Maynard v. Crook

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No. COA22-794
Filed 20 June 2023
Durham County, No. 21 CVS 1998
ARNOLD MAYNARD, JENNIFER MAYNARD, and HAROLD ELLIS, Plaintiffs,
v.
JUNE CROOK, Defendant.
Appeal by Defendant from orders entered 3 February, 4 February, 9 February,
and 13 June 2022 by Judge Josephine Kerr Davis in Durham County Superior Court.
Heard in the Court of Appeals 11 April 2023.
Oak City Law, LLP, by Robert E. Fields III and Samuel Pinero, for
Plaintiffs-Appellees Arnold Maynard and Jennifer Maynard; Anderson Jones,
PLLC, by Todd A. Jones and Lindsey E. Powell, for Plaintiff-Appellee Harold
Ellis.
Bugg & Wolf, P.A., by William J. Wolf, for Defendant-Appellant.
COLLINS, Judge.
Defendant June Crook appeals from the trial court’s orders denying certain
motions as moot, dismissing her counterclaims, denying her motion for sanctions,
denying her Rule 52 and 59 motions to alter or amend the order dismissing her
counterclaims, and denying her Rule 60 motion for relief from the order dismissing
her counterclaims. Defendant contends that the trial court erred by dismissing her
counterclaims and abused its discretion by denying her Rule 52, 59, and 60 motions.
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
Because Defendant’s complaint failed to sufficiently allege claims for slander
of title and invasion of privacy, the trial court did not err by dismissing her
counterclaims under Rule 12(b)(6). However, the trial court erred by dismissing her
counterclaims under Rule 12(c). Furthermore, although the trial court did not abuse
its discretion by denying Defendant’s Rule 59 and 60 motions, the trial court abused
its discretion by denying her Rule 52 motion. We therefore affirm in part and reverse
in part and remand with instructions.
I. Procedural Background
Plaintiffs Arnold Maynard and Jennifer Maynard entered into a contract with
Plaintiff Harold Ellis (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) to purchase a 10.001-acre tract of land
(“the Property”) in Bahama, North Carolina. Ellis represented to the Maynards that
the Property was accessible from a 60-foot public right-of-way. However, Defendant,
who owns the tract of land adjacent to the Property, claimed that the right-of-way,
upon which her driveway is situated, is her property and prevented Plaintiffs from
accessing the Property from the right-of-way.
Plaintiffs filed suit on 26 April 2021, seeking a temporary restraining order,
preliminary injunction, and permanent injunction to prevent Defendant from
impeding their access to the right-of-way. The trial court granted a temporary
restraining order on 30 April 2021.
Defendant moved to dissolve the temporary restraining order and to dismiss
Plaintiffs’ claims pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6). Thereafter, Defendant filed an answer
-2-
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
and counterclaims for invasion of privacy, slander of title, and unfair and deceptive
trade practices. Plaintiffs moved for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule
12(c) as to the relief sought in their complaint and for dismissal of Defendant’s
counterclaims pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) on 30 July 2021.
Defendant filed a motion for sanctions against Ellis pursuant to Rules 33, 34,
and 37 on 6 January 2022. Defendant moved for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’
claims on 10 January 2022.
On 27 January 2022, Defendant voluntarily dismissed her counterclaim for
unfair and deceptive trade practices. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims
without prejudice on 2 February 2022.
After hearings on 14 September 2021 and 3 February 2022,1 the trial court
entered an order on 3 February 2022 denying as moot the following: Plaintiffs’ motion
for judgment on the pleadings as to their own claims and as to Defendant’s unfair
and deceptive trade practices counterclaim,2 Plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary
injunction, Defendant’s motion to dismiss, and Defendant’s motion for summary
judgment. The trial court entered an order on 4 February 2022 dismissing with
prejudice pursuant to Rules 12(b)(6) and 12(c) Defendant’s counterclaims for invasion
of privacy and slander of title. On 7 February, Defendant filed “Amended
1 No transcript of these hearings appears in the Record, but they are referenced in the trial
court’s orders.
2 There is no motion for judgment on the pleadings as to Defendant’s unfair and deceptive
practices counterclaim in the Record.
-3-
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
Counterclaims” for invasion of privacy, slander of title, malicious prosecution, and to
quiet title. By written order entered 9 February 2022, the trial court denied
Defendant’s motion for sanctions against Ellis.
Defendant filed a “Motion to Amend and Motion for Relief pursuant to Rules
52, 59, and 60” on 14 February 2022, moving for “Amendment pursuant to Rule 52,
to Alter or Amend pursuant to Rule 59(e), and for Relief pursuant to Rule 60(b) from
this [c]ourt’s Order Dismissing Defendant’s Counterclaims entered on February 4,
2022.” Defendant’s motion requested, in relevant part, that the trial court:
1. Enter an Order pursuant to Rule 60 of the North
Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure vacating ab initio this
[c]ourt’s Order entered on February 4, 2022 Dismissing
Defendant’s Counterclaims;
2. In the alternative, vacating ab initio this [c]ourt’s Order
entered on February 4, 2022 and entering a new Order
dismissing Defendant’s Counterclaims for failing to state a
claim, without findings of fact[.]
After a hearing on 23 February 2022,3 the trial court denied the motion by written
order entered 13 June 2022.
On 22 June 2022, Defendant filed a notice of appeal from the 3 February order
denying motions as moot, the 4 February order dismissing Defendant’s
3 No transcript of this hearing appears in the Record.
-4-
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
counterclaims, the 9 February order denying Defendant’s motion for sanctions, and
the 13 June order denying Defendant’s Rule 52, 59, and 60 motions.4
II. Discussion
A. Motion to Dismiss
Defendant first contends that the trial court erred by granting Plaintiffs’ Rule
12(b)(6) motion to dismiss her counterclaims for slander of title and invasion of
privacy.
A counterclaim survives the dismissal of the plaintiff’s original claim. See
Jennette Fruit v. Seafare Corp., 75 N.C. App. 478, 482, 331 S.E.2d 305, 307 (1985).
The standard of review for dismissal of a counterclaim is the same as the standard of
review that governs dismissal of a complaint. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 12(b)
(2022). “In considering a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), the Court must
decide whether the allegations of the complaint, if treated as true, are sufficient to
state a claim upon which relief can be granted under some legal theory.” Izzy Air,
LLC v. Triad Aviation, Inc., 284 N.C. App. 655, 657, 877 S.E.2d 65, 68 (2022)
(quotation marks and citation omitted). “We review de novo a trial court’s order on a
motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6).” Bill Clark
4 Although Defendant’s notice of appeal includes the 3 February order denying motions as
moot and the 9 February order denying Defendant’s motion for sanctions, Defendant’s brief does not
address these issues and they are thus deemed abandoned. See N.C. R. App. P. 28(a) (“Issues not
presented and discussed in a party’s brief are deemed abandoned.”); N.C. R. App. P. 28(b)(6) (“Issues
not presented in a party’s brief, or in support of which no reason or argument is stated, will be taken
as abandoned.”).
-5-
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
Homes of Raleigh, LLC v. Town of Fuquay-Varina, 281 N.C. App. 1, 5, 869 S.E.2d 1,
3 (2021) (citation omitted).
1. Slander of Title
“The elements of slander of title are: (1) the uttering of slanderous words in
regard to the title of someone’s property; (2) the falsity of the words; (3) malice; and
(4) special damages.” Broughton v. McClatchy Newspapers, Inc., 161 N.C. App. 20,
30, 588 S.E.2d 20, 28 (2003) (citations omitted).
“Facts giving rise to special damages must be alleged so as to fairly inform
defendant of the scope of plaintiff’s demand.” Stanford v. Owens, 46 N.C. App. 388,
398, 265 S.E.2d 617, 624 (1980) (citation omitted); see also N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1,
Rule 9(g) (2022) (“When items of special damage are claimed each shall be averred.”).
“[G]eneral damages are such as might accrue to any person similarly injured, while
special damages are such as did in fact accrue to the particular individual by reason
of the particular circumstances of the case.” Penner v. Elliott, 225 N.C. 33, 35, 33
S.E.2d 124, 126 (1945) (quotation marks and citations omitted). “[S]pecial damages
are usually synonymous with pecuniary loss[,]” Iadanza v. Harper, 169 N.C. App. 776,
779, 611 S.E.2d 217, 221 (2005), and are “[t]hose which are the actual . . . result of
the injury complained of, and which in fact follow it as a natural and proximate
consequence in the particular case[.]” Canady v. Mann, 107 N.C. App. 252, 257, 419
S.E.2d 597, 600 (1992) (quotation marks and citation omitted).
Here, Defendant’s complaint alleges the following regarding special damages:
-6-
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
47. Ms. Crook has incurred substantial expenses defending
against the Temporary Restraining Order. Ms. Crook has
incurred extensive attorneys’ fees, surveying fees, and
expert fees to date.
48. Ms. Crook is entitled to damages in excess of $25,000
arising from the wrongfully obtained Temporary
Restraining Order.
....
75. As a result of Mr. Harold Ellis’ slanderous statements
regarding Ms. June Crook’s title to the Crook Homestead,
Ms. June Crook has suffered damages in the form of
repeated intrusions unto her property by strangers who
had been mislead (sic) by Mr. Ellis’ false advertising and
the invasion of her privacy.
The relatively few slander of title cases decided in our state establish that the slander
of title must interfere with the sale of property or otherwise cause specific monetary
harm. See Cardon v. McConnell, 120 N.C. 461, 462, 27 S.E. 109 (1897) (“[U]nless the
plaintiff shows . . . a pecuniary loss or injury to himself, he cannot maintain [a slander
of title] action.”); see also Selby v. Taylor, 57 N.C. App. 119, 121-22, 290 S.E.2d 767,
769 (1982) (holding that plaintiff sufficiently alleged special damages where “because
of the . . . writing published by defendants, . . . others did not bid on the property and
plaintiff, as a result of that suffered a $20,000 loss”).
Expenses incurred in defending against an action are not the natural and
proximate consequence of the slander of title and do not constitute special damages.
See Allen v. Duvall, 63 N.C. App. 342, 348-49, 304 S.E.2d 789, 793 (1983), rev’d on
other grounds, 311 N.C. 245, 316 S.E.2d 267 (1984), on reh’g, 311 N.C. 745, 321 S.E.2d
125 (1984). In Allen, this Court explained:
-7-
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiffs have cross-assigned error to the court’s
failure to include their attorney fees as part of the
damages. We believe the court was correct in refusing to
do so. The plaintiffs argue that as a direct result of the
slander of their title, they had to retain attorneys. If this
were a proper element of damages, it should be included in
every case in which a person retains an attorney as a result
of some damage done to him. We believe the court was
correct in not including legal fees as a part of the damages.
Id.Defendant does not allege an interference with the sale of her property or
specific monetary harm, but instead alleges that she “has incurred substantial
expenses defending against the Temporary Restraining Order” and has “incurred
extensive attorneys’ fees, surveying fees, and expert fees to date.” As these expenses
do not constitute special damages, Defendant has failed to sufficiently allege special
damages. Accordingly, the trial court did not err by granting Plaintiffs’ motion to
dismiss Defendant’s slander of title counterclaim under Rule 12(b)(6).
2. Invasion of Privacy
The tort of invasion of privacy by intrusion into seclusion is defined as “the
intentional intrusion physically or otherwise, upon the solitude or seclusion of
another or his private affairs or concerns . . . [where] the intrusion would be highly
offensive to a reasonable person.” Toomer v. Garrett, 155 N.C. App. 462, 479, 574
S.E.2d 76, 90 (2002) (quotation marks and citation omitted). “The kinds of intrusions
that have been recognized under this tort include physically invading a person’s home
or other private place, eavesdropping by wiretapping or microphones, peering
-8-
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
through windows, persistent telephoning, unauthorized prying into a bank account,
and opening personal mail of another.” Keyzer v. Amerlink, Ltd., 173 N.C. App. 284,
288, 618 S.E.2d 768, 771 (2005) (quotation marks and citations omitted).
Here, Defendant’s complaint alleges, in part:
54. As a result of Mr. Harold Ellis’ false advertising,
potential purchasers have entered Ms. Crook’s property
and approached her on her property.
55. Upon information and belief, as a result of Mr. Ellis’
false assertion that Crook Driveway is actually a public
right of way, many strangers have been disregarding Ms.
Crook’s “No Trespassing” sign near the entrance of her
home and have driven down Crook Driveway and almost to
her house before turning around. Upon information and
belief, these were potential purchasers of the Ellis Property
who were investigating the alleged public access.
56. On other occasions, strangers would approach June
Crook’s home and demand access to the Ellis property
through Crook Driveway.
57. While falsely advertising the Ellis Property, Mr. Harold
Ellis and his real estate agent attempted to place a “For
Sale” sign at the entrance to Ms. June Crook’s property, in
an intentional attempt to cause strangers to travel down
Crook Driveway.
....
64. Despite having knowledge that there was no public
right of way existing alongside June Crook’s Property,
Harold Ellis and Arnold and Jennifer Maynard filed a
Complaint . . . seeking an ex parte temporary restraining
order and preliminary injunction restraining June Crook
from the use of her Property.
65. The actions of Harold Ellis and Arnold and Jennifer
Maynard constitute an invasion upon the privacy of June
Crook. The actions of Harold Ellis and Arnold and Jennifer
Maynard intruded upon the solitude, seclusion, private
-9-
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
affairs and personal concerns of June Crook.
66. The actions of Harold Ellis and Arnold and Jennifer
Maynard willfully, intentionally, maliciously and
recklessly intruded upon the privacy of June Crook.
67. Any reasonable person would be highly offended by the
constant harassment by potential purchasers and
subsequent attempt to ex parte restrain Ms. Crook’s use of
her Property.
68. June Crook has been damaged by the intrusion of her
privacy committed by Harold Ellis and Arnold and Jennifer
Maynard.
The complaint does not allege that Plaintiffs intruded, physically or otherwise,
upon Defendant’s home or private affairs. While Defendant’s complaint alleges that
“potential purchasers” and “many strangers” have physically entered her property,
Defendant cites no authority, and we find none, supporting the proposition that a
claim for invasion of privacy lies where an individual, other than the individual
against whom the cause of action is asserted, physically intrudes upon a defendant’s
home. Furthermore, we have found no authority to support Defendant’s proposition
that filing a lawsuit is the kind of intrusion that has been recognized under this tort.
As the allegations in Defendant’s complaint failed to sufficiently state a claim
for invasion of privacy, the trial court did not err by granting Plaintiffs’ Rule 12(b)(6)
motion to dismiss.
B. Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
Defendant contends that the trial court erred by dismissing her counterclaims
pursuant to Rule 12(c) because “[t]here was no motion for judgment on the pleadings
- 10 -
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
before the [c]ourt.”
We review a trial court’s order granting a motion for judgment on the pleadings
de novo. Benigno v. Sumner Constr., Inc., 278 N.C. App. 1, 3-4, 862 S.E.2d 46, 49
(2021). Rule 12(c) permits a party to move for judgment on the pleadings “[a]fter the
pleadings are closed . . . .” N.C. Gen Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 12(c) (2022). Rule 7(a) sets
forth a limited list of permissible pleadings and states:
There shall be a complaint and an answer; a reply to a
counterclaim denominated as such; an answer to a
crossclaim, if the answer contains a crossclaim; a
third-party complaint if a person who was not an original
party is summoned under the provisions of Rule 14; and a
third-party answer, if a third-party complaint is served. If
the answer alleges contributory negligence, a party may
serve a reply alleging last clear chance. No other pleading
shall be allowed except that the court may order a reply to
an answer or a third-party answer.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 7(a) (2022). The rule’s express provision that “[t]here
shall be . . . a reply to a counterclaim” contemplates that the pleadings do not “close”
until a reply to a counterclaim is filed. See, e.g., Flora v. Home Fed. Sav. & Loan
Ass’n, 685 F.2d 209, 211 n.4 (7th Cir. 1982) (“Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(a) prescribes when the
pleadings are closed. In a case such as this when, in addition to an answer, a
counterclaim is pleaded, the pleadings are closed when the plaintiff serves his reply.”
(citation omitted)); Doe v. United States, 419 F.3d 1058, 1061 (9th Cir. 2005) (“[T]he
pleadings are closed [under Rule 7(a)] for the purposes of Rule 12(c) once a complaint
and answer have been filed, assuming . . . that no counterclaim or cross-claim is
- 11 -
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
made.” (citations omitted)).
Here, the trial court’s order dismissed Defendant’s counterclaims under Rules
12(b)(6) and 12(c). As discussed above, the trial court did not err by dismissing
Defendant’s counterclaims under Rule 12(b)(6). However, the trial court erred by
dismissing Defendant’s counterclaims under Rule 12(c) because there was no motion
for judgment on the pleadings as to Defendant’s counterclaims before the court;
moreover, such a motion would have been improper because the pleadings had not
yet closed. Plaintiffs moved for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule 12(c) as
to their own claims but did not move for judgment on the pleadings as to Defendant’s
counterclaims. Even assuming arguendo that Plaintiffs’ Rule 12(c) motion purported
to move for judgment on the pleadings as to Defendant’s counterclaims, dismissing
Defendant’s counterclaims under Rule 12(c) was improper because Plaintiffs had not
replied to Defendant’s counterclaims, and thus the pleadings had not yet closed.
Accordingly, the trial court erroneously dismissed Defendant’s counterclaims
pursuant to Rule 12(c).
C. Rule 52, 59, and 60 Motions
Defendant next contends that the trial court abused its discretion by denying
her “Motion to Amend and Motion for Relief pursuant to Rules 52, 59, and 60[.]”
(capitalization altered). Specifically, Defendant argues that “[t]he form of the trial
court’s order of dismissal is clearly erroneous, inappropriate, and highly prejudicial”
in that it “contains clearly erroneous factual statements inconsistent with
- 12 -
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
[Defendant’s] allegations and erroneous statements of law that are inappropriate to
include in such an order.”
A challenge to a trial court’s decision to grant or deny relief pursuant to N.C.
Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rules 52, 59, or 60 is reviewed under an abuse of discretion
standard. Burnham v. S&L Sawmill, Inc., 229 N.C. App. 334, 346, 749 S.E.2d 75, 84
(2013). “An abuse of discretion is shown only when the court’s decision is manifestly
unsupported by reason or is so arbitrary that it could not have been the result of a
reasoned decision.” Paynich v. Vestal, 269 N.C. App. 275, 278, 837 S.E.2d 433, 436
(2020) (quotation marks and citation omitted).
1. Rule 52 Motion
Rule 52(b) governs amendments to findings of fact made by a trial court and
states, “Upon motion of a party made not later than 10 days after entry of judgment
the court may amend its findings or make additional findings and may amend the
judgment accordingly.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 52(b) (2022). “The primary
purpose of a Rule 52(b) motion is to enable the appellate court to obtain a correct
understanding of the factual issues determined by the trial court.” Branch Banking
& Tr. Co. v. Home Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n, 85 N.C. App. 187, 198-99, 354 S.E.2d 541,
548 (1987). “If a trial court has omitted certain essential findings of fact, a motion
under Rule 52(b) can correct this oversight and avoid remand by the appellate court
for further findings.” Id. (citation omitted). By its plain language, Rule 52(b) also
allows the trial court to amend, and thus omit, erroneous findings.
- 13 -
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
The purpose of the entry of findings of fact by a trial court is to resolve
contested issues of fact, to make clear what was decided for purposes of res judicata
and estoppel, and to allow for meaningful appellate review. See War Eagle, Inc. v.
Belair, 204 N.C. App. 548, 551, 694 S.E.2d 497, 500 (2010); Greensboro Masonic
Temple v. McMillan, 142 N.C. App. 379, 382, 542 S.E.2d 676, 678 (2001). As
resolution of evidentiary conflicts is not within the scope of Rule 12 and findings of
fact in a Rule 12 order are not binding on appeal, an order granting a Rule 12(b)(6)
motion to dismiss generally should not include findings of fact. White v. White, 296
N.C. 661, 667, 252 S.E.2d 698, 702 (1979); M Series Rebuild, LLC v. Town of Mount
Pleasant, 222 N.C. App. 59, 63, 730 S.E.2d 254, 258 (2012); Tuwamo v. Tuwamo, 248
N.C. App. 441, 446, 790 S.E.2d 331, 336 (2016).
The trial court may, however, recite the undisputed facts that form the basis
of its decision. See, e.g., Capps v. Raleigh, 35 N.C. App. 290, 292, 241 S.E.2d 527, 529
(1978) (opining that, when deciding a motion for summary judgment, “in rare
situations it can be helpful for the trial court to set out the undisputed facts which
form the basis for his judgment”); see also Wiley v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 164 N.C.
App. 183, 189, 594 S.E.2d 809, 813 (2004) (“[F]indings and conclusions do not render
a summary judgment void or voidable and may be helpful, if the facts are not at issue
and support the judgment.” (quotation marks and citation omitted)). When this is
done, any findings should clearly be denominated as “uncontested facts” and not as
the resolution of contested facts. War Eagle, 204 N.C. App. at 551-52, 694 S.E.2d at
- 14 -
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
500 (commenting on the presence of detailed findings of fact in a trial court’s order
granting summary judgment).
Because an order granting a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss generally should
not include findings of fact, a Rule 52(b) motion requesting that the trial court add
such findings is improper. However, a Rule 52(b) motion to remove erroneous
findings of fact is not improper and is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. See
Burnham, 229 N.C. App. at 346, 749 S.E.2d at 84.
Here, the trial court made extensive findings of fact that go beyond a mere
recitation of undisputed facts forming the basis of its decision. Instead, the findings
mischaracterize the allegations set forth in Defendant’s complaint and resolve
evidentiary conflicts in a manner that decides ownership of the Property, which is the
central issue in the action Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed, thereby creating the
danger of a future claim of collateral estoppel.
Based on this unique set of procedural and factual circumstances, the trial
court abused its discretion by denying Defendant’s Rule 52(b) motion requesting that
the court “enter[] a new [o]rder dismissing Defendant’s Counterclaims for failing to
state a claim, without findings of fact[.]”
2. Rule 59 Motion
Rule 59 addresses new trials and amendments to judgments and states, “[a]
new trial may be granted to all or any of the parties and on all or part of the issues”
for any of the nine grounds enumerated in the statute. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule
- 15 -
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
59(a) (2022). Additionally, a party may move to “amend the judgment under section
(a) of this rule . . . .” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 59(e) (2022). However, “Rule 59(e)
is available only on the grounds enumerated in Rule 59(a) and they apply only after
a trial on the merits.” Doe v. City of Charlotte, 273 N.C. App. 10, 19, 848 S.E.2d 1, 8
(2020). Thus, “litigants cannot bring a motion under Rule 59(e) to seek
reconsideration of a pre-trial ruling by the trial court.” Id.Here, as there was no trial on the merits and the order dismissing Defendant’s
counterclaims was issued in response to a pre-trial motion, the trial court did not
abuse its discretion by denying Defendant’s Rule 59 motion.
3. Rule 60(b) Motion
Rule 60(b) provides for relief from a judgment or order for various reasons,
including mistake, inadvertence, excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, fraud,
and “[a]ny other reason justifying relief from the operation of the judgment.” N.C.
Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 60(b) (2022).
Defendant asserts that “[t]he order denying the motion to amend or alter the
order of dismissal also failed to address [Defendant’s] request to be allowed to amend
her counterclaims.” Defendant’s amended counterclaims were filed on 7 February,
after the order dismissing her counterclaims was entered on 4 February. Because
Defendant’s counterclaims were properly dismissed under Rule 12(b)(6) before she
filed her amended counterclaims, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by not
addressing Defendant’s request to amend her counterclaims.
- 16 -
MAYNARD V. CROOK
Opinion of the Court
III. Conclusion
The trial court did not err by granting Plaintiffs’ motion to dismiss Defendant’s
counterclaims under Rule 12(b)(6) because Defendant’s complaint failed to
sufficiently state claims for slander of title and invasion of privacy. Furthermore, the
trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying Defendant’s Rule 59 and 60
motions. Accordingly, we affirm in part. However, the trial court erred by dismissing
Defendant’s counterclaims under Rule 12(c) and abused its discretion by denying
Defendant’s Rule 52 motion. Accordingly, we reverse in part and remand to the trial
court with instructions to enter a new order summarily dismissing Defendant’s
counterclaims under Rule 12(b)(6).
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART AND REMANDED WITH
INSTRUCTIONS.
Chief Judge STROUD and Judge FLOOD concur.
- 17 -