Opinion
Docket No. 45932.
Decided October 6, 1982.
Larry Schlussel, P.C. (by Robert S. Drazin) and Gagleard, Munro, Addis Gagleard (by Michael A. Gagleard), of counsel, for plaintiffs.
Leonard R. Eston and Bell Hudson, P.C. (by Jerome P. Barney and Glen R. Warn), for defendants.
Defendants have filed a delayed appeal challenging the trial court's denial of their motion to set aside a default judgment. GCR 1963, 520.4. We affirm.
The trial court may set aside a default judgment only if good cause is shown and an affidavit of facts showing a meritorious defense is filed. GCR 1963, 520.4. The court's denial of a motion to set aside a default judgment will not be reversed absent a clear abuse of discretion. Novi Construction, Inc v Triangle Excavating Co, 102 Mich. App. 586, 589; 302 N.W.2d 244 (1980). The policy of this state is against setting aside defaults and default judgments that have been properly entered. Glasner v Griffin, 102 Mich. App. 445, 448; 301 N.W.2d 889 (1980).
Defendants contend in their brief that good cause was shown for their failure to answer plaintiffs' complaint because defendant Alfred Jones was never personally served with a summons or complaint. This argument provides no explanation of why defendant Betty Jones failed to respond to the complaint. Furthermore, none of the various motions or affidavits filed in the lower court in any way suggest that Alfred Jones was not personally served with the complaint. In fact, the affidavit filed by Jones in support of defendants' motion to set aside the default judgment specifically averred, under oath, that a summons and complaint was "duly served upon me". In their affidavits in support of their motion to set aside the default judgment each defendant simply stated that, "I was unable to locate my attorney at that time". Defendants failed to present any proof that Alfred Jones was not personally served with a summons or complaint.
Moreover, defendants' assertion in their affidavits that they did not respond to the complaint because of their inability to locate their attorney at the time does not, under the circumstances, constitute good cause to set aside the default judgment. Such an averment in their affidavits indicates an intent on their part to respond to the complaint upon locating their attorney. The record shows, however, that defendants filed nothing with the trial court until almost nine moths after the default judgment was entered and not until they were served with writs of garnishment. Defendants do not assert that they were unable to locate their attorney for that entire nine-month period; nor do they attempt to explain why a different attorney could not be obtained. Under the circumstances, good cause did not exist to set aside the default judgment. First Bank of Cadillac v Benson, 81 Mich. App. 550, 554-555; 265 N.W.2d 413 (1978).
Defendants also assert in their brief that, if given a trial on the merits, they would "most likely" prevail unless plaintiffs could come forth with clear and convincing proof that they were liable. The court rule specifically requires, however, an affidavit of facts showing the meritorious defense. No such affidavit was filed in the lower court. Defendants' assertion that they would prevail unless plaintiffs could establish liability merely states the obvious. It does not satisfy the court rule and does not entitle defendants to have the default judgment set aside.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendants' motion to set aside the default judgment, because defendants did not show good cause for their failure to respond to plaintiffs' complaint, and because they did not set forth any facts establishing a meritorious defense.
Perhaps the next time defendants are served with a summons, they will take it more seriously.
Affirmed. Plaintiff may tax costs.