In re Meier (Ch. 11) )(Nov.24) 14-10105 ND IL ED (J.Schmetterer)
The Facts
Bob and Martha Meier divorced and entered into a Marital Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) that provided for $4 million in maintenance payable in monthly installments over 10 years; plus a $400,000 property settlement. Bob filed for Chapter 11 sometime later and Martha filed a proof of claim (“PoC”) in the case seeking the rest of her $4 Million as well as the $400K as a “priority as a domestic support obligation” per 11 U.S.C. ยง507(a)(1)(A).
The Issue
Of course domestic support obligations are exempt from discharge in Bankruptcy, and entitled to priority payment in a plan of reorganization. The tricky part however, is determining just what constitutes a “domestic support obligation” entitled to special treatment, and what does not. For instance, would a spouse’s Attorneys’ Fees be entitled to special treatment? How about interest on unpaid sums? Court sanctions for unpaid support?
The Opinion
Regardless of how much of Martha’s PoC was entitled to priority, one thing was for certain: it would definitely put a crimp in Robert’s Plan of Reorganization. So it is no surprise that Ed Shrock, one of Bob’s creditors under the Plan, objected to Martha’s PoC. According to Shrock, in order for Martha’s claim to be valid, all the domestic support obligations would have to be due at once – not the case here. By contrast, domestic support obligations due in the future like the installments here are NOT allowable claims in Bankruptcy. In response to the Ojection, Martha amended her PoC to reflect $2,333,333 as a “domestic support obligation” and $400,000 as a “property settlement.” Apprently, that amendment did not satisfy Shrock, who believed that none of Martha’s claim was entitled to priority over the debt owed to him.
Following a thorough discussion about jurisdiction, whether the disputed amount constitutes a domestic support obligation in whole or part, whether a Proof of Claim is a “judicial admission,” and the proecess by which PoC’s can be amended under Federal Law, the Court ultimately sustained Shrock’s objection as the amended $2.3 Million domestic support claim – rather than the original $2.7 Million claim – but overruled it as to the property settlement. Ultimately, Martha was left with a claim for the $400K and in potential future claims that would not mature until they were due and owing.
The Upshot
While the numbers in the Meier divorce are large and impressive, the facts and reasoning in this case apply accross the board. Domestic support is still the #1 source of exempt claims in Bankruptcy, as well as a persistent source of confusion to Family Law practitioners and their Clients.
Your Turn
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