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In re 4100 West Grand LLC; 4100 West Grand LLC v. TY Grand LLC

11 B 42873, 11 A 02278

4100 West Grand LLC, debtor in possession, filed this adversary proceeding against defendant, TY Grand LLC, to avoid and recover a transfer alleged to be fraudulent pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 544, 548 and 740 ILL. COMP. STAT. §§ 160/5 and 160/6. As a threshold matter, the Court relied on the Stern v. Marshalldecision and its progeny in determining that the Court had authority to enter a final judgment in the adversary, as the proofs of claim filed by the defendant made clear that their resolution depended on the outcome of the debtor’s fraudulent conveyance claims. Proof of claim no. 3-5 provided that if TY Grand did not prevail in the litigation, its secured claim would be $2,722,170.34. If TY Grand prevailed, it would have no claim against the Debtor. Because the fraudulent conveyance cause of action was resolved in the process of ruling on the proofs of claim, the bankruptcy court has authority to enter a final order herein. Stern v. Marshall, —U.S.—, 131 S.Ct. 2594, 2620 (2011). In the alternative, should a reviewing court find that this court lacked authority to enter a final order, the Court held that its memorandum opinion may serve as its proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law under section 157(c)1. This adversary proceeding was initiated after TY Grand LLC recorded a deed in lieu of foreclosure for Property valued at $1.115 million after 4100 West Grand LLC defaulted under the terms of the parties’ Forbearance Agreement. During the forbearance period, TY Grand also received cash payments in the amount $485,000. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, after the recording of the deed, TY Grand LLC waived its right to sue for non-monetary defaults under the agreement, as well as the deficiency amount of $2,510,123.90. The Court entered judgment in favor of TY Grand, holding that 4100 West Grand LLC received reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the transfer. The Court determined that TY Grand LLC received value in the amount of $2,310,000, which amount represents the value of the Property transferred ($1.115 million); $485,000 in cash payments; and a claim under the Forbearance Agreement worth approximately $710,000; whereas the Debtor received a release of a $2.5 million debt

Date: 
Tuesday, October 16, 2012