In Re Walters

188 B.R. 582, 35 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 560, 1995 Bankr. LEXIS 1615, 1995 WL 664771
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Arkansas
DecidedSeptember 20, 1995
DocketBankruptcy 95-41592
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 188 B.R. 582 (In Re Walters) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re Walters, 188 B.R. 582, 35 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 560, 1995 Bankr. LEXIS 1615, 1995 WL 664771 (Ark. 1995).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

ROBERT F. FUSSELL, Bankruptcy Judge.

Pending before the Court are Deere Credit, Inc.’s (Deere), (1) Motion for Relief From Stay filed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 362(d)(1) and (d)(2); and (2) Objection to Confirmation filed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(5)(B)(ii) in the above-styled case. The Motion and Objection were filed on June 27, 1995, and the Court held a hearing on the Motion and Objection on July 10, 1995.

I. Jurisdiction

The Court has jurisdiction over this pending matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1334. Further, the above proceeding is a core proceeding within 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2). The following Memorandum Opinion constitutes findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with Bankruptcy Rule 7052.

II. Findings of Fact

Fred A. Walters (Walters) filed for relief under Chapter 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on June 7, 1995. Walters listed his occupation as a self-employed sign painter with a monthly net income of $2,150.00. Walters listed in his Chapter 13 petition as exempt assets with a value of $4,500.00, a 1989 Javalin fishing and skiing boat, a 110 HP motor, a trolling motor, and a trailer. The schedules stated that Deere had a secured claim based on its financing the purchase of the boat, motors, and trailer.

At the July 10, 1995 hearing on the Motion and Objection, the parties stipulated that (1) Walters has no equity in the boat, motors, and trailer; (2) the principal debt on the boat, motors, and trailer is $8,239.60; and (3) the value of the boat, motors, and trailer is $5,900.00. At the hearing, Walters stated that he would amend his plan to pay the current rate of interest on the $5,900.00 secured balance owed to Deere. In addition, Walters stated that his plan proposed to pay one-hundred percent (100%) of the claims of all unsecured creditors, including the unsecured portion of Deere’s claim. The parties agreed that the amount of the unsecured claim would be $3,079.60, which is the difference between $8,279.60 and $5,200.00. Walters agreed to amend his plan to reflect the stipulations made at the hearing. 1

Stipulated exhibit No. 1 is a proof of claim filed by Deere to which is attached a copy of the loan contract and security agreement. This exhibit states that the price of the boat, motors, and trailer was $15,465.82, and that Walters made a down payment of $3,221.89. The contract called for a 15.25% rate of interest for a ten (10) year period with monthly payments of $210.05. The estimated total sale price of the boat, motors, and trailer was listed as $28,427.89.

Stipulated exhibit No. 2 is Walters’ schedule D which lists his indebtedness, and places a value of $4,500.00 on the collateral. Stipulated exhibit No. 3 is the Chapter 13 narrative statement of Walters’ plan. 2

At the hearing, the Chapter 13 trustee testified that if Walters had filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, it would be classified as a no asset case. He stated that it was likely *584 that Deere would regain possession of the boat, motors, and trailer and that any resulting resale of the collateral would result in a deficiency. The trustee testified that in addition to the boat, motors, and trailer, Walters listed as his assets one acre of land, a house trailer which is situated upon the land, furniture including a television, VCR and stereo, clothing, cash in the amount of $220.00, a 1989 Ford pickup truck, upon which there is no debt, and tools and ladders used in Walters’ business valued at $500.00.

The Chapter 13 trustee 'also testified that if Deere’s secured claim were removed from the plan by the Court's grant of relief from the stay, all of the unsecured creditors, including Deere as a holder of an unsecured claim, would begin receiving payments at an earlier date. The trustee stated that Deere held the only secured claim under the plan because the payments on the exempt one acre of land and house trailer were outside of the plan.

Walters testified that he has been a self-employed sign painter since 1987. He stated that his principal source of income is derived from two painting contracts. Walters stated that he has received this same income based on these two contracts since 1987, and that he expected these contracts to continue at the present rate of payment. Walters testified that his monthly expenses were $1,797.00, and that he was committing all of his disposable income to the Chapter 13 trustee for payment under the plan. Walters testified that the boat, motors, and trailer were used primarily for fishing and skiing.

Walters testified that at the time he filed his petition, he was two or three months delinquent on his payments to Deere. At the hearing, Walters testified that the boat, motors, and trailer were insured for approximately $11,000.00. Finally, the parties stipulated that Walters would amend his plan to pay a 10.25% rate of interest on Deere’s secured claim.

III. Conclusions of Law

A. Motion for Relief From Stay

.In its Motion for Relief from Stay, Deere argues that Walter’s plan does not provide for any physical damage insurance coverage on the boat, motors, and trailer, resulting in Deere being entitled to relief from the stay pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362(d)(1). At the hearing, Walters testified that the boat, motors, and trailer were insured for $11,000.00. Deere presented no evidence to the contrary. Therefore, Deere’s Motion for Relief from Stay filed pursuant to section 362(d)(1) is denied.

Deere, however, also makes an argument that it is entitled to relief from stay pursuant to section 362(d)(2) because the boat, motors, and trailer are luxury goods which are not necessary for an effective reorganization or for Walters’ maintenance and support. Deere argues that the boat, motor and trailer (1) are luxury goods used solely for recreational purposes; (2) are not necessary for Walters’ business; and (3) do not produce income for Walters. In support of its position, Deere cites In re Cockings, 172 B.R. 257 (Bankr.E.D.Ark.1994); In re Lewis, Ch. 13 Case No. 90-15246 (Bankr.W.D.Ark. November 26, 1990).

Walters argues that 11 U.S.C. § 362(d)(2) is not applicable because the term “reorganization” as used in this subsection does not apply to a Chapter 13 case as a Chapter 13 ease is not a reorganization, but rather a “debt” adjustment. In support of this position, Walters cites In re Fischer, 136 B.R. 819 (D.Alaska 1992); In re Rhoades, 34 B.R. 164 (Bankr.D.Vt.1983).

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
188 B.R. 582, 35 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 560, 1995 Bankr. LEXIS 1615, 1995 WL 664771, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-walters-areb-1995.