Nielsen v. Logs Unlimited, Inc.

#26581-a-SLZ
2013 S.D. 76
IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
****
DAVID NIELSEN, Plaintiff and Appellee,
v.
LOGS UNLIMITED, INC.,
A SOUTH DAKOTA CORPORATION;
ABSOLUTE LOG HOMES AND
RESTORATION, INC., A SOUTH
DAKOTA CORPORATION; THOMAS
SCHRAMEL; STEPHANIE WOOD;
and S & S EQUIPMENT, LLC, Defendants and Appellants.
****
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
LAWRENCE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
****
THE HONORABLE RANDALL L. MACY
Judge
****
ROGER A. TELLINGHUISEN
MICHAEL V. WHEELER of
DeMersseman, Jensen, Tellinghuisen,
Stanton & Huffman, LLP
Rapid City, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiff
and appellee.
GEORGE J. NELSON of
Abourezk & Zephier, PC
Rapid City, South Dakota Attorneys for defendants
and appellants.
****
CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS
ON AUGUST 27, 2013
OPINION FILED 10/23/13
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ZINTER, Justice
[¶1.] David Nielsen obtained a judgment against Logs Unlimited, Inc. (Logs
Unlimited). The corporation subsequently transferred its assets to Thomas
Schramel, Schramel’s daughter Stephanie Wood, and Absolute Log Homes and
Restoration, Inc. Schramel was the sole shareholder, director, and officer of both
corporations. Proceeds from the transfer were used to pay some of Logs Unlimited’s
creditors, but Nielsen was not one of the creditors paid. Nielsen sued, claiming that
Logs Unlimited fraudulently transferred its assets to prevent satisfaction of his
judgment. The circuit court found that the transfer was fraudulent, and the court
set it aside. We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[¶2.] In July 2010, Nielsen obtained a $35,374.95 judgment against Logs
Unlimited. A writ of execution was returned unsatisfied. The sheriff’s return
indicated that Logs Unlimited had been dissolved, a new corporation named
Absolute Log Homes and Restoration, Inc. (Absolute Log Homes) had been formed,
and a bank’s lien on Logs Unlimited’s assets had carried over to the new
corporation.
[¶3.] In a July 2011 debtor’s examination, Schramel disclosed that about
two weeks after Nielsen obtained the judgment, Logs Unlimited held a special
meeting of the corporation. Nielsen’s judgment was discussed, and Schramel
decided to dissolve Logs Unlimited and lease its assets either to Schramel or to a
new corporation “effective immediately.”
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[¶4.] After the meeting, Schramel formed Absolute Log Homes. As with
Logs Unlimited, Schramel was the sole shareholder, officer, and director of the
corporation. Absolute Log Homes also maintained the same address, phone
number, and fax number as Logs Unlimited.
[¶5.] The minutes of a second special meeting of Logs Unlimited confirmed
that Absolute Log Homes was leasing Logs Unlimited’s assets as of October 2010.
The minutes also reflected that Absolute Log Homes had been paying some of Logs
Unlimited’s debts. Those debts included secured loans ($132,000 from First
National Bank and $9,100 from Telco Credit Union (Telco)) and unsecured credit
card debt ($16,800). The minutes further disclosed that Logs Unlimited approved
the sale of its assets to Schramel and Wood for $141,000, the approximate amount
of the secured debt.
[¶6.] Financing for the transfer of assets was arranged through a personal
loan obtained by Schramel and Wood. The loan proceeds were used to pay Logs
Unlimited’s secured debt, unsecured credit card debt, and other liabilities, including
a personal loan Schramel had made to Logs Unlimited. However, Nielsen’s
judgment was not satisfied.
[¶7.] Nielsen sued Logs Unlimited, claiming that it had fraudulently
transferred its assets to Schramel, Wood, and Absolute Log Homes. 1 Nielsen
contended that Logs Unlimited transferred the assets without receiving fair
1. During trial, it was discovered that after the transfer, Schramel and Wood
formed S & S Equipment, LLC, and capitalized it with vehicles and
equipment they purchased from Logs Unlimited. S & S Equipment was
added as a defendant.
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consideration and that it transferred the assets to prevent Nielsen from satisfying
his judgment.
[¶8.] Conflicting evidence was presented at trial concerning the fair market
value of the transferred assets. Nielsen’s expert witness, certified public accountant
Paul Thorstenson, testified that the fair market value was $259,215. His opinion
was based on the values claimed on both corporations’ 2011 tax returns.
[¶9.] Logs Unlimited called two valuation experts: Jerry Casteel, an auction
and real estate company owner, and Garrett Tenbroek, Logs Unlimited’s
accountant. Casteel testified that his May 2012 appraisal of the assets reflected a
fair market value of $150,440. Casteel acknowledged that his appraisal occurred
after the transfer and did not include the value of buildings and improvements.
Tenbroek testified that the fair market value of the assets was approximately
$150,000. However, he conceded that, as the accountant for Logs Unlimited, he had
indicated that the fair market value was $259,215 on the corporation’s 2011 tax
return. Tenbroek explained that the value listed on the tax return was derived
from Wood’s internet research and Schramel’s best estimate of what the assets were
worth. 2
[¶10.] The circuit court found that the fair market value of the assets far
exceeded the $183,500 consideration given by Schramel and Wood ($154,900 for the
assets plus forgiveness of Schramel’s $28,600 personal loan to Logs Unlimited). The
2. Schramel testified that, in July 2010, he valued the assets at $131,225.
However, Schramel admitted that there were assets omitted from this
valuation.
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court ultimately found that the transfer was fraudulent. The court set the transfer
aside. Logs Unlimited appeals, contesting a number of the court’s findings of fact.
Decision
[¶11.] South Dakota has adopted the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (the
Act). Prairie Lakes Health Care Sys., Inc. v. Wookey, 1998 S.D. 99, ¶ 6, 583 N.W.2d
405, 410. The purpose of the Act “is to protect a debtor’s estate from being depleted
to the prejudice of the debtor’s unsecured creditors.” Glimcher Supermall Venture,
LLC v. Coleman Co., 2007 S.D. 98, ¶ 9, 739 N.W.2d 815, 820 (citation omitted).
[¶12.] The Act “subdivides fraudulent transactions into two categories:
actually fraudulent transfers . . . and constructively fraudulent transfers[.]” Prairie
Lakes Health Care Sys., Inc., 1998 S.D. 99, ¶ 7, 583 N.W.2d at 411. Actually
fraudulent transfers are defined as follows:
(a) Any transfer made or obligation incurred by a debtor is
fraudulent as to a creditor, whether the creditor’s claim arose
before or after the transfer was made or the obligation was
incurred, if the debtor made the transfer or incurred the
obligation:
(1) With actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud any
creditor of the debtor[.]
SDCL 54-8A-4(a)(1). The Act also identifies “badges of fraud” that are nonexclusive,
indicative factors of actual intent to defraud a creditor:
(b) In determining actual intent under subsection (a)(1) of this
section, consideration may be given, among other factors, to
whether:
(1) The transfer or obligation was to an insider;
(2) The debtor retained possession or control of the
property transferred after the transfer;
(3) The transfer or obligation was disclosed or concealed;
(4) Before the transfer was made or obligation was
incurred, the debtor had been sued or threatened
with suit;
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(5) The transfer was of substantially all the debtor’s
assets;
(6) The debtor absconded;
(7) The debtor removed or concealed assets;
(8) The value of the consideration received by the debtor
was reasonably equivalent to the value of the asset
transferred or the amount of the obligation incurred;
(9) The debtor was insolvent or became insolvent shortly
after the transfer was made or the obligation was
incurred;
(10) The transfer occurred shortly before or shortly after a
substantial debt was incurred; and
(11) The debtor transferred the essential assets of the
business to a lienor who transferred the assets to an
insider of the debtor.
SDCL 54-8A-4(b). “No factor or set of factors need be given talismanic
significance—they are only indicia, which by themselves or in combination with
others may give rise to an inference of fraudulent intent.” Prairie Lakes Health
Care Sys., Inc., 1998 S.D. 99, ¶ 13, 583 N.W.2d at 412-13 (citation omitted). But “a
‘[c]lose relationship [between the grantor and the grantee] justifies a careful
scrutiny of the challenged transaction for badges of fraud[.]’” Kary v. Kary, 318
N.W.2d 334, 338 (S.D. 1982) (first and second alterations in original) (quoting
Counts v. Kary, 67 S.D. 607, 612, 297 N.W. 442, 444 (1941)).
[¶13.] In determining whether Logs Unlimited’s transfer was fraudulent, the
circuit court found that: the transfer was to insiders (Schramel, Wood, Absolute Log
Homes, and S & S Equipment); the transfer was not disclosed to Nielsen; the
transfer was of substantially all of Logs Unlimited’s assets; following the transfer,
all of Logs Unlimited’s outstanding liabilities were paid, except for Nielsen’s
judgment and a shareholder loan that Schramel had made to the company; after the
transfer, Logs Unlimited was insolvent; and, Nielsen obtained the judgment against
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Logs Unlimited before the transfer. The court also found that Logs Unlimited
would have had $114,000 in equity available after the transfer had the assets been
transferred for their fair market value. The court’s findings explained that “[t]he
values shown on the 2011 tax return of [Logs Unlimited] [was] the fair market
value[ ] of the property at the time of the transfer,” and according to that tax return,
“the fair market value of [Logs Unlimited’s] assets [$259,215] minus liabilities . . .
[equaled] $114,000.” The court ultimately found that Logs Unlimited did not
receive “reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the transfer,” and Logs
Unlimited’s “transfer of its assets . . . was made with the actual intent to hinder,
delay, or defraud” Nielsen.
[¶14.] Logs Unlimited first contests the circuit court’s finding regarding fair
market value. The valuation of assets is a question of fact. See Endres v. Endres,
532 N.W.2d 65, 68 (S.D. 1995). Findings of fact are reviewed under the clearly
erroneous standard of review. Nemec v. Goeman, 2012 S.D. 14, ¶ 11, 810 N.W.2d
443, 446.
[¶15.] Logs Unlimited argues that the fair market value of the assets was
$150,440, not $259,215. However, Paul Thorstenson’s trial testimony supported the
circuit court’s finding. He testified that, according to Logs Unlimited’s 2011 tax
return, the fair market value of the transferred assets was $259,215. He pointed
out that, according to Absolute Log Homes’ 2011 tax return, the fair market value of
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the acquired assets was $231,849.94. 3 Thorstenson testified that there was no
reason why Schramel would overstate the fair market value of the assets on those
returns because Schramel was a Subchapter S taxpayer and a higher fair market
value would increase his tax liability. He also testified that “[t]he numbers
assigned seemed to make sense in relation to the age and the cost of the
equipment.”
[¶16.] On the other hand, Casteel testified that he appraised Logs
Unlimited’s assets in May 2012 and determined that the fair market value
(excluding buildings and improvements) was $150,440. Logs Unlimited argues that
more weight should have been given to Casteel’s appraisal because he personally
inspected the assets and conducted research on their value. Logs Unlimited argues
that no weight should have been given to Thorstenson’s opinion because he was not
a certified appraiser, he never reviewed Casteel’s appraisal, and he used the values
on the corporations’ tax returns.
[¶17.] We acknowledge the conflicting valuations, but “[i]t is up to the trier of
fact to weigh the testimony, resolve conflicting testimony, and evaluate the
credibility of witnesses.” Welch v. Auto. Co., 528 N.W.2d 406, 411 (S.D. 1995)
(citation omitted); see also Great W. Bank v. H & E Enters., LLP, 2007 S.D. 38, ¶ 10,
731 N.W.2d 207, 209 (“As with all witnesses, it falls on the trier of fact to decide
whether to believe all, part, or none of an expert’s testimony.” (citations omitted)).
We also note that Schramel was under oath and subject to the penalty of perjury
3. The difference between the value claimed on Logs Unlimited’s tax return and
the slightly lesser value claimed on Absolute Log Homes’ tax return was due
to third-party purchases of $28,000 in assets.
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when reporting the valuations on the tax returns, and there was evidence that
Schramel had no incentive to overstate the values on the tax returns. Therefore,
the circuit court did not clearly err in finding that the fair market value of the
assets was $259,215.
[¶18.] Additionally, considering its valuation finding, the circuit court did not
err in finding that Logs Unlimited did not receive consideration reasonably
equivalent to the value of the transferred assets. “Whether the transfer is for
reasonably equivalent value in every case is largely a question of fact, as to which
considerable latitude must be allowed to the trier of facts.” Prairie Lakes Health
Care Sys., Inc, 1998 S.D. 99, ¶ 11, 583 N.W.2d at 412 (citation omitted) (internal
quotation marks omitted). In this case, although the fair market value of the assets
was $259,215, Logs Unlimited received only $183,500 in consideration.
[¶19.] In determining reasonably equivalent value, “the proper focus is on the
net effect of the transfers on the debtor’s estate, the funds available to the
unsecured creditors.” Glimcher Supermall Venture, LLC, 2007 S.D. 98, ¶ 20, 739
N.W.2d at 823 (alteration in original) (quoting In re Jeffrey Bigelow Design Grp.,
Inc., 956 F.2d 479, 484 (4th Cir. 1992)). In this case, if Logs Unlimited had received
reasonably equivalent value for the transfer, the corporation would have had a
sufficient estate to pay Nielsen’s $35,374.95 judgment. But because Logs Unlimited
did not receive reasonably equivalent value for the transfer, there were insufficient
funds to pay the unsecured creditors, and Nielsen was worse off because of the
transfer. The circuit court did not clearly err in finding that Logs Unlimited did not
receive consideration reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the assets.
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[¶20.] Logs Unlimited next challenges the circuit court’s finding that Logs
Unlimited was insolvent after the transfer. Logs Unlimited contends that no
witness testified that it was “insolvent.” It also contends that because the court
stated that Logs Unlimited had equity of $114,000 remaining after the transfer, it
could not have been insolvent as a matter of law.
[¶21.] A debtor is “insolvent” if “the sum of the debtor’s debts is greater than
all of the debtor’s assets at a fair valuation[,]” and insolvency is presumed when the
debtor “is generally not paying his debts as they become due[.]” SDCL 54-8A-2(a)-
(b). Here, Schramel testified that after the transfer, Logs Unlimited did not have
sufficient assets to pay the debt represented in Nielsen’s judgment. Tenbroek
confirmed that Logs Unlimited would not be solvent if Nielsen’s judgment was
considered. Although neither witness used the term “insolvent,” their testimony
established insolvency because, after the transfer, Logs Unlimited’s debts exceeded
the fair market value of its remaining assets and it was unable to pay its debts as
they became due.
[¶22.] Logs Unlimited, however, points out that the circuit court found that
“[a]ccording to [Logs Unlimited’s] tax returns for 2011, after the transfer of all its
assets, [Logs Unlimited’s] outstanding liabilities were paid and there was $114,000
left over.” But that finding was based on the tax return, which valued the assets at
$259,215. Therefore, Logs Unlimited had $114,000 in equity only if the full
$259,215 fair market value of its assets had been received for the transfer, a fact
that did not occur. Moreover, Logs Unlimited may not, as a matter of law, include
the value of any of the transferred assets in determining insolvency. Under the Act,
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the debtor’s countable assets for purposes of determining insolvency “do not include
property that has been transferred, concealed or removed with intent to hinder,
delay or defraud creditors or that has been transferred in a manner making the
transfer voidable[.]” SDCL 54-8A-2(d). In this case, the transferred assets may not
be considered in determining insolvency, and even if they could, the actual
consideration received for those assets was not sufficient to avoid insolvency. The
circuit court did not err in finding that Logs Unlimited was insolvent.
[¶23.] Logs Unlimited finally argues that there was no transfer of an “asset”
within the meaning of the Act. Logs Unlimited points out that the transfer of an
asset does not include the disposal of “[p]roperty to the extent it is encumbered by a
valid lien[.]” SDCL 54-8A-1(2)(i). However, in this case, the secured loans held by
First National Bank and Telco ($141,100) encumbered much less than the fair
market value of the transferred property ($259,215). Because there was sufficient
unencumbered property to satisfy the judgment, the transfer involved “assets”
within the meaning of SDCL 54-8A-1(2)(i). 4
[¶24.] Considering the relevant factors, the transfer was fraudulent under
SDCL 54-8A-4(a)(1). The assets were transferred to insiders. Through Logs
Unlimited and Absolute Log Homes, Schramel retained possession and control of
the assets after the transfer. Schramel admitted that he did not disclose the
transfer to Nielsen. Nielsen obtained the judgment before the transfer. The
4. Logs Unlimited also argues that “Nielsen provided no proof that Logs
Unlimited had any equity, or excess value, in the assets he list[ed] in his
complaint[.]” We disagree. Logs Unlimited’s 2011 tax return disclosed that
$114,000 in equity would have been available after payment of all liabilities if
the assets had been transferred for fair market value.
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consideration for the transfer was not reasonably equivalent to the fair market
value of the assets, and Logs Unlimited was insolvent after the transfer. These
facts show that Schramel and Logs Unlimited had the actual intent to hinder,
delay, or defraud Nielsen. In fact, when asked in his debtor’s examination whether
the reason he ceased doing business as Logs Unlimited was to avoid paying Nielsen,
Schramel answered, “that could be[.]” We affirm the circuit court’s determination
that Logs Unlimited fraudulently transferred its assets. 5
[¶25.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and KONENKAMP, SEVERSON and
WILBUR, Justices, concur.
5. Logs Unlimited’s other arguments are without merit.
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