Filed Washington State Court of Appeals Division Two
May 13, 2025
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
AUTUMN CREST AT TIMBERRIDGE No. 58973-7-II HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, a Washington non-profit corporation,
Respondent,
v. UNPUBLISHED OPINION
NICHOLAS WOJDYLA, an individual, and CELESTE NICOLE WOJDYLA, an individual, spouses or registered domestic partners, and the marital or quasi-marital community composed thereof; and ALL OTHER OCCUPANTS,
Appellants.
VELJACIC, A.C.J. — Nicholas Wojdyla appeals the trial court’s order granting summary
judgment to Autumn Crest Timberridge Homeowner’s Association (Autumn Crest). He argues
that Autumn Crest’s attorney committed fraud upon the court, and therefore the case should be
dismissed. Because the court did not err in granting summary judgment, we affirm.
FACTS
I. BACKGROUND
Nicholas and Celeste Wojdyla purchased their home in Bonney Lake in 2020. The home
was part of Autumn Crest. In April 2021, Autumn Crest’s property management contacted the
Wojdylas and informed them that they needed to remove a fence that had been built in their front
yard because it violated a covenant of the homeowner’s association agreement. The Wojdylas 58973-7-II
acknowledged receipt of this notice and requested a meeting with whomever “need[ed] to see [the]
yard decoration.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 15. At a virtual meeting, the Wojdylas “disconnected
from the meeting and did not return. CP at 567.
In June, Autumn Crest contacted the Wojdylas again informing them they needed to take
down the fence. In July, Autumn Crest fined the Wojdylas $300 for failing to remove the fence.
Autumn Crest also informed the Wojdylas that if the fines continued to accumulate for 60 days,
Autumn Crest would “file a lien for all fines and costs, including but not limited to legal fees, to
correct the violation.” CP at 28. In October, Autumn Crest notified the Wojdylas that they owed
over $800 for 2021 dues and fines regarding the unapproved fence. The Wojdylas had previously
indicated they were not going to pay any fines.
In May 2022, the Wojdylas were fined another $100 for failure to remove the fence. In
June, August, and September, they were again fined $100 for failure to remove the fence. On
October 6, the Wojdylas were contacted by a debt collector to obtain over $4,900, including
payment for annual assessments, fines for rule violations, and legal fees. Nicholas Wojdyla
contacted Autumn Crest’s counsel and debt collector and told him to “[c]ease and [d]esist all
communications with [him] and [his] wife immediately.” CP at 510.
On October 19, Autumn Crest contacted the Wojdylas to inform them that gravel work
they had done on their property needed to be submitted for approval. Also in October, Autumn
Crest filed a notice of claim of lien against the Wojdylas’ property. In November, Autumn Crest
informed the Wojdylas that they could not park on the gravel and that their trailer needed to be
stored out of sight. Autumn Crest also sent the Wojdylas a notice of delinquency for past due
assessments.
2 58973-7-II
On December 6, Autumn Crest filed a complaint against the Wojdylas for lien foreclosure
and monies due. Autumn Crest sought foreclosure, an order allowing access to the property to
bring it into compliance, and $10,721.61 for past due annual assessments, fines, late fees, attorney
fees and costs, and interest. On December 23, the Wojdylas filed a counter lawsuit for harassment
and theft of finances as well as a response to Autumn Crest’s complaint.1
II. PRETRIAL
In March 2023, the Wojdylas filed a notice, stating that they would be unavailable June 23
and July 10-16. In May, the Wojdylas filed another notice, stating they would be unavailable June
23 and June 28-July 16.
In May, the trial court found that the Wojdylas willfully violated the general purpose of
discovery by e-mailing opposing counsel up to 40 times a day, using abusive language, calling
counsel dumb and accusing her of lying, making unreasonable objections, and outright refusing to
produce responsive information. The court ordered the Wojdylas to respond to discovery requests
and ordered them to pay for another deposition.
On July 14, at a discovery compliance hearing, the Wojdylas were not present. The trial
court acknowledged the notice of unavailability filed by the Wojdylas but continued with the
hearing. The court explained that the Wojdylas again refused to sit for depositions and were
nonresponsive in regards to discovery.
1 The Wojdylas voluntarily dismissed their counterclaim in May 2023.
3 58973-7-II
The trial court conducted a Burnet2 analysis and sanctioned the Wojdylas by ordering them
to pay $16,941.06 in attorney fees and costs and barring them from producing new, favorable
evidence. The Wojdylas sought discretionary review of the trial court’s order sanctioning them
for discovery violations.
In September, Autumn Crest filed a motion for summary judgment. The Wojdylas did not
respond to this motion. At the summary judgment hearing, Nicholas Wojdyla told the court that
at the July 14 hearing, Autumn Crest’s attorney “fabricated a story [] that [they] were not present.”
Rep. of Proc. (RP) (Oct. 20, 2023) at 4. The court told the Wojdylas that “[t]he issues that led to
the orders on July 14th started well before” then and that it was aware of the notice of unavailability
that was filed. RP (Oct. 20, 2023) at 8. The court noted, however, that a notice of unavailability
was not enough to move the hearing.
Celeste Wojdyla told the court that July 14 was her birthday, and she felt that they were
being treated unfairly. The court responded, “I understand that point. I would only say that if
somebody called this court and said ‘I need this hearing to go away or to be moved because it’s
my birthday,’ I would say no, because that’s not a compelling reason.” RP (Oct. 20, 2023) at 9.
The trial court found that the Wojdylas failed to comply with Autumn Crest’s governing
documents that were covenants running with the land. The court granted Autumn Crest’s
uncontested motion for summary judgment, foreclosed on the property, and ordered the Wojdylas
to pay $34,684.92 in additional attorney fees and costs.
2 Burnet v. Spokane Ambulance, 131 Wn.2d 484, 933 P.2d 1036 (1997).
4 58973-7-II
Wojdyla appeals.3
ANALYSIS
I. SUMMARY JUDGMENT
A. Legal Principles
An order granting summary judgment is reviewed de novo. Michael v. Mosquera-Lacy,
165 Wn.2d 595, 601, 200 P.3d 695 (2009). “[S]ummary judgment is appropriate ‘if the pleadings,
depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,
show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to
a judgment as a matter of law.’” Van Noy v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 142 Wn.2d 784, 790,
16 P.3d 574 (2001) (quoting CR 56(c)). A genuine issue of material fact exists if reasonable minds
could disagree on the conclusion of a factual issue. LaRose v.
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Filed Washington State Court of Appeals Division Two
May 13, 2025
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
AUTUMN CREST AT TIMBERRIDGE No. 58973-7-II HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, a Washington non-profit corporation,
Respondent,
v. UNPUBLISHED OPINION
NICHOLAS WOJDYLA, an individual, and CELESTE NICOLE WOJDYLA, an individual, spouses or registered domestic partners, and the marital or quasi-marital community composed thereof; and ALL OTHER OCCUPANTS,
Appellants.
VELJACIC, A.C.J. — Nicholas Wojdyla appeals the trial court’s order granting summary
judgment to Autumn Crest Timberridge Homeowner’s Association (Autumn Crest). He argues
that Autumn Crest’s attorney committed fraud upon the court, and therefore the case should be
dismissed. Because the court did not err in granting summary judgment, we affirm.
FACTS
I. BACKGROUND
Nicholas and Celeste Wojdyla purchased their home in Bonney Lake in 2020. The home
was part of Autumn Crest. In April 2021, Autumn Crest’s property management contacted the
Wojdylas and informed them that they needed to remove a fence that had been built in their front
yard because it violated a covenant of the homeowner’s association agreement. The Wojdylas 58973-7-II
acknowledged receipt of this notice and requested a meeting with whomever “need[ed] to see [the]
yard decoration.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 15. At a virtual meeting, the Wojdylas “disconnected
from the meeting and did not return. CP at 567.
In June, Autumn Crest contacted the Wojdylas again informing them they needed to take
down the fence. In July, Autumn Crest fined the Wojdylas $300 for failing to remove the fence.
Autumn Crest also informed the Wojdylas that if the fines continued to accumulate for 60 days,
Autumn Crest would “file a lien for all fines and costs, including but not limited to legal fees, to
correct the violation.” CP at 28. In October, Autumn Crest notified the Wojdylas that they owed
over $800 for 2021 dues and fines regarding the unapproved fence. The Wojdylas had previously
indicated they were not going to pay any fines.
In May 2022, the Wojdylas were fined another $100 for failure to remove the fence. In
June, August, and September, they were again fined $100 for failure to remove the fence. On
October 6, the Wojdylas were contacted by a debt collector to obtain over $4,900, including
payment for annual assessments, fines for rule violations, and legal fees. Nicholas Wojdyla
contacted Autumn Crest’s counsel and debt collector and told him to “[c]ease and [d]esist all
communications with [him] and [his] wife immediately.” CP at 510.
On October 19, Autumn Crest contacted the Wojdylas to inform them that gravel work
they had done on their property needed to be submitted for approval. Also in October, Autumn
Crest filed a notice of claim of lien against the Wojdylas’ property. In November, Autumn Crest
informed the Wojdylas that they could not park on the gravel and that their trailer needed to be
stored out of sight. Autumn Crest also sent the Wojdylas a notice of delinquency for past due
assessments.
2 58973-7-II
On December 6, Autumn Crest filed a complaint against the Wojdylas for lien foreclosure
and monies due. Autumn Crest sought foreclosure, an order allowing access to the property to
bring it into compliance, and $10,721.61 for past due annual assessments, fines, late fees, attorney
fees and costs, and interest. On December 23, the Wojdylas filed a counter lawsuit for harassment
and theft of finances as well as a response to Autumn Crest’s complaint.1
II. PRETRIAL
In March 2023, the Wojdylas filed a notice, stating that they would be unavailable June 23
and July 10-16. In May, the Wojdylas filed another notice, stating they would be unavailable June
23 and June 28-July 16.
In May, the trial court found that the Wojdylas willfully violated the general purpose of
discovery by e-mailing opposing counsel up to 40 times a day, using abusive language, calling
counsel dumb and accusing her of lying, making unreasonable objections, and outright refusing to
produce responsive information. The court ordered the Wojdylas to respond to discovery requests
and ordered them to pay for another deposition.
On July 14, at a discovery compliance hearing, the Wojdylas were not present. The trial
court acknowledged the notice of unavailability filed by the Wojdylas but continued with the
hearing. The court explained that the Wojdylas again refused to sit for depositions and were
nonresponsive in regards to discovery.
1 The Wojdylas voluntarily dismissed their counterclaim in May 2023.
3 58973-7-II
The trial court conducted a Burnet2 analysis and sanctioned the Wojdylas by ordering them
to pay $16,941.06 in attorney fees and costs and barring them from producing new, favorable
evidence. The Wojdylas sought discretionary review of the trial court’s order sanctioning them
for discovery violations.
In September, Autumn Crest filed a motion for summary judgment. The Wojdylas did not
respond to this motion. At the summary judgment hearing, Nicholas Wojdyla told the court that
at the July 14 hearing, Autumn Crest’s attorney “fabricated a story [] that [they] were not present.”
Rep. of Proc. (RP) (Oct. 20, 2023) at 4. The court told the Wojdylas that “[t]he issues that led to
the orders on July 14th started well before” then and that it was aware of the notice of unavailability
that was filed. RP (Oct. 20, 2023) at 8. The court noted, however, that a notice of unavailability
was not enough to move the hearing.
Celeste Wojdyla told the court that July 14 was her birthday, and she felt that they were
being treated unfairly. The court responded, “I understand that point. I would only say that if
somebody called this court and said ‘I need this hearing to go away or to be moved because it’s
my birthday,’ I would say no, because that’s not a compelling reason.” RP (Oct. 20, 2023) at 9.
The trial court found that the Wojdylas failed to comply with Autumn Crest’s governing
documents that were covenants running with the land. The court granted Autumn Crest’s
uncontested motion for summary judgment, foreclosed on the property, and ordered the Wojdylas
to pay $34,684.92 in additional attorney fees and costs.
2 Burnet v. Spokane Ambulance, 131 Wn.2d 484, 933 P.2d 1036 (1997).
4 58973-7-II
Wojdyla appeals.3
ANALYSIS
I. SUMMARY JUDGMENT
A. Legal Principles
An order granting summary judgment is reviewed de novo. Michael v. Mosquera-Lacy,
165 Wn.2d 595, 601, 200 P.3d 695 (2009). “[S]ummary judgment is appropriate ‘if the pleadings,
depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,
show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to
a judgment as a matter of law.’” Van Noy v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 142 Wn.2d 784, 790,
16 P.3d 574 (2001) (quoting CR 56(c)). A genuine issue of material fact exists if reasonable minds
could disagree on the conclusion of a factual issue. LaRose v. King County, 8 Wn. App. 2d 90,
103, 437 P.3d 701 (2019). In determining if there is an issue of material fact, “the court construes
all facts and inferences in favor of the nonmoving party.” Michael, 165 Wn.2d at 601.
When a party fails to respond to a motion for summary judgment, CR 56(e) instructs that
“summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against the adverse party.”
3 After this appeal was filed, a commissioner of this court dismissed the Wojdylas’ motion for discretionary review of the trial court’s order sanctioning them for discovery violations. The commissioner’s ruling stated:
Because any issues sought to be raised by the motion for discretionary review may be raised in the full appeal, this notice of discretionary review is hereby dismissed as moot. Petitioner should note that this ruling is not a consolidation and any issues that were raised in the motion for discretionary review brief should be raised again in the briefing for cause number 58973-7-II, if desired.
Ruling by Comm’r Triebel, Autumn Crest at Timberridge Homeowners Ass’n v. Wojdylas, No. 58486-7-II (Wash. Ct. App. Dec. 4, 2023).
5 58973-7-II
B. Analysis
Here, the Wojdylas did not respond to Autumn Crest’s motion for summary judgment, and
the court granted summary judgment. On appeal, Wojdyla provides no argument for how the order
granting Autumn Crest’s motion for summary judgment was erroneous. Wojdyla also presents no
basis for reversing the summary judgment order as he does not show there is a genuine issue of
material fact regarding their violation of Autumn Crest’s covenants. He also fails to show that
Autumn Crest is not due judgment as a matter of law.
Therefore, we conclude the court properly granted summary judgment in favor of Autumn
Crest.
II. FRAUD UPON THE COURT
Wojdyla’s appeal focuses on his allegation that Autumn Crest’s attorney lied to the court
at the hearing on July 14 regarding Autumn Crest’s motion for discovery sanctions.
Wojdyla alleges that Autumn Crest’s counsel lied to the court regarding the Wojdylas’
absence on July 14 and somehow painted them in a bad light for not appearing. The trial court,
however, directly addressed this concern and stated that the Wojdylas did not have a compelling
reason to move the hearing. Indeed, there is no evidence in the record before us that the Wojdylas
moved to continue the hearing. There is no evidence in the record before us that Autumn Crest’s
counsel misled the court regarding their absence. The court even explained that its ruling regarding
6 58973-7-II
discovery sanctions was based on actions that occurred long before the July 14 hearing. Moreover,
Wojdyla fails to explain how opposing counsel’s alleged lie,4 if true, regarding their absence at a
hearing for discovery sanctions rendered the order granting summary judgment erroneous.
Under RAP 2.4(a), “[t]he appellate court will, at the instance of the appellant, review the
decision or parts of the decision designated in the notice of appeal.” Wojdyla designates only the
order granting summary judgment in his notice of appeal. His argument regarding “fraud upon
the court” in a discovery sanction hearing is outside the scope of his appeal of an order granting
summary judgment. Appellant’s Br. at 39-41. Further, Wojdyla does not show the court’s ruling
on discovery sanctions prejudicially affected the ruling on summary judgment, therefore it is not
reviewable under RAP 2.4(b)(1) either. See RAP 2.4(b)(1) (“The appellate court will review a
trial court order or ruling not designated in the notice, including an appealable order, if (1) the
order or ruling prejudicially affects the decision designated in the notice.”). Even if we were to
attempt review of the discovery compliance hearing and resulting order, the record is insufficient
to enable such review as the underlying pleadings, deposition transcripts, and other related
materials are not a part of our record. Further, Wojdyla makes no argument regarding how they
complied with discovery requests such that sanctions would have been unwarranted. To the extent
Wojdyla raises arguments regarding alleged harassment from Autumn Crest, those arguments too
are outside the scope of his appeal of the trial court’s order granting summary judgment.
4 Wojdyla alleges Autumn Crest’s counsel lied regarding the hearing on July 14. It appears Wojdyla argues that he received confirmation that the review hearing was scheduled for July 21 and that Autumn Crest’s counsel lied or misrepresented something to the court to get them to change the hearing to July 14. The hearing that was scheduled for July 21, however, appears to be a review hearing not the hearing on the motion regarding discovery compliance. Despite the Wojdylas’ notice of unavailability, Autumn Crest’s counsel was not prohibited from requesting that a hearing on that motion be scheduled for July 14.
7 58973-7-II
Therefore, we conclude there was no fraud upon the court, and even if there was, it did not
affect the trial court’s summary judgment ruling.
III. ATTORNEY FEES
Pursuant to RCW 64.38.050 and Autumn Crest’s recorded covenants, Autumn Crest
requests attorney fees in this appeal in addition to attorney fees from the previous motion for
discretionary review the Wojdylas filed that was dismissed as moot.
“RAP 18.1 provides for an award of attorney fees on review where a statu[t]e authorizes
such an award.” Martinez v. City of Tacoma, 81 Wn. App. 228, 245, 914 P.2d 86 (1996). Because
RCW 64.38.050 and Autumn Crest’s governing documents provide for an award of attorney fees,
and a commissioner of this court ruled issues raised in the previously dismissed motion could be
raised in this appeal, we award Autumn Crest attorney fees for both this appeal and the previously
dismissed motion for discretionary review in an amount to be set by our commissioner.5
CONCLUSION
Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s order granting Autumn Crest’s motion for
summary judgment and award attorney fees.
5 The commissioner’s December 4, 2023 ruling stated that “any issues that were raised in the motion for discretionary review brief should be raised again in the briefing for cause number 58973-7-II, if desired.” Ruling by Comm’r Triebel.
8 58973-7-II
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2.06.040, it is so ordered.
Veljacic, A.C.J.
We concur:
Maxa, J.
Glasgow, J.