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COUNTRY MEADOWS ASSOCIATES,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs.
NO: '?r.. - /) ,"~I (~~:..t {.....-..
CHRISTINE P. DuVALL and
M. CHRISTINE KERSTETTER,
Defendants
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
AND NOW COMES, Country Meadows Associates, by its attorneys,
Caldwell , Kearns, which makes claim against Defendants as
follows:
1. Plaintiff, Country Meadows Associates, is a Pennsylvania
limited partnership with its principal office located at 830
Cherry Drive, Hershey, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
2. Defendant, Christine P. DuVall, is an adult individual
residing at The Meadows Living Center, unit 309-0, 4837 East
Trindle Road, Hechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
3. Defendant, Christine Kerstetter, is an adult individual
residing at 459 Old Stage Road, Lewisberry, York County,
Pennsylvania.
4. On or about September 15, 1992, Plaintiff accepted the
application for residency which was submitted by Defendants, and
since that date, Defendant Christine P. DuVall has been a tenant
of facilities operated by Plaintiff. A true and correct copy of
the Residency Agreement is attached as Exhibit "A" hereto.
5. Pursuant to the Amendments to the Agreement attached at
Exhibit "B", the parties agree that Christine P. DuVall would be
transferred to The Meadows Living Center, and that the rent per
month which would be payable would be $2,135.00.
6. The services rendered and housing provided by Plaintiff
to Defendant, Christine P. DuVall, were at all times proper,
satisfactory, and consistent with and in performance of the
agreement between the parties.
7. For a period of time, Defendants paid the rental and
ancillary charges billed to them as agreed; but they have since
failed to make the agreed payments and are presently in arrears
in the sum of $10,508.38 in their payments to Plaintiff. Despite
repeated demands by Plaintiff for payment, Defendants have failed
and refused to pay this amount.
8. Defendants' failure to remit to Plaintiff the $10,508.38
owed is a material breach of the agreement between Plaintiff and
Defendant.
9. Defendants' breach, as aforesaid, has caused Plaintiff
injury in the amount of $10,508.38.
Exhibit A
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APPLJCA'l'lOlf roR USIDDlCY
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or.1ephone: (111 ) ~Jf-.)<l1t Date of airUl: 1/~'f / ,91Q Alie' 91 Sexl.E-
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~ital StatuII
Date RatineS.
SOCial seolll'ltY'1 /.,.:1 .t1/-.5'/~ ~
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Telephone' ? 79-7tJtll
.etire.ant Annuity pre.cription Plan:
/JIC. ;nflN rTONelf.
Pbysic1an'. Huel al<. IfII~H"'1o. _,'A
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Telephonal
Dentis~'s II...,
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Per80n(s) to contact 1n emergency and relationsh1p(s)'
...., ell/( ,S7",AU 1(1',( ~rtrrl'A!. TelePhonel7'~ '~'~~I{"L
Addre..: 1/0'1 OLO ~7ACt. ,eO.Io'/lrnY' Relationship: CIt('I,- ,uf(~(
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Baokup person(.) to contact in e..rgency
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and relationahlp(a)I
Telepllone.!?I?) 9'11f- tG ~.1
aelationshipl OItUl.,. CA.","- .v,'t. ~
Ac!4z'e.sl ,"'II ~'"lJr: sor. AI,IJo.,r<1IooJAJ
Bow cUd you hear abOut 1Ul7
other' ,('t'~"""'fNO" TldlV
unit Type , "~r Reserved:
TV !fewspaper
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Indlcate HOWl f',UII"II) r"'I"Aoy~(.
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Actuel 9-$-'~
ICOv.-1n oate. Projeoted tJ S 1'11'
P\ln\1tUrl to Be teft 1n Unit: liLt.
ADM-l01 (pa9- 1 of 5)
I/e" 10/91' 3/'3
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':.....:~-.if..~ .~..:. .:a..... ,',:.i~:;-,~.:' .:~... ......... ~.'. ".'\.........,...f'~.,..I.....
.I/JO/.. It,ll 'AI '11 .f. lIlt
.SADOW' I,VG, CTll
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Type of a..ldencYl Sl'lo~ TS'lal X' '.naan.n~ x'
14".1 0' ca~.. La".l ~ "..do..a Wln, ~ W.. ..nn Win9 _ "pte
...., ~... .neS T'lephon. NUaberll) of Living Children.
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y~ .eU91oua 'reterenc.: l'AIJ T. church: .A, ~ $ r. 1(., A'I.
.... .f Cl'l'9Y 'enonl rill1llL(S l S/VtlJ(~ 'hone I (lLZ.) ""('1I..s-'~1
II. .t!lU~Y~'. INI't)RIQTtO.
Ie aftlPn. autaori..4 to handle your financial aneS per.on'l .atterl?
t!!;.... Y.a No
If y.., li.t na.., addr.., and phone nuaber and indlcat. type of row.r
of Attocaey tb8Y hav.:
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to a. S.nt tOI CNItIST""UL xllC..r?'CrrCiC.
...1d.nt'. aill II
Addr...: Af~.' ~lotJ
SMC,t. At). '" ",.us 8 ("Il.A..., Pit. 113J1
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.1.... co,plat. the following .tate..nt, In..rtin, the appropriate
'i~. in th. blank r.fl.ctin9 your 'ituat;r.~:
., lin_e. u. auff!clent to cov.r lIIlJ./'aonthl at Country lI.a4ows.
r ~. to notify the A4a1niltrator pro.~tlY of any chan,.. that
affect this ltat...nt. I do not n..d th~1 f.cillty to baneSle ~
financ.., lnoludinq acn.l for aonthly perlonal .xpense..
IJI. o.l'hd. yt.A"~ AIm 1'l'DI!J 'I'Q MANDL.
1. USIOIll'1"S IlICIft'S AIlD HOUSE RULES. The.. aUlt be review.d with
YOQ .. they ar. conta1n04 in the Atr....nt (1....) v. vill aok yoq
to .ip. .
a. MEDICAL IVALl1"TI01l. If. "ill provld. thil ~ona. Th. evaluation,
.ust be done by your Phy.ician or our Medical Director before YOQ
can aov. In. It .Qlt be redone annually.
ADR-l01 ('_'8 2 of 5)
5/1', 10/,1' 2/92
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Exhibit B
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MIADO" LVG. crR
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365 s. SPORTING HU. ~ . ~1CSeURG. PA .106&
,,,..:toOl. (717) 1J7.2lXQ
Fell (717) nN,..
DIu..ild-.....Y"-. ~..~/J I
J\a11 31, 11"
aI. ' A4d.ll4~ '0 YOIII' La...
Ae . c..~lt 01 tho b.rd wor. 01 tho '.nn.ylvanl. K..ltb Car. AI.oala-
'lon, of which Ogr C.nter. ar. ..aborl, .n4 .tt.r t.n y..r. wlth no
.tat. lnel'.... 1n tn. S~ppl...nt.l s.c~rlty Inco.. (551), ..cn perlon
r.o.ivin9 "531" wll1 r.c.iv. a MONTHLY I"CRCASI or THIRTY DOLLAAS
("O.OO) IN TNtI. PERSONAL MilOS ALLOWANCI. Th. allow.nc. baco...
'40.00 ~nthly. .. r.101c. in tni. ~r.akthro~9n in car. tor th.
.l'erly poo.. r..141nq in .any 0' tho .tat.'. ..a11.r per.on.l car.
bo.... ~.. r..ldontl will r.coivo tn.t lncr.... r.tro.ctiv. to
MJ' 1, un.
7ba '.reonal Care .0000latlo~ 3430.34(4) will Ihortly be l..n4.4 to
..ellect thl1 4.,lr.4 cn.n,.. Whil. th. at.to cannot dict.t. how I
privat. pay r..1d.nt will u.. hie or h.r .on1.., th.y do raquir. th.t
Ogr 1"11nt .qr....nt with you r.flect thi. notific.tlon .nd
l'equln..nt.
Xnyogr pw...nt 1...., in the lection i....l.t.ly aft.r "R..icS.nt'.
,in.ncl.l ...pon.ibl11ti..", 1, tn. notifylnq at.t...nt tnat you
certi,y YOQ have at l...t '30 (now will etlt. ,eo) per ~ntn for
po,.on01 ..,.nae..
TO UQUtUD AHlNtlMlllT TO YOW tLUI WlLr.. IfOW READ:
"14. PIRSOMAL IXPIHSIS. The ...1dont cortifi.. tn.t he/In.
n.. at l.alt '40 pe.. aonth for peraona1 .xpen.... Th11
1. r.quir.d ~ '.rlon.1 Car. _89\Ilatlona S.ctlon 2420.24(4)."
.
Pl.... 119ft both copies of thh Add.ndllll, It..pint on.. ..tunt the
otllar to be att.cbed to o~r copy of your le.... In d91\lll9 tilt.
add.ndu., you .cknowled9' tIl.t yo~ und.rltand .nd occopt tho abov.
0ban9. 1n YOgr 1.....
~...V~
~~nt'. .19JlOturo or Kark
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ppllc.b1e othwr th.n
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o.t. Slqned
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'.~'on Re.pon.i~l. for R.sident'. ru~41 it
gUl'~U1an tAt aeddent.
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o.d Slgf\ed
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~ln1Itr.tor or O..lgn.. 51qnlture
rile: t...oAa~.Doc
D." Si91\e4
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Owned and Operated by the OeO'ge M. Leader family
--Your Ouarantce o{ Quality"
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OlnO/." It: II PAl flf If. 1111
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AKENDM!NTS TO AGR!EHEHT IETWSEH COUNTRY MEADONS 0' MIST SHORI AND
011,.,'"4,:,,... 'JJ/,l.v...1I
(Reddent H....l
~ 01' CllANCI. 1. TTan.f.~ to ".a40w. Lilfin9 C.nt.r
(Cb~
ectiona 2. Roo. Jt8te/Anc1Uery Chal'ge.
11l_lved)
3. L.vel of C.re chang.-
Th. R..ident WILL DB TRANSFERRED TO MEADOWS
109
xx II"
xx V
xxV
on M."on
fro. COUNTRY MEADOWS or WEST SHORl II onlt ,
.,10 1995.
LIVIHO CEHT~ unlt'
d'1I A
The Meadow. Wing" d...nti. c.~e proqr.. is belng .xp.nde4 . the
parson. 1 car. s.rvic.. p~ovide4 in Me.dows Living Center on this
.... ca.pus, which will open March 30, 1995. TwO level. of
r..idential de.entia care are offered, Me.dow. Wing and Meadows
Plus.
Country M.adows and the R.sident's responsible party .9ree the
Re.ld.nt increas.d supervised cere WILL BEST BE MIT IH THt HIGHER
AND IHCalASED CARE IH MEADOWS PLUS.
THJ: H&\DOWS PLUS SHARED DAILl RATE will be $70.20 . $6.40 incra....
The aontnlY shar.d unit rat. will be $2,135.00, vhich is .n
incr.as. of $194.00 per aonth tram the Resident'. present Meadow.
.1n9 aonthly rate. Ther. viII be no .4ditional adjust.ent in thl.
rate on May 1, 1995, the annual rate adjuataent ti.e for country
fteadClW.
.
The new unit I provide. 51.ilar looation in the vln9 as the
..sident has in w.st Shore II, with new furni.hings, .nd the Move
vll1 be aade by the M..dows Living Center at no addition.l charg.
to t.1I. Re.id.nt.
ANCILLARY CHARGE CHANGB: The respon.ible p.rty .qree. to ke.p
t.he Re.ident .upplied viti! all neo....ry hyqlene it..., such ..
tooth pa.ta. bru.h; coab, deodor.n~, d.. ired cologne, .ha.peo.,
etc. on .On~hlr ba.i.. Should this not be done, the Ke.dow.
Living Center v 11 purChase tho.e needed and tll. ooat vll1 be
~nOlud.d ~n th next at.tement. . .)
?t!JJ ... 7,.J . . ffl. <f'>IL~... ~I'.jj.r-
_ Resident. T Peyor ot ml
~'. J.,u-" A.v,~...... (;.~ tJ-/J.1/u
Adain~o~~9ne. D.te All slqned
. Th.se two chanqes require 30 d.y written notic..
.ote, Copy of this A11lndJIent to the Aqreeaent 11 Provided tn.
Relldent's Responsible party' also attaclled to the front
of Country Keadows copy cf the Aqr...ent.
~tq09"3 a/6/95 HAl
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01/~0/" 1':!2 'A~ flf .1. 211.
eY-ZII-Ulft n..
Y'773_
C","",fIllV PCAOOWS
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.... _/1Bh'rl TO lIGb_n. _.....P IUIAPOWI LlV1J1lJ co.wra AT COwoUl,Y
QJIIXIIfI O' W1IIT aaou AIIEl.
.... CDIIUJtll DU'YJU.oL
...... 01' - .... I.. 'rlo --fee- ftI 'iwd.l.~ 1l0Clll ia NLC:
,~U Ilk
.ea..... a. __ aace/_Ul-..y ~-"....
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xx
JQIII
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n. lI.dd..oe WJLL .. ~.....,. ", JGN)OOI8 "JVDO c:-._ V.i. II
JOt-g. ftil'<< n_ r.._ gale . lO'-D .1.... .1_1' _ &.ape' u,
&....
fte c:...t..... d_,la ca" Pll"0!P'- i. bei.. ~ ......s.. e.
ue. .u ~. noon loc tbi. ~cl.1 ...., ....s..s ca...; tIl..e u..o'
_llt!a. oil ope...U_ ha_ ~n'" cbe poehi.. l"'P..cr.__Ac .blell
tJa. ....ide... .....iaacr..." ..........1_ 'neo e_ d1..LaGlI 1....1. .,
~#Anl.. G.... ia 11,_ .1ell tll. eOllt1&luill8 .C~. uUiti..
aDd lac.....t. 01 ~ ....idea.. Tb. M.adawo Plu. C~..c... .uppo..el_
...da) ....i6&nt'. Lat.....e. 0..1... and aead o. ..1.~ .1ell ~t
"'ae..lae1_ 1aII. IIeaD I\&&'CIMI' \All4a..llJSed. To _, ~. ...s. ..
an OaGioatiAg ,... ULil'd 11_, Dell iC. ~..t... ~. ..... ....
C1_tUlu_ ...ct.....l... _Uu1l9 uwa. ..i.lIhcNt &h. ....cd.C1.1_ doe...
.. eM aad.& 01 eM '11'.' UOOI'.
1lIlGWUV u.. l~e 11I1 IMIlJlg OIIoe.lde at 1.... _ daily t. goo4
_u..., _ .111 _tilna. co .iaolll4e lbae ia th.J... deUy .ea.du1..
IIb:U. 1e w111 talul ._ .1I.t lonp.. co __ ~ .... ___ eM ..al..
aDd/ol' .1""0", '01' ebi.. ch. ~..... gpTV--.. ... 0'"'' I..eu....
.. CJla elal" rbol' ou. _.i1lll. ~e 1.D CNI' j~IS~_Ae.
~t pd,....C. UId .....nrd .ce.. 12.cl_ "111 _ _1A...-~. "..
a_ WUI: . p..ovt4.. .iwd.ll&' 101ll.tloa .. u. ...i....~ __ - the
!P1ne n_Z'. Th. ~ .Ul be aade by t1l. Meadow. L1.v1JIg C:_t.Z' .e
DO additlOD&1 cD&1'V8 eo ... 1I..id....
we look 'olrW.zd to t1le ..sv_t.ap. ttlJ.. c". ~.i. .111 lMII8 poaaUl..
TaB '1~1: .1001:' a. D.eded w111 be foZ' Z'..id.at. J.a e...li.1:' .C....
o' a_tia. Tlda _-. -It: to tb. Ap_ .-. .1t" C:GWlt.y Mead_.
101'W'tDg OPte... will _d ClI8 1l..i4.aC'. 1.... 111 c.~~_ 0' ~
~~);~ll"pr~ Jf7. (!,.;- L" ---!.J -6;).
~1~ 7 /~ ~~o 81fi'
L~~~. rA I? If1".'i"
....,... . acol'/o# De.i~ d Pac. AU "iliiMi
. TId. e......p ll'tIqU1ro 30 Gay ...itt_ ~ic.. WlIlcll -. 111- la lett....
.nd1" 15, :I'" IIloy u. ~-f..l.er.t..r. Cgpy of tJai. ~, 11 lat to eM
A91r_Dt 1. p..Qyidacl co CJw ..ddeDe'. "1QIOIIII~le .~y . &1.0
.CC.cbe4 co eM C..cat o' CCNDtry M..Oowa cClp1' 01 the ~_t.
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07/25/95 15:51
Tll/U NO. 1391
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COUMTaY KBADOWS ASSOCIATBS.
l'laintiff
IH TH. COu.lT O~ COKKOH .LBAS
COJUIpT.~ COtlJl'fY, ....SYLVAHIA
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HO. U-1189
CIVIL TUX
CHRISTI" .. DuVALL and
K. CHRISTI.. KBRS~.TTBR,
Defendants
CIVIL ACTIOH - LAW
Ju.lY TRIAL DDAJrD.D
ANSWER WITH Hn MATTBR and COmrrBRCLAIH
AHD HOW comes M. Christine Kerstetter by her attorney Richard C. Ruben,
Esquire and states the following in support of her Answer with New Matter and
counterclaim against country Meadows Associates:
1. Admitted
2. No response required.
3. Admitted
4. Admitted in part and Denied in part. To the extent that Defendant M.
Christine Kerstetter submitted the application for residency on behalf
of her principal Christine P. DuVall as attorney-in-fact it is admltted
that an application for residency was submitted and accepted by
Plaintiff. It is admitted that Exhibit "A" is a true and correct copy
of pages 1, 2 and 3 of said application, which was clearly submitted by
M. Christine Kerstetter in her capacity as attorney-in-fact for her
great aunt Christine DuVall. It is denied that Defendant Kerstetter
submitted Exhibit "A" on her own behalf, assumed any obligations on her
own behalf, pledged her own assets or acted in any other capacity other
than as agent and attorney-in-fact for Defendant DuVall.
5. Admitted in part and Denied in part. It is admitted only that M.
Christine Kerstetter signed the documents comprising Exhibit "B" in her
capacity as the agent and attorney-in-fact for Defendant DuVall at the
sole request of Plaintiff without consideration and without having ever
been provided a copy of the lease referenced in Exhibit "B" (asswaing
such lease exists). It is stated in denial that at no time did
Defendant Kerstetter agree to be personally liable for or in any way
assume any personal responsibility other than as agent and attorney-i~-
fact for Defendant DuVall to tender such funds as she possessed or that
came into her possession belonging to Defendant DuVall and agree to
carry out her fiduciary responsibilities with respect to those funds.
~
6. Denied. It is ~enied that services re~dered and housing provided to
Defendant DuVall were at all time. proper or aatisfactory It ia
furthermore d.nied that any agreement exi.ted betw.en Plaintiff and
Defendant K.rat.tter except in the context of D.fendant Kerstetter'.
fiduciary capacity as attorn.y-in-fact tor D.fendant DuVall.
7. Denied. For reaaona more tully set forth in New Matt.r and in .pecific
denial it i. h.reby stated that Defendant Ker.tetter applied all funds
within her po.....ion and control that ahe had an Obligation to apply
toward paym.nt. to Plaintiff for the b.n.fit of her principl. D.fendant
DuVall. It i. specifically d.nied that Defendant Keratetter agreed to
.ak. any payments or obliqated hereelf personally in any way for any
obligation of Defendant DuVall. It ia furthermore atated that it was
mad. cl.ar by Defendant Kerat.tter in her capacity as attorney-in-fact
that th.re was available only 36 months worth of assets for the payment
of Country Meadows' fees and no agreement was mad. to pay fees over and
above Defendant DuVall's income beyond said period of tim.. It is
furthermore denied that there have be.n any personal demands made upon
Def.ndant Kerstetter for the payment of any funds to Plaintiff.
S. Denied. It is denied that Defendant Kerstetter personally owes any
mon.y to plaintiff.
9. Denied. It is denied that Kerstetter has any agreement individually
with plaintiff and it is further denied that she has breached any
agreement or caused any damage or loss to Plaintiff.
nO.J'oa. Defendant M. Christine Kerstetter demands judgment in her
favor and against Plaintiff County Meadows Associates.
lID DTTO
10. The facts alleged in Paragraphs 1 through 9 of Defendant's Answer are
incorporated herein by reference.
11. That at all times relevant Plaintiff country Meadows Associates was
aware of Defendant Kerstetter's status solely as the agent and attorney-
in-fact for Defendant DuVall.
12. That during all periods of time relevant hereto Plaintiff was aware that
Defendant Kerstetter assumed no personal responsibility or liability for
the debts of Defendant DuVall.
13. That the application for residency, Exhibit "A", incorporates no prollis.
or Obligation on the part of Defendant Kerstetter to be personally
responsible for the debts of Defendant DuVall.
..
14. That Plaintlff was fully aware during all times relevant hereto that the
finance. of Defendant DuVall were sufficient to cover only 36 months of
r..idency at country Meadows.
15. That the document dated July 27, 1993 entitled Addendum to Your Lease
clearly sets forth that Defendant Kerstetter executed the agreement only
a. the person reeponsible for resident's funds.
16. Defendant Xer.tetter made no promise or representation that she would be
personally liable for any debts of Defendant DuVall.
11. That Plaintiff Country Meadows was fully knowledgeable that in signing
as payor of bill Defendant Kerstetter relied upon the prior Addendum
which identified her as the person holdlng resident's funds.
18. That none of the documents representing Exhibit "A" encomtlass withln
their terms any promise on the behalf of Defendant Kerstetter to be
personally responsible or to personally pay any amount claimed to be
due.
19. That there was no consideration for any promise or alleged promise on
the part of Defendant Kerstetter to assume any personal obligation or
liabillty to Country Meadows Associates.
20.
Defendant Kerstetter's sole duty
Obligation to apply the funds
appropriately.
.....rOR., Defendant M. Christine Kerstetter demands judgment in her
and responsibility was her fiduciary
of Defendant Christine P. DuVall
favor and against Plaintiff.
COUHTBRCLAJ:K
21. The facts alleged by Defendant Kerstetter in Paragraphs 1 through 20
above are incorporated herein by reference.
22. Counterclaim Plaintiff is M. Christine Kerstetter.
23. Counterclaim Defendant is country Meadows Associates.
24. That Defendant Kerstetter, Counterclaim Plaintiff herein, is a person
who purchases or leases goods or services primarily for personal, family
or household purposes entitled to bring a private action under the
Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law
(UTPCPL), 73 P.S. 5201-1 at. seq.
25. That nursing home services are within the scope of the trade or commerce
provisions of the UTPCPL.
~
26. That country Meadows Associate., knowing that Defendant Ker.tetter acted
solely a. the agent and attorney-ln-fact for Oefendant OuVall and not in
her own gapacity and furthermore knowlng that Kerstetter never intended
to or did as.wae personal responsibility for the debts of DuVall,
engaged in and is engaging in unfair and fraudulent and deceptive trade
practlce. under the UTPCPL in attempting to charge Kerstetter for
DuVall'. l1ebts.
27. That Kerstetter, a. the result of the unlawful and unwarranted
collection effort. of Country Meadows Associates and their counsel,
.uffered and continues to suffar inconvenience, mental pain and anquish
as the result.
28. That, in additlon to the above, Kerstetter has been forced to employ
coun.el at qreat personal expense to defend the pe~sonal claims aqainst
herself .
29. That the action. of Country Meadows Aa.ociates and their counsel in
pursuing the instant claim against Kerstetter are outrageous and shock
the conscious thereby entitling Kerstetter to three (3) time. actual
damages demand for which is hereby made.
30. That the UTPCPL in providing for additional relief entitles Ker.tetter
to reasonable attorney'. fees incurred in the pursuit of h.r riqhts
herein and demand therefore is hereby made.
....~O.., M. Christine Kerstetter hereby demand. jUdgment in her favor
and again.t Country Meadows Associates for three (3) times the actual damaqe.
that the Court may determine but not less than $100.00 statutory damages plus
reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
Date:
y /~ ft ~
,
Respectfully submitted,
HANSON and RUBEN
By ff~-:/ .
Richard C. Ruben, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant Kerstett.r
100 Chestnut street, suite 307
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717~ 236-8015
I. D. #27767
undertook to assure that Country Meadows would be paid for services rendered to
Defendant DuVall and that there were sufficient assets to pay for Defendant DuVall's
care. In reliance upon her representations, Country Meadows cr.mtinued to care for
Defendant DuVall,
13, The averments of paragraph 13 represent a conclusion of law based upon
interpretation of Exhibit "A" and require no answer. If answer is required, it is averred
that the application for residency was tendered with the understanding that Defendant
Kerstetter would be responsible for debts incurred by Defendant DuVall,
14, Denied, Defendant Kerstetter represented to Plaintiff !hat there were
sufficient funds available to pay for the continued care of Defendant DuVall at Country
Meadows,
15, The averments of paragraph 15 constitute a legal conclusion requiring no
answer. If answer is required, it is averred that Defendant Kerstetter at all times
represented herself as the individual who would be responsible for Defendant DuVall's
care and would see to the payment of her bills.
16. Denied, Defendant Kerstetter represented to Country Meadows that its
bills for Defendant DuVall's care would be paid.
17, Denied, Defendant Kerstetter engaged in a course of conduct indicating
to Country Meadows that she would be responsible for the subject payments and in
reliance upon her representations Country Meadows continued care even though the
account was in default.
2
18, The averments of paragraph 18 constitute a conclusion of law requiring
no answer. If answer is required, it is averred that Defendant Kerstetter personally
assured Country Meadows that she would be responsible for payment of the amounts
due on account of Defendant DuVall's care.
19. Denied. Country Meadows continued to extend care to Defendant DuVall
in reliance upon its understanding that Defendant Kerstetter would see to it that her
bills we,e paid.
20, Denied, In response to the averments of paragraph 20 the answer to the
preceding paragraph 19 is incorporated herein by reference.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff County Meadows Associates demands judgment in its
favor and against Defendant on the averments of the Complaint.
REPLY TO COUNTERCLAIM
21. The facts alleged by Plaintiff Country Meadows Associates in paragraph
1-9 of its Complaint and in paragraph 10-20 of its Reply to New Matter are incorporated
herein by reference.
22. Admitted.
23. Admitted.
24. Admitted.
25. Admitted,
3
26, Denied. Country Meadows Associates at all times material hereto
conducted itself properly and professionally in attempting to assure proper care for
Defendant DuVall, In arranging for the care of Defendant DuVall, Plaintiff relied upon
the representations of Defendant Kerstetter that there were sufficient funds to pay for
the services rendered and that she would assure that payment was made. To the
extent that paragraph 26 makes further averments, the same are conclusions of law
requiring no answer.
27, Denied, Country Meadows Associates did nothing further than to request
Defendant Kerstetter to honor her engagement to pay for the services rendered to
Defendant DuVall, as she had agreed.
28, Defendant Kerstetter's decision to employ counsel was her decision; if
Defendant Kerstetter had honored her engagement to pay for services rendered to
Defendant DuVall the services of legal counsel would not have been required,
29, The averments of paragraph 29 constitute conclusions of law as to which
no answer is required. If answer is required. it is denied that Plaintiff or its counsel has
taken any actions which could be characterized as outrageous or shocking to the
conscious but have simply attempted to secure the payment of just debts which
Defendant Kerstetter represented would be paid,
30, It is denied that Defendant Kerstetter is entitled to any relief under the
UTPCPL, and it is further denied that she is entitled to any attorney's fees predicated
upon the averments of the counterclaim
4
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