Michael D. Jacob and Tracey L Jacob

3:09-bk-36028Ohnb19.03.2010

Gesamter Gesetzestext

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OCR transcription for search; preserved printed pages are authoritative

AUTHENTICATED /

U.S. GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION

GPO

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO

In Re: )
) JUDGE RICHARD L. SPEER
Michael/Tracey Jacob )
) Case No. 09-36028
Debtor(s) )
)
DECISION AND ORDER

This cause comes before the Court after a Hearing on the Motion of the United States Trustee
to Dismiss Case for Abuse pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(1) and 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(3). At the
conclusion of the Hearing, the Court took the matter under advisement so as to afford time to
thoroughly consider the issues raised by the Parties. The Court has now had this opportunity and finds,
for the reasons set forth herein, that the Motion of the United States Trustee should be Granted.

BACKGROUND

On September 1, 2009, the Debtors, Michael and Tracey Jacob, filed a petition in this Court for
relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. “In a Chapter 7 proceeding, an individual
debtor receives an immediate unconditional discharge of personal liabilities for debts in exchange for
the liquidation of all non-exempt assets.” Schultz v. U.S., 529 F.3d 343, 346 (6" Cir. 2008). A Chapter
7 bankruptcy contrasts with other types of relief available under the Bankruptcy Code, such as that set
forth in Chapter 13, in which a debtor develops a plan of reorganization to repay all or a portion of their

debts.

However, no matter the type of bankruptcy relief sought, it is well-established that a debtor has
no constitutionally protected right to receive a discharge in bankruptcy. Grogan v. Garner, 498 U.S.
279, 286, 111 S.Ct. 654, 659, 112 L.Ed.2d 755 (1991); U.S. v. Kras, 409 U.S. 434, 445-446, 93 S.Ct.
631, 34 L.Ed.2d 626 (1973). Bankruptcy is, instead, a legislatively created benefit that Congress may

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withhold at its discretion. To that end, Congress has prescribed conditions under which a debtor’s
bankruptcy case must be dismissed. In re AC Rentals, Inc., 325 B.R. 339 (Table) (10 Cir. B.A.P.
2005). When, as here, a debtor seeks relief under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, the conditions

mandating dismissal are set forth in § 707.

For its Motion to Dismiss the Debtors’ Chapter 7 case, the UST relies on two provisions set
forth in § 707: § 707(b)(1) and § 707(b)(3). These provisions operate in a hierarchical fashion, with
§ 707(b)(1) first setting forth the foundational requirement, providing for the dismissal of case when
abuse is found to exist, and then § 707(b)(3) providing a methodology by which to assess the existence

of abuse under § 707(b)(1). In relevant part, these provisions provide:

(b)(1) After notice and a hearing, the court . .. may dismiss a case filed by an
individual debtor under this chapter whose debts are primarily consumer debts
... if it finds that the granting of relief would be an abuse of the provisions of
this chapter.

(3) In considering under paragraph (1) whether the granting of relief would be
an abuse of the provisions of this chapter in a case in which the presumption in
subparagraph (A)(i) of such paragraph does not arise or is rebutted, the court
shall consider-

(A) whether the debtor filed the petition in bad faith; or

(B) the totality of the circumstances . . . of the debtor’s financial

situation demonstrates abuse.
The grant of authority for a court to dismiss a debtor’s case under § 707(b) represents a core
Congressional policy toward the Bankruptcy Code: that debtors with an ability to repay their debts
should not be able to use Chapter 7 to escape their liabilities, but instead should be required to pay,
from their postpetition income, all or a portion of their debts. In re Skvorecz, 369 B.R. 638, 642-43
(Bankr. D.Colo. 2007).

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To that end, the United States Trustee, in seeking to have the Debtors’ bankruptcy case
dismissed in accordance with § 707(b)(1) and § 707(b)(3), relied heavily on what it perceived as the
Debtors’ ability to repay their unsecured creditors. As taken from the Motion: “Because the Debtors
are not needy and are capable of paying back their creditors a portion of their debt with the adjustments
suggested by the United States Trustee, they should not receive the benefit of a discharge.” (Doc. No.
14, at pg. 5). The facts giving rise to this position are largely undisputed.

FACTS

The Debtors, Michael and Tracey Jacob (hereinafter the “Debtors’’), are married and have three
young children. The two eldest of the Debtors’ children have been diagnosed as having “special
educational needs.” The condition of the Debtors’ youngest child has yet to be determined. One of the
Debtors’ children also has a physical condition which often necessitates that the child receive dental

care.

Mr. Jacob is employed as an artist with an advertising agency; Mrs. Jacob disclosed that she is

| employed as a Human Resource Manager for a local automotive company. Mr. Jacob has been with his

current employer for 15 years; Mrs. Jacob has been with her current employer for two years. As a
condition of her employment, Mrs. Jacob is currently furthering her education, a requirement that will
take approximately three years to complete and will, in the near future, necessitate a monthly

expenditure of just under $600.00.
From his employment, Mr. Jacob earns a gross monthly salary of $5,734.00, amounting to
$68,808.00 annually. In addition, Mr. Jacob regularly receives year-end bonuses from his employer.

Although bonuses are not guaranteed, and can vary from year-to-year, for the most recent year, 2009,

Mr. Jacob received a bonus of $25,000.00.

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From her employment, Mrs. Jacob earns a gross monthly salary of $6,677.67, or $80,132.04
annually. Resultantly, excluding any bonuses received by Mr. Jacob, the Debtors together have an
annual earned income of $148,940.04. From this income, the Debtors reported $3,780.83 in monthly
payroll deductions, including these two monthly deductions taken by Mr. Jacob: (1) $500.00 to repay
a 401(k) loan; and (2) a $50.00 monthly contribution to a 401(k) account. After accounting for their
payroll deductions, the Debtors represented a net monthly income of $8,630.84.

Against their income, the Debtors claimed $8,633.00 in necessary, monthly expenses, thus
resulting in a slight shortfall, ($2.16), in the Debtors’ monthly budget. The Debtors’ budgeted expenses

included, but were not limited to the following itemized expenditures:

$3,741.00 for housing which included two mortgage payments and a monthly
allocation for taxes and insurance;

$400.00 Electricity and Heating Fuel
$175.00 Telephone

$1,000.00 food;

$285.00 medical/dental care
$210.00 clothing;

$1,625.00 for child care.

Two other matters brought to Court’s attention are also relevant to the Debtors’ household
budget. First, based upon the lack of any liens, the Debtors do not currently make any periodic
payments to maintain their two automobiles, a 2002 For Explorer; and a 1993 Audi. Second, the
Debtors reported that, as the result of net tax overpayments, they have received and will likely continue

to receive annual tax refunds of approximately $3,400.00. See In re Gonzalez, 378 B.R. 168, 175-76

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(Bankr. N.D.Ohio 2007). (the overpayment of a tax liability constitutes income for purposes of
§ 707(b)(3) so long as it appears that the debtor is continuing to overpay his or her taxes).

At the time they filed their petition for relief, the Debtors represented that they were insolvent,
reporting assets of $381,101.00, versus liabilities of $488,837.73. The Debtors’ most significant asset,
in terms of value, is their residence which they valued at $302,000.00. This residence was purchased
by the Debtors in 2004 for $305,000.00. Other assets of significance held by the Debtors included:
household furniture valued at $20,000.00; a 401(k) account held by Mr. Jacobs with an assessed worth
of $50,000.00; and their two automobiles, worth collectively $5,500.00.

For their liabilities, the Debtors reported secured debt in the amount of $330,402.54. Primarily,
this represented the two mortgages encumbering their residence which, in the aggregate, totaled
$316,403.00. The Debtors have represented that they intend to reaffirm on these obligations. The
Debtors’ unsecured liability totals $158,435.19, and is comprised almost entirely of credit-card debt.
Of this credit-card debt, approximately half was incurred by the Debtors after they purchased their
home in 2004.

DISCUSSION

This matter is before the Court on the Motion of the United States Trustee (hereinafter the
“UST”) to Dismiss the Debtors’ bankruptcy case pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(1) and § 707(b)(3).
Matters concerning the dismissal of a case, which affects both the ability of a debtor to receive a
discharge and directly affects the creditor-debtor relationship, are deemed to be core proceedings
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157(b)(2)(J)/(O). And as acore proceeding, this Court has been conferred with
the jurisdictional authority to enter a final order in this matter. 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(1).

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In opposition to the Motion of the UST to Dismiss, the Debtors raised an initial matter of
procedure. According to the Debtors, the Motion brought by the UST to Dismiss is untimely because
it was filed outside the time limit set forth in 11 U.S.C. § 704(b). Under this provision, an affirmative
duty is imposed on the UST to “review all materials filed by the debtor and, not later than 10 days after
the date of the first meeting of creditors, file with the court a statement as to whether the debtor’s case

would be presumed to be an abuse under section 707(b)[.]”

The record of this case shows that, as a factual matter, the Debtors are correct in their assertion
that the UST filed its Motion to Dismiss outside the time limit prescribed in § 704(b). The meeting of
creditors was held on November 4, 2009. (Doc. No. 10). But, the UST did not file its Motion to Dismiss
until December 21, 2009, well outside the 10-day time limit set forth in § 704(b). (Doc. No. 14).
Notwithstanding, as a legal matter, the Debtors’ argument fails. |

By its strict terms, § 704(b) only applies when the UST brings an action to dismiss a case based
upon “presumed abuse” under § 707(b). The conditions giving rise to a presumption of abuse are set
forth in § 707(b)(2) which, in relevant part, provides that “[iJn considering under paragraph (1) whether
the granting of relief would be an abuse of the provisions of this chapter, the court shall presume abuse
exists if... .” (emphasis added). In this matter, however, the UST seeks to have the Debtors’ case
dismissed in accordance with the ‘totality of the circumstances’ test of § 707(b)(3), and not the
‘presumed abuse’ formula of § 707(b)(2). Accordingly, the time limit prescribed in § 704(b) is not
applicable, and thus, the Court now turns to address the merits of the action brought by the UST to
Dismiss under 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(1) and § 707(b)(3).

In an action brought to dismiss a case under § 707(b)(1) and § 707(b)(3), the burden of proof
is on the moving party to establish that the requisite grounds for dismissal have been established. Such

a burden must be carried by a preponderance of the evidence. But, once a prima facie case is

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established by the movant, the burden of going forward with sufficient evidence to controvert the prima

facie case is reposed on the debtor. In re Perelman, 419 B.R. 168, 177-78 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2009).

For its burden, the UST takes the position that, as set forth in § 707(b)(3)(B), the totality of the
circumstances of the Debtors’ financial situation demonstrates abuse. According to the UST, this

situation exists because the Debtors have the ability to repay at least a portion of their debts.

As stated earlier, it has been Congressional policy toward the Bankruptcy Code to encourage
debtors to repay their debts. See, e.g., In re Copper, 426 F.3d 810, 814 (6" Cir. 2005) (observing that
the rationale for readily granting conversion under § 706 is to encourage debtors to repay their debts).
It has also been Congressional policy to limit bankruptcy relief to only those debtors truly in “need” of
such relief. In re Krohn, 886 F.2d 123, 126 (6" Cir.1989). Consistent with these policies, a debtor’s
ability to repay their unsecured debts has developed to become a prime, and often dispositive
consideration when determining whether, under the ‘totality of the circumstances’ standard of
§ 707(b)(3)(B), a case should be dismissed for abuse. In re Masella, 373 B.R. 514, 518 (Bankr.
N.D.Ohio 2007). As observed by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals: dismissal for “abuse is intended
to uphold creditors’ interests in obtaining repayment where such repayment would not be a burden.”
In re Krohn, 886 F.2d at 126 (6" Cir. 1989) (internal quotations omitted), citing In re Kelly, 841 F.2d
908, 914 (9 Cir. 1988).

A debtor’s ability to repay their debts is normally ascertained by reference to the amount of
“disposable income” the debtor has available. Behlke v. Eisen (In re Behlke), 358 F.3d 429, 435 (6
Cir.2004). For purposes of bankruptcy law, the term “disposable income” is defined, generally, as that
income received by a debtor which is not reasonably necessary to be expended for the maintenance or
support of the debtor or a dependent of the debtor. /d.,citing 11 U.S.C. § 1325(b)(2). This assessment,

as to the amount of “disposable income” available to a debtor, is made exclusively by the court, and

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is thus not dependent on the financial figures put forth by the debtor or any other party. Jn re Gonzalez,
378 B.R. 168, 173 (Bankr. N.D.Ohio 2007).

Operating under this definition of ‘disposable income,’ three of the deductions taken by the
Debtors against their income must be deemed as either unnecessary or excessive. First, in the form of
both a loan and a contribution, Mr. Jacob has allotted from the Debtors’ monthly budget the sum of
$550.00 per month toward his 401(k) account. However, as this Court has repeatedly held:

Loan repayments to retirement accounts are considered ‘disposable income’

because of their unique character; the debtor is, in essence, repaying a loan to

himself. Thus, . . . it would be unfair to the creditors to allow the Debtors in the

present case to commit part of their earnings to the payment of their own

retirement fund while at the same time paying their creditors less than a 100%

dividend.
Inre Brenneman, 397 B.R. 866, 872 (Bankr. N.D.Ohio 2008), citing In re Gonzalez, 378 B.R. at 174.
Similarly, for the same reason, the Court has not generally permitted debtors to expense against their
‘disposable income,’ contributions made to retirement accounts. See, e.g., In re Kunkelman, 417 B.R.

489, 493-94 (Bankr. N.D.Ohio 2009); In re Ramlow, 417 B.R. 479, 483 (Bankr. N.D.Ohio 2009).

To be sure, the prohibition on expensing allotments made to retirement accounts is not absolute.
Section 707(b)(3)(B), being a totality of the circumstances test, must be necessarily fluid so as to take
into account all factors of relevance. In re Felske, 385 B.R. 649 (Bankr.N.D.Ohio 2008). Hence, an
individual’s particular circumstances, such as the imminent advance of retirement combined with
minimal savings, could warrant permitting a debtor to expense against their “disposable income”
payments being made to retirement accounts. The circumstances of this case, however, cannot be said
to reach such a level. Neither of the Debtors is near retirement age. Moreover, Mr. Jacob represented

that he presently maintains approximately $50,000.00 in an exempt 401(k) account.

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Within the “disposable income” framework, the Court also finds the Debtors’ monthly
allocation for housing to be excessive. Exclusive of utilities, the Debtors presently devote $3,741.00
per month to maintain their residence, a residence which the Debtors acknowledge is located in an
upscale area. This amount is almost four times the $901.00' housing allowance allowed under the
‘means test’ formula of § 707(b)(2) which, although not dispositive of the issue, serves as a useful
guideline when assessing the reasonable necessity ofa debtor’s expenditure. Jn re Durczynski, 405 B.R.

880, 884 (Bankr. N.D.Ohio 2009); Jn re Violanti, 397 B.R. 852, 858 (Bankr. N.D.Ohio 2008).

The Debtors’ allocation of $175.00 per month for phone service also appears to be measurably
high. In this way, as with other like expenses, such as that for cable television, a debtor’s creditors
should also not be expected to pay for more than basic phone service —e.g., generally cell phone service
for things such as texting as well as nonessential calls are not permissible. Other aspects of the Debtors’
financial situation also show that their assessment of a slight shortfall ($2.16) each month in their

household budget does not present an accurate picture of their financial situation.

When assessing a debtor’s ‘disposable income,’ all sources from which a debtor derives income
must be considered. See In re Calhoun, 396 B.R. 270, 276 (Bankr. D.S.C. 2008) (including debtors’
social security income in a § 707(b)(3) analysis). In this matter, the Debtors have two significant

sources of income not included in their monthly budgetary figures.

First, the Debtors have traditionally received, and acknowledged that they are likely to continue
receiving, tax refunds of approximately $3,400.00, averaging approximately $280.00 per month. On
a forward going basis, since they are likely to receive similar refunds in the future, this financial
resource must be considered when assessing the amount of ‘disposable income’ available to the

Debtors. As this Court previously explained:

1

http://www. justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20090315/bci_data/housing_charts/irs housing charts_
OH.htm

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Tax refunds arise as the result of a taxpayer’s overpayment of their tax liability.
Therefore, tax refunds, although not available on a monthly basis, are a source
of income for a debtor and so long as there is the realistic prospect of similar
refunds in the future, tax refunds will be included in a determination of the
Debtor’s net income for purposes of § 707(b).

Id. at 885.

Mr. Jacob also acknowledged that he stands a reasonable chance of receiving bonuses in the
future. Thus, just as with their anticipated tax refunds, the Debtors’ ‘disposable income’ must be
assessed with due regard for Mr. Jacob receiving year-end bonuses. Although as the bonuses are not
guaranteed, and can fluctuate year-to-year, an exact figure cannot be placed on the amount future year-

end bonuses would add to the Debtors’ household income.

Nevertheless, it is apparent that such bonuses have the potential to provide a significant boost
to the Debtors’ income. In 2009, for example, Mr. Jacob received a year-end bonus of $25,000.00,
equating to more than $2,000.00 per month. Thus, even after accounting for taxes, and possibly smaller
bonuses in the future, it does not seem unreasonable to assume that the Debtors’ net household income
will be improved by $500.00 to $1,000.00 per month on account of future year-end bonuses received

by Mr. Jacob.

Cumulatively, the effect of all these considerations more than adequately establishes a prima
facie case that the Debtors’ case should be dismissed. Alone, Mr. Jacob’s year-end bonuses have the
potential to pay 25% to 50% of the Debtors’ unsecured debt through a Chapter 13 plan of
reorganization. The burden, thus, becomes the Debtors to show why they are entitled to remain in a

Chapter 7 case.

In opposition to the dismissal of their Chapter 7 case, the Debtors directly address the

reasonableness of their housing expense. As well, the Debtors raise some peripheral points regarding

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their financial situation which they contend mitigate in favor of allowing them to continue in their
Chapter 7 case. Of particular importance, the Debtors point out that the UST’s assessment of their
financial condition does not adequately account for these important financial considerations: (1) the age
of their automobiles; (2) the necessity that Mrs. Jacob incur educational expenses as a condition of her
employment; and (3) the medical needs of one of their children who requires extensive dental work.
The Debtors also seek to shift some of the responsibility of their bankruptcy filing onto their creditors,
noting that their “financial downfall” was precipitated when many of their credit-card servicers raised

the applicable rate of interest on their accounts. (Doc. No. 17, at pg. 5).

On the matter of the Debtors’ residence, this Court has not viewed favorably debtors who seek
to maintain expensive homes or vehicles while simultaneously seeking to discharge their voluntarily
incurred unsecured obligations. As previously noted by the Court, bankruptcy is “meant to provide a
debtor a fresh-start, but not a head start. Thus, when seeking bankruptcy relief, debtors may be expected
to do some belt tightening, including, where necessary, foregoing the reaffirmation of those secured
debts which are not reasonably necessary for the maintenance and support of the debtor and his family.”

In re Wadsworth, 383 B.R. 330 (Bankr. N.D.Ohio 2007) (internal citations omitted).

Despite this, the Debtors take the position that allocating in their budget almost four times the
amount allowed under the ‘means test’ formula of § 707(b)(2), is not a luxury, but rather a necessity

given the special educational needs of their children. In the Debtors’ words:

The Debtors live in this home to maintain the educational support for their
children, . . . . Two of the three children have special educational needs. The
public school in this school district has a reputation, state-wide, for excellence
and offers special education opportunities that benefit all three children... .
It is the school district’s ability to meet the Debtors’ child’s educational needs
that predicated the move to this neighborhood.

(Doc. No. 17, pg 3-4).

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It is axiomatic that debtors will be permitted some leeway when it comes to how they allocate
their financial resources for the health and welfare of their children. Yet, a debtor’s discretion is not
without its limits. Jn re Walker, 383 B.R. 830, 838 (Bankr. N.D.Ga. 2008). “Generally, parents owe no
duty to their children to provide them with nonessential luxuries while the debtors’ unsecured creditors

receive no payment on their just claims.” Jn re Griffieth, 209 B.R. 823, 828 (Bankr. N.D.N.Y. 1996).

On whole, therefore, debtors who seek to allocate, in the name of their children, what otherwise
appears to be an excessive expenditure must produce corroborating evidence that there does not exist
any reasonable alternative. The Debtors have not done this in this case. No evidence, beyond the
Debtors’ bare statements, exists that other public schools in the area do not offer comparable services
required by the Debtors’ children. The Debtors also did not offer any evidence to corroborate that,
within their school district, less expensive, but adequate, housing is not available. To the contrary, prior
to moving into their home in 1994, the Debtors resided in the same school district, but in a residence

which was presumably less expensive.

The Court also does not take lightly the fact that when the Debtors purchased their home in
2004, they were already deeply in credit-card debt. To be sure, the Debtors’ bankruptcy filing, as they
point out, was largely precipitated by the rates on their credit cards being raised. However, this hardly
seems to be a mitigating factor. The rates on the Debtors’ credit cards were raised in direct response
to the increasing high level of debt the Debtors were carrying on their accounts. And especially given
their professional occupations, the Debtors, by continuing to accumulate significant debt after the
purchase of their home, could not have been blind to the possibility that their continued accumulation

of debt would have negative consequences.

On the other peripheral points raised by the Debtors, the Court agrees that continued strains will

be placed on their household budget considering the age of their automobiles, together with the need

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of Mrs. Jacob to incur educational expenses as a condition of her employment and the medical/dental

needs of their child. However, such strains are ameliorated in a number of ways.

If Mr. Jacob were to discontinue his 401(k) allotments, a substantial amount of income could
be freed up immediately. Additional income could also be made available if the Debtors were to
economize on their phone service. Over the longer haul, finding more inexpensive housing would

remove what can be viewed as an albatross hanging around the Debtors’ necks.

Once made, such adjustments would easily compensate for any future increase in their
transportation expenses as well as the expense to be incurred by Mrs. Jacob to further her education.
Such adjustments could also address the medical/dental needs of their child, especially considering that
the Debtors’ present monthly budget already allocates almost $300.00 for medical and dental expenses.
Moreover, to the extent that shortfalls would continue to occur in the Debtors’ monthly budget, a
Chapter 13 plan of reorganization is sufficiently malleable to take into account a change in

circumstances. In re Blankenship, 398 B.R. 457 (Bankr. N.D.Ohio 2008).

What is more, these adjustments do not even touch the funds that could become available from
tax overpayments made by the Debtors, together with any year-end bonuses received by Mr. Jacob,
which together could form the core of a Chapter 13 plan of reorganization. As such, while the Court
is sympathetic to the strain placed on their household budget, the Debtors, unlike other individuals who
appear before the Court, have financial options available which would afford them the ability to make
a meaningful repayment of their unsecured debt. This is particularly true considering that the Debtors

are young, well educated, from all appearances in good health and have stable employment.
In conclusion, the Court, although it can appreciate the Debtors’ desire to retain their home, is

not convinced that servicing the full amount of the expenses associated with their property qualifies as

a necessary expenditure that should be borne by their unsecured creditors. Also, the Debtors’ budget,

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both through the reallocation of their income and by economizing on some expenditures, has sufficient
room for maneuver so as to make it feasible for the Debtors to pay at least a portion of their unsecured
debt. Consequently, for these reasons, and for those other reasons set forth herein, it is the decision of
this Court that granting the Debtors relief in this bankruptcy case would constitute an abuse within the

meaning of 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(1) and § 707(b)(3).

In reaching the conclusions found herein, the Court has considered all of the evidence, exhibits

and arguments of counsel, regardless of whether or not they are specifically referred to in this Decision.
Accordingly, it is

ORDERED that, subject to the Debtors’ election to convert this case, the Motion of the United
States Trustee to Dismiss under 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(1) and § 707(b)(3), be, and is hereby, GRANTED.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk, United States Bankruptcy Court, is directed to
prepare for presentation to the Court an order of dismissal under 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(1) if, at the
opening of business on Monday, April 5, 2010, this case is still proceeding under Chapter 7 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code.

Dated: March 19, 2010

Abel Kf

C“ Richard L. Spe
United States
Bankruptcy Judge

Page 14

09-360

bg-maw Doc 25 FILED 03/19/10 ENTERED 03/19/10 15:56:34 Page 14 of 15

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

Copies were mailed this 19" day of March, 2010 to:

Michael D. Jacob
4130 Brookside Rd
Toledo, OH 43606

Tracey L Jacob
4130 Brookside Rd
Toledo, OH 43606

Deborah K Spychalski
PO Box 711
Toledo, OH 43697

Dean Wyman
201 Superior Aveneue, #441
Cleveland, Oh 44114

Linda Maria Battisti
201 Superior Ave, #441
Cleveland, OH 44114

Louis J Yoppolo
300 Madison Ave, #1200
Toledo, OH 43604

/s/Diana Hernandez
Deputy Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court

09-36028-maw Doc 25 FILED 03/19/10 ENTERED 03/19/10 15:56:34 Page 15 of 15

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