Opinion ID: 2029298
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Woodhouse Affidavit

Text: Woodhouse first argues that the district court erred in sustaining the Laflans' objection to the admission of the affidavit of the Woodhouse salesman. The affidavit was served upon the Laflans on the day of the summary judgment hearing. While Woodhouse admits that the affidavit was offered in an untimely manner, it argues that this timing did not prejudice the Laflans. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1332 (Cum. Supp. 2002) provides in part that [t]he adverse party prior to the day of hearing may serve opposing affidavits. Woodhouse argues that because the statute uses the word may, the court has discretion to admit an affidavit on the day of the hearing. It contends that since service of the affidavit on the day of the summary judgment hearing did not prejudice the Laflans, the district court abused its discretion in sustaining their objection. [8] When reviewing questions of law, an appellate court has an obligation to resolve the questions independently of the conclusion reached by the trial court. Demerath v. Knights of Columbus, ante p. 132, 680 N.W.2d 200 (2004). Statutory language is to be given its plain and ordinary meaning, and an appellate court will not resort to interpretation to ascertain the meaning of statutory words which are plain, direct, and unambiguous. In re Guardianship & Conservatorship of Woltemath, ante p. 33, 680 N.W.2d 142 (2004). The plain, direct, and unambiguous meaning of the language of § 25-1332 is that parties adverse to a motion for summary judgment may serve opposing affidavits prior to the day of the summary judgment hearing. See Medley v. Davis, 247 Neb. 611, 529 N.W.2d 58 (1995). While adverse parties are not required to file opposing affidavits, if they choose to do so, § 25-1332 requires them to serve those affidavits prior to the day of the hearing. Medley v. Davis, supra ; Barelmann v. Fox, 239 Neb. 771, 478 N.W.2d 548 (1992); Center Bank v. Mid-Continent Meats, Inc., 194 Neb. 665, 234 N.W.2d 902 (1975). The district court correctly utilized the plain and ordinary meaning of the language in § 25-1332 when it sustained the Laflans' objection to the affidavit. We cannot say that the court erred in refusing to admit the affidavit. Woodhouse's first assignment of error lacks merit.