Wise v. Wise (In re Wise)

590 B.R. 401
United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Michigan·Decided September 28, 2018·No. Case No. 17-45621; Adv. Pro. No. 17-4534; Adv. Pro. No. 17-4535·Published·Cited by 11 cases

Opinion

Thomas J. Tucker, United States Bankruptcy Judge

I. Introduction

The Defendant in these two adversary proceedings, Olivia Wise, filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case on April 14, 2017. In Adversary Proceeding Number 17-4535, the Plaintiff Daniel M. McDermott, United States Trustee, seeks a judgment denying Defendant's discharge, based on 11 U.S.C. §§ 727(a)(2)(A) and 727(a)(4)(A) (Counts I and III of Plaintiff McDermott's Complaint).1 In Adversary Proceeding Number 17-4534, creditor Norman Wise, who is the Debtor's father, also seeks a judgment denying Defendant Debtor's discharge, based on the same § 727(a) grounds as the United States Trustee, and also based on 11 U.S.C. §§ 727(a)(3), 727(a)(5), and 727(a)(6) (Counts IV through VIII of Plaintiff Norman Wise's complaint). Norman Wise also seeks a determination that the Debtor's debt to him is nondischargeable under 11 U.S.C. §§ 523(a)(2)(A) and 523(a)(6) (Counts I and III of Norman Wise's complaint).2

The Court held a joint bench trial on May 22, 2018, June 5, 2018, June 19, 2018, and July 10, 2018. These adversary proceedings are now ready for decision.

The Court has considered all of the evidence and arguments presented by the parties. This includes the testimony of all the witnesses - namely, Norman Wise; Bert Whitehead, IV; Olivia Wise; and Chelsea M. Rebeck. And this includes all of the exhibits, or parts of exhibits, that were admitted into evidence.3 This Opinion states the Court's findings of fact and conclusions of law.

For the reasons stated below, the Court finds for the Plaintiffs in each adversary proceeding, on Counts I and III of the United States Trustee's complaint and on Counts IV and VI of Norman Wise's complaint. The Court will enter a judgment denying the Defendant's discharge, based on 11 U.S.C. §§ 727(a)(2)(A) and 727(a)(4)(A). The Court will dismiss all other counts of Norman Wise's complaint, as moot.

*407II. Jurisdiction

This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over each of these adversary proceedings under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334(b), 157(a) and 157(b)(1), and Local Rule 83.50(a)(E.D. Mich.). Every claim in each adversary proceeding is a core proceeding under 28 U.S.C. §§ 157(b)(2)(I) and 157(b)(2)(J).

III. Discussion

A. Facts
1. The Agreement between Olivia and her father

These adversary proceedings arise out of a pre-petition agreement (the "Agreement") entered into between the Plaintiff Norman Wise ("Norman") and the Defendant Debtor Olivia Wise ("Olivia"), Norman's daughter, regarding property located at 137 South Wilson Avenue, Royal Oak, Michigan 48067 (the "South Wilson Avenue Property"), and property located at 30515 Fairfax, Southfield, MI 48076 (the "Fairfax Street Property"). The Agreement was fully memorialized (according to Norman) or partially memorialized (according to Olivia) in an e-mail exchange between the parties on February 19, 2016.4 On that day, Olivia sent the following e-mail to Norman:

From: Olivia Wise [mailto:omwise89@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2016 9:53 AM
To: Norman H. Wise < NWise@qteaml.com>
Subject: 137 S. Wilson
Hi Dad,
Below is a summary of what we discussed.
1. You will quit claim deed the S[outh Wilson] Ave[nue P]roperty to me with a $250,000 note payable by me to you upon the sale of the [South Wilson Avenue P]roperty.
2. After the S[outh] Wilson Ave[nue P]roperty sells, I will purchase the Fairfax St[reet P]roperty from you at the tbd price (est price = S[outh] Wilson Ave[nue] net proceeds - $250,000 - less hold-back for (AC replacement + one year property taxes + one year insurance) ). Intent of the hold-back is to allow me one year to get on my feet.
3. Increase the HAI insurance stipend from $1200/month to $1350/month thru November 1, 2016. The increase will cover the cost of [Olivia's daughter's] orthodontist payments.
4. Payment date for the HAI insurance stipend will shift from the 1st of the month to the 20th of the prior month i.e., March 1st payment will be made by February 20th. The intent is to ensure that I have the resources to pay HAP health insurance premium by the 1st of the month.
Please let me know if the above summary is correct.
Thank you for all your help and support. I deeply appreciate it.
Olivia5

Later that day, Norman responded:

From: Norman H. Wise *408Sent: Friday, February 19, 2016 11:12 AM
To: 'Olivia Wise'
Subject: RE: 137 S. Wilson
Livy,
I agree to all elements of the attached memo.
Best Regards,
[signature of "Norman H. Wise"]
Chief Executive Officer
Quality Team 1
Office: 313-867-8000
Cell: 313-790-00216

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