Case dismissals for lack of standing to Foreclose

Updated 4/20/12

             MSFraud Forum Crosslinks, Findings and Case citations add to Ohio Federal Court Case Discussions by William A. Roper Jr.

FORECLOSURE DEFENSE
WHERE DO WE STAND ON STANDING

Winter 2011

 

Standing versus Justiciability

“A party must have standing to file suit at its inception and may not remedy this defect by
subsequently obtaining standing.” 

Venture Holdings & Acquisitions Grp.,LLC v. A.I.M. Funding Grp., LLC, 75 So. 3d 773, 776 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011).

New cases

Gonzalez v. Deutsche Bank (Florida-4/12) There is genuine issue of material fact as to when the note was assigned to Deutsche Bank. In this case, Deutsche filed an original complaint containing the infamous "Lost Note" count. Several months later, they dropped the lost note count and filed the original note and mortgage. The original note was endorsed in blank but the endorsement was not dated. Approximately a year after filing the original complaint, Deutsche filed an assignment. Reversed

 

U.S. Bank v. Moore (Standing-Okla. Sup Ct.)(4/12) Standing refers to a person's legal right to seek relief in a judicial forum. The three threshold criteria of standing are (1) a legally protected interest which must have been injured in fact— i.e., suffered an injury which is actual, concrete and not conjectural in nature, (2) a causal nexus between the injury and the complained-of conduct, and (3) a likelihood, as opposed to mere speculation, that the injury is capable of being redressed by a favorable court decision. The doctrine of standing ensures a party has a personal stake in the outcome of a case and the parties are truly adverse.

 

U.S. Bank v. Dellarmo (Standing-NY Sup.Ct.)(4/12)

"In a mortgage foreclosure action, a plaintiff has standing where it is both the holder or assignee of the subject mortgage and the holder or assignee of the underlying note at the time the action is commenced" (Bank of N.Y. v Silverberg, 86 AD3d 274, 279; see Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. v Gress, 68 AD3d 709). Where a defendant raises the issue of standing, the plaintiff must prove its standing to be entitled to relief (see CitiMortgage, Inc. v Rosenthal, 88 AD3d 759; U.S. Bank, N.A. v Collymore, 68 AD3d 752, 753). Moreover, while assignment of a promissory note also effectuates assignment of the mortgage (see Bank of N.Y. Silverberg, 86 AD3d at 280; U.S. Bank, N.A. v Collymore, 68 AD3d at 753-754; Mortgage Elec. Registration Sys., Inc. v Coakley, ), the converse is not true: since a mortgage is merely security for a debt, it cannot exist independently of the debt, and thus, a transfer or assignment of only the mortgage without the debt is a nullity and no interest is acquired by it (see Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v Barnett, 88 AD3d 636; Bank of N.Y. v Silverberg, 86 AD3d at 280). The failure to record an assignment prior to the commencement of the action is not necessarily fatal since "an assignment of a note and mortgage need not be in writing and can be effectuated by physical delivery" (Bank of N.Y. v Silverberg, 86 AD3d at 280; see Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v Barnett, 88 AD3d 636; U.S. Bank, N.A. v Collymore, 68 AD3d at 754; LaSalle Bank Natl. Assn. v Ahearn, 59 AD3d 911, 912).

 

RIGBY v. WELLS FARGO BANK (4/12)(Florida) Original complaint only had a mortgage in favor of Option One attached. Later, Wells Fargo presented an assignment of mortgage and an undated original note with special endorsement to Wells Fargo and the trial court entered summary judgment in favor of Wells Fargo. Fourth DCA opined that Wells Fargo has to have standing at the inception of the lawsuit. Reversed and remanded.

 

Byrd v. MorEquity, Inc (3/12) The court ruled that the foreclosing lender may have lacked standing to initiate the foreclosure process when it did which would have rendered the foreclosure deed void. Meanwhile, the evidence showed that the foreclosing lender accelerated the debt as of December 11, 2009, and that the notice of the foreclosure sale was first published on December 15, 2009, prior to the date the mortgage was acquired by the lender according to its affidavit.

 

Sturdivant v. BAC (12/11) A judgment entered in an action commenced by a party lacking standing is a nullity. Vance v. Cook, 989 So. 2d 556, 559 (Ala. Civ. App. 2008); see also Blevins v. Hillwood Office Ctr. Owners' Ass'n, 51 So. 3d 317, 321 (Ala. 2010) (same). Because BAC lacked standing to bring the ejectment action, the trial court never acquired subject-matter jurisdiction over this dispute. Accordingly, the summary judgment is void and is hereby vacated. Blevins, 51 So. 3d at 321; and Cadle Co., 950 So. 2d at 280. Additionally, because a void judgment will not support an appeal, Gallagher Bassett Servs., Inc. v. Phillips, 991 So. 2d 697, 701 (Ala. 2008), this appeal must be dismissed for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. Blevins, 51 So. 3d at 323.

 

Pennsylvania: Beneficial Mortgage v. Vukmam (1/12) Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Act. "When a mortgagee provides to a mortgagor a deficient Act 91 notice and then files a mortgage foreclosure action, the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to entertain the action."

"the court properly set aside the sheriff's sale, vacated the judgment, and dismissed Appellant's complaint without prejudice. Accordingly, we affirm the court's order."

 

New York: Wells Fargo v McNee(11/11) As the First Department held in Katz v. East-Ville Realty Co., (249 AD2d 243, 243), a “[p]laintiff’s attempt to foreclose upon a mortgage in which he had no legal or equitable interest [is] without foundation in law or fact” (see Kluge v. Fugazy, 145 AD2d 537). Hence, Wells Fargo’s attempt to foreclose upon the subject mortgage must be denied, the complaint dismissed, and McNee’s cross-motion(s) to dismiss for lack of standing pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(3) granted.

 

Oklahoma: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST v. BRUMBAUGH(1/12) (Reversed) To commence a foreclosure action in Oklahoma, a plaintiff must demonstrate it has a right to enforce the note and, absent a showing of ownership, the plaintiff lacks standing.

 

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY v. BYRAMS(1/12)(Reversed) The assignment of a mortgage is not the same as an assignment of the note. If a person is trying to establish it is a nonholder in possession who has the rights of a holder it must bear the burden of establishing its status as a nonholder in possession with the rights of a holder. Appellee must establish delivery of the note as well as the purpose of that delivery.

 

ALABAMA: Patterson v. GMAC (1/12) GMAC Mortgage lacked authority to foreclose the mortgage when it initiated the foreclosure proceedings, and, therefore, the foreclosure and the foreclosure deed upon which GMAC based it ejectment claim are invalid. Moreover, under our holding in Sturdivant, because GMAC Mortgage did not own any interest in the house, it lacked standing to bring its ejectment action against the Pattersons. Because GMAC Mortgage lacked standing to bring the ejectment action, the trial court never acquired subject-matter jurisdiction over the ejectment action. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is void and is hereby vacated. Moreover, because a void judgment will not support an appeal, we dismiss this appeal.

California Cases

Caporale v. Saxon, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley - Judge Weissbrodt 

                 - Order Preliminary Injunction

                 - Daughter-in-law letter to judge

                 - Claims of Saxon

                 - Saxon Motion to Lift Stay

                 - Caporale Memo in Opposition to Motion to Lift Stay

                 - Docket

 

In Re: Vargas - MERS (relief from stay Denied) Judge Bufford (explains authenticity of documents)

 

Dimrock v. Emerald Properties (Opinion: unlawful detainer/quiet title)

 

SAXON MORTGAGE SERVICES, INC., et al., v. HILLERY (Order Granting Homeowner's Motion to Dismiss) Judge Chen)

Rickie Walker v. BAC, EMC Mortgage, Bear Stearns, Citibank, MERS (Full bankruptcy docs) (2010) Lack of Standing.

 

Florida Cases

Brevard County Mortgage Foreclosure Procedures

RIGBY v. WELLS FARGO BANK (4/12) Original complaint only had a mortgage in favor of Option One attached. Later, Wells Fargo presented an assignment of mortgage and an undated original note with special endorsement to Wells Fargo and the trial court entered summary judgment in favor of Wells Fargo. Fourth DCA opined that Wells Fargo has to have standing at the inception of the lawsuit. Reversed and remanded.

 

Duke V. HSBC (11/11)"The Dukes argued that at the time the foreclosure complaint was filed, the mortgage was held by First NLC, not appellee, HSBC. In its complaint, HSBC alleged it owned and held the note and mortgage at the time the complaint was filed. “W h e n exhibits are attached to a complaint, the contents of the exhibits control over the allegations of the 
complaint.” BAC Funding Consortium Inc. v. Jean-Jacques, 28 So. 3d 936, 938 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010). Here, HSBC alleged in its complaint that it “now owns and holds the Note and Mortgage,” but an assignment was 
not attached to the complaint, supporting HSBC’s position. Instead, the mortgage attached to the complaint showed First NLC as the lender, creating discrepancies between the complaint and the attached exhibit. 
Thus, at the time of the argument on the summary judgment motion, genuine issues of material fact existed as to whether HSBC was the proper owner and holder of the note and mortgage where First NLC was 
named on the mortgage and evidence of an assignment was not included.
We therefore reverse the trial court’s order granting summary judgment because genuine issues of material fact remain in dispute regarding the owner and holder of the note and mortgage at the time the 
complaint was filed. Reversed."
 

Feltus v. U.S. Bank (10/11) (Lost Note) We reverse because material issues of fact as to which entity holding the promissory note executed by Feltus existed at the time the trial court entered summary judgment. 

- U.S. Bank's reply to Feltus's affirmative defenses asserting that it was now in possession of the original note, which it attached to the reply. But the note attached to the complaint showed the lender to be Countrywide Bank, N.A.

Khan v. Bank of America: (4/11) Because the exhibit to Bank of America’s amended complaint conflicts with its allegations concerning standing, Bank of America did not establish that it had standing to foreclose the mortgage as a matter of law. As a result, the trial court acted prematurely in entering the final summary judgment of foreclosure in favor of Bank of America. We, therefore, reverse the final summary judgment of foreclosure and remand for further proceedings.

Bank of America v. Nebraska Investments (1/28/11) This case is DISMISSED without prejudice.  No other pleadings by the plaintiff will be permitted in this case, other than a request for rehearing if appropriate.  It is confiscatory of the Court's time to have to address this matter.

 

Deutsche Bank v. Lippi (2/2010) (Defendant's Amended Motion to Dismiss the Pleadings of Plaintiff is GRANTED with prejudice because over a two year period Plaintiff failed to allege or provide documents demonstrating its right to bring this action.  Independently, Defendant's Amended Motion to Dismiss the Pleadings of Plaintiff is GRANTED as a sanction under the dictates of the Ham decision and its progeny.

 

DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL, INC., NEW CENTURY MORTGAGE CORPORATION, SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC. and FLORIDA DEFAULT LAW GROUP v. Thornberry

                 - ORDER REGARDING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO RE-ESTABLISH NOTE

                 - DLJ Mortgage's mortgage foreclosure Complaint

                 - DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE  

(Update from Thornberry: 10/17/10 - The bank continued to come back and the 5th judge in the matter REVERSED the Dismissed with Prejudice that I won.  I am still fighting this injustice!!!!  The first judge DWP without a hearing for lack of standing - no note due to FL STAT 71.011. but bank got latest judge to overturn BECAUSE the DWP was done sua sponte, w/o a hearing but quotes no FL STAT or code that states a hearing is mandatory when dealing with dismissal due to lack of SMJ.) 

 

Deutsche Bank's Summary Judgment Denied

              

IndyMac v. Rogers (Rogers Motion to Dismiss GRANTED), March 2010, PINELLAS COUNTY

 

Bac Funding Consortium v. Jacques, U.S. Bank, C-Bass (U.S. Bank failed to establish its status as legal owner and holder of the note and mortgage.  App. Court reversed SJ)

- Bac Initial Brief in Jacques 

 

 

VERIZZO v. Bank of New York MERS (Summary Judgment REVERSED & REMANDED, late notice, flawed chain of assignments)

 

             - Verizzo v. Bank of New York  (Order of Dismissal against BONY) ("based on the late service and filing of the summary judgment evidence and the existence of a genuine issue of material fact, we reverse the final summary judgment and remand for further proceedings.")

 

Wells Fargo v. Chesney   [While "non-negotiable" instruments may also be assigned, there is no assignment attached to the Complaint.  The Note and Mortgage attached to the Compliant are made in favor of Washington Mutual, not the current Plaintiff, Wells Fargo.]

 

Wells Fargo v. Cirigliano (3/10)  (No evidence to show a chain of title of how the note got transferred to Wells Fargo.)

 

U.S. Bank v. Harpster (3/10) (Notary fraud, assignment fraud, fraud upon the court, dismissed with prejudice) Judge Tepper

 

GMAC v. Visicaro (4/10) (Hearing, judge sets aside his previous grant of summary judgment) Judge Rondolino

 

Riggs v. Aurora Loan Servicing  (4/21/2010)  (Court of Appeals the endorsement in blank is unsigned and unauthenticated, creating a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Aurora is the lawful owner and holder of the note and/or mortgage. As in BAC Funding Consortium, Inc. ISAOA/ATIMA v. Jean-Jacques, 28 So. 3d 936 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010), there are n o supporting affidavits or deposition testimony in the record to establish that Aurora validly owns and holds the note and mortgage, no evidence of an assignment to Aurora, no proof of purchase of the debt nor any other evidence of an effective transfer. Thus, we reverse the summary judgment and remand for further proceedings.

 

U.S. Bank v. McLeod (May 7, 2010 - Judge Traynor) (Order Vacated - Dismissed w/prejudice, possible sanctions)

 

HSBC Bank v. Eslava - (Transcript on Hearing To Show Cause on May 7, 2010 - Judge Jennifer Bailey) (The note, which was canceled by this court pursuant to a final judgment is null and void. Mr. Eslava is relieved of the debt.  The title shall be conveyed back to Mr. Eslava by the bank -- by the trust, as the legal liability for the note no longer exists.

 

BAC v. Box (6/3/2010) (Arthur B. Federman - Bankruptcy Judge) (Trustee opposed BAC's request for relief from automatic stay.  BAC's motion is DENIED.)

 

U.S. Bank v. Troche (May/2010) (Order setting aside judgment and sale.)

 

HSBC v Ruscalleda (June 9 2010) (Based on the unique circumstances of this case, we conclude that the trial court abused its discretion by denying the motion to continue the final summary judgment hearing and by failing to grant the motion to transfer the foreclosure action to the division where a separate foreclosure action was pending in which another bank was simultaneously seeking to foreclose the same mortgage.

 

Aurora, MERS v. Da Costa (4/2010) ("[T]he plaintiffs lack of standing at the inception of the case is not a defect that may be cured by the acquisition of standing after the case is filed."

There is no evidence of record that establishes that MERS was authorized to assign anything to Plaintiff, and therefore, the assignment was invalid. Even if the assignment were valid, it was not executed until after the complaint was filed. Therefore, Plaintiff s standing at the inception of the case was based entirely on the complaint and the exhibits attached thereto. It appears on the face of those exhibits that an entity other than Plaintiff has standing, and those exhibits control over contrary allegations contained in either version of the complaint. Plaintiff lacks standing now based on the substantive deficiencies with an assignment from MERS. Plaintiff lacked standing at the inception of the case based on those substantive deficiencies and the timing of the execution of the assignment. Absent standing, there is no justiciable controversy between the parties, and this case must be dismissed.)

 

IndyMac v. Keyser (June 2010) (Judgment and sale set aside.)

 

M&T BANK v. Smith - A CASE OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO FLORIDA FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYERSBY LYNN E. SZYMONIAK

(June 2010) [t]he Court finds the plaintiff lacks standing and is not a proper party to the suit. The Court has been misled by the Plaintiff from the beginning. In its initial Complaint, the Plaintiff alleged it owned the note that was lost. Then Plaintiff alleged that not only was the lost Note found, but the Plaintiff actually owned the Note by Assignment. After both of these Complaints were dismissed, Plaintiff then alleged that Wells Fargo owned the Note, while the Plaintiff was merely a servicer of the loan. Moreover, the Assignment on which Plaintiff relied in its First Amended Complaint postdates the filing of this foreclosure action and is inconsistent with the Mortgage, Note, stamps allegedly affixed to the Note, and the Allonge.

 

BAC/Countrywide v. Stentz - (12/10) (6th Circuit, Pasco County, Florida) Motion to Dismiss Granted with a redo option.  "A thief who steals a check payable to bearer becomes the holder of the check… but does not become the owner of it.” - Judge Tepper

 

New York / New Jersey Cases 

Supplemental research by William A. Roper Jr.

U.S. Bank v. Dellarmo (Standing-NY Sup.Ct.)(4/12)

"In a mortgage foreclosure action, a plaintiff has standing where it is both the holder or assignee of the subject mortgage and the holder or assignee of the underlying note at the time the action is commenced" (Bank of N.Y. v Silverberg, 86 AD3d 274, 279; see Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. v Gress, 68 AD3d 709). Where a defendant raises the issue of standing, the plaintiff must prove its standing to be entitled to relief (see CitiMortgage, Inc. v Rosenthal, 88 AD3d 759; U.S. Bank, N.A. v Collymore, 68 AD3d 752, 753). Moreover, while assignment of a promissory note also effectuates assignment of the mortgage (see Bank of N.Y. Silverberg, 86 AD3d at 280; U.S. Bank, N.A. v Collymore, 68 AD3d at 753-754; Mortgage Elec. Registration Sys., Inc. v Coakley, ), the converse is not true: since a mortgage is merely security for a debt, it cannot exist independently of the debt, and thus, a transfer or assignment of only the mortgage without the debt is a nullity and no interest is acquired by it (see Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v Barnett, 88 AD3d 636; Bank of N.Y. v Silverberg, 86 AD3d at 280). The failure to record an assignment prior to the commencement of the action is not necessarily fatal since "an assignment of a note and mortgage need not be in writing and can be effectuated by physical delivery" (Bank of N.Y. v Silverberg, 86 AD3d at 280; see Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v Barnett, 88 AD3d 636; U.S. Bank, N.A. v Collymore, 68 AD3d at 754; LaSalle Bank Natl. Assn. v Ahearn, 59 AD3d 911, 912).

 

Wells Fargo v McNee(11/11) As the First Department held in Katz v. East-Ville Realty Co., (249 AD2d 243, 243), a “[p]laintiff’s attempt to foreclose upon a mortgage in which he had no legal or equitable interest [is] without foundation in law or fact” (see Kluge v. Fugazy, 145 AD2d 537). Hence, Wells Fargo’s attempt to foreclose upon the subject mortgage must be denied, the complaint dismissed, and McNee’s cross-motion(s) to dismiss for lack of standing pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(3) granted.

 

Downey v. Trujillo (8/11)(Schack) Dismissed with prejudice. Schack was angered after lawyer Margaret Carucci said in a sworn affidavit that a Downey Savings & Loan officer on Dec. 24, 2010 claimed to have personally reviewed and could vouch for the accuracy of the paperwork underlying Trujillo's foreclosure -- although Downey had long ceased to exist.

 

Deutsche Bank v. Mitchell(8/11) Summary judgment reversed - sale vacated. The assignment was not perfected until after the filing of the complaint, and plaintiff presented no evidence of having possessed the underlying note prior to filing the complaint. If plaintiff did not have the note when it filed the original complaint, it lacked standing to do so, and it could not obtain standing by filing an amended complaint.

We vacate the sheriff's sale, the final judgment and the order granting summary judgment and remand to the trial court.

 

Deutsche Bank v. Francis (Dismissed With Prejudice-Schack)(3/11): I discovered that there is no record of plaintiff DEUTSCHE BANK ever owning the subject mortgage and note.
Therefore, with plaintiff DEUTSCHE BANK lacking standing, the instant action is dismissed with prejudice and the notice of pendency cancelled.

A want of "standing to sue," in other words, is just another way of saying that this particular plaintiff is not involved in a genuine controversy, and a simple syllogism takes us from there to a "jurisdictional" dismissal: (1) the courts have jurisdiction only over controversies; (2) a
plaintiff found to lack "standing" is not involved in a controversy; and (3) the courts therefore have no jurisdiction of the case when such a plaintiff purports to bring it.

 

Johnston v. HSBC** ((complaint), (extrinsic fraud, real party) (3/11)

Extrinsic Fraud: Because the fraud is extrinsic in nature, HSBC is precluded from raising the doctrine of-- res judicata --as a defense against this Courts obligation to verify first and foremost that the claimant has federal jurisdiction “real party in interest” status.
Real Party in interest: HSBC MORTGAGE CORP (USA) (hereinafter, “HSBC”) does not qualify as a
“real party of interest" pursuant to Rule 17 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which provides: "An action must be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest." The purpose of this rule is to require that an action be brought "in the name of the party who possesses the substantive right being asserted under the applicable law...." 6A WRIGHT,MILLER & KANE, FEDERAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE: CIVIL 2d § 1541 (1990) ("WRIGHT").

ALE v. U.S. Bank (Expunge Mortgage and Assignment*)(1/11)

American Brokers Conduit v. ZAMALLOA - Judge SCHACK 11Sep2007

EMC Mortgage v. Wink - (1/07) MERS, which is not itself the owner and holder of the note and mortgage, does not have the authority to assign the ownership of the note and mortgage to plaintiff.  Judgment of foreclosure and sale is denied

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. v Taylor - Mayer, J., Supreme Court, Suffolk County / Sept. 2007

American Brokers Conduit v. ZAMALLOA - Judge SCHACK 28Jan2008

Aurora Loan Services v. MACPHERSON - Judge FARNETI 11Mar2008

Bank of New York v. SINGH - Judge KURTZ 14Dec2007

Bank of New York v. TORRES - Judge COSTELLO 11Mar2008

Bank of New York v. OROSCO - Judge SCHACK 19Nov2007

CitiMortgage Inc. v. BROWN - Judge FARNETI 13Mar2008

Countrywide Mortgage v. BERLIUK - Judge COSTELLO 13Mar2008

Deutsche Bank v. Barnes-Judgment Entry

Deutsche Bank v. Barnes-Withdrawal of Objections and Motion to Dismiss

Deutsche Bank v. ALEMANY Judge COSTELLO 07Jan2008

Deutsche Bank v. Benjamin CRUZ - JudgeKURTZ 21May2008

Deutsche Bank v. Yobanna CRUZ - Judge KURTZ 21May2008

Deutsche Bank v. CABAROY - Judge COSTELLO 02Apr2008

he Bank v. CASTELLANOS / 2007NYSlipOp50978U/- Judge SCHACK 11May2007

HE Bank v. CASTELLANOS/ 2008NYSlipOp50033U/ - Judge SCHACK 14Jan2008

HSBC v. Valentin - Judge SCHACK calls them liars and dismisses WITH prejudice **

Deutsche Bank v. CLOUDEN / 2007NYSlipOp51767U/ Judge SCHACK 18Sep2007

Deutsche Bank v. EZAGUI - Judge SCHACK 21Dec2007

Deutsche Bank v. GRANT - Judge SCHACK 25Apr2008

Deutsche Bank v. HARRIS - Judge SCHACK 05Feb2008

Deutsche Bank v. LaCrosse,Cede,DTC Complaint

Deutsche Bank v. NICHOLLS - Judge KURTZ 21May2008

Deutsche Bank v. RYAN - Judge KURTZ 29Jan2008

Deutsche Bank v. SAMPSON - Judge KURTZ 16Jan2008

Deutsche v. Marche - Order to Show Cause to VACATE Judgment of Foreclosure - 11June2009

GMAC Mortgage LLC v. MATTHEWS - Judge KURTZ 10Jan2008

GMAC Mortgage LLC v. SERAFINE - Judge COSTELLO 08Jan2008

HSBC Bank USA NA v. CIPRIANI Judge COSTELLO 08Jan2008

HSBC Bank USA NA v. JACK - Judge COSTELLO 02Apr2008

IndyMac Bank FSB v. RODNEY-ROSS - Judge KURTZ 15Jan2008

LaSalle Bank NA v. CHARLEUS - Judge KURTZ 03Jan2008

LaSalle Bank NA v. SMALLS - Judge KURTZ 03Jan2008

PHH Mortgage Corp v. BARBER - Judge KURTZ 15Jan2008

Property Asset Management v. HUAYTA 05Dec2007

Rivera, In Re

Services LLC v. SATTAR / 2007NYSlipOp51895U/ - Judge SCHACK 09Oct2007

U.S. Bank NA v. AUGUSTE - Judge KURTZ 27Nov2007

U.S. Bank v. Emmanuel - (Judge Schack May 2010) Dismissed with prejudice. “foreclosure of a mortgage may not be brought by one who has no title to it and absent transfer of the debt, the assignment of the mortgage is a nullity".

U.S. Bank NA v. GRANT - Judge KURTZ 14Dec2007

U.S. Bank NA v. ROUNDTREE - Judge BURKE 11Oct2007

U.S. Bank NA v. VILLARUEL - Judge KURTZ 01Feb2008

Wells Fargo Bank NA v. HAMPTON - Judge KURTZ 03Jan2008

Wells Fargo, Litton Loan v. Farmer WITH PREJUDICE Judge Schack June2008

Plaintiff has renewed its application for an order of reference for the subject premises, but
the papers submitted fail to cure the defects enumerated in my prior decision and order. The
purported plaintiff, WELLS FARGO, does not own the instant mortgage loan. Therefore, the
instant matter is dismissed with prejudice.

- Two invalid assignments of the instant mortgage and note took place, with ARGENT assigning the note and mortgage to AMERIQUEST, and then AMERIQUEST assigning the note and mortgage to plaintiff WELLS FARGO. Both of these assignments were not recorded for more than fourteen months, until February 21, 2006, when they were both recorded at that same time.

 

Wells Fargo v. Reyes WITH PREJUDICE, Fraud on Court & Sanctions Judge Schack June2008  No defendant answered in this foreclosure action.

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE AND CUSTODIAN FOR MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL1 INC., MSAC 2007-HE4, lacks standing and has never been the mortgagee in this foreclosure action, the instant complaint, Index No. 5516/08, is dismissed with prejudice; and it is further ORDERED, that the Notice of Pendency filed with the Kings County Clerk on February 21, 2008, by purported plaintiff, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE AND CUSTODIAN FOR MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL1 INC., MSAC 2007-HE4, in an action to foreclose a mortgage for real property located at 379 Lincoln Avenue, Brooklyn New York (Block 4173, Lot 6, County of Kings), is cancelled.

Deutsche Bank v. Peabody Judge Nolan (Regulation Z)

Indymac Bank,FSB v. Boyd - Schack J. January 2009

Indymac Bank, FSB v. Bethley - Schack, J. February 2009 (The tale of many hats)

Indymac Bank, v. Yano-Horoski -Judge Blasts Bank's Foreclosure Conduct and Cancels Mortgage

LaSalle Bank Natl. Assn. v Ahearn - Appellate Division, Third Department (Pro Se)\

NEW JERSEY COURT DISMISSES FORECLOSURE FILED BY DEUTSCHE BANK FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE DISCOVERY AS TO OWNER AND HOLDER OF NOTE, SECURITIZED TRUST DOCUMENTS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS DEMANDED BY BORROWERS

 

 HSBC Bank USA v Miller 2009 NY Slip Op 29444 / Decided on October 29, 2009 / Meddaugh, J.

 

Lasalle Bank v. Smith, MERS  (Judge Schack - March 22, 2010)

 

Wells Fargo Bank, Americas Servicing Company, MERS v Hunte  (Judge Schack, Apr.14, 2010/ Dismissed with prejudice, possible sanctions.) (The court "discovered that WELLS FARGO executed a satisfaction of the instant mortgage more than ten months ago." "The Court is gravely concerned that: it expended scarce resources on an action that should have been discontinued." “the Court, in its discretion may impose financial sanctions upon any party or attorney in a civil action or proceeding who engages in frivolous conduct.")

 

Chase v. Johnson (Judge Schack May 4, 2010) (vacated judgment of foreclosure and sale with prejudice as plaintiff lacked standing.)

 

OneWest Bank v. Cullen  (Judge Zwack - March 3, 2010) (The Court finds that OneWest has failed to establish it has standing and dismissed the complaint.)

 

ARGENT v. Maitland (Aug. 2010) (Judge Schack)  Plaintiff’s counsel never notified the Court that the mortgage had been satisfied and failed to discontinue the instant action with prejudice. I discovered that the mortgage had been satisfied by personally searching the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS) website of the Office of the City Register, New York City Department of Finance. AHMSI’s President and Chief Executive Officer or its Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary Jordan D. Dorchuck, Esq., its counsel, Melissa A. Sposato, Esq. and her firm, Jordan S. Katz, P.C., will be given an opportunity to be heard as to why this Court should not sanction them for making a “frivolous motion,”

 

MERS as Nominee for U.S. Bank v. Munoz - (ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE) 

Mortgage Electronic Registration System as Nominee for US Bank, and any of its attorneys, agents, successors and assignees, be and are hereby restrained from implementing the closing of title on any third party sale of the premises and restrained from evicting the family from the premises.

 

LLP v. Sabine (8/2010) "the assignment produced by LPP is insufficient to demonstrate it has standing as (1) MERS has no ownership rights in the note and thus cannot assign it; (2) the language of the assignment of the mortgage does not evidence an intent to assign the underlying note, (3) the assignment arises out of a purchase agreement with an entity who is not a party to this action, and (4) the provision of mortgage document relied on by LPP does not give MERS the authority to assign the mortgage or the note.

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v Hughes (1/10) The terms of the proposed modification agreement, particularly but not exclusively the inclusion of an adjustable rate component, are unacceptable to this court. "The above matter is hereby dismissed without prejudice; and it is further ordered, that in the event Wells Fargo commences a new action in foreclosure with respect to this borrower and the premises at issue herein, no additional costs or attorney fees will be allowed, absent good cause shown.

BACKFIRE! Emigrant Mtge. Co. Inc. v Corcione: (7/10) "unconscionable, unreasonable [and] overreaching" mortgage agreement. For all of the foregoing reasons, it is, therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that plaintiff's application for summary judgment and appointment of a referee is denied; and it is further ordered, adjudged and decreed that plaintiff, its successors, assigns and others are forever barred, foreclosed and prohibited from demanding, collecting or attempting to collect, directly or indirectly, any and all of the sums in this proceeding delineated as interest, default interest, attorney's fees, legal fees, costs, disbursements, advances or any sums other than the principal balance, that may have accrued from May 1, 2008 up to the date of this order; and it is further ordered, adjudged and decreed that defendants recover judgment against plaintiff Emigrant Mortgage Co. Inc., in the principal sum of $100.000.00 as damages for what he said was an "unconscionable, unreasonable [and] overreaching" mortgage agreement.  

Beneficial v. Steele*** (Judge Spinner)(Jan 7/11) An action claiming foreclosure of a mortgage is a suit in equity, Jamaica Savings Bank v. M.S. Investment Co. 274 NY 215 (1937), and the very commencement of the proceeding invokes the equity jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Thus, in order to obtain equitable relief, the applicant must come before the Court with clean hands, else such relief will be denied. Thus, where a party comes before the Court and is shown to have acted in a manner which is offensive to good conscience, fairness and justice, that party will be completely without recourse in a court of equity, no matter what his legal rights may be, York v. Searles 97 AD 331 92nd Dept. 1904), aff'd 189 NY 573 (1907). Stated a bit differently, in order to obtain equity, one must do equity.
Here, it is irrefutable that Defendant SUSAN STEELE was not a party to the Loan Agreement and certainly did not execute the same. It is equally indubitable that Defendant STEPHEN STEELE did not execute the Loan Agreement that has been presented on this application. Nonetheless, Plaintiff has vigorously prosecuted this action, demanding foreclosure of the mortgage as well as money damages against both named Defendants. Under these circumstances, the Court is compelled to conduct a hearing to determine whether or not Plaintiff has proceeded in good faith and what sanction, if any should be imposed should the Court find a lack of good faith. (Id.)

 

Ohio Cases 

Interim Findings of Effects of Ohio Standing Rulings

 Ohio Foreclosure Help

 Ohio Certificate of Readiness

 Ohio Foreclosure Process

*Certificate of Readiness for Foreclosure Actions Filed

UPDATE: OHIO FORECLOSURE CASES: LENDERS BEWARE*

 

 

  Deutsche Bank v. HoldenMotion to Dismiss***As the truths behind these foreclosure crimes becomes known, lawyers can better argue these wrongful foreclosure cases. This is one of the best Motion to Dismiss briefs we have read. 
In 2000, the Holdens lost their home despite making all payments. Back then, the Holdens did not know what was going on. A few years later, the Holdens bought anouther home - and now Deutsche Bank is coming back again to steal this one too.

CENTRAL MORTGAGE COMPANY v. ELIA(June 2011)(REVERSED.The Court found that the conclusory averment within the plaintiff's affidavit that all conditions precedent had been satisfied was insufficient to prove compliance with Section 22 of the mortgage. Does that sound familiar?  See next case...

 

CITIMORTGAGE v. ELIA(May 2011)(REVERSED)Defendant-Appellants, Ziad F. Elia and Holley E. Elia (“the Elias”), appeal from the judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, granting summary judgment in favor of Plaintiff-Appellee, CitiMortgage, Inc. (“CitiMortgage”). This Court reverses.

 

Bank of America v. Miller(REVERSED, lack of standing)(3/11) We conclude that the trial court erred in rendering summary judgment in favor of BOA. Genuine issues of material fact exist regarding whether BOA is the real party in interest, and regarding whether BOA is the holder of the note upon which judgment was sought. We further conclude that there are genuine issues of material fact regarding whether BOA is a successor in interest to the original payee, because BOA failed to submit a proper affidavit to support its claims. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is Reversed and this cause is Remanded for further proceedings.

Deutsche Bank v. Tripplet (2/11)(Pro Se) Deutsche Bank’s affidavit of ownership, sworn out more than a year after the foreclosure complaint was filed, is insufficient to vest the bank with standing to file and maintain the action.

CITIMORTGAGE v. Slack (2/11) The trial court found that CITI had failed to show that the jurisdiction of the court had been properly invoked and that any judgment, including judgment on counterclaim, would be a nullity.  COA reversed, holding lower court had jurisdiction over homeowner's counterclaim. 

 

U.S. Bank v. Detweiler (reversed & remanded)(12/10) 

 

U.S. Bank v. Duvall (dismissal affirmed)(12/10) Accordingly, we conclude that plaintiff had no standing to file a foreclosure action against defendants on October 15, 2007, because, at that time, Wells Fargo owned the mortgage. Plaintiff failed in its burden of demonstrating that it was the real party in interest at the time the complaint was filed. 

 

Kidd,Wells v. U.S. Bank, Ocwen, MERS, Aegis - Memorandum Opinion

                       Order to Show Cause

                     

 Motions for Relief from Stay Update: Endorsement of Note by alleged Attorney-in-Fact

 

 Memo to All Attorneys on Motions for Relief from Stay

 

  Tips for How a Motion for Relief from Stay Can Proceed Smoothly Through the Court

 

  Partial Transcript of Hearing on Special Motions Docket

 

  Wells Fargo v. Jordan* -Wells Memorandum in Support of Jurisdiction to Ohio 

                                          Supreme Court  

                                  - Amicus brief of The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland in 

                                          support of Jordan

                                        - Ohio Supreme Court declines jurisdiction!

                                        - Supreme Court Docket

 

  National City v. Richards - Notice of Default

 

  Cartier Exhibit A

________________________________________/

 

  Whittiker v. Deutsche (MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANTS’ MOTIONS 

                                             TO DISMISS)

      Whittiker (PLAINTIFFS’ OBJECTIONS TO REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION)

        Whittiker (DEFENDANT WELTMAN, WEINBERG & REIS CO., LPA’S RESPONSE TO 

                          PLAINTIFFS’ OBJECTIONS TO REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION)

       Whittiker (RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFFS’ OBJECTIONS TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

                           PEARSON’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION TO GRANT ITS MOTION TO 

                           DISMISS)

    

Novastar v. Snyder* (lack of standing)

      Snyder (motion to amend w/prejudice)

      Snyder (response to amend)

 

 Wells Fargo v. Byrd*  ("Putting the Cart before the House") Ohio 2008 (Reversed), Judge 

 

Washington Mutual v. City of Cleveland (WAMU's motion to dismiss)

 

2008-Ohio-1177; DLJ Mtge. Capital, Inc. v. Parsons (SJ Reversed for lack of standing)

 

Mainsource Bank v. Winafeld (Oct. 29,2007)

Mainsource Bank v. Winafeld (Sept. 2, 2008) The record in this matter establishes the assignment of the underlying mortgage in this case was not filed until after this foreclosure action was filed. (T. at 23). In fact, the assignment was dated after the date of the filing of the foreclosure action. Id.  Based on the above, under a de novo review of the facts and the law, we conclude the trial court properly granted Appellee's motion for sanctions.

 

Deutsche Bank v. TRIPLETT (JUDGMENT: REVERSED(2/11)

 

MERS v. Lambert (2/11)* (attorney fees, TILA, emotional damages) Equity is not served by requiring the successful litigant’s attorney to essentially pay the debts their clients owe to creditors out of the fees attributed to the attorney’s hourly rates for legal services rendered. In the absence of a contractual fee agreement between the lawyer and client that provides otherwise, if an attorney has earned the attorney fees that are awarded, the fees belong to the attorney, not the client, and may not be used to offset debts or obligations of the client. the attorney is entitled to the fee that is awarded to him regardless of any controversy regarding the underlying debt.” This rationale serves to facilitate the congressional purpose behind the TILA. "To provide otherwise would only serve to frustrate the enforcement of the TILA provisions because even attorneys who successfully prove violations of the law may not be compensated for their work. The litigant’s attorney has a legally protected interest to attorney fees awarded under fee-shifting provisions."

 

No Note - Ohio 3/20/08

 

Great Decision - Everhome v. Rowland

 

Deutsche - Class Action (RICO) Bank of New York v. TORRES - Judge COSTELLO  11Mar2008

 - Deutsche Bank Answer Whittiker

 - Manley Answer Whittiker

 

Justice Arthur M. Schack 

 

Judge Holschuh- Show cause

Judge Holschuh- Dismissal of 15 cases (Plaintiffs and Counsel are hereby advised that, if these cases are refiled,  Plaintiffs must establish their standing, and Counsel must comply with the Order’s requirements. Failure to do so a second time may result in a dismissal with prejudice.)

 

Judge Boyko's Deutsche Bank Foreclosures

       DISMISSED  

       Motion to Dismiss

       Final Order to Dismiss 

 

Rose Complaint for Foreclosure

     Rose Dismissals

 

O'Malley  Dismissals

 

City Of Cleveland v. Banks

 

Dowd Dismissal

     Bank's Response to Order

 

Gaughan - Ameriquest

 

EMC can't find the note

 

Ocwen can't find the note

 

US Bank can't find the Note

 

US Bank - No Note

 

Key Bank - No Note

 

Wells Fargo - Defective pleading

 

Complaint in Jack v. MERS, Citi, Deutsche 

 

GMAC v. Marsh

FLAGSTAR BANK vs. MOORE (JUDGMENT: REVERSED AND REMANDED) Judge McMonagle (Feb 5, 2010)

Bank of New York v. Gindele  Bank of New York failed to establish an enforceable interest that existed at the time it filed suit. (BONY summary judgment REVERSED and REMANDED) Ohio 2/19/2010

Bank of New York Mellon v. Stout  (BONY unregistered - Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss)

Chase v. Banker (Chase's assignments of error are meritless. Since the transfer of property to Smith was void for lack of jurisdiction, the mortgage to Chase was also void. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. v. Richards, 2010-Ohio-981:  This decision was a pleasure to read because the Court followed the law.  Richards' counsel did a stellar job as the Court sustained both of Richards' assignments of error. The Opinion states: 

"because we have concluded above that the trial court erred in awarding summary judgment to U.S. Bank, we likewise conclude that Patricia Richards’ motion to dismiss could not have been moot for that reason. Thus, we sustain her first assignment of error and remand the matter to the trial court for further consideration".  

 

HSBC v. Thompson (All of HSBC's assignments of error having been overruled, the judgment of the trial court is Affirmed.)

One brief was filed by the Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray (Cordray). The other brief was filed by the following groups: Advocates for Basic Legal Equality; Equal Justice Foundation; Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio; Northeast Ohio Legal Aid Services; Ohio Poverty Law Center; and Pro Seniors, Inc. (collectively Legal Advocates). We have considered those briefs, all of which have been helpful, in deciding this appeal.

 

 

 Lack of Standing cases in other States 

Alabama: Horace v. LaSalle, Bear Stearns, EMC Mortgage, Bank of America (3/11) First, the Court is surprised to the point of astonishment that the defendant trust (LaSalle) did not comply with the terms of its own PSA and further did not comply with NY Law in attempting to obtain assignment of plaintiff's note and mortgage.

Plaintiff Horace is a third party beneficiary of the PSA created by defendant trust. LaSalle permanently enjoined from foreclosing.

Byrd v. MorEquity, Inc (3/12)The court ruled that the foreclosing lender may have lacked standing to initiate the foreclosure process when it did which would have rendered the foreclosure deed void. Meanwhile, the evidence showed that the foreclosing lender accelerated the debt as of December 11, 2009, and that the notice of the foreclosure sale was first published on December 15, 2009, prior to the date the mortgage was acquired by the lender according to its affidavit.

Sturdivant v. BAC (12/11) A judgment entered in an action commenced by a party lacking standing is a nullity. Vance v. Cook, 989 So. 2d 556, 559 (Ala. Civ. App. 2008); see also Blevins v. Hillwood Office Ctr. Owners' Ass'n, 51 So. 3d 317, 321 (Ala. 2010) (same). Because BAC lacked standing to bring the ejectment action, the trial court never acquired subject-matter jurisdiction over this dispute. Accordingly, the summary judgment is void and is hereby vacated. Blevins, 51 So. 3d at 321; and Cadle Co., 950 So. 2d at 280. Additionally, because a void judgment will not support an appeal, Gallagher Bassett Servs., Inc. v. Phillips, 991 So. 2d 697, 701 (Ala. 2008), this appeal must be dismissed for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. Blevins, 51 So. 3d at 323.

Patterson v. GMAC (1/12) GMAC Mortgage lacked authority to foreclose the mortgage when it initiated the foreclosure proceedings, and, therefore, the foreclosure and the foreclosure deed upon which GMAC based it ejectment claim are invalid. Moreover, under our holding in Sturdivant, because GMAC Mortgage did not own any interest in the house, it lacked standing to bring its ejectment action against the Pattersons. Because GMAC Mortgage lacked standing to bring the ejectment action, the trial court never acquired subject-matter jurisdiction over the ejectment action. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is void and is hereby vacated. Moreover, because a void judgment will not support an appeal, we dismiss this appeal.

Arizona: GMAC v. Weisband (3/2010 - Arizona Bankruptcy Court/Judge Eileen Hollowell)  (GMAC has failed to demonstrate that it is the holder of the Note because, while it was in possession of the Note at the evidentiary hearing, it failed to demonstrate that the Note is properly payable to GMAC.  Once the securities have been sold, the SPV is not actively involved. Neil Garfield

Arkansas Supreme Court: MERS v. Southwest  (MERS does not have legal standing.)

Connecticut: Fleet v. Nazareth (2002- Appeal from Superior Court) We conclude, therefore, that the legislature did not intend to permit the holder of the mortgage, without having been assigned the note, the ability to foreclose on the property. The judgment is vacated and the case is remanded with direction to render judgment dismissing the action. 

LaSalle v. Bialobrzeski (Sept. 2010) When the question regarding the plaintiff's standing was raised, the court should have held a hearing to determine whether the plaintiff was the owner or holder of the note at the time the action was commenced. (court improperly failed to conduct evidentiary hearing because jurisdiction hinged on factual determination)

IdahoMERS, Litton, HSBC, Fieldstone Mortgage, Citimortgage

Indiana: Elliot v. JPMorgan Chase Bank: Indiana Appellate Court reverses Chase/Ocwen's attempt to foreclose on a discharged/satisfied mortgage.

McKinney v. Taylor Bean & Whitaker Mortgage: (Nov. 2010) The trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor or TBWM on its action to foreclose McKinney's HUD-insured mortgage without first determining that Taylor-Bean had complied with Subpart C-- the conditions precedence to foreclosure.  We reverse the trial court's grant of summary judgment and remand for further proceedings.

 

Kansas Supreme Court: MERS Landmark (Kesler)

Kentucky: Deutsche Bank v. Augustine (2/18/11) After careful review of the record, we vacate because Duetsche Bank did not have standing at the time it commenced this appeal.

Maine: MERS/Deutsche v. Saunders (8/2010) We conclude that although MERS is not in fact a “mortgagee” within the meaning of our foreclosure statute, 14 M.R.S. §§ 6321-6325, and therefore had no standing to institute foreclosure proceedings, the real party in interest was the Bank and the court did not abuse its discretion by substituting the Bank for MERS. Because, however, the Bank was not entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law, we vacate the judgment and remand for further proceedings.

Massachusetts:  

 

Thomas-v-Citimortgage-Allied-Flagstar-MERS: (2/11) -Because Allied did not sign the agreement, it never became binding on the parties and is unenforceable.
-While the assignment purports to assign both the mortgage and the note, MERS, which is a registry system that tracks the beneficial ownership and servicing of mortgages, was never the holder of the note, and therefore lacked the right to assign it. While MERS was the mortgagee of record, it was acting only as nominee for Allied, its successors and assigns. MERS is never the owner of the obligation
secured by the mortgage for which it is the mortgagee of record.
-Id. To be effective, therefore, an allonge must be affixed to a promissory note. See, e.g., In re Shapoval, 2010 WL 4811786, *2 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2010). If the purported allonge signed by Flagstar is not affixed to the note, then despite having possession of the note, CitiMortgage lacks the status of "holder" as defined by UCC § 1-201(20).

 

Robin_Hayes_v._Deutsche_Bank

 

Landmark Case

Ibanez case compendium

 

 U.S. Bank v. Ibanez_ Wells Fargo v. LaRace

                               Ibanez - Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiff's 

                                              Motion To Vacate  

     Supreme Court: Wells Fargo Reply brief

                                  U.S. Bank Reply brief

 

BEVILACQUA v. RODRIGUEZ Case to watch*** 

Plaintiff Francis Bevilaqua holds no title to the property at 126-128 Summer Street in Haverhill. That title is held by defendant Pablo Rodriguez. What Mr. Bevilaqua has is a quitclaim deed from US Bank, N.A., which conducted an invalid foreclosure sale on the property (it was not the holder of the mortgage at the time the sale was noticed and conducted as required by G.L. c. 244, § 14) [Note 1] and thus acquired nothing from that sale. See US Bank v. Ibanez, 17 LCR 202 (Mar. 26, 2009) & 17 LCR 679 (Oct. 14, 2009) and cases cited therein. US Bank therefore had nothing to convey, and its purported conveyance to Mr. Bevilaqua was a nullity. See Bongaards v. Millen, 440 Mass. 10 , 15 (2003).

Despite this, Mr. Bevilaqua now seeks to create a full, fee simple title in himself — quite literally, something from nothing — through the “try title” procedure of G.L. c. 240, §§ 1-5. He cannot do so, for the reasons set forth below. Accordingly, his complaint is DISMISSED in its entirety, with prejudice.

BEVILACQUA v. RODRIGUEZ ***(4/11)(Amicus Brief of Professors Levitin, Peterson, Porter, Pottow)

The principle of nemo dat quod non habet-that you can't give what you don't have-is the bedrock principle on which all commercial law is built.

It is irrelevant whether Mr. Bevilacqua was a good faith purchaser, as the nemo dat doctrine trumps the bond fide purchase doctrine. 

Accordingly, U.S. Bank, N.A., was no more capable of passing on good title to the Rodriguez property than a common thief. 

The Recording of a Deed Is a Ministerial Act that Cannot Create Title.

BEVILACQUA v. RODRIGUEZ ***(4/11)(Amicus Brief of Attorney General Coakley)

This Court has consistently held that a plaintiff must have a claim to legal title for the property at issue in order to have standing. Mr. Bevilacqua lacks legal title to the Property.

Because U.S. Bank lacked a valid assignment, it was not the assignee of the mortgage upon which it purported to foreclose. Thus, the foreclosure U.S. Bank conducted
was invalid.

 

Michigan: MERS Shut Down in Michigan (4/11)  Court of Appeals / Before: WILDER, P.J., and SERVITTO and SHAPIRO, JJ. Having separated the mortgage from the loan, and disclaimed any interest in the loan in order to avoid the legal responsibilities of a lender, MERS nevertheless claims in the instant case that it can employ the rights of a lender by foreclosing in a manner that the statute affords only to those mortgagees who also own an interest in the loan. But as the Nebraska court stated in adopting MERS argument, "MERS has no independent right to collect on any debt because MERS itself has not extended any credit, and none of the mortgage debtors owe MERS any money."

MERS did not own the indebtedness, own an interest in the indebtedness secured by the mortgage, or service the mortgage. MERS' inability to comply with the statutory requirements rendered the foreclosure proceedings in both cases void ab initio. Thus, the circuit courts improperly affirmed the district courts' decisions to proceed with eviction based upon the foreclosures of defendants' properties.

 Hendricks v. U.S. Bank (FC sale VOID) (6/11) The Court declares that the foreclosure sale that occurred on February 11, 2010 concerning Plaintiffs' real property is void ab initio pursuant to MCR 2.116 (C)(8), as Defendant, U.S. Bank, N.A. was not entitled to foreclose on Plaintiffs' property.

Missouri:   BELLISTRI v. OCWEN  (2009) (Ocwen lacked a legally cognizable interest in the property, and therefore, it has no standing to seek relief.)

                                  BELLISTRI v. OCWEN  Appeal (4/2010)   Appeal (4/2010) (Separation of Note & Mortgage)  (Missouri Court of Appeals)

"In the event that the note and the deed of trust are split, the note, as a practical matter becomes unsecured. The practical effect of splitting the deed of trust from the promissory note is to make it impossible for the holder of the note to foreclose, unless the holder of the deed of trust is the agent of the holder of the note. Id. Without the agency relationship, the person holding only the note lacks the power to foreclose in the event of default. The person holding only the deed of trust will never experience default because only the holder of the note is entitled to payment of the underlying obligation. Id. The mortgage loan became ineffectual when the note holder did not also hold the deed of trust." Id. Bellistri

Second Motion to Dismiss and Judgment In the Estate of Hastings(10/11)Judge Mark Stephens: The court finds that HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for Nomura Home Equity Loan, me; Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-HE1 is not a "person" under the auspices of either section. They are certificates, which have buyers and sellers, and have no legal standing to sue.

 

Nevada: MERS crushed: In re Mitchell

                MERS Smackdown in Nevada: In re Hawkins

New Jersey: BONY v. Elghossain (4/11) Does a mortgage lender's Notice of Intent to Foreclose satisfy the statutory mandates that notice be provided by the lender and that the lender as well as the lender's representative be identified in that notice. The lender and the lender’s representation must be identified in the notice. Having not done so here, the motion is deficient. The foreclosure complaint is dismissed without prejudice does a mortgage lender's "servicer's" Notice of Intent to Foreclose satisfy the statutory mandates that notice be provided by the lender and that the lender as well as the lender's representative be identified in that notice. The lender and the lender’s representation must be identified in the notice. Having not done so here, the motion is deficient. The foreclosure complaint is dismissed without prejudice.  

Bank of New York v. Raftogianis (2010) In this case, there are no compelling reasons to permit plaintiff to proceed in this action. Accordingly, the complaint has been dismissed.

 Wells Fargo v. Ford (reversed-lack of standing)(1/11) Well-reasoned opinion detailing why WF did not have standing. "The documents that Wells Fargo relied upon in support of its motion for summary judgment to establish its status as a holder were not properly authenticated".

North Carolina: IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE in Adam(3/2011) (Deutsche, Soundview, Novastar and Nationwide Trustee Services named) Therefore, plaintiff is not the holder of the notes within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code, G.S. Ch. 25, and the trial court erred in according her the rights of a holder under G.S. 25-3-301.”); Hotel Corp. where a promissory note “had never been made payable to plaintiff or to bearer, nor had it ever been indorsed to plaintiff, . . . defendants established that plaintiff was not the owner or holder of the note”). Therefore, we reverse the trial court’s order authorizing Monica Walker, Matressa Morris, and Nationwide to act as substitute trustees and proceed with foreclosure under a power of sale for the property described in the Deed of Trust recorded in the Wake County Register of Deeds. Reversed.

 

Oklahoma:  

U.S. Bank v. Moore (Standing-Okla. Sup Ct.)(4/12) Standing refers to a person's legal right to seek relief in a judicial forum. The three threshold criteria of standing are (1) a legally protected interest which must have been injured in fact— i.e., suffered an injury which is actual, concrete and not conjectural in nature, (2) a causal nexus between the injury and the complained-of conduct, and (3) a likelihood, as opposed to mere speculation, that the injury is capable of being redressed by a favorable court decision. The doctrine of standing ensures a party has a personal stake in the outcome of a case and the parties are truly adverse.

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST v. Matthews (Okla.Sup Ct. - 2/12) The Bank then filed a document entitled "Assignment of Real Estate Mortgage" with the County Clerk of Creek County six months after the filing of the foreclosure proceeding. A trial court granted partial summary judgment in Deutsche Bank's favor against Defendant a month later. Defendant appealed the grant of summary judgment arguing Deutsche Bank failed to demonstrate standing. Finding that the Bank did not have the proper supporting documentation in hand when it filed suit, the Supreme Court reversed.

BAC/MERS v.White (12/10-Oklahoma Court of Appeals) Summary Judgment reversed and remanded to trial.

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST v. BRUMBAUGH(1/12) (Reversed) To commence a foreclosure action in Oklahoma, a plaintiff must demonstrate it has a right to enforce the note and, absent a showing of ownership, the plaintiff lacks standing.

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY v. BYRAMS(1/12)(Reversed) The assignment of a mortgage is not the same as an assignment of the note. If a person is trying to establish it is a nonholder in possession who has the rights of a holder it must bear the burden of establishing its status as a nonholder in possession with the rights of a holder. Appellee must establish delivery of the note as well as the purpose of that delivery.

 

Pennsylvania: Beneficial Mortgage v. Vukmam (1/12) Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Act. "When a mortgagee provides to a mortgagor a deficient Act 91 notice and then files a mortgage foreclosure action, the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to entertain the action."

"the court properly set aside the sheriff's sale, vacated the judgment, and dismissed Appellant's complaint without prejudice. Accordingly, we affirm the court's order."

 

Texas: MERS v. Young / 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals 

Norwood v. Chase Bank, Chase Home Finance** (1/11)(ANDREW W. AUSTIN, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE) (Report and Recommendation of the United States Magistrate Judge to the United States Senior Judge)  This "excellent analysis" details the requirements of a foreclosing party to prove standing to foreclose in Texas.

 

UTAH: JUDGE ORDERS INJUNCTION STOPPING ALL FORECLOSURE PROCEEDINGS BY BANK OF AMERICA; RECONTRUST; HOME LOAN SERVICING; MERS ET AL

 

Vermont: MERS v. Johnson - DISMISSED for lack of standing. The Court’s Order, issued August 27, 2009, granting plaintiff’s Motion for Default Judgment against the defendants Frank and Ellen Johnston is VACATED.

U.S. Bank v. KimballVermont Supreme Court (7/11) What should have here been a fairly straightforward, if not a summary, proceeding under the rules, was rendered inefficient by US Bank's failure to marshal its case before compelling homeowner and the court to waste time and resources, twice, by responding to what could not be proven. There was nothing inequitable in dismissing this matter

 

Washington: In Re: Jacobson (UBS)(another chopped up mess) "As the motion was not brought in the name of the real party in interest, nor has standing to bring it been established, it will be DENIED."

 

Wisconsin:

Aurora v. Carlsen: We conclude that the circuit court’s finding that Aurora was the holder of the note, a finding essential to the judgment, is not supported by admissible evidence. We therefore reverse the judgment.

Conner lacked the personal knowledge needed to authenticate Exhibit D. See WIS. STAT. § 909.01 (documents must be authenticated to be admissible, and this requirement is satisfied “by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in question is what its proponent claims”).

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