Alignment of Parties and Cancellation of VOID Instrument

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DENY and DISCOVER: First you need to start with the premise that the origination (“closing”) documents were defective from the start. By naming the wrong payee and containing terms different from the terms agreed by the actual Lender (source of funds) specifically as to how the receivable is to be repaid, the note fails the essential tests required to be considered “evidence of the obligation.”

The defective note therefore cannot be reinvigorated into non-defective merely by mention in the collateral mortgage or deed of trust which is recorded to assure faithful performance by the Payor under the terms of the note.  Perhaps the reverse would be true if the mortgage or deed of trust disclosed the reality of a table funded transaction, but that is not apparent for any loan for which there are claims of securitization or assignment.

Hence, the cause of action for cancellation of a VOID instrument lies in the fact that although the mortgage or deed of trust was recorded, it should not have been recorded because it did not recite the basic requirements of a perfected lien. I would add the caveat that cancellation of the instrument probably does not apply to the note, but does apply to the mortgage or deed of trust.

The note is subject to a cause of action for return of the note as satisfied or cancelled if you allege and prove that the Lender was paid in full and that anyone other than the homeowner who paid it might have a cause of action for contribution but that (a) said cause of action is NOT before the court and (b) an action for contribution cannot be considered secured even by a valid mortgage that was satisfied, much less a mortgage or deed of trust that was never a perfected lien.

The cause of action is NOT in contribution if the allegation is that the “creditor” (after showing the details of the transaction in which money was exchanged) purchased the note and mortgage, which is different. In that case, an assignment would be required or some other bill of sale or other instrument in order to preserve a perfected lien. But the payment and even a transfer does not perfect a lien that is defective.

That bring us to the issue of evidence and the alignment of the parties. Nearly all pro se litigants and lawyers are using the above arguments as affirmative defenses or worse yet, merely as argument at hearings for demurrers, motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment and motions to lift stay. This is understandable in the non-judicial states because of confusion and conflict in the rules of civil procedure.

In seeking a Temporary Restraining Order, the homeowner needs to bring the lawsuit, which is ridiculous when you thin about it because the information about the loan is in the hands of multiple parties, many of whom the known parties refuse to disclose the identity or status of said stakeholders.

Where I see attorneys getting traction in courts previously disposed to be dismissive of defenses and claims of borrowers, is precisely in this realm. First by denying the obligation, note and mortgage, that pouts the matter at issue. At that point it is universally agreed that the burden switches to the other side as to pleading and proof. People often ask me during seminars or conference calls
how do I prove that?”. The answer is that you don’t — you make them plead and prove their allegations. Non-judicial foreclosure was NEVER meant to be a vehicle to allow foreclosures to be completed when they would not have satisfied the statutory requirements of a judicial foreclosure.

This is what you cite: “Where the evidence necessary to establish a FACT that is ESSENTIAL to a CLAIM lies peculiarly within the knowledge and competence of one of the parties, THAT party has the BURDEN of going forward with the evidence on the issue even though it is NOT THE PARTY ASSERTING THE CLAIM.” [Garcia v Industrial Acc. Com (1953) 41 Cal.2d 689, 694; Wigmore Evidence 2d ed. 1940 Sec 2486; Witkin Cal. Evidence (1958) Sec 56(b).]

This doctrine is centuries old. You know something is true or you at least have good reason to believe a fact to be true but he other side has the proof. IN this case you know your denial of the essential elements of the judicial foreclosure forces the forecloser to come forward and prove their claim that they indeed have the right to foreclose.

Most Judges in most instances have realigned the parties and required the party claiming affirmative relief to plead as though they were the plaintiff even though the statute required the initiation of the lawsuit by the other side (the homeowner). It’s like some of the “negative” rulings against borrowers. There are plenty of people who can START a foreclosure, but only the creditor can finish it with a credit bid at auction.

California MEmo on ALignment and Cancellation of Note

Tags: alignment of parties, cancellation of void instrument, DEED OF TRUST, demurrers, evidence, judicial, Mortgage, motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, motions to lift stay, non-judicial, note, Obligation
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