Question: Are credit union Home Equity and/or Second Mortgages subject to modification by a debtor’s Chapter 13 Plan? Answer: Yes. In the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts located within the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and applicable to the Federal Bankruptcy Courts located within the State of Michigan, this issue is currently governed by the rulings in the case […]

In the case of David Scoggin vs. Listerhill Employees Credit Union, the Alabama Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling in favor of the credit union. Here, the credit union repossessed a member’s Dodge Dynasty and sold the vehicle at auction for the highest bid of $5,000. The vehicle’s odometer displayed mileage of 18,334 miles, […]

In this case, Wachovia Bank of North Carolina held a mortgage on environmentally contaminated property. The mortgage went into default and the bank foreclosed on the property, purchasing the property at the sheriff’s sale. The bank then sold the property to purchasers who later sued the bank since the property was contaminated. The Comprehensive Environmental […]

Here, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court ruled that a creditor’s recorded mortgage was invalid simply because the notary’s acknowledgement did not recite who appeared before the notary and acknowledged execution of the mortgage. In this case, debtors borrowed more than $148,000 from Calumet National Bank and signed a mortgage on their real estate securing the debt. […]

Defective Notice of Right to Cancel results in Truth in Lending Violation and extends borrowers right to rescind. Here, New Maine National Bank granted a loan to the debtors secured by debtors’ residence. At the closing of the loan, the loan officer supplied the debtors with a “Notice of Right to Cancel” (hereinafter “Notice”). Pursuant to the […]

Credit Union Home Equity Mortgages and deeds-of-trust of any nature are generally junior in position to a first mortgage/lien holder. As such, the credit union can and should protect its Home Equity portfolio as securely as possible from collateral damage if a first mortgage proceeds into foreclosure. Question: Will the credit union receive a notice if the […]

Debtors’ residence was in a mortgage foreclosure when, after the foreclosure judgment but prior to the sheriff’s sale, the debtors filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The debtors’ Chapter 13 Plan provided for curing the prepetition arrearage over the term of the Chapter 13 plan and also provided for regular monthly payments on the mortgage after […]

Here, Progressive Credit Union was held liable for more than $158,000.00 when the credit union granted a secured loan to a member and did not pay off a prior lienholder.  The appellate court found the credit union liable to the former lienholder. When Progressive Credit Union granted this loan, it searched the county and state lien records and […]

Here, Dutch Point Credit Union’s perfected security interest was extinquished upon the sale its collateral by a automobile repair facility.    The credit union granted a loan secured by debtor’s Datsun automobile. The credit union properly placed its lien on the vehicle. After the loan was granted, the vehicle was in an accident during the same year.   […]

ISSUE:  Whether a mortgagee bidding total debt at foreclosure sale can recover post-foreclosure advances for repairs and/or improvements through a deficiency action against mortgagor. CONCLUSION: A mortgagee (Lender) cannot pursue a mortgagor for a deficiency arising from post-foreclosure advances expended to repair or improve the premises. When a mortgagee makes a full credit bid for […]