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Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. v. Dent (In re Trans Air, Inc.)

Citations: 79 B.R. 947; 1987 Bankr. LEXIS 2060Docket: Bankruptcy No. 86-02525-BKC-SMW; Adv. No. 86-0609-BKC-SMW-A

Court: United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida.; November 24, 1987; Us Bankruptcy; United States Bankruptcy Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

In this case, the court addressed a dispute concerning the timing of a transfer and the determination of insider status under bankruptcy law. The movant, seeking to avoid the classification as an insider under 11 U.S.C. § 101(30)(B)(vi), contended that the pertinent transfer occurred on May 6, 1986, when the assignment was perfected, rather than on January 11, 1986, when it was executed. The court considered relevant case law and established that insider status is determined at the time the transfer arrangements are initially made, not at the point of perfection. Consequently, the court found that the movant was an insider at the execution date, thereby affirming the transfer's avoidability. Procedurally, the court granted the motion for additional findings of fact in part, but denied requests for amendments to the judgment and for a new trial. The decision underscores the importance of the execution date in determining insider status and the timing of transfers for avoidance purposes under 11 U.S.C. § 547.

Legal Issues Addressed

Insider Status Determination under Bankruptcy Code

Application: The court determined that an individual's insider status for the purposes of transfer avoidance is established at the time the transfer arrangements are made, not when the transfer is perfected.

Reasoning: The court referenced relevant case law, including DeRosa v. Buildex Inc. and others, asserting that a creditor's insider status is determined at the time the transfer arrangements are made, not when the transfer is perfected.

Partial Grant of Motion for Additional Findings

Application: While the court partially granted the motion for additional findings of fact, it denied the motions for amendments or alterations of judgment and for a new trial.

Reasoning: As a result, the court partially granted the motion for additional findings of fact, while denying the motions for amendments or alterations of judgment and for a new trial.

Timing of Transfer under 11 U.S.C. § 547

Application: The court examined the timing of a transfer to ascertain its avoidability, concluding that the date of execution, rather than perfection, determines the status of the transfer under bankruptcy law.

Reasoning: Janice Dent filed a motion requesting the court to determine that the actual transfer of money occurred on May 6, 1986, when the assignment was perfected, rather than on January 11, 1986, when the assignment was executed.