BROWN, Judge.
Cynthia Seleme appeals the trial court's order denying her motion for relief from judgment. Seleme raises one issue which we revise and restate as whether the court abused its discretion in denying her motion for relief from judgment following a complaint filed by Chase Home Finance LLC ("Chase") to foreclose on her residential mortgage. We affirm.
The relevant facts follow. On January 13, 2010, Chase filed a Complaint on Note and to Foreclose Mortgage on Real Estate related to the real estate known as 6425 High Point Run, Fort Wayne, Indiana. On January 29, 2010, the Sheriff left a copy of the summons at Seleme's address. On February 22, 2010, the court indicated that the cause had been assigned to Solomon Lowenstein, Jr., as facilitator, and ordered the parties and/or their attorneys to attend a telephone conference on April 1, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. This order indicated that a copy of the entry was served either by mail to the address of record or personally distributed to Seleme.
On April 28, 2010, the court entered an order indicating that the parties had participated in the telephone conference on April 1, 2010, and that the conference was continued to June 8, 2010, pursuant to a forbearance plan. The order also indicated that a copy of the entry was served either by mail to the address of record, deposited in the attorney's distribution box, or personally distributed to Seleme.
On July 12, 2010, the court issued an order titled "Order After Settlement Conference," which indicated that Chase appeared by telephone on June 8, 2010, but Seleme did not appear. Appellee's Appendix at 35. The order also indicated that "[t]he Settlement Conference was not conducted pursuant to a forbearance plan" and that "[t]he trial judge of record hereby certifies that the telephone conference did not occur." Id. According to the CCS, Seleme was notified of the court's July 12, 2010 order on July 14, 2010.
On September 26, 2011, Chase filed a motion for default judgment and entry of foreclosure. Chase alleged that "[t]he time within which a Defendant must appear, answer or otherwise defend has expired and has not been extended by the Court, and no Defendant has appeared or otherwise defended." Id. at 44. That same day, the court entered a default judgment and decree of foreclosure.
On March 1, 2012, an attorney filed an appearance on behalf of Seleme. On March 5, 2012, Seleme filed a verified motion for relief from judgment.
Seleme attached a letter from Chase dated April 14, 2010, indicating that Seleme was approved to enter into a trial period plan under the Home Affordable Modification Program. The letter indicated that Seleme needed to make payments of $610.42 by May 1, 2010, June 1, 2010, and July 1, 2010. The letter indicated that "[a]fter all trial period payments are timely made and you have submitted all the required documents, your mortgage would then be permanently modified if you qualify." Appellant's Appendix at 14. The letter also stated: "Your existing loan and loan requirements remain in effect and unchanged during the trial period." Id.
Chase filed a response to Seleme's motion for relief from judgment and attached a notice of sheriff's sale indicating that service of the sale was directed to Seleme by the Sheriff. Chase also attached a letter dated August 27, 2010, from Chase to Seleme indicating that Chase was unable to offer her a "Home Affordable Modification because [she] did not make all of the required Trial Period Plan payments by the end of the trial period." Id. at 24. The letter also stated: "[I]f your Loan was in foreclosure at the time of the Trial Period Plan Offer, the foreclosure process may resume without further notice." Id.
Seleme filed a notice of additional documents in support of her motion for relief from judgment. Specifically, she attached a fax dated August 10, 2011, that included a "Making Home Affordable Program Request for Modification and Affidavit" signed by Seleme. Id. at 33-36. She attached letters from Chase dated August 30, 2011, September 30, 2011, October 30, 2011, and January 24, 2012, indicating that Chase needed additional documents to complete her request for loan modification. Seleme also attached correspondence from
On April 10, 2012, the court held a hearing on Seleme's motion for relief from judgment. At the hearing, Seleme's counsel argued in part:
Transcript at 8. Chase's counsel argued in part:
Id. at 10-11. On April 24, 2012, the court denied Seleme's motion for relief from judgment.
The issue is whether the court abused its discretion in denying Seleme's motion for relief from judgment. Generally, upon appellate review of a refusal to set aside a default judgment, the trial court's ruling is entitled to deference and will be reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Watson, 747 N.E.2d 545, 547 (Ind.2001). The trial court's discretion should be exercised in light of the disfavor in which default judgments are generally held. Id.; see also Coslett v. Weddle Bros. Constr. Co. Inc., 798 N.E.2d 859, 861 (Ind. 2003) ("Indiana law strongly prefers disposition of cases on their merits."), reh'g denied. Any doubt as to the propriety of a default judgment must be resolved in favor of the defaulted party. Watson, 747 N.E.2d at 547. "Moreover, no fixed rules or standards have been established because the circumstances of no two cases are alike." Kmart v. Englebright, 719 N.E.2d 1249, 1253 (Ind.Ct.App.1999) (citing Siebert Oxidermo, Inc. v. Shields, 446 N.E.2d 332, 340 (Ind.1983)), trans. denied. "A cautious approach to the grant of motions for default judgment is warranted in `cases involving material issues of fact, substantial amounts of money, or weighty policy determinations.'" Id. (citing Green v. Karol, 168 Ind.App. 467, 473-474, 344 N.E.2d 106, 110-111 (1976)). In addition, the trial court must balance the need for an efficient judicial system with the judicial preference for deciding disputes on the merits. Id. "The burden is on the movant to establish ground for Trial Rule 60(B) relief." In re Paternity of P.S.S., 934 N.E.2d 737, 741 (Ind.2010).
The entry of a default judgment is authorized by Ind. Trial Rule 55(A), and
With respect to subsections (1), (2), (3), (4), and (8) of Rule 60(B), we observe that a meritorious defense for the purposes of Rule 60(B) is "one that would lead to a different result if the case were tried on the merits." Butler v. State, 933 N.E.2d 33, 36 (Ind.Ct.App.2010) (quoting Bunch v. Himm, 879 N.E.2d 632, 637 (Ind. Ct.App.2008)). "Absolute proof of the defense is not necessary, but there must be `enough admissible evidence to make a prima facie showing' that `the judgment would change and that the defaulted party would suffer an injustice if the judgment were allowed to stand.'" Id. (quoting Bunch, 879 N.E.2d at 637).
To the extent that Seleme argues that the default judgment was void under Ind. Trial Rule 60(B)(6), we observe that "[a] void judgment is a nullity, and typically occurs where the court lacks subject matter or personal jurisdiction." 22B STEPHEN E. ARTHUR, INDIANA PRACTICE § 60.2 (2012) (footnote omitted). "If a judgment is void, whether from faulty process or otherwise, a T.R. 60(B) claimant need not show a meritorious defense or claim." Moore v. Terre Haute First Nat'l Bank, 582 N.E.2d 474, 477 (Ind.Ct.App. 1991), reh'g denied. "Normally, this Court employs an abuse of discretion standard in reviewing a trial court's ruling on a motion to set aside a judgment." D.L.D. v. L.D., 911 N.E.2d 675, 678 (Ind.Ct.App.2009) (citing Rice v. Comm'r, Ind. Dep't of Envtl. Mgmt., 782 N.E.2d 1000, 1003 (Ind.Ct.App. 2003)), reh'g denied, trans. denied. "However, when a motion for relief from judgment is made pursuant to Trial Rule 60(B)(6), alleging that the judgment is void, discretion on the part of the trial court is not employed because either the judgment is void or it is valid." Id.
Seleme appears to argue that: (A) the default judgment was void because she was denied due process with respect to
Seleme argues that she was denied due process and consequently the court's default judgment and decree of foreclosure were void. Seleme argues that the failure to send "any notice to [her] of the default, the actual judgment or the sale, must render this foreclosure judgment void." Appellant's Brief at 10.
Chase appears to argue that Seleme waived any claim related to Rule 60(B)(6) because her motion for relief from judgment did not refer to Indiana Trial Rule 60(B)(6) or "say in words or substance that `the judgment is void.'" Appellee's Brief at 10. Chase also argues that even if the arguments were preserved they are without merit because the record demonstrates that Seleme received service of process.
In her reply brief, Seleme argues that Chase was required to serve her in accordance with Ind. Trial Rules 3.1(B) and 55 "as she appeared pursuant to Court order, and a settlement conference was requested and scheduled at the initial telephone conference." Appellant's Reply Brief at 1. Seleme also argues that she filed an appearance pursuant to Ind.Code § 32-30-10.5-8.5(c).
To the extent that Chase suggests that Seleme waived this argument, we observe that she argued in her motion for relief from judgment that "during this entire time of making payments and submitting all documents to Chase, she was never advised that the lawsuit had not been dismissed" and that she did not receive a copy of the motion for default judgment or a copy of the actual foreclosure judgment entered by the court. Appellant's Appendix at 11. Seleme also argued that "she never received actual notice or opportunity to object to the foreclosure equitable proceedings." Id. At the hearing, Seleme's counsel argued that Seleme did not receive due process of law and that the default judgment was "void." Transcript at 7. Based upon the record, we cannot say that Seleme waived this issue.
Initially, we observe that Seleme concedes that she received the original summons and complaint from Chase.
We now turn to Seleme's argument regarding notice of Chase's motion for default judgment. We need not determine whether subsection (6) or subsection (8) control because, under the circumstances, neither would require Seleme to allege a meritorious defense. See Evansville Garage Builders v. Shrode, 720 N.E.2d 1273, 1278 n. 8 (Ind.Ct.App.1999) (addressing an argument regarding lack of notice of a motion for default judgment, noting that generally under Trial Rule 60(B)(8), a defaulted party seeking relief from judgment must, in addition to establishing a valid ground for relief, present evidence of a meritorious defense, but observing that where a default judgment is set aside because it was entered without notice or proper service, a meritorious defense need not be shown), trans. denied; Standard Lumber Co. of St. John, Inc. v. Josevski, 706 N.E.2d 1092, 1096 (Ind.Ct. App.1999) (holding that the defendants need not establish a meritorious defense because they were not provided notice of the plaintiff's motion for default judgment).
Generally, due process requires notice of certain proceedings after the initiation of a lawsuit. Moore, 582 N.E.2d at 478. With respect to notice of Chase's motion for default judgment, Ind. Trial Rule 55(B) provides in part that "[i]f the party against whom judgment by default is sought has appeared in the action, he (or, if appearing by a representative, his representative) shall be served with written notice of the application for judgment at least three [3] days prior to the hearing on such application." (Emphasis added). Thus, we must determine whether Seleme "appeared" for purposes of Trial Rule 55(B). Generally, a party's appearance is governed by Ind. Trial Rule 3.1. At the time that Chase filed its complaint, Ind. Trial Rule 3.1(B) provided: "At the time the responding party or parties first appears in a case, such party or parties shall file an appearance form setting forth the information set out in Section (A)[
Seleme does not argue or point to the record to suggest that she filed an appearance form, appeared in court, or provided the clerk of the trial court with her name, mailing address, and phone number, prior to her attorney filing an appearance on March 1, 2012. Rather, she appears to argue that her participation in the first telephone conference between Chase and the facilitator constituted an appearance. She also argues that "Indiana has no specific rule that says or denies that appearing at a court ordered conference is or is not an appearance justifying further legal notice." Appellant's Brief at 12.
We cannot say that Seleme's mere participation at the initial telephone conference constituted an appearance. See LaPalme v. Romero, 606 N.E.2d 882, 884 (Ind.Ct.App.1993)(rejecting defendant's claim that a telephone conversation with the plaintiffs' counsel regarding the case constituted a constructive appearance), reh'g denied, vacated in part and adopted in relevant part by, 621 N.E.2d 1102 (Ind. 1993), reh'g denied; Cordill v. City of Indianapolis, 168 Ind.App. 685, 688-689, 345 N.E.2d 274, 276 (1976) (holding that neither appellant nor his attorney had made an appearance in any manner reasonably calculated to put the clerk on notice).
We now turn to Seleme's argument regarding Ind.Code § 32-30-10.5-8.5(c), which provides that "[i]f the debtor requests a settlement conference under this chapter, the court shall treat the request as the entry of an appearance under Indiana Trial Rule 3.1(B)."
Attached to Chase's complaint was a "Get Help — Get Hope" notice from the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority and its Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network. This notice stated:
Appellee's Appendix at 8 (emphases in italics added).
The Indiana Supreme Court's online resource for mortgage foreclosures provides:
Indiana Supreme Court, Help with Mortgage Foreclosures, http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2359.htm (last visited October 30, 2012) (emphases in italics added).
Seleme does not point to the record or argue that she signed the notice attached to the complaint and delivered it to the trial court or that she contacted the court to request a settlement conference. Rather, she appears to argue that the fact that a second telephonic conference was scheduled alone constituted a request for a settlement conference under Ind.Code § 32-30-10.5-8.5. Specifically, Seleme argues that "the scheduling of that second conference is clear evidence that the `debtor requested a conference' as there is no requirement or prohibition in the statute as to the parties either individually or jointly agreeing to request that second settlement conference." Appellant's Reply Brief at 1-2.
We observe that the court's February 22, 2010 order, which indicated that the cause had been assigned to Solomon Lowenstein, Jr., as facilitator, and ordered the parties and/or their attorneys to a telephone conference on April 1, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., stated:
Appellee's Appendix at 32 (emphasis added). Based upon the emphasized language above and the record, we cannot say that the initial scheduling of a telephone conference was based upon or in response to a request by Seleme for a settlement conference.
The April 28, 2010 order titled "Order After Telephone Conference" merely indicated that the parties had appeared by telephone and that the telephone conference was continued to June 8, 2010, pursuant to a forbearance plan. Id. at 34. While the July 12, 2010 order was titled "Order After Settlement Conference," the order did not indicate that Seleme had requested a settlement conference. Id. at 35. Rather, the order indicated that Seleme did not appear and that the settlement conference was not conducted, pursuant to a forbearance plan. Thus, even assuming that Ind.Code § 32-30-10.5-8.5(c) applied, we cannot say that Seleme has demonstrated that she requested a settlement conference or made an appearance in order to require notice of Chase's motion for default judgment under Ind. Trial Rule 55.
Based upon the record, we cannot say that the trial court erred by denying Seleme's motion to set aside the default judgment on this basis. See King v. King, 610 N.E.2d 259, 263 (Ind.Ct.App.1993) (holding that the defendant was not entitled to notice where she did not enter a pro se appearance, did not cause a new attorney to act on her behalf, did not answer the complaint, and did not assert an interest in any possible wrongful death proceeds), reh'g denied, trans. denied.
Seleme appears to argue that Chase's actions constituted fraud or misrepresentation that resulted in her excusable neglect and an accord and satisfaction. She argues that Chase procured the judgment unfairly, that Chase informed her that the suit would be dismissed and engaged in payment arrangements, and that the mere fact that she proceeded pro se and did not enter a written appearance "should not subvert the clear intent and purpose of Trial Rule 55 or all of the remedies under Trial Rule 60(B)." Appellant's Brief at 9. Without citation to the record, Seleme also argues that "payment was alleged and shown under the Chase Auto Pay program, and Seleme's affidavit as well demonstrated some form of accord and satisfaction by accepting her into the HAMP program." Id. at 10. Chase argues that Seleme failed to develop a separate fraud or constructive fraud claim argument in her appellate brief and has waived any claim. Chase also argues that Seleme did not commit fraud.
Seleme appears to argue that Chase's actions warrant relief under subsections (1), (3), and (7) of Trial Rule 60(B). With respect to subsection (1), Ind. Trial Rule 60(B) provides in part that "[o]n motion and upon such terms as are just the court may relieve a party or his legal representative from a judgment, including a judgment by default, for the following reasons: (1) mistake, surprise, or excusable neglect; ...." There is no general rule as to what constitutes excusable neglect under Trial Rule 60(B)(1). Kmart, 719 N.E.2d at 1254 (citing In re Marriage of Ransom, 531 N.E.2d 1171, 1172 (Ind. 1988)). Each case must be determined on its particular facts. Id. (citing Boles v. Weidner, 449 N.E.2d 288, 290 (Ind.1983)). The following facts have been held to constitute excusable neglect, mistake, or surprise:
Id. (citing Continental Assurance Co. v. Sickels, 145 Ind.App. 671, 675, 252 N.E.2d 439, 441 (1969)).
A party making a claim under Trial Rule 60(B)(3) and alleging fraud or misrepresentation
Seleme does not cite to the record for her argument that Chase advised her that the suit would be dismissed. The documents attached to the parties' motions related to Seleme's motion for relief from judgment indicate that Chase approved Seleme to enter into a trial period plan under the Home Affordable Modification Program in April 2010, but Chase informed Seleme in a letter dated August 27, 2010 that it was unable to offer her a "Home Affordable Modification because [she] did not make all of the required Trial Period Plan payments by the end of the trial period." Appellant's Appendix at 24. The letter also stated: "[I]f your Loan was in foreclosure at the time of the Trial Period Plan Offer, the foreclosure process may resume without further notice." Id. (emphasis added). While there was further correspondence between Seleme and Chase, such correspondence related to Seleme's request for a loan modification after she had already been denied a modification. Further, in a fax dated August 10, 2011, sent from Seleme to Chase, Seleme attached a "Making Home Affordable Program Request for Modification and Affidavit," which stated in part:
Id. at 35 (emphases added). Based upon the record, we cannot say that Seleme met her burden to establish ground for relief under subsections (1) or (3) of Trial Rule 60(B).
With respect to Seleme's argument regarding an accord and satisfaction, we observe that subsection (7) of Rule 60(B) provides that a court may relieve a party from a default judgment if "the judgment has been satisfied, released, or discharged, or a prior judgment upon which it is based has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the judgment should have prospective application." Seleme points to Elliott v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, 920 N.E.2d 793 (Ind.Ct.App.2010), for the proposition that an accord and satisfaction had occurred. In Elliott, the defendants tendered evidence that the bank's record indicated that the mortgage was fully paid in 2001 and that the bank had executed and recorded a full satisfaction of the mortgage. 920 N.E.2d at 796. Seleme does not point to such evidence. While one of Seleme's bank statements indicates a payment to Chase on July 16, 2010, she does not point to the record and our review does not reveal that she made the other payments required pursuant to the trial period for the loan modification. We cannot say that Seleme met her burden to establish grounds for relief under subsection (7) of Trial Rule 60(B).
Moreover, a claim under Ind. Trial Rule 60(B)(1), (3), or (7) requires that Seleme allege a meritorious claim or defense. See Ind. Trial Rule 60(B). She did not allege and does not point to any evidence that
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the trial court's denial of Seleme's motion for relief from judgment.
Affirmed.
FRIEDLANDER, J., and PYLE, J., concur.
Id.
We observe that the current version of the "Settlement Conference Notice" posted to the Indiana Supreme Court's online resource provides other methods of requesting a settlement conference. Specifically, the Settlement Conference Notice provides:
Indiana Supreme Court, http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/files/Settlement_Conference_Notice_(revised_5-7-10).pdf (last visited October 30, 2012).