Opinion ID: 897068
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Attorney fees, quitclaim deed, further filings

Text: [¶ 18] In addition to awarding deposition costs under N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(a), in the amended and second amended judgments, the court also granted other affirmative relief with regard to attorney fees, the quitclaim deed, and future filings, affirmative relief that had not been imposed in the original judgment. The additional affirmative relief sought by Beverly Anne, Inc., in its June 25 and August 20, 2001, motions falls under N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b), which provides, in part: On motion and upon such terms as are just, the court may relieve a party or a party's legal representative from a final judgment or order in any action or proceeding for the following reasons: (i) mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect; (ii) newly discovered evidence which by due diligence could not have been discovered in time to move for a new trial under Rule 59(b); (iii) fraud (whether denominated intrinsic or extrinsic), misrepresentation, or other misconduct of an adverse party; (iv) the judgment is void; (v) the judgment has been satisfied, released, or discharged, or a previous judgment upon which it is based has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the judgment should have prospective application; or (vi) any other reason justifying relief from the operation of the judgment. A trial court's decision on a Rule 60(b) motion for relief is within the trial court's sound discretion and will not be overturned absent an abuse of discretion, Follman v. Upper Valley Special Educ. Unit, 2000 ND 72, ¶ 10, 609 N.W.2d 90, although a motion for relief from a void judgment under N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b)(iv) is not left to the court's discretion, First Nat'l Bank of Crosby v. Bjorgen, 389 N.W.2d 789, 793 (N.D.1986). [¶ 19] However, while a prior judgment may be set aside upon a N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b) motion for relief from judgment, N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b) may not be used to impose further affirmative relief in addition to that already contained in the prior judgment. McKenzie County Soc. Serv. Bd. v. C.G., 2001 ND 151, ¶ 20, 633 N.W.2d 157. The only relief available under Rule 60(b) is merely to set aside a judgment. Id. The affirmative relief requested and granted was not available to Beverly Anne, Inc., through a motion for relief under N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b); its remedy, if any, is outside the scope of this action. McKenzie, at ¶ 23.