By Ed Boltz, 28 May, 2025

Bankr. E.D.N.C.: Williams Land Clearing, Grading, and Timber Logger v. Apex Funding Source, LLC et al- Merchant Cash Advances are Usurious Loans

Summary:

In this extensive Chapter 11 adversary proceeding, the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina ruled on cross-motions for summary judgment concerning a Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) agreement between the debtor, Williams Land Clearing, and Apex Funding Source. The court held that the MCA was a loan, not a true sale, and that it was criminally usurious under New York law with an effective interest rate of 101.1% per annum. As such, the MCA agreement was void ab initio.

By Ed Boltz, 30 April, 2025

E.D.N.C.: Goddard v. Burnett- Lack of Good Faith in Chapter 13 Retention of Luxury Vehicles

The District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Court’s denial of confirmation of Bobby Goddard’s Chapter 13 plan, holding that the plan was not proposed in good faith under 11 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(3), despite the debtor’s full compliance with the means test under § 1325(b).

Goddard, an above-median income debtor and Army veteran suffering from PTSD, proposed a plan in which he would retain three secured vehicles—a Corvette, a GMC Sierra pickup truck, and a Genesis sedan—while making minimal distributions to unsecured creditors.

Eastern District
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