19-11355 | Bankr. E.D. Pa. | Oct 22, 1981
In re Richard S. SOLOMON and Joan F. Solomon, Debtors.
United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Pennsylvania.
Jack Miller, Philadelphia, Pa., for debtors, Richard S. Solomon and Joan F. Solomon.
Leonard P. Goldberger, Philadelphia, Pa., trustee.
*106 MEMORANDUM OPINION[1]
WILLIAM A. KING, Jr., Bankruptcy Judge:
The instant case is before us on the application of the debtors for a hearing on the approval of a reaffirmation agreement filed three days after the debtors received a discharge at their discharge hearing. The application is based on Interim Rule 4004 which requires the court to hold a hearing under § 524(d) of the Bankruptcy Code[2] within 30 days of the entry of an order granting or denying a discharge. Since the debtors filed their application only three days after their discharge, they assert there is still plenty of time for a hearing under § 524(d) to consider the reaffirmation agreement.
We conclude, however, that the debtors have already had the hearing required by § 524(d). It is the practice of this court to enter an order granting or denying a discharge at the time of the actual § 524(d) hearing. It is that hearing which the debtors herein have already had. Therefore, because a reaffirmation agreement must be approved by the court at the time of the § 524(d) hearing, it is too late for such approval in this case.
However, the debtors raise several reasons why their reaffirmation agreement should be approved. The agreement is in settlement of litigation with a secured creditor and is, the debtors assert, in their best interests. Further, the litigation between the debtors and the creditor was started a little more than a month before the discharge hearing and was not settled before that hearing. As a result, we conclude that there are sufficient equities in the instant case for us to vacate our prior order granting the debtors' discharge and to reschedule the § 524(d) hearing.
NOTES
[1] This opinion constitutes the findings of fact and conclusions of law required by Rule 752 of the Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
[2] Section 524(d) requires the court to hold a hearing to inform the debtor whether his discharge is granted or denied and to approve or disapprove any reaffirmation agreements made by the debtor.