SHELLEY D. RUCKER, Bankruptcy Judge.
The Debtors objected to the claim filed by Resurgent Capital Services as servicing agent for LVNV Funding, LLC ("Claimant"), its successors and assigns, as assignee of Capital One. Their objection requires this court to determine whether a claim for recovery of a consumer credit card debt
In support of its ruling, the court makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law based on Fed. R. Bankr.P. 7052 made applicable to contested matters by Fed. R. Bankr.P. 9014. This court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1334 and § 157(b)(2)(B).
Claimant, through a servicer, filed proof of claim no. 11 for $365.06 on February 23, 2011. The proof of claim reflects that the basis for the debt was a MasterCard with an account number ending in 6639. It reflects that Resurgent Capital Services, LLC is the servicer for LVNV Funding, LLC and that Claimant LVNV Funding, LLC is the assignee of "Capital One." The Claimant attached a one page statement that provides an account number, the amount of the debt, and the date the debt was charged off by the "original creditor." That charge off date is January 5, 1999. There is a place on the statement for the last transaction date but it is left blank. The statement has no separate signature which would indicate who is representing these facts. The statement does have a legend at the bottom that states with respect to the amount of the claim,
Proof of Claim No. 11. The term assignor is not defined. The original creditor is not identified. The statement identifies the "Current Creditor" as "LVNV Funding, LLC as assignee of Capital One," and the "Creditor from whom the debt was purchased" as "Capital One." As for proof of the assignment, the Claimant attached no copy of an assignment from Capital One to LVNV Funding, LLC. There is a bill of sale attached which references a Purchase and Sale Agreement for Accounts between Capital One Bank, as "Seller," and Resurgent Acquisition II, LLC, as "Buyer" of the accounts listed on the "Schedule attached." Claimant has not attached a schedule of accounts showing that the Debtors' account was one of the ones assigned.
The Debtors objected to the claim on December 19, 2012. The objection alleges three bases for the disallowance of the claim. First, the Debtors allege that the claim is barred by the statute of limitations. Second, the Debtors object that "[t]he documentation as to ownership of this claim by LVNV Funding LLC is not attached to the claim." Third, the Debtors allege that "[a] power of attorney is not
The trustee has paid $52.16 on the unsecured claim pursuant to a modified plan confirmed on June 17, 2011, but he has made no payments to Claimant while the objection has been pending.
The Debtors served the Claimant with the objection and provided 30 days' notice of the hearing. The hearing was set originally for January 31, 2013 but was continued to March 14, 2013. On February 7, 2013, the court requested briefs in support of the Debtors' objection. In their brief the Debtors argue that the failure to provide supporting documentation raises a legal argument as to "standing /real party in interest." [Doc. No. 50, Brief in Support of Objection to Claim No. 11, at 3 ("Brief") ]. They also argue that the failure to attach a power of attorney raises legal issues of standing, real party in interest and the validity of the agency relationship. No response has been filed, and no one appeared on the Claimant's behalf at the hearing held on March 14, 2013. At the hearing on March 14, 2013 the Debtors' attorney announced the withdrawal of all objections except lack of documentation for the assignment.
The Debtors filed a Supplemental Brief on April 5, 2013. It included a spreadsheet referencing over 200 proofs of claim which had been disallowed or were under consideration in three divisions of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Of these, 39 had been filed by Resurgent Capital Services. The spreadsheet was filed in support of the Debtors' contention that all of these claims were filed without the documentation required by Bankruptcy Rule 3001(c) and are detrimental to the administration of Chapter 13 plans in the system.
The Debtors argue that the failure of the Claimant to attach supporting documents which reflect its ownership of the claim or the executing party's standing to sign the proof of claim are violations of Fed. R. Bank. P. 3001(b) and (c)(1). Since that rule requires the attachment of supporting documents, they argue that the failure to attach any written documents supporting the Claimant's standing as owner of the claim or evidencing the filer's representative authority to execute the proof of claim deprives the proof of claim of the evidentiary presumption that the claim is valid and is owed in the amount stated in the proof of claim. Fed. R. Bankr.P. 3001(e). Without that presumption, the Debtors urge the court to look directly to state law to determine whether the Claimant has the burden of proof to "show an unbroken chain of assignment." Brief at 6. If the Claimant has that burden, then the proof of claim should be disallowed as "insufficient on its face." To require more from the Debtors inappropriately shifts the burden of proof to them and lowers the burden for the Claimant to a level below what state law imposes. Here, the Debtors have listed the debt as disputed and are not estopped from challenging the claim. Finally, the Debtors urge the court to adopt a rule requiring
The court finds there is support for most of the Debtors' argument, but it is the minority view. In re Richter, 478 B.R. 30 (Bankr.D.Colo.2012). Because the Sixth Circuit has signaled its approval of the majority view, the court must reject the Debtors' argument. B-Line, LLC v. Wingerter (In re Wingerter), 594 F.3d 931, 941 (6th Cir.2010). An allegation of lack of documentation is not a valid objection even if the Debtors re-characterize it as an objection to standing. A valid objection to standing must raise a factual dispute about who is the holder of the claim. The Debtors must allege that, to the best of their knowledge, information, and belief, either (a) they owe someone else or (b) they do not owe the obligation at all. In addition the court does not find support for holding otherwise based on the Debtor's desire to impose a heavier burden on creditors in order to lighten the Debtors' burden to review the proofs of claims which have been filed, especially when the burden is imposed by the Bankruptcy Code and Rules.
In this case, the Debtors set their objection to the proof of claim for hearing.
Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 55, the court may grant a judgment provided that the claimant has been served and notice of the hearing in which the relief will be granted has been provided more than 30 days prior to the hearing date. Fed. R. Bankr.P. 3007(a); E.D.Tenn. LBR 9013-1(f)(2)(ii)(A). The Debtors have provided that notice. In this case there is no evidence that the additional procedural concerns regarding the disability or military service status of the Claimant are at issue. See HICA Education Loan Corp. v. Klugewicz, No. 1:11-cv-287, 2012 WL 6799752, at *3-4 (E.D.Tenn. Apr. 17, 2012) (quoting Broadcast Music v. Marler, 2009 WL 3785878, at *4 (E.D.Tenn. Nov. 12, 2009)) (other citations omitted).
The court's authority to proceed to a judgment where there is no answer is also addressed in the local rules. In cases where there is no response, the court may consider that there is no opposition to the
Id. Motions are defined in the local rules to include objections to claims. E.D. Tenn. LBR 9013-1(a).
Having found that the court may enter a default judgment, the court must consider whether it should exercise its discretion to do so. In determining whether the court should exercise its discretion, the court may review the merits of the claim. See HICA Education Loan Corp. v. Klugewicz, No. 1:11-cv-287, 2012 WL 6799752, at *1 (E.D.Tenn. Apr. 17, 2012); Jahn v. Clayton (In re Clayton), Adv. No. 11-1135, 2012 WL 112940, at *1 (Bankr.E.D.Tenn. Jan. 12, 2012).
Irby v. Fashion Bug (In re Irby), 337 B.R. 293, 294 (Bankr.N.D.Ohio 2005) (citations omitted). In addressing the merits of the complaint, or in this case, the objection, the factual allegations are admitted.
10A WRIGHT, MILLER & KANE, FEDERAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE § 2688, p. 63 (3d. 11998)(footnote omitted); Bowers v. Banks (In re McKenzie), No. 11-1169, 2013 WL 1091634, at *708 (Bankr.E.D.Tenn. Mar. 5, 2013). See also In re Brunson, 486 B.R. 759, 768 (Bankr.N.D.Tex.2013)("Under Bankruptcy Rule 7055, the entry of a default judgment is not automatic ... a default judgment is committed to the court's discretion.") (citations omitted); In re Rehman, 479 B.R. 238 (Bankr.D.Mass. 2012)(Court overruled objections to assigned credit card claims where creditors had not responded, but debtor had listed the original creditors).
The Debtors have alleged that "the documentation as to ownership of the claim is not attached to the claim." Objection at 2. While the court notes that there are gaps in the chain of title, there is a Bill of Sale attached to the proof of claim and the servicer has signed the proof of claim under oath. The Debtors equate the lack of documentation to lack of standing in their Brief. The court must determine whether that is enough for disallowance.
A proof of claim which is filed under 11 U.S.C. § 501 is deemed allowed unless a party in interest objects. 11 U.S.C. § 502(a). The Debtors have objected to Claimant's proof of claim; however, the court does not have before it an objection that alleges that the Debtors do not owe this debt to weigh against the Claimant's
Fed. R. Bankr.P. 3001 governs the filing of a proof of claim. Compliance with this rule provides a significant benefit to a creditor. "A proof of claim executed and filed in accordance with these rules shall constitute prima facie evidence of the validity and amount of the claim." Fed. R. Bankr.P. 3001(f). While an objection based on the failure to comply with this rule is not sufficient for disallowance, the failure does have ramifications for the evidentiary effect of the proof of claim. B-Line, LLC v. Wingerter (In re Wingerter), 594 F.3d 931, 941 (6th Cir.2010).
The relevant portions of Bankruptcy Rule 3001 are as follows:
Fed. R. Bank. P. 3001(a)-(c)(emphasis added to reflect amendments effective December 1, 2012).
The Debtors have raised two violations of Rule 3001 which they argue should result in the loss of the evidentiary presumption. The Debtors contend that (1) the proof of claim was not properly executed by the servicer for the Claimant because the servicer failed to provide evidence of its authority; and (2) neither the supporting writings nor a statement explaining their loss was attached to the proof of claim. Fed. R. Bankr.P. 3001(b) and (c)(1).
As noted above, section (b) requires that the proof of claim be executed by the creditor or the creditor's authorized representative, except as provided in Rules 3004 and 3005.
Bankruptcy Rule 9010 requires evidence of a power of attorney for any appearance of an agent in a bankruptcy proceeding for any purpose with one significant exception.
Section (c)(1) requires that, if the claim is based on a writing, that writing must be attached or the circumstances of its unavailability must be explained. Fed. R. Bankr.P. 3001(c)(1). As of December 1, 2012, an exception was added to the requirement to attach supporting documentation for proofs of claim for open-end accounts or revolving consumer credit agreements. Section (c)(3) of Rule 3001, which is italicized above, sets forth the exception. Instead of the documentation, open account creditors must now provide a statement containing five specific items of information which substitutes for the supporting writings. Fed. R. Bankr.P. 3001(c)(3)(A). If the debtor needs more information from the creditor, he must send a written request. Fed. R. Bankr.P. 3001(c)(3)(B).
The first question for the court is which section of Bankruptcy Rule 3001 should be applied to determine whether there has been compliance with the rule — 3001(c)(1) or the recently added exception in (c)(3). The proof of claim was filed on February 23, 2011, prior to the addition of the exception. The objection was filed in 2013 after the exception became effective. Although the amended rule was in effect at the time of the objection, the court will analyze whether the proof of claim was filed in accordance with Rule 3001 as it existed at the time the proof of claim was filed. The court will apply Rule 3001(c)(1) to determine whether the proof of claim is prima facie evidence of the claim's validity and amount. Although the court may apply the amended rule retroactively in cases where its application is "practicable" and "just," the court does not find that retroactive application is more just or practicable than using the rule that was in effect when the claim was filed. In re Brunson, 486 B.R. 759, 770-71 (Bankr.N.D.Tex.2013)(discussion of when retroactive application may be appropriate).
Having determined that the proof of claim fails to comply with Bankruptcy Rule 3001(c)(1), the court finds that the proof of claim is not entitled to any special evidentiary status. The court will now consider the validity of the objection.
In deciding whether to grant the default, the court must determine whether the Debtors raised a valid objection. There is a substantial controversy among the courts regarding whether an objection based on a failure to comply with Bankruptcy Rule 3001(c)(1) should be sustained. In re Burkett, 329 B.R. 820, 826 (Bankr.S.D.Ohio 2005). This is especially true in cases where the debtor has listed the original debt as owed to the assignee. In re Brunson, 486 B.R. 759 (Bankr.N.D.Tex.2013); In re Chalakee, 385 B.R. 771, 775 (Bankr. N.D.Ok.2008). In this case, there is no issue of the Debtors' having admitted to the Claimant's debt. The debt was not listed originally and when it was listed it was noted as being disputed. Therefore, the court may address this objection without consideration of whether the objection is brought in bad faith or whether the Debtors are estopped from objecting. The issue before the court is solely whether an objection based on a failure to attach supporting documentation of the assignment is a sufficient basis for disallowance.
To understand the basis of the controversy, a review of two views of the basis for disallowance of claims is helpful. One view adopts what is termed as the "exclusive
The cases that take the "nonexclusive" view hold that if the creditor fails to remedy the defect in its filing or otherwise prove its claim at the hearing, then the claim should be disallowed. This view results in a creditor losing its right to a distribution solely for failure to attach the supporting documents. This is the minority view. In re Rochester, 2005 WL 3670877 (Bankr.N.D.Tex. May 24, 2005), overruled by In re Brunson, 486 B.R. 759, 773 (Bankr.N.D.Tex.2013)(Court changed the view it had adopted from nonexclusive to exclusive and noted that the nonexclusive view is now "firmly the minority view.").
The controversy can be seen clearly in the Tenth Circuit where the Court of Appeals adopted the nonexclusive view. The Court of Appeals focused on the creditor's burden to substantiate its claim in cases where the creditor fails to comply with Rule 3001, thereby losing the evidentiary presumption. It noted that the creditor appeared in the case, but failed to present any evidence at the hearing in response to the objection. Caplan v. B-Line, LLC (In re Kirkland), 572 F.3d 838, 840-41 (10th Cir.2009). The Circuit Court reversed the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Tenth Circuit which had adopted the majority exclusive view after a thorough survey of both views. The panel interpreted the debtor's objection as being based solely on the lack of documentation attached to the claim and found that failure to comply with Rule 3001 was not a ground for disallowance. B-Line, LLC v. Kirkland (In re Kirkland), 379 B.R. 341 (10th Cir. BAP 2007).
If this objection is based solely on the failure to comply with Rule 3001(c)(1) and if the applicable law in this circuit is the
Although the Sixth Circuit has not addressed the disallowance of a claim under these specific circumstances, it has signaled that it favors the exclusive view. It discussed the ramifications of failing to comply with Rule 3001 in connection with its consideration of whether credit card creditors violated Rule 9011 when they repeatedly filed claims which did not conform to Rule 3001, and whether the creditors should be subject to sanctions. B-Line, LLC v. Wingerter (In re Wingerter), 594 F.3d 931 (6th Cir.2010); rev'g In re Wingerter, 394 B.R. 859 (6th Cir. BAP 2008), rev'g In re Wingerter, 376 B.R. 221 (Bankr.N.D.Ohio 2007). In that case, the creditor had appeared and provided substantial proof regarding both the reason for its failure to attach the supporting documentation and also the inquiries it had conducted prior to filing the claim. The Court of Appeals noted that the proof of claim in the case was submitted on an incomplete form. Id. at 941. It addressed the failure to comply with Rule 3001(c) in the following manner:
Id.
The Heath case cited by the Sixth Circuit directly addresses whether lack of documentation is a sufficient basis for disallowance of a claim. The Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel adopted the majority "exclusive" rule. Heath v. American Express Travel Related Servs. Co., Inc. (In re Heath), 331 B.R. at 435. After determining that failure to comply with Rule 3001 is not one of the bases for disallowance under 11 U.S.C. § 502(b), the panel discussed its reasons for rejecting the minority "nonexclusive" view.
In re Heath at 435-36 (quoting In re Guidry, 321 B.R. 712, 715 (Bankr.N.D.Ill. 2005)).
In light of the Sixth Circuit's citation of the Heath case for its position on the ramifications of failing to comply with Rule 3001(c)(2), the court concludes that the Sixth Circuit would follow the majority exclusive view. In such a jurisdiction, an objection is not sufficient if it is, in essence, a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim resulting from a failure to provide the supporting documents. Applying the reasoning of Heath, this court must look to see whether the objection filed by the Debtors denies any factual allegation made in the proof of claim. The Claimant's proof of claim satisfied its initial burden of coming forward with "a presentation of any evidence of the claim." In re Kemmer, 315 B.R. 706, 713 (Bankr. E.D.Tenn.2004). "At that point, the objecting party is still required to present evidence that the claim is legally deficient." Id. To overcome a proof of claim, the Debtors must come forward with some evidence to meet, overcome, or equal the statements in the proof of claim. Id. (citing In re All-American Auxiliary Ass'n, 95 B.R. 540, 545 (Bankr.S.D.Ohio 1989)). See also In re Umstead, 490 B.R. 186, 194 (Bankr.E.D.Pa.2013)("A proof of claim may be prima facie valid despite noncompliance with Rule 3001(c) if it provides sufficient indicia of the claim's validity and amount to justify imposing on the objector the burden and expense of responding with contrary evidence.")
The court finds that the Debtors have not raised a factual issue sufficient to overcome the sworn statement by the Claimant in the proof of claim. First, they have not raised a dispute as to the underlying debt. The Debtors amended their Schedule F to list the debt as disputed, but they did not amend their objection to put the Claimant on notice that there was a dispute as to the existence of a debt. Simply scheduling a debt as "disputed" "without affirmatively asserting in the objection that the debtors owe nothing or less than the amount claimed" is not enough to raise a dispute as to the debt for purposes of an objection to the claim. In re Shank, 315 B.R. 799, 811 (Bankr.N.D.Ga.2004).
Second, they have not raised a dispute regarding whether the Claimant is the assignee. The Debtors objected because the Claimant did not attach documents showing that it was the holder of the claim. Although their unverified objection was re-characterized in their Brief as an objection to standing, the Debtors did not deny any factual assertion made in the proof of claim. The court does not find that merely re-characterizing an objection based on lack of documentation as one based on standing to be sufficient to meet or overcome the statements in the proof of claim.
The Debtors argue that lack of supporting documentation should be enough to support disallowance. They argue that in a Tennessee collection action, just raising the failure of proof is enough to defeat a complaint. The debtor has no burden to represent to the court that he or she does not owe the debt or that the debtor owes someone other than this creditor. See LVNV Funding, LLC v. Mastaw, 2012 WL 1534785 (Tenn.App. Apr. 30, 2012)(Tennessee Court of Appeals found that because the creditor was not "the original creditor as to Mastaw's Sears Gold Master Card, creditor must also prove by a preponderance of the evidence that it is the owner of Mastaw's debt." stated that
The court recognizes that in order to make such an allegation, a debtor will have to conduct enough investigation to satisfy Fed. R. Bankr.P. 9011(b). The court also recognizes that after that inquiry, which may meet with more silence by these creditors, a debtor may left to allege that to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief, he or she does not have any recollection or record of ever incurring this debt and therefore disputes that it is owed. If the debtor is aware of the debt but not the specific creditor, he or she may allege only that, to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief, the creditor filing the claim is not the creditor that he or she owes. Despite the lack of specificity, such statements create a factual dispute, and the court has before it factual allegations it may use in determining whether to grant the default judgment.
The court does not see this requirement as imposing an additional burden on a debtor with respect to open account claims. An inquiry will be part of the objection process going forward. As of December 1, 2012, a debtor must make an inquiry of an open account creditor in order to take advantage of the evidentiary sanctions offered for failing to provide documentation. A written request for information is now required by Rule 3001(c)(2)(B)(written request for additional information required to trigger sanctions of Rule 3001(c)(2)(D)).
As a final basis for their contention that lack of documentation should be enough, the Debtors' counsel also raises the potential for abusive filings by creditors if they are not required to comply with Rule 3001, and increased costs to debtors and trustees if they are required to object to claims which are unrecognizable. As support, he points to 38 claims filed in other cases by this creditor to which debtors have objected and which this creditor has failed to defend. He has asked the court to infer that the failure to defend these claim objections
As to the issue of the burden of the costs associated with these objections, the burden of objecting to claims is imposed by statute on a party in interest. 11 U.S.C. § 502(b). That party is generally the party that does not want the claim paid. The process admittedly favors creditors in an exclusive view jurisdiction.
Shank, 315 B.R. at 814. The creditor may neglect to supply the information required by Rule 3001(c). lose the prima facie presumption, and still have a claim unless the debtor goes on record to contradict the specific allegations in the proof of claim. Nevertheless, in light of the Bankruptcy Code's limited bases for disallowance, its allocation of the burden to bring the objection, and the process implemented by the Bankruptcy Rules to do so, the court does not find any basis to impose a requirement on a creditor for the purpose of reducing the number of claims which that creditor files.
This court's interpretation of the "exclusive view" should not be read to excuse a creditor from ever having to file the documents that support its claim or to create an insurmountable obstacle to debtors and trustees who object to assigned claims. If the creditor fails to respond after the factual dispute is raised, then the creditor's lack of proof could become a basis for disallowance. The Heath Panel discussed when failure to respond to a request for information or documentation might develop into a basis for disallowance.
In re Heath, 331 B.R. at 436-37 (9th Cir. BAP 2005)(footnote omitted).
Applying that reasoning to this case, if the Debtors had disputed the debt or the identity of the party to whom that particular debt was owed, then the court could have determined that the Debtors' contentions were true in light of the Claimant's failure to respond. Under those circumstances, the court could have appropriately granted the relief the Debtors requested under Rule 7055 and E.D.Tenn. LBR 9013-1(f)(4).
Because the court finds that the only basis for disallowance raised by the Debtors was the lack of documentation evidencing the Claimant's standing, the court does not have a valid basis for disallowance of the proof of claim under 11 U.S.C. § 502(b). The court will overrule the Debtors' objection based on failure to attach documentation showing that the
A separate order will enter.