Court Opinion

ID: 4261995
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-04-06 15:11:04.163405+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:30:03.296279
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                           Apr 06 2018, 5:44 am

                                                                               CLERK
                                                                           Indiana Supreme Court
                                                                              Court of Appeals
                                                                                and Tax Court

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Gregory A. Stout
Reisenfeld & Associates, LPA LLC
Cincinnati, Ohio

                                            IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

U.S. Bank Trust, N.A., as                                 April 6, 2018
Trustee for LSF9 Master                                   Court of Appeals Case No.
Participation Trust,                                      36A01-1711-MF-2521
Appellant-Plaintiff,                                      Appeal from the Jackson Superior
                                                          Court
        v.                                                The Honorable Bruce Markel III,
                                                          Judge
Delphine D. Spurgeon, Co-                                 Trial Court Cause No.
Trustee of the Spurgeon Family                            36D01-1612-MF-100
Trust,
Appellee-Defendant.

Brown, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018                           Page 1 of 13
[1]   U.S. Bank, N.A., as Trustee for LSF9 Master Participation Trust, (“U.S.

      Bank”) appeals the dismissal of its complaint for foreclosure. We reverse and

      remand.

                                              Procedural History

[2]   On December 21, 2016, U.S. Bank filed an In Rem Complaint on Note to

      Foreclose Mortgage against Delphine D. Spurgeon as co-trustee of the

      Spurgeon Family Trust Dated 12/3/04 (the “Trust”) and the State of Indiana.

      The complaint alleges that Forrest K. Spurgeon, deceased, executed a

      promissory note (the “Note”) evidencing a loan from Wells Fargo Financial

      Indiana, Inc., (“Wells Fargo”) in the original principal amount of $109,498.43,

      and that Forrest K. Spurgeon and Delphine D. Spurgeon as trustees of the Trust

      executed a mortgage (the “Mortgage”) in favor of Wells Fargo, granting a

      security interest in certain real property in Jackson County, Indiana, held by the

      Trust to secure repayment of the loan which was recorded with the Jackson

      County Recorder. The complaint alleges that U.S. Bank is the holder of and

      entitled to enforce the Note, the Note is endorsed in blank, and that the

      Mortgage is held by U.S. Bank by an assignment of mortgage from Wells Fargo

      to U.S. Bank in 2016 which was also recorded. The complaint further alleges

      that the loan evidenced by the Note is in default and the outstanding principal

      balance of $99,878.10 together with accrued interest and expenses has been and

      is declared to be immediately due and payable. U.S. Bank requested the trial

      court to issue an in rem judgment and a decree of foreclosure ordering that the

      property subject to the Mortgage be sold. A copy of the Note is attached to the

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018   Page 2 of 13
      complaint as Exhibit A, a copy of the Mortgage is attached as Exhibit B, and a

      copy of the assignment of the Mortgage is attached as Exhibit C.

[3]   On April 4, 2017, U.S. Bank filed an In Rem Motion for Default Judgment

      stating that Delphine Spurgeon as trustee of the Trust had been served and

      failed to file a responsive pleading. That same day, U.S. Bank filed an affidavit

      of Naomi Feistel in support of a judgment and decree of foreclosure stating that

      U.S. Bank is the holder of the Note and Mortgage, Forrest Spurgeon is

      deceased and defaulted under the Note by failing to tender monthly payments

      when due, the loan evidenced by the Note is in default, U.S. Bank has

      accelerated all sums due under the Note, and U.S. Bank is entitled to recover

      the unpaid principal balance, interest, taxes, and property inspection fee. On

      May 10, 2017, the court held a hearing. On May 11, 2017, the court denied

      U.S. Bank’s motion for default judgment.

[4]   On August 21, 2017, U.S. Bank filed a Renewed Motion for Default Judgment

      which stated that the court had raised concerns at the prior hearing as to the

      parties named in the complaint; all necessary parties were before the court; title

      to the subject property was held by the Trust as evidenced by a copy of a deed

      attached as an exhibit; Forrest Spurgeon was deceased as evidenced by a copy

      of the death certificate attached as an exhibit; U.S. Bank was seeking only in

      rem relief; and no party had objected to the relief sought by U.S. Bank.

[5]   On August 30, 2017, the court issued an order scheduling a hearing for October

      4, 2017, for the purpose of dismissing the case which stated in part that U.S.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018   Page 3 of 13
      Bank failed to comply with Ind. Trial Rule 9.2(A) because the Note attached to

      the complaint was not signed by the mortgagor. U.S. Bank filed a response

      which stated that the property subject to the Mortgage was transferred to the

      Trust by deed in 2004; the Trust currently holds title to the property; U.S. Bank

      is the current holder of the Note; the Note is secured by the Mortgage; as the

      Trust held title to the property, Forrest and Delphine Spurgeon signed the

      Mortgage in their capacities as trustees of the Trust; Forrest Spurgeon died in

      2012; and U.S. Bank is seeking only in rem relief for the purpose of foreclosing

      upon the Mortgage and is not seeking a monetary or personal judgment. U.S.

      Bank further argued that it attached the Note and Mortgage to its complaint in

      compliance with Ind. Trial Rule 9.2(A).

[6]   On October 4, 2017, the court held the scheduled hearing. At the hearing, the

      court stated:

              I sheltered people’s estates and their assets for years as a tax and
              estate planner and probate lawyer, by putting things in trusts and
              so, forth so, the mortgage clearly says that the borrower is the
              [Trust]. And so, if there is no note that is signed by the trust, by
              the trustees of the trust, as trustees then the mortgage is not
              securing anything. I do not disagree with the statement that . . . a
              note may be signed and then . . . a mortgage on property not
              owned by the person who executed the note can secure the loan
              there is absolutely no question about that, but the problem is
              that’s not what was done here. This clearly says the [Trust] is the
              borrower, and that is not the case. The borrower was Forest [sic]
              . . . Spurgeon, sorry individually. And there is a huge difference,
              the whole point of setting up the trust is to take the property that
              is put into the trust, and segregate it, and protect it from . . . the
              person’s . . . individual actions, not to mention the fact that the

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018    Page 4 of 13
              real-estate was in the name of the [Trust] at the time that the
              mortgage was executed.

      Transcript Volume II at 6.

[7]   The trial court issued an Order which states in part:

                     This matter was set for hearing to show cause why this
              case should not be dismissed for failure to comply with Ind. Rule
              of Procedure 9.2 (A).

                     The Mortgage attached to the complaint clearly and
              unequivocally states that the borrower is the [Trust]. The Note
              attached to the complaint is signed by Forrest K. Spurgeon,
              individually.

                    It should be noted that [U.S. Bank] filed a copy of the deed
              showing that the real estate was in the name of the trust at the
              time of the transaction in question.

                    [U.S. Bank] has not filed a note executed by the Trustees
              on behalf of the [Trust] after having been given ample
              opportunity to do so.

                    In fact, Counsel for [U.S. Bank] has clearly indicated the
              only note in possession of the client is the note signed by Forrest
              K. Spurgeon, individually.

                     [U.S. Bank] has failed to state a claim upon which relief
              can be granted by failing to file a written instrument necessary for
              the entry of judgment.

                    It is therefore, Ordered and Adjudged that this case is
              dismissed.

      October 4, 2017 Order.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018      Page 5 of 13
                                                    Discussion

[8]   The issue is whether the trial court abused its discretion in dismissing U.S.

      Bank’s complaint. We generally review a trial court’s ruling with respect to

      compliance with Ind. Trial Rule 9.2 for an abuse of discretion. See Brown v.

      Guinn, 970 N.E.2d 192, 195 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012) (finding the court acted within

      its discretion when it did not dismiss the plaintiff’s action because he had failed

      to produce a copy of a written contract); Bank of New York v. Bright, 494 N.E.2d

      970, 975 (Ind. Ct. App. 1986) (observing the trial court is afforded discretion in

      addressing non-compliance with Ind. Trial Rule 9.2(A)). In reviewing a ruling

      to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, we stand

      in the shoes of the trial court and determine if the trial court erred in its

      application of the law. Lawson v. First Union Mortgage Co., 786 N.E.2d 279, 281

      (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). The court’s order of dismissal is proper if it is apparent

      that the facts alleged in the complaint are incapable of supporting relief under

      any set of circumstances. Id.

[9]   U.S. Bank argues that it complied with Ind. Trial Rule 9.2(A) by attaching the

      Note and Mortgage to its complaint for foreclosure, that the Trust held title to

      the property subject to the Mortgage, and that Forrest and Delphine Spurgeon,

      as the trustees of the Trust, signed the Mortgage. It further argues that, as no

      party appeared, it is apparent that the Trust did not object to the relief sought by

      U.S. Bank, and that it is aware of no law that requires that a promissory note be

      signed by all those who hold title to the real property that is to be encumbered

      by the mortgage. Further, U.S. Bank argues that the Note and Mortgage are

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018        Page 6 of 13
       enforceable and that, “[e]ven assuming a typographical error or lack of clarity

       regarding the trust and trustees only being mortgagors, and not borrowers under

       the note, this would not render the mortgage unenforceable.” Appellant’s Brief

       at 11.

[10]   The Trust has not filed an appellee’s brief. When an appellee has not filed an

       answer brief, we need not undertake the burden of developing an argument on

       the appellee’s behalf. Henderson v. Henderson, 919 N.E.2d 1207, 1210 (Ind. Ct.

       App. 2010). Rather, we may reverse the trial court if the appellant presents a

       case of prima facie error. Id. Prima facie error means at first sight, on first

       appearance, or on the face of it. Id.

[11]   Ind. Trial Rule 9.2(A) provides:

                When instrument or copy, or an Affidavit of Debt must be
                filed. When any pleading allowed by these rules is founded on a
                written instrument, the original, or a copy thereof, must be
                included in or filed with the pleading. Such instrument, whether
                copied in the pleadings or not, shall be taken as part of the
                record.

                When any pleading allowed by these rules is founded on an
                account, an Affidavit of Debt in a form substantially similar to
                that which is provided in Appendix A-2 to these rules, shall be
                attached.

[12]   To the extent we must interpret the Note and Mortgage, we observe that

       interpretation of a contract is a pure question of law and is reviewed de novo.

       First Fed. Bank of Midwest v. Greenwalt, 42 N.E.3d 89, 94 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015)

       (citations omitted). If a contract’s terms are clear and unambiguous, courts

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018     Page 7 of 13
       must give those terms their clear and ordinary meaning. Id. Courts should

       interpret a contract so as to harmonize its provisions, rather than place them in

       conflict. Id. We will make all attempts to construe the language of a contract

       so as not to render any words, phrases, or terms ineffective or meaningless. Id.

[13]   When a contract contains general and specific provisions relating to the same

       subject, the specific provision controls. Jernas v. Gumz, 53 N.E.3d 434, 445

       (Ind. Ct. App. 2016) (citing Ryan v. Lawyers Title Ins. Corp., 959 N.E.2d 870, 875

       (Ind. Ct. App. 2011)), trans. denied. To be valid and enforceable, a contract

       must be reasonably definite and certain. Id.; Wenning v. Calhoun, 827 N.E.2d

       627, 629 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) (“In order to be enforceable, a contract must be

       reasonably definite and certain in its material terms so that the intention of the

       parties may be ascertained.”), trans. denied.

[14]   In this case, several exhibits were attached to U.S. Bank’s complaint, including

       copies of the Note and the Mortgage. We also note the complaint attached an

       assignment of the Mortgage from Wells Fargo to U.S. Bank and that U.S. Bank

       filed a copy of the deed conveying the property subject to the Mortgage to the

       Trust.

[15]   The pleadings allege that Forrest Spurgeon signed the Note and promised to

       repay the loan on the terms set forth in the Note. The Note refers to Forrest

       Spurgeon as the “Borrower.” The Note is dated May 24, 2006, indicates the

       original principal balance was $109,498.43, provides that Forrest Spurgeon

       would make principal and interest payments each month, and states that the

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018   Page 8 of 13
       amounts owed would be paid in full on or before the maturity date of May 30,

       2036.

[16]   The pleadings also allege that Forrest and Delphine Spurgeon, as trustees of the

       Trust, signed the Mortgage dated May 24, 2006. The property subject to the

       Mortgage is held by the Trust. The Mortgage includes a number of defined

       terms. The Mortgage defines the term “Security Instrument” to refer to the

       Mortgage document together with all riders. Mortgage at 1. The Mortgage

       defines the term “Borrower” as the Trust. Id. The Mortgage defines the term

       “Lender” as Wells Fargo and provides “Lender is the mortgagee under this

       Security Instrument.” Id. The Mortgage states: “‘Note’ means the promissory

       note signed by Borrower and dated 05/24/06. The Note states that Borrower

       owes Lender $109498.43 (U.S. Dollars) plus interest. Borrower has promised

       to pay this debt in regular Periodic Payments and to pay the debt in full not

       later than 05/30/36.” Id. The Mortgage defines the term “Loan” to mean “the

       debt evidenced by the Note, plus interest, any prepayment charges and late

       charges due under the Note, and all sums due under this Security Instrument,

       plus interest.” Id.

[17]   The Mortgage, under the heading “Transfer of Rights in the Property,”

       provides the following operative language:

               This Security Instrument secures to Lender (i) the repayment of
               the Loan, and all renewals, extension and modifications of the
               Note; and (ii) the performance of Borrower’s covenants and
               agreements under this Security Instrument and the Note. For
               this purpose, Borrower does hereby mortgage, grant and convey

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018   Page 9 of 13
               to Lender and Lender’s successors and assigns [the Jackson
               County property].

       Id. at 2.

[18]   The trial court stated at the hearing that “a mortgage on property not owned by

       the person who executed the note can secure the loan,” the “problem is that’s

       not what was done here,” and the Mortgage “clearly says the [Trust] is the

       borrower.” Transcript Volume II at 6. The court’s order states “[t]he Mortgage

       attached to the complaint clearly and unequivocally states that the borrower is

       the [Trust],” October 4, 2017 Order. We agree that one person may furnish

       collateral or grant a mortgage on the person’s real property to secure the loan of

       another. See Greenwalt, 42 N.E.3d at 94 (noting that a person who furnishes

       collateral to secure the loan of another or mortgages the person’s land to secure

       another’s debt is a surety). We also agree that Forrest Spurgeon, and not the

       Trust, is the borrower of the loan evidenced by the Note and that the Trust is

       the mortgagor under the Mortgage. The Trust, pursuant to the Mortgage,

       granted an interest in property held in its name to secure repayment of the debt

       of Forrest Spurgeon.

[19]   As for the terminology in the instruments, we observe that the form language of

       both the Note and the Mortgage use the term “borrower” throughout and that

       not all of the uses of that term in the Mortgage, such as in defining the term

       “Note,” were tailored to reflect the fact that the mortgagor under the Mortgage

       is not the same party as the borrower under the Note. Nevertheless, the use of

       the term “borrower” in the Mortgage does not render the Mortgage or U.S.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018   Page 10 of 13
Bank’s security interest in the property invalid or unenforceable. We observe

that a portion of the text in the Mortgage document appears to consist of form

or pre-printed text while specific terms appear in type filled in on pre-printed

blanks on the document. In particular, we note that the word “Borrower” in

the definition of the term “Note” in the Mortgage appears to consist of pre-

printed text while the other terms in the definition describing the Note,

including the loan amount, the date the Note was signed, and the maturity date,

appear as typed text filled in on pre-printed blank spaces. Further, the operative

language of the Mortgage provides that the property secures “the repayment of

the Loan, and all renewals, extension and modifications of the Note” and that

the Trust “does hereby mortgage, grant and convey to [Wells Fargo] and [its]

successors and assigns [the Jackson County property].” Mortgage at 2. In turn,

the term “Loan” is defined to mean the debt evidenced by the Note, the “Note”

is referred to as the one dated May 24, 2006, in the amount of $109,498.43,

with a maturity date of May 30, 2036, and these terms mirror those of the Note

executed by Forrest Spurgeon. The language of the Mortgage, including the

specific filled-in language, is sufficiently definite to reveal the intent of the

mortgagor as to the identification of the loan secured by the Mortgage. See

Jernas, 53 N.E.3d at 447 (observing that the identification of the purchaser and

property description were reasonably definite); Ryan, 959 N.E.2d at 874-877

(noting that there was a discrepancy between the general pre-printed text of a

purchase agreement and the more specific language in type filled in on the form

purchase agreement and finding that the specific filled-in language controlled

over the more general pre-printed language). Also, the trial court found that the
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018     Page 11 of 13
       property subject to the Mortgage was in the name of the Trust at the time of the

       transaction in question. It is clear from the language of the Mortgage that the

       Trust, as mortgagor, has granted a security interest in the property held in its

       name to secure the payment of the debt owed by Forrest Spurgeon pursuant to

       the Note.

[20]   In addition, we observe that Delphine Spurgeon as trustee of the Trust was

       served with the complaint for foreclosure, the Trust did not file an appearance

       or an answer to U.S. Bank’s complaint, and on appeal the Trust has not filed an

       appellee’s brief. The Trust thus did not and has not challenged U.S. Bank’s

       allegations that U.S. Bank is entitled to enforce the Mortgage as a result of a

       default under the Note, the Trust does not argue that the Mortgage is in any

       way invalid or unenforceable due to the document’s definition or use of the

       term borrower or otherwise, and the Trust has not asserted that it, as the holder

       of title to the property subject to the Mortgage, did not or was unable to grant

       an interest in the property as security for the repayment of the loan evidenced

       by the Note.

[21]   Based upon the record, we conclude that U.S. Bank did not fail to comply with

       Ind. Trial Rule 9.2(A) or fail to state a claim upon which relief could be

       granted. U.S. Bank has established its security interest in the property subject

       to the Mortgage and that it is entitled to default judgment.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018   Page 12 of 13
                                                    Conclusion

[22]   For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the trial court’s order dismissing U.S.

       Bank’s foreclosure action and remand with instructions to grant U.S. Bank’s

       request for default judgment.

[23]   Reversed and remanded.

       Bailey, J., and Crone, J., concur.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 36A01-1711-MF-2521 | April 6, 2018   Page 13 of 13