A foreclosure action was brought by JP Morgan Chase in the Supreme Court of New York County. Justice Francois Rivera was the judge assigned to the case. Chase claimed in their pleadings that Charles had executed a mortgage and note on real property in favor of Fleet Real Estate Funding. They claimed Fleet Real Estate Funding had assigned the mortgage to JP Morgan Chase. They claimed Charles defaulted on making his payments on the note and mortgage, they had accelerated the note and mortgage and served the acceleration notice on Charles.
Charles’ Death
After Chase had commenced this lawsuit they ascertained that Charles had died. It should be noted Charles did not respond to any of the documents served upon him by Chase or the Summons and Complaint. That may have been related to the fact that he wasn’t alive!
Although Chase was aware that Charles had died, the moving papers submitted by them did not contain an original death certificate. The court was never made aware as to when Charles died. Judge Rivera advised Chase that when an individual to a lawsuit dies, the court is divested of jurisdiction to continue legal proceedings until an appropriate substitution is made. In addition, any court order rendered after the date of death of a party and before a legal representative is appointed to represent the deceased party would also be void.
Judge Rivera reached the conclusion since Chase had not submitted a death certificate, and they weren’t aware of the date of death, they could not determine if Charles was ever legally a party to this lawsuit. The court further stated if Charles died after the lawsuit was initiated, the action would be stayed under New York State law. In the end, Judge Rivera found that Chase could not have any relief at all until they resolved the issues concerning Charles’ death.
Conclusion
Dying is a defense to a foreclosure lawsuit! However, there are less painful defenses which can be established by hiring a foreclosure lawyer upon the initiation of legal proceedings against you.
