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Ruotolo v. Benjamin Franklin Corp.

Supreme Court of New Hampshire Belknap Carroll
Feb 19, 1982
122 N.H. 149 (N.H. 1982)

Opinion

No. 81-256

Decided February 19, 1982

1. Mortgages — Foreclosure — Injunction The superior court has equitable powers, under the statute giving it jurisdiction in equity matters, to enjoin a mortgage foreclosure if the equities of the situation warrant. RSA 498:1 (Supp. 1979).

2. Mortgages — Foreclosure — Injunction Where mortgagors, who filed petition in superior court for injunction of foreclosure of a mortgage, conceded that the note had been in default for several years, that the mortgagee could legally foreclose, and that the notice of foreclosure was proper, denial of the injunction by the superior court on the ground that further delay would be inequitable was not improper in light of the substantial period of default.

Dickson, Fauver Cooper, of North Conway (Randall F. Cooper on the brief and orally), for the plaintiffs.

Hamblett Kerrigan P.A., of Nashua (John V. Dwyer, Jr., and James M. McNamee, Jr., on the brief, and Mr. Dwyer orally), for the defendant.


MEMORANDUM OPINION

This is an appeal from a Superior Court (Batchelder, J.) decision denying the plaintiffs' petition to enjoin foreclosure of a mortgage on eleven hundred acres of land in Alton. The mortgagors agree that the note has been in default for several years, that the mortgagee can legally foreclose, and that notice was proper.

The superior court has equitable powers under RSA 498:1 (Supp. 1979) to enjoin a mortgage foreclosure if the equities of the situation warrant. Meredith v. Fisher, 121 N.H. 856, 858, 435 A.2d 536, 537 (1981).

Because of the substantial period of default, we find that the superior court did not err in denying the injunction on the ground that further delay would be inequitable. Nor do we find proof of a novation as the mortgagors allege.

Affirmed.

BATCHELDER, J., did not sit.


Summaries of

Ruotolo v. Benjamin Franklin Corp.

Supreme Court of New Hampshire Belknap Carroll
Feb 19, 1982
122 N.H. 149 (N.H. 1982)
Case details for

Ruotolo v. Benjamin Franklin Corp.

Case Details

Full title:GAVIN J. RUOTOLO a. v. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CORPORATION

Court:Supreme Court of New Hampshire Belknap Carroll

Date published: Feb 19, 1982

Citations

122 N.H. 149 (N.H. 1982)
441 A.2d 1185

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