Opinion ID: 2090964
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Was the mortgage obligation void?

Text: Defendants in this proceeding seek to litigate issues relating to the validity of the mortgage obligation. They contend that the execution and delivery of the mortgage was unauthorized; that it was given without consideration; that the assignment to Suplee was without consideration; and that there was nothing due on the obligation when the mortgage was foreclosed. The court held that these issues could not be collaterally raised in this proceeding, since the defendants, as terre-tenants of the land, were bound to litigate the validity of the mortgage in the foreclosure proceeding. They were in privity with the defendant in that proceeding, for their titles were derived from the purchaser at the tax sale, who succeeded to the title of the Fenwick Island Corporation. Hence they are bound by the judgment in that proceeding. 37 Am. Jur., Mortgages, § 549. It was, of course, unnecessary to make the defendants parties to the foreclosure. The only necessary defendant in such a proceeding is the mortgagor or his personal representative. 2 Woolley on Delaware Practice, § 1360; Seals v. Chadwick, 2 Pennewill 381, 45 A. 718. We hold that the court below was right in declining to permit defendants to attack the validity of the mortgage. The Eckert defendants attempt to make some point of the fact that after they had made the highest bid at the foreclosure sale, and had then withdrawn their bid, the Sheriff reopened the bidding. No one objected to this and the bidders had not dispersed. These defendants cannot now avoid the sale on that ground. 37 Am. Jur., Mortgages, § 718. The foregoing discussion disposes of the three questions raised below and reargued here. In the defendants' brief before this Court, and at the argument, an additional question was suggested, viz.: whether there was before the court below an issue of fact raised by the answer of the Shockley defendants. Their answer pleads adverse possession of their land. It is now conceded that this issue, as such, was not discussed in the briefs filed below on behalf of the Eckert defendants. Nor was it argued, as a reading of the transcript of the oral argument shows. In fact counsel for the Shockley defendants filed no brief and made no argument. It is suggested that one of the briefs on behalf of the Eckert defendants mentioned the fact that the Shockleys went into possession of their land in 1932. Such a casual statement by counsel for the Eckerts cannot possibly be treated as a serious attempt to argue below that there was an issue of adverse possession in the case as to their co-defendants. The point was never raised before the trial court. It comes too late here. Cottrell v. Pawcatuck Co., Del., 129 A.2d 263. We have considered all the points raised and discussed at length in defendants' briefs. We are in entire accord with the opinion of the court below, and the judgment is affirmed.