Macovich v. Wemple
Macovich v. Wemple
Opinion of the Court
Cope, J. concurring.
This was a bill filed by the plaintiff—respondent here—to enjoin a sale under a decree obtamed by one Wemple against one Pender to enforce a mechanic’s lien upon certain premises in the city of Marysville. The plaintiff claims title to the premises by virtue of a purchase of the property under a decree for the foreclosure of a mortgage, to wMch decree all the persons in interest were parties, among them Wemple and Pender. The decree was rendered on the seventeenth of May,
The difficulty which we experience in this case is not upon the substantial merits of the claim, upon the facts as they appear; but as to the right of the plaintiff to intervene in this form. He is only the purchaser of an equity, or was only such at the time of the filing of the bill. The decree of foreclosure did not cut off the rights of the mortgagor. The mortgagor was entitled to the possession until the Sheriff’s deed, and had also remaining the equity of redemption. He could dispose of this right whenever he chose, and it might, under our comprehensive statute, be disposed of for his debts. If the mortgagor chose to confess judgment, or recognized the validity of the claim of Wemple to this lien or to the enforcement of it, or to the sale under judgment, the plaintiff is in no condition to complain, for his rights are not at all affected by the proceedings, if he was not made a party. Upon obtaining his deed, he can institute the necessary proceeding to vindicate his right, and the purchaser at the Sheriff’s sale under Wemple’s decree would not occupy any better position than Wemple himself. But as long as Pender had any interest in the property, it might be sold for his debts, and we do not see how the plaintiff can, in advance of his own title or of the extinction of Pender’s, come into a Court of Equity to enjoin the sale.
• The judgment must be reversed and the bill dismissed, without prejudice to any other action or proceeding the plaintiff may be advised to institute after obtaining his deed.
Ordered accordingly.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- MACOVICH v. WEMPLE
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Plaintiff purchased certain property under a sale on a decree foreclosing a mortgage executed by one Pender, to which decree all persons in interest were parties, among them defendants here. The interest of defendants Wemple and Pender were foreclosed in the usual form. Plaintiff seeks to enjoin a sale of the premises under a decree in favor of Wemple against Pender, to enforce a mechanic’s lien. Plaintiff was not a party to the suit of Wemple v. Pender, and has not yet got a Sheriff’s deed: Held, that injunction does not lie; that plaintiff is but the purchaser of an equity, the decree of foreclosure not cutting off the rights of the mortgagor, Pender; that he, being entitled to possession until the Sheriff’s deed, and also having the equity of redemption, could dispose of this right, and it might, under our statute, be sold for his debts; that if he chose to recognize the validity of Wemple’s lien, or its enforcement, or sale under judgment, plaintiff cannot complain—his rights not being affected by the proceedings, as he was not a party. Plaintiff, on obtaining his Sheriff’s deed, can then institute the necessary proceedings to enforce his rights, and the purchaser at the Sheriff’s sale under Wemple’s decree will occupy no better position than Wemple himself. But so long as Pender has any interest in the property, plaintiff cannot, in advance of his own title, or of the extinction of Pender’s, come into equity to enjoin the sale.