Court Opinion

ID: 9570386
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:22:46.671185+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:07:12.323051
License: Public Domain

CORCORAN, Judge,
concurring in part, dissenting in part:
I agree with the majority that the default and judgment entered against State Farm should be reversed.
*522However, I disagree with the majority and conclude that the default and judgment entered against the Iddings must also be reversed. The majority finds the argument made by the Iddings to be “convincing”; I find it compelling. The application of the principle relating to “abuse of discretion” in this case by the majority leads to the pixilated result that under the undisputed facts in this case, the Iddings either have the opportunity to defend the damage claim by Beal or have to pay him $100,000, simply on the basis of a flip of the coin by the trial court.
The majority misapplies “abuse of discretion” in this case. The facts and inferences from the facts are not in dispute. I don’t believe there are any factual or equitable considerations in dispute. Of the procedural considerations which overlap, the application of those which preponderate in favor of setting aside the default and judgment against the Iddings should be given primary consideration. Since the trial court did not do that, this court should. See State v. Chapple, 135 Ariz. 281, 297 n. 18, 660 P.2d 1208, 1224 n. 18 (1983). In this kind of case, to do otherwise is simply to permit the ultimate result to be forever determined by whomever makes the first decision. This ragged line cannot be justified by saying there was no “abuse of discretion” in denying the Iddings’ motion to set aside the default and judgment, and that it was an “abuse of discretion” to deny State Farm’s similar motion.
The facts set forth by the majority justify the conclusion that there was an abuse of discretion in the denial of the motions to set aside the defaults and judgments against both State Farm and Iddings. I would reverse as to Iddings and State Farm and remand for trial.