COUNSEL: For Keith Bub, aka Keith L. Bub, Debtor: Andrew M Thaler, Thaler Law
Firm PLLC, East Meadow, NY; Kevin R Toole, Gertler Law Group, LLC, East Meadow,
NY.

For Kenneth Kirschenbaum, Trustee: Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum, P.C., Garden
City, NY; Steven B Sheinwald, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum, Garden City, NY.

JUDGES: Hon. Robert E. Grossman, U.S.B.J.

OPINION BY: Robert E. Grossman

OPINION


MEMORANDUM DECISION

   Before the Court is a motion (the "Motion") by Rockstone Capital LLC
("Rockstone") seeking to disallow claim #1 (the "Claim") filed by Alisa Metal
("Alisa"), the ex-wife of Keith Bub (the "Debtor"), as a priority claim for a
domestic support obligation ("DSO"). The Motion has been joined in part by the
chapter 7 trustee (the "Trustee"), who seeks to have the Claim reclassified from
a priority claim to an unsecured claim, and to have the Claim reduced. The Claim
arose as a result of the Debtor's failure to satisfy one of the mortgage liens
encumbering the marital residence, as required under the terms of the parties'
prepetition divorce settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement"). Rockstone
argues that the Court is bound by the language of the Settlement Agreement,
which refers to the Debtor's obligation as part of an equitable distribution of
marital property rather than as an obligation for alimony, maintenance, or
support. In addition, since the Settlement Agreement entitles Alisa to satisfy
the Claim by foreclosing on other property of the Debtor that has been pledged
as security, Alisa is limited to the amount she collects from the foreclosure
sale of that property. Alisa asserts that the Court is free to determine on its
own whether the Debtor's obligation is in fact a DSO, without regard to how it
is characterized in the Settlement Agreement. Alisa argues that the Claim is
properly characterized as a DSO because the satisfaction of the Debtor's
obligation results in providing her with shelter. The Trustee disputes the
calculation of the Claim and argues that the Claim should be reclassified as a
general unsecured claim to the extent any amount remains due and owing after
Alisa has collected against the security pledged to her under the terms of the
Settlement Agreement.

   The Court acknowledges that these are the issues it has been asked to decide,
however, the parties have not properly considered how the 2005 amendments to the
Bankruptcy Code1 will impact resolution of these issues. Under BAPCPA, Congress
not only provided that DSO claims have the highest priority, but also added
"domestic support obligation" as a defined phrase under Bankruptcy Code section
101(14A). Due to this newly-added definition, the Court must examine the
language of the definition and take a fresh look at pre-BABCPA case law
regarding DSOs to determine whether these cases are still applicable to the
issues before the Court. The first issue the new language raises is whether it
matters that the payee is not an entity named in the definition. Pre-BAPCPA, the
controlling case in this circuit was Pauley v. Spong (In re Spong), 661 F.2d 6,
7 (2d Cir. 1981), in which the Second Circuit concluded that a debtor's
agreement to pay his ex-spouse's attorney fees incurred during a divorce
proceeding created a non-dischargeable family support obligation because the
ex-spouse would remain liable for the debt if the debtor failed to pay it. See
id. As a result of BAPCPA, a DSO now includes an obligation "recoverable by" a
spouse, which modifies the specific payee requirements found in the Code
pre-BABCPA. Alisa was granted the right to recover from the Debtor pursuant to
the indemnification language contained in the Settlement Agreement; this
satisfies the payee requirement of the statute. Therefore, to the extent that In
re Spong created an exception to the strict payee requirement for obligations
that the non-filing spouse could recover from the debtor, the exception has been
codified in the Bankruptcy Code. So long as Alisa has the right to recover the
Claim from the Debtor, which she does, the fact that the underlying obligation
is not payable directly to her does not change the outcome.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 ("BAPCPA").
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

   The Court must now determine whether the Claim fits within the remainder of
the definition of a DSO under the Code. If, as Rockstone argues, the Court may
only look to the language in the Settlement Agreement to determine whether the
Claim should retain its priority status, then Rockstone would be correct that
the Claim is not a DSO and that it should be either disallowed or reclassified
as unsecured. However, Alisa asks the Court to disregard the wording of the
Settlement Agreement and find that based on the facts at the time the Settlement
Agreement was executed, the relative financial positions of the Debtor and
Alisa, and the actual structure of the payments set forth in the Settlement
Agreement, the Claim is in the nature of a DSO, entitled to priority of payment
pursuant to Bankruptcy Code section 507(a)(1)(A).

   Based on a plain reading of the relevant Code provisions, including the
definition of a DSO, the Court finds that the Claim is a DSO, entitled to
priority treatment, and denies the Motion. Bankruptcy Code section 101(14A),
which defines a DSO as a debt owed to a spouse or former spouse that is in the
nature of alimony, maintenance, or support, expressly directs that the "nature"
of an obligation be determined "without regard" to how the obligation is
characterized in the agreement giving rise to such obligation. Therefore,
Rockstone's argument that the characterization of the Claim in the Settlement
Agreement governs the priority of the Claim in the Debtor's bankruptcy case is
incorrect. Because Alisa is unable to maintain the marital residence absent the
Debtor's agreement to pay his mortgage obligation on the residence, the
obligation fits squarely within the definition of a DSO. Where, as in this case,
a spouse undertakes in a divorce settlement agreement to make payments towards
shelter for the other spouse, which payments are necessary in order for the
resident spouse to remain in the marital residence, the resulting obligation is
in the nature of alimony, maintenance, or support. In the instant case, Alisa
could not have afforded to remain in the marital residence unless the Debtor
undertook this obligation, and as a result the Claim is a DSO, entitled to
priority treatment under section 507(a)(1)(A).

   While the Court must make its own determination of whether the Claim is a DSO
in the context of a bankruptcy, this finding does not undercut or diminish the
effect of the Settlement Agreement in any other manner; the Settlement Agreement
remains in full force and effect. The Court is not making any determination
outside of bankruptcy regarding the nature of the Claim. In addition, the Court
is not making a determination as to the amount of the Claim at this time.

Jurisdiction

   This Court has jurisdiction over this core proceeding under 28 U.S.C.
sections 157(b)(2)(J) and 1334(b), and the Eastern District of New York standing
order of reference dated August 28, 1986, as amended by order dated December 5,
2012. This Memorandum Decision contains this Court's findings of fact and
conclusions of law to the extent required by Bankruptcy Rule 7052.

Procedural History

   On November 22, 2011, the Debtor filed a voluntary petition for relief under
chapter 7. Upon information and belief, the gross estate presently exceeds
$130,000 and there will likely be a significant amount of additional funds
available for distribution. On January 25, 2012, Alisa filed the Claim in the
amount of $211,546.66 as a priority claim for a DSO pursuant to section
507(a)(1)(A) or (B) of the Bankruptcy Code. On June 15, 2012, Rockstone, as a
party in interest, filed the Motion seeking to disallow the Claim pursuant to
section 502(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. Rockstone is the largest unsecured
creditor in the Debtor's case.2 Aside from the Claim, the other timely filed
claims are de minimis. On July 9, 2012, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum, PC, on
behalf of the Trustee, filed an affirmation in partial support of the Motion. On
July 18, 2012, Alisa filed opposition to the Motion. On July 23, 2012, Rockstone
filed a reply, and the matter was marked submitted.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -2   Rockstone
filed a proof of claim in the amount of $774,225.35 based on a judgment against
the Debtor as guarantor.
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Facts

   In 1993, Alisa purchased a home located in Hauppauge, NY (the "Marital
Residence") for approximately $300,000. David Metal, Alisa's father, loaned
Alisa $200,000 for the purchase, and the remaining $100,000 was contributed to
equally by Alisa and the Debtor. At the time of purchase title to the Marital
Residence was placed in the name of David Metal and Alisa.

   The Debtor and Alisa moved into the Marital Residence in November 1993,
approximately one year before their marriage in October 1994. Thereupon the deed
was transferred into the names of Alisa and the Debtor. David Metal was granted
a mortgage on the Marital Residence in the amount of $200,000 (the "David Metal
Mortgage"). At the time of the marriage, aside from the Marital Residence, the
only significant asset Alisa owned was a vehicle. In contrast, the Debtor
entered the marriage owning a vehicle, real property in Florida (the "Cape Coral
Property"), and stock in his companies, Total Computer Care, Ltd., K-2
Properties, Inc., and The Storage Guys, Inc. At no time did the Debtor and Alisa
maintain joint bank accounts.

   During the marriage, three mortgage liens were granted against the Marital
Residence, each junior to the David Metal Mortgage. One was granted to
collateralize a Small Business Administration ("SBA") loan. The SBA loan was
taken out for the benefit of one of the Debtor's businesses, which had suffered
a downturn due to the aftermath of 9/11.3 A CitiMortgage loan (the "CitiMortgage
Loan") was also taken out and used solely in connection with the Debtor's
business. Finally, the Debtor and Alisa took out a Bank of America Equity Credit
Line (the "Home Equity Loan") to pay off Alisa's Ford Expedition and the
Debtor's Dodge Viper loan. Approximately $100,000 of the Home Equity Loan was
also used to help the Debtor in his business.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -3   According
to the Settlement Agreement, Alisa is a co-obligor on the note for the SBA loan.
It is undisputed that the proceeds from the SBA loan were used for the benefit
of the Debtor's business.
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

   While Alisa and the Debtor were married the income earned by each was
approximately the same. Alisa and the Debtor shared the bills for their joint
living expenses. Each month Alisa and the Debtor would alternate paying the
David Metal Mortgage. Each paid for his or her own vehicle and individual bills.
The Debtor and Alisa have no children together.

   During the marriage the following property was acquired: Five acres in
Livingston, NY; two acres with a residence thereon in Greene, NY; vacant
property in Roxbury, NY; and vacant property in Windsor, NY (collectively, the
"Marital Real Property").

   In 2005, after eleven years of marriage, Alisa filed a petition for divorce.
At that time, Alisa's gross annual income was $115,000, and she netted, after
withholding taxes and insurance, $73,270, or $6,106 per month. In November 2007,
Alisa and the Debtor entered into the Settlement Agreement. On January 24, 2008,
Alisa and the Debtor were divorced by a Judgment of Divorce entered by the
Honorable Donald R. Blydenberg. The Judgment of Divorce incorporated the terms
of the Settlement Agreement.

   According to affidavits submitted by Alisa and the Debtor, there were two
overriding principles governing the drafting of the Settlement Agreement. The
first principle was that each person should obtain title to the assets each
brought to the marriage or purchased during the marriage for his or her personal
use. The second overriding concern was that Alisa have sufficient funds to cover
her living expenses so as to allow her to remain in the Marital Residence.

   Notwithstanding the parties' stated intentions, the Settlement Agreement,
which was incorporated into the Judgment of Divorce, provides as follows:


        [P]arties hereby waive payment of maintenance from one to the other
     and represent that each is capable of being self-supporting. Each
     releases and discharges the other, absolutely and forever, for the
     rest of his and her life from any and all claims and demands, past,
     present or future for support and maintenance. Neither party seeks
     maintenance from the other.



   The Settlement Agreement also provides that (i) the debts and obligations
under the agreement "shall survive any application by a spouse for a discharge
under the applicable Bankruptcy code [sic] of any state," and (ii) should one
spouse's bankruptcy cause the other to incur a liability, "then the instituting
[debtor] spouse shall specifically reaffirm the debt that causes the
non-instituting spouse to incur such liability."

   The Marital Residence was encumbered by four mortgages: 1) David Metal
Mortgage - $100,000; 2) Home Equity Loan - $219,000; 3) CitiMortgage Loan -
$108,000; and 4) SBA loan - $185,000. All but the David Metal Mortgage had been
principally incurred by the Debtor in connection with funding his businesses,
paying for his collector vehicles, and completing home improvements.

   Under the Settlement Agreement, Alisa assumed responsibility for the Home
Equity Loan and the David Metal Mortgage. The Debtor assumed responsibility for
and agreed to indemnify and hold Alisa harmless for the CitiMortgage Loan and
the SBA loan as set forth in a section of the Settlement Agreement titled
"Equitable Distribution." In addition to indemnifying Alisa from any obligation
under the SBA loan, the Debtor granted to Alisa a mortgage on the Cape Coral
Property4 as security for his obligation:


        [Alisa] shall be entitled to security for the payment by the
     husband [the Debtor] of the SBA loan in a timely fashion so as not
     adversely effect [sic] her credit and/or put in jeopardy her free and
     unencumbered use of or disposal of the [Marital Residence]. In
     addition, the lien by SBA shall be removed from the [Marital
     Residence] and from any liability against the wife [Alisa] no later
     than thirty-six (36) months from the date of this agreement.


By having the Debtor assume personal responsibility for two of the mortgage
obligations, Alisa would be able to stay in the Marital Residence.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -4   The Cape
Coral Property, which was valued between $400,000 and $500,000 at the time of
the marriage, had recently been placed in a trust by the Debtor.
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

   Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Marital Residence was transferred
to Alisa solely. She also received title to the Ford Expedition, and a mortgage
on the Cape Coral Property. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Alisa
had the right to foreclose on the Cape Coral Property if the Debtor failed to
remove the SBA lien within 36 months. The estimated value of the assets Alisa
received under the Settlement Agreement was $491,000, assuming the Debtor
satisfied the SBA loan and the CitiMortgage Loan.

   The estimated value of the property that the Debtor received under the
Settlement Agreement was $610,000, which was comprised of the Marital Real
Property, three Dodge Vipers, the Cape Coral Property and the Debtor's stock in
his companies, Total Computer Care, Ltd., K-2 Properties, Inc., and The Storage
Guys, Inc.

   Alisa's statement of net worth submitted in the matrimonial action showed she
was incurring $3,297.66 in monthly expenses, including real estate taxes, but
excluding mortgage payments. The monthly mortgage payments on the David Metal
Mortgage and the Home Equity Loan were $1,500 and $1,655 respectively, leaving
her with discretionary monthly income of $142.66.

   The Debtor satisfied the CitiMortgage Loan and obtained a release of the
CitiMortgage lien. However, in 2010, the Debtor defaulted on the SBA loan. Upon
the default, Alisa was faced with the prospect of losing the Marital Residence,
and in order to protect her interests in the Marital Residence, Alisa commenced
a foreclosure action on the Cape Coral Property. Thereafter, the Debtor filed a
petition for relief under chapter 7. Alisa filed the Claim in the amount of
$211,546.66, which was her calculation of the amount due on the SBA loan,
inclusive of fees and incidental charges. The foreclosure action commenced by
Alisa is currently pending, as is a suit commenced by Alisa against the Debtor
in Suffolk County, New York in late 2010, wherein Alisa seeks to enforce the
indemnification provisions of the Settlement Agreement by seeking a money
judgment equal to the amount of the SBA loan. The action against the Debtor
individually has been stayed as a result of the Debtor's bankruptcy filing.
Alisa concedes that the Claim shall be reduced by the amount she realizes in the
foreclosure action against the Cape Coral Property.

   Rockstone's chief argument in support of disallowing the Claim is that it is
not labeled as alimony, maintenance, or support pursuant to the terms of the
Settlement Agreement. Rockstone argues that the Court is bound by the
characterization of the Debtor's obligations in the Settlement Agreement as part
of an equitable distribution of property and by Alisa's explicit waiver of any
rights to receive support or maintenance. This Court, Rockstone argues, has no
basis to "second guess" the express intent of the parties as memorialized in the
Settlement Agreement. Rockstone believes that the sole remedy available to Alisa
in the event the Debtor fails to obtain a release of the SBA loan is the right
to foreclose on the mortgage encumbering the Cape Coral Property. As additional
support for the Motion, Rockstone points out that Alisa was employed during the
marriage and at the time the Settlement Agreement was executed. The Trustee, in
its affirmation in support of the Motion, argues that Alisa's claim is not a
DSO; instead, he argues that Alisa's claim should be reclassified from a
priority claim to a general unsecured claim to the extent that the debt remains
unsatisfied by the sale proceeds generated from the foreclosure sale of the Cape
Coral Property. The Trustee also challenges the fees and expenses added to the
Claim as there is no documentation supporting these additional amounts.

   Alisa argues that the amount still due under the SBA loan is a DSO, resulting
in a priority claim. According to Alisa, the characterization of the Debtor's
obligation to satisfy the SBA loan as a property settlement is not relevant to
the Bankruptcy Court's determination of whether the obligation is in the nature
of alimony, maintenance, or support. In their affidavits in opposition to the
Motion, Alisa and the Debtor both aver that the Debtor agreed to pay the SBA
loan because the parties intended that Alisa be able to continue to reside in
the Marital Residence, which had been significantly leveraged during the
marriage. Alisa contends that the intent of the parties at the time the
Settlement Agreement was drafted, coupled with the fact that Alisa was unable to
remain in the Marital Residence absent the Debtor's agreement to hold her
harmless from this mortgage obligation, dictate that the Claim is in the nature
of alimony, maintenance, or support.

Discussion

A. Bankruptcy Code Sections Explained

   When Congress enacted BAPCPA, one of the many consequences noted by scholars
and jurists was that the protections available to family members who rely on
debtors for domestic support were strengthened. See Becker McKay Wyckoff,
They're Just Letting Anyone in These Days: The Expansion of S 523(a)(5)'s
"Domestic Support Obligation" Exception to Discharge, 28 Emory Bankr. Dev. J.
637, 677 (2012). First, Congress added a definition for a "domestic support
obligation,"5 which has been incorporated into several sections of the
Bankruptcy Code, including sections 507(a)(1) and 523(a)(5). Congress also
amended section 507(a) of the Code to accord first priority of payment to DSOs
in recognition of the importance of ensuring that a debtor provides the basic
necessities to his or her ex-spouse and children. See 11 U.S.C. § 507(a)(1); see
also H.R. Rep. No. 109-31, at 16 (2005). As a result, DSOs have a higher
priority of payment than any other priority obligations under the Code.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -5   A
domestic support obligation is defined as follows:


        [A] debt that accrues before, on, or after the date of the order
     for relief in a case under this title, including interest that accrues
     on that debt as provided under applicable nonbankruptcy law
     notwithstanding any other provision of this title, that is--


             (A) owed to or recoverable by--


                  (i) a spouse, former spouse, or child of the
               debtor or such child's parent, legal guardian, or
               responsible relative; or
                  (ii) a governmental unit;


          (B) in the nature of alimony, maintenance, or support
          (including assistance provided by a governmental unit) of
          such spouse, former spouse, or child of the debtor or such
          child's parent, without regard to whether such debt is
          expressly so designated;
             (C) established or subject to establishment before, on,
          or after the date of the order for relief in a case under
          this title, by reason of applicable provisions of--


                  (i) a separation agreement, divorce decree, or
               property settlement agreement;
                  (ii) an order of a court of record; or
                  (iii) a determination made in accordance with
               applicable nonbankruptcy law by a governmental
               unit; and


          (D) not assigned to a nongovernmental entity, unless that
          obligation is assigned voluntarily by the spouse, former
          spouse, child of the debtor, or such child's parent, legal
          guardian, or responsible relative for the purpose of
          collecting the debt.





11 U.S.C. § 101(14A).
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

   Under BAPCPA, section 523(a) was modified to further restrict the
dischargeability of debts arising from matrimonial actions. In re Rogowski, 462
B.R. 435, 439 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2011). While a section 523(a)(5) DSO is separate
and distinct from a section 523(a)(15) property settlement, both are
non-dischargeable in a chapter 7 case.

   The most significant change for purposes of this case is that DSOs are now
given a separate and higher priority of payment than property settlements.
Whether the Claim fits within the definition of a DSO bears significantly on the
degree to which the Claim will be satisfied from the Debtor's estate. In
analyzing this definition, the following rules of statutory construction must be
heeded. First, in ascertaining the meaning of words in a statute, we start with
"the common meaning of the words in it." Puello v. Bureau of Citizenship &
Immigration Servs., 511 F.3d 324, 328 (2d Cir. 2007). Statutory enactments must
be read so as to give effect to every clause and word. United States v. Nordic
Vill., Inc., 503 U.S. 30, 36, 112 S. Ct. 1011, 117 L. Ed. 2d 181 (1992). Courts
correctly assume, "absent sufficient indication to the contrary, that Congress
intends the words in its enactments to carry their ordinary, contemporary,
common meaning." Pioneer Inv. Servs. Co. v. Brunswick Assocs. Ltd., 507 U.S.
380, 388, 113 S. Ct. 1489, 123 L. Ed. 2d 74 (1993).

   The relevant language the Court must interpret is set forth in section
101(14A) as follows:


        Under this Code provision, a "domestic support obligation" is
     established by four elements, as a debt: (1) "owed to or recoverable
     by ... a former spouse ... of the debtor," § 101(14A)(A); (2) "in the
     nature of alimony, maintenance, or support ... of such ... former
     spouse ... without regard to whether such debt is expressly so
     designated," § 101(14A)(B); (3) "established or subject to
     establishment before, on, or after the [petition date] by reason of
     applicable provisions of ... a separation agreement, divorce decree, [
     ] property settlement agreement[, or] an order of a court of record,"
     § 101(14A)(C); and (4) "not assigned to a nongovernmental entity," §
     101(14A)(D). To meet her burden under § 523(a)(5), the creditor must
     demonstrate that the debt at issue satisfies these four elements
     enumerated in § 101(14A).


McFadden v. Putnam (In re Putnam), Adversary No. 10-01261-A, 2012 Bankr. LEXIS
6117, 2012 WL 8134423, at *13 (Bankr. E.D. Cal. Aug. 30, 2012).

   The parties do not dispute that the Claim arises from the Settlement
Agreement, which was executed prepetition, and pursuant to which the Debtor
agreed to pay the SBA loan and to indemnify Alisa with respect to the SBA loan.
However, the parties failed to analyze whether the debt is "owed to or
recoverable by" Alisa. Pre-BAPCPA, section 523(a)(5) provided that a debt for a
DSO was non-dischargeable if the debt was owed directly to a "spouse, former
spouse, or child of the debtor." 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(5) (1982). Most courts did
not follow the specific language of the statute, and focused solely on the
nature of the obligation to determine whether it was a DSO. See, e.g., Beaupied
v. Chang (In re Chang), 163 F.3d 1138, 1141-42 (9th Cir. 1998); Stark v. Bishop
(In re Bishop), No. 97-2151, 1998 U.S. App. LEXIS 12900, at *4-9 (4th Cir. June
18, 1998); Strickland v. Shannon (In re Strickland), 90 F.3d 444, 445-47 (11th
Cir. 1996); Holliday v. Kline (In re Kline), 65 F.3d 749, 751 (8th Cir. 1995);
Miller v. Gentry (In re Miller), 55 F.3d 1487, 1488-89 (10th Cir. 1995); Dvorak
v. Carlson (In re Dvorak), 986 F.2d 940, 941 (5th Cir. 1993); Gianakis v.
Gianakis (In re Gianakis), 917 F.2d 759, 763-64 (3d Cir. 1990); In re Seibert,
914 F.2d 102, 104-07 (7th Cir. 1990); Calhoun v. Long (In re Calhoun), 715 F.2d
1103, 1107 (6th Cir. 1983). These cases "read out" the requirement in the
statute that the payee be one of the enumerated parties, and looked at which
party was intended to benefit from the obligation, regardless of the identity of
the actual payee.

   In contrast, the Second Circuit created an exception to the strict identity
of payee requirement. See Pauley v. Spong (In re Spong), 661 F.2d 6, 7 (2d Cir.
1981). In In re Spong, the Second Circuit found that a debtor's undertaking to
pay his ex-spouse's attorney fees incurred during divorce proceedings created a
non-dischargeable DSO by reasoning that the agreement resulted in a third party
beneficiary contract. See id. In considering the issue, the Second Circuit
referred to the statements of the House Judiciary Committee, which explained
that the intent of section 523(a)(5) was to render non-dischargeable "any debts
resulting from an agreement by the debtor to hold the debtor's spouse harmless
on joint debts, to the extent that the agreement is in payment of alimony,
maintenance, or support of the spouse . . . ." H.R. Rep. NO. 95-595, at 364
(1977), reprinted in 1978 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5963, 6320. The Second Circuit concluded
that if the debtor failed to pay the third party, he thus failed to satisfy an
obligation to his ex-spouse, even though the direct payee was not an individual
listed in the statute. See In re Spong, 661 F.2d at 7. The debtor's obligation
to his spouse runs parallel with the debtor's undertaking to pay the obligation
to the third party. Other circuit courts have followed the reasoning of In re
Spong. See, e.g., DeKalb Cnty. Div. of Fam. & Children Servs. v. Platter (In re
Platter), 140 F.3d 676, 681 (7th Cir. 1998); In re Miller, 55 F.3d 1487, 1490,
n. 3 (10th Cir. 1995).

   BAPCPA altered the requirements necessary for finding that an obligation is a
DSO. While the new definition specifies that the payee be a spouse, former
spouse, or child of the debtor, as in the prior statute, the universe of payees
has expanded to include the child's parent, legal guardian, or responsible
relative. BAPCPA also now provides that a DSO may be "owed to or recoverable by"
the payees named in the statute. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(5) (2006) (italics added).
This new definition has spawned several lines of case law. Some courts infer
that by identifying the universe of payees, Congress reinforced the restrictions
on who could assert a DSO. See Tucker v. Oliver, 423 B.R. 378, 379-81 (W.D.
Okla. 2010); see also In re Aguirre, Bankr. No. 11-41126-JDP, 2012 Bankr. LEXIS
754, 2012 WL 632400 (Bankr. D. Idaho Feb. 27, 2012). Other courts read the new
language to include obligations to make payments to third parties that are
recoverable by a former spouse. See, e.g., In re Johnson, 397 B.R. 289, 295
(Bankr. M.D.N.C. 2008) (holding that the Code excepts from discharge debts
resulting from agreements by the debtor to hold the debtor's spouse harmless on
joint debts to the extent those debts are in the nature of alimony, maintenance,
or support). Other courts continue to ignore the payee language altogether,
instead focusing on the nature of the obligation. See, e.g., Kennedy v. Kennedy
(In re Kennedy), BAP No. AZ-09-1035-JuPaDu, 2010 Bankr. LEXIS 3169, at *24-27
(D.N.J. June 30, 2010); Coleman v. Blackwell (In re Blackwell), 432 B.R. 856,
862-63 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2010). Some courts in this circuit adopt the position
that the payee language pre-BAPCPA is so similar to the payee language
post-BAPCPA that the Second Circuit would apply the current language in the same
manner as it did in In re Spong. In re Rogowski, 462 B.R. 435, 444 (Bankr.
E.D.N.Y. 2011); see Asselin--Connolly, LLC v. Rubenstein (In re Rubenstein),
Adversary No. 09--2056, 2012 Bankr. LEXIS 1059, 2012 WL 837339, at *3 (Bankr. D.
Conn. Mar. 9, 2012). Courts in this circuit following this approach have applied
pre-BAPCPA law the same way, and continue to rely on In re Spong's exception to
the statute.

   While this Court agrees that the Claim fits within subparagraph (A), it is
not based on pre-BAPCPA case law, but on the language added by BAPCPA.
Therefore, this Court follows In re Johnson in concluding that the definition of
a DSO is broader than the language previously used to determine whether a DSO
exists. See In re Johnson, 397 B.R. at 295. An obligation that Alisa has a legal
right to recover from the Debtor, such as the SBA loan, falls squarely within
this definition. As such, the judicial exception created by In re Spong is not
necessary in this instance.

   Having established that subparagraph (A) applies to the Claim, the Court
turns to whether the Claim fits within subparagraph (B). The description of a
DSO now includes obligations "in the nature of" alimony, maintenance, or support
"without regard " to whether the obligation is designated as such in the
agreement. 11 U.S.C. § 101(14A). The Code now directs courts to consider the
nature of the obligation "without regard" to how the obligation is designated in
the operative agreement. The Oxford Dictionary defines "regard" as follows: to
"consider or think of (someone or something) in a specified way;" "pay attention
to; heed." Oxford Dictionary, Oxford University Press (2013). Thus, "without
regard," as used in the Code, means without paying attention to or without
considering.

   The choice of language in the statute is an acknowledgement of the reality
that parties often label obligations in divorce settlement agreements in certain
ways for tax purposes, based on corporate considerations, or for myriad other
reasons. See Benson v. Benson (In re Benson), 441 Fed. Appx. 650, 2011 WL
4435560, at *1 (11th Cir. 2011) (describing how the parties intended mortgage
payments to be a DSO despite the fact that the ex-wife had waived any right to
claim alimony by reasoning that the ex-wife did so in consideration of benefits
she received in the settlement agreement). These agreements, including the
definitions of the terms within them, are fully enforceable under state law and
in the context of determining tax treatment of payments. However, when a debtor
files for bankruptcy relief, certain provisions in the Bankruptcy Code can alter
what would otherwise occur under state law. The Code may be used to modify the
relationships between a debtor and his or her creditors, and in some cases, to
modify contracts. See In re W.R. Grace & Co., 475 B.R. 34, 157 (D. Del. 2012)
("Courts have routinely recognized various sections of the Bankruptcy Code as
countervailing federal interests that can lawfully alter state law contract
rights.").

   Pre-BAPCPA case law has echoed this sentiment in domestic relations matters.
See Brody v. Brody (In re Brody), 3 F.3d 35, 38 (2d Cir. 1993). Post-BAPCPA,
Congress has rendered the labels attached to an obligation in a divorce
agreement even less relevant. Therefore, as was the case pre-BAPCPA, courts must
continue to look to the substance, and not merely the form, of the payments. Id
.; see In re Yeates, 807 F.2d 874, 878 (10th Cir. 1986); see also Tilley v.
Jessee, 789 F.2d 1074, 1077-78 (4th Cir. 1986). However, this determination is
limited to finding whether the Claim is a priority claim and has no bearing on
the validity of the Settlement Agreement or its terms outside the bankruptcy
context.

B. Test for Determining Whether an Obligation is in the Nature of Alimony,
Maintenance, or Support

   In this circuit, as in other circuits, the intent of the parties at the time
the separation agreement was executed has been determinative of whether the
obligation is in the nature of alimony, maintenance, or support. In re Brody, 3
F.3d at 38 ("Under bankruptcy law, the intent of the parties at the time a
separation agreement is executed determines whether a payment pursuant to the
agreement is alimony, support or maintenance within the meaning of section
523(a)(5)."). See generally In re Davidson, 947 F.2d 1294, 1296-97 (5th Cir.
1991); Gianakas v. Gianakas (In re Gianakas), 917 F.2d 759, 762 (3d Cir. 1990).
Courts have considered a great variety of factors in seeking to ascertain the
mutual intent of the parties. See, e.g., Vittorini v. Vittorini, 136 B.R. 632,
635 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1992) (listing five factors); In re Bell, 47 B.R. 284, 287
(Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 1985) (listing nine factors). Courts have also found, however,
that lists of factors are not necessarily exclusive. Instead, some courts have
determined that all direct or circumstantial evidence that tends to illuminate
the parties' subjective intent is relevant. In re Brody, 3 F.3d at 38; see
Benich v. Benich (In re Benich), 811 F.2d 943, 945-46 (5th Cir. 1987); see also
Williams v. Williams (In re Williams), 703 F.2d 1055, 1057-58 (8th Cir. 1983).

   Post-BAPCPA, In re Brody remains good law and in general, the intent of the
parties should bear on whether an obligation is in the nature of a DSO. In this
case, the labels affixed to the Debtor's obligation in the Settlement Agreement
stand in stark contrast to the parties' subsequent affidavits describing their
shared intent that the Settlement Agreement was to ensure shelter was provided
for Alisa. The Court must go beyond the stated intent of the parties in this
case to reach a determination.

   To be a DSO post-BAPCPA, the appropriate inquiry is to determine whether the
obligation is "in the nature of" alimony, maintenance, or support rather than
whether the obligation is alimony, maintenance, or support as the Code called
for when In re Brody was decided. This Court uses an objective test to determine
whether an obligation is in the nature of alimony, maintenance, or support. An
obligation is in the nature of alimony, maintenance, or support where all prongs
are met: 1) One spouse agrees in a divorce settlement agreement to make
payments, which directly or indirectly cause shelter to be provided for the
other spouse; 2) The resident spouse would not be able to afford to remain in
the marital residence but for the other spouse's payments; and 3) There is a
discrepancy in income between the spouses. While the labels affixed to the
obligations in state law settlement agreements are irrelevant, determining the
nature of the obligation requires an understanding of the terms of the
settlement and the effect these terms have on the living situations of the
parties.

C. Terms of the Settlement Agreement

   The Settlement Agreement was drafted to ensure that Alisa had shelter after
the divorce. Upon the Debtor and Alisa's divorce, the Debtor became solely
responsible for the CitiMortgage Loan and the SBA loan. The Settlement Agreement
provided that the Debtor was to obtain a release from the SBA of its mortgage on
the Marital Residence.6 Alisa was to remain in this property as its sole
occupant.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -6   The
Debtor was also to remove the CitiMortgage lien from the Marital Residence, but
he has since satisfied this obligation.
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

   The facts support a finding that unless the Debtor assumed the SBA loan,
Alisa would not have had the financial wherewithal to remain in the Marital
Residence. At the time of the divorce, Alisa's income was inadequate for her to
meet her expenses and make payments on the four mortgages on the Marital
Residence. The Debtor's obligation is to ensure that Alisa is provided with
shelter. The obligation that enables one's family to maintain shelter is in the
nature of support. In re Trump, 309 B.R. 585 (Bankr. D. Kan. 2004) (finding that
an obligation to make payments on a second mortgage and ultimately to satisfy
the note was in the nature of support). See also Sampson v. Sampson (In re
Sampson), 997 F.2d 717, 723 (10th Cir. 1993). Because the Claim satisfies all of
the conditions of a DSO, it is a DSO priority claim pursuant to section
507(a)(1)(A). The Claim is also non-dischargeable (and would be whether it was
found to be a property settlement or a DSO).

Conclusion

   Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that the Claim is a DSO. This
Memorandum Decision does not make any findings as to the amount of Alisa's
claim. This Court's finding that the Debtor's obligation to Alisa is in the
nature of alimony, maintenance, or support, and thus a DSO for purposes of
section 507(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, will be dispositive on any subsequent
questions of dischargeability.

   Dated: Central Islip, New York

   July 22, 2013

   /s/ Robert E. Grossman

   Hon. Robert E. Grossman, U.S.B.J.