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Posts published in May 2016

Fla. App. Court Reverses Foreclosure Dismissal on ‘Substantial Compliance,’ ‘Admissibility of Prior Records’ Issues

The District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District, recently held that the trial court erred in ruling that a mortgagee failed to comply with the pre-foreclosure notice requirements of the mortgage, as the mortgagee’s default notice substantially complied with the mortgage and did not prejudice the borrower. The Court also held that testimony by the current loan servicer’s employee with regard to a prior loan servicer’s business records established sufficient foundation for the prior servicer’s records to be admitted into evidence as business records under Florida law. A copy of the opinion in The Bank of New York Mellon v.…

4th Cir. Confirms Sale Orders in Prior Bankruptcy Precluded Debtor’s Later Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently affirmed the dismissal of a borrower’s lawsuit against a bank, holding that the district court correctly found that sale orders entered in a prior bankruptcy case were res judicata and precluded the borrower’s new claims. A copy of the opinion in Providence Hall Associates v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is available at:  Link to Opinion. A Virginia-based limited partnership owned real property in several states, and entered into a line of credit and loan secured by deeds of trust or mortgages. The borrower defaulted and filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter…

Maurice Wutscher Expands Austin Office, Adds Attorney Keith Wier

National financial services law firm Maurice Wutscher LLP has expanded its Austin office, adding consumer financial services attorney Keith Wier. Wier will practice in the firm’s Appellate, Commercial Litigation, Consumer Credit Litigation and Regulatory Compliance groups. He joins Maurice Wutscher’s skilled team of litigators who specialize in appellate matters, business formation and transactions, class action litigation, commercial litigation, construction litigation, consumer credit litigation, contested bankruptcies, contested foreclosures, employment litigation, equine law, insurance recovery and advisory services, intellectual property litigation, regulatory compliance, and trials and evidentiary hearings in 15 offices throughout the United States. Wier focuses his practice on the defense of…

Illinois App. Court Rejects Challenge to Foreclosure Based on Alleged HAMP Non-Compliance

The Illinois Appellate Court, First District, recently affirmed a trial court’s denial of a borrower’s motion to vacate a default judgment of foreclosure and sale, rejecting the borrower’s argument that the mortgagee failed to comply with certain Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) guidelines. A copy of the opinion in Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Hansen is available at:  Link to Opinion. In January 2007, the borrower executed a mortgage in the amount of $360,000, which was later assigned to the mortgagee.  In December 2008, the mortgage filed a complaint seeking to foreclose due to default beginning in August 2008. The mortgagee…

Fla. App. Court Holds ‘Force-Placed Insurance’ Counterclaims in Foreclosure Were Time-Barred

The District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida, Fourth District, recently affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of the borrowers’ permissive counterclaims based on violations of the Florida Unfair Trade Insurance Practices Act (FUTIPA) in connection with an alleged “force-placed insurance scheme,” as the allegations were barred by the applicable four-year statute of limitations. The Court upheld the dismissal of the borrowers’ remaining compulsory counterclaims without prejudice for lack of jurisdiction, as the compulsory counterclaims were not appealable until a final disposition of the original case was obtained on the merits. A copy of the opinion in 4040 Ibis Circle,…