HERBERT A. ROSS
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge
______________________________x In re Case No. A91-00045-HAR MICHAEL LEE DOWD and, ELSA ELLAINE DOWD, Adv. No. A91-00045-001-HAR Bancap No. A91-3052 Chapter 7 Debtor(s). ORDER DENYING MOTION TO DISMISS ______________________________x JAMES NORWOOD, Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL LEE DOWD and ELSA ELLAINE DOWD, Defendants. ______________________________x
The defendant-debtors filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds that the complaint was untimely. The debtors state that the last date to file an objection to dischargeability was April 29, 1991, whereas the dischargeability complaint was filed on April 30, 1991. Bankruptcy Rule 4007(c) requires a complaint under § 523(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code to be filed within 60 days of the date first set for the § 341(a) meeting.
2 ABR 33This time limit is strictly enforced in this circuit. In re Hill, 811 F.2d 484 (9th Cir. 1987). However, there is a memorandum in this file from the Clerk indicating that the complaint had actually arrived at the court on April 29, 1991. See Docket Entry No. 4.
If a dischargeability complaint timely reaches the clerk for filing, even though not it is not, for some reason, date stamped until after the bar date, it should be deemed to have been timely filed. So, the complaint in this case having reached the clerk's office on April 29, 1991, shall be deemed timely, though not stamped in until the following day, April 30, 1991 (the day after the bar date). Cf., In re Brenesell, 109 B.R. 412, 416-17 (Bankr.D.Hawaii 1989). Therefore,
IT IS ORDERED that the motion to dismiss due to untimeliness is DENIED.
DATED: July 15, 1991. HERBERT A. ROSS Bankruptcy Judge