Criminal Fraud Arising Out of Civil Title/Foreclosure Disputes

Quick post today to start the New Year. My routine case law search uncovered a criminal case related to some procedural technicalities that admittedly have no relevance to my blog:    United States v. Yoder, No. 3:17-CR-30 JD, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 204060 (N.D. Ind. Nov. 9, 2022).

What I found interesting was that the two characters implicated in the criminal matters were involved in a pair of residential title/foreclosure disputes we handled back in 2016. The factual background in Yoder essentially mirrors what we thought occurred in our cases:

As set out in the presentence report, in 2014 and 2015, Mr. Yoder and his codefendant Kyle Holt, were engaged in a scheme to defraud homeowners who were facing foreclosures on their homes. They would approach such distressed homeowners and convince them to transfer title of the property in exchange for false promises of being able to avoid further foreclosure obligations. In particular, they falsely represented to the homeowners that they would handle their mortgage arrearages and the foreclosure process. Some believed these lies and transferred their interest in the property through quit claim deeds to entities controlled by the defendants. Mr. Yoder and Mr. Holt would then record the quit claims deeds at the local recorder's office. In reality, though, the quit claim deeds did not extinguish the outstanding mortgage debts. Regardless, Mr. Yoder would use the fraudulent interest in the property to secure to himself or others ownership of the property.

In some instances, to further the fraud, Mr. Yoder would cause to be mailed a bogus document entitled "International Promissory Note" to the financial institution holding the outstanding mortgage debt, purporting to extinguish the debt. Mr. Yoder knew this was fiction and did this to cloud the title of the property. Simultaneously, Mr. Yoder would cause to be filed a fraudulent “Satisfaction of Mortgage” with the county recorder's office in an attempt to discharge the mortgage.

We were engaged by a residential mortgage loan servicer to protect the interests of the senior lender/mortgagee in the prior matters. We were able to convince the court that the paperwork purportedly affecting title and our client’s mortgage was bogus, and the court granted summary judgment in our client’s favor.

Apparently our cases were not isolated events, and someone must have reported Yoder and Holt to the authorities. The criminal actions appear to be ongoing, and you can search Pacer under the case number above to learn more.

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I represent lenders, as well as their mortgage loan servicers, entangled in loan-related disputes. If you need assistance with a similar matter, please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

ATTOM: U.S. Foreclosure Activity Sets Post Pandemic Highs in First Quarter of 2022

The following article by ATTOM from 4/21/22 shows that foreclosure starts, bank repossessions are at the highest levels in two years but still well below normal:  LINK.  

Upcoming Changes To Indiana Sheriff's Sales

In this year’s Indiana legislative session, the General Assembly enacted House Bill 1048, which becomes effective July 1, 2022. Here are some of the changes that will impact Indiana foreclosure law.

Electronic sales. HB 1048 amended I.C. 32-29-7-3 to provide that sheriff’s sales may be conducted electronically as long as they comply with all other sale requirements under the statute. Electronic sales include the ability for sheriffs to receive electronic payments for the real estate. The amended statute says nothing further about the electronic sale process. Thus, the local sheriff’s offices will set up their own rules and regulations related to such things as bidding procedures and closing on the sales. The new law would appear to open the door for an online auction to be conducted by a private auctioneer in conjunction with I.C. 32-30-10-9.

Fees. I.C. 32-29-7-3(j) increases the sheriff’s sale administrative fee from $200 to $300 “for actual costs directly attributable to the administration of the sale….” The fee is payable by the plaintiff and is due before the sale.

Bad actors. HB 1048 added I.C. 29-7-4.5. This is the so-called “bad actor” or “slum lord” measure that caught the attention of the media this year. The language of the new law is quite dense and does not apply to plaintiffs or lenders foreclosing on mortgages but only to third-party bidders. Essentially, the act attempts to exclude certain third parties from participating in sheriff’s sales who, for example, are delinquent in the payment of real estate taxes on other property they own.

    Affirmation. To that end, the new I.C. 32-29-7-4.6 provides that any person bidding at a sheriff’s sale must sign a statement that says:

Indiana law prohibits a person who owes delinquent taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, or costs directly attributable to real property under IC 6-1.1 from bidding on or purchasing property at a sheriff's sale. I hereby affirm under the penalties for perjury that I am not prohibited from bidding under IC 32-29-7-4.5 and that I do not owe delinquent taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, costs directly attributable to real property under IC 6-1.1, amounts from a final adjudication in favor of a political subdivision, any civil penalties imposed for the violation of a building code or county ordinance, or any civil penalties imposed by a county health department. I also affirm that I am not purchasing property on behalf of or as an agent for a person who is prohibited from bidding under IC 32-29-7-4.5. I further acknowledge that a person who knowingly or intentionally provides false information on this affidavit commits perjury, a Level 6 felony.

    Foreign Businesses. Moreover, the new I.C. 32-29-7-4.7 prohibits non-Indiana businesses from bidding at an Indiana sheriff’s sale. This rule does not apply to a party foreclosing on a mortgage, however, such as a plaintiff lender or a defendant mortgagee.
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Part of my practice includes representing parties in connection with sheriff’s sales. If you need assistance with a similar matter, please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

Indiana Legislation Proposed To Shut Bad Acting Landlords Out Of Foreclosure Sales

Indiana House Bill 1048 proposes to some adjustments to the sheriff's sale process.  Here is the latest synopsis of the bill:

Allows the sheriff to conduct a public auction electronically. Prohibits certain persons and entities from purchasing a tract at a sheriff's sale. Requires each person bidding at a sheriff's sale to sign a statement containing a notice of the law and certain affirmations. Raises the amount that a sheriff can charge for administrative fees from $200 to $300.

Click here for the latest version of the bill.  

The bill has been in the news because it targets "slum lords," in the words of the Indianapolis Star (article for subscribers only).  Here is a link to a free article from WFYI: Lawmakers make move to shut bad acting landlords out of online foreclosure sales. 

I'll keep my eye on this bill and summarize the enacted version after the 2021 legislative session.

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I represent parties in connection with foreclosure cases and sheriff’s sales. If you need assistance with a similar matter, please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

Firm News: Rob Schein Joins Dinsmore

I'm very happy to report that my good friend Rob Schein is now one of my partners here in Indianapolis.  Read more about it here.

Legal Reader: How Best To Prepare When Facing A Foreclosure

I thought this article by Samantha Higgins on legalreader.com was quite informative for borrowers: How Best to Prepare When Facing a Foreclosure.  Although the piece is designed for residential/consumer foreclosures, many of the tips identified by Higgins apply with equal vigor to commercial borrowers and guarantors.  Engage, seek advice, and follow-up.

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I represent parties in loan-related litigation. If you need assistance with such a matter, please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

No Surprise: Report Concludes That Nation's Foreclosure Activity Dropped To All-Time Low In 2021

From IT News Online:

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ATTOM, licensor of the nation's most comprehensive foreclosure data and parent company to RealtyTrac, the largest online marketplace for foreclosure and distressed properties, today released its Year-End 2021 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows foreclosure filings— default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 151,153 U.S. properties in 2021, down 29 percent from 2020 and down 95 percent from a peak of nearly 2.9 million in 2010, to the lowest level since tracking began in 2005.  Click here for the rest of the article.  

Indianapolis Bar Association COVID Update: Marion County Courts

Courtesy of the IBA today:

Updated COVID Marion Superior and Circuit Court Measures regarding Facial Coverings and Suspension of Jury Trials

The Executive Committee of the Marion Superior Court and the Judge of the Circuit Court have continued to monitor local numbers regarding increase in COVID positive cases.

The statewide Resuming Court Operations Task Force has continued to provide guidance to courts across the state on how to maintain court operations in light of the ongoing public health emergency. As of November 10, 2020, the Indiana Supreme Court, in 20S-CB-123, provided guidance to trial courts on minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID to court staff, litigants, attorneys and members of the public. In the Order, the Indiana Supreme Court reiterated that trial courts have inherent authority to suspend and/or reschedule criminal or civil jury trials for a limited time.

At this time, all jury trials in Marion County will be continued and reset after January 21, 2022. Additionally, facial coverings will be required and occupancy capacity will be limited in all areas of the courthouse. The proper use of facial coverings will be strictly enforced.

Click here to view the order regarding facial coverings.
Click here to view the order regarding the continuance of jury trials.

It's currently unclear whether there will be a ripple effect from the continuances this month, which is to say we don't know for certain whether jury trials currently set after the 21st will be impacted.  This likely will unfold on a case-by-case basis.  

John

 

Indiana Supreme Court’s COVID Order Interpreted: Post-Judgment Interest

Lesson. Post-judgment interest was not tolled by the Indiana Supreme Court’s 2020 COVID-related emergency orders.

Case cite. Denman v. St. Vincent Med. Grp., Inc., 2021 Ind. App. LEXIS 254 (Ind. Ct. App. 2021)

Legal issue. Whether the Indiana Supreme Court’s order that “no interest shall be due or charged during the tolled period” was unconstitutional with respect to statutory post-judgment interest.

Vital facts. Plaintiff obtained a $4.75 million judgment against Defendant in January 2020. Beginning on March 13, 2020, the Indiana Supreme Court entered a series of orders that dealt with the COVID public health emergency. The order pertinent to the Denman case included the following language:

The Court authorizes the tolling … of all laws, rules, and procedures setting time limits for speedy trials in criminal and juvenile proceedings; public health and mental health matters; all judgments, support, and other orders; and in all other civil and criminal matters before Indiana trial courts. Further, no interest shall be due or charged during this tolled period.

Procedural history. On March 30, 2020, the trial court in Denman ordered that post-judgment interest on Plaintiff’s judgment shall be tolled per the Supreme Court’s order. Plaintiff appealed that ruling and others.

Key rules.

Ind. Code § 24-4.6-1-101 states that: “[e]xcept as otherwise provided by statute, interest on judgments for money whenever rendered shall be from the date of the return of the verdict or finding of the court until satisfaction at: . . . (2) an annual rate of eight percent (8%) if there was no contract by the parties.”

As opposed to prejudgment interest, trial courts have no discretion over whether post-judgment interest will be awarded. Prevailing plaintiffs are awarded it automatically.

Holding. The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s order tolling the accrual of post-judgment interest.

Policy/rationale. The Court found that the trial court erred in applying the Supreme Court’s interest-tolling order to post-judgment interest “because so doing would give the [order] effect beyond the power constitutionally and statutorily allocated to the courts.” Post-judgment interest is a “creature of statute, borne of legislative authority.”

The Court upheld the trial court’s tolling of prejudgment interest, however, which is discretionary. One of its reasons in doing so was the Supreme Court’s “inherent authority,” in an emergency, to supervise all courts of the state. This authority “allows it to suspend trial courts' discretionary decision-making, like the grant of prejudgment interest.” The Court explained:

Permitting grants of prejudgment interest would have cost litigants for a delay they did not cause. As we explained above, Indiana's Tort Prejudgment Interest Statute is meant to influence litigants' behavior. To award prejudgment interest for delays not attributable to any party would not advance that goal. Post-judgment interest, on the other hand, arises just as automatically during a pandemic as it does any other time—and it will continue to do so until the legislature decides otherwise.

The “elephant in the room” is whether the Supreme Court’s order impacted interest accruing on a loan, such as contractual interest under a promissory note. The Indiana Court of Appeals’ treatment of pre- and post-judgment interest in Denman is telling on this point. Interest on a loan is not discretionary (in my view, at least). It is based on a contract entered into between private parties that, arguably, is constitutionally protected from an emergency order from the judicial branch. Contractual interest, not unlike post-judgment interest, arises automatically during the pandemic - as it does any other time. Accordingly, I do not believe that the Supreme Court’s COVID-related orders in 2020 tolled the accrual of interest on loans, and the outcome in Denman supports that conclusion.

Related posts.

• What Is Indiana's Post-Judgment Interest Rate?
• Force Mejeure And The COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact On Indiana Notes and Mortgages

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I represent judgment creditors and lenders, as well as their mortgage loan servicers, entangled in loan-related disputes. If you need assistance with a similar matter, please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

American Banker: Small Banks, Credit Unions Warned To Brace For Pandemic Aftershock

Here is an article by Ken McCarthy and Jim Dobbs in the Community Banking section of the American Banker:  Small banks, credit unions warned to brace for pandemic.

One of the interesting opinions featured in this piece is that problem loans may not surface until 2023, when many of us initially felt it would be a Fall 2020 issue.

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I represent lenders, as well as their mortgage loan servicers, entangled in loan-related disputes. If you need assistance with such a , please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

 

Indiana Supreme Court Clarifies Scope Of Trial Rule 9.2(A) Affidavits Of Debt

The hand wringing over certain pleading requirements for residential mortgage lenders and servicers seeking to enforce loans in Indiana is over effective July 15, 2021. This is because the Indiana Supreme Court amended Trial Rule 9.2(A) and specifically exempted mortgage foreclosures from the affidavit of debt requirements arising out of the 2020 amendment to the rule.

Click here for the Court’s order, which contains the amendment. The following link is to the entire rule on the Court’s system that, as of today, does not reflect the amendment: T.R. 9.2.

For background on this topic, please click on my two prior posts:

• 5/11/17: Claim “On An Account” Vs. Enforcement Of A Loan: Comments On Proposed Amendment to Indiana Trial Rule 9.2(A)
• 11/17/17: Indiana Trial Rule 9.2(A) Officially Amended But Uncertainty Remains

The rule’s new language ends any debate regarding whether the subsections added in 2020 [(A)1) and (A)(2)] apply to mortgage foreclosure actions. (Incidentally, the 2020 amendment never affected commercial or business loans – only consumer debts.)

Somewhat regrettably, the Court did not include language in this year’s amendment to exempt actions to enforce unsecured loans, such as an action on a guaranty or a credit agreement. Having said that, as noted in my prior posts, a strong argument can be made that the affidavits only apply to actions “on account” and not to loans.

Kudos to our Supreme Court for providing clarity to the situation and for the folks behind the scenes who lobbied for the change.
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I represent lenders, as well as their mortgage loan servicers, entangled in loan-related disputes. If you need assistance with such a , please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

FHFA EXTENDS COVID-19 FORECLOSURE AND REO EVICTION MORATORIUMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

6/24/2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) are extending the moratoriums on single-family foreclosures and real estate owned (REO) evictions until July 31, 2021. The foreclosure moratorium applies to Enterprise-backed, single-family mortgages only. The REO eviction moratorium applies to properties that have been acquired by an Enterprise through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure transactions. The current moratoriums were set to expire on June 30, 2021.

Report: Surprise Plunge In Bankruptcies Puts Attorneys To Test

From yesterday's Indiana Lawyer:  article link.  The piece does not address consumer/residential foreclosure attorneys, but my understanding is that the story is the same and perhaps even worse due to the ongoing federal foreclosure moratorium.  Meanwhile, commercial foreclosures, which are not subject to a moratorium, also remain surprisingly low here in Indiana.              

News Reports Regarding Increase In Foreclosure Activity Despite Government Programs

Both of the following news reports stem from the Q1 2021 Foreclosure Market Report by ATTOM Data Solutions:

• U.S. Foreclosure Activity Continues To Increase Despite Government Moratorium
• Despite Federal Actions, Q1 Foreclosures Rise

I was out last week and have been playing catch-up.  I hope to post some new material next week.  

John

Dinsmore Is Hiring In Indiana

We are hiring litigation associates in both Indianapolis and Evansville.  Click here for more - or, feel free to email me.  John

Erik Chickedantz - Super, Indeed

The annual Indiana Super Lawyers magazine was delivered today.  It features a great article about Erik Chichedantz entitled "From Southwestern Indiana to West Point."  Click here for a .pdf, and credit to Super Lawyers Indiana 2021, page 7. 

Erik and I both grew up in Washington, and our families have a long history.  Erik's parents and my grandparents were close.  In high school, I worked at the local jewelry store with Erik's mother, Thelma, an absolute gem (no pun intended).

Erik was a Fort Wayne-based trial lawyer forever and since has become one of our state's best mediators.  As my Dad just said, Erik is one of a kind.  I'm proud to know him, and I thank him for his service to both our country and our profession.  

Indiana Reverses Controversial Recording Requirement

Title companies and many other parties routinely dealing with real estate transactions in Indiana are applauding Governor Holcomb’s signature of HB 1056 into law, which is effective immediately. The act reverses the recording law change on July 1, 2020, about which I wrote here.

Essentially, the so-called “proof witness,” previously required on recorded instruments, has been negated. Since July of last year, recorded documents such as mortgages and deeds needed two signatures and two notaries.  It was a pain, and now it’s over.

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I represent parties involved in disputes about loans. If you need assistance with a similar matter, please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

Indiana Commercial Court Expanding, Succeeding

I attended a continuing ed webinar last week related to the recent-announced expansion of Indiana's commercial court system.  Effective January 2021, there will be four new counties in the program.  There will now be ten counties (and ten judges) total.  For interest lawyers, there are a handful more CLE's upcoming about the new judges and the system generally.

I first wrote about this new specialized court in June 2016:  Indiana Commercial Court Pilot Project And Interim Rules.  One thing I learned during the CLE was that the court has a website/database with a search function that allows you to research commercial court decisions:  Commercial Court Document Search.  Click here for the court's rules, which I've added permanently to the right side of my home page.        

I would recommend utilizing the court for most commercial foreclosure cases or business loan disputes.  In my opinion, the specialized system has been a really good thing for Indiana.  Kudos to our Supreme Court for implementing this change and to the judges who have embraced it.  

Indiana Supreme Court Suspends All Jury Trials Until 3/1/21

Click here for today's Order Suspending Jury Trials entered by our state's high court.  The Indiana Lawyer reported on this development, and you can read the article here.  

For more on this topic, see my June post:  Indiana Supreme Court's 5/29/20 Order Extending Its 3/16/20 Order Related to COVID Relief And Procedures 

The Indiana Lawyer: Bankruptcy Flood Coming?

This article in The Indiana Lawyer predicts a "flood" of COVID-related bankruptcy filings and quotes a number of local BK lawyers.  That flood, which many predicted in March and April would have occurred by now, has not happened - yet.  But, conventional wisdom suggests it's not a matter of if, but when.  I tend to agree.

The same goes for COVID-related foreclosure filings, both residential and commercial.  Of course the consumer foreclosure moratorium prevented and, in many cases, continues to prevent a tidal wave of residential cases.  The interesting thing is that, at least from what I've seen, commercial foreclosures in Indiana have not spiked at all. 

My understanding is that, if a commercial flood, is coming, it will start with hotels - unless Congress provides some kind of bail out.  Having said that, with the stimulus money, combined with the general attitude of forbearing instead of foreclosing, it's difficult to predict when, or even if, a commercial foreclosure tsunami is near.        

Indiana Sheriff's Sale Update

The COVID-related impact upon Indiana sheriff's sales has had a few layers:

    1.    The first involved Governor Holcomb's moratorium on residential foreclosure activity. Click here for more on that subject. That ended July 31, 2020, and some sheriff’s sales occurred in August. For example, after cancelling its monthly sales from March through July, the Marion County (Indianapolis) civil sheriff held a sale on August 21st. Click here for more information on Marion County sales.

    2.    The second layer surrounded the federal mandate. Despite the expiration of the state suspension, there still is a moratorium on sales of (and, in fact, foreclosure actions involving) FHA-insured mortgages. This freeze extends to year-end. Click here for a press release and here for my 4/6/20 post about the CARES Act.

    3.    The third is that neither the federal nor the state orders impacted commercial (business) foreclosures or sales. Nevertheless, it does not appear that any commercial foreclosure sales occurred this Spring or early Summer. I could be wrong, but as a practical matter, my understanding is that sheriff’s sales simply stopped, even for commercial real estate.

    4.    The fourth and more subtle layer of COVID's impact upon Indiana sheriff’s sales relates, not to economic relief, but to safety and social distancing. (This might explain why no commercial sales happened.) As I’ve written here previously: local rules, customs, and practices control county sheriff’s sales. Thus, there is a certain degree of latitude that each county has, or is taking, with respect to whether to proceed with sales during the pandemic. A quick survey of the websites of SRI and Lieberman, two private companies that hold sheriff’s sales for select counties, shows that several sheriff’s offices in Indiana still are not having sales, despite the termination of the state and federal moratoria. My understanding is that these continued delays are based upon public health reasons and/or a county sheriff's interpretation of local social distincing guidelines.  

The upshot is to contact the county sheriff’s office, either by phone or via the internet, to determine exactly what’s going on with your particular case as the COVID situation continues to unfold.

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I represent parties in connection with foreclosure cases and sheriff’s sales. If you need assistance with a similar matter, please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

Indiana's Recording Law Change, Effective July 1

I'm passing along information distributed by the Indiana State Bar Association.  For today's content, all the credit goes to the ISBA:   

On July 1, 2020, an obscure change to an Indiana recording statute becomes effective, requiring lawyers to change how they prepare deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, affidavits, and other instruments that must be recorded in an Indiana County recorder’s office.

The ISBA has drafted a directive to provide significant guidance to all members about this change and the sufficiency of signatures and notarial certificates for recording any deed, mortgage, or other paper or electronic instrument after June 30, 2020.

Click here for the ISBA's directive.  

Governor Holcomb's June 30 Order Extending Residential Foreclosure Moritoriaum

Section 1 of the Governor's order addresses residential mortgage foreclosures and follows-up his order order from March 19th, which was the subject of my March 28th post.  Here are the highlights:

1. Residential mortgage foreclosure actions based upon nonpayment cannot be filed until August 1.
2. This does not change the federal order that prevents FHA-insured mortgages from being foreclosed through August 31.
3. Foreclosure actions on vacant or abandoned property can proceed.

Marion County (Indianapolis) Sheriff's Sales Will NOT Start Back Up In July

Following-up last week's post (below), we learned this morning that the sheriff's office has postponed the July sale "due to the extended evictions and foreclosures issued by Gov Eric Holcomb through August 1st."  No sale in July.

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Following the COVID-19 cancellations of the March, April, May, and June sales, the Marion County Civil Sheriff's Office is back in business.  The first sale since February will occur on July 15th.  Here is an email distributed by the Real Estate team this morning:

NEW RULES, REGULATIONS AND LOCATION FOR THE JULY SALE.

NEW LOCATION FOR THE JULY SALE - 8115 E. Washington St, Indianapolis IN 46219. Great parking.

SEVERAL WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR DEPOSIT:
You may come between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. the morning of the sale, July 15th at 8115 E. Washington St and leave your deposit. However, we will end this process at 10:00 a.m. So if you are in line and the time hits 10:00 a.m. you will not be able to leave your deposit. So our suggestion is that you still come to the City-County Building at 200 E. Washington St 11th Floor conference room the day before the sale between 8:00 a.m. and Noon. Only one person allowed in the conference room at a time. Please social distance in the hallway of 6 feet.

For those of you that are in the pilot program you may still continue to send your registration form and check via email. Teena will stay one hour after the sale at 8115 E Washington St for you to bring your check back or you may also take it downtown to the City County Building right after the sale and Lori will be there to also take your check. Your choice.

It is mandatory that you stay and pick up your check if you did NOT win a bid. We will instruct you on this process the day of the sale.

SOCIAL DISTANCING:

A mask is required at the new location and in the City County Building.
Only bidders that have a paddle will be allowed in the bidding room. Other guest and attorney’s not bidding must go into the conference room. You will be able to hear the bidding process in that room. The conference room is not very large and may be difficult to social distance as per the recommendations of CDC. Please take this into consideration when choosing on whether or not you would like to attend since only 1 bidder is allowed in the bidding room per company/investor.

We will update the website soon as well with these changes. Please feel to contact us with any questions.

RE Team

Please visit our website: https://www.indy.gov/activity/sheriff-real-estate-sales

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I represent parties in connection with foreclosure cases and sheriff’s sales. If you need assistance with a similar matter, please call me at 317-639-6151 or email me at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter @JohnDWaller or on LinkedIn, or you can subscribe to posts via RSS or email as noted on my home page.

Indiana Supreme Court's 5/29/20 Order Extending Its 3/16/20 Order Related to COVID Relief And Procedures

On May 29, 2020, the Supreme Court entered the following order:  Order Extending Trial Courts' Emergency Tolling Authority and Setting Expiration of Other Emergency Orders.  The latest order follows-up the original order entered March 16, 2020, which I discussed in the following post from that date:  Indiana State Bar Association: COVID-19 Updates for the Legal Community. 

Be sure to check your relevant county courts for any local measures adopted.  For example, here in Marion County (Indianapolis), the Indiana State Bar Association released the following on May 18th:

We wanted to share the below update from the Marion Superior and Circuit Courts.

The Indiana Supreme Court has required that all Indiana trial courts seek advice and guidance from stakeholders. Based on this advice and guidance, you can expect that the earliest date the Marion Superior and Circuit Courts may return to any in-person hearings would be June 15. This is based on guidance and orders from the Indiana Supreme Court, collaboration with the controller and other city officials, as well as expert medical advice. 

Due to the high number of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths in Marion County, the courts are currently at least two weeks behind Governor Holcomb's Roadmap to Safely Reopen Indiana. The City-County Building is a particularly tough building to comply with the CDC and state/local health department requirements and recommendations. On an average day, 5,000 individuals enter the building, including employees. The city is in the process of engaging a firm with expertise in assisting all branches of government and city/county agencies in operating safely in a COVID-19 environment. This requires modification of the building in many areas. Some examples are installation of plexiglass, how elevators will be used by staff and the public, use of PPE by employees and the public, and what screening measure(s) will be used to enter the building, just to name a few.

With questions about a case, visit mycase.in.gov.

If you need the assistance of court staff, click here to visit the Marion Superior Court’s website for a listing of essential staff, or click here to visit the Marion County Circuit Court website. This is the best way to obtain information about a particular court and/or that court’s practices and policies during this time. While there is a general voicemail for the court system, court-specific phone communication is not possible at this time.

Status Of Marion County Indiana Sheriff's Sales

The Marion County Civil Sheriff's Office issued the following email last week:

The Marion County Sheriff sale for June 17th has been cancelled. These sales will be moved to August. However, your sales that moved from April to the June sale will have to be praeciped again. Please continue to send in your April cost checks.

I should be getting the July sale decrees from the Clerk this Friday. I will reassign your May SFN to the July sale. If you have not let us know the sales you want moved from May to July please let me know no later than Friday, the 15th by Noon.

We continue to work from home for the unforeseeable future. Please stay safe.

RE Team

Reminder: Receivership CLE Next Wednesday, April 22nd

I'll be co-presenting (via Zoom) an hour-long continuing legal education program for the IndyBar on Wednesday, 4/22/20, from 4-5 p.m EDT.  For more information, click here:  Vignettes from Receivership Cases and Comparisons to Bankruptcy.  Jason Burke of Blackwell Burke & Ramsey will be joining me.    

Status Of Indiana Sheriff's Sales

For what it's worth, the Marion County (Indianapolis) Civil Sheriff's Office announced last week that its May 2020 sale has been cancelled.  (The sheriff previously cancelled the April sale.)  The email from Marion County indicated that the June 2020 sale is still a go - at least for now.  The Marion County situation seems to be consistent with both our Governor's order and the CARES Act, Sections 4022 and 4023, to the extent those apply to a particular case.  

Always remain mindful that, although the Indiana Code covers the fundamentals of the sheriff's sale process, the specific procedures vary by county.  Local rules, customs, and practices control.  There is a saying in Indiana that there are 92 counties and therefore 92 different sets of rules applicable to sheriff's sales.  My point is that, if you have questions, you should call the local civil sheriff's office to confirm the status of its foreclosure sale activities (publications, notices, sales, etc.)  during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Federal CARES Act - Multifamily Properties With Federally Backed Loans

Here is a verbatim quote of Section 4023:

FORBEARANCE OF RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN PAYMENTS FOR MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES WITH FEDERALLY BACKED LOANS

(a) IN GENERAL.—During the covered period, a multifamily borrower with a Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan experiencing a financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID–19 emergency may request a forbearance under the terms set forth in this section.

(b) REQUEST FOR RELIEF.—A multifamily borrower with a Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan that  was current on its payments as of February 1, 2020, may submit an oral or written request for forbearance under subsection (a) to the borrower’s servicer affirming that the multifamily borrower is experiencing a financial hardship during the COVID–19 emergency.

(c) FORBEARANCE PERIOD.—

    (1) IN GENERAL.—Upon receipt of an oral or written request for forbearance from a multifamily borrower, a servicer shall—

        (A) document the financial hardship;

        (B) provide the forbearance for up to 30 days; and

        (C) extend the forbearance for up to 2 additional 30 day periods upon the request of the borrower provided that, the borrower’s request for an extension is made during the covered period, and, at least 15 days prior to the end of the forbearance period described under subparagraph (B).

    (2) RIGHT TO DISCONTINUE.—A multifamily borrower shall have the option to discontinue the forbearance at any time.

(d) RENTER PROTECTIONS DURING FORBEARANCE PERIOD.—A multifamily borrower that receives a forbearance under this section may not, for the duration of the forbearance—

    (1) evict or initiate the eviction of a tenant from a dwelling unit located in or on the applicable property solely for nonpayment of rent or other fees or charges; or

    (2) charge any late fees, penalties, or other charges to a tenant described in paragraph (1) for late payment of rent.

(e) NOTICE.—A multifamily borrower that receives a forbearance under this section—

    (1) may not require a tenant to vacate a dwelling unit located in or on the applicable property before the date that is 30 days after the date on which the borrower provides the tenant with a notice to vacate; and

    (2) may not issue a notice to vacate under paragraph (1) until after the expiration of the forbearance.

(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:

    (1) APPLICABLE PROPERTY.—The term “applicable property”, with respect to a Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan, means the residential multifamily property against which the mortgage loan is secured by a lien.

    (2) FEDERALLY BACKED MULTIFAMILY MORTGAGE LOAN.—The term “Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan” includes any loan (other than temporary financing such as a construction loan) that—

        (A) is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential multifamily real property designed principally for the occupancy of 5 or more families, including any such secured loan, the proceeds of which are used to prepay or pay off an existing loan secured by the same property; and

        (B) is made in whole or in part, or insured, guaranteed, supplemented, or assisted in any way, by any officer or agency of the Federal Government or under or in connection with a housing or urban development program administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or a housing or related program administered by any other such officer or agency, or is purchased or securitized by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage Association.

    (3) MULTIFAMILY BORROWER.—the term “multifamily borrower” means a borrower of a residential mortgage loan that is secured by a lien against a property comprising 5 or more dwelling units.

    (4) COVID–19 EMERGENCY.—The term “COVID–19 emergency” means the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak declared by the President on March 13, 2020 under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).

    (5) COVERED PERIOD.—The term “covered period” means the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the sooner of—

        (A) the termination date of the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak declared by the President on March 13, 2020 under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); or

        (B) December 31, 2020.

A Few Thoughts:

1. Section 4023 applies to a limited set of commercial mortgage loans that are "federally backed" and that essentially are related to apartments.  
2. Borrowers might be entitled to an automatic 30-day "forbearance" and two more automatic 30-day "forbearance" periods upon a written request, which documents a financial hardship.
3. The borrower must have been current as of 2/1/20.
4. The law does not apply to construction loans.
5. "Forbearance" is not defined.

The Federal CARES Act - Consumer/Residential Mortgage Loans

Here is a verbatim quote of Section 4022:

FORECLOSURE MORATORIUM AND CONSUMER RIGHT TO REQUEST FORBEARANCE

(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:

    (1) COVID–19 EMERGENCY.—The term “COVID–19 emergency” means the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak declared by the President on March 13, 2020 under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).

    (2) FEDERALLY BACKED MORTGAGE LOAN.—The term “Federally backed mortgage loan” includes any loan which is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and cooperatives) designed principally for the occupancy of from 1- to 4- families that is—(A) insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.);

        (B) insured under section 255 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z–20);

        (C) guaranteed under section 184 or 184A of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z–13a, 1715z–13b);

        (D) guaranteed or insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs;

        (E) guaranteed or insured by the Department of Agriculture;

        (F) made by the Department of Agriculture;    or

        (G) purchased or securitized by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage Association.

(b) FORBEARANCE.—

    (1) IN GENERAL.—During the covered period, a borrower with a Federally backed mortgage loan experiencing a financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID–19 emergency may request forbearance on the Federally backed mortgage loan, regardless of delinquency status, by—

        (A) submitting a request to the borrower’s servicer; and

        (B) affirming that the borrower is experiencing a financial hardship during the COVID–19 emergency.

    (2) DURATION OF FORBEARANCE.—Upon a request by a borrower for forbearance under paragraph (1), such forbearance shall be granted for up to 180 days, and shall be extended for an additional period of up to 180 days at the request of the borrower, provided that, at the borrower’s request, either the initial or extended period of forbearance may be shortened.

    (3) ACCRUAL OF INTEREST OR FEES.—During a period of forbearance described in this subsection, no fees, penalties, or interest beyond the amounts scheduled or calculated as if the borrower made all contractual payments on time and in full under the terms of the mortgage contract, shall accrue on the borrower’s account.

(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICERS.—

    (1) IN GENERAL.—Upon receiving a request for forbearance from a borrower under subsection (b), the servicer shall with no additional documentation required other than the borrower’s attestation to a financial hardship caused by the COVID–19 emergency and with no fees, penalties, or interest (beyond the amounts scheduled or calculated as if the borrower made all contractual payments on time and in full under the terms of the mortgage contract) charged to the borrower in connection with the forbearance, provide the forbearance for up to 180 days, which may be extended for an additional period of up to 180 days at the request of the borrower, provided that, the borrower’s request for an extension is made during the covered period, and, at the borrower’s request, either the initial or extended period of forbearance may be shortened.

    (2) FORECLOSURE MORATORIUM.—Except with respect to a vacant or abandoned property, a servicer of a Federally backed mortgage loan may not initiate any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process, move for a foreclosure judgment or order of sale, or execute a foreclosure-related eviction or foreclosure sale for not less than the 60-day period beginning on March 18, 2020.

Limited Applicability:

Neither the forbearance mandate nor the foreclosure moratorium of Section 4022 apply to commercial mortgage loans, nor do they apply to residential/consumer mortgage loans that are not "federally backed" per Section (a)(2).  See also the moratorium exception at Section (c)(2) for vacant or abandoned property.   

Governor Holcomb's Executive Order 20-06: How Does It Affect Indiana Foreclosures?

On March 19, 2020, Indiana's Governor handed down his Order for Temporary Prohibition on Evictions and Foreclosures.  With regard to mortgage foreclosures, here's what it says in pertinent part (italics added):

WHEREAS, the adverse economic impacts of COVID-19 … on Hoosiers … include … hindering their ability to pay … mortgages, which could potentially result in creditors … initiating foreclosure … proceedings to remove them from their homes;

WHEREAS, to avoid the serious health, welfare, and safety consequences that may result if Hoosiers are … removed from their homes during this emergency, it is reasonable and necessary to suspend laws relating to real property (including breach of … mortgages, etc.), to control the occupancy of premises in … Indiana, and to impose a moratorium on … foreclosures;

WHEREAS, … HUD, in an effort to provide immediate relief to … homeowners … will temporarily suspend all foreclosures …;

NOW, THEREFORE … [the Governor orders] that:

1. No … foreclosure actions or proceedings involving residential real estate real estate … may be initiated … until the state of emergency has been terminated….
2. No provision contained in this … Order shall be construed as relieving any individual of their obligations … to make mortgage payments, or to comply with any other obligation(s) that an individual may have under a … mortgage.

Takeaways

1. Order 20-06 applies only to consumer/residential mortgage foreclosures - not commercial foreclosures.
2. Lenders cannot file a mortgage foreclosure complaint (start a lawsuit) against a homeowner until the Governor terminates this order.
3. Despite the Order, Borrowers must continue to make mortgage loan payments. 

Gray Area

    A question I have relates to the Order's use of the term "proceedings."  For example, paraphrasing Paragraph 1:  "no foreclosure proceedings may be initiated."  This part of the Order is subject to interpretation, and the courts ultimately will decide what it means.  It seems to me that the Order effectively suspends all residential foreclosure (sheriff's) sales.  On the other hand, in a pending residential foreclosure case, the Order arguably does not prohibit a party from filing a motion.  But, the Order may prevent the court from holding a hearing on the motion or from ruling on the motion.  To that end, in connection with a pending case it would be wise to investigate whether any county-specific orders exist or to simply call the court's office to determine how the judge has decided to apply the Order.          

    

Boone County Courts COVID-19 Order

If and to the extent you have any cases pending in Boone County, Indiana (my home county), please see the following order entered by the Indiana Supreme Court:  Boone County Order.

As to Marion County (where I work), my understanding is the Court's Executive Committee will be providing an update later this afternoon.  As of 3/13/20, click here for Marion County's press release.  

Indiana State Bar Association: COVID-19 Updates for the Legal Community

To: Indiana State Bar Association Members

From:  Indiana State Bar Assocaition

Date:  3/16/20

__________

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Supreme Court has ordered trial courts to implement relevant portions of Continuity of Operations Planning (such as postponing jury trials, allowing for remote hearings, and keeping only essential staff in courthouses).

Trial courts are being directed to petition the Supreme Court through Administrative Rule 17 to carry out operational changes. AR 17 provides the framework for trial courts to put operational changes in place in the face of an emergency. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush has already signed orders allowing for adjustments to jury trials, hearings, and other business practices as requested by counties. The Supreme Court is prioritizing review of any AR 17 petitions filed.

At the Supreme Court, attendance at oral arguments will be limited to the attorneys and parties in the case; the public is encouraged to watch the live webcasts.

The Office of Judicial Administration has already put in place social distancing and telework options for its employees.

In a press release just issued, Chief Justice Rush reported that she is monitoring the situation with guidance from the Indiana State Department of Health. She explained, “The Indiana Supreme Court will continue to hold oral arguments (subject to change), review cases, and accept filings—while taking proper measures to reduce exposure of COVID-19. We also know our trial court judges across the state are focused on ensuring essential court functions continue while being mindful of the safety of their communities. The Judicial Branch has avenues in place to ensure court operations at all levels continue.”

Resources:
• Indiana Department of Health COVID-19 page
• Indiana Supreme Court COVID-19 update page
• Indiana State Bar Association COVID-19 page for the legal community
• Webinar: COVID-19 Guidance for Individuals & Employers, presented by the Indianapolis Bar Association
• Indiana Lawyer Coronavirus Update

Indiana State Bar Association Meetings & Events
ISBA staff began working remotely today, March 16, effectively closing the office space to meetings and visitors. In addition, all in-person events scheduled for March have been cancelled. We will keep you updated on events scheduled for April and May.

In the meantime, business will carry on, but virtually. Feel free to e-mail or call just as you have always done (click here for a staff directory). Although we won’t be able to answer calls directly, we will return them within 24 hours. We remain committed to serving your needs each day.

Marion County Cancels Sheriff's Sales for March Only, For Now

Teena Willard of the Marion County Civil Sheriff's Office advised this afternoon that the sheriff's sales scheduled for March and April have been cancelled.

Updated 3/13/20:  The April 15, 2020 sale is back on for now, per email from the sheriff's office today.

Receivership/Bankruptcy CLE Opportunity

I'll be co-presenting an hour-long continuing legal education program for the IndyBar on Wednesday, 4/22/20, from 4-5 p.m.  For more information, click here:  Vignettes from Receivership Cases and Comparisons to Bankruptcy.  Jason Burke of Blackwell Burke & Ramsey will be joining me.  

Top 10 Foreclosure Blogs

The Founder of Feedspot has advised that Indiana Commercial Foreclosure Law is ranked second in its Top 10 listing of foreclosure-related blogs.  Here is a link to the site's list:  Top 10 Foreclosure Blogs & Websites To Follow in 2019.  Thanks to the folks at Feedspot for recognizing my work. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to those who regularly read, or surf to, this blog.  Let's keep it going in 2020....

John   

IBJ.com: Marion County reschedules canceled tax sale for early 2020

The Indianapolis Business Journal is reporting that Marion County (Indianapolis) has canceled its fall real estate tax sales (with a combined value of at least $6MM) due to a clerical error.  The 2019 sales will occur 2/14/20.  Here is the story.  Click here for a post of mine from earlier this year talking about Indiana tax sales and notice-related issues.  The "clerical error" leading to the postponement of the sales appears to be related to perfecting the statutory notice required for the sales to be valid.  Better to have a do over now instead of dealing with potentially hundreds of tainted sales later.    

The Indiana Lawyer - "Reversal: Bank loses in lengthy foreclosure battle"

The Indiana Lawyer posted this article yesterday about this Indiana Court of Appeals opinion.  I will study the case and write about it next week.  

Update:  Third In Rem Foreclosure Action Barred Due to Rule 41(E) Dismissal Of First Action

Indiana General Assembly Update

This follows up my April 12th post Indiana General Assembly: Nothing Cooking This Year.  The sheriff's sale notice legislation I mentioned last month got new life but ultimately did not pass.  The Indiana Lawyer mentions that development (see, "Newspapers survive scare" section) and others in its article this week entitled What lawmakers did — and didn’t do — in the 2019 session.

Indiana General Assembly: Nothing Cooking This Year

My understanding is that there is no currently-pending legislation that would directly impact Indiana's foreclosure-related laws.  At one point, there was debate about sheriff's sale notices, but a Senate panel voted down the sheriff's sale notification bill.  Whether that bill might come back to life remains to be seen.  If anything develops at the end of this year's session, I'll make a point to post about it.

New post coming next week.  Time has gotten away from me this week....

IBJ's Andrews on Creditors' Lawsuit Against Bankrupt HHGregg Insiders

Here is interesting read from the Indiana Business Journal's Greg Andrews:  $50M HHGregg suit attacks insiders for accepting customer deposits to very end.

The Indiana Lawyer: Commercial Courts Update

Earlier this week, The Indiana Lawyer reported that Indiana's commercial court pilot project may become a permanent system on June 1:  Supreme Court deciding commercial courts’ fate.

I wrote about the pilot project and the interim rules in 2016:  link.  

Data Suggests Housing Recovery Complete

Click on the following link for an article from the Jacksonville Daily Record about the status of the recovery from the housing market collapse:  Black Knight data shows the housing recovery finally is complete

The conclusions in the story are consistent with recent comments from one of our mortgage servicer clients.  He told me that virtually all of the foreclosures from the early 2010's have been processed and that the market is back to more normal default levels.

(For a little different spin on the story, here is a link to my 9/6/18 post:  Housing Crisis Revisited In Long-Form Article, With Video)

12 Years And Counting

On November 1, 2006, at age 38, I placed my first four posts on this blog.  (I was on fire that month, with 12 posts.)  Although my production varies from month to month, on Monday, at age 50, I'll submit my 553rd post.  And I have no plans to stop.  Thanks for reading, for the feedback and for the referrals. 

John

Housing Crisis Revisited In Long-Form Article, With Video

First, credit goes to the Indianapolis Business Journal's "Eight @8" daily eNewletter for alerting me to this content.  The eight stories from yesterday, compiled by Mason King, included this in-depth piece from The Penny Hoarder:  "The Amercian Nightmare," which "examines the [foreclosure crisis] impact" a decade later, by Desiree Stennett and Lisa Rowan.  There are lots of interesting perspectives in the story.  Hard to believe it's been ten years since the crash....       

Changes to Rules/Procedures for Marion County (Indianapolis) Sheriff's Sales

Rachel Winkler of the Marion County Civil Sheriff’s Office recently circulated an email to the local foreclosure community of lawyers, investors and bidders about some immediate changes to the local sheriff’s sale rules and procedures. Since the Office wants to spread the word to future participants in the mortgage foreclosure sale process, consider this a public service announcement.

Below is a verbatim copy of her email, and I’ve provided links to the various .pdf’s and the home page:

Greetings Attorneys/Investors/Bidders,

We want to include all because the adjustments we are working on and toward affect all.

Some highlights of these adjustments to our process are:

Interest will now come from Attorneys; please consider including these on the added cost sheet.

Plaintiff Bid Forms; Treasurer’s Tax Clearance Forms; Removal Letters; Assignment of Judgment/Bids and Added Costs Sheets are due no later 3:00 p.m. two business days prior to the respective sale date.

Cost checks for User Fees, Sheriff’s fees and Publication Fees (including Sheriff’s File Number on checks) are also due and requested no later 3:00 p.m. two business days prior to the respective sale date.

Cost checks will now be cashed and applied as part of the Sheriff Sale process. Please be sure to consider these costs as part of the minimum bid amount and Plaintiff’s written bid as applicable.

Attorneys are responsible for preparing all Sheriff’s Deeds, Clerk Returns and Sales Disclosure Forms for all sales including third party purchases.

All information is included in the document called Marion County Sheriff's Sale Real Estate Rules Requirements for Plaintiffs.Attorneys.Revised 05.04.2018.

Bidders, please come with document Marion County Sheriff's Sale Real Estate Sales Disclosure Information.Revised 05.4.2018 already prepared for each property you plan to purchase. If the property is sold to you, please submit the corresponding document at the completion of the oral auction.

Please visit our website: http://www.indy.gov/eGov/County/MCSD/Services/RealEstate/Pages/home.aspx

Please direct your questions, comments and concerns to myself, [email protected] 317-327-2420 and Lori, [email protected] 317-327-2405.

More to follow…

Rachel Winkler
Marion County Sheriff's Office
Judicial Enforcement Division
200 E. Washington St.
Suite 1122
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Office – (317) 327-2420
Fax – (317) 327-2465
[email protected]

Here are the other .pdf’s that Ms. Winker attached to her email:

• Cost sheet sample: Sample of Marion County Sheriff's Sale Real Estate Costs Sheet with Star
• Sale dates:  Marion County Sheriff's Sale.2018 Real Estate Sales Dates.Revised
• Bid form: Marion County Sheriff's Sale Real Estate Bid Form.Revised
• Bidder SDF: Marion County Sheriff's Sale Real Estate Sales Disclosure Information.Revised
• Bidder instructions: Marion County Sheriff's Sale Real Estate Instructions to Bidders.Revised
• Assignment: Marion County Sheriff's Sale Real Estate Assignment of Judgement-Bid.Revised
• Cost sheet form: Excel Marion County Sheriff's Sale Real Estate Costs Sheet with Star.
• Attorney rules:  Marion County Sheriff's Sale Real Estate Rules Requirements for Plaintiffs.Attorneys.Revised

Marion County (Indianapolis) Civil Sheriff's Office Changes

Foreclosure sales for Indianapolis properties occur through the Marion County Civil Sheriff’s Office. We recently received word of a handful of changes within the department.

First, Tammy Pickens is leaving at the end of the year. Tammy was a pro, was great to deal with and will be missed.

Second, Beth Ash, Rachel Winkler and Laurie Gipson will be the contacts for sheriff’s sales going forward. Here is their contact information:

Laurie Gipson
317-327-2450
Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>

Beth Ash
317-327-2459
Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>

Rachel Winkler
317-327-2420
Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>

Laurie’s email about these changes emphasized that parties should include all three contacts in any emails. Otherwise, there could be a delay of questions, concerns and/or documents being received.

Click here for the sheriff's Real Estate Sales website, with relevant links/forms.  As I’ve said before, there is no better run County agency than our civil sheriff’s office. The staff is always professional, courteous and prepared.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Indiana Trial Rule 9.2(A) Officially Amended But Uncertainty Remains

Back in May, I submitted this post: Claim “On An Account” Vs. Enforcement Of A Loan: Comments On Proposed Amendment to Indiana Trial Rule 9.2(A). One of my points was that the proposal left open the question of whether the rule applied solely to accounts, or to both loans and accounts. Indeed my post doubled as a submission to the Rules Committee recommending, among other things, language clarifying that the new rule does not (and should not) apply to loans, other than perhaps credit card debt.

New rule. On October 31st, the Indiana Supreme Court entered its official Order Amending Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure that included amendments to Rule 9.2. Here is the order signed by Chief Justice Rush. Regrettably, the amendment did not incorporate our proposed limiting language or otherwise resolve the matter of whether a plaintiff must file the new affidavit of debt in mortgage foreclosure cases. For reasons spelled out in my May 11th post, a strong argument still can be made that the affidavits only need to be filed with complaints articulating an action “on account” and that a mortgage foreclosure, or any other action to enforce a promissory note, is no such action. Admittedly, however, the situation remains clouded.

Consumer debts only. One critical change the Supreme Court made from the proposed rule was to limit the pleading requirement in Section (A)(2) to consumer debts. The rule’s requirement for the new affidavit applies only “if … the claim arises from a debt that is primarily for personal, family, or household purposes…” This is a common phrase in the law that identifies consumer claims and that excludes commercial/business debts. See my 12/18/09 and 11/16/06 posts. Thus the Supreme Court’s insertion of that language definitively means that Rule 9.2(A)(2) does not apply to commercial foreclosures or to the collection of business debts.

Effective date. It will be interesting to see how lawyers and judges interpret and apply Rule 9.2(A)(2), which is brand new. Again, and meaning no disrespect whatsoever, I think the Supreme Court left the scope of that subsection open for debate. We have time to digest this further as the amendment does not take effect for over two years - until January 1, 2020.

IBJ: Carmel-based Merchants Bancorp Plans State's First IPO Since 2013

I wanted to quickly post the IBJ.com's story about Merchants Bank of Indiana and P/R Mortgage and Investment Corporation, which have been long-time clients of our Firm:  9/26/17 link.  

Indiana Supreme Court Order Amending Rules Regarding Service Of Process And Execution Sales

On July 31st, the Indiana Supreme Court entered this Order Amending Rules of Trial Procedure.  The changes become effective 1/1/18.  

The order makes a slight amendment to Rule 4.1(B) dealing with "copy service" and now requires a follow-up mailing of both the summons and the complaint.  For more on service of process matters, including copy service, read my post “Service Of Process” Fundamentals For The Plaintiff Lender.

The order also modifies Rule 69(A) dealing with execution sales and does away with the requirement that the subject real estate must first be appraised and then sell for at least two-thirds of the appraised value.  For a little more information on execution sales, check out my post The Difference Between An Execution Sale And A Foreclosure Sale In Indiana.

Incidentally, I have not yet seen a determination by the Indiana Supreme Court on the proposed changes to Rule 9.2(A) that I discussed in my 5/11/17 post.