent to its operation with his father. The son also works at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) office.

As noted, the farm is a father and son operation. There is no formal partnership agreement or lease but the parties have an understanding that Charles is responsible for the day to day farm management and financial aspects (e.g., tax, note, and other payments) while Mr. Land acts in an advisory and, when needed, labor capacity. Mr. Land testified that it is his intent to keep the farm in the family by passing it on to Charles after his death.

Sometime in 1984, Charles borrowed approximately $64,000.00 from the Farmers Home Administration (“FMHA”) and used the proceeds to purchase the dairy cows previously owned by his father. FMHA is a secured creditor. Since that time, the Debtor’s interest in the farm, besides holding title to it, is in the crops raised thereon, and the son’s interest is in the daily operation. Per FMHA requirements the farm account, which previously, comingled both the crops and the dairy operation, was bifurcated. Nevertheless, pursuant to their understanding, Charles pays all the debts on the property by using proceeds from these two income producing activities.

Due to an infection of the dairy herd by stomatitus and falling dairy prices, the farm faced a severe cash flow crisis. Charles testified that he mistakenly failed to monitor the cash situation believing instead that the land had increased in value therefore they were “doing O.K.” In November 1985, he thought the land was worth $200,000.00. Shortly thereafter in December of that year he reevaluated his estimate down to $120,000.00 and seriously contemplated filing a Chapter 11 petition.

The Debtor borrowed $175,000.00 (the “First Note”) from Travelers in 1976 and an additional $150,000.00 (the “Second Note”) from Travelers in 1982. There is no dispute as to the validity of the Deeds of Trust or the Notes. The Debtor failed to make any payments on the Second note in 1986. This note matured on May 1, 1986. As a result of this default and after failure of the negotiations between Travelers and Charles to refinance the farm, foreclosure proceedings were instituted by that creditor, and the sale was set sometime on or before November 17, 1986.

Mr. Land explained that in order to stay the foreclosure he filed a Chapter 13 petition on November 17,1986. Approximately three weeks later on December 9, 1986, the Debtor filed a Motion to Convert the case from a Chapter 13 to a Chapter 12. This motion was noticed to the Travelers on the following day. Anticipating the denial of the Motion to Convert, the Debtor filed a Motion to Dismiss the case which was granted on December 15, 1986. After the dismissal of the case, another foreclosure sale was set for late January 1987, and just prior to it on January 26, 1987, the Debtor filed his Chapter 12 petition.

The Amended Plan proposes to revalue the farm at $170,000.00 and to pay Travelers that amount plus 10% per annum over a twenty year period. The annual amortization payments will be $19,706.00 per year. Travelers will receive an additional $10,-000.00 per year over the annual amortiza *575 tion payment for four years. Charles agrees to guarantee these payments.

The source of funds for the Plan includes income from the farm via the sale of corn and via ASCS payments; Mr. Land’s social security; rent received for a house owned by Mr. Land and a $10,000.00 contribution by Charles Land. Charles is enrolled in a federal government dairy buy-out program for which he has already received $206,-000.00. These proceeds have been used to pay farm debts including $70,000.00 to the Bank of Windsor, as well as other obligations. Future proceeds will be used to pay Travelers.

The Debtor introduced pro forma exhibits, which were not controverted by Travelers, that show that the total revenue for the farm will be $48,975.00 and expenses of $38,206.00 for 1987 when they were approximately $128,000.00 for 1986. The Debtor explained, which the Court finds credible, that the expenses are drastically reduced due mainly to large payments made in 1986 on then existing debts (e.g., the Bank of Windsor). Finally, the Debtor also agrees to re-amend his Plan to provide that any and all disposable income of the Debtor will be contributed to the Plan payments.

Two appraisers testified as to the value of the farm. The Debtor’s appraiser gave his opinion as $170,000.00. Traveler’s appraiser stated the value was $205,000.00, but his testimony lacks credibility as he is a recent former employee of Travelers. Furthermore, Travelers’ Proof of Claim filed on April 23, 1987, states that the value of the collateral is $170,000.00.

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In Re Land, 82 B.R. 572, 5 Bankr. Ct. Rep. 86, 18 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 348, 1988 Bankr. LEXIS 117, 1988 WL 8151 (Colo. 1988).

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