In re Morris

(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Sep. 28, 2017)

The bankruptcy court holds that the creditor’s lien is a judicial lien subject to avoidance under § 522(f) rather than a statutory lien. The creditor properly recorded a mechanic’s lien against the debtor’s property, and then filed suit prior to the one-year period expiring after the filing. However, the complaint filed sought a judgment for breach of contract rather than enforcement of the mechanic’s lien. The creditor then recorded a judgment lien following entry of a default judgment. The bankruptcy court concludes that the statutory process for perfecting the mechanic’s lien was not followed—the mechanic’s lien dissolved after the one-year period and the creditor held only a judicial lien at the time the bankruptcy petition was filed. Opinion below.

Judge: Lloyd

Attorney for Debtor: Allan E. Dunaway

Attorney for Creditor: Stiller Waterman LLC, David M. Cantor

2017-09-28 – in re morris

Author: Matt Lindblom