BENJAMIN POLLACK, APPELLANT,
v.
EDITH R. KORN AND NATHAN DUBLER, AS EXECUTORS, APPELLEES
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Benjamin Pollack appealed a default judgment and dismissal entered without notice to him, despite his timely filing of an amended complaint before the default order was filed. The court held that the trial judge abused his discretion in refusing to set aside the default and reversed the dismissal.
The trial judge abused his discretion in not setting aside the order of default. The default and dismissal orders are vacated and the case is remanded for further proceedings.
[1] A trial court abuses its discretion by entering a default against a party who has filed a pleading before the default is entered.
[2] A party is entitled to notice of an application for default if they have filed or served any paper in the action.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“When a party against whom affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend as provided by these rules or any applicable statute or any order of court, the Court may enter a default against such party; provided that if such party has filed or served any paper in the action, he shall be served with notice of the application for default.”
Establishes the procedural requirement that notice of default application must be given when a party has filed or served papers in the action
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligencePollack sued the Estate of Joseph Ernest Jacobson for $31,750 in damages. After the estate executors were substituted as defendants, they moved to dis…
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Benjamin Pollack filed a common law action against Norman Lyons, as administrator of the Estate of Joseph Ernest Jacobson, deceased. He demanded a jury trial and judgment for his alleged dámages in the amount of $31,750.00. Ultimately, Lyons filed an answer, as the administrator, denying the allegations of the complaint and asserting an affirmative defense.
A motion to substitute parties defendant was then filed reciting that a will had been found and that Nathan Dubler and Edith R. Korn had been appointed co-executors of the Estate of Jacobson. On February 17, 1969, an order was entered substituting Korn and Dubler as parties defendant and allowing them 20 days to answer after service of a copy of the plaintiffs complaint.. Later, their attorney filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s complaint. On April 30, the trial court entered an order granting the plaintiff 20 days from that date to file an amended complaint. This order did not dismiss the original complaint, however, or make any other adjudication.
On May 21, 1969 (the 21st day) a “motion for default and an order entering default” were presented to and signed by the trial judge. This single page paper was filed in the Clerk’s office on May 22, 1969 at 10:21 A.M. and an order dismissing the cause with prejudice was filed in the Clerk’s office at 10:20 A.M. No notice was given to plaintiff of any of these proceedings.
Pollack had filed his amended complaint, however, in the Clerk’s office at 9:18 A.M. on May 22, 1969, and certified that a copy had been mailed to the attorneys for the defendant on May 21, 1969. He again sought $31,750 for his alleged damages. On May 26, 1969, Pollack filed a motion to set aside the default and the order of dismissal which were both denied. Plaintiff then moved for a rehearing which was also denied. He has appealed.
The plaintiff relies on Rule 1.500(b) and (c), R.C.P., 31 F.S.A., which provides:
“(b) By the Court. When a party against whom affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend as provided by these rules or any applicable statute or any order of court, the Court may enter a default against such party; provided that if such party has filed or served any paper in the action, he shall be served with notice of the application for default.
“(c) Right to Plead. A party may plead or otherwise defend at any time before default is entered.”
We do not deem it necessary to pass on the question of whether the court should have proceeded under Rule 1.500(b) and (c), R.C.P., or under Rule 1.420(b), R.C.P., 30 F.S.A., nor any of the various other errors committed in the progress and appeal of this cause.
We simply hold that under these circumstances the trial judge abused his discretion in not setting aside the order of default. See North Shore Hospital, Inc. v. Barber, Fla. 1962, 143 So.2d 849; Gordon v. Vaughan, Fla.App.1967, 193 So.2d 474; and Florida Investment Enterprises, *558Inc. v. Kentucky Co., Fla.App.1964, 160 So.2d 733.
The order of default is vacated and the order of dismissal is therefore reversed and this cause is remanded for further proceedings consistent herewith.
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Merrill Lynch v. Publisher's Vending Servs., Inc., 296 So. 2d 570 (Fla. 3d DCA 1974)…ed an answer had been served by mail; therefore, the trial court should have set aside the default judgment previously entered. See, Mo-Con Properties, Inc. v. American Mechanical, Inc., Fla.App. 1974, 289 So. 2d 744; Pollack v. Korn, Fla.App. 1970, 237 So. 2d 556; Gilmer v. Rubin, Fla.App. 1957, 98 So. 2d 367; Pan American World Airways v. Gregory, Fla.App. 1957, 96 So. 2d 669. The purpose of a default judgment is to prevent a defendant from employing dilatory tactics during the pendency of a case; it is no…
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Mousie Salim v. Flynn (15th Cir. Ct. App. Div. 2010)…179, 181 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984) (holding allegation that certain documents and notices in proceedings were not received by party may be an adequate ground on which to set aside a default and final judgment against the party); see, e.g., Pollack v. Korn, 237 So. 2d 556, 557 (Fla. 3d DCA 1970) (holding trial court abused its discretion in its refusal to grant plaintiff's motion to set aside default, which had been entered without plaintiff having received notice of default proceedings, one day before plaintiff file…
Authorities Cited
- N. Shore Hosp., Inc. v. Barber, 143 So. 2d 849 (Fla. 1962)
- Fla. Inv. Enters., Inc. v. The Ky. Co., Inc., 160 So. 2d 733 (Fla. 1st DCA 1964)
- Gordon v. Vaughan, 193 So. 2d 474 (Fla. 3d DCA 1967)