HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-1563IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
No. I~/~.~ 2003
Civil Action - ( ) Law
( X ) Equity
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, LSC
411 A East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Plaintiffs
: Shirley Kimmel
: 334 Charles Road
: Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
:
: Cavalry Investments, formerly CONSECO
: P.O. Box 75428
: St. Paul, Minnesota 55175
: Defendants
Versus
:
: JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF SUMMONS
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF SAID COURT:
Please issue writ of summons in the above-captioned action.
X
David W. Knauer
David W. Knauer, P.C.
411-A East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 795-7790
Writ of Summons shall be issued and forwarded to ( ) Attorney ( X ) Sheriff
/ / / /
· g~iture o'f A~o4ne'y
Names/Address/Telephone No.
of Attorney
Supreme Court ID No. 21582
Date: April 4, 2003
WRIT OF SUMMONS
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT:
YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE-NAMED PLAINTIFFS HAVE COMMENCED
AN ACTION AGAINST YOU.
Date:
t -- Deptffy
( ) Check here if reverse is issued for additional information
PROTHON. - 55
./ -..
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
Plaintiff
Vs.
Shirley Kimmel, and Cavalry Investments:
Formerly CONSECO
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
NO.
LAW IN EQUITY
.PETITION FOR INTERPLEADER
1. The Plaintiff and Petitioner herein, Knauer & Associates, L.S.C., is a
corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, with an address of 411-A East Main Street, Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania.
2. The Defendant Shirley Kimmel is an adult individual with an address of
334 Charles Road Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
3. The Defendant Cavalry Investments, formerly Conseco, is a
corporation doing business address of Cavalry Investments, P.O. Box 75428, St.
Paul, Minnesota 55175.
4. The Plaintiff represented the Defendant Kimmel as a result of a
vehicular accident in which she suffered i_njuries.
5. The tortfeasor in the accident had insufficient insurance to pay the
damages to the Defendant Kimmel that she would otherwise be entitled to
receive.
6. After settlement of the underlying action, the Petitioner represented the
Defendant Kimmel in her underinsured claim.
7. The Defendant Kimmel settled her underinsurance claim against her
own insurer for $95,000.
8. During the pendency of the underinsured I~roceeding, the mortgagee
Conseco, initiated collection proceedings against the Defendant Kimmel and her
now deceased husband on one of the mortgages.
9. Subsequent to reaching an accommodation with Conseco on the
mortgage, it commenced a mortgage foreclosure proceeding in Your Honorable
Court on the remaining mortgage captioned Conseco Finance Consumer
Discount Corn an v. Clair F. Kimmel Jr. and Shirle A. Kimmel docketed at No.
02-3039.
10. The Defendant Kimmel and the Defendant Conseco had not made the
undersigned aware that there was a second mortgage that Conseco held until
after he negotiated the forbearance agreement with Conseco.
11. The undersigned represented the Defendant Kimmel in that
proceeding. The Plaintiff discontinued that action on February 25, 2003 after
Your Honorable Court denied its motion for summary judgment on December 30,
2002.
12. Wit'h-the authOrizatiOn-of.t,h~eO~endant~Kirnrnel., thePefitiOner: ...... ' ......... '. .....
negotiated an agreement whereby the Defendant would pay to Conseco the sum
of one hundred dollars ($100.00) until resolution of the underinsured proceedings
and that Conseco would be paid out of the settlement proceeds.
13. When the undersigned requested the payoff figure for the mortgage
and requested that it be limited to the back mortgage payments, Cavalry refused
to provide that information and took the position that it would only accept the
entire amount because the Defendant Kimmel had breached the agreement by
non-payment of the one hundred Dollars ($100) until the underinsured
proceedings reached their conclusion.
14. Although the undersigned negotiated with Cavalry Investments to
reduce the payoff from the outstanding balance and charges of over forty three
thousand dollars ($43,000+) to a lump sum payment of thirty five thousand
dollars ($35,000) provided that that payment be made on or before March 31,
2003, the Defendant Kimmel refused to authorize the undersigned to provide the
thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) to Cavalry Investments and instructed the
undersigned to provide all funds after deduction of fees and expenses to her.
15. The undersigned informed Richard Torreson of Cavalry Investments
the information that the Defendant Kimmel refused to authorize the undersigned
to make any payment to Cavalry Investments, he made demand for the full
payment of ($43,000+).
16. The undersigned has two parties each claiming the same funds and
therefore requests permission to interplead the sum of $44,000 into court to the
ProthonotarY-tO.be held:~in.an interest.be-aring.a:ccC~unt wi~..th~ inte:rests 13'ein~g
paid to the Defendant Kimmel.
17. The Petitioner has disbursed the balance of the settlement funds after
deduction of fees for the representation of the Defendant Kimmel in the
underinsured proceeding, the mortgage foreclosure action and personal
documents.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner prays that Your Honorable Court will issue
an Order for the Petitioner to interplead the aforesaid amount with the
Prothonotary to be held by the Prothonotary in an interest bearing account with
interest to be paid to the Defendant Kimmel until resolution of the dispute
between her and the Defendant Cavalry Investments.
Date: April 4, 2003
Respectfully submitted,
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney I.D. No. 21582
411-A East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 795-7790
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.,
PLAINTIFF
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
SHIRLEY KIMMEL AND CAVALRY
INVESTMENTS FORMERLY
CONSECO,
DEFENDANTS
03-1563 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
~ day of April, 2003, a Rule is entered against
AND NOW, this
Shirley Kimmel and Cavalry investments formerly Conseco, to show cause why the
within petition for interpleader should not be granted. Rule returnable fifteen (15) days
after service. Any answers filed should be forwarded by the Prothonotary to chambers.
By the~
EdgarB. y y, ·
:sal
SHERIFF'S RETURN - U.S. CERTIFIED MAIL
CASE NO: 2003-01563 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
KNAUER AND ASSOCIATES
VS.
KIMMEL SHIRLEY ET AL
R. Thomas Kline , Sheriff of Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law served the
within named DEFENDANT ,CALVERY INVESTMENTS FORMERLY ,
CONSECO
prepaid, on the
PO BOX 75428
by United States Certified Mail postage
7th day of April ,2003 at 0000:00 HOURS, at
ST PAUL, MN 55175
and attested copy of the attached WRIT OF SUMMONS
with
, a true
Together
The returned
receipt card was signed by J. TAFFE
04/Z0/2003
on
Additional Comments:
Sheriff's Costs:
Docketing
Cert Mail
Affidavit
Surcharge
6.00
4.42
.00
10.00
.00
20.42
So answ . ~ ~
W~. Thomas Kline
Sheriff of Cumberland County
Paid by KNAUER & ASSOC.
Sworn and subscribed to before me
this. 22~day of
A.D.
on 04/14/2003
SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR
CASE NO: 2003-01563 p
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
KNAUER AND ASSOCIATES
VS
KIMMEL SHIRLEY ET AL
VALERIE WEARY , Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law,
says, the within WRIT OF SUMMONS
was served upon
KIMMEL SHIRLEY
the
DEFENDANT
at 1445:00 HOURS, on the
at 334 CHARLES ROAD
7th day of April
2003
MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055
SHIRLEY KIMMEL
by handing to
a true and attested copy of WRIT OF SUMMONS
together with
and at the same time directing Her attention to the contents thereof.
Sheriff,s Costs:
Docketing 18.00
Service 8.28
Affidavit
.00
Surcharge 10.00
.00
36.28
Sworn and Subscribed to before
me this 2 ~-W~_ day of
~P~otho~otary ~ t '
So Answers:
R. Thomas Kline
04/14/2003
KNAUER & ASSOC
Deputy Sher~
IN RE:
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
Plaintiff
Vo
SHIRLEY A. KIMMEL, AND
CAVALRY INVESTMENTS
FORMERLY CONSECO
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
NO. 03-1563
IN EQUITY
ORDER
AND NOW on this day of 2003, upon consideration
of the Petition for Interpleader and the Answer to the Petition filed by Shirley A.
Kimmel. It is hereby ordered and directed as follows:
Knauer and Associates, L.S.C. shall immediately deliver to Shirley A.
Kimmel, the net proceeds of her personal injury case in the amount of
$44,000.00 (Forty-four thousand dollars).
DATE JUDGE
IN RE:
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
Plaintiff
Ve
SHIRLEY A. KIMMEL, AND
CAVALRY INVESTMENTS
FORMERLY CONSECO
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
NO. 03-1563
IN EQUITY
ANSWER TO PETITION FOR INTERPLEADER.
AND NOW, comes the Defendant, Shirley Kimmel, by her Attorney, James M. Bach,
and files the within Answer to Petition for Interpleader:
1.-11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
ADMITTED.
DENIED. Shirley Kimmel is not aware of any agreement to pay any proceeds out
of her settlement proceeds. Shirley Kimmel, at all times relevant herein, believed
that upon the settlement of her personal injury case, after deduction of legal fees,
costs and expenses, that the net proceeds would be delivered to her by her legal
counsel, Knauer and Associates, L.S.C.
DENIED. Defendant, Shirley Kimmel, is not aware of any breach. Further,
she is not aware of any agreement between herself and Calvary Financial.
ADMITTED. Shirley Kimmel instructed Attorney Knauer to deliver to her the
net proceeds of her personal injury case. Shirley Kimmel did not want to pay off
a mortgage to Conseco, now Calvary Investments, at this time. Shirley Kimmel
had a change in circumstances that would not allow her to sustain the mortgage
obligation.
DENIED. Shirley Kimmel is not aware of any conversations or letters exchanged
between Calvary Investments and Attorney David Knauer regarding Calvary's
demand for full payment of $43,000.00 (Forty-three thousand dollars).
DENIED. Shirley Kimmel, the injured party, is claiming the $44,000.00 (Forty-
four thousand dollars) in net personal injury proceeds being held by her attorney,
David Knauer. Shirley Kimmel is not aware of any demand, formal or informal,
by any other party to these funds.
17.
ADMITTED. Attorney David Knauer has received $43,385.00 (Forty-three
thousand three hundred eighty-five dollars) for legal services rendered by him on
behalf of his client, Shirley Kimmel. -
NEW MATTER
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Shirley Kimmel owns real estate known and numbered as 334 Charles Road,
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Subject real estate is encumbered by a first
mortgage in favor of Blue Chip Federal Credit Union in the approximate amount
of $46,500.00 (Forty-six thousand five hundred dollars), a second mortgage in
favor of Conseco Finance, now Calvary, in the amount of $47,000.00 (Forty-
seven thousand dollars) and a third mortgage in favor of Conseco Finance in the
amount of $32,000.00 (Thirty-two thousand dollars). The aggregate amount of
the mortgage debt against this real estate is $125,500.00 (One hundred twenty-
five thousand five hundred dollars).
The Kimmel real estate is valued by the Cumberland County Assessment Office
at $84,100.00 (Eighty-four thousand one hundred dollars). See a copy of the
assessment attached hereto and marked as Exhibit No. 1.
Shirley Kimmel is a widow, and her monthly income is $1,300.00 (One thousand
three hundred dollars).
Based upon the mortgage debt against her real estate, and her present ability to
pay her mortgage payments in a timely fashion, Shirley Kimmel has concluded
that it is in her best interest to surrender this real estate to the secured creditors.
Shirley Kimmel has defaulted on her payments to the secured creditors, and has
indicated to them that they may proceed, by way of a mortgage foreclosure action
against her, to recover their varying, respective interests. See letter of Attorney
James M. Bach dated April 15, 2003, marked as Exhibit No. 2.
The secured creditor that gave rise to the instant proceeding, Calvary Financial
Investments, formerly Conseco, has a remedy at law, in the nature of a mortgage
foreclosure complaint to advance their interest if they are unsatisfied with the
payments by Defendant, Shirley Kimmel, into their mortgage account. They do
not have standing or any interest in the net proceeds of her personal injury fired.
Shirley Kimmel has respectfully requested that Attorney David K_nauer turn over
to her, her personal injury proceeds, and he has refused to do so. The mortgage
company, in this case, has a remedy at law for a mortgage foreclosure complaint,
therefore, Mrs. Shirley Kimmel should receive her personal injury net proceeds
immediately.
WHEREFORE, Defendant, Shirley Kimmel, respectfully prays that this
honorable Court order and direct that Attorney David Knauer immediately tender to her
the proceeds of her personal injury case.
Further, the Defendant, Shirley Kimmel, respectfully requests that this Court
order and direct Attorney David Knauer to pay the legal fees, costs and expenses of
Shirley Kimmel. Further, Shirley Kimmel, respectfully prays for all other relief that this
Court may deem justified, necessary and appropriate.
DATE: April 17, 2003
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
JA~ M. BA(~H, ESQUIRE
Attorney I.D. No. 18727 .
352 S. Sporting Hill Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
(717) 737-2033
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in this Answer are tree and correct. I understand that false
statements herein made are subject to penalties of 18 PA. C.S. §4904, relating to unswom
falsification to authorities.
~' //~' DEFEI~ANT
DATE
Form View.- public tax' file 3-31-2003.fp5 Page 1 6f 1
Form View ! public tax file 3-31-2003.fp5
Search
Table View
Viewing: ! of I
Dl~trlot_Numb~r 10
Paro~Udsntlflar 10-22-0525-044
Map_~ufflx_Numb~r
House_Number 3:34
Dlnmtion
· tr~t CHARLES ROAD
Ownsr_Nanm_l KIMMEL, CLAIR F & SHIRLEY
Owner_Name_2
Land_Use_Code R
Prol~rty_De~,criptlo
LIving_Area 1024
CurrentLand_Valu 20280
CurrenUmprovemengValue 63820
Current_Total_Valu ~
CurrenLPreferred_Valu
Acreags .18
CleanOreen..Status
Taxable_or_Exempt 1
Sale_Amount 42500
Sale_Month 09
Sale_Day 17
Sale_CentupJ 19
Sale_Year 80
Deed_Book_and_Page 0029C-00523
Year_Built 1955
Home I Help
EXHIBIT NO. 1
http://205.247.227.59:591/FMRes/FMPro?-db=public%20tax%20file%203-31-2003.fp5&-op:.. 4/17/03
JAMES M. BACH
Attorney At Law
352 S. Sporting Hill Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, Tel: (717) 737-2033
April 15, 2003
Mary Tylenda
Blue Chip Credit Union
5050 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Re:
Shirley A. Kimmel
334 Charles Road
Mecharficsburg, PA 17055
This will serve as confirmation of our telephone conversation regarding my client, Mrs. Kimmel.
I indicated to you that Mrs. Kimmel would not be making any further payments. I also advised that she would
surrender the real estate at the appropriate time.
You indicated that you would refer the matter to your attorney, Robert Kodak.
By way of a copy of a letter to Conseco Finance, they are being informed of this decision.
I am requesting that all inquiries be referred to my office.
Next, I ask that all collection efforts cease and terminate.
Kindly proceed through your various legal councils to commence proceedings to initiate complaint, and
mortgage foreclosure.
It is my understanding that Blue Chip has priority standing as the first mortgage holder, followed by Conseco
with the second mortgage, and Conseco with a third mortgage.
EXHIBIT NO. 2
Mary Tylenda
April IS, 2003
Page 2
In the interim, my client has agreed to voluntarily list the real estate for sale. In the event that the real estate is
sold for market value, the appropriate real estate agency will be in touch with Conseco regarding a potential
"short sale" regarding the third mortgage.
This should serve as a memorandum of record to all parties in interest. Respectfully,
S M. BACH
Attom~y-at-La~
Cc:
Robert Kodak
Conseco
David W. Knauer
Shirley A. Kimmel
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
Plaintiff
COURT Of COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Vs. No. 03-1563
Shirley Kimmel, and Cavalry Investments:
Formerly CONSECO
LAW IN EQUITY
PETITIONER'S REPLY TO THE NEW MATTER OF THE DEFENDANT
SHIRLEY A. KIMMEL
18. Denied as alleged. The Petitioner avers to the contrary that:
a.) as to the Defendant Kimmel's first mortgage with Blue Chip
Federal Credit Union, hereinafter "Blue Chip", the Petitioner has no
knowledge except from the April 15, 2003 letter of the Defendant
Kimmel's counsel, James M. Bach, Esquire that the Defendant
Kimmel attached to the Defendant Kimmers Answer to Petition for
Interpleader and New Matter thereto? "Exhibit No. 2" thereof is a
copy of Mr. Bach's letter of April 15, 2003 to "Mary Tylenda" of
Blue Chip. In Mr. Bach's aforesaid letter, he stated that:
This will serve as confirmation of our telephone conversation
regarding my client, Mrs. Kimmel.
I indicated to you that Mrs. Kimmel would not be making any
further payments. I also advised that she would surrender
the real estate at the appropriate time.
You indicated that you would refer the matter to your
attorney, Robert Kodak ....
Next, I ask that all collection efforts cease and terminate.
Kindly proceed through your various legal counsels to
commence proceedings to initiate complaint and mortgage
foreclosure.
] The Plaintiff marks the April 15, 2003 letter from James M. Bach, Esquire to Mary Tlyenda of
Blue Chip Credit Union as Exhibit "A"
It is my understanding that Blue Chip has priority standing as
the first mortgage holder, followed with the second
mortgage, and Conseco with a third mortgage.
For whatever reason known only to Mr. Bach, he has advised the
Defendant Kimmel not to pay her first mortgage and demanded that
the first mortgagee bring a foreclosure proceeding. The Defendant
Kimmel should have been current on that mortgage and Mr. Bach's
advice will only increase the Defendant Kimmel's indebtedness to
Blue Chip because of reasonable attorney's fees and interest;
b.) as to the second mortgage that Cavalry Investments holds, the
Petitioner by letter dated March 14, 2003 addressed to Conseco
requested that company to provide the payoff on that mortgage.2
Mr. Torreson of Cavalry Investments contacted the Petitioner by
telephone and provided him with the payoff on the second
mortgage that as of March 31, 2003 was $ 43,000+. The Petitioner
inquired of Mr. Torreson whether Cavalry Investments would take a
lower amount for prompt payment of the balance on the mortgage.
Mr. Torreson agreed to accept the lump sum payment of $35,000
good through March 31, 2003. If the Defendant Kimmel would
have accepted that offer she would have saved over $8,000. The
Defendant Kimmers counsel James M. Bach, Esquire informed her
that she did not have to pay the mortgage and she informed the
Petitioner that she had changed her mind and decided not to pay
Conseco (Cavalry) in accordance with her prior agreement and
refused to authorize the Petitioner to issue the $35,000 check to
Cavalry Investments. The mortgage to Conseco that Cavalry
Investments purchased provides for the addition of interest and
counsel fees. Consequently, the Defendant Kimmel's counsel's
advice is costing her the $8,000 plus savings that Petitioner had
obtained as a settlement offer from Cavalry Investments and that
cost is increasing daily by the addition of interest and will increase
further with the payment of counsel fees and costs as the second
mortgage provides;
c.) as to the third mortgage Conseco holds, the Petitioner after
reasonable investigation is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the Defendant Kimmel's
averment and strict proof thereof at time of hearing is demanded.
2 The Petitioner marks as Exhibit "B", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference
thereto a true and correct copy of said letter.
19. The Petitioner after reasonable investigation is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the Defendant Kimmel's
averment and strict proof thereof at time of hearing is demanded.
20. The Petitioner admits that the Defendant Kimmel is a widow. As to the
Defendant Kimmel's monthly income, The Petitioner after reasonable
investigation is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth of the Defendant Kimmel's averment and strict proof thereof at time of
hearing is demanded.
21. Denied as alleged. The Petitioner avers that the Defendant Kimmel
had informed him that she wished to pay down or eliminate her mortgages out of
any settlement and that she had authorized the Petitioner to enter into the
aforesaid forbearance agreement with Conseco to attempt to achieve that goal.
As to settlement proceeds, Petitioner is holding the sum of $44,000 until
disposition of the Petition for Interpleader. As to the balance of settlement
proceeds, the Petitioner has disbursed those funds to the Defendant Kimmel in
two checks totaling $9,724.15. If the Defendant Kimmel had proceeded in
accordance with her agreement with Conseco, she would have utilized $35,000
to pay off a $43,000+ mortgage. The $8,000+ saving she had on the second
mortgage plus the $9,724.15 proceeds would have totaled $17,724.15. If she
were to have applied the sum of $17,724.15 to reduce the remaining mortgages,
she would have only had a mortgage indebtedness of $60,775.85. Assuming
arguendo, that the "Exhibit No. 1" of the Defendant Kimmel's aforesaid pleading
is correct, the Defendant Kimmel would have had $23,324.15 of equity.
Nevertheless, the Defendant Kimmel has followed the advice of Mr. Bach who
has challenged the mortgages to commence suit against his client because he
has advised her not to pay any of the mortgages. Consequently, the Defendant
Kimmel will incur late fees, interest, attorney's fees for the mortgages and her
own counsel fees to Mr. Bach to defend three mortgage foreclosure actions.
22(a). Denied as alleged. The Petitioner avers to the contrary that
Pa.R.C.P. No. 1022 requires that:
Every pleading shall be divided into paragraphs numbered consecutively.
Each paragraph shall contain as far as practicable only one material
allegation.
The Defendant Kimmers counsel has not complied with that rule. Rather than
object to the non-conformity to that rule, the Petitioner has designated his reply to
the Defendant Kimmel's paragraph 22 as 22(a) addressed to the Defendant
Cavalry and 22(b) addressed to the Petitioner. As to the Defendant Cavalry
Investments formerly Conseco, the Petitioner avers to the contrary that the
Defendant Kimmers pleading as to that Defendant should be answered by that
Defendant and the Petitioner offers no opinion as to what remedies it might have
against that Defendant.
22(b). Since Mr. Bach commenced representation of the Defendant
Kimmel, he has made numerous calls to the Petitioner to demand that he
withdraw the Petition for Interpleader and to release the settlement proceeds of
$44,000 to him. On each occasion, the Petitioner has informed Mr. Bach that he
had the Defendant Kimmers authority to enter into the forbearance agreement
and requested him to read the file. The Defendant Kimmel's Answer to Petition
4
for Interpleader was dated April 17, 2003 and executed by both the Defendant
Kimmel and Mr. Bach. On April 18, 2003 between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Mr.
Bach again contacted the Petitioner to make the aforesaid demand. In response
to Mr. Bach's question, the Petitioner queried Mr. Bach as to whether he had
ever read the file and his answer was "no."
The Petitioner admits that the Defendant Kimmel has requested the
Petitioner to deliver to her the $44,000 proceeds that the Petitioner has
requested be interpled because the Defendant Cavalry has demanded the same
funds from the Petitioner. The Petitioner avers to the contrary that the Defendant
Kimmel requested the Petitioner to obtain a forbearance agreement from
Conseco that would be guaranteed by the settlement proceeds from her
underinsured motorist settlement or arbitration award. The Petitioner complied
with the Defendant Kimmel's instructions. With her express authority and
instructions, the Petitioner negotiated said agreement with Conseco. The
agreement the Defendant Kimmel accepted was that she would pay to Conseco
the sum of $100 per month until the conclusions of the underinsured proceeding
and that out of any settlement or award that she had authorized and directed the
Petitioner to pay the balance of outstanding payments to Conseco. The
Petitioner confirmed that agreement between the Defendant Kimmel and
Conseco by letters dated January 29, 20023 and February 18, 20024 the
3 The Plaintiff marks as Exhibit "C", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference thereto
a true and correct copy of his letter of January 29, 2002 to Conseco.
4 The Plaintiff marks as Exhibit "D", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference thereto
a true and correct copy of his letter of February 18, 2002 to Conseco.
Petitioner mailed the Defendant Kimmers first $100 monthly payment under the
agreement to Conseco. The Defendant then made subsequent $100 monthly
payments to Conseco through the Petitioner's office through Petitioner's final
letter of October 21, 2002.5 The Petitioner marks as exhibit "E" the aforesaid
letters, attaches those letters hereto and incorporates them herein by reference.
Despite the aforesaid forbearance agreement, Conseco instituted a mortgage
foreclosure proceeding against the Defendant Kimmel in Your Honorable Court
captioned Conseco Finance Consumer Discount Company v. Clair F. Kimmel,
Jr., Shirley Kimmel docketed at No. 02-3039 with certified copy of the Complaint
certified on June 25, 2002. As the Defendant in the mortgage foreclosure action,
the Defendant filed her Objections to Plaintiffs Complaint with New Matter with
the Defendant Kimmel's verification,s As her New Matter defense the Defendant
Kimmel pled the forbearance agreement as an accommodation or novation.
Conseco filed a motion for summary judgment that the Defendant Kimmel
defended on the basis of the forbearance agreement. In opposition to Conseco's
motion for summary judgment, the Defendant Kimmel filed her Affidavit of
Defendant. In that Affidavit, she, inter alia, swore that:
9. After the Defendant's husband died, she informed the Plaintiff through
her counsel that he had died and that she would offer to instruct her
attorney to deduct from any settlement or award after deduction of
attorney's fees and cost of case to pay the arrearages directly to the
Plaintiff, that she would give the Plaintiff first priority as her creditor to said
funds and that she would make $100 per month payments.
$ The Petitioner marks as Exhibit "E", and attaches said letters hereto and incorporates herein by
reference thereto a true and correct copies of his letter of October 21, 2002.
6 The Petitioner marks as Exhibit" F ", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference
thereto a true and correct copy of the aforesaid document
10. The Plaintiff agreed to the terms of her offer and she has paid the
$100 per month since entry into the agreement and has instructed her
counsel as aforesaid.7
The Petitioner also attached his Affidavit that went to the issue of
accommodation, novation and forbearance.8
The Defendants' Brief in Opposition to the Plaintiff's Motion for Summary
Judgment under Statement of Questions Involved stated that:
DID THE PARTIES IN THIS ACTION ENTER INTO A NOVATION?
YES.
DID THE DEFENDANT COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF THE
NOVATION?
YES.
DID THE PLAINTIFF VIOLATE THE TERMS OF THE NOVATION BY
COMMENCING THIS ACTION?
YES.
IS THE PLAINTIFF ESTOPPED FROM PURSUING MORTGAGE
FORECLOSURE?
YES
DID THE PLAINTIFF ACCEPTANCE OF THE DEFENDANT'S OFFER
CREATE AN ACCOMMODATION THAT PRECLUDES THE ENTRY OF
SUMMARY JUDGMENT?
YES.S
$. The Petitioner marks as Exhibit" G ", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference
thereto a true and correct copy of said affidavit.
9 The Defendant Kimmel also pled the Nanty-GIo rule with the following question: WHEN THERE
ARE ISSUES OF FACT THAT REQUIRE ORAL TESTIMONY TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE THE
SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTION IS SUMMARY JUDGMENT NOT PROPER?
NO. Except for the Nanty-GIo rule, the Defendant Kimmel's entire defense rested on the
aforesaid agreement that the Defendant Kimmel in this proceeding seeks to abrogate.
The Petitioner's brief followed the outline of the Statement of Questions Involved;
pages 5 -9.1°
At oral argument, before the Honorable Edgar B. Bayley and the
Honorable Kevin A. Hess, the Petitioner's argument rested solely on the
agreement that the Defendant Kimmel now seeks to abrogate plus the Nanty-GIo
rule.
The Defendant Kimmel's defends her decision not to authorize
disbursement of the funds on the basis that she has changed her mind.
In Dahar v. Grzandzeil, 410 Pa. Super. 85, 599 A.2d 217 (1991) the court faced
the same factual situation that is in this case.
In Dahar, the case arose out of an automobile accident. The plaintiff
suffered injury to his jaws and teeth. The plaintiff retained his attorney, the
defendant Sanford A. Middleman, Esquire to prosecute his claim. The plaintiff
could not pay for the dental services when the services were needed. In order to
induce the dentist to perform the requested services, the attorney agreed to
protect the unpaid dental bills out of any settlement. The plaintiff settled the
automobile case and the insurer paid the settlement funds to the injured party
and the money ended up in the attorney's account. The attorney failed to pay
the balance of the dentist's bill and one of his defenses was:
That the client, a third party, prevented the appellant-attorney from
performing as promised by withdrawing the appellant-attorney's authority
to pay the appellee-dentist's fee out of the settlement fund.
lo The Petitioner marks as Exhibit" H ", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference
thereto a true and correct copy of said document.
410 Pa. Super. at 92, 599 A.2d R 221.
One of the attorney's position was that his client had withdrawn his
authority to protect the dentist's bill and therefore he could not pay the dentist's
bill because he no longer had the authority to pay the dentists bill. The court
rejected that position holding that:
The appellant-attorney's performance was not rendered impossible by the
client's withdrawing the appellant-attorney's authority to pay the appellee
dentist's fee out of the settlement fund. The record indicates that the
client had expressly authorized the appellant-attorney to withhold from any
settlement sufficient funds to pay unpaid portions of the appellee-dentist's
fees. Later, when it came time to distribute the settlement fund, the client
withdrew this authorization. Rule 1.15 of the Pennsylvania Rules of
Professional Conduct, 42 Pa.C.S. (remainder of citation omitted in the
court's opinion) ,addresses what an attorney should do when a dispute
arises regarding distribution of funds in which a client or third person has
an interest. An attorney may refuse to surrender the property to the client
until the dispute is resolved. Id. Thus, contrary to the appellant-attorney's
argument that he could not have protected the appellee-dentist's fee
because ethics would not permit him to disperse the client's money
without authorization, the ethical guidelines expressly permit the appellant-
attorney to retain sufficient funds to protect the appellee-dentist's fee
before distributing the settlement proceeds to the client.
410 Pa. Super. at 94, 599 A.2d at 221.
The law is settled that if an attorney agrees to protect the interest of a
creditor, he may be personally liable if he does not protect the interest of the
creditor out of funds that have been designated as the source for payment of the
creditors bills.
Consequently, the Petitioner had the express authority of his client to
protect Conseco's mortgage out of any settlement proceeds. The exchange for
that agreement was that the Defendant Kimmel would pay $100 per month until
settlement and Conseco would not foreclose its mortgage.
9
The Defendant Kimmel paid the $100 per month from the date of the
agreement until the end of October of 2002. After her October 2002 payment,
the Defendant Kimmel made no further monthly payments of $100.
When the settlement funds came under the control of the Petitioner, he
paid all outstanding expenses except for the $44,000 mortgage balance that
Conseco's successor, Cavalry Investments claimed was due and owing to it.
The Petitioner promptly paid the remainder of the settlement funds to the
Defendant Kimmel.
Contemporaneous with the disbursement of the balance of the settlement
funds to the Defendant Kimmel, the Petitioner filed the Petition for Interpleader
and Your Honorable Court issued its Order.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner prays that Your Honorable Court will issue
an order directing the Petitioner to pay into the Prothonotary the $44,000 in
contention between the Defendant Kimmel and the Defendant Cavalry
Investments formerly Conseco and award counsel fees to the Petitioner and
against the Defendant Kimmers counsel James Bach, Esquire.
Respectfully submitted,
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
David W. Knauer, Esquire
^ttorney for Plaintiff
Attorney I.D. No. 21582
411-A East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Date: May 5, 2003 (717) 795-7790
]0
JAMES M. BACH
Attorney At Law
352 S. Sporting Hill Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, Tel: (717) 737-2033
April 15, 2OO3
Mary Tylenda
Blue Chip Credit Union
5050 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Re:
Shirley A. Kimmel
334 Charles Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
This will serve as confirmation of our telephone conversation regarding my client, Mrs. Kimmel.
I indicated to you that Mrs. Kimmel would not be making any further payments. I also advised that she would
surrender the real estate at the appropriate time.
You indicated that you would refer the matter to your attorney, Robert Kodak.
By way of a copy of a letter to Conseco Finance, they are being informed of this decision.
I am requesting that all inquiries be referred to my office.
Next, I ask that all collection efforts cease and terminate.
Kindly proceed through your various legal councils to commence proceedings to initiate complaint and
mortgage foreclosure.
It is my understanding that Blue Chip has priority standing as the first mortgage holder, followed by Conseco
with the second mortgage, and Conseco with a third mortgage.
Mary Tylenda
April 15, 2003
Page 2
In the interim, my client has agreed to voluntarily list the real estate for sale. In the event that the real estate is
sold for market value, the appropriate real estate agency will be in touch with Conseco regarding a potential
"short sale" regarding the third mortgage.
This should serve as a memorandum of record to all parties in interest.
Respectfully,
M. BACH
-at-La~
JMB/thl
Cc:
Robert Kodak
Conseco
David W. Knauer
ShMey A. Kimmel
Knauer ~. Associates, LSC
Attorneys-at-Law
411A. East lVlaln Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Telephone: (717) 795-7790
Fax: (717) 795-7793
Email: knauer@earl¥.com
David W. Knauer
March 14, 2003
Mr. Todd Davis,
Manager Home Improvement
Conseco Finance
Building 1 (HID)7360 Kyrene Road
Tempe, Arizona 85283
RE: Mortgagors: Mr. Clair Kimmel and Shirley Kimmel
Account No. 15882181
Dear Mr. Davis:
Please reference my letter of January 18, 2002 to you confirming our agreement
that my client would be paying $100 per month until settlement of a pending insurance
claim.
On March 13, 2003, we received the settlement check. Please provide me with
the amount to bring the mortgage current and also the pay off figure as of March 17, 2003
and a per diem after that date.
Thank you for your attention to this inquiry.
Very truly yours,
David W. Knauer
DWK: bm
CC: Shirley Kimmel
Company~immel\03-14-03\davis.ltr
Knauer ~ Associates, LSC
Attorneys-at-Law
41lA East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Telephone: (717) 795-7790
Fax: (717) 795-7793
Email: knauer@earl¥.com
David W. Knauer
January 29, 2002
Ms. Jennifer Armstrong & Mr. Todd Davis
CONSEICO
7360 South Kyrene Road
Tempe, Arizona 85283
Shirley Kimmel
Account No. 15882181
Dear Ms. Armstrong and Mr. Davis:
Please be advised that I represent Mrs. Shirley Kimmel. Her husband and co-
debtor died recemly. Mrs. Kimmel is on total disability. She is unemployable.
I also represent her in an underinsured proceeding that should be arbitrated in
March or April of this year. Although there are no guarantees in litigation, I anticipate
that the arbitrators should render an award in excess of your delinquent payments. In the
event that the arbitrators' award is in excess of your outstanding mortgage payments, I
will protect your lien stares.
The only items ahead 0fyour mortgages are costs of suit and our office's
attorney's fees.
Mrs. Kimmel requests that you refinance the mortgage to a lower rate. She also
requests that you forebear any foreclosure actions until after her arbitration.
This also confirms our telephone conferences wherein you agreed to allow her to
pay $100 monthly until her arbitration is concluded.
I have requested Mrs. Kimmel to bring us the $100 so that our office can forward
it to you. I would anticipate that she should have the check to us in a few days.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
DWK/bm
CompanyhV, immel\01-29-02\conseico.ltr
Very truly yours,
· l~v~:.--Knauet
Knauer & Associates, LSC
Attorneys-at-Law
411A East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Telephone: (717) 795-7790
Fax: (717) 795-7793
Email: knauer@early.com
David W. Knauer
February 1B, 2002
Ms. Jennifer Armstrong
CONSECO
7360 South Kyrene Road
Tempe, Arizona 85283
Shirley Kimmel
Account No. 15882181
Dear Ms. Armstrong and Mr. Davis:
Please find enclosed a check in the amount of $100.00.
Very truly yours,
David W. Knauer
DWK/bm
Enclosure
CC: Shirley Kimmel
Company\kimmel\02-18-02\conseco.ltr
Knauer & Associates, LSC
Attorneys-at-Law
411A East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Telephone: (717) 795-7790
Fax: (717) 795-7793
Email: knauer@earl¥.com
David W. Knauer
April 23, 2002
Ms. Jennifer Armstrong
CONSECO
7360 South Kyrene Road
Tempe, .Arizona 85283
Shirley Kimmel
Account No. 15882181
Dear Ms. Armstrong:
This letter is to reinforce my conversation with you as of the above date. All
contact with my client Shirley Kimmel is to cease, and all correspondence and calls are to
be directed to my attention.
Please find enclosed a check in the amount of $100.00.
Very truly yours,
-.,7"?
David W. Knauer
DWK/bm
Enclosure
CC: Shirley Kimmel
CompanyXkimmel\04-22-02\conseco.ltr
Knauer ~sc Assodates, LSC
Attorneys-at-Law
411A East 1Vialn Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Telephone: (717) 795-7790
Fax: (717) 795-7793
Email: knauer@earl¥.com
David W. Knauer
July 1, 2002
Ms. Jennifer Armstrong
CONSECO
7360 South Kyrene Road
Tempe, Arizona 85283
Shirley Kimmel
Account No. 15882181
Dear Ms. Armstrong:
Please f'md enclosed a check in the amount of $100.00.
Thank you.
Ve~ truly yours,
David W. Knauer
DWK/bm
Enclosure
CC: Shirley Kimmel
CompanyLkimmel\07-01-02\conseco.ltr
Knauer & Associates, LSC
Attornevs~toLaw
411A East ]V[aln Street~ Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Telephone: (717) 795-7790
Fax: (717) 795-7793
Email: knauer@earlv.com
David W. Knauer
July 30, 2002
Ms. Jennifer Armstrong
CONSECO
7360 South Kyrene Road
Tempe, Arizona 85283
Shirley Kimmel
Account No. 15882181
Dear Ms. Armstrong:
Please find enclosed a check in the amount of $100.00.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
~ . ~ /
David W. Knauer
DWK/bm
Enclosure
CC: Shirley Kimmel
CompanyLkimmel\07-30-02\conseco.ltr
Knauer & Associates, LSC
Attorneys-at-Law
411A East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Telephone: (717) 795-7790
Fax: (717) 795-7793
Email: knauer@earlv.com
David W. Knauer
August 30, 2002
Ms. Jennifer Armstrong
CONSECO
7360 South Kyrene Road
Tempe, Arizona 85283
Shirley Kimmel
Account No. 15882181
Dear Ms. Armstrong:
Please f'md enclosed a check in the amount of $100.00.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
David W. Knauer
DWK/bm
Enclosure
CC: Shirley Kimmel
Company~kimmel\08-30-02\conseco.ltr
Y~auer & Associates, LSC
Attorneys-at-Law
411A East l~[aln Street~ Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Telephone: (717) 795-7790
Fax: (717) 795-7793
Emaih knauer@early.com
David W. Knauer
September 27, 2002
Ms. Jennifer Armstrong
CONSECO
7360 South Kyrene Road
Tempe, Arizona 85283
Shirley Kimmel
Account No. 15882181
Dear Ms. Armstrong:
Please find enclosed a check in the amount of $100.00.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
David W. Knauer
DWK/bm
Enclosure
CC: Shirley Kimmel
Company~kimmel\09-27-02\conseco.ltr
Knauer & Associates, LSC
Attorneys-at-Law
41lA East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Telephone: (717) 795-7790
Fax: (717) 795-7793
Emaih knauer@earl¥.com
David W. Knauer
October 21, 2002
Ms. Jennifer Armstrong
CONSECO
7360 South Kyrene Road
Tempe, Arizona 85283
RE:
Shirley Kimmel
Account No. 15882181
Dear Ms. Armstrong:
Please find enclosed a check in the amount of $100.00.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
David W. Knauer
DWK/bm
Enclosure
CC: Shirley Kimmel
CompanyXkimmel\l 0-21-02\conseco.ltr
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CONSECO Finance Consumer
Discount Company
Plaintiff
Vs.
Clair F. Kimmel, Jr., Shirley A. Kimmel
Defendants
COURT COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
No. 02-3039 Civil Term
OBJECTIONS TO PLAINTIFFS COMPLAINT
WITH NEW MATTER
1 .- 4. Denied as alleged. The Plaintiff avers to the contrary that Clair F.
Kimmel, Jr. is deceased. The Defendant Shirley Kimmel through her
undersigned counsel on January 18, 2002 informed by telephone and confirmed
by letter of the undersigned of the same date Mr. Todd Davis, Manager, Home
Improvement Conseco Finance, Building 1 (HID), 7360 Kyrene Road, Tempe,
Arizona that Mr. Kimmel had died approximately. The Defendant marks as
Exhibit "A", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference thereto a true
and correct copy of the aforesaid letter to Mr. Davis. The Defendant Shirley A.
Kimmel admits the remaining allegations of the aforesaid paragraphs 1. - 4.
5. Denied as alleged. The Defendant Shirley A. Kimmel avers to the
contrary that the aforesaid mortgage is not in default because she had negotiated
an accommodation of current payments and is current with the payments under
the aforesaid accommodation with the Defendant as more fully set forth herein by
reference thereto under New Matter.
WHEREFORE, the Defendant demands judgment in her favor and against
the Defendant on its Complaint.
NEW MATTER
6. The Defendant incorporates herein by reference thereto paragraphs 1
through 5 of inclusive of her Answer as if more fully set forth herein by reference
thereto.
7. The Defendant's counsel in his aforesaid letter of January 18, 2002 to
Mr. Davis also informed him the Defendant was on total disability, that he was
representing her in an Underinsured Arbitration Proceeding and that he felt that
the arbitrators' award would exceed the approximate $3,000 outstanding balance
to bring her payments current.
8. The Defendant's undersigned counsel by telephone conference of
January 29, 2002 and confirmed with Mr. Davis and confirmed by letter of the
same date reached an accommodation that the Defendant would pay $100 per
month until her UIM arbitration hearing, that the Defendant's counsel would
protect the Plaintiff's interest and pay the Plaintiff its balance subject only to
counsel fees and costs. The Defendant marks as Exhibit "B', attaches hereto
and incorporates herein by reference thereto the aforesaid letter of January 29,
2002.
9. By letter dated February 18, 2002, the Defendant's aforesaid counsel
sent the Defendant's $100 check in a letter addressed to both Mr. Davis and Ms.
Armstrong. The Defendant marks as Exhibit "C', attaches hereto and
incorporates herein by reference thereto a true and correct copy of said letter.
10. Although the Plaintiff knew that the Defendant had the undersigned
counsel representing her both prior to and subsequent to January 18, 2002, that
said counsel had protested the Plaintiff's direct contact with the Defendant, and
that he had directed the Plaintiff to make all contacts with the Defendant through
the undersigned, its agents, servants, workmen and employees disregarded the
aforesaid objections and contacted the Defendant directly over the objection of
the Defendant and her undersigned counsel.
11. By letter dated April 23, 2002 to Ms. Armstrong, the Defendant's
counsel enclosed the Defendant $100 check and informed Ms. Armstrong that:
This letter is to reinforce my conversation with you as of the above
date. All contact with my client Shirley Kimmel is to cease, and all
correspondence and calls are to be directed to my attention.
The Defendant marks as Exhibit "D", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by
reference thereto a true and correct copy of said letter.
12. By letter dated July 1, 2002, the Defendant's undersigned counsel
sent another payment of $100 addressed to Ms. Armstrong. The Plaintiff marks
as Exhibit "E", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference thereto a
true and correct copy of said letter.
13. When an attorney represents an individual on a matter, an attorney
for the adverse party must deal with the individual's counsel and is prohibited
form contacting the individual directly.
14. In this action the Plaintiffs counsel directly contacted the Defendant
without the knowledge or permission of the Defendant's undersigned counsel.
15. The Plaintiff reached an accord with the Defendant that in exchange
for the undersigned's agreement to protect the Plaintiff out of any Defendant's
recovery in her UIM claim and in exchange for her direction to authorize her
undersigned counsel to deduct from any arbitration award the outstanding
amount of the balance the Defendant owed to the Plaintiff.
16. The Plaintiff entered in to a novation when the Defendant agreed to
pay $100 monthly towards her outstanding balance and for the undersigned's
agreement to protect the Plaintiff out of any Defendant's recovery in her UIM
claim and in exchange for her direction to authorize her undersigned counsel to
deduct from any arbitration award the outstanding amount of the balance the
Defendant owed to the Plaintiff.
17. The Plaintiff is estopped from foreclosure because it agreed to refrain
for taking any adverse action against the Defendant when the Defendant agreed
to pay $100 monthly towards her outstanding balance and for the direction to her
undersigned's counsel's agreement to protect the Plaintiff out of any Defendant's
recovery in her UIM claim and in exchange for her direction to authorize her
undersigned counsel to deduct from any arbitration award the outstanding
amount of the balance the Defendant owed to the Plaintiff.
! 8. The Plaintiff is not justified for foreclosure because it agreed to refrain
for taking any adverse action against the Defendant when the Defendant agreed
to pay $100 monthly towards her outstanding balance and for the direction to her
undersigned's counsel's agreement to protect the Plaintiff out of any Defendant's
recovery in her UIM claim and in exchange for her direction to authorize her
undersigned counsel to deduct from any arbitration award the outstanding
amount of the balance the Defendant owed to the Plaintiff.
19. The Plaintiff is barred from foreclosure because the Defendant is
awaiting the UIM arbitration and has been making payment in accordance with
the aforesaid agreement confirmed in writing as more fully set forth in Exhibit "B"
attached hereto.
WHEREFORE, the Defendant demands that judgment be entered in her
favor and against the Plaintiff on the Plaintiffs Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint.
Respectfully submitted,
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
Date: May 2, 2003
David W. Knauer, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney I.D. No. 21582
411-A East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 795-7790
V E.R'! F I CATI O N
Subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. 4904 relating to uns',vorn falsification to
authorities, v,,e hereby certify" ~' , .
~n,.-, the facts in the foregoing ,.oleading are ,'rue and
correct lo the best cf our information and belief.
V E.R'i F I CATI 0 N
Subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. 4904 re!ating to unsworn f~-Isific.ation to
authorities, v,,e hereby certify" -'
~n,--~ the f~-cts in the foregoing pleading are true and
correct to the best cf our information 8nd belief.
OCT 1 6 ~002 '~
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CONSECO Finance Consumer
Discount Company
Plaintiff
Vs.
Clair F. Kimmel, Jr., Shirley A. Kimmel
Defendants
COURT COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
No. 02-3039 Civil Term
AFFIDAVIT OF DEFENDANT
1. The Affiant is the Defendant.
2. The Affiant and her deceased husband mortgaged the property in this
mortgage foreclosure action to the Plaintiff.
3. When the Affiant and her deceased husband entered into the mortgage
agreement, her husband was totally disabled and his only source of income was
Social Security disability payments.
4. When the Affiant and her deceased husband entered into the mortgage
agreement, she was gainfully employed.
5. After the Affiant and her deceased husband entered into the mortgage
agreement, she was involved in a motor vehicle collision that permanently
disabled her.
6. After the Affiant and her deceased husband entered into the mortgage
agreement and after becoming disabled as a result of the aforesaid collision, her
sole source of income became Social Security disability payments.
7. The Affiant obtained a settlement of her claim against the tortfeasor
that was insufficient to compensate her for the injuries she suffered and she has
pending an Underinsured Motorist arbitration proceeding.
8. The Affiant has pending an Underinsured Motorist arbitration
proceeding that the parties anticipate being held in November or December of
2002.
9. After the Defendant's husband died, she informed the Plaintiff through
her counsel that he had died and that she would offer to instruct her attorney to
deduct from any settlement or award after deduction of attorney's fees and cost
of case to pay the arrearages directly to the Plaintiff, that she would give the
Plaintiff first pdority as her creditor to' said funds and that she would make $100
per month payments.
10. The Plaintiff agreed to the terms of her offer and she has paid the
$100 per month since entry into the agreement and has instructed her counsel as
aforesaid.
11. The Plaintiff commenced collection efforts by placing numerous
telephone calls to the Defendant.
12. Prior to April 23, 2002 and subsequent to April 23, 2002, the Plaintiff's
employees made numerous telephone calls to the Defendant demanding money.
13. After April 23, 2002, the Plaintiff's counsel in the above proceeding
directly contacted the Defendant numerous times to demand money.
14. The Defendant prior to and after the Defendant accepted the January
18, 2002 offer, the Defendant has complied with the conditions of that
agreement.
The affiant sayeth not further.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CONSECO Finance Consumer
Discount Company
Plaintiff
Vs.
Clair F. Kimmel, Jr., Shirley A. Kimmel
Defendants
COURT COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
No. 02-3039 Civil Term
DEFENDANTS' BRIEF IN OPPOSITION TO THE PLAINTIFF'S
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The Plaintiff commenced this foreclosure action by Complaint. The
Defendant filed her Answer that placed at issue the allegations of the Complaint
and pled New Matter. In addition to raising factual issues the Defendant raised
three affirmative defenses; novation, estoppel, and accommodation. The Plaintiff
filed its reply placing the averments of the Defendant's New Matter at issue.
Without any prior notice to the Defendant, the Plaintiff filed its Motion for
Summary Judgment. The Defendant has filed the Defendant's Reply to the
Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 1035.2. The
Defendant and her counsel have filed affidavits in support of the Defendant's
aforesaid pleadings.
The Defendant intends to file her requests for production of documents,
interrogatories, and deposition notices.
At this juncture, the Defendant has placed the Plaintiff's allegations at
issue and the Defendant has placed the Plaintiff's New Matter averments and
affirmative defenses at issue.
The parties' pleadings will require oral testimony for determination of the
issues involved in this action.
FACTUAL HISTORY
The Defendant and her deceased husband entered into mortgage
agreements with the Plaintiff. Prior to the entry into the aforesaid mortgage
agreements, the Defendant Clair F. Kimmel, Jr., was totally disabled and
received Social Security benefits as his only source of income. At that time, the
Defendant Shirley A. Kimmel was working.
The Defendants' position changed drastically after an automobile accident
when the Defendant Shirley Kimmel also became totally disabled. Her sole
source of income became Social Security disability benefits.
The Defendant Shirley A. Kimmel had a settlement against the tortfeasor
that had caused the collision and injuries she suffered as a result of that collision.
Prior to any missed mortgage payments, the Defendant Shirley A. Kimmel
recovered the Defendant's Iow policy limits less attorney's fees and costs of suit.
(Defendant's Affidavit paragraph 7)
The Defendant Shirley A. Kimmel made an underinsured motorist claim
and the UIM arbitration is scheduled for October 29, 2002, although that may be
continued. (Knauer Affidavit paragraph 14).
The Plaintiff commenced collection efforts with numerous and frequent
telephone calls to the Defendants. (Defendant Affidavit paragraph 11).
During the time the Plaintiff was directly contacting the Defendant, the
undersigned represented the Defendant on the pending UIM claim and on this
case. By letter dated January 18, 2002, the Defendant, through her undersigned
counsel, notified the Plaintiff that the Defendant Clair F. Kimmel had died.~
Defendant's counsel by letter dated January 29, 2002 notified the Plaintiff in
writing that he represented the Defendants and confirmed the novation.2
Ignoring the undersigned's representation of the Defendant, the Plaintiff
continued to contact the Defendant directly. The Defendant's counsel had
telephone conferences with the Plaintiffs employees and instructed them to
cease contacting the Defendant directly and to make all inquires through him.
(Knauer Affidavit 15).
The Plaintiff ignored that request and continued to make telephone calls to
the Defendant's home. Defendant's counsel by letter dated April 23, 2002
notified the Plaintiff in writing that it should stop contacting the Defendant directly.
That letter stated that:
] The Defendant's counsel's telephone call and confirming letter was sent to Mr. Todd Davis,
Manager, Home Improvement Conseco Finance, Building I (HID), 7360 Kyrene Road, Tempe,
Arizona that Mr. Kimmel had died approximately two weeks prior to the date of the letter. The
Defendant marks as Exhibit "A", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference thereto a
true and correct copy of said letter.
2 The Defendant marks as Exhibit "B", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference
thereto a true and correct copy of the Defendant's counsel's letter of January 29, 2002
This letter is to reinforce my conversation with you as of the above date.
All contact with my client Shirley Kimmel is to cease, and all
correspondence and calls are to be directed to my attention.3
The Plaintiff ignored the Defendant's counsel's request and continued to
contact the Defendant directly. (Defendant Affidavit paragraph 12). The Plaintiff's
counsel in this action directly contacted the Defendant. (Defendant's Affidavit
paragraph 13).
STATEMENT OF QUESTIONS INVOLVED
DID THE PARTIES IN THIS ACTION ENTER INTO A NOVATION?
YES.
DID THE DEFENDANT COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF THE NOVATION?
YES.
DID THE PLAINTIFF VIOLATE THE TERMS OF THE NOVATION BY
COMMENCING THIS ACTION?
YES.
IS THE PLAINTIFF ESTOPPED FROM PURSUING MORTGAGE
FORECLOSURE?
YES
DID THE PLAINTIFF ACCEPTANCE OF THE DEFENDANT'S OFFER CREATE
AN ACCOMMODATION THAT PRECLUDES THE ENTRY OF SUMMARY
JUDGMENT?
YES.
3 The Defendant marks as Exhibit "C", attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference
thereto a true and correct copy of the Defendant's counsel's letter of April 23, 2002.
4
WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES OF FACT THAT REQUIRE ORAL TESTIMONY
TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE THE SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTION IS
SUMMARY JUDGMENT NOT PROPER?
NO.
ARGUMENT
THE PARTIES IN THIS ACTION ENTERED INTO A NOVATION.
THE DEFENDANT DID COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF THE NOVATION.
THE PLAINTIFF VIOLATED THE TERMS OF THE NOVATION BY
COMMENCING THIS ACTION.
In Lon.cl v. Yin~lin.~, 700 A.2d 508, 511 (Super. 1997) the Court set forth
the summary judgment standard holding that:
We note that our standard for reviewing a grant of summary judgment is
well settled.
Summary judgment is properly entered where the pleadings, depositions,
answers to interrogatories, and admissions, together with affidavits,
demonstrate that no genuine, triable issue or fact exists and that the
moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law .... (citations
omitted) The court must examine the record in the light most favorable to
the non-moving party and resolve all doubts against the moving party ....
(captions omitted) .... Moreover, the burden is on the moving party to
prove that no genuine issue of material fact exists ....
In Wright v. Hanna, 210 Pa. 349, 353, 59 A. 1097, 1098 (1904) the Court
set forth the elements of novation:
The essentials of novation are the displacement and extinction of the prior
contract, the substitution of a new contract, a sufficient consideration
therefore, and the consent of the parties thereto.
Prior to January 18, 2002, the Defendant had suffered serious injuries that
arose out of a motor vehicle accident. As a result of that accident, the Defendant
became totally disabled. She lost her job and her only income has been Social
Security benefits.
The Plaintiff recovered the tortfeasor's Iow policy limits. The arbitration is
scheduled for October 29, 2002. (Knauer Affidavit paragraph 14).
The application of the Wright factors establishes that a novation took
place. Prior to the novation, the Defendant had the creditor/debtor relationship
with her home as the collateral. The Plaintiff had the right to institute mortgage
foreclosure proceedings as soon as the Defendant failed to make any mortgage
payments and the right to receive attorney's fees for prosecuting the foreclosure
action.
Prior to the novation, the Defendant had other creditors. (Defendant's
Affidavit paragraph 14). Except as to the security of the mortgaged property, the
Plaintiff had no priority in any deficiency proceeding to any loss that might result
from its taking of the property in question and selling it. If the Plaintiff was
successful in its mortgage foreclosure action it would become mortgagee in
possession. Financial organizations are loath to become the mortgagees in
possession because of the costs involved and the management time its
employees must expend to dispose of the property so that it can recoup funds
from the property.
The Defendant's offer to give first priority to the Plaintiff, to instruct her
counsel to pay the outstanding arrearages from any funds received except as to
attorney's fees and costs of suit and to agree to make $100.00 (One-hundred
dollars) monthly payments until the conclusion of the UIM arbitration was
valuable consideration to the Plaintiff.
The Plaintiff accepted that consideration.
Both parties accepted the agreement and thereby created a novation. In
good faith, the Defendant has complied with the terms of that agreement and
made her monthly payments.4
The Defendant has been sending her monthly $100.00 checks since the
agreement. However, the Plaintiff has been holding but not cashing the checks
she sent for both August and September 2002.
ARGUMENT
THE PLAINTIFF IS ESTOPPED FROM PURSUING MORTGAGE
FORECLOSURE.
In Shoemaker v. Commonwealth Bank, 700 A.2d 1003 (Pa. Super. 1997),
the court reversed the entry of summary judgment. The court faced the situation
where the bank's mortgage gave the bank the authority to purchase insurance on
the mortgaged property in the event that the mortgagor did not purchase
insurance or allowed the insurance to lapse. If the bank did obtain insurance,
then the premium would be added to the mortgagors' indebtedness. The
mortgagors allowed the insurance policy to lapse, they contended that the bank
informed them that it would obtain the insurance and add the premium to the
indebtedness, the bank did not obtain insurance and a fire occurred that
4 The Defendant has marked as Exhibit "D', attaches hereto and incorporates herein by reference
thereto the checks or bank statements evidencing her compliance with the terms of the novation.
7
destroyed the property. The mortgagors then filed suit against the bank for
allowing the insurance policy to lapse.5
With respect to the promissory estoppel claim, the court set forth the
elements of that count holding that:
The doctrine of promissory estoppels allows a party, under certain
circumstances, to enforce a promise even though that promise is not
supported by consideration .... (citations omitted except for) Restatement
(Second) of contracts section 90. To establish a promissory estoppel
cause of action, a party must prove that: (1) the promisor made a promise
that he should have reasonably expected would induce action or
forbearance on the part of the promise; (2) the promisee actually took
action or refrained from taking action in reliance on the promise; and (3)
injustice can be avoided only by enforcing the promise.
700 A.2d at 1006-1007.
The Plaintiffs agreement to forbear commencement of mortgage
foreclosure on the condition that the Defendant agree to give it priority on any
funds she might receive from her UIM arbitration subject only to counsel fees and
costs of litigation, instruct her counsel to give priority as aforesaid to the Plaintiff
and to pay the Plaintiff $100.00 (One-hundred Dollars) per month constituted the
promise. Therefore, the Defendant meets the first part of the promissory estoppel
requirement.
The Defendant took action on the promise when she instructed her
counsel to give priority on the UIM recovery to the Plaintiff and paid the Plaintiff
the agreed upon monthly payments of $100.00 (One-Hundred Dollars). The
Defendant's action meets the second element of the promissory estoppel.
$ The appellate court rejected the mortgagors' fraud counts in fraud and breach of contract and its
decision permitted only the promissory estoppels count to proceed.
Injustice can only be avoided by giving effect to the forbearance
agreement between the parties. The Defendant's arbitration is scheduled for
October 29, 2002, although it may be continued. The Defendant anticipates that
her recovery in the UIM proceeding will generate sufficient dollars to bring her
mortgage current. In the UIM proceeding, the Defendant's initial settlement offer
was $50,000.00 (fifty-thousand dollars) and settlement negotiations are ongoing.
The Plaintiffs violation of its agreement is senseless litigation. The
Plaintiff brings a suit when an agreement to protect its interests is in place and
engenders attorney's fees that it demands from the Defendant. Further, the
Plaintiffs action in commencing suit only forces the Defendant to assume
responsibility for her counsel's fees to defend the warrantless action. Justice can
only be served by denying the Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment.
ARGUMENT
THE PLAINTIFF'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE DEFENDANT'S OFFER CREATED
AN ACCOMMODATION THAT PRECLUDES THE ENTRY OF SUMMARY
JUDGMENT.
The Defendant incorporates herein by reference thereto the Defendant's
Arguments on novation and estoppel.
When the Plaintiff accepted the Defendant's offer and received the
benefits of the offer, it made an accommodation with the Defendant.
Consequently, the doctrine of accommodation precludes entry of summary
judgment.
ARGUMENT
WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES OF FACT THAT REQUIRE ORAL TESTIMONY
TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE A SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTION, SUMMARY
JUDGMENT IS NOT PROPER.
The Defendant has placed the allegations of the Complaint at issue.
Likewise, the Plaintiff has placed the averments of the Defendant's New Matter at
issue. Oral testimony will be required on both the Complaint and New Matter.
No depositions have been taken.
The court in Askew v. Zeller, 361 Pa. Super. 35, 43, 521 A.2d 459, 463
(1987) set forth the long settled oral testimony rule in summary judgment
proceedings citing to Nanty-GIo Borough v. American Surety Co.,, 236 A. 523
(1932) holding that:
The Nanty-GIo rule maintains that one is not entitled to a directed verdict if
one's position depends on the non-contradicted oral testimony of one's
own witnesses. The other party is entitled to have a jury evaluate the
creditability of the witnesses, even if their testimony is not contradicted,
and the jury may choose not to believe their testimony. When applied to a
motion for summary judgment, the Nanty-GIo rule prevents a court from
granting the motion solely on the basis of oral testimony or undocumented
affidavits of the moving party's witnesses ....
In Shoemaker, the issue was who was responsible for obtaining insurance
on the mortgaged premises and what conversations took place between the
Plaintiffs and the Defendant's agents.
In this case, the issues are what agreements had been reached between
the Plaintiff and the Defendant and what was the legal effect of those
conversations and agreements.
In Shoemaker, the court held that the avoidance of injustice standard
required oral testimony and therefore created a genuine material fact that barred
summary judgment; 700 A.2d at 1007.
Procedurally, the Plaintiffs motion for summary judgment should be
denied because there are issues of material fact that depend on the creditability
of witnesses and that testimony is required to determine if an injustice can only
be avoided by taking the case to trial.
Date: May 2, 2003
Respectfully submitted,
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
David VV. Knauer, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney I.D. No. 21582
411-A East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 795-7790
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
Plaintiff
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Vs. No. 03-1563
Shirley Kimmel, and Cavalry Investments:
Formerly CONSECO
LAW IN EQUITY
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David W. Knauer, hereby certify that I did this 5th day of May, 2003,
serve a true and correct copy of the Petitioners Reply to New Matter of the
Defendant on all counsel of record by United States mail, first class, prepaid
addressed as follows:
James M. Bach, Esquire
352 S Sptg. Hill Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
David WT. Knau&~, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney I.D. No. 21582
411-A East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 795-7790
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
Plaintiff
Vs.
Shirley Kimmel, and Cavalry Investments:
Formerly CONSECO
COURT Of COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
No. 03-1563
LAW IN EQUITY
MOTION TO MAKE RULE ABSOLUTE AS TO THE DEFENDANT CAVALRY
INVESTMENTS FORMERLY CONSECO
AND
MOTION FOR ARGUMENT
1. On April 4, 2003, the Movant filed Petition for Interpleader because
both Defendants claimed the same fund.
2. On April 14, 2003, Your Honorable Court issued a rule to show cause
on both Defendants to show cause why the Petition for Interpleader should not
be granted.
3. The Defendant Shirley Kimmel filed her response with new matter.
4. On May 5, 2003, the Plaintiff filed his Petitioner's Reply to the New
Matter of the Defendant Shirley Kimmel.
5. The Defendant Cavalry Investments formerly Conseco has not filed a
reply to the rule to show cause.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff prays that Your Honorable Court will make the
rule to show cause absolute as to the Defendant Cavalry Investments formerly
Conseco and grant the Petition for Interpleader as to that Defendant only.
MOTION FOR ARGUMENT
6. If Your Honorable Court grants the Plaintiff's Motion to Make Rule
Absolute as to the Defendant Cavalry Investments formerly Conse¢o, then as to
that Defendant the Plaintiff's Petition for Interpleader would be granted.
7. The Defendant Shirley Kimmel has filed her response to the Plaintiff's
motion with new matter and the Plaintiff has filed Plaintiff's Reply to the New
Matter of the Defendant Shirley Kimmel thereby making the Petition for
Interpleader ready for argument.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff prays that Your Honorable Court will set the
above matter down for argument.
Date: May 16, 2003
Respectfully submitted,
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.$.¢.
David W.X~n_a~u. ~_'r, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney I.D. No. 21582
411-A East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 795-7790
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.
Plaintiff
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Vs. No. 03-1563
Shirley Kimmel, and Cavalry Investments:
Formerly CONSECO
LAW IN EQUITY
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David W. Knauer, hereby certify that I did this 16th day of May, 2003,
serve a true and correct copy of the MOTION TO MAKE RULE ABSOLUTE AS
TO THE DEFENDANT CAVALRY INVESTMENTS FORMERLY CONSECO AND
MOTION FOR ARGUMENT on all counsel of record by United States mail, first
class, prepaid addressed as follows:
James M. Bach, Esquire
352 S Sptg. Hill Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney I.D. No. 21582
411-A East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 795-7790
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.,
PLAINTIFF
· IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
SHIRLEY KIMMEL AND CAVALRY
INVESTMENTS formerly CONSECO,
DEFENDANTS
: 03-1563 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this ~ ~-- day of June, 2003, the Rule entered on April
14, 2003, IS MADE ABSOLUTE. The petition of Knauer & Associates, L.S.C. for
interpleader, IS GRANTED.
Edgar B. Bayley, J.
v/David W. Knauer, Esquire
For Plaintiff
v"~'ames M. Bach, Esquire
For Shirley Kimmel
v'~avalry Investments
P.O. Box 75428
St. Paul, MN 55175
:sal
Knauer & Associates, L.S.C. :
Plaintiff :
Vs.
Shirley Kimmel, and Cavalry Investments:
Formerly CONSECO :
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
:
CIVIL TERM NO. 03-1563
LAW IN EQUITY
NOTTCE TO DEFEND
YOU HAVE BEEN SU'ED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against the claims
set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty
(20) days after this Notice is served, by entering a written appearance
personally or by an attorney and filing in writing with the Court your
defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are
warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a
judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice
for any money claimed in the Complaint or for any ~ther claim or relief
requested by the Defendant. You may lose money or property or other
rights important to you.
YOU SHOULD TAF~E THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT ~AVE
A LAWYER OR CASrNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO, OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH
BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
2 Libe~ Avenue
Carlisle, PA 17013-3308
717-249-3166
AVISO
Le hah demandado a usted en la corte. Si usted quiere defenderae de
estas demandas expuestas en las paginas siguientes, usted tiene viente
(20) dias de plazo al partir de la fecha de la demanda y la
notificacion. Usted debe presentar una apariencia escrita o en persona
o por abogado y archivar en la corte en forma escrita sun defensas o
sun objeciones a las demandas en contra de su persona. Sea avisado que
si usted no se defiende, la corte tomara medias y puede entrar una-
orden contra usted sin previo aviso o notificacion y por cualquier
queja o alivio que es pedido en la peticion de demanda. Unted puede
perder dinero o sun propiedades o otros derechos importantes para
usted.
LLEVE ESTA DEMA/FDA A UN ABODAGO INMEDIATAMENTE. SI NO TIENE ABOGADO O
SI NO TIENE EL DINERO SUFICIENTE DE PAGAN TAL SERVICIO, VAYA EN PERSONA
0 LLAME POR TELEFONO A LA OFICINO CUYA DIRECCION SE ENCUENTRA ESCRITA
ABAJO PARA AVERIGUAR DONDE SE PU~DE CONSEGUIR ASISTENCIA LEGAL.
Cumberland County Bar Association
2 Liberty Avenue
Carlisle, PA 17013-3308
717-249-3166
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
Knauer & Associates, L.S.C.
Plaintiff
Vs.
Shirley Kimmei, and Cavalry Investments:
Formerly CONSECO :
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
CIVIL TERM NO. 03-1563
LAW IN EQUITY
STATEMENT OF CLAIM OF SHIRI,F,y KIMMEI,
The Claimant, Shirley Kimmel, is an adult individual residing at 334 Charles
Road, Meehanicsburg, PA 17055.
This Honorable Court by Order dated 11 June 2003, granted an Interpleader
filed by Attorney David Knauer, ofKnauer & Associates, L.S.C., Plaintiff. A
copy of said Order is attached hereto and marked at Exhibit A.
Attorney David Knauer represented Shirley Kimmel in a personal injury
lawsuit. The lawsuit was settled outside &Court. The net proceeds due
Shirley Kimmel on account of the personal injury lawsuit is $44,000.00.
Attorney David Knauer was holding the sum of $44,000.00, however pursuant
to the Court Order of June 11, 2003, has deposited the sum of $44,000.00 in
an interest-bearing account in the Office of the Prothonotary, Court of
Common Pleas of Cumberland County.
The Social Security number of Shirley Kimmel is 206-32-0641.
The proceeds that interpleaded into the Office of the Prothonotary in the
mount of $44,000.00 are the sole and exclusive property of Shirley Kimmel.
Shirley Kimmel avers to her knowledge, information and belief, that she is the
only claimant to her $44,000.00 personal injury proceeds. Shirley Kimmel
further avers that she is not aware of any other person or institution that has
filed a claim against her either in this Court or elsewhere in writing claiming
any portion of her personal injury proceeds.
8. Shirley Kimmel avers and alleges that she is the only proper claimant to the
$44,000.00 fund and the lawful owner of said fund.
WHEREFORE, Shirley Kimmel respectfully prays that this Honorable Court
order and direct that she receive the sum of $44,000.00 held by the Prothonotary together
with any interest thereon.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
SA Cn,
AITO~£Y-AT-LAw
352 So~th Sporting Hill Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
(717) 737-2033
I.D. # 18727
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in this Claim are true and correct. I understand that false
statements herein made are subject to penalties of 18 PA. C.S. §4904, relating to unswom
falsification to authorities.
DATE
2
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.,
PLAINTIFF
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNT~., PENNSYLVANIA
V, :
SHIRLEY KIMMEL AND CAVALRY :
INVESTMENTS formerly CONSECO, :
DEFENDANTS : 03-1563 CIVIL TERM
AND NOW, this
ORDER OF COURT
I~[~.- day of June, 2003, the Rule entered on April
14, 2~)03, IS MADE ABSOLUTE. The petition of Knauer'& Associates, LS.C. for
interpleader, IS GRANTED.
EdgarB. Bayley, J.
David W. Knauer, Esquire
For Plaintiff
James M. Bach, Esquire
For Shirley Kimmel
Cavalry Investments
P.O. Box 75428
St. PauI,.MN 55175
COPY
:sal .
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C., : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF · CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
SHIRLEY KIMMELAND CAVALRY
INVESTMENTS FORMERLY
CONSECO,
DEFENDANTS
: 03-1563 EQUITY TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this ~ ~ ~ day' of July, 2003, IT IS ORDERED that an
adjudication shall be conducted in Courtroom Number 2, Cumberland County
Courthouse at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 4, 2003.
Edgar B. Bay ey, J.~
David W. Knauer, Esquire
For Plaintiff
James Bach, Esquire
For Shirley Kimmel
Cavalry Investments
P.O. Box 75428
St. Paul, MN 55175
:sal
KNAUER & ASSOCIATES, L.S.C.,
PLAINTIFF
SHIRLEY KIMMEL AND CAVALRY
INVESTMENTS FORMERLY CONSECO,
DEFENDANTS
IN THE COURT OF COMlVION PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
03-1563 EQUITY' TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, on this L~ ~ day of August 2003, IT IS ORDERED, that the
Prothonotary shall remit to Shirley Kimmel the sum of $44,000..00, together with interest, if any,
thereon.
Edga~ B~. B~ley, ]. ' ~
./l~vid W. Knauer, Esquire
For Plaintiff
Fores M. Bach, Esquire
Shirley Kimmel
/~_ ~alry Investments
P.O. Box 75428
St. Paul, MN 55175
:mi
ORRSTO'vVN BANK.
P.O. BOX 250 SHIPPENSBURG, PA 1725/
0313
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