128.07(1)(1) A person shall be deemed to have given a preference if, being insolvent, the person has made a transfer of any of his or her property, or has procured or suffered a judgment to be entered against him or her in favor of any other person, and the effect of the transfer or the enforcement of the judgment will be to enable any one of his or her creditors to obtain a greater percentage of his or her debt than any other of such creditors of the same class.
128.07(2)
(2) If the debtor shall have given a preference within four months before the filing of a petition, or an assignment, or after the filing of the petition and before the appointment of a receiver, or after the filing of an assignment and before the qualification of the assignee, and the person receiving it, or to be benefited thereby, or his or her agent acting therein, shall have had reasonable cause to believe that the enforcement of such judgment or transfer would effect a preference, it shall be voidable by the receiver or assignee, and the receiver or assignee may recover the property or its value from such person.
128.07(3)
(3) "Transfer" means the sale or other disposal of or of parting with property or with an interest therein or with the possession thereof or the fixing of a lien upon property or upon an interest therein, absolutely or conditionally, voluntarily or involuntarily, by or without judicial proceedings, as a conveyance, sale, assignment, payment, pledge, mortgage, lien, encumbrance, gift, security or otherwise. The retention of a security title to property delivered to a debtor shall be deemed a transfer suffered by such debtor.
128.07(4)
(4) A transfer of property other than real property shall be deemed to have been made or suffered at the time when it became so far perfected that no subsequent lien upon such property obtainable by legal or equitable proceedings on a simple contract could become superior to the rights of the transferee. A transfer of real property shall be deemed to have been made or suffered when it became so far perfected that no subsequent bona fide purchase from the debtor could create rights in such property superior to the rights of the transferee. If any transfer of real property is not so perfected against a bona fide purchase, or if any transfer of other property is not so perfected against such liens by legal or equitable proceedings prior to the filing of a petition initiating a proceeding in insolvency, it shall be deemed to have been made immediately before the filing of the petition.
128.07 History
History: 1993 a. 492.
128.08
128.08
Receiver; custodian. 128.08(1)(1) The court within the proper county may sequestrate the property of a debtor and appoint a receiver therefor:
128.08(1)(a)
(a) When an execution against a judgment debtor is returned unsatisfied in whole or in part.
128.08(1)(b)
(b) When a corporation has been dissolved or is insolvent or is in imminent danger of insolvency or has forfeited its corporate rights.
128.08(2)
(2) Upon application duly made, the court shall appoint as receiver the person nominated by the petitioning creditor or creditors, subject to
s. 128.10.
128.08 Annotation
Where defendant was notified of the proceeding to appoint a receiver and participated in the proceedings, he cannot after the lapse of one year object to irregularities. Home Bank v. Becker, 48 W (2d) 1, 179 NW (2d) 855.
128.08 Annotation
Due process procedures required for determination of receivership are not required for selection of receiver. Anchor Coatings, Inc. v. De Gelleke Co. 71 W (2d) 333, 237 NW (2d) 725.
128.08 Annotation
Power recognized by (1) is inherent power of courts. Northridge Bank v. Community Eye Care Center, 91 W (2d) 298, 282 NW (2d) 632 (Ct. App. 1979).
128.09
128.09
Bond. In order to qualify, the receiver or assignee shall give to and file with the clerk of the court a bond sufficient to cover all property likely to come into the receiver's or assignee's hands, conditioned in the usual manner with surety to be approved by the judge having supervision of the proceedings.
128.09 History
History: 1993 a. 492.
128.10
128.10
Meetings of creditors; removal or death of receiver. 128.10(1)(1) The court may provide for hearings and meetings of creditors to elect a receiver or to pass upon matters submitted to creditors by a majority vote in number and amount of claims.
128.10(2)
(2) The court may, upon notice and hearing, remove any receiver or assignee who is shown to be incompetent or to have become disqualified, or to have wasted or misapplied any of the trust estate; and shall remove any assignee or receiver upon the application of a majority of the creditors who shall represent a majority in number and amount of claims against said estate, and order a settlement of the receiver's or assignee's account and the surrender of all the estate to a successor, and shall appoint the person named in such petition or some suitable person as the receiver's or assignee's successor, who shall qualify in the manner provided by this chapter; and in place of any receiver or assignee who shall die or be removed, may appoint another who shall give bond and administer said estate pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
128.10 History
History: 1993 a. 492.
128.11
128.11
Provisional remedies. In all actions authorized by this chapter appropriate provisional remedies may be had and final relief administered to the equal distribution of all assets recovered among the creditors of the debtor, and the court may make such orders for the payment of costs and expenses as may be just. An action or proceeding authorized herein for the benefit of all creditors may be taken by a creditor although the creditor's demand is not due at the commencement thereof.
128.11 History
History: 1993 a. 492.
128.12
128.12
Dismissal; intervention. 128.12(1)
(1) After the designation of a receiver or custodian by the court, proceedings under this chapter shall not be dismissed for want of prosecution or by consent of parties until after notice to creditors, and the court shall, before entertaining an application for dismissal, require the debtor to file a list, under oath, of all of the debtor's creditors, with their addresses, and shall cause notice to be sent to all such creditors of the pendency of the application and shall fix a date for such hearing so as to allow parties in interest an opportunity to be heard.
128.12(2)
(2) When proceedings have been commenced under this chapter and are not diligently prosecuted or are so delayed as to cause possible injury to other creditors, any creditor may intervene for the purpose of obtaining a continuance of the administration or dismissal of the proceedings.
128.12 History
History: 1993 a. 492.
128.13
128.13
Inventory of assets. With the filing of an assignment or within ten days after the appointment of a receiver, the debtor shall file with the clerk of the court a correct inventory of the debtor's assets and a list of the debtor's creditors, stating the place of residence of each and the amount due to each, which inventory and list shall be verified by the debtor's oath, but no mistake therein shall affect the rights of any creditor.
128.13 History
History: 1993 a. 492.
128.14
128.14
Notice; injunction; time of filing claims. 128.14(1)
(1) The court shall require creditors to file their verified claims within 3 months from the date of the filing of an assignment or the appointment of a receiver and may enjoin proceedings by any other creditor against the insolvent. The receiver or assignee shall be required to give notice promptly to the department of revenue and to all creditors of the pendency of the proceeding, the injunction against other actions and the time within which creditors are required to file claims. The notice shall be mailed to the department of revenue and to each creditor at the creditor's last-known address and shall be published in the county as a class 3 notice under
ch. 985.
128.14(2)
(2) Creditors not filing claims within the time limited may be precluded from participation in any dividend which may be declared.
128.14 History
History: 1993 a. 492.
128.15
128.15
Objections to claims; appeal; secured claims. 128.15(1)(1) At the expiration of the period of time limited for the filing of claims, the receiver or assignee shall file with the clerk proof of publication of notice and a list of the creditors to whom the notice was made with the debts thereof respectively verified by an affidavit, and also a list of claims filed stating the names of creditors, residences and amounts claimed respectively. At any time thereafter the receiver or assignee or, upon that person's refusal or failure to act, any creditor may file written objections to any claim specifying the grounds thereof and serve a copy thereof in such manner as the court may order upon the claimant. Depositions may thereafter be taken as in civil actions. The court, on the application of either party, shall fix by order a time when the objections shall be heard, which shall be served as therein prescribed upon the adverse party. Upon the final hearing the court shall make such order as shall be just and may compel the payment of costs.
128.15(2)
(2) Claims of secured creditors may be allowed to enable such creditors to participate in the proceedings but shall be allowed for such sums only as shall be proved to be due, over and above the value of the securities, and dividends shall be paid only upon the excess of the claim over the value of the security at the time of the commencement of the proceedings.
128.15 History
History: 1983 a. 219.
128.15 Note
Judicial Council Note, 1983: The last sentence of sub. (1), providing an appeal deadline of 30 days after entry of order, is repealed for greater uniformity. An appeal must be initiated within the time specified in s. 808.04 (1), stats. [Bill 151-S]
128.15 Annotation
The 30-day limitation does not apply to claims for taxes asserted by the government. Section 274.01 controls as to such claims. United States v. Burczyk, 54 W (2d) 67, 194 NW (2d) 608.
128.15 Annotation
While under this section a secured creditor may become a party by general appearance or by filing a claim for a deficiency on his secured claim and thus be allowed to participate, he cannot have his security taken away from him without his consent, and the court adjudicating the ch. 128 proceeding can do no more than value the security for the purpose of allowing the unsecured part of the claim. Wis. Brick and Block Corp. v. Vogel, 54 W (2d) 321, 195 NW (2d) 664.
128.15 Annotation
Trial court erred in subordinating shareholder's claim on grounds that shareholder's advance to corporation was capital contribution rather than debt where court failed to evaluate sufficiency of corporation's stated capital and relied entirely on corporation's inability to obtain commercial financing. Gelatt v. DeDakis, 77 W (2d) 578, 254 NW (2d) 171.
128.16(1)(1) The court may compel the debtor to discover any property alleged to belong or to have belonged to him or her, the disposition thereof and the consideration and all the circumstances of the disposition. Every officer, agent or stockholder of a corporation, manager or member of a limited liability company and every person to whom it shall be alleged that any transfer of property has been made, or in whose possession or control the same is alleged to be, may be compelled to testify in relation thereto and to the transfer or possession of the property; but the witness shall not be liable to criminal prosecution or proceeding for or on account of his or her testimony.
128.16(2)
(2) The immunity provided under
sub. (1) is subject to the restrictions under
s. 972.085.
128.16 History
History: 1989 a. 122;
1993 a. 112.
128.16 Annotation
Debtor compelled to discovery may be granted immunity without request from district attorney. Refusal to answer interrogatory without order under this section was sufficient invocation of privilege against self-incrimination. State v. Worgull, 128 W (2d) 1, 381 NW (2d) 547 (1986).
128.17
128.17
Order of distribution. 128.17(1)
(1) The order of distribution out of the debtor's estate shall be as follows:
128.17(1)(a)
(a) The actual and necessary costs of preserving the estate subsequent to the commencement of the proceedings.
128.17(1)(b)
(b) Costs of administration including a reasonable attorney's fee for the representation of the debtor.
128.17(1)(d)
(d) Wages, including pension, welfare and vacation benefits, due to workmen, clerks, traveling or city salesmen or servants, which have been earned within 3 months before the date of the commencement of the proceedings, not to exceed $600 to each claimant.
128.17(1)(e)
(e) Taxes, assessments and debts due the United States, this state or any county, district or municipality.
128.17(1)(g)
(g) Debts due to creditors generally, in proportion to the amount of their claims, as allowed.
128.17(1)(h)
(h) After payment of the foregoing, the surplus, if any, shall be returned to the debtor.
128.17(2)
(2) Debts to become due as well as debts due may be proved, but a lessor's claim shall be limited to past due rent, and to any actual damage caused the lessor by a rejection of the lease on the part of the debtor or by its termination by force of its provisions. The lessor shall be entitled to payment in full, at the rate specified in the lease, for the period of any actual occupancy by the receiver or assignee.
128.17(3)
(3) The receiver or assignee may pay or the court may order a dividend to be paid at any time, making such provision as shall be necessary for the protection of claims in dispute.
128.17(4)
(4) The receiver or assignee shall, as soon as practicable, report to the court the amount due the employes of the debtor and the court shall order the receiver or assignee to promptly pay, if practicable, such wage claims as have priority under this chapter.
128.18(1)(1) Claims which for want of record or for other reasons would not have been valid liens as against creditors of the debtor armed with process, pursuant to which such property has been attached or levied upon, shall not be liens against the estate.
128.18(2)
(2) Whenever a creditor is prevented from enforcing his or her rights as against a lien created or attempted to be created by his or her debtor, the receiver or assignee shall be subrogated to and may enforce such rights of such creditors for the benefit of the estate.
128.18(3)
(3) A lien created by, or obtained in or pursuant to any action which was begun against, a person within four months before the commencement of proceedings for the appointment of a receiver herein, or the filing of an assignment hereunder, shall be dissolved by the appointment of a receiver or the qualification of the assignee, and the receiver or assignee shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of such lien for the benefit of all creditors, if:
128.18(3)(a)
(a) It appears that said lien was obtained and permitted while the debtor was insolvent, and that its existence or enforcement will work a preference, or
128.18(3)(c)
(c) That such lien was sought and permitted in fraud of the provisions of this chapter.
128.18(4)
(4) Liens given or accepted in good faith and for a present consideration which have been properly recorded or filed shall, to the extent of such present consideration only, not be affected by the provisions of this chapter.
128.18(5)
(5) All conveyances, transfers, assignments or encumbrances of a debtor's property, or any part thereof, made or given by the debtor within 4 months prior to the filing of a petition or assignment hereunder with the intent and purpose on the debtor's part to hinder, delay or defraud the debtor's creditors, or any of them, shall be null and void as against the creditors of such debtor except as to purchasers in good faith and for a present fair consideration.
128.18(5g)
(5g) All property which is the subject of a conveyance, transfer, assignment or encumbrance rendered null and void under
sub. (5) shall, if the property is not exempt from execution, be and remain a part of the assets and estate of the debtor and shall pass to the debtor's receiver or assignee, whose duty it shall be to recover and retain the same for the benefit of the creditors.
128.18(5m)
(5m) All conveyances, transfers or encumbrances of a debtor's property made by the debtor at any time within 4 months prior to the filing of a petition or assignment hereunder, and while insolvent, which are null and void as against creditors by the laws of this state, shall pass to the receiver or assignee and be by him or her recovered for the benefit of the creditors.
128.18(6)
(6) All levies, judgments, attachments or other liens obtained through legal proceedings against a person who is insolvent at any time within 4 months prior to the filing of a petition or assignment hereunder shall be deemed null and void in case a receiver is appointed or an assignee qualifies hereunder, and the property affected by the levy, judgment, attachment or other lien shall be deemed wholly discharged and released from the same, and shall pass to the receiver or assignee as a part of the estate of the debtor unless the court shall, on due notice, order that the right under such levy, judgment, attachment or other lien shall be preserved for the benefit of the estate; and thereupon the same may pass to and shall be preserved by the receiver or assignee for the benefit of the estate.
128.18 History
History: 1993 a. 492;
1995 a. 225.
128.19
128.19
Title to property. 128.19(1)(1) The receiver or assignee upon qualifying shall be vested by operation of law with the title of the debtor as of the date of the filing of the petition or assignment hereunder, except so far as it is property which is exempt, including:
128.19(1)(a)
(a) Property transferred by the debtor in fraud of the debtor's creditors.
128.19(1)(b)
(b) Property which prior to the filing of the petition or assignment the debtor could by any means have transferred or which might have been levied upon and sold under judicial process against the debtor.
128.19(1)(c)
(c) Rights of action arising upon contracts or from the unlawful taking or detention of or injury to the debtor's property.
128.19(2)
(2) The receiver or assignee may avoid any transfer by the debtor of the debtor's property which any creditor might have avoided and may recover the property so transferred or its value from the person to whom it was transferred unless the transferee was a bona fide holder for value prior to the filing of the petition or assignment hereunder.
128.19 History
History: 1992 a. 492;
1995 a. 225.
128.20
128.20
Settlement of receiver's or assignee's accounts. 128.20(1)(1) Every receiver or assignee shall, within 6 months after the time limited for filing claims or within such further time as the court shall allow, file with the clerk of the court a full and itemized statement verified by the receiver's or assignee's oath of the property received by the receiver or assignee, the manner of the receiver's or assignee's dealing therewith, the amount of money realized by the receiver or assignee, the condition of the property and funds in the receiver's or assignee's possession, the names and residences of the debtor's creditors, the dividends paid them, the receiver's or assignee's receipts and disbursements with the receiver's or assignee's claim for compensation and administration expenses. If any receiver or assignee shall neglect to apply promptly for a settlement of the receiver's or assignee's account, the court may, upon application of any creditor, compel the making and filing of such account or settlement thereof and in such case the receiver or assignee may be denied compensation.
128.20(2)
(2) Upon filing the report the receiver or assignee may apply to the court upon not less than 10 days' notice thereof by mail to the respective creditors named in the report, for a final settlement of the account. The court shall fix a time and place for the hearing of objections or taking of evidence and by order settle and adjust the accounts and the compensation and expenses of the receiver or assignee, regardless of whether objection is made. The order shall be conclusive upon all parties including the sureties of the receiver or assignee, but the receiver or assignee or any creditor may appeal from the order in the manner prescribed for appeals in civil actions except that the receiver or assignee may file a notice and undertaking with the clerk without other service thereof. The receiver or assignee shall be discharged of the trust and the bond canceled upon compliance with the final order of the court.
128.20 History
History: 1983 a. 219;
1993 a. 492.
128.20 Note
Judicial Council Note, 1983: Sub. (2) is amended by repealing the appeal deadline of 30 days from entry for greater uniformity. An appeal must be initiated within the time specified in s. 808.04 (1), stats. [Bill 151-S]
128.21
128.21
Voluntary proceedings by wage earners for amortization of debts. 128.21(1)
(1) Any person whose principal source of income consists of wages or salary may file a verified petition with the circuit court in the county of his or her residence stating that the person is unable to meet current debts as they mature, but is able to make regular future payments on account sufficient to amortize the debts over a period of not more than 3 years, and that he or she desires the aid of the court to effectuate the amortization. The petition shall also set forth the names and addresses of any creditors who have levied any executions, attachments or garnishments, and of any garnishees, and the court shall forthwith, by order, require that proceedings for the enforcement of the executions, attachments or garnishments be stayed during the pendency of proceedings under this section. The petition shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in
s. 814.62 (2).
128.21(2)
(2) After the filing of a petition under this section and until the dismissal of the proceedings, no execution, attachment or garnishment may be levied or enforced by any creditor seeking the collection of any claim which arose prior to the proceedings, unless such claim is not included by the debtor in the claims to be amortized pursuant to
sub. (3r). With respect to the claims to be amortized the time between the filing of the petition and the dismissal of the proceedings shall not be counted as a part of the period of any statute of limitation.
128.21(3)
(3) On the filing of the petition the court shall appoint a disinterested trustee. The trustee shall forthwith meet with the debtor; make a list of the debtor's creditors, with their addresses and the amounts owing to each, which the debtor shall sign and verify; and send notices to each of the amount claimed to be due that creditor, and of a meeting to be held in the trustee's office not less than 5 nor more than 10 days thereafter, for the purpose of considering an amortization plan and of determining the claims to be covered by the plan. Upon conclusion of the meeting the trustee shall do either of the following:
128.21(3)(a)
(a) Report to the court that no equitable plan of amortization is feasible or needed in which case the court may forthwith dismiss the proceedings.
128.21(3)(b)
(b) Recommend to the court a plan of amortization calculated by weekly or monthly payments, to discharge in full the claims of the creditors listed in the plan within a period of not exceeding 3 years.
128.21(3g)
(3g) The trustee shall attach to a plan recommended under
sub. (3) (b) the written consents and objections, if any, of the creditors present or represented at the meeting, and an analysis, with the trustee's recommendations regarding the disposition, of any claim whose amount is in dispute or appears to be uncertain.
128.21(3r)
(3r) The court shall forthwith enter an order approving the plan recommended under
sub. (3) (b) and determining, for the purposes of the plan, the amounts of the claims, unless in any such written objection included under
sub. (3g) a creditor asks for a hearing respecting the plan or the amount of the creditor's claim, or the person to be trustee, in which case the court shall set a date for a hearing as soon as may be, on notice of the debtor, the trustee and creditors. At the hearing the court shall enter an order either approving the plan, if satisfied that it is feasible and equitable, and determining, for the purposes of the plan, the amounts of the claims, or dismissing the proceedings, or modifying and approving the plan as the court considers just; and the court may appoint a different trustee if the one appointed is objected to.
