In Re George Wayne Owens, Shirley Lyvonne Owens, Debtors.john A. Cimino, Interim Trustee, Appellant, v. George Wayne Owens, Shirley Lyvonne Owens, Appellees, 978 F.2d 1267 (10th Cir. 1992)

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir.R. 34.1.9. The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

This appeal is from an order of the district court finding that the bankruptcy court abused its discretion when it entered a default judgment against defendants in this bankruptcy proceeding. Appellant appeals on the grounds that appellee Shirley Owens never filed an answer to appellant's complaint objecting to her discharge, and that appellee George Owens filed an answer pro se but never served it upon the trustee. The trustee filed a motion for entry of default judgment which was granted and then set aside by the bankruptcy court. When the motion was set aside, the bankruptcy court stated that it would entertain appellees' motion to file an amended answer but no such answer was ever filed. The district court found that the bankruptcy court had abused its discretion in entering a default judgment against the appellees.

We review the decision of the district court to determine whether the district court abused its discretion in reversing the bankruptcy court's grant of default judgment against the appellees. We hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion and affirm for substantially the reasons given by the district court. AFFIRMED. The mandate shall issue forthwith.