first-financial-bank-national-assn-hamilton-ohio-as-successor-in ( 2013 )

Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before
any court except for the purpose of Mar 19 2013, 8:26 am
establishing the defense of res judicata,
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT: ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEES:
JAY P. KENNEDY BRADLEY J. BUCHHEIT
STEVEN E. RUNYAN Hostetler & Kowalik, P.C.
Kroger, Gardis & Regas, LLP Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
FIRST FINANCIAL BANK, NATIONAL )
ASSOCIATION, HAMILTON, OHIO, AS )
SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO FEDERAL )
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, )
RECEIVER OF IRWIN UNION BANK AND )
TRUST COMPANY, )
)
Appellant/Plaintiff/ )
Counterclaim Defendant, )
)
vs. ) No. 41A05-1209-MF-474
)
FRED L. PARIS and MICHELLE S. PARIS, )
)
Appellees/Defendants/ )
Counterclaim Plaintiffs. )
APPEAL FROM THE JOHNSON SUPERIOR COURT
The Honorable Jack A. Tandy, Special Judge
Cause No. 41D03-1101-MF-12
March 19, 2013
MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION
BRADFORD, Judge
On June 10, 2009, Fred and Michelle Paris failed to make a final balloon payment as
required by a Promissory Note signed by the Parises in 2004 in exchange for a loan. On
January 6, 2011, First Financial Bank initiated foreclosure proceedings alleging that the
Parises had defaulted on their obligations under the Promissory Note. The Parises
subsequently filed a counterclaim against First Financial. On January 13, 2012, First
Financial filed motions for summary judgment on both its claim against the Parises and the
Parises’ counterclaim against it. On March 30, 2012, the trial court granted summary
judgment in favor of First Financial with respect to the Parises’ counterclaim but denied
summary judgment on First Financial’s claim against the Parises. Following a bench trial,
the trial court determined that the Promissory Note was ambiguous with regard to its maturity
date, and, based on the doctrines of promissory estoppel and unjust enrichment, issued
judgment providing for repayment of the outstanding indebtedness, concluding in 2024.
First Financial raises numerous issues on appeal, one of which we find dispositive.
Because we conclude that the language of the Promissory Note was unambiguous with
respect to its maturity date, we conclude that First Financial was entitled to summary
judgment on its claim against the Parises. Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s order
denying First Financial’s motion for summary judgment and remand to the trial court for
further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
First Financial Bank (“FFB”) is a successor in interest to Irwin Union Bank. On June
21, 2004, in exchange for a loan from Irwin Union in the amount of $528,000, Fred and
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Michelle Paris signed a Promissory Note (the “Note”). Pursuant to the terms of the Note, the
Parises agreed to make fifty-nine monthly payments of $4,107.50 and one final balloon
payment estimated at $459,053.36. This balloon payment was due upon maturity of the loan
on June 10, 2009. As security for the Note, the Parises’ executed and delivered two
mortgages on properties owned by the Parises. The Parises ultimately failed to make the
final balloon payment on June 10, 2009.
On January 6, 2011, FFB initiated foreclosure proceedings, alleging that the Parises
had defaulted on their obligations under the Note, and sought to foreclose on the mortgages.
The Parises subsequently filed a counterclaim in which they alleged fraud by an agent of
Irwin Union. In making this counterclaim, the Parises asserted that they had entered into a
subsequent oral agreement with an agent of Irwin Union that the term of the loan would be
twenty years. On January 13, 2012, FFB filed motions for summary judgment relating both
to its claim against the Parises and the Parises’ counterclaim against FFB. In support of its
motion, FFB designated a signed declaration of the Parises’ remaining indebtedness, the Note
and mortgages executed by the Parises, and a declaration of attorney’s fees.
On March 30, 2012, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of FFB with
respect to the Parises’ counterclaim against FFB but denied summary judgment on FFB’s
claim against the Parises, finding that the Note was ambiguous with respect to the Note’s
maturity date. Following a bench trial, the trial court again determined that the Note was
ambiguous with respect to the Note’s maturity date, and, based on the doctrines of
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promissory estoppel and unjust enrichment, issued judgment providing for repayment of the
outstanding indebtedness, concluding in 2024. This appeal follows.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
Whether the Trial Court Erred in Denying
FFB’s Motion for Summary Judgment
On appeal, FFB challenges the trial court’s order denying its motion for summary
judgment on its claim that the Parises had defaulted on the Note and, as a result, FFB was
entitled to foreclose on the mortgages executed by the Parises. When reviewing a grant or
denial of summary judgment our well-settled standard of review is the same as it is for the
trial court: whether there is a genuine issue of material fact, and whether the moving party is
entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Ind. Univ. Med. Ctr., Riley Hosp. for Children v.
Logan, 728 N.E.2d 855, 858 (Ind. 2000). Summary judgment should be granted only if the
evidence sanctioned by Indiana Trial Rule 56(C) shows that there is no genuine issue of
material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Id. All
evidence must be construed in favor of the opposing party, and all doubts as to the existence
of a material issue must be resolved against the moving party. Id. The review of a summary
judgment motion is limited to those materials designated to the trial court. Rood v. Mobile
Lithotripter of Ind., Ltd., 844 N.E.2d 502, 507 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006).
Indiana Code section 32-30-10-3 provides that “if a mortgagor [borrower] defaults in
the performance of any condition contained in a mortgage, the mortgagee [lender] or the
mortgagee’s assigns may proceed in the circuit court of the county where the real estate is
located to foreclose the equity of redemption contained in the mortgage.” See also Gainer
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Bank v. Cosmo. Nat’l Bank of Chicago, 577 N.E.2d 992, 993 (Ind. 1991). Where a mortgage
provides that the mortgagor will pay the mortgage indebtedness, the mortgagors bind
themselves to pay the debts secured by the mortgage. Creech v. LaPorte Prod. Credit Ass’n,
419 N.E.2d 1008, 1011 (Ind. Ct. App. 1981). Moreover, the holder of the mortgage becomes
entitled to foreclose pursuant to the provisions of the mortgage upon default by the
mortgagor. See Bowery Sav. Bank v. Layman, 142 Ind. App. 170, 173, 233 N.E.2d 492, 494
(1968) (providing that the bank became entitled to accelerate the mortgage debt and foreclose
pursuant to the provisions of the mortgage upon failure of the mortgagors to cure their debt).
Evidence of the terms of the promissory note and mortgage, default by the mortgagor, and the
amount of the mortgage debt is sufficient to support an entry of judgment and foreclosure.
See Creech, 419 N.E.2d at 1012 (concluding that the evidence was sufficient to support a
judgment for foreclosure when the mortgagee presented evidence of the demand note, the
mortgage, default by the mortgagor, and the remaining debt).
In arguing that the trial court erred in denying its motion for summary judgment, FFB
contends that the trial court erroneously determined that the Note was ambiguous with
respect to the date upon which it matured. FFB claims that the clear language contained in
the Note is unambiguous with respect to the date upon which it matured. Upon review, we
employ the principles of contract interpretation in order to determine whether the Note was
ambiguous. “The interpretation of a contract is primarily a question of law for the court.”
Bressler v. Bressler, 601 N.E.2d 392, 395 (Ind. Ct. App. 1992). As such, on appeal, our
standard of review is essentially the same as that employed by the trial court. Id.5
“‘The cardinal rule in the interpretation of contracts is to ascertain the intention of the
parties, as expressed in the language used, and to give effect to that intention, if it can be
done consistent with legal principles.’” Evansville-Vanderburgh Sch. Corp. v. Moll, 264 Ind.
356, 362, 344 N.E.2d 831, 837 (1976) (quoting Walb Constr. Co. v. Chipman, 202 Ind. 434,
441, 175 N.E. 132, 134 (1931)). Thus, “[w]hen construing the meaning of a contract, our
primary task is to determine and effectuate the intent of the parties.” Ryan v. Lawyers Title
Ins. Corp., 959 N.E.2d 870, 875 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011). “First, we must determine whether the
language of the contract is ambiguous.” Id.“Where the terms of a contract are clear the court merely applies its provisions.”
Turnpaugh v. Wolf, 482 N.E.2d 506, 508 (Ind. Ct. App. 1985). “Unambiguous language is
conclusive upon the parties to the contract and the courts.” Id. “In the absence of an
ambiguity it is not within the function of the judiciary to look outside of the instrument to get
at the intention of the parties.” Moll, 264 Ind. at 362, 344 N.E.2d at 837. As such, “[i]f the
language of the instrument is unambiguous, the intent of the parties must be determined from
its four corners,” Turnpaugh, 482 N.E.2d at 508, and “[w]e will not construe the contract or
look to extrinsic evidence, but will merely apply the contractual provisions.” Kessel v. State
Auto. Mut. Ins. Co., 871 N.E.2d 335, 337 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).
“The terms of a contract are ambiguous only when reasonably intelligent persons
would honestly differ as to the meaning of those terms.” Bressler, 601 N.E.2d at 395. “‘The
meaning of [an instrument] may be said to be clear, when it fairly expresses an intention on a
reasonable interpretation of the language used, regardless of other possible intentions not
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apparent, but which must be reached through a forced construction or circuitous reasoning.’”
Id. (quoting Hauck v. Second Nat’l Bank of Richmond, 153 Ind. App. 245, 286 N.E.2d 852,
863 (1972), trans. denied). “An instrument is not rendered ambiguous by the mere fact the
parties disagree as to its proper construction.” Id. “In determining whether an instrument is
ambiguous, we must reference the whole instrument rather than only individual clauses.” Id.
at 395-96. As such,
in construing a contract we presume that all provisions were included for a
purpose, and if possible we reconcile seemingly conflicting provisions to give
effect to all provisions. Magee v. Garry-Magee, 833 N.E.2d 1083, 1092 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2005). We must accept an interpretation of the contract that
harmonizes all the various parts so that no provision is deemed to conflict
with, to be repugnant to, or to neutralize any other provision. Id. When a
contract contains general and specific provisions relating to the same subject,
the specific provision controls. Id. “It is well settled that when interpreting a
contract, specific terms control over general terms.” Burkhart Advertising,
Inc. v. City of Fort Wayne, 918 N.E.2d 628, 634 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009) (citing
GPI at Danville Crossing, L.P. v. West Cent. Conservancy Dist., 867 N.E.2d
645, 651 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007), reh’g denied, trans. denied), trans. denied.
Ryan, 959 N.E.2d at 875.
In the instant matter, the Note explicitly states that the Note had a maturity date of
June 10, 2009. Appellant’s App. p. 65. Additional relevant portions of the Note read as
follows:
PAYMENT. Subject to any payment changes resulting from changes in the
Index, Borrower will pay this loan in 59 regular payments of $4,107.50 each
and one irregular last payment estimated at $459,053.36. Borrower’s first
payment is due July 10, 2004, and all subsequent payments are due on the
same day of each month after that. Borrower’s final payment will be due on
June 10, 2009, and will be for all principal and all accrued interest not yet paid.
****
VARIABLE INTEREST RATE. The interest rate on this Note is subject to
change from time to time .… The interest rate change will not occur more
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often than each five years on the anniversary date in the note.
****
GENERAL PROVISIONS.… All such parties agree that Lender may renew
or extend (repeatedly and for any length of time time) this loan or release any
party or guarantor or collateral, or impair, fail to realize upon or perfect
Lender’s security in the collateral; and take any other action deemed necessary
by Lender without the consent of or notice to anyone.
Appellant’s App. pp. 65-66. In addition, both of the mortgages that were executed as
security for the Note and listed in the Note as collateral for the loan stated that the “maturity
date of the Note is June 10, 2009.” Appellant’s App. pp. 79, 94.
Despite the explicit language indicating that the Note matured on June 10, 2009, the
trial court found that the Note was ambiguous with respect to the maturity date because the
Note also provided that any potential change in the interest rate would “not occur more often
than each five years on the anniversary date in the note.” The trial court believed that the
language relating to any potential change in the interest rate suggested that the length of time
contemplated by the Note must be more than five years, and, as such, the Note could not
mature on June 10, 2009. In finding the Note ambiguous, the trial court did not appear to
consider the language contained in the “General Provisions” section of the Note which
provided that the Note could potentially be extended beyond the initial term.
Again, upon reviewing a contract, we must read a contract as a whole and, in doing so,
attempt to harmonize and reconcile any seemingly conflicting provisions. See Ryan, 959
N.E.2d at 875. The language of the Note at issue in this case is unambiguous with respect to
its maturity date. The specific language in the Note relating to the maturity date explicitly
lists the maturity date as June 10, 2009. This specific language controls over any potentially
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conflicting general language contained in the Note. See Eskew v. Cornett, 744 N.E.2d 954,
957 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001) (providing that when a contract contains general and specific
provisions relating to the same subject, the specific provision controls). Moreover, the
general language allowing for an interest rate change each five years can be harmonized with
the specific language relating to the maturity date when read together with the general
provision providing that the term of the loan could potentially be extended beyond the initial
term. Any extension longer than thirty days would render the term of the loan longer than
five years, and could potentially result in a change in the interest rate.
Because the Note was unambiguous with respect to the maturity date, the trial court
erred in denying summary judgment in favor of FFB because the designated evidence
demonstrated that the Parises had defaulted on their loan obligations and that FFB was
entitled to judgment as a matter of law.1 As such, we reverse the trial court’s order denying
FFB’s motion for summary judgment and remand to the trial court with instructions for the
court to enter summary judgment in favor of FFB. Upon remand, the trial court should also
consider whether FFB is entitled to recover attorney’s fees.
The judgment of the trial court is reversed and the matter is remanded for further
proceedings consistent with this decision.
RILEY, J., and BROWN, J., concur.
1
Having concluded that the trial court erred in denying FFB’s motion for summary judgment, we
need not consider FFB’s remaining challenges relating to whether the final judgment entered by the trial court
following trial was erroneous.
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