Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/124480627/IN-THE-MATTER-OF-THE-FORECLOSURE-OF-A-DEED-OF-TRUST-NC-Court-of-Appeals-2011-Google-Scholar-txt
Timestamp: 2018-02-23 22:29:28
Document Index: 382025224

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 45', '§ 45', '§ 45', '§ 45', '§ 7', '§ 45', '§ 45', '§ 45', '§ 45', '§ 45', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 45', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 45', '§ 45']

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST, NC Court of Appeals 2011 - Google Scholar.txt | Deed Of Trust (Real Estate) | Foreclosure
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Description: U.S. Bank, National Association, as Trustee, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("Petitioner") appeals the trial court's order dismissing foreclosure proceedings against Respondent Tonya R. Bass
U.S. Bank, National Association, as Trustee, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("Petitioner") appeals the trial court's order dismissing foreclosure proceedings against Respondent Tonya R. Bass
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this case How citedIN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST, NC: Court of Appeals 2011 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST, NC: Court of Appeals 2011 In the Matter of the foreclosure of a Deed of Trust executed by Tonya R. Bass in the original amount of $139,988.00 dated October 12, 2005, recorded in Book 4982, Page 86, Durham County Registry, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., as Substitute Trustee, No. COA11-565. Court of Appeals of North Carolina. Filed: December 6, 2011. K&L Gates, LLP, by A. Lee Hogewood III, and Brian C. Fork for Petitioner-appellant. Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc., by E. Maccene Brown, Gregory E. Pawlowski, John Christopher Lloyd, and Andre C. Brown, for Respondent-appellee. ROBERT N. HUNTER, JR., Judge. U.S. Bank, National Association, as Trustee, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("Petitioner") appeals the trial court's order dismissing foreclosure proceedings against Respondent Tonya R. Bass. Petitioner assigns error to the trial court's determination that Petitioner is not the legal holder of a promissory note executed by Respondent and therefore lacks authorization to foreclose on Respondent's property securing the note under a deed of trust. After careful review, we affirm. I. Factual & Procedural Background On 12 October 2005, Respondent executed an adjustable rate promissory note (the "Note") in favor of Mortgage Lenders Network USA, Inc. ("Mortgage Lenders"). The Note evidences Respondent's promise to pay Mortgage Lenders the principal amount of $139,988.00 plus interest in monthly installments of $810.75 beginning December 2005. The terms of the Note state that Respondent will be in default if she fails to "pay the full amount of each monthly payment on the date it is due." Respondent secured the Note with a Deed of Trust encumbering real property located at 4240 Amberstone Way in Durham. The Deed identifies Mortgage Lenders as the lender and Mitchell L. Hefferman as trustee. The Deed of Trust also sets forth a power of sale clause providing that Respondent's default on her monthly payment obligations under the terms of the Note and failure to cure such default could result in foreclosure of Respondent's property as described in the Deed of Trust. The record indicates Respondent fell behind on her monthly payments under the Note and, to date, is current on payments only through July 2008. As discussed further infra, the Note was purportedly transferred several times before coming into Petitioner's possession. On or about 10 January 2008, Petitioner, as "holder of the Note evidencing the entire indebtedness secured by the [] Deed of Trust," filed an Appointment of Substitute Trustee with the Durham County Register of Deeds. The Appointment of Substitute Trustee purportedly removed Mr. Hefferman as trustee under the Deed of Trust and replaced him with Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. ("Substitute Trustee"). On 27 March 2009, Substitute Trustee commenced foreclosure proceedings against Respondent by filing a
in light of these ineffective .C. LLC ("Emax") was not a proper indorsement because "you have to have more than a stamp" and "We don't know who had authority [at Mortgage Lenders] to authorize the sale of (unintelligible) to [Emax]. that the indorsement from Mortgage Lenders to Emax was not signed. The third stamp reads "PAY TO THE ORDER OF U. see N. and foreclosure of Respondent's property was stayed pending outcome of the appeal. INC" and bears no handwritten signature.. and the indorsement from Emax to Residential did not indicate the source of the transfer. this matter was heard before Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones. Petitioner introduced evidence establishing: Respondent's default on her payment obligations under the Note. Morales as "Manager of Sales and Acquisitions [at] Emax Financial Group." The Allonge bears the apparent handwritten signature of "Michele Morales" and identifies Ms. to Petitioner. to negotiate a loan modification with Petitioner. On 16 August 2010. Stat. The Allonge.. Petitioner also produced the original Note and Deed of Trust through the testimony of Erin Hirzel-Roesch. ultimately. Bank National Association as Trustee WITHOUT RECOURSE Residential Funding Corporation by Judy Faber. Respondent's appeal to the superior court was continued twice as she attempted. states "Pay to the order of Without recourse: Residential Funding Corporation.S. the Note was secured by the Deed of Trust. the Deed of Trust set forth a power of sale clause. a Wells Fargo litigation specialist.16. The fifth page of the Note bears three stamps purportedly indorsing and transferring the Note among prior holders and. the clerk of court entered an order permitting Substitute Trustee to proceed with foreclosure of Respondent's property. LLC WITHOUT RECOURSE By: MORTGAGE LENDERS NETWORK USA.Notice of Foreclosure Hearing in Durham County Superior Court in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 45-21. The Notice of Foreclosure Hearing stated Petitioner's intent to foreclose "on the Note and Deed of Trust. dated 25 October 2005." The trial court entered an order on 13 September 2010 dismissing Petitioner's foreclosure proceedings against Respondent." Respondent did not testify or present evidence at the foreclosure appeal hearing.16(d) and discussion infra. The first stamp reads "PAY TO THE ORDER OF EMAX FINANCIAL GROUP. On 8 April 2010. the trial court found as fact. Gen. Vice President" and bears the apparent handwritten signature of Judy Faber. Respondent timely appealed the clerk's order to the superior court." Specifically. and introduced copies of each document for examination by the court. In its order. The second stamp reads "RESIDENTIAL FUNDING CORPORATION CHAD JONES VICE PRESIDENT" and bears the apparent handwritten signature of Chad Jones. because of [Respondent's] failure to make timely payments" on the Note. unsuccessfully. Upon consideration of the statutorily prescribed elements. Respondent asserted that the indorsement from Mortgage Lenders to Emax Financial Group. inter alia. LLC. § 45-21. and Respondent was properly served with notice of the foreclosure hearing. Respondent contended only that Petitioner "is not entitled to foreclose because [Petitioner is] not the proper holder of [the Note]. The trial court concluded as a matter of law that. a foreclosure hearing was held before the Clerk of Durham County Superior Court." Respondent also challenged the indorsement from Emax to Residential Fundings Corporation ("Residential") because "[t]here is nothing on the last page of [the Note] to show how and where [Residential] got this commercial paper. The Note as introduced before the trial court consists of five pages with a one-page "ALLONGE TO NOTE" ("the Allonge") attached as page six.
374. App.E. and. Our Courts have stressed.E.2d at 708 (citations omitted). and (4) proper notice has been provided to all entitled parties." Holden .E. App. Inc. Petitioner filed its Notice of Appeal with this Court on 3 November 2010. The clerk of court's order authorizing or dismissing foreclosure is appealable to the superior court.C.C. App. In re Adams. 247 S. in contrast. therefore.2d 427.'" In re Adams. Co.E. Inc." In re Watts.2d 705. 693 S.[2] See N. A trial court's conclusions of law.E. 94.' `foreclosure under a power of sale is not favored in the law. 429 (1978). Haywood. 3 (1985).'" (citations omitted)). § 45-21. A foreclosure by action consists of a formal judicial proceeding.2d at 709. 72 N. 38 N. Inc.C. Gen. App. 858 (1993) ("`Historically. Stat. 693 S. 318. the superior court reviews de novo the same four issues described supra." In re Azalea Garden Bd.2d 1. 321. 140 N.16(d) (2009). ___ N. at ___. The scope of the foreclosure hearing before the clerk of court is strictly limited to these four issues because foreclosure under a power of sale provision in a deed of trust is intended to serve as "a means of avoiding lengthy and costly foreclosures by action. In re Goforth Properties. The superior court's order dismissing foreclosure is a final judgment. however.2d 855. ___.E. Petitioner was not the legal holder of the Note and was not authorized to appoint a substitute trustee to institute foreclosure proceedings against Respondent. is a "special proceeding"[1] "whereby `[t]he parties have agreed to abandon the traditional foreclosure by judicial action in favor of a private contractual remedy to foreclose. App. however. See id.. ___ N.2d 388.C.C. Analysis "There are two methods of foreclosure possible in North Carolina: foreclosure by action and foreclosure by power of sale. Const. ___ N.C. 325 S. a foreclosure by power of sale." Phil Mech... 45.C. Our review of the trial court's order dismissing foreclosure is limited to determining "whether competent evidence exists to support the trial court's findings of fact and whether the conclusions [of law] reached [by the trial court in its order dismissing foreclosure] were proper in light of the findings [of fact].'" In re Adams. ___. § 45-21. v. 334 N. N. 50. Gen. 369. "Findings of fact by the trial court in a non-jury trial have the force and effect of a jury verdict and are conclusive on appeal if there is evidence to support those findings. foreclosure pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust ha[s] been a private contract remedy.E. are reviewable de novo. A mortgagee or trustee seeking to exercise a power of sale under a deed of trust must establish four elements before the clerk of court in order to proceed with foreclosure: (1) a valid debt exists and the foreclosing party is the holder of the debt. at ___. 708 (2010) (citation omitted) (alteration in original). 90. Stat. (3) the instrument evidencing the debt permits foreclosure. 392 (2000).indorsements.16(d)(1) (2009). & Care. that "while a power of sale provision is meant to `function as a more expeditious and less expensive alternative to a foreclosure by action. II. App. On appeal. and its exercise will be watched with jealousy. 432 S.C. 535 S.C. 693 S. (2) the debtor has defaulted on the debt. this Court exercises jurisdiction over Petitioner's appeal pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 7A-27(b) (2009).
528. Generally.. State Bar v. 691 S. ___. the trial court found as fact and concluded as a matter of law the following: (1) purported prior holders of the Note. N. Nonetheless. State.2d 429. § 45-21. 189 N.C.E.E. App. "any determination requiring the exercise of judgment or the application of legal principles is more properly classified a conclusion of law. 88. 38 N.C.'" (citation omitted)). and (4) Petitioner did not have authority to commence foreclosure proceedings against Respondent. 618. App. 510.C. 658 S.16(d).C. as the party seeking foreclosure under a power of sale.E. we afford no deference to the trial court's conclusions of law. See Goldston v.. 505. this Court has determined that the following two questions must be answered in the affirmative: (1) `is there sufficient competent evidence of a valid debt?'. Stat.C. when necessary.2d 500 (2010) ("The trial court's findings are conclusive `if supported by any competent evidence even if there is evidence to the contrary that would support different findings. 127 N. 209 (2011).2d 385. ___ N. 675 (1997).2d 493.E.").C. See N. Of the issues considered by the clerk of court and subsequently reviewed de novo by the trial court. 242 (2009) ("Because we review questions of law de novo. Key.2d 672. 491 S. 491 S. is the holder of a valid debt.16(d) (2009). (2) Petitioner is not the legal holder of the Note." This Court has recognized that "[t]he classification of a determination as either a finding of fact or a conclusion of law is admittedly difficult. the appellate court can reclassify an item before applying the appropriate standard of review.C.v.C. 248 S. (3) Petitioner did not have authority to appoint a substitute trustee because it was not the legal holder of the Note.2d 237. Hagin. the sole issue presented on appeal to this Court is whether Petitioner."). 388 (1978). 715 S." Liles v. See State v. we note the trial court incorrectly classified multiple legal conclusions as "findings of fact. Significant deference is afforded to the trial court's findings of fact under the "competent evidence" standard.G. Mortgage Lenders and Emax. § 45-21. 127 N.C. In contrast. ___. App. John Alan Holden. did not properly indorse and transfer the Note. 80. 702 S. ___.E. 199 N. This Court has described this inquiry as follows: In order to find that there is sufficient evidence that the party seeking to foreclose is the holder of a valid debt in accordance with N. Before applying this standard in the instant case. Myers. A "determination reached through `logical reasoning from the evidentiary facts' is more properly classified a finding of fact. Respondent is "entitled to demand strict proof of this element.E. 625.2d 201. and (2) `is there sufficient competent evidence that [the party seeking to foreclose is] the holder of the notes [that evidence that debt]?' . We conclude that these determinations each involve application of legal principles and are more properly classified as conclusions of law. App." In re Helms. review denied. See N. Gen. App.C. we give no deference to the trial court's rulings. and. ___. 525.C. ___. 683 S. (citation omitted).2d at 675 (internal citations omitted).S. 431. ___." In re Helms. at 510. Here. 499 (2008) ("[C]lassification of an item within the order is not determinative. App." Id. App.. proper classification is critical because it shapes this Court's review of the issues on appeal.E. ___ N. We reclassify these "findings of fact" as conclusions of law and apply our standard of review accordingly.E.
C. an instrument. Any "`individual. bring a suit upon the [Note]. issued or indorsed to him or to his order. ___ N.2d at 387).16(d) (2009)) (emphasis added) (internal quotation marks omitted)). In determining whether the foreclosing party is the holder of a valid debt for purposes of North Carolina General Statutes § 45-21.16(d).2d at 125 (citation omitted) (alterations in original).In re Adams.g. In the case sub judice.. Gen. this Court must determine whether the trial court's conclusions with respect to these questions are supported by its findings and. 45-21. As such.C. We note that the separation of this statutory requirement into two distinct inquiries is a simplification tool and does not alter our standard of review.E. trust. See supra. Requiring the foreclosing party to introduce "sufficient competent evidence" that it "`is the holder of the note at the time of [the] suit reduces the possibility of such an inequitable occurrence. 599. estate. 693 S. 127 N. the Note could be negotiated "`to a third party who would become a holder in due course. whether such findings are supported by competent evidence. at 550.C. App. 38 N. or any other legal or commercial entity'" can serve as the holder of a promissory note.C. 47 N.'" Id. 711 S. irrespective of the exact amount owed... the existence of a valid debt.2d 123.2d at 171 ("[I]n order for the foreclosure to proceed. 491 S. ___ N. App." (citing N. The sole issue remaining is whether Petitioner is the legal holder of the Note evidencing Respondent's debt. 38 N.C. at ___. Gen.C. In re Simpson. See In re Connolly. at 527. In re Burgess.2d 915.E..C.E..2d at 171 (quoting N. . 306 S. (quoting Liles. This Court constructed the "sufficient competent evidence" standard to serve as guidance in the clerk of court's application of North Carolina General Statutes § 45-21. 711 S. App. 267 S. App.E. Absent this requirement." N.C.2d at 171.. e.E. App. App..S.16(d). App. 248 S.E. Stat. 711 S. Stat. . 125 (1983).. 550.2d at 675 ("[A]ny determination requiring the exercise of judgment or the application of legal principles is more properly classified a conclusion of law.. and obtain a judgment in her favor. at 510. See.2d at 387).2d at 709 (alterations in original) (citations omitted). App.'" Id. This determination is critical because it "protect[s] [Respondent] from the threat of multiple judgments on the [Note].E. § .E.. Stat. 547. § 45-21.C. corporation. in turn.C. North Carolina General Statutes § 25-1-201 defines "holder" as "[t]he person in possession of a negotiable instrument that is payable either to bearer or to an identified person that is the person in possession. In re Simpson. 603.E.C.C. business trust. at 527. at ___. at ___." (internal citations omitted)). 63 N. ___ N. 63 N. this Court has applied the definition of "holder" as set forth in North Carolina's adoption of the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC")." In re Simpson. ___ N. 306 S. App. App. Gen.. 918 (1980) ("[W]e construe G. at ___..C.E. See In re Helms. 248 S. Whether a party is the holder of a valid debt and whether a valid debt exists are questions of law. This Court has also defined "holder" under former North Carolina General Statutes § 25-1-201(20) as "`a person who is in possession of. the existence of a valid debt is not in dispute—Respondent concedes she has defaulted under the terms of the Note.").'" In re Connolly. (quoting Liles.16(d)(i) to permit the clerk to find a `valid debt of which the party seeking to foreclose is the holder' if there is competent evidence that the party seeking to foreclose is the holder of some valid debt. § 25-1-201(b)(21) (2009). the clerk of court must find.
. Petitioner further contends that because these stamps establish proper negotiation of the Note to Petitioner. Issuance of an instrument occurs through "first delivery" of the instrument by the maker of the instrument. a signature and its accompanying words is an indorsement. Stat. Gen.C.C. Stat. ___ N. Petitioner contends this stamp represents Mortgage Lender's indorsement of the Note for purposes of negotiating the Note to Emax. Stat. § 25-3-201 (2009). An indorsement is "a signature. However. Gen... § 25-3-103(a)(5) (2009) (defining "maker" as "a person who signs. or other circumstances unambiguously indicate that the signature was made for . The record before this Court establishes that Respondent issued the Note in favor of Mortgage Lenders. Mortgage Lenders was required to (1) indorse the Note and (2) transfer possession of the Note to the intended transferee. § 25-3-201 cmt. § 25-3-204(a)(i) (2009). other than that of a signer or maker. (2) Emax indorsed and negotiated the Note to Residential. N.. A person may become the holder of an instrument: (1) through issuance of the instrument to that person or (2) through negotiation of the instrument to that person. The stamp reads: PAY TO THE ORDER OF: EMAX FINANCIAL GROUP.C. Petitioner contends the stamps on the fifth page of the Note and the accompanying Allonge establish: (1) Mortgage Lenders indorsed and negotiated the Note to Emax. occurs when a person other than the issuer transfers possession of the instrument to a person who becomes its holder. Stat. 711 S. the issuer of the instrument. Stat. 1 (2009).. See N. See N.E. Mortgage Lenders. N. that alone or accompanied by other words [may be] made on an instrument for the purpose of. Petitioner produced the original Note at the de novo foreclosure hearing through the testimony of Ms. Gen. Stat.C. terms of the instrument. a note as a person undertaking to pay"). § 25-3-201(b) (2009). Gen. N. Gen. Gen."). § 25-3-110(a) (2009) ("The person to whom an instrument is initially payable is determined by the intent of the person. § 25-1-201(b)(15) (2009) (defining "delivery" of an instrument as a "voluntary transfer of possession")." N. and (3) Residential indorsed and negotiated the Note to Petitioner. Hirzel-Roesch. We cannot agree. N. signing as. Stat.. See N. negotiation. "[R]egardless of the intent of the signer. place of the signature. unless the accompanying words. at ___.C.. § 25-3-201(b) (2009) ("[I]f an instrument is payable to an identified person.C.. negotiation requires transfer of possession of the instrument and its indorsement by the holder.").C. The second method through which a person becomes the holder of an instrument. Stat.. The critical question is whether the Note was properly negotiated through the chain of purported holders such that Petitioner is the holder of the Note. § 25-3-105(a) (2009). establish that the note was transferred to the party presenting the note with the purpose of giving that party the right to enforce the instrument. N. LLC WITHOUT RECOURSE BY: MORTGAGE LENDERS NETWORK USA. We begin by examining the first stamp on page five of the Note. Gen.C. negotiating the instrument.. the trial court erred in concluding that Petitioner is not the holder of the Note. and because Petitioner is currently in possession of the Note. In order for Mortgage Lenders to negotiate the Note.. INC. in itself.2d at 171.." In re Simpson. thereby conferring "holder" status upon a subsequent transferee.25-1-201(b)(27) (2009)) (alteration in original). Gen. Gen.. Stat. App.C. as a party in possession of a promissory note made payable to its order was the original holder of the Note. "[p]roduction of an original note at trial does not.C.
C.E." While it is true that a stamp can serve as a valid indorsement. our Supreme Court's rulings in Mayers and Branch Banking & Trust Co. Stat. The stamp at issue reflects only the name of an entity. Branch Banking & Trust Co. § 25-3-204(a)(iii) (2009)." N. 164..C.E. as the trial court found. but must be established. 640. Petitioner cites North Carolina General Statutes § 25-3-308(a) as quoted in a recent decision of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. McRimmon. BY: MORTGAGE LENDERS NETWORK USA." Anderson v.a purpose other than indorsement. by proper testimony. as "[a] corporation can only act through its agents.2d 21. 448 (1906). This stamp is unsigned.. 642. clearly hold that the person placing the stamp must act with authorization and with the intent to indorse the instrument. 293 N. 237 S. 71 S. Unlike the other stamps on the Note. 155 N."). 221. a determination impossible for this Court to make based solely upon the face of this stamp. considering the question of what evidence a subsequent holder of a promissory note must show to establish the authenticity of a prior indorsement stated "[i]f the validity of a signature is denied in the . 140 N." and "[t]he language and location of the indorsement clearly and unambiguously show the stamp was made with the intention to transfer ownership of the note from Mortgage Lenders [] to Emax. See supra. Gen.. a "stamp on the Promissory Note stat[ing] PAY TO THE ORDER OF: EMAX FINANCIAL GROUP. 178. Stat. a symbol will constitute a signature only where "the symbol was adopted by the party with the present intent to authenticate the writing. 131. 222 (1911). Petitioner avers." N. Notwithstanding this broad definition. admitted she had no personal knowledge of the transfers made by the purported prior holders of the Note beyond the information represented on the Note itself. Mayers v.. WITHOUT RECOURSE. however. LLC. INC. 447. North Carolina has adopted a broad definition of "signature" to include any mark. 37 (2009) (emphasis added) ("[A] compete signature is not necessary.. Gen. 29 (1977) (holding a stamp is sufficient to indorse a negotiable instrument if "done by a person authorized to indorse for the payee and with intent thereby to indorse"). This is a troublesome omission." Id. Am. but only if the stamp is executed by a person having the intent and authority to do so.C." Petitioner's sole witness. The Court.C. Hirzel-Roesch. Mortgage Lenders' liability on the Note turns on the authority (or lack thereof) of the individual executing the stamp. Moreover. § 25-1-201(b)(37) cmt. an indorsment "does not prove itself. Mortgage Lenders. Petitioner did not introduce any evidence to establish that the stamp purportedly indorsing and transferring the Note from Mortgage Lenders to Emax is an authorized signature. that it was not required to produce additional evidence to establish the stamp's authenticity as an indorsement because a stamp falls within the broad statutory definition of "signature. Petitioner introduced only the Note itself. stamped. At the foreclosure hearing. or initials. v. or written. Petitioner contends that Respondent bears the burden of proving the stamp is an invalid signature. No catalog of possible situations can be complete and the court must use common sense and commercial experience in passing upon these matters.C. Suburban Corp. no countersignature appears to indicate the capacity in which the signor acted in executing the stamp on behalf of Mortgage Lenders.." Our Supreme Court has specifically held that a stamp may constitute a valid indorsement. 53 S. Ms.E. symbol. Gill. which may be "printed. depicting. see supra.
as Petitioner is in possession of the Note and is in the best . The stamp purporting to transfer the Note from Residential to Petitioner. for example. North Carolina General Statutes § 45-21. is not before this Court as Respondent challenges the only stamp without a handwritten signature. The omission of a handwritten signature with respect to the challenged stamp is competent evidence from which the trial court could conclude that this particular stamp was not executed by an authorized individual and is therefore facially invalid indorsement. "[t]he indorsement stamp is presumed to be authentic. However.C. bears the apparent handwritten signature of Judy Faber.pleadings. Gen. Stat. In contrast to the stamp at issue. Stat. the plaintiff is not required to prove that it is valid." In re Vogler. Petitioner contends Respondent did not raise objection to the stamp at issue and therefore the burden remained upon Respondent to introduce evidence invalidating the purported indorsement. We find Official Comment 1 under § 25-3-308 instructive. stating: "you have to have more than a stamp" and "we don't know who had authority [at Mortgage Lenders] to authorize the sale of (unintelligible) to [Emax]. Whether a stamp bearing an apparent handwritten signature is sufficient competent evidence of the purported indorsement. This signature provides at least some evidence that this stamp was executed with the requisite intent and authority. 2009 WL 4113704 at 2 (Bankr.D. Petitioner's contention raises an apparent conflict among our General Statutes. identified as Residential's vice president.C." Id. however. this Court's review of the transcript indicates that counsel for Respondent did in fact challenge the stamp's validity. Contrary to Petitioner's assertion.C. and that presumption cannot be overcome unless the Respondent presents evidence to contest such authenticity.16(d) clearly places the burden upon Petitioner to prove it is the holder of a valid debt. the burden properly remained upon Petitioner to prove its validity. apparently placing the burden upon Respondent to disprove the validity of an indorsement." We conclude that this challenge by Respondent before the trial court was a specific denial of the signature's authenticity." N. which it did not. Comment 1 to North Carolina General Statutes § 25-3-308 defines "presumed" to mean "that until some evidence is introduced which would support a finding that the signature is forged or unauthorized. Furthermore. Thus. Official Comment 1 to North Carolina General Statutes § 25-3-308 states "[t]he question of the burden of establishing the signature arises only when it has been put in issue by specific denial. thereby placing the burden upon Petitioner to put on evidence establishing authorization. M. On one hand. Id. but the signature is presumed to be authentic. Gen. presumes authenticity of a signature. the burden of establishing the validity is on the person claiming validity. § 25-3-308(a) cmt. 1 (2009). Petitioner contends that in light of the presumption set forth under North Carolina General Statutes § 25-3-308(a). § 25-3-308(a)).N. Once put in issue." We note initially that a decision of the Bankruptcy Court is not binding on this Court. "[t]he burden is on the party claiming under the signature" to prove that the signature is valid. 2009) (citing N. a handwritten signature accompanies each of the other stamps on the Note introduced by Petitioner before the trial court. however. even if Respondent had failed to object to the stamp. We further note it would be illogical to place this particular burden upon Respondent. North Carolina General Statutes § 25-3-308(a).
See Bank of Statesville v.E. York. For the foregoing reasons. About Google Scholar . See N. Gen. purporting to be an indorsement by the payee. However. Petitioner has failed to establish it is the holder of the Note. 786 (1971) (holding that the burden of establishing the authority behind an indorsement was properly placed on the bank because "as a purchaser of the instrument. the trial court's order is Affirmed. testimony. as our Supreme Court has explained: It is well settled by the decisions of this Court. 87. § 45-21. 430 (1926) (citations omitted).C. do not prove themselves.'" Id. We hold that the facial invalidity of this stamp is competent evidence from which the trial court could conclude the stamp is "unsigned" and fails to establish negotiation from Mortgage Lenders to Emax. App. Whitman. does not prove or tend to prove their genuineness.C. and. v. with words written on the back thereof. 711 S. [1] "Since rights sought to be enforced under [the provisions of the North Carolina General Statutes governing foreclosure pursuant to a power of sale] are instituted by filing notice instead of a complaint and summons and are prosecuted without regular pleadings. Stat. 532. Petitioner has offered only a bare assertion that the challenged stamp is a facially valid indorsement. as well as of other courts. Inc. Consequently. Stat.position to prove or disprove the authenticity of the signatures included thereon. 11 N. 181 S. The mere introduction of a note. 325 S. and because Petitioner offered no evidence establishing its authenticity other than the Note itself.2d 785. 427.C.2d 165. In the case sub judice.My Citations ©2012 Google . Blackwelder Furniture Co.C. Gen.All About Google . 192 N. Absent an allonge.. that words written on the back of a negotiable instrument. 169 (2011) (citing N. § 45-102 (2009). Because we cannot presume the authenticity of this stamp as a signature. ___.2d at 2-3. they are properly characterized as `special proceedings. or other evidence indicating that the stamp is an authorized signature. whether written notice of the foreclosure proceedings was provided at least 45 days prior to filing notice of the foreclosure hearing with the superior court.16 (2009)). Judges THIGPEN and McCULLOUGH concur. [2] The North Carolina Legislature added a fifth consideration. if it was a subprime loan. purporting to be an indorsement by which the instrument was negotiated. 133 S.C. and the trial court did not err in dismissing Petitioner's summary foreclosure proceedings against Respondent. at 321. payable to order.E. and by approved text-writers. [the bank] was in the best position to inform itself as to the authority of the seller-indorser"). the stamp is a valid signature only if it is self-authenticating. ___. which expired 31 October 2010.E. it would be imprudent for this Court to accept Petitioner's position. App. In re Simpson. requiring the clerk to determine whether the underlying mortgage debt was a subprime home loan. 530.E. ___ N.
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