Robinson, et al v. Option One Mortgage

Filing 24

ORDER denying 16 Motion for Default Judgment; granting 21 Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Honorable Jimm Larry Hendren on October 28, 2013. (lw)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS FORT SMITH DIVISION GEORGE C. ROBINSON and ELIZABETH ROBINSON, husband and wife v. PLAINTIFFS Civil No. 02-2282 OPTION ONE MORTGAGE CORP. DEFENDANT ORDER Now on this 28th day of October, 2013, the above referenced matter comes on for consideration of plaintiffs’ Renewed Motion for Default Judgment (doc. 16) and defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (doc. 21). The Court, being well and sufficiently advised, finds and orders as follows: 1. The plaintiffs initially filed the complaint in this matter on December 16, 2002 asserting claims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. 2. On December 17, 2002, the plaintiffs filed a Petition for Bankruptcy Relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Case No. 2:02-bk-78027. 3. On May 27, 2003, this Court entered an order administratively terminating the matter during the pendency of plaintiffs’ bankruptcy action. The order states “Plaintiffs may move to re-open upon conclusion of said proceedings.” 4. The plaintiffs’ bankruptcy case was terminated by way of an Order of Discharge on May 9, 2006. 5. Almost seven (7) years later, on May 6, 2013, the plaintiffs moved to reopen this matter. The plaintiffs then filed the instant motion for default judgment on June 28, 2013. 6. The defendants have responded to the motion for default judgment, and have moved for summary judgment. The defendants dispute that service was proper and argue that summary judgment should be granted as plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the statute of limitations, laches, judicial estoppel, collateral estoppel, and res judicata. 7. The Court agrees with the defendants’ arguments. Given the fact that the plaintiffs’ bankruptcy case was terminated on May 9, 2006, and the fact that the plaintiffs failed to assert, or disclose, their claims against the defendants in their bankruptcy pleadings, the plaintiffs’ claims are barred. See Baker v. Baker, 951 F.2d 922 (8th Cir. 1991)(“Laches precludes a lawsuit when a plaintiff is guilty of unreasonable and unexcused delay in asserting his claim, resulting in prejudice to the defendant.”) IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that * that plaintiffs’ Renewed Motion for Default Judgment (doc. 16) is denied; * and defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (doc. 21) is granted. IT IS SO ORDERED. /s/ Jimm Larry Hendren JIMM LARRY HENDREN UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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