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Full-Text Articles in Law
House Swaps: A Strategic Bankruptcy Solution To The Foreclosure Crisis, Lynn M. Lopucki
House Swaps: A Strategic Bankruptcy Solution To The Foreclosure Crisis, Lynn M. Lopucki
Michigan Law Review
Since the price peak in 2006, home values have fallen more than 30 percent, leaving millions of Americans with negative equity in their homes. Until the Supreme Court’s 1993 decision in Nobelman v. American Savings Bank, the bankruptcy system would have provided many such homeowners with a remedy. They could have filed bankruptcy, discharged the negative equity, committed to pay the mortgage holders the full values of their homes, and retained those homes. In Nobelman, however, the Court misinterpreted reasonably clear statutory language and invented legislative history to resolve a three-to-one split of circuits in favor of the minority view …
The Constitutionality Of Using Eminent Domain To Condemn Underwater Mortgage Loans, Katharine Roller
The Constitutionality Of Using Eminent Domain To Condemn Underwater Mortgage Loans, Katharine Roller
Michigan Law Review
One of the most visible and devastating components of the financial crisis that began in 2007 and 2008 has been a nationwide foreclosure crisis. In the wake of ultimately ineffective attempts at federal policy intervention to address the foreclosure crisis, a private firm has proposed that counties and municipalities use their power of eminent domain to seize “underwater” mortgage loans—-mortgage loans in which the debt exceeds the value of the underlying property—-from the private securitization trusts that currently hold them. Having condemned the mortgage loans, the counties and municipalities would reduce the debt to a level below the value of …
Legal Interpretation And A Constitutional Case: Home Building & Loan Association V. Blaisdell, Charles A. Bieneman
Legal Interpretation And A Constitutional Case: Home Building & Loan Association V. Blaisdell, Charles A. Bieneman
Michigan Law Review
The approaches of Hughes and Sutherland are but two extremes in constitutional interpretation. Though only two results were possible in the case - either the Act was constitutional or it was not - there are more than two methods by which an interpreter could reach those results. This Note explores possible ways of deciding Blaisdell, using the case as a vehicle for delimiting the boundaries of a positive constitutional command. As a sort of empirical investigation of legal philosophy, the Note examines how various interpretive theories affect an interpreter's approach to the case, and the results these theories might …
Constitutionality Of Marketable Title Acts, Ralph W. Aigler
Constitutionality Of Marketable Title Acts, Ralph W. Aigler
Michigan Law Review
In recent years several states in that part of the United States commonly identified as the "Middle West" have enacted comprehensive legislation that is hoped will simplify land title transactions. These statutes, though varying in detail, have a common objective-the extinguishment in favor of certain persons of claims against, and interests in, land, which claims and interests arose out of events and transactions that occurred many years ago, unless such claims or interests have been preserved by the recording of a preserving notice within that period of time. A comparatively short period is prescribed for such recording as to old …
Streamlining Conveyancing Procedure, Paul E. Basye
Streamlining Conveyancing Procedure, Paul E. Basye
Michigan Law Review
Statutes of limitations have long occupied an essential and important place in every system of jurisprudence. They express a policy that is essential to social progress in a great variety of ways. Their effect is particularly noteworthy in the field of property law where they promote repose and give security to human affairs. "They stimulate to activity and punish negligence. While time is constantly destroying the evidence of rights, they supply its place by a presumption which renders proof unnecessary."
Secured Obligations, Benjamin M. Quigg, Jr.
Secured Obligations, Benjamin M. Quigg, Jr.
Michigan Law Review
The scope of this discussion probably is best defined in the words of the act itself as appear in section 302 (1): "obligations secured by mortgage, trust deed, or other security in the nature of a mortgage · upon real or personal property, owned by a person in military service at the commencement of the period of military service"; and the problems herein discussed are those which arise under the act in connection with the sale, foreclosure, seizure, or repossession of property which is security for such obligations.
Trusts - What Constitutes Revocation When No Method Specified, Dickson M. Saunders
Trusts - What Constitutes Revocation When No Method Specified, Dickson M. Saunders
Michigan Law Review
By trust deed of 1927, settlor conveyed two mortgages {the first for $5,200, and the second for $1,000, both given by Harry E. Hough and wife) to trustees, in trust for herself for life, and providing for certain disposition upon her death. The trust deed was revocable with reserved power in the settlor to convey, release or otherwise dispose of the property. In 1928 the settlor released both mortgages but took in lieu thereof one mortgage for $6,200 from the same mortgagors on the same property. This substitution was effected to accommodate the mortgagors and no money changed hands. The …
Trusts - Right Of Trustee's Wife To Dower In Property Held Subject To Oral Trust - Effect Of Subsequent Memorandum - Dower Where Trustee Has Both Legal And Equitable Interest, Michigan Law Review
Trusts - Right Of Trustee's Wife To Dower In Property Held Subject To Oral Trust - Effect Of Subsequent Memorandum - Dower Where Trustee Has Both Legal And Equitable Interest, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Pursuant to an oral agreement and upon consideration furnished by them, A, B, and C procured land to be conveyed to A by a third party. Six days later A executed a self declaration of trust in the terms of the oral agreement; that he would operate it, and within a specified period sell the property and divide the proceeds between himself, B and C, as beneficiaries. A suit to remove A as trustee culminated in a judicial sale of the property to B and C. In this proceeding by B and C to quiet title, A …
Contracts - Third Party Beneficiary - Right Of Promisor To Set Off Claim Againt Promisee In A Suit By Beneficiary, Arthur A. Greene Jr.
Contracts - Third Party Beneficiary - Right Of Promisor To Set Off Claim Againt Promisee In A Suit By Beneficiary, Arthur A. Greene Jr.
Michigan Law Review
A and B mortgaged real estate to the plaintiff to secure their notes aggregating $9,000. Six months later A and B exchanged this property to the defendant for certain real estate owned by her. By the deed the defendant assumed the mortgage indebtedness owed to the plaintiff. As a further consideration for the exchange, A and B executed a note for $13,050 to the defendant. The plaintiff instituted this action against A and B, seeking to recover the balance, and by amended petition joined the defendant. The defendant claimed the right of set-off on the uncollected judgment against A …
Deeds - Covenant Of Warranty Limited By Exceptions In Another Covenant, Seward R. Stroud
Deeds - Covenant Of Warranty Limited By Exceptions In Another Covenant, Seward R. Stroud
Michigan Law Review
A mortgaged land to B and thereafter executed a second mortgage on the same land to C. In the second mortgage, A covenanted that "they are seized of good and perfect title . . . in fee simple and that the title so conveyed is clear, free and unincumbered except . . . (the Hixton Bank mortgage) [mortgage to B] and that they will forever warrant and defend the same . . . against all claims whatsoever." The first mortgage to B was foreclosed, and B purchased at the foreclosure sale. B sold the land to A, …
Constitutional Law - Anti-Deficiency Judgment Statutes In Foreclosure Actions - Impairment Of Contract, Elbridge D. Phelps
Constitutional Law - Anti-Deficiency Judgment Statutes In Foreclosure Actions - Impairment Of Contract, Elbridge D. Phelps
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff instituted a proceeding on a judgment bond which was secured by a real estate mortgage, both of which had been executed by defendants, caused judgment to be entered on the bond, and procured the issuance of a writ of execution under which the mortgaged premises were sold. Thereafter, under the provisions of the state Mortgage Deficiency Judgment Act, defendants procured a satisfaction of the judgment in toto. After entry of such satisfaction, plaintiff filed a petition upon which the court granted a rule on defendants to show cause why the satisfaction should not be stricken. From an order dismissing …
Election Of Remedies - Deficiency Decree As Bar To Subsequent Suit On Debt, Donald H. Larmee
Election Of Remedies - Deficiency Decree As Bar To Subsequent Suit On Debt, Donald H. Larmee
Michigan Law Review
After foreclosure in Florida of a purchase money mortgage on Florida land, the mortgagee filed a claim for the deficiency against the estate of one of the co-mortgagors, who was a permanent resident of Michigan, and who had been served only by publication in the foreclosure suit. In the foreclosure proceedings the mortgagee had prayed for a deficiency decree, and the Florida court had retained jurisdiction for that purpose, after ordering the sale. The mortgagee had taken no further steps in that proceeding. Held, the Florida law was controlling, and that by Florida statutes, as construed by the courts …
Assignments -Validity Of Gratuitous Written Assignment
Assignments -Validity Of Gratuitous Written Assignment
Michigan Law Review
Deceased took defendant, his son, to a notary and there made and acknowledged written assignments of three mortgages he owned. He handed these assignments to defendant, saying "I give you these. Put them in the safety-deposit box." Defendant went away with the assignments which reappear only after the father's death; they were found in an envelope, marked with defendant's name in deceased's hand, in a safety-deposit box owned jointly by deceased and defendant. Deceased always retained possession and enjoyment of the actual mortgage instruments. Plaintiff, another son, claims these mortgages should be part of deceased's estate. The court held that …
Vendor -Purchaser-Prospective Inability Of Vendor To Convey
Vendor -Purchaser-Prospective Inability Of Vendor To Convey
Michigan Law Review
In a contract for the sale of sixty-three lots of a subdivision, the defendant agreed to take the purchase money by installments extending over a period of eighteen months, and promised to convey the premises free from encumbrances when twenty-five per cent of the sale price was paid. While the plaintiff was not in default the defendant mortgaged the entire subdivision to one who was not charged with notice, to secure the payment of bonds some of which did not mature for five years. Stipulations m the mortgage allowed the release of any lot on deposit with the mortgagee of …
Property - Ownership Of Land
Michigan Law Review
In a suit to foreclose a purchase-money mortgage, the defendant counterclaimed for a breach of covenant against incumbrances on the ground that a right had been acquired to construct a sewer across the premises at a depth of over 150 feet. The court held that this was not an incumbrance within the covenant as title did not extend to a depth beyond which the owner might reasonably use. Boehringer v. Montalto, 254 N. Y. S. 276 (1931).
Fixtures - Rights Of Conditional Vendors -Test Of Material Injury To Freehold
Fixtures - Rights Of Conditional Vendors -Test Of Material Injury To Freehold
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff sued to foreclose a mortgage on a hotel. Defendants were vendors of various pieces of hotel equipment, who apparently had filed title-retaining contracts subsequent to the recording of the realty mortgage. The court found that some of the equipment was not attached to the realty at all, and that the rest could be removed without material in jury to the "freehold." Held, that the title of the conditional vendors prevailed, under N. J. Comp. Stat. supp., secs. 182-93. Bank of America National Ass'n. v. LaReine Hotel Corp. (N. J. 1931) 156 Atl. 28.
Contracts-Liability Of Assignee For Unfullfilled Duties Of His Assigned
Contracts-Liability Of Assignee For Unfullfilled Duties Of His Assigned
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff contracted for the sale of lands with H., title being reserved in the plaintiff. The contract purported to bind the assigns of both parties, and contained an acceleration provision in favor of the plaintiff on default of any payment. Under North Dakota law the parties were substantially in the position of vendor-mortgagee and vendee-mortgagor. H then assigned to the defendant who made payments to the plaintiff, and there was also testimony indicating that in the printed form of the assignment defend ant had promised the assignor to assume the duties under the original contract. Upon default and foreclosure sale …
Reformation Of Instruments-Mistake Of Facts Underlying Intention
Reformation Of Instruments-Mistake Of Facts Underlying Intention
Michigan Law Review
A debtor determined to mortgage all his property for the benefit of several creditors. His son, commissioned to draw the instrument, was informed that a note to the plaintiff, indorsed by the debtor, would be taken care of by the party primarily liable. So he intentionally omitted the plaintiff's note from the mortgage executed to the other creditors. The note was never paid. After foreclosure of the mortgage, leaving no surplus, the plaintiff sought reformation of the mortgage so as to be included as mortgagee, claiming that the debtor's intention to secure all bank creditors was not executed through mistake …