Wachovia Bank, National Association v. Ledet

Filing 40

Order lifting stay in this case as to Linda Ledet. Linda Ledet's third-party claim is dismissed without prejudice and this action is dismissed from the active docket of this Court, subject to the right of Wells Fargo to reinstate this action for good cause within 30 days of the date of this order. Signed by Judge Kristi K. DuBose on 12/12/2012. (cmj)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
Plaintiff,
v.
LINDA S. LEDET,
Defendant.

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CIVIL ACTION NO. 10-00065-KD-B

ORDER
This matter is before the Court on the parties’ Joint Status Report (Doc. 39). On June 29,
2011, Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff Linda S. Ledet (“Linda Ledet”) filed a petition for
bankruptcy, and the Court accordingly stayed this action as to her pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362.
(Doc. 37). The parties now represent that Linda Ledet was discharged from her bankruptcy case
on December 9, 2011. (Doc. 39 at 1, ¶ 2). Therefore, the stay as to Linda Ledet is due to be
LIFTED.
The status report also represents that “[a]ll parties agree that this case by Wells Fargo
against both Defendants is due to be dismissed” and that a “joint stipulation of dismissal of Wells
Fargo’s claims against both Defendants will be filed with the court.”

(Id. at 2, ¶ 4). 1

Accordingly, the claims of Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank, N.A (“Wells Fargo”), in this action are
due to be dismissed.
Finally, the status report represents that Linda Ledet wishes to maintain her claim for
indemnity against Third-Party Defendant Michael T. Ledet (“Michael Ledet”). (Id. at 1-2, ¶ 2).
Michael Ledet argues that “there is no indemnity claim remaining against him” due to Wells
Fargo’s dismissal of its claims. (Id. at 2, ¶ 3). The Third-Party Complaint alleges that “[i]f the
Defendant, Linda S. Ledet, is liable to the Plaintiff on the occasion complained of in the
1

A review of the record indicates that Wells Fargo has asserted claims only against Linda Ledet in this
action.

Complaint, she is liable” due to Michael Ledet’s alleged breach of a provision of their Judgment
of Divorce. (Doc. 21-1 at 1, ¶ 3 (emphasis added)).

Due to this alleged breach, Linda Ledet

claims that “[Michael Ledet] is liable to [her] for all of [Wells Fargo]’s claims against [her]” and
“demands judgment against Third-Party Defendant, Michael T. Ledet for all sums that may be
adjudged against Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff, Linda Ledet, in favor of Plaintiff, [Wells
Fargo.]” (Id. at 2 (emphasis added)). Because Wells Fargo’s claims are due to be dismissed,
Linda Ledet will have no liability to Wells Fargo in this action, and her claim that Michael Ledet
indemnify her for any liability in this action will be moot.
The Court’s subject matter jurisdiction over Wells Fargo’s Complaint is based on
diversity pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Linda Ledet’s Third-Party Complaint fails to allege a
basis for jurisdiction, and a review of the record indicates a lack of diversity between Linda and
Michael Ledet, who both appear to be Alabama residents.2 However, supplemental jurisdiction
over the Third-Party Complaint is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a).

Nevertheless,

pursuant to § 1367(c)(3), the Court may decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over a
claim if it “has dismissed all claims over which it has original jurisdiction.” Therefore, to the
extent that Linda Ledet’s indemnity claim is not rendered moot by Wells Fargo’s dismissal of its
claims, the Court declines to continue exercising supplemental jurisdiction over it. As such,
Linda Ledet’s third-party claim is DISMISSED without prejudice.
For these reasons, it is ORDERED that the stay previously entered as to Linda Ledet is
LIFTED and that this action is DISMISSED without prejudice from the active docket of this
Court, subject to the right of Wells Fargo to reinstate this action for good cause within thirty (30)

2

In her Answer (Doc. 21 at 1, ¶ 1), Linda Ledet admits to Wells Fargo’s allegation that she is a resident
of Alabama (Doc. 1 at 1, ¶ 2), and both Ledets were served at Alabama street addresses (Docs. 7 & 28).

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days of the date of this Order.
DONE and ORDERED this the 12th day of December 2012.
/s/ Kristi K. DuBose
KRISTI K. DuBOSE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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