McCready v. Whorf

McCready's husband sold his business, Billy Bags, to Whorf before he died. Whorf failed to make payments. McCready sued and obtained a judgment of $134,927.36 that provided, "McCready is awarded an equitable lien on the assets and profits of [Billy Bags]." Whorf filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, showing an average net monthly income of $10,487.72 from Billy Bags. Whorf named McCready as a creditor. Personal liability on Whorf's debts was discharged in bankruptcy. The lien, however, remained on the assets and profits of Billy Bags. McCready sued for money had and received, claiming that Whorf had been receiving $10,487.72 per month profit from Billy Bags; that McCready has a lien against those profits; and that profits received from the filing of the bankruptcy petition to the time of trial were monies belonging to McCready. The complaint sought $134,927.36. The court ruled in favor of for Whorf, stating: "[McCready's] remedy, if any, was to seek to enforce the judgment that created the lien through the use of laws applicable to the enforcement of judgments.” The court of appeal reversed. A separate action on a judgment is expressly authorized by Code of Civil Procedure section 683.050. View "McCready v. Whorf" on Justia Law