In re Sharak

571 B.R. 13, 77 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 1498, 2017 Bankr. LEXIS 1373
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. New York
DecidedMay 18, 2017
DocketCase No.: 09-62928
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 571 B.R. 13 (In re Sharak) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In re Sharak, 571 B.R. 13, 77 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 1498, 2017 Bankr. LEXIS 1373 (N.Y. 2017).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM-DECISION AND ORDER

Honorable Diane Davis, United States Bankruptcy Judge

7. Introduction

Before the Court is a motion by Debtor Jeffrey Sharak (“Debtor”) against Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC (“Bayview”) filed on November 7, 2016 (the “Motion,” ECF No. 65), wherein Debtor seeks sanctions against Bayview pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 105 for civil contempt based on its alleged violation of the discharge injunction provided by 11 U.S.C. § 524(a)(2).1 Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Registered Holders of VCM Trust Series 2009-2 (“Deutsche Bank”), filed opposition to the Motion on November 23, 2016 (the “Opposition,” ECF No. 71), as the mortgagee of the underlying debt serviced by Bayview. The Court first heard the matter on its regularly scheduled Binghamton motion calendar on December 1, 2016. Based on the parties’ oral arguments, the Court adjourned the matter and provided the parties with an opportunity to submit limited memoranda. On January 6, 2017, Debtor filed his Mem[16]*16orandum of Law. (ECF No. 72.) On January 19, 2017, Deutsche Bank filed its Memorandum of Law on behalf of Bayview. (ECF No. 73.) On January 26, 2017, the Court reconvened the hearing and, following oral argument, took the matter under advisement. Based upon the record, oral argument, and the submissions of counsel, the Court makes the following findings of facts and conclusions of law in accordance with Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 7052 and 9014.2

II. Jurisdiction

The Court has jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter of this core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334 and 157(a), (b)(1), and (b)(2)(A).

III. Facts

The material facts of this case are undisputed and straightforward. The following facts are drawn from the parties’ submissions and the Court’s docket.

Deutsche Bank is the current holder of a Note and Mortgage, dated October 9,1998, given by Debtor in the original principal amount of $33,600.00 to FEC Mortgage Corporation (“FEC”), pledging his former residence and real property known as 33 Wilson Street, Binghamton, New York 13905 (the “Real Property”) as security for the indebtedness (the “Mortgage Debt”). On November 20, 1998, FEC assigned the Note and Mortgage to Delta Funding Corporation (“Delta”). On June 19, 2003, Delta assigned the Note and Mortgage to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”). Finally, on October 28, 2010, Wells Fargo assigned the Note and Mortgage to Deutsche Bank, At some point, Debtor defaulted on his obligation to make regular contractual payments under the Note and Mortgage and a foreclosure action was commenced in the Supreme Court for the State of New York, Broome County, on or about August 30, 2007.

Debtor filed a voluntary petition for chapter 13 relief with the Clerk of this Court on October 16, 2009. In his Chapter 13 Plan filed on the same date (the “Plan,” ECF No. 2), Debtor provided for the repayment of the pre-petition arrears on the Mortgage Debt. On February 11, 2010, the Court issued an Order of Confirmation with respect to Debtor’s Plan (the “Confirmation Order,” ECF No. 17).

On August 4, 2010, Acqura Loan Services (“Acqura”), as servicer for Deutsche Bank, filed Proof of Claim Number 10 (the “Mortgage Claim”), which it subsequently amended on November 17, 2010, showing a total secured claim due in the amount of $51,528.85 and an arrearage due in the amount of $14,354.15. Acqura transferred the Mortgage Claim to Home Servicing, LLC (“Home Servicing”) on or about May 23, 2010. (ECF No. 23.) Home Servicing subsequently transferred the Mortgage Claim to Bayview on or about May 23, 2012. (ECF No. 40.)

Debtor defaulted post-petition on the Mortgage Debt and, on May 23, 2013, Deutsche Bank filed a Motion for Relief from the Automatic Stay (the “Stay Relief Motion,” ECF No. 31). Debtor did not oppose the Stay Relief Motion and the Court granted the same by Order issued July 12, 2013. (ECF No. 39.) On August 5, 2014, Debtor filed a Modified Chapter 13 Plan (the “Amended Plan,” ECF No. 44) and a motion to modify his Plan pursuant to § 1329 to surrender the Real Property, excuse missed payments under the Plan, and resume monthly plan payments to the [17]*17Trustee (the “Motion to Modify,” ECF No. 45). The Court’s records show that the Motion to Modify was electronically received by counsel for Deutsche Bank, Ac-qura, and Bayview. On November 18,2014, the Court issued an Order granting the Motion to Modify (ECF No. 51), which was also electronically noticed to counsel for all parties. On April 10, 2015, the Court issued an Order Discharging Debtor(s) After Completion of Chapter 13 Plan (the “Discharge Order,” ECF No. 60). As set forth in the Bankruptcy Noticing Center’s Certification of Notice filed on April 12, 2015 (ECF No. 61), both Deutsche Bank and Bayview were, electronically served with the Discharge Order on April 12, 2015.

On November 7, 2016, Debtor filed an ex parte motion to reopen his case (ECF No. 63), which the Court granted by Order issued November 7, 2016. (ECF No. 64.) Debtor then filed the instant Motion, with the following attachments:

(a) An undated Mortgage Statement that shows a payment due date of 12/09/15, and a total amount due of $73,927.54 (the “Undated 2015 Statement”). Under the heading titled “Important Messages,” it informs Debtor that his loan payment in the amount of $629.60 remains unpaid, causing a late charge in the amount of $6.10 to be assessed to his account. Under the heading titled “Delinquency Notice,” it informs Debtor that failure to bring his loan current may result in fees and foreclosure and, in bold letters, stated: “Total: $73,927.54 due. You must pay this amount to bring your loan current.” The bottom of the 2015 Statement contains a detachable payment coupon.
(b) A Mortgage Statement dated December 24, 2015, which shows a payment due date of 01/09/16, and a total amount due of $74,563.24 (the “December 24 Statement”). The December Statement contains the same information and notices as the Undated 2015 Statement, but in fine print it also includes the following language: “To the extent that your obligation has been discharged or is subject to an automatic stay in bankruptcy this notice is for information purposes only and does not constitute a demand for payment or any attempt to collect such obligation.”
(c) .A Mortgage Statement dated February 24, 2016, which shows a payment due date of 03/09/16, and a total amount due of $75,819.17. In all other respects, it is identical to the December 24 Statement.
(d) A Mortgage Statement dated March 24, 2016, which shows a payment due date of 04/09/16, and a total amount due of $76,433.60. In all other respects, it is identical to the December 24 Statement.
(e) A Mortgage Statement dated April 25, 2016, which shows a payment due date of 05/09/16, and a total amount due of $77,047.43.

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Bluebook (online)
571 B.R. 13, 77 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 1498, 2017 Bankr. LEXIS 1373, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-sharak-nynb-2017.