Daniel C. Peterson And Kristi J. Peterson, App v. Us Bank N.a., Resp ( 2017 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION ONE
U.S. BANK NATIONAL No. 74908-1-1
ASSOCIATION, successor by merger
to U.S. BANK NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION ND,
Respondent,
v.
DANIEL C. PETERSON and KRISTI
J. PETERSON, husband and wife,
Appellants, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
NATIONAL CITY BANK; EASTSIDE
ASSOCIATES, INC.; DR. JOACHIM
HERTEL; STATE OF WASHINGTON;
PINNACLE BUSINESS FINANCE, INC.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA;
ALLIED GROUP, INC.; NORTHEAST
SAMMAMISH SEWER AND WATER
DISTRICT; NEW GLEN ACRES
PHASE I OWNERS ASSOCIATION;
UNKNOWN PARTIES IN
POSSESSION; OR CLAIMING A
RIGHT TO POSSESSION; and
UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS,
Defendants. FILED: January 30, 2017
Schindler, J. — Daniel and Kristi Peterson appeal the order denying the motion
to vacate a default judgment without prejudice. The Petersons assert that even if they
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did not strictly comply with the requirements of CR 60(e), U.S. Bank National
Association fails to show prejudice. Although not raised by either party, we question
whether the denial of the motion without prejudice is an appealable order under the
Rules of Appellate Procedure. Nonetheless, we consider the order and reverse and
remand to schedule an evidentiary show cause hearing on the motion to vacate.
In 2005, the Petersons borrowed $351,000 from U.S. Bank. The loan was
secured by a deed of trust on real property located at 22416 N.E. 13th Court,
Sammamish, Washington.
On May 28, 2015, U.S. Bank initiated a judicial foreclosure action. The complaint
alleged the Petersons stopped making payments on the loan approximately six years
earlier.
On November 16, 2015, a process server served "Daniel C. Peterson" with the
summons and complaint. The declaration of service states Daniel was "personally"
served at 1:19 p.m. at the Sammamish property.
The Petersons did not appear or respond to the lawsuit. On January 22, 2016,
the superior court granted U.S. Bank's motion for default and entered a default
judgment against the Petersons.
On February 4, 2016, the Petersons filed a motion to vacate the default
judgment. The Petersons asserted they were not personally served with the summons
and complaint in the foreclosure action. Daniel Peterson submitted a declaration stating
he and his spouse Kristi live in Tacoma. Daniel asserted the Sammamish property was
a rental property and not their primary residence. Daniel states they are rarely at the
Sammamish property. Daniel asserted he was in a meeting with a website design
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consultant in Tacoma on the afternoon of November 16, 2015 and not in Sammamish.
Daniel also submitted an affidavit from the design consultant. The consultant stated he
and Daniel were in a meeting in Tacoma from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. on November 16,
2015.
The Petersons noted the motion to vacate for February 16, 2016. The certificate
of service states the motion was served on counsel for U.S. Bank by e-mail and by first
class mail.
On February 10, 2016, U.S. Bank filed a response to the motion to vacate. U.S.
Bank argued the court should deny the motion because the Petersons failed to comply
with CR 60(e). Specifically, that the Petersons did not present facts constituting a
defense to the foreclosure, obtain a show cause order, or personally serve U.S. Bank
with the motion.
On February 22, 2016, the superior court issued an order denying the motion to
vacate without prejudice. The order states, "A motion to vacate must be filed in
accordance with the procedures specified by CR 60. K. Tegland, 14 Wash. Prac. § 9.33
(2009)."1
The Petersons appeal the order denying the motion to vacate without prejudice.
As a preliminary matter, we question whether the order is an appealable order. An
order is not appealable as a matter of right unless its effect is to determine the action
and prevent a final judgment or to discontinue the action. RAP 2.2(a)(3); Munden v.
1 14 Karl B. Tegland. Washington Practice: Civil Procedure § 9:33, at 329 (2d ed. 2009), states,
in pertinent part:
Generally. A motion to vacate a default judgment must be filed in accordance
with the procedures and time limits specified by CR 60. The rule is fairly specific about
notice and service and should be consulted as necessary.
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Hazelriqq, 105 Wash. 2d 39, 44, 711 P.2d 295 (1985). Nevertheless, we consider the
order denying the motion to vacate without prejudice for noncompliance with CR 60(e).
CR 60(e) addresses the procedure to vacate a judgment. Under CR 60(e)(1), a
party must file a motion stating the grounds for relief and submit an affidavit setting forth
"a concise statement of the facts or errors upon which the motion is based."
Motion. Application shall be made by motion filed in the cause stating the
grounds upon which relief is asked, and supported by the affidavit of the
applicant or the applicant's attorney setting forth a concise statement of
the facts or errors upon which the motion is based.
CR 60(e)(1). Ifthe defendant is the moving party, the affidavit must also identify "the
facts constituting a defense to the action or proceeding." CR 60(e)(1).
Here, there is no dispute the Petersons filed a motion and affidavits stating the
grounds for vacating the default judgment. Contrary to U.S. Bank's assertion, the
Petersons presented a defense to vacate the default judgment. CR 60(b)(5) provides
that a court may vacate a default judgment as void for lack of personal jurisdiction. "The
. . . meritorious defense requirement is immaterial where the court entering an in
personam judgment had no jurisdiction of the defendants." Mid-Citv Materials, Inc. v.
Heater Beaters Custom Fireplaces. 36 Wash. App. 480, 486, 674 P.2d 1271 (1984).
CR 60(e)(2) and (3) address notice and service. Under CR 60(e)(2), after a party
files its motion and supporting affidavit, the court shall enter an order setting a show
cause hearing.
Notice. Upon the filing of the motion and affidavit, the court shall enter an
order fixing the time and place of the hearing thereof and directing all
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parties to the action or proceeding who may be affected thereby to appear
and show cause why the relief asked for should not be granted.
CR 60(e)(2). Under CR 60(e)(3), the moving party must serve the motion, affidavit, and
show cause order upon all parties.
Service. The motion, affidavit, and the order to show cause shall be
served upon all parties affected in the same manner as in the case of
summons in a civil action at such time before the date fixed for the hearing
as the order shall provide; but in case such service cannot be made, the
order shall be published in the manner and for such time as may be
ordered by the court, and in such case a copy of the motion, affidavit, and
order shall be mailed to such parties at their last known post office
address and a copy thereof served upon the attorneys of record of such
parties in such action or proceeding such time prior to the hearing as the
court may direct.
CR 60(e)(3).
The Petersons contend that even if they did not strictly comply with CR 60(e)(2)
and (3) by obtaining an order to show cause and personally serving the bank, U.S. Bank
cannot show prejudice.
The purpose of CR 60(e)(2) and (3) "is purely to provide notice to an opposing
party." Lindaren v. Lindqren, 58 Wash. App. 588, 593, 794 P.2d 526 (1990); see ajso
Stoulil v. Epstein, 101 Wash. App. 294, 298, 3 P.3d 764 (2000). A technical deviation
under CrR 60(e) is inconsequential "[a]s long as the party has a meaningful opportunity
to be heard and adequate time to prepare." Lindqren, 58 Wash. App. at 594.
Here, U.S. Bank fails to show prejudice from the procedural irregularities. The
record shows U.S. Bank had notice of the motion and filed a response. And U.S. Bank
admits it had both notice and an opportunity to respond.
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We reverse the order dismissing the motion to vacate and remand to schedule
an evidentiary show cause hearing.
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WE CONCUR:
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