Opinion ID: 1171942
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: This action arises out of a certification order to this court from the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. The certification order requests us to resolve a matter of first impression under Arizona law which may be determinative of a cause now pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court. We accepted certification on July 15, 1987, and held oral argument on November 19, 1987. We have jurisdiction pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-1861 et seq., and Rule 27, Rules of the Supreme Court of Arizona, 17A A.R.S. LEGAL ISSUES The legal issues to be resolved, as stated by the certifying court, are: 1. Whether the failure of a deed of trust and assignment of rents executed in Arizona and covering Arizona realty to designate a trustee to whom the trust property is conveyed results in an invalid trust deed under the Arizona Trust Deeds Act, A.R.S. § 33-801 et seq. 2. Assuming arguendo the above results in an invalid trust deed, whether such a document constitutes a mortgage or other enforceable realty interest as defined by A.R.S. § 33-702(A). Since we conclude that the instruments in question are valid trust deeds under Arizona law, the second alternative certified question is moot.