Opinion ID: 1350741
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: jurisdiction over union oaks

Text: Finally, Buddy argues that the district court and this court cannot dispose of Union Oaks' assets because Union Oaks was not made a party to the proceedings. It should be noted that Linda sought to have Union Oaks joined as a party, but that Buddy successfully persuaded the district court not to join Union Oaks. It is a general rule that a party cannot complain of error which that party has invited the court to commit. Schrempp and Salerno v. Gross, 247 Neb. 685, 529 N.W.2d 764 (1995). In any event, however, the interests of Union Oaks were adequately represented in the district court by Buddy, Union Oaks' alter ego. A nonparty may be bound by an equitable judgment sustaining an alter ego action if the party's interests are so closely affiliated with the nonparty's interests that the interests are merged. See, e.g., G.M. Leasing Corp. v. United States, 429 U.S. 338, 97 S.Ct. 619, 50 L.Ed.2d 530 (1977); Valley Finance, Inc. v. United States, 629 F.2d 162 (D.C.Cir.1980); In re 1438 Meridian Place, N. W., Inc., 15 B.R. 89 (Bkrtcy.D.C. 1981), Sample v. Sample, 152 Ariz. 239, 731 P.2d 604 (Ariz.App.1986); Lyons v. Lyons, 340 So.2d 450 (Ala.Civ.App.1976). In order for a corporation to be accorded treatment as a separate legal entity, it must exist and function as such and not merely as the alter ego of a person controlling it. See Lyons, supra . Clearly, there can be no argument here that Union Oaks was without notice or will be deprived of any substantive rights, where it was on notice of the relief requested by Linda and where it was brought before the court in the person of its alter ego, Buddy.