X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Sandra Poland Demars, Albany, for appellant. Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, New York City (Edward K. Lenci of counsel), for respondent. Appeal from an order of the Supreme Court (Michael R. Cuevas, J.), entered October 24, 2022 in Schenectady County, which granted plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. In November 2007, defendant Kay Poulin (hereinafter defendant) executed a note to borrow $133,984 from JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., secured by a mortgage on real property in Schenectady County. As set forth in an allonge attached to the note, the note was subsequently made payable to Chase Home Finance, LLC. In October 2010, defendant entered into a Home Affordable Modification Agreement with Chase Home Finance, LLC, increasing the principal balance on the note to $139,016 and extending the maturity date to January 1, 2038. Defendant defaulted on payments due in 2018. Thereafter, the mortgage was assigned to plaintiff in April 2020. Plaintiff initiated this mortgage foreclosure action in March 2021. Only defendant Prime Property Protection, LLC answered the complaint, primarily challenging plaintiff’s standing to commence the action.[1] Thereafter, Supreme Court granted plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. Prime Property Protection, LLC appeals. We affirm. When, as here, a defendant raises standing as a defense, the plaintiff is required to establish, “as a matter of law, that it had standing to foreclose” (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. Caliguri, 36 NY3d 953, 954 [2020], cert denied 595 US ___, 142 S Ct 110 [2021]; see U.S. Bank N.A. v. Tecler, 188 AD3d 1320, 1321 [3d Dept 2020]). A plaintiff may establish standing where it is either the holder or assignee of both the note and mortgage when the action is commenced (see Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC v. Freyer, 192 AD3d 1421, 1422 [3d Dept 2021]). Here, plaintiff attached a copy of the note, together with the allonge, to the complaint. Notably, Chase Home Finance, LLC endorsed the allonge in blank, allowing for holder status to be established where the plaintiff possesses the note (see Wells Fargo Bank, NA v. Ostiguy, 127 AD3d 1375, 1376 [3d Dept 2015]; see also UCC 1-201 [b] [21]). To address standing, plaintiff provided an affidavit from a representative of the loan servicer/attorney-in-fact based on her review of the servicer’s records maintained in the ordinary course of business (see Velocity Invs., LLC v. Lymon, 218 AD3d 1091, 1092 [3d Dept 2023]; Flat Rock Mtge. Inv. Trust v. Lott, 214 AD3d 1221, 1222 [3d Dept 2023]; Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v. Monica, 131 AD3d 737, 738-739 [3d Dept 2015]). The representative confirmed, through the servicer’s custodian, that plaintiff had physical possession of the original note on October 16, 2020 and also transferred the original note to plaintiff’s counsel in December 2021. This record supports Supreme Court’s determination that plaintiff had standing, obviating the need for any further discovery on the issue (see JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. Caliguri, 36 NY3d at 954; Flat Rock Mtge. Inv. Trust v. Lott, 214 AD3d at 1222; Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Stranahan, 208 AD3d 1489, 1490-1491 [3d Dept 2022]; U.S. Bank N.A. v. Ioannides, 192 AD3d 1405, 1407-1408 [3d Dept 2021]; U.S. Bank N.A. v. Tecler, 188 AD3d at 1322). Aarons, J.P., Pritzker, Fisher and Mackey, JJ., concur. ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More
May 15, 2024
Philadelphia, PA

The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania and Delaware.


Learn More

Truly exceptional Bergen County New Jersey Law Firm is growing and seeks strong plaintiff's personal injury Attorney with 5-7 years plaintif...


Apply Now ›

Shipman is seeking an associate to join our Labor & Employment practice in our Hartford, New Haven, or Stamford office. Candidates shou...


Apply Now ›

Evergreen Trading is a media investment firm headquartered in NYC. We help brands achieve their goals by leveraging their unwanted assets to...


Apply Now ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›