Bayview Loan Servicing, L. L.C. v. Likely
Bayview Loan Servicing, L. L.C. v. Likely
Opinion
{¶ 1} Appellants, Earl and Valerie Likely ("the Likelys"), appeal the judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas in favor of Appellee, Bayview Loan Servicing, L.L.C. ("the Bank"). For the reasons set forth below, this Court affirms.
I.
{¶ 2} In February 2005, the Likelys executed a promissory note that was secured by a mortgage on the real property located at 452 North Arlington Street, in Akron, Ohio. In less than a year, the Likelys defaulted on the promissory note. In January 2006, the Bank filed a complaint against the Likelys for breach of promissory note, foreclosure, and reformation of the mortgage deed. A final decree of foreclosure was granted on January 11, 2007. Between 2007 and 2014, the real property was scheduled for sheriff's sale nine times. Each of those sales was withdrawn due to either bankruptcy filings by the Likelys or negotiations between the Bank and the Likelys. On March 12, 2014, the Likelys filed a motion to vacate the decree of foreclosure arguing it was defective based upon
Fed. Home Loan Mtge. Corp. v. Schwartzwald
,
{¶ 3} On May 1, 2014, the Bank re-filed its complaint against the Likelys for breach of promissory note, foreclosure, and reformation of the mortgage deed. After an unsuccessful foreclosure mediation, the Likelys moved to dismiss the complaint alleging the Bank did not have standing and the complaint was barred by res judicata and the statute of limitations. The trial court denied the motion to dismiss.
{¶ 4} On February 4, 2016, a bench trial was held before the magistrate, who subsequently issued a decision in favor of the Bank on all three claims. The Likelys timely filed objections to the magistrate's decision, which the Bank opposed. The Likelys filed the trial transcript beyond the time provided by Civ.R. 53 and without leave of court. Without consideration of the untimely filed trial transcript, the trial court denied the Likelys' objections and adopted the magistrate's decision.
{¶ 5} The Likelys appealed the denial of their objections. That appeal was dismissed for lack of a final, appealable order due to the lack of a final decree of foreclosure. Bayview Loan Servicing, L.L.C. v. Likely , 9th Dist. Summit No. 28362 (Sept. 23, 2016).
{¶ 6} Following the dismissal of the first appeal, the trial court entered a final decree of foreclosure. Upon the Likelys' motion, the trial court stayed the sheriff's sale pending the current appeal.
{¶ 7} The Likelys have timely appealed, raising three assignments of error for this Court's review. To facilitate the analysis, this Court will address the assignments of error out of order.
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 2
THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN FAILING TO CONSIDER THE TRIAL TRANSCRIPT.
{¶ 8} The Likelys argue that the trial court abused its discretion when it denied their motion for extension of time to file the trial transcript and motion for leave to supplement the objections with the trial transcript. Additionally, the Likelys assert the trial court abused its discretion by not considering the trial transcript when ruling on their objections. This Court disagrees with these assertions.
{¶ 9} "[A] motion requir[ing] leave of the trial court" and a motion requesting an extension of time are reviewed for an abuse of discretion.
See
Matter of Estate of Holbrook
, 5th Dist. Tuscarawas No. 2016 AP 10 0051,
{¶ 10} Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b)(iii) requires the party's objections to a magistrate's "factual finding, whether or not specifically designated as a finding of fact under Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(ii), shall be supported by a transcript of all the evidence submitted to the magistrate relevant to that finding [ ]." The objecting party has 30 days after filing objections within which to file the transcript.
{¶ 11} Summit County Local Rule 18.05 imposes similar rules regarding the filing of a transcript to support objections to a magistrate's decision and the time within which to file the transcript. Additionally, Loc.R. 18.05 requires "[a] praecipe for transcript shall be served in written form on the chief court reporter within (3) days after the filing of said objections[ ]. Said praecipe shall be filed with the Clerk."
{¶ 12} "The duty to provide a transcript or affidavit to the trial court rests with the person objecting to the magistrate's
decision."
Swartz v. Swartz,
9th Dist. Medina No. 11CA0057-M,
Motion for extension of time to file transcript
{¶ 13} The magistrate's decision was issued on February 25, 2016. The Likelys timely filed their objections on March 10, 2016, but did not file the trial transcript or the praecipe for the transcript. The Bank filed a brief in opposition to the objections. Pursuant to Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b)(iii), the transcript was due on April 11, 2016. The Likelys, however, did not file the transcript or a motion for extension of time by the 30-day deadline. Additionally, Loc.R. 18.05 required the praecipe to be filed by March 14, 2016. The Likelys did not comply with this deadline. In fact, the record does not reflect a praecipe for the trial transcript ever having been filed.
{¶ 14} Eighteen days after the deadline for filing the transcript had expired, the Bank moved to strike the Likelys' objections for failure to file the trial transcript within 30 days of the objections. Twenty-eight days after the filing deadline for the transcript had expired and after the Bank had moved to strike their objections, the Likelys moved for an extension of an unspecified length of time to file the transcript. The Likelys asserted good cause existed for their motion for extension of time to file the transcript "because this is [a] foreclosure case and the [Likelys] paid for the transcript when they obtained the funds to do so. Since [the Likelys] timely filed objections and made payment for the transcript there are grounds to extend the time to file the transcript [ ]." The trial court denied both the Bank's motion to strike the objections and the Likelys' motion for extension of time to file the transcript.
{¶ 15} While the Likelys' motion put forth a general basis for the extension, it lacked specific facts to establish that they had been diligently attempting to secure the transcript. The motion did not provide any details as to when the Likelys paid for the transcript or the length of the transcript to justify extra time for filing. Nor did the motion advise the trial court as to how much additional time would be needed for the court reporter to produce the transcript. The Likelys failed to provide the trial court with these types of pertinent facts which would have allowed it to make an informed decision as to whether they had shown good cause for an extension. The burden was on the Likelys to do so.
{¶ 16} Further, while the Likelys asserted "this is [a] foreclosure case[,]" this Court is unaware of any law that excepts foreclosure cases from the previously mentioned rules. Further, the Likelys did not set forth any extenuating financial circumstances to explain why they were unable to pay for the transcript. The Likelys are alleged to have defaulted on the note in 2006. Since ten years had lapsed since the alleged default, an explanation of their current financial situation would have been necessary to substantiate their claim that they needed time to obtain the funds for the transcript. In light of these missing facts and the Likelys' failure to comply with Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b)(iii) and Loc.R. 18.05, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for extension of time to file the transcript.
{¶ 17} The Likelys also argue there was no requirement to file the motion prior to the expiration of the 30-day period, as suggested by the trial court. While that may be true, the timing of the filing of the Likelys' motion-whether it was before or after the deadline-dictates the requirements necessary to support their request and is pertinent to the trial court's decision to grant or deny the motion. See Civ.R. 6(B). Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it considered the timing of the Likelys' motion for extension of time to file the transcript.
{¶ 18} Further, while Civ.R. 6(B) governs motions for extension of time, including a motion to extend the time to file a transcript,
see
Cunnane-Gygli
,
Motion for leave to file supplemental objections
{¶ 19} Despite the trial court's denial of the motion for extension of time to file the transcript, the Likelys filed a motion for leave to supplement the objections with the trial transcript. This motion was filed 57 days after the deadline to file the transcript.
{¶ 20} The Likelys' second motion was contrary to the purpose of Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b)(iii), which permits a party to supplement their objections after the transcript is filed. The Likelys were not seeking leave to supplement their original objections with additional objections. Instead, they were only seeking leave to file the late transcript.
See
Cunnane-Gygli
,
Failure to consider the untimely filed transcript
{¶ 21} Without waiting for the trial court's ruling on their second motion, the Likelys filed the untimely transcript on June 9, 2016, 59 days late. Five days later, the trial court denied the Likelys' second motion for leave to file the transcript. Not only was the transcript untimely, it was also improperly filed without leave of court. Without consideration of the untimely and improperly filed trial transcript, the trial court denied the Likelys' objections and adopted the magistrate's decision.
{¶ 22} "Ordinarily, a trial court must consider a submitted transcript before ruling on objections to a magistrate's decision."
Ramsey
,
{¶ 23} In light of the trial court's two earlier rulings denying the Likelys an extension of time to file the transcript and the supporting analysis above, this Court cannot say the trial court abused its discretion when it declined to consider the untimely and improperly filed transcript when ruling on the objections.
{¶ 24} The Likelys' second assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 1
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT [THE BANK'S] FORECLOSURE ACTION WAS NOT BARRED BY THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.
{¶ 25} In their first assignment of error, the Likelys argue the trial court misapplied the savings statute and erred in finding that the foreclosure action was not barred by the statute of limitations. This Court disagrees.
{¶ 26} Neither party has set forth the appropriate standard of appellate review in this case. This Court generally reviews a trial court's action with respect to a magistrate's decision for an abuse of discretion.
Fields v. Cloyd,
9th Dist. Summit No. 24150,
{¶ 27} When the objecting party fails to file the transcript, the trial court must accept the magistrate's findings of fact and only review the magistrate's conclusions of law based on the accompanying findings of fact.
Saipin v. Coy
, 9th Dist. Summit No. 21800,
{¶ 28} While the assignment of error challenges the statute of limitations of the "foreclosure action," the Likelys' argument only addresses the statute of limitations for the breach of the promissory note and not the other two causes of action. (All caps deleted.) Accordingly, this Court will limit its review to the statute of limitations as it pertains to the breach of the promissory note. R.C. 1303.16(A) sets forth the statute of limitations to enforce an obligation to pay a note as follows:
an action to enforce the obligation of a party to pay a note payable at a definite time shall be brought within six years after the due date or dates stated in the note or, if a due date is accelerated, within six years after the accelerated due date.
{¶ 29} R.C. 2305.19(A), the savings statute, provides a framework for re-filing an action. It states:
[i]n any action that is commenced or attempted to be commenced, if in due time a judgment for the plaintiff is reversed or if the plaintiff fails otherwise than upon the merits , the plaintiff or, if the plaintiff dies and the cause of action survives, the plaintiff's representative may commence a new action within one year after the date of the reversal of the judgment or the plaintiff's failure otherwise than upon the merits or within the period of the original applicable statute of limitations, whichever occurs later. This division applies to any claim asserted in any pleading by a defendant.
(Emphasis added.) R.C. 2305.19(A). The savings statute applies when a party has commenced the action and the action subsequently fails otherwise than upon the merits.
{¶ 30} The Likelys argue the dismissal of the 2006 case for lack of standing rendered the trial court without subject-matter jurisdiction and thus the 2006 case was never commenced. The Likelys then argue that because the case was not commenced in 2006, the Bank is precluded from using the savings statute to re-file the complaint in 2014. Lastly, the Likelys argue that without the application of the savings statute, the complaint, re-filed in 2014, is beyond the six-year statute of limitations and time barred. Each of these arguments is without merit.
{¶ 31} The Ohio Supreme Court explained that "[t]he general term 'jurisdiction' can be used to connote several distinct concepts, including jurisdiction over the subject-matter, jurisdiction over the person, and jurisdiction over a particular case."
Bank of Am., N.A. v. Kuchta
,
{¶ 32} While the common pleas courts have subject-matter jurisdiction to hear foreclosure matters,
Kuchta
at ¶ 20, citing
Robinson v. Williams
,
{¶ 33} The dismissal of a complaint for lack of standing at the commencement of a foreclosure action is not an adjudication on the merits.
Schwartzwald
at ¶ 40 ;
See
Battaglia v. City of Cleveland Heights
, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 42963,
{¶ 34} To support their contention that the trial court did not have subject-matter jurisdiction, the Likelys assert that "[the Bank's] 2006 foreclosure complaint was vacated as void
ab initio
because [the Bank] never had standing to invoke the subject-matter jurisdiction of the court to begin with." (Emphasis sic.) This statement is unsupported by the findings of fact. First, the magistrate's factual findings stated the complaint was dismissed, not vacated as void ab initio. Second, the trial court's findings of fact stated the dismissal was based on a lack of standing, not a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. This Court is limited to these findings of fact and the Likelys cannot challenge the findings of fact or assert a different version of the findings of fact on appeal.
See
Vidalis
,
{¶ 35} In an attempt to further support their position that the court did not have subject-matter jurisdiction, the Likelys misconstrue
Schwartzwald
as stating "standing is required to invoke the
subject matter
jurisdiction of the court." (Emphasis added.)
Schwartzwald
, however, made no such holding and instead held "standing is required to invoke the jurisdiction of the common pleas court."
Schwartzwald
at ¶ 3. The Ohio Supreme Court clarified in
Kuchta
that the holding in
Schwartzwald
did not address subject-matter jurisdiction relative to a lack of standing.
Kuchta
,
{¶ 36} The Likelys continue to argue the application of subject-matter jurisdiction through their reliance on
Clingerman v. Mayfield
, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 89-A-1477,
{¶ 37} The Likelys' argument that the Bank failed to commence the 2006 case focuses solely on the Bank's lack of standing in January 2006. While " 'standing is to be determined as of the commencement of [the] suit[,]' " it is not an element for the commencement of a case.
Schwartzwald
at ¶ 24, quoting
Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife
,
R.C. 2305.17 ;
Richardson
,
{¶ 38} The 2006 complaint was dismissed for lack of standing, therefore the claims failed otherwise than upon the merits.
See
Battaglia
,
{¶ 39} The 2006 complaint was dismissed on March 27, 2014. Based on the eight-year lapse between the filing of the complaint and the dismissal for lack of standing, the six-year statute of limitations for the breach of promissory note claim had expired and the savings statute was triggered. The complaint was re-filed on May 1, 2014, well within the one-year savings statute timeframe. Accordingly, the 2014 foreclosure complaint was timely filed under the savings statute.
{¶ 40} In light of the foregoing, the trial court correctly applied the savings statute to the foreclosure complaint. The Likelys' first assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 3
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT [THE BANK] WAS ENTITLED TO A FORECLOSURE JUDGMENT [ ] AND REFORMATION OF THE MORTGAGE.
{¶ 41} In their third assignment of error, the Likelys argue that the trial court erred in granting the foreclosure judgment because the Bank did not have standing to enforce the note. This Court disagrees.
{¶ 42} Objections to the magistrate's decision must "be specific and state with particularity
all
grounds for objection." (Emphasis added.) Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b)(ii). Additionally, Civ.R. 53 provides that, except for a claim of plain error, a party shall not assign error to a factual finding or legal conclusion on appeal unless the party specifically objects to that finding in accordance with the rule. Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b)(iv). Failure to object to a magistrate's finding of fact or conclusion of law renders the argument forfeited on appeal.
Coleman v. Coleman
, 9th Dist. Summit No. 27592,
{¶ 43} The Likelys confined their objection to the magistrate's conclusion that the Bank had standing to enforce the note and mortgage. The Likelys' objection further challenged the magistrate's factual findings regarding the evidence that supported the conclusion in favor of standing arguing that: 1) there was no evidence that the Bank was formerly known as Interbay Funding, L.L.C., and 2) the Bank's witness did not have personal knowledge regarding whether the allonge was affixed to the note and the Bank had possession of the note when the complaint was filed. On appeal, the Likelys challenge the trial court's decision that the Bank had standing to enforce the note because the allonge presented at trial belonged to a different note. This argument was not presented in the Likelys' objections challenging the Bank's standing. Accordingly, the Likelys have forfeited this argument. Further, the Likelys have not argued plain error on appeal. Because the Likelys have forfeited their challenge to the factual findings and conclusion at issue and have not argued plain error, this Court will not address this argument.
{¶ 44} Moreover, even if the Likelys had alleged plain error, this Court is precluded from reviewing this challenge as to the factual findings because the Likelys failed to timely file the transcript with the trial court.
See
Swartz
,
{¶ 45} The Likelys' third assignment of error is overruled.
III.
{¶ 46} The Likelys' assignments of error are overruled. The judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
HENSAL, P.J.
CONCURS.
CARR, J.
CONCURS IN JUDGMENT ONLY.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, L.L.C., Appellee v. Earl LIKELY, Jr., Et Al., Appellants
- Cited By
- 11 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- foreclosure - statute of limitations - mortgage - note - holder - bench trial - magistrate - objections - untimely filed transcript - standing - failure to commence - savings statute - jurisdiction - Schwartzwald - Kuchta