New MERS Standing Case Splits Note and Mortgage: Bellistri v Ocwen Loan Servicing, Mo App.20100309
Posted on April 20, 2010 by Neil Garfield
Bellistri v Ocwen Loan Servicing Mo App 201003091 "MERS has no standing"From Max Gardner – QUIET TITLE GRANTED
Mortgage Declared Unenforceable in DOT Case: NOTE DECLARED UNSECURED
“When MERS assigned the note to Ocwen, the note became unsecured and the deed of trust became worthless”Editor’s Note:We know that MERS is named as nominee as beneficiary. We know that MERS is NOT named on the note. This appellate case from Missouri, quoting the Restatement 3rd, simply says that the note was split from the security instrument, and that there is no enforcement mechanism available under the Deed of Trust. Hence, the court concludes, quiet title was entirely appropriate and the only remedy to the situation because once the DOT and note are split they is no way to get them back together.NOTE: THIS DOES NOT MEAN THE NOTE WAS INVALIDATED. BUT IT DOES MEAN THAT IN ORDER TO PROVE A CLAIM UNDER THE NOTEOR TO VERIFY THE DEBT, THE HOLDER MUST EXPLAIN HOW IT ACQUIRED ANY RIGHTS UNDER THE NOTE AND WHETHER IT IS ACTING IN ITS OWN RIGHT OR AS AGENT FOR ANOTHER.The deed of trust, …did not name BNC [AN AURORA/LEHMAN FRONT ORGANIZATION TO ORIGINATE LOANS] as the beneficiary, but instead names Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS), solely as BNC’s nominee. The promissory note does not make any reference to MERS. The note and the deed of trust both require payments to be made to the lender, not MERS.a party “must have some actual, justiciable interest.” Id. They must have a recognizable stake. Wahl v. Braun, 980 S.W.2d 322 (Mo. App. E.D. 1998). Lack of standing cannot be waived and may be considered by the court sua sponte. Brock v. City of St. Louis, 724 S.W.2d 721 (Mo. App. E.D. 1987). If a party seeking relief lacks standing, the trial court does not have jurisdiction to grant the requested relief. Shannon, 21 S.W.3d at 842.A Missouri appellate court, without trying, may have drawn a map to a defense to foreclosures-if borrowers can figure it out before the Missouri Supreme Court overturns the decision in Bellistri v Ocwen. The opinion shows how an assignment of a loan to a servicing company for collection can actually make the loan uncollectible from the mortgaged property.This case concerns the procedures of MERS, which is short for Mortgage Electronic Registration Service, created to solve problems created during the foreclosure epidemic of the 1980s, when it was sometimes impossible to track the ownership of mortgages after several layers of savings and loans and banks had failed without recording assignments of the mortgages. The MERS website contains this explanation:MERS is an innovative process that simplifies the way mortgage ownership and servicing rights are originated, sold and tracked. Created by the real estate finance industry, MERS eliminates the need to prepare and record assignments when trading residential and commercial mortgage loans.MERS is the named mortgage holder in transactions having an aggregate dollar value in the hundreds of billions, and its service of providing a way to trace ownership of mortgages has played a large role in the securitization of mortgages and the marketability of derivative mortgage-backed securities, because it seemed to eliminate the necessity of recording assignments of mortgages in county records each time the ownership of a mortgage changed, allowing mortgage securities (packages of many mortgages) to be traded in the secondary market, with less risk.This case began as a routine quiet title case on a collector’s deed, also known as a tax deed. Following the procedure by which people can pay delinquent property taxes and obtain the ownership of the delinquent property if the owner or lien holder fails after notice to redeem, Bellistri obtained a deed from the Jefferson County (Mo.) collector.Because of the possibility of defects in the procedures of the county collectors and in the giving of proper notices, the quality of title conferred by a collector’s deed is not insurable.A suit to cure the potential defects (called a “quiet title suit”) is required to make title good, so that the property can be conveyed by warranty deed and title insurance issued to new lenders and owners. The plaintiff in a quiet title suit is required to give notice of the suit to all parties who had an interest in the property identified in the collector’s deed.A borrower named Crouther had obtained a loan from BCN Mortgage. The mortgage document (called a deed of trust) named MERS as the holder of the deed of trust as BCN’s nominee, though the promissory note secured by the deed of trust was payable to BCN Mortgage and didn’t mention MERS.Crouther failed to pay property taxes on the mortgaged property.Bellistri paid the taxes for three years, then sent notice to Crouther and BNC that he was applying for a collector’s deed. After BNC failed to redeem (which means “pay the taxes with interest and penalties,” so that Bellistri could be reimbursed), the county collector issued a collector’s deed to Bellistri, in 2006.Meanwhile, MERS assigned the promissory note and deed of trust to Ocwen Servicing, probably because nobody was making mortgage payments, so that Ocwen would be in a position to attempt to (a) get Crouther to bring the loan payments up to date or (b) to foreclose, if necessary. But this assignment, as explained below, eliminated Ocwen’s right to foreclose and any right to the property.Bellistri filed a suit for quiet title and to terminate any right of Crouther to possess the property. After discovering the assignment of the deed of trust to Ocwen, Bellistri added Ocwen as a party to the quiet title suit, so that Ocwen could have an opportunity to prove that it had an interest in the property, or be forever silenced.Bellistri’s attorney Phillip Gebhardt argued that Ocwen had no interest in the property, because the deed of trust that it got from MERS could not be foreclosed. As a matter of law, the right to foreclose goes away when the promissory note is “split” from the deed of trust that it is supposed to secure. The note that Crouther signed and gave to BNC didn’t mention MERS, so MERS had no right to assign the note to Ocwen. The assignment that MERS made to Ocwen conveyed only the deed of trust, splitting it from the note.When MERS assigned the note to Ocwen, the note became unsecured and the deed of trust became worthless. Ironically, the use of MERS to make ownership of the note and mortgage easier to trace also made the deed of trust unenforceable. Who knows how many promissory notes are out there that don’t mention MERS, even though MERS is the beneficiary of the deed of trust securing such notes?O. Max Gardner IIIGardner & Gardner PLLCPO Box 1000Shelby NC 28151-1000704.418.2628 (C)704.487.0616 (O)888.870.1647 (F)704.475.0407 (S)Next Boot Camp: May 20 to May 24, 2010
Filed under: bubble, CDO, CORRUPTION, currency, Eviction, expert witness, foreclosure, GTC | Honor, HERS, Investor, Mortgage, securities fraud, Servicer Tagged: | assignment, Aurora,Bellistri, Bellistri v Ocwen Loan Servicing, beneficiary, BNC, Case Decisions, DEED OF TRUST,derivative mortgage-backed securities, HERS, HOLDER, jurisdiction, Lehman, MERS, Mo App.20100309, Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS), note, Ocwen Loan Servicing,Phillip Gebhardt, quiet title, REAL PARTY IN INTEREST, splitting note and mortgage, standing
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The Attorney, the servicer’s (owner/president)? Who is the guilty party when someone decides to follow through on this? We’ve proven there is no ‘real party of interest’. So who? The employee who works in the collections department whose job it is to start the process for foreclosure and issue bank funds to an attorney?
But after a foreclosure, is the ‘pretender creditor” required to keep the paperwork for any length of time that will show they ‘never had standing’ to do what they just did?
And the Unlawful Detainer someone may have been served.
Why couldn’t a homeowner file a Lost Payment affidavit and say they paid but don’t have any canceled checks or any other proof it was paid but by affidavit they are telling the truth the debt was satisfied when they signed the promissory note, the bank took the note, created an account, typed in the amount of the Note (thereby creating the funds, never lending any money, never providing any consideration – it’s void contract with no full disclosure and no consideration), and paid the home with the money that was ‘given to them’ in the promissory note. The bank sold the note..got paid..became unsecured creditors because the Note and Deed was supposed to stay together (bifurcated the Note and Deed), kept the account open (it’s an invalid account now), set up a servicing agreement and let some other entity demand money via mail (mail fraud) of monthly payments monthly (RICO, extortion/racketeering) or threaten to take the home ( violation FDCPA, threatening to take possession of your property while in violation of the other provisions of FDCPA), won’t show standing “exhibit the note” (violation of UCC 3-501), Use an attorney, (to represent and shield the activity plus unlimited supply of easily created money/funds being a bank/servicer), steal the home (from homeowner and the holder of the promissory note – via foreclosure with no right to possess the property), file some papers (Trustee Deed) post profits as if they are a legitimate business, issue bonuses based upon the theft of the property obtained as assets and not liability on their books, and then can do this all over again.
And who said this was ‘our’ government when this can happen to the people?
Toto showed her what she ‘believed’ was not true and the people that told her such things were repeating what they had heard, they did not speak from actual knowledge.
Countrywide later acknowledged that Homeowner had in fact paid the debt.
The law firm withdrew the foreclosure lawsuit.
Argument was that it violated federal debt-collection law by stating in its foreclosure suit that “homeowner” alleged debt would be assumed to be valid unless “””she “”” contested in writing.
Lower court also ruled that the law firm was shielded from liability, because, the violation wasn’t intentional.
Again–very nice. I’ve had those exact thoughts about my own case–in a lot of ways my case is different from those I read about here and other places; then again, in a lot of ways it’s very similar. TILA, RESPA, and so forth are not my strongest argument. I’ve got fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, cloud on title, FDCPA violations, etc.
At any time that you recognized these people as a lender, a creditor, or a person who you’ve contracted with, you make your defense harder and your claim more difficult to protect.
A case is as strong as its weakest point.
What does your contract say? Some peoples contract says they can sell the note to investors…if that’s the case you are arguing the wrong thing. Some peoples contracts allow for a substitute trustee to foreclose…if you argue that you are arguing the wrong thing.
It has definitions…it defines you as a Borrower…so don’t go to court telling them you are the original Creditor! You agreed to be defined as a borrower. It has a Lender…your contract is with an entity…who are they? What agreement did you have? I don’t care if they sold the note later on…what agreement did you have that day?
Who would rescind a signature from a business who was never ‘defined’ in their Deed of Trust as a Lender?
New_Bank_shows up and demands money! My Deed or Mortgage has a definition..your name is not defined as the Beneficiary…so unless you have the original to re-record the document…then the Beneficiary in my contract has ‘aborted their claim’. I don’t recognize you…who are you? As soon as you recognize them in your ‘fight’ then you have to defend why you haven’t paid them!
Each of you will have to settle your situation on your own. There is no ‘cookie cutter’ solution.
What’s wrong with your case…what’s the weakest link.
Identify it…they broke the contract..they are not even in the contract…they can’t take over the contract…whatever it is..and that’s your claim and you stick with it.
She has nothing to do with either entity on the assignment. Therefore, the document is not legal and by signing it and submitting it to the court, fraud has been committed.
Who owns the car. Technically, I still do.
It is answered three ways. You either agree, deny, or are without knowledge to each count.
That is where you make accusations as to what you think the plaintiff has done wrong.
That is where you will have thins like, “the plaintiff is not the holder in due course” the plaintiff has not shown a proper chain of custody”, etc.
Are you thinking additionally she signed as authorized signatory for Universal American Mortgage Company without attached docuements?
This may be something else for your to research.
The signer for MERS on your assignment is: Suchan Murray
From Linkedin page:
Suchan Murray
* Add Suchan Murray to your network
* Mortgage Loan Processor at Ameriquest Mortgage
* Private Mortgage Insurance Processor at Fairbanks Capital
68 connections
Industry
Banking
NOW MOTION FOR EVIDENCE HEARING IN CALIFORNIA SET FOR 4-26-10.
I’m looking for an attorney who gets it in AZ too – Phoenix area.
Silence is Acquiescence.
He can just say, I Love Her. but at least he answered.
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“I don’t have an attorney, I don’t recognize the entity has having standing to bringing the suit,
upon proof that the court has jurisdiction in this matter, I’d request a ‘special appearance’ to answer the charges.”
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The court must prove they have subject-matter jurisdiction over this matter before they can proceed. If there is no jurisdiction, there is no case. On top of that the entity bringing the suit if it lacks standing to collect the debt or even foreclose, there again, there is no case.
Rule #1 – I may not always be right but I’m never wrong.
Rule #2 – If I am proven wrong, see Rule #1.
They proved nothing. So they get nothing. If they try to force you out of your home, call the police on them for trespassing. If they take you to court to take your home, see Rule #1.
We have been hoodwinked! We were tricked into believing things based on all the noise in the media and in the early court decisions.
What does it take for you to “know” the answer!
You ‘believe’ so much more! Your belief system has you trapped! Why are you so afraid?
Speak for yourself for a change.
In The Matrix (movie), they shot Neo with bullets and he came to the realization that what was happening to him was ‘not real’. He realized that because he believed it was real, the believed real harm had happened to him. He thought he was dead! Then he finally stood up. It wasn’t easy. He faced them and said, “No.” and showed them he had the power over his own destiny.
You are good little sheep walking to slaughter.
You are looking for a lead sheep to get you out of the line.
I read an article where a third year law students found an answer. This is ‘before’ they take the oath to become attorneys.
Stop looking to them for your answer. It could be you can’t find one to help you because their oath prevents them from taking your case!
Open your eyes…look deeper…see the truth…
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
There is no answer for you their way, in their system.
You push the square peg into the round hole and wonder why it won’t fit!
If you are served with the lawsuit and you don’t file any thing, the Bank will get a Default Judgment against you then they proceed to sell your house at Court Auction. You should get a attorney quicky . If you can’t afford an attorney, file a Motion for Time Extension and a Request for Production to get all loan documents from the Plaintiff. Go to http://www.msfraud.org forum, read the thread ‘ Tactical Consideration in Foreclosure Defense’ for more ideas and pleading samples. Also check outhttp://www.foreclosureprose.com .
You should either file an answer immediately, or, ask for an extension to file an answer. If you fail to file an answer, the next thing you will be getting is a “motion for summary judgment”. If you fail to respond to that, there will be a hearing and you will lose your home.
That is known as fast-tracking the foreclosure which, is a favorite tactic of the foreclosure mills.
What state are you in?
Court of Appeals
look for the name search box
type in: Bellistri v. Ocwen loan Servicing, ED 91369