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Bankruptcy. Automatic Stay. Once bankruptcy petition filed, creditor cannot: Receive a security interest Perfect a security interest Enforce a security interest (repossess). Bankruptcy Trustee. Protects unsecured creditors. Enemy of the secured creditor. Status of judicial lien creditor.
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Automatic Stay • Once bankruptcy petition filed, creditor cannot: • Receive a security interest • Perfect a security interest • Enforce a security interest (repossess)
Bankruptcy Trustee • Protects unsecured creditors. • Enemy of the secured creditor.
Status of judicial lien creditor • Bankruptcy trustee has status of judicial lien creditor. • Thus, will prevail over unperfected security interests. • Problem 361 – p. 974
Power to Raise Debtor’s Defenses • Bankruptcy trustee can raise any defenses the debtor may have such as: • Statute of limitations • Statute of frauds
Power of any actual unsecured creditor • Moore v. Bay – 1931 United States Supreme Court • Trustee’s recovery is not limited to the amount of the unsecured creditor’s claim.
Preferences • Debtor cannot prefer one creditor over another. • Creditors cannot be overly aggressive.
Preferences • 1. Transfer by debtor • Includes grant of security interest.
Preferences • 2. For preexisting debt • Not a new debt.
Preferences • 3. Within 90 days of filing the bankruptcy petition • One year if transfer is to an insider (e.g., relative, partner, corporate officer)
Preferences • 4. Increases the amount the creditor receives • Creditor is “better off” because of the transfer as compared to what the creditor would receive under a bankruptcy distribution.
Preferences • 5. Debtor insolvent at time of transfer • Presumed within 90 days before filing.
Preferences -- Exceptions • 1. Contemporaneous exchange • New value given for item. • Perfection of new value within 30 days of attachment.
Preferences -- Exceptions • 2. Ordinary course debt payments • Utility bills • Paying ordinary debts (even secured ones)
Preferences -- Exceptions • 3. PMSI • Perfected within 30 days of debtor receiving possession.
Preferences • Problem 362 – p. 979 July 19Bankruptcy filing June 8$80,000 loan$100,000 collateral July 18Perfection
Preferences • Problem 363 – p. 979 Nov. 1value Security agreement Nov. 15RightsAttachment Dec. 6Bankruptcy filing Dec. 5Filing
Preferences • Problem 364 – p. 979
Floating Liens [amount unsecured 90 days before filing] minus [amount unsecured at time of filing] equals preference
Floating Liens Preference = Amountof debtat timeof filing Value ofcollateralat timeof filing Amount of debt 90days before filing Value ofcollateral90 daysbefore filing • Problem 365 – p. 981
Fraudulent Conveyances • Under federal or state law. • Actual intent to defraud • Debtor receives less than reasonably equivalent value • Problem 366 – p. 989
Judicial Liens • Judicial liens within 90 days of bankruptcy filing are preferences and trustee has priority.
Statutory Liens • Statutory liens have priority over the bankruptcy trustee if under state law: • They would prevail against a BFP, and • Do not arise only because the debtor is insolvent.