ITT Industrial Credit Corp. v. Scarboro (In re Scarboro)

7 B.R. 609, 1980 Bankr. LEXIS 4062
CourtDistrict Court, D. Georgia
DecidedNovember 21, 1980
DocketBankruptcy No. 79-01161; Adversary Proceeding No. 80-0029
StatusPublished

This text of 7 B.R. 609 (ITT Industrial Credit Corp. v. Scarboro (In re Scarboro)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Georgia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
ITT Industrial Credit Corp. v. Scarboro (In re Scarboro), 7 B.R. 609, 1980 Bankr. LEXIS 4062 (gad 1980).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM DECISION ON APPLICATION FOR ALLOWANCE OF ATTORNEY’S FEES, COSTS, CHARGES AND INTEREST

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

HENRY D. EVANS, Bankruptcy Judge.

On December 11, 1979 Phillip S. Garnto filed a petition in this Court seeking the involuntary liquidation of Scarboro-Garnto Asphalt Company, a partnership, under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 701 et seq. On February 18,1980 [611]*611ITT Industrial Credit Company filed a complaint to modify the automatic stay requesting leave to foreclose on a John Deere front end loader, model number JD544-B (Wheel Loader), serial number 248570, in which it held a security interest. The matter came on to be heard on March 10, 1980, and in open Court the plaintiff was authorized to take possession of the property for the purpose of sale. The plaintiff was instructed to secure and file with the Court an appraisal of the property together with three bids. Apparently the property was to be sold to the highest of the three bidders following notice to interested parties and a ten day opportunity to object. On April 14, 1980 William M. Flatau was appointed interim trustee. On May 5,1980 notice of the three bids and the time within which objections could be filed was given, and on May 10, 1980, ITT took possession of the loader for sale. On June 13, 1980 the sale was confirmed. On August 1,1980 ITT filed an application for the allowance of compensation for attorney’s fees, costs, charges and interest in connection with the sale of the loader and pursuant to Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 506(b). William M. Flatau, as trustee of the estate, objected to the application on August 20, 1980 stating as his grounds for objection:

1. Failure of the applicant to give notice to the debtor of its intention to enforce its right to attorney’s fees, required by Ga.Code Ann. § 20-506(c);
2. The application requested excessive fees in light of the language of the contract and the definition given “reasonable attorney’s fees” by Ga. Code Ann. § 20-506(b);
3. The application sought remuneration for costs not contemplated by the contract between the parties;
4. That the contract between the parties predated the enactment of the Bankruptcy Code, and to allow attorney’s fees pursuant to Section 506 of the Bankruptcy Code would impair the debtor’s rights acquired under prior law in contravention of the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2403, the Attorney General was notified of the constitutional question and given an opportunity to intervene, but declined.

The matter came on regularly to be heard on Monday, October 22,1980, and upon stipulation of counsel the Court makes the following:

FINDINGS OF FACT

The contract upon which this dispute is centered was executed by Georgia residents, in Georgia, calling for performance within the State of Georgia. It was executed on August 22, 1977. In pertinent part it reads:

“In addition, Buyer [Edsel Scarboro & Derrell L. Garnto, d/b/a Scarboro-Garnto Asphalt Co.] agrees that, in the event this contract is referred to an attorney not a salaried employee of the holder of the contract, for collection, Buyer will pay reasonable attorney’s fees plus court costs if any.”

ITT never notified the debtor or the trustee of its intent to enforce the stipulation concerning attorney’s fees, although ten days notice of an intent to enforce the clause and an opportunity to pay the principal and accrued interest without the imposition of those fees is required as a prerequisite to enforceability under Ga.Code Ann. § 20-506.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

Any decision of this Court construing legislation passed by Congress and within this Court’s jurisdiction must be influenced by three important principles too well established to require citation. The first is that this Court must determine the intent of Congress. The second is that this Court must effectuate the institution of bankruptcy. The third is that, if possible, all statutes passed by Congress should be interpreted in such a way as to be constitutional. Guided by these three principles, this Court must ascertain what Congress intended in passing Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy [612]*612Code, 11 U.S.C. § 506(b), and apply it constitutionally, if possible, to the instant situation.

11 U.S.C. § 506(b) states:

(b) To the extent that an allowed secured claim is secured by property the value of which, after any recovery under subsection (c) of this section, is greater than the amount of such claim, there shall be allowed to the holder of such claim, interest on such claim, and any reasonable fees, costs, or charges provided under the agreement under which such claim arose.

Analysis of the controversy before the Court in light of Section 506 of the Bankruptcy Code reveals two distinct questions:

1. What was the agreement of the parties with respect to attorney’s fees in the contract under which the allowed secured claim of ITT arose; and
2. Is the agreement of the parties enforceable in this Court and in this matter, even if it is unenforceable pursuant to State law?

In other words, the decision of this Court can be broken into construction of the agreement and enforceability thereof. Construction will be treated first. Construction of contracts as to attorney’s fees is a matter of state law. National Acceptance Company v. Zusmann, 379 F.2d 351 at 354 (5th Cir. 1967); Matter of Delaney, 534 F.2d 645 at 647 (5th Cir. 1976); In re Morris, 602 F.2d 826 (8th Cir. 1979). In Georgia, any contract such as the one before the Court has to incorporate the definition given “reasonable attorney’s fees” by Ga.Code Ann. § 20-506(b). Wright v. Union Central Life Ins. Co., 304 U.S. 502, 58 S.Ct. 1025, 82 L.Ed. 1490 (1938); Home Bldg. & Loan Asso. v. Blaisdell, 290 U.S. 398, 54 S.Ct. 231, 78 L.Ed. 413 (1934).

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7 B.R. 609, 1980 Bankr. LEXIS 4062, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/itt-industrial-credit-corp-v-scarboro-in-re-scarboro-gad-1980.