Smotherman v. Smotherman (In Re Smotherman)

30 B.R. 568, 1983 Bankr. LEXIS 6592
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Ohio
DecidedMarch 18, 1983
Docket19-10613
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 30 B.R. 568 (Smotherman v. Smotherman (In Re Smotherman)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Ohio primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Smotherman v. Smotherman (In Re Smotherman), 30 B.R. 568, 1983 Bankr. LEXIS 6592 (Ohio 1983).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

RICHARD L. SPEER, Bankruptcy Judge.

This cause came before the Court as an adversarial proceeding to determine the dis-chargeability of certain debts belonging to the Debtor. The parties have agreed to have the Court decide the issues in this case based upon the pleadings, briefs, and exhibits submitted on behalf of the respective parties.

FACTS

A review of the case find that the following facts are not in dispute:

1.) The Plaintiff and the Defendant were married on January 20, 1968. Two children were born in that marriage. On August 20, 1981, the parties entered into a separation agreement which contained the language: ARTICLE IV: Husband is to pay all outstanding obligations of the marriage not otherwise specifically mentioned.

1. Note and Mortgage, Toledo $30,000.00 Trust Company secured by 4741 Elmhurst
2. Note and Mortgage, People’s 11,300.00 Savings Association, secured by 1152 Buckingham
3. Note and Mortgage, People’s 16,500.00 Savings Association, secured by 1762 Bigelow
4. Note, DuPont Credit Union, 5,000.00 secured by 1980 American Motors Eagle
5. Ohio Citizens Bank, cheek 300.00 loan
6. Ohio Citizens Bank, VISA 1,100.00
7. Ohio Citizens Bank, note for 3,745.00 pool
8. Dr. Multani 200.00
9. Dr. McKail 50.00
10. Sears 100.00

The separation agreement was incorporated in a decree of dissolution which was rendered on October 26, 1981.

2.) On May 29, 1980, the parties’ daughter, Lori, was diagnosed as suffering from a “slight lumbar scoliosis”, a condition that can be treated with physical therapy and exercise.

*570 3.) On September 16, 1980, the parties entered into a contract for the purchase of a swimming pool. The promissory note used in the purchase was assigned to Ohio Citizens Bank and is one of the debts listed on Exhibit A of the separation agreement. This is one of the debts for which the Husband-Debtor is responsible.

4.) The Plaintiff-Wife and the two minor children currently reside in the residence at 4741 Elmhurst Road. Toledo Trust holds the first mortgage against that property for the approximate debt of Thirty Thousand and no/100 ($30,000.00). The separation agreement specifies that the Husband shall convey all interest in that property to the Wife, and shall continue to make payments on that debt. Peoples Savings Association holds the first mortgage on the properties at 1152 Beckingham and 1762 Bigelow. The separation agreement specifies that the Wife is to receive the titles to these properties and the monies generated by renting them. She shall be responsible for the outstanding debts owed to this mortgagee.

5.) The outstanding debts owed to Dr. McKail and Dr. Multani were apparently incurred for the treatment of the couple’s children.

6.) Currently, the Plaintiff has an annual income of approximately Six Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($6,000.00), and the Plaintiff approximately Twenty-six Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($26,000.00).

7.) The rights to possession and ownership of the 1980 American Motors Eagle are reserved to the Wife by express terms within the Separation Agreement. This automobile secures a debt owed to the DuPont Credit Union. According to the terms of the agreement, this car is used by the Wife in her part-time employment as a real estate salesman, and shall be paid for by the Defendant.

8.) The Debtor-Husband filed a Chapter 13 proceeding on November 3, 1982.

LAW

The questions raised by this proceeding are whether or not these debts are dis-chargeable by the Debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding. Specifically, the question is whether or not these debts constitute alimony, maintenance or support within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Code.

11 U.S.C. Section 523 states, in pertinent part:

“(a) A discharge under sections ... 1328(b) of this title does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt...
(5) to a spouse, former spouse, or child of the debtor for alimony to, maintenance for, or support of both spouse and child, in connection with a separation agreement, divorce decree, or property settlement agreement, but not to the extent that ... (B) such debt includes a liability designated as alimony, maintenance, or support, unless such liability is actually in the nature of alimony maintenance, or support. .. ”

The intent of this section requires the Court to examine the nature of the debt sought to be discharged and to determine whether or not the obligation placed on the Debtor by the Separation Agreement is for the upkeep of his former family. Matter of Jensen, 17 B.R. 537 (Bkrtcy.Mo.1982).

The Bankruptcy Court is not required to accept as determinative those statements in the divorce decree that particular debts are in the nature of alimony or property settlement. Rather,' the Court must look beyond the four corners of the decree and determine whether under the circumstances surrounding a debt, the debt is actually for the support of the prior family or the resolution of property rights. In re Hoover, 14 B.R. 592 (Bkrtcy.N.D.Ohio 1981). If the debts are unassociated with the support and maintenance of the spouse and children they do not come within the intent of Section 523 and thus are discharge-able. In re Brace, 13 B.R. 551 (Bkrtcy.N.D.Ohio 1981).

A review of the facts finds that the Plaintiff-Wife and the children currently reside at 4741 Elmhurst Road. The provision of a place in which to live falls easily within what the Bankruptcy Code intends *571 as maintenance and support of a debtor’s family. Where a debtor’s obligation under a divorce decree is to make mortgage payments that are necessary for his former wife’s security and support, such a debt will not be dischargeable. In re Ferradino, 14 B.R. 196 (Bkrtcy.Nev.1981). Therefore, a requirement calling for the Debtor to be obligated to pay for such a place would not be dischargeable in bankruptcy pursuant to 11 U.S.C. Section 523(a)(5).

Similarly, medical treatment which is required in order to preserve the health of the debtor’s family falls within contemplation of Section 525(a)(5). See, In re Brace, supra; In re Bradley, 11 B.R. 107 (Bkrtcy.Tenn.1981). The complaint alleges that these debts are owed to the respective physicians for treatment of the Debtor’s son. Since there is nothing which contradicts these allegations, the debts must be held nondischargeable.

The facts also show that the 1980 automobile, constitutes the Plaintiff’s only means of transportation.

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Bluebook (online)
30 B.R. 568, 1983 Bankr. LEXIS 6592, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/smotherman-v-smotherman-in-re-smotherman-ohnb-1983.