Indiana Commercial Foreclosure Law

Unsettled: Recoverability Of Attorney’s Fees For In-House Counsel

If your lending institution uses staff lawyers to prosecute mortgage foreclosure actions, you may be interested in the case In Re Waugh, 2009 Bankr. LEXIS 254 (N.D. Ind. 2009) (Waugh.pdf).   Waugh touches upon the issue of whether, in Indiana, attorney’s fees can be awarded to a lender when that lender is represented by an in-house, salaried counsel.  Unfortunately, the issue remains unresolved. 

Lender’s contention.  Waugh arises out of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, specifically the debtor’s objection to a claim filed by People’s Bank.  People’s received a $3,000 attorney fee award in a state court residential foreclosure action.  The debtor in the subsequent bankruptcy case objected to the inclusion of the fee award in the bankruptcy claim.  People’s reasoned that, although it paid in-house counsel solely on a salary, “time expended in the prosecution of legal matters, and the fees collected, are not irrelevant in determining the salary paid to in-house counsel.”  Furthermore, People’s could locate no Indiana cases or statutes prohibiting or limiting the collection of attorney’s fees paid by a mortgagee to salaried, in-house counsel. 

Debtor’s contention.  The debtor cited a single case, Crum v. AVCO Financial Services, 552 N.E.2d 823 (Ind. Ct. App. 1990), for the proposition that a real estate mortgagee can only collect attorney’s fees if they were actually incurred in the foreclosure proceeding.  Bankruptcy judge Lindquist noted in his opinion, however, that Crum did not assist in resolving the Waugh matter because “Crum merely held that when awarding attorney’s fees, the trial court is empowered to exercise its sound discretion.” 

Loan docs.  As with most (if not all) loan documents, the mortgage in Waugh contained written provisions permitting the recovery of attorney’s fees and litigation costs upon the default by the mortgagor.  None of the language, however, specifically referred to in-house counsel or fees/costs associated with salaried personnel.  Certainly it was undisputed that the loan documents in Waugh provided for the recovery of reasonable attorney’s fees in the case. 

Not this time.  Ultimately, the Court in Waugh never reached the issue of whether the attorney fee claim was appropriate.  This is because People’s based its claim upon a summary judgment previously entered in the state court foreclosure action, which judgment already provided for the recovery of $3,000 in attorney’s fees.  As such, the issue in the bankruptcy case was not whether the attorney’s fee claim was viable, but whether the bankruptcy court should give preclusion effect to the state court summary judgment. 

Too late.  The Waugh opinion provides a lengthy, technical discussion of the legal doctrines of res judicata (claim preclusion) and collateral estoppel (issue preclusion) and whether a state court judgment entered before the date of the debtor’s petition has preclusive effect regarding issues subsequently raised by the parties in the bankruptcy court.  The Court noted that, in Indiana, the entry of summary judgment is a judgment on the merits.  The judgment thus barred the bankruptcy objection.  The Court had no choice but to overrule the debtor’s objection to People’s claim for $3,000 in attorney’s fees.  Although the lender in Waugh won on a technicality, Judge Lindquist expressed that the underlying issue is unsettled: 

Without this Court so deciding, the State Court may or may not have erred in awarding attorney’s fees in the sum of $3,000 when counsel for People’s was in-house counsel on a salary…. 

It’s unclear to me whether, or to what extent, lenders utilize in-house counsel to prosecute commercial foreclosure actions.  Those who do should remain mindful that there appears to be a gap in Indiana law as to whether the lender can recover attorney’s fees in a foreclosure case.  Perhaps some day there will be a definitive Indiana appellate decision on this issue.  If that happens, I will discuss it here.

Respect The Automatic Bankruptcy Stay

The purpose of this post is to discuss the automatic stay provision of 11 U.S.C. § 362(a) in the Bankruptcy Code and to provide an illustration of a violation of the stay.  Judge Philip Klingeberger’s 7-25-08 opinion in In Re:  Galmor, 2008 Bankr. LEXIS 2201 (N.D. Ind. 2008) (Galmore.pdf) is a very thoughtful decision intended “to send a clear message” that willful stay violations “will not be tolerated.”

Primer.  Courtesy of Judge Klingeberger, here are some general principles: 

 When a debtor files a bankruptcy petition, the automatic stay takes effect, and Section 362(a) prohibits creditors from taking certain actions to collect their debts.
 The stay is self-executing and is effective upon filing of the bankruptcy petition.
 The stay prohibits, among other things, the enforcement of a deficiency judgment or collection on a claim that arose before the commencement of the bankruptcy case. 
 The rationale behind the stay is, in part, to give the bankruptcy court an opportunity to assess the debtor’s situation and to embark on an orderly course of resolving the estate.  The stay prevents a “chaotic and uncontrolled scramble for the debtor’s assets in a variety of uncoordinated proceedings in different courts.” 
 “The debtor has the burden of providing the creditor with actual notice of the bankruptcy and, upon so providing, the burden shifts to the creditor to prevent violations of the automatic stay.”
 If uncertain about the applicability of the stay, the creditor may petition the bankruptcy court for clarification. 
 Sanctions should not be imposed where there has been a technical violation of the stay.
 However, Section 362(k) provides monetary relief for willful violations of the automatic stay.

Backdrop.  Dykstra held a pre-petition judgment, had filed a motion to enforce the judgment by proceedings supplemental and had requested that defendant/judgment debtor Galmor appear in court to answer as to any assets.  The state court issued an order to appear, which Galmor ignored.  The state court then directed Galmor to appear and show why she should not be held in contempt.  Galmor blew off that hearing too, so the state court issued a bench warrant.  Subsequently, Galmor filed a petition for bankruptcy relief.  Amazingly, Dykstra showed up at Galmor’s Section 341 meeting of creditors in bankruptcy court and facilitated the arrest of Galmor pursuant to the bench warrant previously issued in state court.   

Elements of action.  Galmor sued Dykstra for damages for alleged willful violations of the automatic stay.  Here is what debtor’s must prove in order to recover:

1. That a bankruptcy petition was filed;
2. That the debtor is an “individual” under the automatic stay provision;
3. That the creditor had notice of the petition;
4. That the creditor’s actions were in willful violation of the stay; and
5. That the debtor is entitled to a form of relief provided by section 362(k).

The contested issue in Galmor was #4.   

Be proactive.  One of the interesting questions in Galmor was whether the creditor had a duty to take affirmative action to halt the effect of the pre-petition bench warrant in the wake of the automatic stay.  In Galmor, Dykstra not only permitted but indeed assisted with the arrest - at the first meeting of creditors in bankruptcy court no less.  Judge Klingeberger held:

Galmor was at risk of being arrested on a state court “collection device” bench warrant during her appearance at her section 341 meeting, an appearance mandated by the federal law of the Bankruptcy Code.  This is completely contrary to the purpose of the Bankruptcy Code and has the effect of rendering section 362(a) ineffective as to Dykstra’s debt.  The circumstances in this case raise the issue of whether a creditor, or an attorney, who has notice of a bankruptcy filing and had previously caused a bench warrant to be issued in order to collect a debt, has an affirmative duty to request that the warrant-issuing court recall the warrant.  The court determines that this affirmative duty should be imposed.  . . .   

Willful violation.  Based upon the following rationale, the Court held Dykstra’s actions to be a willful violation of the automatic stay and awarded punitive damages. 

Dykstra was not at all sensitive to any potential violation of the automatic stay, nor did he make any statement at the meeting of creditors that the warrant fell into the hands of federal law enforcement personnel by mere happenstance.  It is clear that it was Dykstra’s intent to appear at the section 341 meeting to have Galmor arrested as either punishment for not paying the debt and/or as a method to attempt to collect the debt.

Secured lenders and their counsel need to be sensitive to the automatic stay and cease all non-bankruptcy collection proceedings.  As Judge Klingeberger noted, the automatic stay “is a powerful tool” and should be respected accordingly.  For more on the automatic stay, please see my 7-18-08 post “Does a Guarantor’s Bankruptcy Stop a Foreclosure Case Against the Borrower?” 

Does A Guarantor’s Bankruptcy Stop A Foreclosure Case Against the Borrower?

Sometimes when secured lenders file suit to enforce a note and a guaranty and to foreclose a commercial mortgage, the guarantor (but not the borrower) files a bankruptcy petition.  Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 362, the collection action, as to the debtor (the guarantor), is stayed.  Some wonder whether the entire case is stayed. 

Borrower idle.  The defendant borrower may not seek bankruptcy protection if, for example, there are no assets to protect beyond the loan collateral, the value of which may not cover the debt and the collection costs.  So, while the borrower essentially throws in the towel, the guarantor runs for cover in bankruptcy court.

The issue.  The question is whether the bankruptcy stay applies only to the guarantor or whether it extends to the borrower.  The answer, generally, is no, despite the confusion that sometimes arises out of this situation.  Meaning no disrespect to state court judges, but because they rarely deal with bankruptcy issues, they sometimes conclude, perhaps intuitively, that a bankruptcy filing by one defendant will stay the case as to all defendants, at least until the bankruptcy court orders otherwise.  To be fair, this scenario has puzzled lawyers and lender reps too (including me).

General rule.  In Pitts v. Unarco Industries, Inc., 698 F. 2d 313, 314 (7th Cir. 1983), the Seventh Circuit, which includes Indiana, stated that “the clear language of Section 362(a)(1) thus extends the automatic stay provision only to the debtor filing bankruptcy proceedings and not to non-bankrupt co-defendants.”  This is because the language in Section 362 “unambiguously states that the stay operates only as ‘against the debtor.’”  Id.; 555 M Manufacturing, Inc. v. Calvin Klein, Inc., 13 F. Supp. 2d 719 (E.D. Ill. 1998); Federal Land Bank v. Stiles, 700 F. Supp. 1060, 1062-63 (Mon. 1988) (noting generally that stays pursuant to Section 362(a) are limited to debtors and that there are no special exceptions for circumstances involving a co-defendant who is jointly liable on a debt with the debtor). 

LLC’s.  The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa in In Re Calhoun, 312 B.R. 380 (N.D. Iowa 2004) addressed the issue of who was covered by the automatic stay.  An individual debtor had sought Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief.  The debtor, however, had an interest in a limited liability company (an LLC).  In Iowa, not unlike Indiana, an LLC is an entity separate and distinct from its members and managers.  The Court held that the automatic stay did not apply to the LLC.  “The separate legal existence of a corporation is respected in bankruptcy.  The automatic stay does not stay actions against separate entities associated with the debtor.”  Id. at 384.  The bankruptcy court concluded, therefore, that only the named petitioner (debtor) is protected by the automatic stay.  “None of the LLCs referred to are parties to the bankruptcy.  They are not proper parties and not protected by the provisions of the automatic stay.”  Id. at 384-385.  See also, In Re Merlyn L. Johnson, 209 B.R. 499, 500 (Neb. 1997) (a creditor generally is permitted to sue a guarantor or a co-debtor and to collect from property of a third party that is pledged to secure debts of the debtor).

Proceed.  Thus the law seems to be clear that, in general, a secured lender should be permitted to proceed to judgment against a borrower and to foreclose on a borrower’s mortgage.  Note that courts recognize limited exceptions to this general rule, not to mention the fact that the guarantor could seek an order from the bankruptcy court to extend the stay to the borrower.  There are “special circumstances” that may permit the extension of the stay, but the onus should be on the guarantor or borrower to prove them.  (A couple of recognized exceptions that the guarantor or borrower might seek to prove are, first, where the relationship between the debtor and the third-party defendant is such that a judgment against the third-party defendant will effectively be a judgment against the debtor and, second, where the litigation against the third-party defendant would cause “irreparable harm” to the debtor or estate.)  Otherwise, as long as the plaintiff secured lender and its counsel provide notice to the parties of the intention to proceed with foreclosure despite the bankruptcy filing, the plaintiff lender should be free to continue with the foreclosure case.  Thanks to my bankruptcy colleague, Chris Jacobson, for her insights.

Indiana Tax Sale And Related Proceedings Violate Bankruptcy Stay

From time to time, rights arising out of property tax liens collide with rights arising out of mortgage liens.  Priority determinations and related issues sometimes can be complicated.  The Indiana Court of Appeals case ATFH Real Property v. Stewart, 879 N.E.2d 1184 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008) (ATFHOpinion.pdf) provides some clarity regarding whether and when formal property tax lien proceedings impact a mortgagor and, in turn, a mortgagee when the mortgagor has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Procedural history.  Mortgagor petitioned for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection.  Among mortgagor’s assets was mortgaged real estate.  Post-petition, a tax lien on the property was sold to a party in a Marion County, Indiana tax sale.  The County, however, had not applied for relief from the bankruptcy automatic stay.  The purchaser of the tax lien then assigned its lien to another party (assignee).  Months later, mortgagee had the bankruptcy automatic stay lifted so it could foreclose on its mortgage on the property.  After the bankruptcy case concluded, and the mortgagor/debtor was discharged, the Marion County Tax Auditor issued a deed to the property to the assignee of the tax sale lien.  The assignee then conveyed its interests in the property to ATFH, the plaintiff in the current case.  ATFH filed an action to quiet title, essentially claiming that its interest in the property, which arose from the tax lien, was superior to the interests of the mortgage lender that foreclosed on the property. 

Property tax lien primer.  The Indiana Court of Appeals in ATFH Real Property set out the following general rules applicable to property tax liens in Indiana:

 When the owner of real property fails to pay property taxes, the property may be sold to satisfy the delinquent taxes. 

 The process by which property is sold to satisfy delinquent taxes is governed by statute, and a valid sale requires material compliance with those statutes.

 At such a “tax sale,” when a bid from a member of the public equals at least the amount of the delinquent taxes (plus some miscellaneous expenses), the buyer receives a certificate of sale and a lien against the property in the amount paid.  I.C. § 6-1.1-24-5 and 9.

 This lien is superior to all other liens that exist against the property.  I.C. § 6-1.1-24-5.

 Any person, however, may redeem (buy back) the real property in question by paying to the county treasurer an amount specified by I.C. § 6-1.1-25-2.  See, I.C. § 6-1.1-25-1.

 If no redemption is made within the specified period, the purchaser of the tax lien (or his assignee) may then petition the court in which the judgment of sale was entered to order the auditor to issue a tax deed, which, when issued, vests in the grantee an estate in fee simple absolute.  I.C. § 6-1.1-25-4.6.

Bankruptcy automatic stay.  The issue in ATFH Real Property was whether the purchase of the tax lien on the property at the tax sale violated the bankruptcy stay.  More specifically, did the purchase constitute an “act to obtain possession of property” under 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)(3)?  The Court concluded that it did, “even if the immediate result was not actual possession.”  The rationale was that one cannot obtain possession of property from a tax sale without first purchasing the tax lien.  The Court held that the tax sale and all proceedings flowing therefrom were therefore void as violative of the automatic stay.   

6 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT PROOFS OF CLAIMS IN INDIANA BANKRUPTCY COURTS

Although my blog primarily is devoted to issues surrounding Indiana state court foreclosure and lien enforcement actions, some discussion of bankruptcy matters will be warranted.  This is because, not infrequently, a real estate foreclosure or UCC lien enforcement proceeding that starts in state court will end up in bankruptcy court.  So, I would be remiss if, from time to time, I did not address legal opinions arising out of Indiana bankruptcy courts.  One such case is In The Matter Of:  David Burr Fink, 2007 Bankr. LEXIS 1149 (N.D. Ind. 2007), a March 15, 2007 decision by Judge Robert E. Grant that tackles questions regarding whether a late-filed proof of claim should be allowed.  (Fink Opinion.pdf)

1. General bankruptcy rule.  An unsecured creditor that has notice or knowledge of a bankruptcy case but fails to timely file a proof of claim may have its claim disallowed or, in a Chapter 7 liquidation case, subordinated (see #3). 11 U.S.C. 502(b)(9); Fink at 2.

2. “Excusable neglect” exception.  In a chapter 11 proceeding only, a court can, but is not required to, allow late filed claims if the failure is due to excusable neglect.  Bankr. Rule 3003(c) and 9006(b)(1); Fink at 2, n.1. Proving “excusable neglect” can  be difficult, particularly where a creditor is sophisticated and/or represented by counsel.

3. Chapter 7 late claims.  In Chapter 7 cases, theoretically the failure to file a timely proof of claim is not fatal.  11 U.S.C. 726(a)(3); Fink at 2.  The result is the subordination of the claim to the full payment of all other timely filed unsecured claims. Thus the tardy creditor is at the back of the line for any distribution.  11 U.S.C. 726(a)(3); Fink  at 14. But chapter 7 plans that pay unsecured creditors in full are extremely rare.  For all practical purposes, a late-filed claim in a Chapter 7 case ultimately will mean no distribution to an unsecured creditor.

4. “No asset” cases.  In most Chapter 7 cases, courts will issue an order indicating that there is no need to file a proof of claim until further notice. The reason for this is that, absent a finding that there are assets, there may well be no distribution to unsecured creditors.

5. Secured creditors and deficiency claims.  As a general rule, only unsecured creditors need to file proofs of claim in order to be placed “in the distributional queue.” But if a secured creditor desires to retain a deficiency claim, it too should file.  Fink at 14.  In other words, secured creditors should file in order to preserve possible distribution on account of any unsecured deficiency.  Significantly, the failure to file a claim will not destroy or eliminate a secured creditor’s lien or interest in the property of the estate.  Fink at 14-15.  A lien remains unaffected by bankruptcy unless it specifically is altered by the court.   

6. Informal proof of claim.  Bankruptcy courts have developed an equitable doctrine known as an “informal proof of claim” that can sometimes permit a claim to be asserted via something other than a formal proof of claim.  The Fink opinion provides a thorough analysis of this doctrine.  Judge Grant found that the situations in which “informal claims” should be allowed are extremely narrow.  In Fink, the Court found that a creditor had not, via a motion for relief from stay, asserted an informal claim.  The creditor was unable to avoid strict enforcement of the claims bar date.
 
Turning to this blog’s true purpose, which is to provide a resource for secured lenders facing loans in default, Judge Grant’s opinion provides a nice refresher on the rules for filing proofs of claims.  The message is to determine quickly whether you need a proof of claim and, if so, to ensure you timely file it, even if you have or will be seeking other relief in the bankruptcy proceeding such as an order modifying the automatic stay.  Actually, the filing of a proof of claim is fairly painless, and there really is no downside to filing one.  When in doubt - file.