Colony Insurance Company v. MONEY'S INC et al
Filing
13
ORDER granting 12 Motion to Lift Clerk's Entry of Default. All proceedings against Defendants George Willis, Jr., Moneys Inc., Nu Money Records and Entertainment, Inc., and Demetria Brown are STAYED pending further Order of this Court. This matter remains pending as to Defendant Dexter Maxwell, Jr.Ordered by Judge C. Ashley Royal on 1/20/12 (lap)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
MACON DIVISION
COLONY INSURANCE COMPANY :
:
Plaintiff,
:
v.
:
:
No. 5:11‐cv‐334 (CAR)
MONEY’S INC., GEORGE WILLIS, :
JR., NU MONEY RECORDS AND
:
ENTERTAINMENT, INC.,
:
DEXTER MAXWELL, JR.,
:
DEMETRIA BROWN
:
:
Defendants.
:
___________________________________ :
ORDER ON MOTION
Before the Court is Plaintiff Colony Insurance Company’s Motion to Lift Clerk’s
Entry of Default [Doc. 12]. On November 18, 2011, Plaintiff moved for the Clerk to
enter default as to George Willis, Jr., Money’s, Inc., Nu Money Records and
Entertainment, Inc., and Demetria Brown. On November 21, 2011, the Clerk entered a
default as to these Defendants. Plaintiff now files this instant Motion requesting that
the Court lift the Clerk’s Entry as to Defendants George Willis, Jr., Money’s, Inc., Nu
Money Records and Entertainments, Inc., and Demetria Brown.
1
Rule 55(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides for an entry of
default to be set aside upon a showing of good cause. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(c). The good
cause standard used in setting aside an entry of default is less rigorous than the
excusable neglect standard used in setting aside a default judgment. Equal Emp’t
Opportunity Commʹn v. Mike Smith Pontiac GMC, Inc., 896 F.2d 524,528 (11th Cir.
1990). The Court has discretion in deciding whether to set aside an entry of default.
Robinson v. United States, 734 F.2d 735, 739 (11th Cir. 1984).
The good cause standard from Rule 55(c) is not rigidly defined and varies from
situation to situation. Compania Interamericana Export‐Import v. Compania
Dominicana de Avacion, 88 F.3d 948, 951 (11th Cir. 1996); Heaton v. Bonacker & Leigh,
173 F.R.D. 533, 535 (M.D. Ala. 1997). The Eleventh Circuit has recognized that good
cause is not susceptible to a precise formula, but some general guidelines are
commonly applied. Compania Interamericana, 88 F.3d at 951. “Courts have
considered whether the default was culpable or willful, whether setting it aside would
prejudice the adversary, and whether the defaulting party presents a meritorious
defense.” Id. Courts have held that a good faith procedural error is not willful and is
good cause for setting aside an entry of default. See, e.g., In re Johnson, 1991 WL
11002465, Case Nos. 90‐11663, 91‐1068 (Bankr.S.D. Ga. Nov. 11, 1991) (finding good
2
cause where counsel for defendant was under an erroneous impression as to when the
response time began to run).
Here, Plaintiff submits good cause to set aside the Clerk’s default because
Defendant filed for bankruptcy prior to Plaintiff serving process on any party.
Specifically, Plaintiff served process on the defaulting Defendants on October, 14,
2011. However, unbeknownst to Plaintiff, on or about September 15, 2011, the default
Defendants filed for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Northern District of Georgia, No. 11‐76893. Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362(a), this case
was stayed as of the filing of the bankruptcy petition on or about September 15, 2011.
Because this case was stayed prior to service on any of the parties, no party’s answer
was due prior to the automatic stay. 11 U.S.C. § 362(a).
Under the facts in this matter, the Court finds good cause to set aside the
Clerk’s default entered on November 18, 2011, as to Defendants George Willis, Jr.,
Money’s Inc., Nu Money Records and Entertainment, Inc., and Demetria Brown.
Accordingly, Defendant’s Motion to Lift Clerk’s Entry of Default [Doc. 12] is
GRANTED; the Clerk’s Entry of Default (No Doc., 11/21/2011) is set aside. Pursuant
to Plaintiff’s Suggestion of Bankruptcy [Doc. 11], all proceedings against Defendants
George Willis, Jr., Money’s Inc., Nu Money Records and Entertainment, Inc., and
3
Demetria Brown are STAYED pending further Order of this Court. This matter
remains pending as to Defendant Dexter Maxwell, Jr.
SO ORDERED, this 20th day of January, 2012.
S/ C. Ashley Royal
C. ASHLEY ROYAL
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
LMH
4
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?