DocketNumber： Appellate Case No. 2012-207047; No. 27360
Citation Numbers： 407 S.C. 194, 754 S.E.2d 875
Judges： Beatty, Hearn, Kittredge, Pleicones, Toal
Filed Date： 2/26/2014
Status： Precedential
Modified Date： 10/19/2024
Brian Hover (Hover), who is the son of Margaret Dever Hover Gurnham and the Personal Representative of her Estate, appeals the circuit court’s order confirming the probate court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Beach First National Bank (Bank) to enforce a deficiency judgment against the Estate. Hover asserts the Bank’s claim, which arose following a foreclosure action, was untimely and, thus, barred by section 62-3-803
I. Factual/Procedural History
On March 24, 2005, Margaret Gurnham executed a promissory note (the Note) in the amount of $750,000 and obtained an equity line of credit for $260,000 as an advance against the Note. Hover, as Trustee of the “Margaret D. Hover Irrevocable Qualified Personal Residence Trust, dated May 22, 2000 (Residence Trust),” secured payment of this debt by executing: (1) a first mortgage, which was assigned to Hudson City Savings Bank, for the Note with a maturity date of April 1, 2035; and (2) a second mortgage to the Bank for the credit line. Both mortgages covered real property located on Hilton Head Island that was owned by Gurnham and conveyed to Hover as Trustee of the Residence Trust.
On December 8, 2005, Gurnham died testate. On February 23, 2006, Gurnham’s estate was opened in probate court with Hover being appointed as Personal Representative. Hover
On July 15, 2008, Hudson City Savings Bank commenced an action in the circuit court seeking foreclosure of the real property that was the subject of the first mortgage. On August 18, 2008, the Bank, as a named defendant in the foreclosure action, answered and filed a cross-claim against Hover as Personal Representative of the Estate for foreclosure of the second mortgage and, if necessary, a deficiency judgment. The next day, the Bank filed in probate court a Statement of Creditor’s Claim for $247,168.23 (“as of July 29, 2008”) against the Estate.
After Hover defaulted in the foreclosure proceedings, the circuit court entered judgment of foreclosure and sale of the real estate by order dated October 9, 2008. On December 11, 2008, following the sale of the real estate, the court entered a deficiency judgment against Hover as Personal Representative of the Estate in the amount of $259,620.63.
On December 30, 2008, while the Estate was still open, the Bank filed in probate court a Supplemental Statement of Creditor’s Claim for the full amount of the deficiency judgment.
On July 29, 2009, Hover filed a Notice of Disallowance of the Bank’s claim on the ground that it was not timely filed and was, therefore, barred under section 62-3-803
Both parties moved for summary judgment. Following a hearing, the probate court granted summary judgment in
Following the denial of his motion to alter or amend, Hover appealed the probate court’s order to the circuit court. The circuit court confirmed the probate court’s order, but clarified that Hover was not individually liable as he “was not an individual Defendant” in the action. Hover then appealed to the Court of Appeals. This Court certified the appeal pursuant to Rule 204(b) of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules.
II. Discussion
A. Arguments
Hover argues the circuit court erred in confirming the probate court’s grant of summary judgment to the Bank as the creditor claim was untimely and “forever barred” by the Probate Code’s “claims-barring process.” Specifically, Hover asserts the claim arose prior to Gurnham’s death and, therefore, section 62-3-803(a) mandated that the Bank present its claim no later than one year after Gurnham’s death on December 8, 2005. Given the fact that the Bank first attempted to present its claim in probate court on August 19, 2008, Hover maintains the claim was not timely presented. Alternatively, Hover avers the Bank’s untimely filing divested the circuit court of subject matter jurisdiction to issue the order for the deficiency judgment, thus rendering the judgment invalid.
Finally, Hover urges this Court to reverse the circuit court’s order as a matter of policy because a decision in favor of the Bank would “moot the entire claims-barring process established by the South Carolina General Assembly.” Hover explains that “[b]y creating a date certain by which all creditors’ claims have to be resolved, the claims-barring statute
B. Standard of Review
The parties presented this case in the posture of a motion for summary judgment; thus, it is governed by Rule 56(c) of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. This rule provides a motion for summary judgment shall be granted “if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Rule 56(c), SCRCP. “An appellate court reviews the granting of summary judgment under the same standard applied by the trial court pursuant to Rule 56, SCRCP.” Brockbank v. Best Capital Corp., 341 S.C. 372, 379, 534 S.E.2d 688, 692 (2000).
Because the facts of this case are undisputed, the resolution of this appeal is limited to the legal determination of whether the Bank’s claim against the Estate was enforceable under the applicable provisions of the Probate Code. Accordingly, the analysis of this case is controlled by rules of statutory construction.
“ ‘Questions of statutory interpretation are questions of law, which we are free to decide without any deference to the court below.’ ” Grier v. AMISUB of S.C., Inc., 397 S.C. 532, 535, 725 S.E.2d 693, 695 (2012) (quoting CFRE, L.L.C. v. Greenville County Assessor, 395 S.C. 67, 74, 716 S.E.2d 877, 881 (2011)). “The cardinal rule of statutory interpretation is to ascertain and effectuate the intention of the legislature.” Sloan v. Hardee, 371 S.C. 495, 498, 640 S.E.2d 457, 459 (2007). “When a statute’s terms are clear and unambiguous on their face, there is no room for statutory construction and a court must apply the statute according to its literal meaning.” Id. In interpreting a statute, “[w]ords must be given their plain and ordinary meaning without resort to subtle or forced construction to limit or expand the statute’s operation.” Id. at 499, 640 S.E.2d at 459. Further, “the statute must be read as a whole and sections which are a part of the same general statutory law must be construed together and each one given
C. Two Avenues for Secured Creditors
1. Statutory Progression
Pursuant to the general statutory scheme of the Probate Code, all claims against a decedent’s estate and his successors must be presented after a personal representative is appointed and within the time limits prescribed by section 62-3-803, which our appellate courts have designated as a “nonclaim statute.” See S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-104 (2009) (“No proceeding to enforce a claim against the estate of a decedent or his successors may be revived or commenced before the appointment of a personal representative. After the appointment and until distribution, all proceedings and actions to enforce a claim against the estate are governed by the procedure prescribed by this article [§§ 62-3-101 et seq.].”); In re Estate of Tollison, 320 S.C. 132, 135, 463 S.E.2d 611, 613 (Ct.App.1995) (“Section 62-3-803 is a nonclaim statute.”).
The Probate Code generally defines “claims” to include “liabilities of the decedent ... whether arising in contract, in tort, or otherwise, and liabilities of the estate which arise at or after the death of the decedent ..., including funeral expenses and expenses of administration.” S.C.Code Ann. § 62-1-201(4) (2009). As stated in the nonclaim statute, claims against a decedent’s estate include all claims “whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, founded on contract, tort, or other legal basis.” Id. § 62-3-803(a), (b).
Thus, “[b]roadly speaking, all claims against the decedent should be presented for allowance, and the word ‘claims’ includes such debts or demands as existed against the decedent in his or her lifetime and that might have been enforced against him or her by personal actions for the recovery of money.” 34 C.J.S. Executors & Administrators § 548 (Supp.2013) (footnotes omitted). “Stated another way, the term includes every species of liability that the personal representative can be called on to pay out of the general funds of the estate.” Id. “However, claims against an estate are not
Despite this seemingly all-inclusive language, the General Assembly has provided exemptions for certain claims filed by secured creditors. Section 62-3-803, the nonclaim statute, provides that “[njothing in this section affects or prevents any proceeding to enforce any mortgage, pledge, lien, or other security interest upon property of the estate.” Id. § 62-3-803(c)(1); see id. § 62-3-812 (“No execution may issue upon nor may any levy be made against any property of the estate under any judgment against a decedent or a personal representative, but this section shall not be construed to prevent the enforcement of mortgages, pledges, liens, or other security interests upon real or personal property in an appropriate proceedings.” (emphasis added)).
These exemptions, however, are not without limitation as a secured creditor may only present a claim outside of the time limits of the nonclaim statute if the creditor’s recovery is confined to the security. Specifically, section 62-3-104 provides that the statutes governing probate code proceedings have no application “to a proceeding by a secured creditor of the decedent to enforce his right to his security except as to any deficiency judgment which might be sought therein.” Id. § 62-3-104 (emphasis added); Reporter’s Comments to § 62-3-104 (“[Tjhe secured creditor who wishes to enforce a claim for deficiency, even if unliquidated or only potential, is required to comply with the claims provisions in this section and Part 8 of this article.”).
Thus, the General Assembly has created two avenues by which a secured creditor may seek recovery following the opening of an estate and the appointment of a personal representative. Under the first avenue, the secured creditor may pursue foreclosure proceedings on the security for the mortgage without presenting a claim against the estate and, thus, may do so outside the time limits of the nonclaim statute. Alternatively, the secured creditor may seek to recover directly from the assets of the estate, which then requires the claim to be presented in the probate court within the time limits of the nonclaim statute. However, if the creditor chooses the first avenue and the foreclosure proceedings fail to yield the full amount of the security, the creditor must have presented a claim on the security in probate court within the time limits prescribed by the nonclaim statute.
2. Effect of the Nonclaim Statute
If the secured creditor fails to timely present a claim in compliance with the nonclaim statute, the creditor’s right of action against the estate is barred. See In re Estate of Tollison, 320 S.C. 132, 135, 463 S.E.2d 611, 613 (Ct.App.1995) (“Section 62-3-803 is a nonclaim statute. Thus, unless the statute is complied with, the creditor’s claim is barred.” (citation omitted)); see also Phillips v. Quick, 399 S.C. 226, 230, 731 S.E.2d 327, 329 (Ct.App.2012) (contrasting the nonclaim statute with a statute of limitations and recognizing that “ ‘[u]nless the claim is filed within the prescribed time set out in the statute, no enforceable right of action is created’ ” (quoting Estate of Decker v. Farm Credit Servs. of Mid-Am., ACA, 684 N.E.2d 1137, 1138-39 (Ind.1997))).
These operational differences are based on fundamental distinctions between the two types of statutes, which are explained as follows:
A nonclaim statute is a self-contained statute which absolutely prohibits the initiation of litigation based on it after a prescribed period. While nonclaim statutes limit the time in which a claim may be filed or an action brought, they are separate and distinct from statutes of limitation, and are broader in their operation. Such statutes also are sometimes called special statutes of limitation.
A statute is a nonclaim statute if there is a clearly evidenced legislative intent in the statute to not merely withhold the remedy, but to take away the right of recovery when a claimant fails to present his or her claim as provided in the statute. The language creating a nonclaim statute*207 must indicate clearly that a failure to comply with its terms bars the claim, that filing is a condition to the existence of the claim, or that failure to file deprives the court of jurisdiction.
The time element is a built-in condition of a nonclaim statute and is of the essence of the right of action, and unless the claim is filed within the prescribed time set out in the statute, no enforceable right of action is created.
51 Am.Jur.2d Limitation of Actions § 3 (2011) (footnotes omitted) (emphasis added).
Furthermore, although the nonclaim “bar” is often cursorily categorized as “jurisdictional,” it does not implicate subject matter jurisdiction as asserted by Hover. See In re Estate of Ongaro, 998 P.2d 1097, 1103 (Colo.2000) (en banc) (discussing cases that state a nonclaim statute “operates to deprive a court of jurisdiction” and finding these cases mischaracterized the precise effects of the nonclaim statute because “the nonclaim statute does not deprive courts of jurisdiction over untimely claims”).
As this Court recently explained, “The word ‘jurisdiction’ does not in every context connote subject matter jurisdiction, but rather, is ‘a word of many, too many, meanings.’ ” Limehouse v. Hulsey, 404 S.C. 93, 104, 744 S.E.2d 566, 572 (2013) (quoting Rockwell Int'l Corp. v. U.S., 549 U.S. 457, 467, 127 S.Ct. 1397, 167 L.Ed.2d 190 (2007)). Rather, “[j]urisdiction is generally defined as ‘the authority to decide a given case one way or the other. Without jurisdiction, a court cannot proceed at all in any cause; jurisdiction is the power to declare law, and when it ceases to exist, the only function remaining to a court is that of announcing the fact and
Thus, a failure to comply with the nonclaim statute would not divest either the probate court or the circuit court of subject matter jurisdiction with respect to issues arising out of the probate of an estate. See S.C. Const. art. V, § 11 (“The Circuit Court shall be a general trial court with original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases, except those cases in which exclusive jurisdiction shall be given to inferior courts, and shall have such appellate jurisdiction as provided by law.”); S.C.Code Ann. § 62-1-302(a)(1) (2009 & Supp.2012) (recognizing probate court’s exclusive original jurisdiction over all subject matter related to the estates of decedents). Instead, noncompliance eliminates a claimant’s right of action against a decedent’s estate and, in turn, deprives the court of the power to adjudicate the claim. See 54 C.J.S. Limitations of Actions § 33 (Supp.2013) (“Nonclaim statutes operate to bar untimely claims without any action by the opposing party and deprive a court of the power to adjudicate those claims.” (emphasis added)).
D. Application
1. Bank’s Actions
Applying the foregoing principles to the facts of the instant case, we hold the Bank’s failure to present a timely claim barred its right to recover the deficiency judgment from the Estate.
We find and the Bank concedes that the second mortgage constituted a “claim” within the meaning of the Probate Code and, therefore, subject to the nonclaim statute. The mortgage, which was executed during Gurnham’s lifetime, constituted a contractual liability that arose prior to her death but was to become due in the future. Thus, although the mortgage was “unmatured” at the time the Estate was opened,
Because the Bank pursued foreclosure proceedings, its right of recovery was limited to the sale of the real estate unless it timely filed a claim in probate court to recover any potential deficiency. The Bank did not do so as it filed a Statement of Creditor’s Claim on August 19, 2008, which was clearly more than one year after Gurnham’s death and more than eight months after Hover served creditors notice by publication on March 2, 2006. Although the deficiency judgment was entered after the claims-filing time limits and arguably “arose after the decedent’s death,”
Our conclusion is consistent with the decisions of other jurisdictions addressing similar facts. See, e.g., Harter v. Lenmark, 443 N.W.2d 537, 540 (Minn.1989) (recognizing that a
2. Deficiency Judgment did not “Override” Nonclaim Statute
Despite the Bank’s admission that it failed to file a timely claim against the Estate in probate court, the Bank maintains the filing of the foreclosure action in circuit court and the entry of the deficiency judgment cured this mistake. However, contrary to the analysis of the lower courts, the entry of the deficiency judgment could not “override” or eliminate the mandatory provisions of the nonclaim statute.
Although section 62-3-806(c) provides that “[a] judgment in a proceeding in another court against a personal representative to enforce a claim against a decedent’s estate is an
3. Equitable Considerations
Furthermore, even though a decision in favor of the Estate may appear inequitable, equitable considerations are not a factor in the claims-barring analysis. Thus, neither Hover’s continued payment on the Note after his mother’s death or the act of default in the foreclosure proceedings can “override” or eliminate the nonclaim statute as this statute has been strictly applied in similar circumstances. See Phillips v. Quick, 399 S.C. 226, 230, 731 S.E.2d 327, 329 (Ct.App.2012) (“ ‘While equitable principles may extend the time for commencing an action under statutes of limitation, nonclaim statutes impose a condition precedent to the enforcement of a right of action and are not subject to equitable exceptions.’ ” (quoting Estate of Decker v. Farm Credit Servs. of Mid-Am., ACA, 684 N.E.2d 1137, 1139 (Ind.1997))); 34 C.J.S. Executors & Administrators § 547 (Supp.2013) (“Misleading statements, assurances, or conduct of the representative inducing a creditor to refrain from the due presentation of his or her claim do not estop the representative from contesting the claim because of such a failure to present the claim.”). See generally E.W.H., Annotation, Effect of Conduct of Personal Representative Preventing Filing of Claims Within Time Allowed by Statute of Nonclaim, 66 A.L.R. 1415 (1930) (citing state and federal cases addressing the general rule that no promise on the part of a personal representative is sufficient to prevent
III. Conclusion
Although we recognize that the Bank’s deficiency judgment will not be satisfied, we decline to let this dictate a result that is contrary to the terms of the Probate Code and the intent of the legislature. Instead, we reverse the grant of summary judgment in favor the Bank as it is mandated by our rules of statutory construction and effectuates the purpose of the nonclaim statute, which is to expedite and resolve claims against a decedent’s estate with finality. See In re Estate of Ongaro, 998 P.2d 1097, 1102 (Colo.2000) (en banc) (analyzing nonclaim statute and stating, “Allowing creditors to toll claims against estates would frustrate the speedy and efficient settlement of estates and distribution of assets”); Ragan v. Hill, 337 N.C. 667, 447 S.E.2d 371, 374 (1994) (“The time limitations prescribed by [the nonclaim statute] allow the personal representative to identify all claims to be made against the assets of the estate early on in the process of administering the estate. The statute also promotes the early and final resolution of claims by barring those not presented within the identified period of time.”).
Moreover, had the Bank timely presented a claim, it could have assumed its position as a general creditor to seek recovery against the remaining assets of the Estate. See 34 C.J.S. Executors & Administrators § 555 (Supp.2013) (“In any case, where a mortgagee, pledge, or other secured creditor seeks to obtain payment either in full or of a deficiency out of the general assets of the estate, and, thus, to enforce his or her claim against property not covered by his or her lien or held by him or her as security, the claim stands on the same footing with the claims of other creditors and must be presented for allowance.”); In re Lundy Estate, 291 Mich.App. 347, 804 N.W.2d 773, 778 (2011) (noting that a “bank is in the same position as other creditors with respect to any claim against the estate for the amount of any deficiency existing after exhausting the security”).
REVERSED.
. S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-803 (2009) (providing the limitations on presentation of claims against a decedent’s estate). We note that in 2013 the South Carolina General Assembly extensively amended the Probate Code. Act No. 100, 2013 S.C. Acts 1, 1-498. Because these amendments are effective on January 1, 2014, we have cited to the code provisions in effect at the time this case arose. We do, however, reference these amendments to glean legislative intent as "the 2013 amendments contain effective date provisions that generally apply the amendments retroactively, except when that would divest otherwise vested rights.” S. Alan Medlin, The South Carolina Probate Code Patched and Refurbished: Version 2013, 65 S.C. L.Rev. 81, 130 (2013).
. S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-801(a) (2009) (“Unless notice has already been given under this section, a personal representative upon his appointment shall publish a notice to creditors once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county announcing his appointment and address and notifying creditors of the estate to present their claims within eight months after the date of the first publication of the notice or be forever barred.”).
. Section 62-3-803 provides in relevant part:
(a) All claims against a decedent's estate which arose before the death of the decedent, including claims of the State and any subdivision thereof, whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, founded on contract, tort, or other legal basis, if not barred earlier by other statute of limitations, are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and*200 devisees of the decedent, unless presented within the earlier of the following dates:
(1) one year after the decedent's death; or
(2) within the time provided by Section 62-3-801(b) for creditors who are given actual notice, and within the time provided in Section 62-3-801(a) for all creditors barred by publication; provided, claims barred by the nonclaim statute at the decedent’s domicile before the giving of notice to creditors barred in this State are also barred in this State.
(b) All claims against a decedent’s estate which arise at or after the death of the decedent, including claims of the State and any subdivision thereof, whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, founded on contract, tort, or other legal basis, are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees of the decedent, unless presented as follows:
(1) a claim based on a contract with the personal representative within eight months after performance by the personal representative is due;
(2) any other claim, within the later of eight months after it arises, or the time specified in subsection (a)(1).
(c) Nothing in this section affects or prevents:
(1) any proceeding to enforce any mortgage, pledge, lien, or other security interest upon property of the estate;
S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-803 (2009).
. Subsection (c) of section 62-3-806 states, "A judgment in a proceeding in another court against a personal representative to enforce a claim against a decedent’s estate is an allowance of the claim.” S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-806(c) (2009).
. Section 62-3-804(7)(b) of the 2013 amendments "clarifies that, as earlier stated in Section 62-3-104, an in rem proceeding by a secured creditor is not suspended until a personal representative is appointed, unless that proceeding includes an action for a deficiency judgment against a decedent or his estate.” Reporter’s Comments to S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-804(7)(b) (2013 amendments) (outlining the manner of presentation of claims against a decedent's estate).
. Notably, the method of payment by the personal representative to a secured creditor is dependent upon whether the creditor "surrenders his security” or "exhausts his security before receiving payment.” S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-809 (2009) (outlining method of payment for secured claims); see id. § 62-3-805 (establishing priority of claims for payment when assets of the estate are insufficient to pay all claims in full).
. The Bank maintains that the phrase "other statute of limitations” in section 62-3-803 means the nonclaim statute is "itself [] a statute of limitations.” See S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-803(a) (2009) ("All claims against a decedent's estate which arose before the death of the decedent, ..., if not barred earlier by other statute of limitations, are barred against the estate.” (emphasis added)). We note, however, that the General Assembly has now clarified section 62-3-803(a) to state, "if not barred earlier by another statute of limitations or nonclaim statute.” Although this amendment is effective January 1, 2014, after the matter at issue here, we believe it provides guidance in this case as it constitutes evidence of legislative intent and is consistent with this Court’s classification of section 62-3-803 as a nonclaim statute.
. Relying on a footnote in Moultis v. Degen, 279 S.C. 1, 6 n. 3, 301 S.E.2d 554, 557 n. 3 (1983), which states "[wjhile we recognize that the claims barring statute is an affirmative defense to be pled by way of answer,” the Bank contends that Hover's failure to plead the claims-barring statute as an affirmative defense in the foreclosure proceedings waived its operation. For several reasons, we reject the Bank’s contention. First, as discussed, the nonclaim statute is not a statute of limitations that must be pled but, rather, is one that affects a claimant's right of action against the Estate. Thus, we find the footnote upon which the Bank relies is an incorrect statement of the law. Second, the statement constitutes dicta as it was in reference to an unpreserved appellate issue that did not serve as a basis for the Court’s decision.
. For claims arising after the decedent’s death, the nonclaim statute allows the claim to be filed within eight months after it arises. S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-803(b)(2) (2009). These types of claims normally include funeral expenses and costs incurred by the personal representative in administering the estate. See 34 C.J.S. Executors & Administrators § 553 (Supp.2013) ("The statutes of nonclaim usually apply only to claims that existed against the decedent in his or her lifetime, and do not require presentation of claims that come into existence after his or her death, such as claims for funeral expenses, or administration expenses, or claims based on contracts entered into by the executor or administrator.” (footnotes omitted)).
. Notably, the General Assembly has clarified section 62-3-806 to define an "allowance of a claim” as merely constituting a valid debt of the decedent’s estate. See S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-806(e) (2013 amendments).