Osborne v. Neblett
2011 Miss. App. LEXIS 328
| Miss. Ct. App. | 2011Background
- Osborne granted a deed of trust on Alligator land to Neblett to secure an $18,000 promissory note; balloon payment due 9/1/2003.
- Osborne defaulted; Neblett prepared foreclosure, published notice and scheduled sale for 12/4/2008.
- On 12/4/2008, Neblett foreclosed; Osborne sought injunctive relief in chancery court that day.
- Chancery Court ratified the sale on 2/12/2009 after a hearing held 2/5/2009; Osborne did not appeal.
- Osborne later filed a Rule 60(b) motion for reconsideration (3/16/2009) raising publication defects not raised earlier.
- Majority holds publication did not satisfy MS statute §89-1-55, rendering the sale void; chancery judgment reversed and rendered.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the foreclosure sale complied with publication requirements | Osborne | Neblett | Sale void for noncompliance |
| Whether failure to raise publication defect waives the issue | Osborne | Neblett | Waiver not applicable; statute cannot be waived; sale void |
| Whether the chancery court erred in ratifying the sale | Osborne | Neblett | Chancery Court erred; reversal and render in favor of Neblett |
| Whether Rule 60(b) motion was properly considered | Osborne | Neblett | Motion procedurally barred; denial affirmed |
Key Cases Cited
- Lee v. Magnolia Bank, 209 Miss. 804, 48 So.2d 515 (Miss. 1950) (publication requirements may not be waived)
- Donald v. Commercial Bank of Magee, 132 Miss. 578, 97 So. 12 (Miss. 1923) (proper time computation excludes filing day)
- Melchor v. Casey, 173 Miss. 67, 161 So. 692 (Miss. 1935) (notice defects subject to strict enforcement)
- Stringfellow v. Stringfellow, 451 So.2d 219 (Miss.1984) (Rule 60(b) considerations; avoid relitigating)
- Barnett v. State, 725 So.2d 797 (Miss.1998) (issues may not be raised first in post-trial motions)
- M.A.S. v. Mississippi Dept. of Human Services, 842 So.2d 527 (Miss.2003) (Rule 60(b) needs cause; finality balancing)
- Wilburn v. Wilburn, 991 So.2d 1185 (Miss.2008) (Rule 59(e) timing; motion to alter or amend judgment)
- Dethlefs v. Beau Maison Dev. Corp., 511 So.2d 112 (Miss.1987) (pro se status treated with procedural fairness)
- Zimmerman v. Three Rivers Planning and Dev. Dist., 747 So.2d 853 (Miss.Ct.App.1999) (deference to pro se litigants in civil actions)