Houey et al v. TD Bank, N.A.

Filing 76

ORDER denying 73 Motion to Intervene, Motion for Extension of Time, MOTION for Relief and MOTION to Request Assistance from Court. Signed by District Judge Martin Reidinger on 3/30/13. (Pro se litigants served by US Mail.) (ejb)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
ASHEVILLE DIVISION
CIVIL CASE NO. 1:11cv225

HELEN CLIETTE HOUEYand
EMMANUEL HOUEY,

)
)
)
Plaintiffs,
)
)
vs.
)
)
CAROLINA FIRST BANK, TD BANK,
)
)
Defendants.
)
_____________________________________)
ORDER

THIS MATTER is before the Court on the Notice of Passing of Pro Se
Plaintiff, Motion to Intervene, Motion for Extension of Time, Motion for
Relief and Motion to Request Assistance from Court [Doc. 73].
In August 2011, Plaintiffs Helen Cliette Houey (Helen) and Emmanuel
Houey (Emmanuel), appearing pro se, filed a thirty-seven page Complaint
in state court alleging eighteen causes of action against the Defendants.
[Doc. 1-1].

The Houeys alleged $290,000.00 in damages stemming

primarily from the Defendants’ foreclosure of real property allegedly owned
solely by Helen in Shelby, North Carolina. [Id.]. The property at issue had

been pledged as collateral for a commercial promissory note. [Id.]. TD is
the successor by merger to Carolina First Bank and it removed the action
to this Court on September 8, 2011 on the basis of diversity and federal
question jurisdiction.1 [Doc. 1]. The property was sold at foreclosure on
February 28, 2012 to TD as the highest bidder. [Doc. 48]. The Deed was
recorded on April 9, 2012 in Book 1633 at Page 0573 in the Office of the
Register of Deeds of Cleveland County, North Carolina. [Id. at 2].
On March 5, 2012, Helen and Emmanuel filed a Chapter 13 Petition
in the United States Bankruptcy Court. [Doc. 49]. On August 10, 2012, this
Court ruled that the automatic stay provisions of 11 U.S.C. §362 did not
apply to this action and dismissed ten of the claims alleged in the
Complaint. [Doc. 49].

On September 12, 2012, Helen and Emmanuel

entered into a Consent Order in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Western District of North Carolina. [Doc. 56-1 at 2]. In that Order, they
agreed “[t]hat the automatic stay [had not] been applicable to the real
property [at issue] and TD Bank’s foreclosure of that property is complete
and valid.” [Id. at 3].
As a result, this Court ordered the parties to respond as to whether
1

The Court hereafter refers to the Defendants in the singular since TD has succeeded to all interest of
Carolina First Bank.

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that Order negated any claim alleged in this action. [Doc. 63]. Helen and
Emmanuel failed to file any response. TD moved for summary judgment.
[Doc. 65].

As result, the Plaintiffs were provided notice pursuant to

Roseboro v. Garrison, 528 F.2d 309 (4th Cir. 1975), of the burden faced in
opposing a motion for summary judgment. [Doc. 67].
On January 2, 2013, Helen filed two motions for an extension of time
within which to respond to the Motion for Summary Judgment. [Doc. 68;
Doc. 69]. Emmanuel made no appearance whatsoever. On January 11,
2013, the Magistrate Judge extended the time within which the Plaintiffs
could respond to February 1, 2013, [Doc. 70], but no response to the
motion was filed.
In ruling on the Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment, the Court
noted that the Plaintiffs had failed to respond to it and that they had
previously failed to abide by the deadlines provided by this Court. [Doc. 18;
Doc. 51; Doc. 63]. Having reviewed the Defendants’ motion, the Court
found that it was factually and legally correct. No response or opposition
having been filed by the Plaintiffs, the motion was granted and the action
was dismissed on February 5, 2013. [Doc. 71]. Judgment in favor of the
Defendant and against the Plaintiffs was entered that same day. [Doc. 72].

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No appeal was taken and the Order and Judgment entered on February 5,
2013 are final. Fed.R.Civ.P. 60(c)(2).
In this most recent of repeated attempts to prevent the inevitable
dismissal of this case, Katrina Smith, who purports to be the Executrix of
the Estate of Helen Houey, has moved to intervene in the action due to
Helen’s death. [Doc. 73]. Although an extension of time is requested,
there is no explanation of the time period for which extension is sought.
Although relief is requested, there is no further explanation in support
thereof; and, there is no action pending.
This action has been dismissed and Judgment has been entered
against the Plaintiffs. There is no action into which intervention may occur.
ORDER
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that the Notice of Passing of Pro Se
Plaintiff, Motion to Intervene, Motion for Extension of Time, Motion for
Relief and Motion to Request Assistance from Court [Doc. 73] are hereby
DENIED.
Signed: March 30, 2013

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