Burgess v. Bankplus

830 So. 2d 1223, 2002 WL 31619066
CourtMississippi Supreme Court
DecidedNovember 21, 2002
Docket2002-CA-00027-SCT
StatusPublished
Cited by15 cases

This text of 830 So. 2d 1223 (Burgess v. Bankplus) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Mississippi Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Burgess v. Bankplus, 830 So. 2d 1223, 2002 WL 31619066 (Mich. 2002).

Opinion

830 So.2d 1223 (2002)

Janet BURGESS and C.M. Boyles
v.
BANKPLUS, A Mississippi Banking Corporation.

No. 2002-CA-00027-SCT.

Supreme Court of Mississippi.

November 21, 2002.

*1225 Eric A. Tiebauer, Waynesboro, attorney for appellants.

Robert P. Thompson, Lynn Butler Dodson, Ridgeland, attorneys for appellee.

Before SMITH, P.J., and COBB and DIAZ, JJ.

SMITH, P.J., for the Court.

¶ 1. This case had its genesis when Bankplus filed suit in the Circuit Court of Wayne County, Mississippi for a deficiency judgment following foreclosure on collateral pursuant to security agreements signed by Janet Burgess and C.M. Boyles. Burgess and Boyles answered the complaint and filed a counterclaim. Discovery was conducted, and the depositions of the Burgess and Boyles were taken. Bankplus filed a motion for summary judgment, and the trial court heard arguments on the motion for summary judgment and entered his order and opinion in favor of Bankplus on all counts in the amount of $18,308.81 and reasonable attorney's fees provided for by the security agreement. Burgess and Boyles appealed.

FACTS

¶ 2. Janet Burgess and C.M. Boyles contest an award of summary judgment in favor of BankPlus. The facts were most succinctly set out by the trial court in the memorandum opinion of August 15, 2000. The following undisputed facts were found by the trial court:

On May 4, 1998, the Defendants executed a Fixed Rate Consumer Note Disclosure and Security Agreement, Note 014, in the amount of $32,000.00 in favor of BankPlus, whereby the Defendants promised to repay the sums indicated therein at the time indicated therein. The Defendants also promised to pay a reasonable attorney fee and all costs of collection if the note was not paid when due. As security for the loan, the Defendants pledged a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, a 1995 Chevrolet S14 track, and a 1989 Chrysler Lebaron. Defendant Boyles is the mother of Defendant Burgess. At the time, Burgess was an algebra teacher in the Wayne County School System.
Thereafter, the Defendant, Burgess, filed for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code on September 9, 1998. Burgess orally informed BankPlus that she had filed Bankruptcy. Thereafter, Burgess voluntarily reaffirmed her debt to BankPlus in the Bankruptcy Court. Burgess was represented by an attorney, Mrs. Cecilia Arnold, when she signed and filed the reaffirmation agreement with the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court. Burgess made three payments after reaffirming the debt, then she defaulted in her payments.
Upon default by the Defendant Burgess, the Plaintiff repossessed the collateral and sold the cars in accordance with § 75-9-504, MCA. The sale of the vehicles did not bring a sufficient sum to repay Note 014 and a deficiency in the amount of $18,308.81 remains owing to BankPlus. The Plaintiff initiated this lawsuit to collect the remaining principal balance, plus interest, attorneys fees and costs.

In addition to the note above, the Defendant, Burgess, also borrowed $62,482.80 from BankPlus by signing a note and security agreement dated May 5, 1998, and bearing the loan number 006. For the second loan, Burgess pledged a $30,000.00 CD belonging to her mother, and assigned to her, along with 20 acres of land. The Plaintiff did not include this note in its complaint and it is referenced only in connection with the Defendants' counterclaim, which was *1226 filed in response to the Plaintiffs complaint. It is of note that by signing the reaffirmation agreement, Defendant Burgess delayed foreclosure on the 20 acres of land and liquidation of the $30,000.00 CD.

In their counterclaim, the Defendants allege the following: (1) Intentional Interference with Advantageous Financial Position, (2) Bad Faith Business Practices, (3) Negligence, (4) Intentional, Gross, and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress, (5) Breach of Contract and Tortious Breach of Contract, (6) Constructive Fraud, (7) Recission and Cancellation, (8) Violation of the Mississippi Unfair or Deceptive Acts and Practices Act, (9) Violation of Mississippi Regulations for the Benefit of Consumer Protection, (10) Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, and (11) Civil Conspiracy.

Defendant Burgess admits that she signed both notes 006 and 014 and owes the outstanding balance on Note 006 and the outstanding balance on Note 014. Deposition of Burgess, p. 30. Defendant Boyles admits that there is no dispute that she co-signed Note 014 and owes the outstanding balance. Deposition of Burgess, p. 39. The Defendants merely assert that they were promised by the bank that the bank would "work with them" to repay the notes.
The Plaintiff filed the instant Motion for Summary Judgment alleging that every cause of action contained in the Defendants' Counterclaim is without merit and that BankPlus is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.

¶ 3. The trial court considered the arguments of counsel and held plaintiff BankPlus was entitled to a judgment as a matter of law as to the matters asserted in the complaint and as to the allegations set forth in the counterclaim. Aggrieved, Burgess and Boyles appeal to this Court.

DISCUSSION

¶ 4. This is a collection action filed by BankPlus, in which they sought repayment of loans due and owing by Burgess and Boyles. In their counterclaim, Burgess and Boyles assert numerous allegations against BankPlus. The issues raised on appeal are as follows:

I. WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED A REVERSIBLE ERROR BY IMPROVIDENTLY GRANTING THE APPELLEE'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT?

II. WHETHER THE QUESTIONS OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP IS BEST ANSWERED BY A RULING ON THE MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR WHETHER THE QUESTION IS BEST ANSWERED BY A JURY?

III. WHETHER THE QUESTION OF THE EXISTENCE OF FRAUD AND/OR MISREPRESENTATION IS BEST ANSWERED BY A RULING ON A MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR WHETHER THE QUESTION IS BEST ANSWERED BY A JURY?

¶ 5. Since all three issues deal with essentially the same question of law, whether summary judgment was appropriate in this case, the issues are thus considered together and a discussion of the rules of summary judgment and secured transactions is in order. Rule 56(c)of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure allows for summary judgment in cases where there is "no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a *1227 judgment as a matter of law." M.R.C.P. 56(c). This Court conducts a de novo review to determine if the trial court properly granted a motion for summary judgment. Daniels v. GNB, Inc., 629 So.2d 595, 599 (Miss.1993). In conducting a de novo review, the evidence must be viewed in a light most favorable to the nonmoving party, but, if the evidence shows that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law, then "summary judgment should forthwith be entered in his favor." GNB, Inc., 629 So.2d at 599.

¶ 6. By statute, creditors have the right to repossess property to cure default on loans. Miss.Code Ann. § 75-9-601 (2002). Further, the code states that after default, a secured party may sell, lease or other wise dispose of any or all of the collateral in its then condition or following any commercially reasonable preparation or processing. Id. § 75-9-607.

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Bluebook (online)
830 So. 2d 1223, 2002 WL 31619066, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/burgess-v-bankplus-miss-2002.