Matter of Parrish

The parties contest the avoidance in bankruptcy of an equitable lien imposed by a Texas divorce decree. We agree with the courts below that the lien is avoidable as a judgment lien under 11 U.S.C. § 522(f).

Samuel Parrish and-Sharman McVay married March 6, 1982. A year later Parrish inherited a 23.15 acre tract from his mother. The parties divorced on March 21, 1991. The divorce decree included a judgment in MeVay’s favor against Parrish for $76,500, representing half of the reimbursement to the community estate for improvements Parrish made to the land he inherited. This judgment was secured…