Bunn v. Kuta

674 A.2d 26, 109 Md. App. 53
CourtCourt of Special Appeals of Maryland
DecidedMarch 5, 1996
DocketNo. 1000
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 674 A.2d 26 (Bunn v. Kuta) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Special Appeals of Maryland primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bunn v. Kuta, 674 A.2d 26, 109 Md. App. 53 (Md. Ct. App. 1996).

Opinion

EYLER, Judge.

Edward DeV. Bunn, appellant, challenges a 5% trustee’s commission, provided for in a deed of trust, awarded to Jerome A. Kuta, appellee, who foreclosed and sold by auction [56]*56for $800,000 “Independency,” real property owned by Bunn located in Charles County.

I.

The Circuit Court for Charles County ratified, without exception, the foreclosure sale that Kuta conducted on February 17, 1995. The auditor’s report filed on April 7, 1995 allowed Kuta to receive $40,000 or 5% of the $800,000 auction sales price. Bunn filed exceptions to the auditor’s report. In an order filed on April 26, 1995, the circuit court ratified the auditor’s report save for the $40,000 trustee’s commission. The circuit court set that matter for a hearing on May 19, 1995. Judge Richard J. Clark, who conducted the hearing, entered an order overruling Bunn’s exceptions. Bunn then timely noted an appeal to this Court.

II.

The issues presented to us, as paraphrased, are:

1. Was the amount of the compensation awarded to the trustee proper?
2. Did Judge Clark err in relying on the terms of the deed of trust that was not admitted into evidence?

III.

Kuta filed a foreclosure suit on October 14, 1994, pursuant to Maryland Rule W77(a), against Bunn. The pleadings included a certified deed of trust and a deed of appointment of substitute trustee, in which the noteholder appointed Kuta as substitute trustee. At the time Kuta filed for foreclosure, the second trust holder’s foreclosure suit on the property was pending. Kuta filed a petition to intervene in the second trust holder’s foreclosure suit, which the circuit court granted.

As noted above, the circuit court scheduled an exceptions hearing, at which it heard testimony from Bunn and Kuta. The circuit court also reviewed the auditor’s report, which read in part:

[57]*57The Auditor [Thomas C. Hayden, Jr.] reports to the Court that he has examined the proceedings in the above-entitled cause, and from them has stated the annexed account.
This is a Deed of Trust foreclosure. After allowance of the usual expenses of sale, the proceeds are distributed to the noteholder in full settlement of debt. Surplus proceeds are paid to a junior lienholder.
The Suggested Audit in this case requests that the Trustee be allowed a 5% commission in the amount of $40,000.00. In addition, a $750.00 attorney’s fee for the foreclosure case is requested.
The Auditor is of the opinion that it is unconscionable to allow a $750.00 attorney’s fee for the foreclosure case in addition to the $40,000.00 Trustee’s commission (5% of the sale price). Therefore, the claim for a $750.00 attorney’s fee has been disallowed.

Later that day, after reviewing the deed of trust, sua sponte, the circuit court issued its decision. In part, the circuit court stated:

There is case law in the State of Maryland that is pretty clear that when parties agree under a contract as a deed of trust is to certain terms and conditions that this court should, unless there is some ambiguity as to those terms and conditions, enforce them. In my opinion the parties in this case agreed in the deed of trust instrument that if Mr. Bunn defaulted, and there [sic] was necessary for this matter to go to sale, that the trustee would proceed at 5 per cent commission. It is my opinion that the suggested audit, dated by Mr. Hayden, the auditor for this court, appropriately allowed Mr. Kuta that trustee’s commission.
It is my opinion that it is neither [Unequitable or unfair to Mr. Bunn, who agreed that Mr. Kuta would be paid that commission to allow that commission and I accordingly deny this exception or overrule I guess would be the appropriate [58]*58way, the exceptions to the auditor’s report to have them filed by Mr. Bunn....
The deed of trust provided, in relevant part, that [u]pon any default in the performance of any of the terms or conditions of said note or of any of the terms, conditions, agreements and covenants herein contained, the said trustees shall have the power to sell and shall at the request of said Lender [Bank], sell said land and premises, or any part thereof at public auction, at such time and place, upon such terms and conditions, in such parcels, and after such previous public advertisement, as said trustees in the execution of this trust shall deem advantageous and proper; and convey the same in fee simple, upon compliance with the terms of sale, to; and at the cost of the purchase or purchasers thereof, who shall not be required to see to the application of the purchase money; and of the proceeds of said sale or sales; Firstly, to pay all proper costs, charges and expenses, including all fees and costs herein provided for, including reasonable counsel fees, and all money’s advanced for taxes, insurance, and assessments, with interest thereon as provided herein, and all taxes, general and special, due upon said land and premises at time of sale, and all moneys advanced and expanded [sic] by the Lender on any other account in accordance with the terms, conditions and covenants of this deed of trust and the note secured hereby, and to retain compensation as trustee a commission of five per centum of the amount of said sale or sales____

IV.

Bunn argues that the $40,000 trustee’s commission is excessive and inequitable, when compared to the time and effort expended by Kuta in his role as substitute trustee. According to Bunn, the foreclosure was routine and required no more than eight hours of labor. Although Bunn asserts that Kuta was difficult to reach and was at times uncooperative, he does not suggest that Kuta otherwise failed to fulfill his duties. Bunn points to § 14—103(a)(1) and (d) of the Estates & Trusts [59]*59Article for the proposition that a court has the authority to alter a trustee’s commission for “sufficient cause.” Section 14—103(a)(1) states:

A testamentary trustee and trustee of any other trust whose duties comprise the collection and distribution of income from property held under a trust agreement or the preservation and distribution of the property are entitled to commissions provided for in this section for their services in administering the trusts. The amount and source of payment of commissions are subject to the provisions of any valid agreement. Any court having jurisdiction over the administration of the trust may increase or diminish commissions for sufficient cause or may allow special commissions or compensation for services of an unusual nature.

Section 14-103(d) states:

For selling real or leasehold property, a commission upon the proceeds of the sale is payable at the rate allowed by rule of court or statute to trustees appointed to make sales under decrees or orders of the circuit court for the county where the real or leasehold property is situated, or if the property is located outside Maryland, for selling similar property in the county where the trust is being administered. The commission is payable from the proceeds of the sale when collected.

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Bluebook (online)
674 A.2d 26, 109 Md. App. 53, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bunn-v-kuta-mdctspecapp-1996.