American General Life Insurance Company v. Martin et al
Filing
14
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge R David Proctor on 5/18/2015. (KAM, )
FILED
2015 May-18 AM 11:57
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
WESTERN DIVISION
AMERICAN GENERAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY,
Plaintiff,
v.
ANGELYN C. MARTIN, et al.,
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
Case No.: 7:15-cv-00249-RDP
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the court on Plaintiff’s Motion for Default Judgment (Doc. 13), filed
May 14, 2015.
Plaintiff’s Motion seeks a Rule 55(b) default judgment against Defendants for
certain declaratory relief. Rule 55 (b) states in relevant part:
(b) Entering a Default Judgment.
(1) By the Clerk. If the plaintiff’s claim is for a sum certain or for a sum which
can be made certain by computation, the clerk – on the plaintiff’s request, with an
affidavit showing the amount due – must enter judgment for that amount and
costs against a defendant who has been defaulted for not appearing and who is
neither a minor or incompetent person.
(2) By the Court. In all other cases, the party must apply to the court for a default
judgment. A default judgment may be entered against a minor or incompetent
person only if represented by a general guardian, conservator, or other like
fiduciary who has appeared.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(1),(2).
The court finds that all of the requirements of Rule 55(b)(2) are satisfied in this case.
This action was commenced on February 11, 2015. (Doc. 1). Each Defendant was personally
served by Special Process Server with a Summons and Complaint containing all the required
information. (Docs. 8, 9). There is nothing in the record to suggest that Defendants are minors,
incompetent, or serving in the United States Military or armed forces. (Docs. # 8, 13-1).
To date, Defendants have neither filed anything with the court in their defense nor
contacted the court in any manner about this case, despite the fact that they were served with
summons and complaints. Therefore, on May 12, 2015 Plaintiff moved the clerk of the court for
entry of default (Doc. 10), and default was entered against Defendants by the Clerk of Court on
that same day. (Doc. 12).
As Defendants have not appeared in this action, the court is not required to provide them
with written notice of Plaintiff’s motion seeking default judgment prior to entering judgment.
See Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2). Finally, because Plaintiff seeks only a declaratory judgment and
not damages, “all essential evidence is already of record,” and an evidentiary hearing is not
required. SEC v. First Fin. Grp. of Tex., Inc., 659 F.2d 660, 669 (5th Cir. 1981) (“Rule 55(b)(2)
does not require the district court to hold either an evidentiary hearing or oral argument on a
motion for a default judgment.”) (citing Thomas v. United States, 531 F.2d 746, 748 (5th Cir.
1976) (“Taxpayer’s first contention that the district court should have held an evidentiary hearing
and/or oral argument on the motion is without merit. All the essential facts were of record.”)). 1
Accordingly, the court will, by separate order, grant Plaintiff’s Motion for Final Default
Judgment against Defendants and enter a default judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against
Defendants that is consistent with this Memorandum Opinion.
1
The Eleventh Circuit has noted that, in any event, “[a]n evidentiary hearing is not a per se requirement;
indeed, Rule 55(b)(2) speaks of evidentiary hearings in a permissive tone.” SEC v. Smyth, 420 F.3d 1225, 1232 n.13
(11th Cir. 2005) (citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2) (“[T]he court may conduct such hearings . . . .”)).
2
DONE and ORDERED this May 18, 2015.
_________________________________
R. DAVID PROCTOR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
3
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?