Gordon Huncilman v. Jeremy Voyles Marine Repair, LLC, and Jeremy Voyles (mem. dec.) ( 2019 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any Apr 23 2019, 9:06 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Matthew J. McGovern
Anderson, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Gordon Huncilman, April 23, 2019
Appellant-Plaintiff, Court of Appeals Case No.
18A-CT-1958
v. Appeal from the Clark Circuit
Court
Jeremy Voyles Marine Repair, The Honorable Andrew Adams,
LLC, and Jeremy Voyles, Judge
Appellees-Defendants. Trial Court Cause No.
10C01-1701-CT-4
Mathias, Judge.
[1] Gordon Huncilman (“Huncilman”) appeals the Clark Circuit Court’s setting
aside of default judgment against Jeremy Voyles Marine Repair, LLC, and
Jeremy Voyles (collectively, “Voyles”) arguing that there is no evidence of
excusable neglect.
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[2] We reverse.
Facts and Procedural History
[3] In late 2015, Gordon Huncilman (“Huncilman”) met with Voyles about
potentially hiring Voyles to paint his houseboat. Voyles told Huncilman that he
wanted to use Awlgrip brand paint on the boat, and the two agreed that the
work would be done in time for the boat to be launched in April or May of
2016. Huncilman understood that the storage facility was strict with the hours it
would allow Voyles to perform the necessary work, only allowing him to work
between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
[4] Huncilman testified that Voyles started the work on time, but there were large
lapses of time between work. Huncilman also saw that Voyles had been
working on another project at the same storage facility, but not on his boat. He
also observed a lot of problems with sags and runs in the paint. Huncilman did
not believe that Voyles properly prepared the boat; silicone around the windows
was painted over, and glue from decals had not been removed. When
Huncilman spoke to Voyles about these issues, Voyles indicated to him that he
would not repair or finish the boat. Voyles testified that he did the same
application on Huncilman’s boat that he does on hundreds of boats. He said
with this particular application, another individual “down there” turned the air
hoses off several times during application and that it splattered on the side of
the boat. Tr. p. 45. He also testified that on another occasion, he had the stripes
completely painted on one side, and someone else started a table saw and blew
saw dust onto the brand new paint. After this, he re-painted the boat; however,
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Huncilman had a company removing carpet glue, and that company splattered
gasoline all over the fresh paint on the back of the boat. Voyles testified that he
addressed these issues with Huncilman, telling him that he could not travel this
far to do this job with these sorts of mishaps with other companies. Huncilman
testified that he had several appointments set up with Voyles, but that Voyles
never showed and did not respond to his texts. Huncilman began interviewing
other painters to paint the boat. Huncilman also spoke with the paint
manufacturer and secured their technical bulletin. After reviewing the technical
bulletin, he felt it was “obvious” that the technical specifications had not been
followed. Tr. p. 54. Because of the defects with the paint, he had the boat
stripped and repainted.
[5] Voyles and Huncilman initially agreed upon a price of $10,000 for the painting
work to be completed by April or May of 2016. Huncilman made two payments
to Voyles, one for $3,250 and the other for $4,000. When the painting work was
not completed after the passage of some time, Huncilman asked Voyles if he
needed to pay additional money. Voyles asked for an additional $1,800, and
Huncilman agreed to pay the additional amount upon completion. Huncilman
paid Voyles and the contractor who ultimately completed the work a total of
$67,614.39. The difference between Voyles’s initial quote to Huncilman and the
amount he ultimately paid was $55,814.39
[6] Huncilman initiated this matter against Voyles seeking monetary damages. The
complaint and summons were addressed to Voyles at 3132 Utica Pike in
Jeffersonville, Indiana. However, Voyles’s business address is actually 3732
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Utica Pike. When the complaint and summons were initially served, a law
enforcement officer recognized the error in the address and served the copy on
Voyles personally. After receiving the complaint, Voyles reached out to the
attorney who was representing him in another matter, Richard Rush (“Rush”).
Rush advised Voyles that he could not formally represent Voyles because of the
potential for conflict; however, he did offer to assist Voyles with informally
working the matter out with Huncilman. Rush then arranged a meeting
between Voyles, Huncilman, and Huncilman’s counsel. Huncilman, his
counsel, and Rush proposed an amount to Voyles; however, Voyles did not like
the amount in the tentative agreement and refused to sign the settlement
paperwork. Rush never entered an appearance in the matter.
[7] After Voyles refused to sign the agreement, Rush sent him a letter stating
We have spoken several times and have communicated via text
message regarding the above matter. As you know, you have
been sued by Gordon Huncilman. You have not filed an Answer
and your deadline to file one has passed. The Agreed Judgment I
assisted you in negotiating still has not been signed and
[Huncilman’s counsel] has indicated he will be filing for a default
judgment sometime next week. Under the trial rules, he would be
eligible for that to be entered immediately. As you recall, I
initially told you I would not represent you in this matter because
of a potential conflict of interest. I have been involved thus far
because it appeared there was an amicable resolution that
wouldn’t pose a conflict. It is imperative that you file an Answer
to the suit immediately or deliver the signed Agreed Judgment to
me or to [Huncilman’s counsel] directly. I am sending a copy of
this letter to [Huncilman’s counsel] so that he is aware that I have
notified you of your rights and obligations. Should you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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Ex. Vol., Petitioner’s Ex. 1. This letter is dated March 3, 2016. Rush testified
that the date of 2016 was a typographical error and he sent the letter in 2017.
Rush also testified that he had at least one conversation with Voyles regarding
this letter before the motion for default judgment was filed. Voyles testified that
he never received any pleadings or other paperwork regarding the matter other
than the initial complaint and summons. On March 17, 2017, Huncilman
moved for default judgment. On March 30, 2017, the trial court set a damages
hearing, and Voyles did not appear. On June 12, 2017, the trial court entered
default judgment against Voyles in the amount of $55,814.39 plus costs and
statutory interest.
[8] Voyles later learned of the default judgment against him when his father called
him and told him he had seen the award of money for Huncilman on the
internet. On January 16, 2018, Voyles, through new counsel, filed an answer to
the complaint and a motion to set aside the default judgment. The trial court set
a hearing on this motion for February 13, 2018. This hearing was then
continued to July 11, 2018. At the hearing on Voyles’s motion to set aside the
default judgment, Voyles testified he believed that he did not need to file a
formal response to the complaint because Rush was assisting him with an
informal resolution. After this hearing, the trial court set aside the default
judgment. Huncilman now appeals the order setting aside default judgment.
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Discussion and Decision
[9] Once entered, a default judgment may be set aside because of mistake, surprise,
or excusable neglect so long as the motion to set aside the default is entered not
more than one year after the judgment and the moving party also alleges a
meritorious claim or defense. Ind. Trial Rules 55(C), 60(B). Indiana Trial Rule
60(B)(8) allows the setting aside of default judgment for “any reason justifying
relief from the operation of the judgment, other than those reasons set forth in
sub-paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4). When deciding whether or not a default
judgment may be set aside because of excusable neglect, the trial court must
consider the unique factual background of each case because “[n]o fixed rules
or standards have been established as the circumstances of no two cases are
alike.” Siebert Oxidermo, Inc. v. Shields, 446 N.E.2d 332, 340 (Ind. 1983) (quoting
Grecco v. Campbell, 179 Ind. App. 530, 532, 386 N.E.2d 960, 961 (1979)).
Indiana law strongly prefers disposition of cases on their merits. State v. Van
Keppel, 583 N.E.2d 161, 162 (Ind. Ct. App. 1991), trans. denied. Though the trial
court should use its discretion to do what is “just” in light of the facts of
individual cases, that discretion should be exercised in light of the disfavor in
which default judgments are held. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Watson, 747 N.E.2d 545,
547 (Ind. 2001).
[10] A ruling denying or granting relief on a motion to set aside a default judgment
is entitled to deference and is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Id. A trial court
will not be found to have abused its discretion “so long as there exists even
slight evidence of excusable neglect.” Security Bank & Trust Co. v. Citizens Nat’l
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Bank, 533 N.E.2d 1245, 1247 (Ind. Ct. App. 1989). An appellee who does not
respond to the appellant’s allegations of error on appeal runs a considerable risk
of reversal. O.S. v. J.M., 436 N.E.2d 871, 872 (Ind. Ct. App. 1982). Where an
appellee has not filed a brief on appeal, the appellant’s brief need only
demonstrate prima facie reversible error in order to justify a reversal. Id. “Prima
facie, in this context, means at first sight, on first appearance, or on the face of
it.” WindGate Properties, LLC v. Sanders, 93 N.E.3d 809, 813 (Ind. Ct. App.
2018). “This standard, however, ‘does not relieve us of our obligation to
correctly apply the law to the facts in the record in order to determine whether
reversal is required.’” Id. (citing Wharton v. State, 42 N.E.3d 538, 541 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2015)).
[11] The trial court set aside the default judgment pursuant to Ind. Trial Rule
60(B)(1) & (8) on the basis “that the failure to respond was a result of actual
lack of service to defendant or was due to a mistake or excusable neglect.”
Appellant’s App. p. 42. Huncilman argues that there is no evidence to support
the trial court’s conclusion that there was an “actual lack of service.”
Huncilman also argues that there was no evidence to support the conclusion of
that there was excusable neglect. Appellant’s Br. at 14, Appellant’s App. p. 42.
Because of the facts of these particular circumstances, we address these
arguments together.
[12] Initial service of a summons and complaint is governed by Indiana Trial Rule
4.1. It reads, in relevant part:
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In General. Service may be made upon an individual, or an
individual acting in a representative capacity, by:
(1) sending a copy of the summons and complaint by registered
or certified mail or other public means by which a written
acknowledgement of receipt may be requested and obtained
to his residence, place of business or employment with return
receipt requested and returned showing receipt of the letter; or
(2) delivering a copy of the summons and complaint to him
personally; or
(3) leaving a copy of the summons and complaint at his dwelling
house or usual place of abode; or
(4) serving his agent as provided by rule, statute or valid
agreement.
[13] A party properly brought into court is chargeable with notice of all subsequent
steps taken in the cause down to and including the judgment, although he does
not in fact appear or have actual notice thereof. Vanjani v. Federal Land Bank of
Louisville, 451 N.E.2d 667, 670 (Ind. Ct. App. 1983). Absent a showing of
excusable neglect, a party is bound by the proceedings occurring thereafter. Id.
The following facts have been held to constitute excusable
neglect, mistake, and inadvertence: (a) absence of a party’s
attorney through no fault of party; (b) an agreement made with
opposite party, or his attorney; (c) conduct of other persons
causing party to be misled or deceived; (d) unavoidable delay in
traveling; (e) faulty process, whereby party fails to receive actual
notice; (f) fraud, whereby party is prevented from appearing and
making a defense; (g) ignorance of defendant; (h) insanity or
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infancy; (i) married women deceived or misled by conduct of
husbands; (j) sickness of party, or illness of member of family.
Id. (quoting Continental Assurance Company v. Sickels, 145 Ind. App. 671, 675, 252
N.E.2d 439, 441 (Ind. Ct. App. 1969)).
[14] Ind. Trial Rule 55(B) references service of a motion for default judgment and
states:
(B) Default Judgment. In all cases the party entitled to a
judgment by default shall apply to the court therefor . . . [i]f the
party against whom judgment by default is sought has appeared
in the action, he, (or if appearing by a representative, his
representative) shall be served with written notice of the
application for judgment at least three [3] days prior to the
hearing on such application. If, in order to enable the court to
enter judgment or to carry it into effect, it is necessary to take an
account or to determine the amount of damages or to establish
the truth of any averment by evidence or to make an
investigation of any other matter, the court may conduct such
hearing or order such references as it deems necessary and proper
and shall accord a right of trial by jury to the parties when and as
required.
[15] Huncilman argues that, pursuant to Rule 55(B), whether Voyles actually
received the motion for default judgment is irrelevant as the trial rule only
requires that the request for default judgment be served on a party who has
appeared in the action. While the language used in the trial rule indeed only
explicitly requires service upon a party who has appeared, we are mindful that
our supreme court has reminded us that “the important and even essential
policies necessitating the use of default judgments – maintaining an orderly and
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efficient judicial system, facilitating the speedy determination of justice, and
enforcing compliance with procedural rules – should not come at the expense of
professionalism, civility, and common courtesy.” Huntington Nat’l Bank v. Car-X
Assoc. Corp., 39 N.E.3d 652, 659 (Ind. 2015). Here, it does not appear that
default proceedings were used as a “gotcha” device. Id.
[16] The parties do not dispute that Voyles received the complaint and summons in
this matter. Once Voyles received the summons and complaint, he bore the
burden of appearing, keeping apprised of the proceedings, and defending
himself. Additionally, Huncilman attempted to serve Voyles with the Motion
for Default Judgment; the Motion for Default Judgment contains a certificate of
service that contains the same incorrect address that the complaint and
summons contained. Ex. Vol., Petitioner’s Ex. 2a.
[17] Voyles participated in settlement negotiations and was advised by Rush by
letter and in person that Huncilman intended to move for default judgment if
Voyles did not appear and file an answer when settlement negotiations fell
through. Moreover, once he was served with the complaint, he was chargeable
with notice of subsequent actions in the matter, whether or not he received
actual notice. Vanjani, 451 N.E.2d at 670. There are no other facts in the record
to show that Voyles was otherwise incapable of appearing and defending
himself. The law distinguishes neglect from excusable neglect, and we conclude
in these circumstances that the neglect on the part of Voyles was not excusable.
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Conclusion
[18] Because Voyles’s neglect in failing to appear and file an answer after being
advised that he needed to do so in order to avoid default judgment does not
constitute excusable neglect, and because we find no other reason on these facts
to set aside default judgment, we reverse the trial court’s order setting aside of
the default judgment in this matter.
[19] Reversed.
Vaidik, C.J., and Crone, J., concur.
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