Payrolling Partners, Inc. v. Allen (In re Allen)

553 B.R. 916
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, M.D. Florida
DecidedJuly 11, 2016
DocketCase No.: 3:14-bk-6094-JAF; Adv. No.: 3:15-ap-71-JAF
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 553 B.R. 916 (Payrolling Partners, Inc. v. Allen (In re Allen)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, M.D. Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Payrolling Partners, Inc. v. Allen (In re Allen), 553 B.R. 916 (Fla. 2016).

Opinion

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

Jerry A. Funk, United States Bankruptcy Judge

This proceeding came before the Court upon a Complaint Objecting to Discharge (the “Complaint”) (Doc. I).1 Count I of the Complaint is an objection to Defendant’s discharge pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(2). Count II of the Complaint is an objection to Defendant’s discharge pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(3). Count III of the Complaint is an objection to Defendant’s discharge pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(4). The Court held a trial on March 10, 2016. Thereafter, in lieu of oral argument, the Court directed the parties to submit memoranda in support of their respective positions. Upon the evidence and the applicable law, the Court makes the following Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.

Findings of Fact

On December 18, 2014, Defendant filed this Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition. Prior to February, 2000, Defendant was employed by Allstate Insurance Company (“Allstate”) as an insurance agent for 32 years. In February of 2000, Defendant converted from an employee of Allstate to an independent contractor for Allstate. (Pi’s Ex. 1). As an insurance agent, Defendant’s remuneration came in the form of commissions. When Defendant sold an insurance policy, he received a commission at that time. In addition, if the customers to whom Defendant sold policies renewed their policies in subsequent years, Defendant received renewal commissions for the renewal periods. Although Defendant sold insurance primarily through Allstate, he also sold homeowners policies through other companies.

On March 10, 2014, Allstate delivered a letter dated February 25, 2014 to Defendant informing him that it was terminating its relationship with him effective June 1, 2014. (Pl.’s Ex. 41). Defendant had the option of receiving termination buyout payments from Allstate or selling his Allstate business to another agent. Defendant opted to take the termination buyout payments which were to be paid at $2,190.43 per month for twenty four months.

On July 1, 2014, Allstate terminated its relationship with Defendant. (Def.’s Ex. 10). On August 12,2014, Defendant established Allen Insurance Corporation, with an effective date of August 5, 2014. (Pi’s Ex. 42). In September of 2014, Defendant began receiving the termination buyout payments. (Def.’s Ex. 24). Defendant conceded that he performed no post-petition services to receive the termination buyout payments. Because the termination buyout payments were paid in lieu of renewals, Defendant was not paid for [920]*920renewals for Allstate policies after his contract with Allstate was terminated. However, Defendant continued to be paid for renewals associated with homeowners policies he wrote through other companies.

Defendant indicated on Item 2 of Schedule B of his bankruptcy petition that he owned a checking account at Wells Fargo Bank, a checking account at Duco Federal Credit Union, a checking account and savings account at Jax Federal Credit Union, and a business checking account at Sun-trust Bank. (PL’s Ex. 3). In response to Item 28 of Schedule B, which requires a debtor to list office equipment, furnishings, and supplies, Defendant listed three computers, three desks and chairs, and a filing cabinet valued at a total of $300.00. (Id).

• Schedule I is entitled “Your Income”. Part 1 of the form requires a debtor to describe his employment. Part 2 of the form requires a debtor to provide details about his monthly income. Part 2 states “[ejstimate monthly income as of the date you file this form.” On Schedule I of his bankruptcy petition, Defendant indicated that he was self-employed as an insurance agent and had been so employed for 43 years. (PL’s Ex. 3). On line 8a of schedule I, which requires a debtor to list net monthly income from operating a business, Defendant listed $432.74. (Id.) Defendant did not list any other income on his Schedule I.(M) Matt Wolfe, Defendant’s bankruptcy attorney, testified that it is his practice when he represents a Chapter 7 debtor engaged in a business to have the debtor complete the same profit and loss statements required by the Chapter 13 trustee in Chapter 13 cases. Defendant’s profit and loss statement for the month of November, 2014 indicates he had gross business income of $2,389.392 and total business expenses of $1,965.65 resulting in total net income of $423.74, the approximate amount that was listed on Defendant’s Schedule I.3 (Def.’s Ex. 4). Defendant indicated on Schedule J that his monthly expenses were $3,326.19 resulting in a negative net monthly income of $2,893.45. (PL’s Ex. 3). Defendant’s profit and loss statement for the month of October, 2014 indicated total gross income of $2,279.43 and his profit and loss statement for the month of September, 2014 indicated total gross income of $3,957.72.

Athough the gross business income on the profit and loss statements included the termination buyout payments, Defendant’s schedules did not list the payments as an asset. At the time Mr. Wolfe filed the bankruptcy petition on behalf of Defendant, he understood there was a termination agreement and a non-compete clause. However, Mr. Wolfe testified he was not provided a copy of the termination agreement or the contract with Alstate until a year after the filing of the case and that his understanding of the payment at the time the case was filed is different than his current understanding.

The Chapter 7 Trustee conducted a telephone interview with Defendant prior to the 341 meeting of creditors. Mr. Wolfe was a party to the conversation through a conference call. Mr. Wolfe testified that he discussed the termination buyout payments with the Trustee. At the January 22, 2015 meeting of creditors, the Trustee [921]*921brought up the issue of the termination buyout payments and Defendant explained the nature of the payments. Plaintiffs attorney was present at the meeting of creditors. On that same day, Defendant filed an Amended Schedule I. (Def.’s Ex. 3). In response to question 13 on the Amended Schedule I, which asks whether the debtor expects an increase or decrease in income within the year after he files the form, Defendant answered no and explained “[the] [v]ast [m]ajority of [Defendant’s income is derived from his termination as an Allstate agent and the payout of his referrals on his existing book of business over a 2 year period.” (Id.)

Defendant did not list an interest in Allen Insurance Corporation on his Schedule B. However, Defendant listed it on the Statement of Financial Affairs (the “SOFA”), in response to Item 18, which requires a debtor to list all businesses with which he was affiliated within the six years preceding the petition. (Pl.’s Ex. 4).

In response to questioning by the Trustee at the telephone conference, Defendant disclosed that during the year preceding the filing of his bankruptcy, he sold a 2003 Ford Expedition to his son for approximately $l,500.00-$2,000.00. However, the sale was not listed on item 10 of Defendant’s SOFA, which requires the disclosure of such a transfer. Mr. Wolfe testified that Defendant disclosed the transfer to him but that he failed to list it on the SOFA.

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553 B.R. 916, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/payrolling-partners-inc-v-allen-in-re-allen-flmb-2016.