Bank of Am. v. McGlothin , 2013 Ohio 2755 ( 2013 )

[Cite as Bank of Am. v. McGlothin, 2013-Ohio-2755.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR CLARK COUNTY, OHIO
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. :
Plaintiff-Appellee : C.A. CASE NO. 2012 CA 96
v. : T.C. NO. 12CV595
PENNY J. McGLOTHIN, et al. : (Civil appeal from
Common Pleas Court)
Defendants-Appellants :
:
..........
OPINION
Rendered on the 28th day of June , 2013.
..........
MIKE L. WIERY, Atty. Reg. No. 0068898, P. O. Box 96696, 30455 Solon Road, Solon,
Ohio 44139
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
KENNETH J. IGNOZZI, Atty. Reg. No. 0055431, 131 N. Ludlow Street, Suite 1400,
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Attorney for Defendants-Appellants
LISA M. FANNIN, Atty. Reg. No. 0082337, 50 E. Columbia Street, P. O. Box 1608,
Springfield, Ohio 45501
Attorney for Defendant-Appellee
..........
DONOVAN, J.
{¶ 1} This matter is before the Court on the Notice of Appeal of Penny and
Michael McGlothin, filed December 26, 2012. The McGlothins appeal from the trial
court’s November 26, 2012 decision sustaining the motion for summary judgment of Bank
of America, NA (“BoA”), and also from the December 19, 2012 decision of the trial court
which overruled the McGlothins’ motion for relief from judgment.
{¶ 2} BoA filed a complaint in foreclosure against the McGlothins on June 4,
2012, asserting that it is the holder of a note and mortgage, and attached to which is a
promissory note executed by the McGlothins and Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., dated
November 2, 2006, in the amount of $70,887.00, which bears a stamp that provides, “Pay to
the Order of Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, LP, without Recourse Country Wide
Home Loans, Inc.” along with an additional stamp that provides, “Pay to the Order of Bank
of America, NA, without Recourse, Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP.” The stamps
are not dated, and both are signed by Michele Sjolander, Executive Vice President. Also
attached to the complaint is a mortgage for real property located at 1320 Lexington Avenue
in Springfield, Ohio, signed by the McGlothins and given to Mortgage Electronic
Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), as nominee for Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., as
security for the promissory note; an Assignment of Mortgage, dated August 3, 2011,
identifying Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., as the original lender and “BAC Home Loans
Servicing, LP FKA Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, LP” as the assignee; and a
preliminary judicial report.
{¶ 3} On July 11, 2012, Michael filed a pro se Motion for Extension of
Time to Answer, which the trial court granted. The McGlothins, represented by counsel,
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filed an Answer on August 1, 2012, in which they asserted the following affirmative
defenses:
1. Plaintiff has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be
granted.
2. Plaintiff does not have standing.
3. There is no valid lien under Ohio Law on the subject premises * *
*.
4. The mortgage violates Ohio and Federal law.
5. The assignment that allegedly occurred is invalid and not
enforceable and there was no consideration therefore.
{¶ 4} On November 2, 2012, BoA filed its motion for summary judgment,
attached to which is the affidavit of Eric D. Oyler, an assistant vice president of BoA,
asserting in part as follows:
“BANK OF MAERICA, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO
BAC HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP FKA COUNTRYWIDE HOME
LOANS SERVICING, LP directly or through an agent, has possession of the
promissory note. The promissory note is made payable to BANK OF
AMERICA, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO BAC HOME LOANS
SERVICING, LP FKA COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP.
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO BAC HOME
LOANS SERVICING, LP FKA COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS
SERVICING, LP is the assignee of security instrument for the referenced
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loan.
Oyler authenticated attached copies of the note and mortgage, and asserted that the
McGlothins are in default, that the indebtedness has been accelerated, and that the balance
due is $67,399.39 plus interest at 6.750% per annum from January 1, 2011.
{¶ 5} On November 15, 2012, the McGlothins filed a motion requesting that
the court deny the motion for summary judgment or, in the alternative, grant a continuance
of the hearing on the motion, pursuant to Civ.R. 56(F). The McGlothins asserted that
“additional discovery is needed in this matter in order to prepare an adequate Response and
sufficient time has not yet elapsed for this discovery.” According to the McGlothins, they
“were able to retain counsel via the Volunteer Lawyers Project” on July 24, 2012. They
asserted that their counsel “is attempting to contact Plaintiff’s counsel regarding the taking
of the deposition” of Eric Oyler. They asserted that BoA “has previously faced allegations
that in foreclosure cases it submitted inaccurate affidavits from its officials in support of
motions for summary judgment. * * * In light of this history, it is necessary for the
McGlothins to take the deposition of the affiant, whose affidavit is being used to support the
motion for summary judgment in this case.” The McGlothins further assert that “the
affiant may be able to provide pertinent information such as whether the rights to the loan
had been properly transferred between banks, the propriety of any transfers of Defendants’
loan between any and all banks involved, and other such pertinent information.” Attached
to the McGlothins’ motion is the affidavit of defense counsel, which provides in part as
follows:
***
5
6. Through the Volunteer Lawyers Project, my first contact with the
Defendants occurred on July 24, 2012 via a video conference.
7. Upon commencement of representation, my office timely filed an
Answer to the Complaint on August 1, 2012.
8. Plaintiff filed its Motion for Summary Judgment on November 2,
2012.
9. My office is in the process of contacting Plaintiff’s counsel
regarding the taking of the deposition of Plaintiff’s affiant, but to date the
deposition has not been scheduled.
10. My office is in the process of sending written discovery requests
to the Plaintiff, but to date, I do not have responses to written discovery
requests from the Plaintiff.
11. In light of the events and circumstances of this case, Defendants
have not been provided sufficient time to conduct the depositions of the
affiant relied upon by Plaintiff in the Motion for Summary Judgment, filed on
or about November 2, 2012.
12. Without sufficient time to conduct the depositions of the affiant,
and to review any response to discovery that may be provided by Plaintiff,
Defendant is unable to properly respond to Plaintiff’s Motion.
{¶ 6} On November 21, 2012, the McGlothins filed a Notice of Submission of
Interrogatories and Request for Production of Documents.
{¶ 7} On November 26, 2012, the trial court sustained BoA’s motion for
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summary judgment, and BoA filed a Reply to the McGlothins’ opposition to its Motion for
Summary Judgment.
{¶ 8} On December 14, 2012, the McGlothins filed a Motion to Vacate Judgment
Dated November 26, 2012, in which they asserted in part that BoA “is not the owner of the
loan, and is instead a successor and there is no way for the Defendants to properly respond to
summary judgment without discovery.” They asserted that neither they nor defense counsel
received a copy of the November 26, 2012 Entry sustaining BoA’s motion for summary
judgment. Their motion concludes, “Given the procedural history, the judgment entry of
November 26, 2012 should properly be vacated, so that the Court can rule upon the Rule
56(f) (sic) motion and allow discovery to properly proceed so that Defendants may prepare a
proper response.” On December 20, 2012, BoA opposed the McGlothins’ motion to vacate
judgment. The motion to vacate was overruled by the trial court without analysis.
{¶ 9} The McGlothins assert two assigned errors herein. Their first assigned error
is as follows:
“THE TRIAL ERRED BY NOT GRANTING THE MCGLOTHINS’ MOTION
UNDER CIV.R. 56(F) SO THAT DISCOVERY COULD BE OBTAINED.”
{¶ 10} BoA responds that the McGlothins failed to provide an adequate reason for
delay in conducting discovery and that they made no attempt to conduct discovery prior to
the filing of the motion for summary judgment.
{¶ 11} As this Court has previously noted:
A party who moves for summary judgment bears the initial burden of
informing the trial court of the basis of its motion and “identifying those
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portions of the record that demonstrate the genuine absence of a genuine issue
of material fact on the essential element(s) of the nonmoving party's claims *
* * [If] the moving party has satisfied its initial burden, the nonmoving party
then has a reciprocal burden outlined in Civ.R. 56(E) to set forth specific
facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial and, if the nonmovant does
not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against
the nonmoving party.” Dresher v. Burt (1996), 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 293, 662
N.E.2d 264. Doriott v. MVHE, Inc., 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 20040,
2004-Ohio-867, ¶ 37.
{¶ 12} Civ.R. 56(F) provides:
Should it appear from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion for
summary judgment that the party cannot for sufficient reasons stated present
by affidavit facts essential to justify the party's opposition, the court may
refuse the application for judgment or may order a continuance to permit
affidavits to be obtained or discovery to be had or may make such other order
as is just.
{¶ 13} As this Court has previously noted, “The trial court's determination of a
Civ.R. 56(F) motion is a matter within its sound discretion. Clark Cty. Solid Waste Mgt.
Dist. v. Danis Clarkco Landfill Co. (1996), 109 Ohio App.3d 19, 38, 671 N.E.2d 1034.
Accordingly, the trial court's determination will not be reversed absent an abuse of that
discretion.” Scaccia v. Dayton Newspapers, Inc., 170 Ohio App. 3d 471, 476,
2007-Ohio-869, 867 N.E.2d 874, 878 (2d Dist.)
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{¶ 14} As the Supreme Court of Ohio determined:
“Abuse of discretion” has been defined as an attitude that is
unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable. (Internal citation omitted). It is
to be expected that most instances of abuse of discretion will result in
decisions that are simply unreasonable, rather than decisions that are
unconscionable or arbitrary.
A decision is unreasonable if there is no sound reasoning process that
would support that decision. It is not enough that the reviewing court, were
it deciding the issue de novo, would not have found that reasoning process to
be persuasive, perhaps in view of countervailing reasoning processes that
would support a contrary result. AAAA Enterprises, Inc. v. River Place
Community Redevelopment, 50 Ohio St.3d 157, 161, 553 N.E.2d 597 (1990).
{¶ 15} As this Court further noted in Doriott:
Pursuant to Civ.R. 7[(B)], the grounds for a Civ.R. 56(F) motion for
a continuance must be stated with particularity. In addition, Civ.R. 56(F)
requires the motion to be supported by an affidavit containing “sufficient
reasons why (the nonmoving party) cannot present by affidavit facts sufficient
to justify its opposition” to the summary judgment motion. Id. “Mere
allegations requesting a continuance or deferral of action for the purpose of
discovery are not sufficient reasons why a party cannot present affidavits in
opposition to the motion for summary judgment.” Gates Mills Inv. Co. v.
Pepper Pike (1978), 59 Ohio App.2d 155, 169, 392 N.E.2d 1316. “There
9
must be a factual basis stated and reasons given within an affidavit why a
party cannot present facts essential to its opposition to the motion.”
Baldwin's Ohio Practice, Klein/Darling, Civil Practice, Vol. 2, Section At
56-14, at p. 564, 392 N.E.2d 1316.
A party who seeks a continuance for further discovery is not required
to specify what facts he hopes to discover, especially where the facts are in
the control of the party moving for summary judgment. See, e.g. Booth v.
Security Mutual Life Insurance Co. (1957), 155 F.Supp. 755. However, the
court must be convinced that there is a likelihood of discovering some such
facts. Further, a claim that the party has not completed discovery is more
likely to be rejected by the court where the party has not shown some
diligence in attempting discovery. See Southern Rambler Sales, Inc. v.
American Motors Corp. (1967), 375 F.2d 932. Doriott, ¶ 40-41.
{¶ 16} The McGlothins rely upon Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, L.P. v.
Stultz, 161 Ohio App.3d 829, 2005-Ohio-3282, 832 N.E.2d 125 (10th Dist.), and Beal Bank
S.S.B. v. Means, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 96252, 2011-Ohio-5922, and we agree with BoA
that the instant matter is distinguishable from those authorities. In Stultz, the Tenth District
found that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the mortgagors’ motion for a
continuance for discovery purposes in the context of summary judgment where the motion
was filed less than three weeks after mortgagee filed the motion for summary judgment, the
parties disagreed on at least two genuine issues of material fact, and the trial court appeared
to have failed to consider the mortgagors’ answer containing counterclaims for trespass and
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conversion and seeking damages in excess of $25,000.00, along with punitive damages. Id.,
¶ 17. The mortgagors also asserted in their motion that the mortgagee “did not respond to
any discovery requests, so that appellants were limited to their own personal knowledge of
the facts.” Id., ¶ 13.
{¶ 17} In Means, the mortgagors, in response to a complaint in foreclosure, asserted
counterclaims alleging predatory and racially discriminatory lending, trespass, and violations
of the Fair Credit Billing Act. Id., ¶ 3. The matter was referred to the court’s foreclosure
mediation program, and all discovery and motion practice was stayed. Id., ¶ 4. When the
matter did not settle, the court lifted the the stays. Id. The mortgagee filed a motion for
summary judgment, and the mortgagors requested a 90-day discovery continuance,
supported by the affidavit of defense counsel, “who averred that the matter had been stayed
pending the mediation process, and after this time, * * * family health issues prevented him
from obtaining discovery. Specifically, he averred that he had been ill and his wife
sustained injuries that required her to receive in-home care.” Id., ¶ 8. Defense counsel
further averred that it “was essential to depose Beal Bank in order to discover facts relevant
to the counterclaim and to oppose the bank’s motion for summary judgment.” Id. Defense
counsel attached “copies of discovery requests that defendants were prepared to serve upon
plaintiff.” Id. The trial court entered summary judgment for the mortgagee.
{¶ 18} Citing Stultz, the Eighth District concluded that the trial court abused its
discretion as follows:
* * * We note that the court stayed discovery from March 17, 2009 to
February 26, 2010, and beginning in November, 2009 family health issues
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plagued defendants’ counsel. In an affidavit, counsel for defendants
indicated that he had “been ill and [his] wife continues to be confined to a
wheelchair and staying in a hospital bed in our livingroom because of two
fractured hips suffered on November 23, 2009.” The affidavit set forth a
legitimate, good faith basis for the continuance.
Moreover, defense counsel explained to the trial court that these
factors, in addition to the stay of discovery, prevented him from conducting
discovery in the short time period allotted following mediation. Defense
counsel had no opportunity to explore the counterclaim of discriminatory
lending practices that aided and abetted the loan originators and inclusion of
last minute, unauthorized, or erroneous contract terms. The motion for a
discovery continuance was filed within the same general time as the brief in
opposition would have been due, and in awarding summary judgment to Beal
Bank, the trial court denied a reasonable request for time to gather evidence
with which to establish a genuine issue of material fact, and therefore denied
defendants a meaningful opportunity to assert their defenses and
counterclaims. Id., ¶ 19-20.
{¶ 19} Unlike the defendants in the above matters, the McGlothins did not assert
counterclaims against BoA. While the McGlothins’ motion was filed within the time
period that a memorandum in opposition to the motion for summary judgment was due
pursuant to local rule, and summary judgment was granted 24 days later, absent from the
matter herein is any evidence that attempted discovery was unsuccessful and required
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completion, as in Stultz, or any assertion, as in Means, as to why this is so. Rather than
state grounds for a continuance with particularity in their motion, the McGlothins offered
only speculation about previous allegations against BoA as a basis for their need to depose
Oyler. As BoA asserts, the McGlothins answered its complaint, after receiving an extension
of time to do so, on August 1, 2012, and between that time and the filing of the motion for
summary judgment three months later, they made no attempts at discovery. In fact, their
motion for continuance vaguely states that defense counsel is “in the process” of scheduling
a deposition and sending written discovery requests, and that he had not received responses
to discovery requests. However, no such requests had been made, and no evidence was
adduced indicating defense counsel had in fact sought to schedule any deposition.
Regarding the deposition of Oyler, we note that Civ.R. 30(A) provides, “After
commencement of the action, any party may take the testimony of any person, including a
party, by deposition upon oral examination. The attendance of a witness may be compelled
by the use of a subpoena as provided by Civ.R. 45.” Unlike the movant in Means, defense
counsel did not attach discovery requests that he was prepared to propound to his affidavit,
but rather he noticed them almost a week later. In other words, the McGlothins have not
demonstrated any diligence in attempting discovery, and the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in overruling their motion for a continuance.
{¶ 20} Finally, we note this Court’s recent decision in BAC Home Loans Servicing
v. Busby, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25510, 2013-Ohio-1919, ¶ 28, in which the mortgagors’
amended motion for relief from judgment was denied in a foreclosure action, and in which
we noted, “the Busbys’ remedy for BAC’s alleged failure to submit sufficient evidence of its
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ownership of the note and mortgage was a motion for a more definite statement under Civ.R.
12(E).”
{¶ 21} For the foregoing reasons, the McGlothins’ first assigned error is overruled.
{¶ 22} The McGlothins’ second assigned error is as follows:
“THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY DENYING THE MOTION
TO VACATE.”
{¶ 23} We note that the McGlothins did not expressly invoke Civ.R. 60(B) in their
motion to vacate. Herein, however, pursuant to Civ.R. 60(B), the McGlothins assert that
they have a meritorious defense to present, namely BoA’s alleged lack of standing. The
McGlothins further assert that they are entitled to relief pursuant to Civ.R. 60(B)(5), since
“it was unjust for the Trial Court to refuse to allow Mr. and Mrs. McGlothin time to obtain
discovery, especially considering the short time period between the commencement of suit
and the Trial Court’s unreasonable grant of summary judgment for [BoA] prior to the
McGlothins obtaining any discovery and that their motion to vacate was timely filed.”
Finally, the McGlothins assert that their motion was timely filed.
{¶ 24} As this Court has previously noted:
“‘Civ. R. 60(B) represents an attempt to strike a balance between
conflicting principles that litigation must be brought to an end and that justice
should be done.’” Portfolio Recovery Associates v. Thacker, Clark App.
No.2008 CA 119, 2009-Ohio-4406 (internal citation omitted).
Civ.R. 60(B) provides in relevant part, “On motion and upon such
terms as are just, the court may relieve a party or his legal representative from
14
a final judgment, order or proceeding for the following reasons: (1) mistake,
inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect; (2) newly discovered evidence *
* *; (3) fraud * * *, misrepresentation or other misconduct of an adverse
party; (4) the judgment has been satisfied, released or discharged; or (5) any
other reason justifying relief from the judgment.”
To prevail on a motion pursuant to Civ. R. 60(B), a movant must
establish that: (1) he has a meritorious defense or claim to present if relief is
granted; (2) he is entitled to relief pursuant to 60(B)(1)-(5); and (3) the
motion was made within a reasonable time, and, where the grounds of relief
are Civ.R. (60)(B)(1), (2) or (3), not more than one year after the judgment or
proceeding was entered or taken. GTE Automatic Elec. v. Arc Industries, Inc.
(1976), 47 Ohio St.2d 146, 150-51, 351 N.E.2d 113. All three requirements
must be met. Id., at 151, 351 N.E.2d 113.
“A ‘meritorious defense’ means a defense ‘going to the merits,
substance, or essentials of the case.’” (Citations omitted). UBS Real Estate
Securities, Inc., ¶ 23. “In meeting the first requirement above, ‘[t]he movant
need not prove that he will prevail on his alleged meritorious defense. He
need only allege that such a defense exists.’ (Emphasis sic.) Williamson v.
Saranda Consol. Ltd. Partnership (Dec. 14, 1989), Montgomery App. No.
11507, 1989 WL 150791, citing Rose Chevrolet, Inc. v. Adams (1988), 36
Ohio St.3d 17, 520 N.E.2d 564, * * *.” State v. Yount, 175 Ohio App.3d 733,
889 N.E.2d 162, 2008-Ohio-1155, ¶ 10. OneWest Bank, FSB v. Stoner, 2d
15
Dist. Clark No. 2011 CA 13, 2011-Ohio-4672, ¶ 27 - 30 (concluding that lack
of standing in an action in foreclosure is a meritorious defense, and that
“Civ.R. 60(B) does not require Stoner to provide evidentiary material to
prove that she is entitled to set aside the summary judgment granted against
her, only that she has a meritorious defense to present.” Id., ¶ 36).
{¶ 25} As this Court has further noted:
“* * * Relief from a final judgment should not be granted unless the
party seeking such relief makes at least a prima facie showing that the ends of
justice will be better served by setting the judgment aside.” Wayne Mut. Ins.
Co. v. Marlow (June 5, 1998), Montgomery App. No. 16882, 1998 WL
288912, *2-3, quoting Black's Law Dictionary, abridged (6th Ed.Rev.1991)
290. Broad, conclusory statements do not satisfy the requirement that a
Civ.R. 60(B) motion must be supported by operative facts that would warrant
relief from judgment. Cunningham v. Ohio Dept. of Transp., Franklin App.
No. 08AP-330, 2008-Ohio-6911, 2008 WL 5423320, ¶ 37; Bennitt v. Bennitt
(May 26, 1994), Cuyahoga App. Nos. 65094 and 66055, 1994 WL 236295.
“[A] movant has no automatic right to a hearing on a motion for relief
from judgment.” Hrabak v. Collins (1995), 108 Ohio App.3d 117, 121, 670
N.E.2d 281. It is an abuse of discretion for a trial court to overrule a Civ.R.
60(B) motion for relief from judgment without holding an evidentiary hearing
only if the motion or supportive affidavits contain allegations of operative
facts that would warrant relief under Civ.R. 60(B). Boster v. C & M Serv.,
16
Inc. (1994), 93 Ohio App.3d 523, 526, 639 N.E.2d 136; In re Estate of
Kirkland, Clark App. No. 2008-CA-57, 2009-Ohio-3765, 2009 WL 2351758,
¶ 17. GMAC Mortgage, L.L.C. v. Herring, 189 Ohio App. 3d 200, 209,
2010-Ohio-3650, 937 N.E.2d 1077, 1084, ¶ 32-33 (2d Dist.)
{¶ 26} As in Stoner, we conclude that the McGlothins asserted a meritorious
defense (that they were not required to prove), namely that BoA lacks standing to pursue
foreclosure. We further conclude that the McGlothins’ motion for relief from judgment was
timely filed.
{¶ 27} Regarding the second prong of the analysis, the McGlothins rely upon Davis
v. Tops Markets, L.L.C., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 91201, 2009-Ohio-855, in which the Eighth
District reversed and remanded the judgment of the trial court denying the personal injury
plaintiffs’ motion for relief from judgment, pursuant to Civ.R. 60(B)(5), in which they
“claimed that they needed more time to respond to the motion for summary judgment
because they had been unable to arrange the necessary depositions with defense counsel.”
Id., ¶ 7. The Davis plaintiffs filed a motion to extend discovery deadlines prior to the filing
of Tops Markets’ motion for summary judgment. In their second motion to extend
discovery deadlines, filed two weeks after the motion for summary judgment, the plaintiffs
requested additional time “to conduct discovery and to respond to Tops’ motion for
summary judgment on the grounds that they had just received Tops’ discovery responses.”
Id., ¶ 5. Tops Markets did not respond to plaintiffs’ Civ.R. 60(B)(5) motion. Id. ¶ 8.
{¶ 28} The Eighth District determined as follows:
“‘Civ.R. 60(B) is a remedial tool and should be liberally construed,’ *
17
* * This standard of liberality is consistent with the oft-stated general
principle that Civ.R. 60(B)(5) is a provision whereby a court may relieve a
party from judgment for any other reason than set forth in Civ.R. 60(B)(1) to
(4) justifying relief from judgment. * * * [T]he purposes of the rule
permitting relief in the interests of justice (sic). Any doubt should be resolved
in favor of the movant so that cases may be decided on the merits.” Svoboda
v. City of Brunswick (1983), 6 Ohio St.3d 348, 351, citing GTE Automatic
Electric v. ARC Industries, supra, other citations omitted.
“The primary objective and function of our courts is to adjudicate
cases on the merits by applying the substantive law whenever possible and
not to adjudicate cases with finality upon a strained construction of
procedural law yielding unjust results.” Id.
The record establishes that plaintiffs did encounter difficulty in
obtaining discovery from Tops and moved for additional time to respond
pursuant to Civ.R. 56(F), which is appropriate under the law. The trial court
granted extensions, but the parties were unable to complete the needed
discovery before the deadline. By granting the extension, the trial court
implicitly recognized plaintiffs' need to conduct further discovery in order to
adequately respond to the pending motion for summary judgment. All of the
discovery was not forthcoming within the allotted time frame, allegedly due
to defense counsel's inability to coordinate the deposition of certain
witnesses.
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In its order denying the Civ.R. 60(B) motion, the trial court noted that
counsel “informally discussed extending the court-ordered deadline.”
Plaintiffs further assert that the attorney who had been representing plaintiffs
won a local mayoral election and resigned from the firm. His replacement
was reportedly under the impression that additional time had been requested
to respond to the motion for summary judgment. Moreover, the record shows
that defense counsel did not oppose the Civ.R. 60(B) motion or its
contentions that they had failed to make defense witnesses available for
deposition by plaintiffs as contemplated by the continuance granted under
Civ.R. 56(F).
A review of the record indicates that the first requirement was
satisfied. Under Civ.R. 60(B), a movant's burden is only to allege a
meritorious claim or defense, not to prove that he will prevail on that claim or
defense. Rose Chevrolet at 20; Moore at 67.
The second and third requirements of a Civ.R. 60(B) motion are
entitlement to relief under Civ.R. 60(B)(1) through (5) and timeliness of the
motion. Tops' motion for relief from judgment was based upon Civ.R.
60(B)(5) and was filed within eight days of the judgment.
Civ.R. 60(B)(5) is intended as a catch-all provision reflecting the
inherent power of a court to relieve a person from the unjust operation of a
judgment, but it is not to be used as a substitute for any of the more specific
provisions of Civ.R. 60(B). Caruso-Ciresi, Inc. v. Lohman (1983), 5 Ohio
19St.3d 64, paragraph one of the syllabus; Goode v. Goode (Aug. 26, 1993),
Franklin App. No. 92AP-1580. However, Civ.R. 60(B)(5) may be utilized
where the operative facts are either different from and/or are in addition to
those contemplated by Civ.R. 60(B)(1) through (4). Whitt v. Bennett (1992),
82 Ohio App.3d 792, 796.
Considering plaintiffs' proffered reasons and the record as a whole, we
find that plaintiffs established entitlement to relief pursuant to Civ.R.
60(B)(5), especially since it is a remedial rule to be liberally construed with a
view toward effecting a just result. State ex rel. Citizens for Responsible
Taxation at 136.
Under the particular circumstances of this case, plaintiffs' Civ.R.
60(B)(5) motion for relief from judgment should have been granted. Davis,
¶ 15-23.
{¶ 29} We initially note that the Eighth District appears to have construed the Davis
plaintiffs’ claimed need for further discovery as both a meritorious defense as well as a basis
for relief under Civ.R.60(B)(5). We conclude that Davis is distinct from the matter herein
due to the diligence reflected in the personal injury plaintiffs’ attempts at discovery, which
Tops Markets did not contest and the McGlothins did not demonstrate. The McGlothins
have not shown that, based upon the trial court’s denial of their Civ.R. 56(F) motion, they
are entitled to relief pursuant to Civ.R.60(B)(5) , and the trial court accordingly did not
abuse its discretion in overruling their motion for relief from judgment. The McGlothlins’
second assigned error is overruled.
[Cite as Bank of Am. v. McGlothin, 2013-Ohio-2755.]
{¶ 30} Finally, we note that in Reply, the McGlothins assert that a genuine issue of
material fact exists regarding BoA’s standing to pursue foreclosure. The McGlothins “are
not permitted to raise new arguments in their reply brief.” Hoskins v. Simones, 173 Ohio
App. 3d 186, 2007-Ohio-4084, 877 N.E.2d 1008, ¶ 38 (2d Dist.) The trial court’s
November 26, 2012 decision sustaining BoA’s motion for summary judgment, as well as the
trial court’s December 19, 2012 decision overruling the McGlothins’ motion for relief from
judgment, are affirmed.
..........
HALL, J., concurs.
FAIN, P.J., dissenting:
{¶ 31} I agree with the disposition of the McGlothins’ Second Assignment of Error
in Judge Donovan’s opinion for this court. I would, however, sustain the McGlothins’ First
Assignment of Error, reverse the judgment of the trial court, and remand for further
proceedings.
{¶ 32} Civ.R. 56(F) provides as follows:
Should it appear from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion for
summary judgment that the party cannot for sufficient reasons stated present by
affidavit facts essential to justify the party's opposition, the court may refuse the
application for judgment or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be
obtained or discovery to be had or may make such other order as is just.
{¶ 33} Bank of America filed its motion for summary judgment on November 2, 2012.
The Bank’s motion was supported by the affidavit of Eric D. Oyler.
{¶ 34} Thirteen days later, on November 15, 2012, the McGlothins filed a motion under
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Civ.R. 56(F), in which they requested a continuance of the hearing on the Bank’s motion for
summary judgment.1 Eleven days after this, on November 26, 2012, the trial court granted the
Bank’s motion, and rendered summary judgment, without any reference to, or apparent
consideration of, the McGlothins’ Civ.R. 56(F) motion.
{¶ 35} As grounds for their Civ.R. 56(F) motion, the McGlothins set forth, among other
things:
In the past, the Plaintiff [Bank of America] has previously faced
allegations that in foreclosure cases it submitted inaccurate affidavits from its
officials in support of motions for summary judgment. In these inaccurate
affidavits, the affiant provided sworn testimony that he or she reviewed records
when in actuality the official did not do so. In light of this history, it is necessary
for the McGlothins to have an opportunity to take the deposition of the affiant,
whose affidavit is being used to support the motion for summary judgment in this
case. Additionally, the affiant may be able to provide pertinent information such
as whether the rights to the loan had been properly transferred between banks, the
propriety of any transfers of Defendants’ loan between any and all banks involved,
and other such pertinent information.
Further, it is necessary to depose an affiant in a case such as this in order
to verify that the affidavit submitted by Plaintiff is reflective of the true
knowledge and beliefs of said affiant. Any knowledge and beliefs of the affiant
1
The McGlothins alternatively requested, in the same motion, that the Bank’s motion for summary
judgment be denied. That aspect of their motion is not at issue in this appeal.
22
attainable in a deposition is necessary to Defendants in adequately preparing a
response to the Motion [for summary judgment].
{¶ 36} In support of the McGlothins’ Civ.R. 56(F) motion for a continuance, they
submitted the affidavit of their attorney, Kenneth J. Ignozzi. That affidavit included the
following averments:
9. My office is in the process of contacting Plaintiff’s counsel regarding
the taking of the deposition of Plaintiff’s affiant, but to date the deposition has not
been scheduled.
10. * * *
11. In light of the events and circumstances of this case, Defendants have
not been provided sufficient time to conduct the depositions of the affiant relied
upon by Plaintiff in the Motion for Summary Judgment, filed on or about
November 2, 2102.
12. Without sufficient time to conduct the deposition of Plaintiff’s
affiant, and to review any response to discovery that may be provided by Plaintiff,
Defendant is unable to properly respond to Plaintiff’s Motion.
{¶ 37} It is clear that the McGlothins intended to challenge Bank of America’s standing
to sue them on the note and mortgage. The facts surrounding the assignment of the note and
mortgage lie within the exclusive knowledge of the Bank and its affiant. In responding to the
Bank’s motion for summary judgment, the McGlothins were not limited, as the Bank seems to
suggest, to presenting affirmative defenses and supporting them with affidavits; they were
permitted to challenge the facts averred in support of the Bank’s motion. To do so, they needed,
23
as they said in support of their Civ.R. 56(F) motion, to take the deposition of the affiant, Oyler,
who had averred facts in support of the Bank’s motion for summary judgment.
{¶ 38} In my view, the McGlothins set forth in their Civ.R. 56(F) motion a sufficient
basis to support their request for a continuance.
{¶ 39} The next issue to consider is whether the McGlothins’ Civ.R. 56(F) motion was
timely. As the Bank notes, a trial court is afforded some discretion in deciding a Civ.R. 56(F)
motion for a continuance of a summary judgment hearing, as a result of which, this court must
give that decision some deference. The extent of that deference – never absolute – is in my view
attenuated when there is no indication that the trial court ever considered the Civ.R. 56(F)
motion, as in this case.
{¶ 40} The McGlothins indicated that they needed to take the deposition of Oyler, the
person who had made the averments in support of the Bank’s motion for summary judgment.
That person – the person who would be making the averments in support of the Bank’s motion
for summary judgment – was not identified until the Bank filed its motion on November 2. The
McGlothins filed their Civ.R. 56(F) motion just thirteen days later.
{¶ 41} The Bank contends that we must take into consideration all of the time that the
McGlothins had to conduct discovery before the summary judgment motion was filed. That
might be a significant factor in some cases, but in my view, it is not a significant factor in this
case.
{¶ 42} In its complaint, Bank of America alleged that it was the holder of the note and
mortgage upon which it brought suit. At trial, it would have had the burden of proving that fact.
Although the McGlothins were certainly permitted to seek discovery on that issue before the
24
trial, they were not required to do so. They could wait until the trial, and then cross-examine the
witness or witnesses offered by the Bank to prove that it was the holder of the note and mortgage.
To be sure, they would be better prepared for that cross-examination if they had the benefit of
prior discovery, but discovery is costly, and litigants must engage in a cost-benefit analysis,
moderated by ability to pay, in determining whether they can afford pre-trial discovery, and, if so,
how much. In any event, a litigant does not lose the ability to cross-examine the adverse party’s
witnesses at trial simply because the litigant could not afford to, or chose not to, conduct pre-trial
discovery.
{¶ 43} Once the adverse party has moved for summary judgment, however, the litigant
may not be able to avoid some discovery expense. If the movant avers facts in support of the
motion for summary judgment that lie exclusively within its knowledge, then the respondent
must take the affiant’s deposition in order to have any chance, through cross-examination, to
contradict those averments and avoid summary judgment. Otherwise, the litigant will
effectively have lost the due process right to cross-examine the adverse party’s witnesses.
{¶ 44} Therefore, in my view, the relevant time frame within which to assess the
McGlothins’ diligence in conducting discovery does not include the time preceding Bank of
America’s motion for summary judgment. I conclude that even affording the trial court some
deference, it would have abused its discretion if it had found that the McGlothins were
insufficiently diligent in filing their Civ.R. 56(F) motion just thirteen days after the filing of the
Bank’s motion for summary judgment, in order to secure their right to cross-examine Oyler.
{¶ 45} Bank of America cites two cases in support of its contrary position on this point.
The first of these is Doriott, D.O. v. M.V.H.E., Inc., 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 20040,
25
2004-Ohio-867. In that case, we indicated, generally, that “a claim that the party [seeking the
continuance] has not completed discovery is more likely to be rejected by the court where the
party has not shown some diligence in attempting discovery,” citing Southern Rambler Sales,
Inc. v. American Motors Corp., 375 F.2d 932 (1967). But in that case, the party seeking the
Civ.R. 56(F) continuance had waited until one day before the summary judgment hearing to file
its motion, id. ¶ 3, and “failed to state what specific discovery she proposed to request, of whom,
or when.” Id. ¶ 46. We noted that: “Throughout the proceedings on Defendant’s motion for
partial summary judgment, Plaintiff provided no substantive responses. Instead, she requested
more time to obtain evidence, but couched her requests in general, non-specific terms. She has
followed the same course on appeal.”
{¶ 46} Bank of America also cites Penix v. Avon Laundry & Dry Cleaners, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 91355, 2009-Ohio-1362. In that case, the trial court had concluded that the
documents that the respondent to the motion for summary judgment wished to obtain through
discovery “cannot be found. Granting plaintiff additional discovery time, therefore, would not
lead to additional evidence.” Id., ¶ 19. The court of appeals did, in passing, quote from
Doriott, supra, that “[l]ack of diligence in pursuing discovery by the party moving under Civ.R.
56(F) militates against grant of delay.” Id., ¶ 32. But it seems also to have been influenced by
its observation that:
The party seeking additional time to respond to a motion for summary judgment must
present sufficient reasons that would justify the requested continuance. Wombold v. Barna
(Dec. 11, 1998), 2d Dist. No. 17035. The party seeking additional time must do more than
merely assert generally the need for additional discovery. Id. There must be a factual basis
26
stated and reasons given why the party cannot present facts essential to its opposition to the
motion. Id. Penix, ¶ 31.
{¶ 47} In the case before us, I am satisfied that the McGlothins set forth what discovery they wa
to take – the Bank’s affiant’s deposition – and their reasons for seeking that discovery. Inasmuch as they
not know the identity of the Bank’s affiant until it filed that affidavit in support of its motion for summ
judgment, I conclude that it would have been unreasonable for the trial court to have found, if it did,2 that t
Civ.R. 56(F) motion, filed just thirteen days later, was untimely.
{¶ 48} I would sustain the McGlothins’ First Assignment of Error, reverse the judgment of the
court, and remand this cause for further proceedings.
..............
Copies mailed to:
Mike L. Wiery
Kenneth J. Ignozzi
Lisa M. Fannin
Hon. Douglas M. Rastatter
2
Again, there is nothing in the record to suggest that the trial court actually considered the McGlothins’ Civ.R. 56(F) motion.