{ "id": 8524001, "name": "IN THE MATTER OF THE PAPER WRITING OF SUE H. VESTAL", "name_abbreviation": "In re the Paper Writing of Vestal", "decision_date": "1991-12-17", "docket_number": "No. 9119SC16", "first_page": "739", "last_page": "746", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "104 N.C. App. 739" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "225 S.E.2d 832", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 1976, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "526" }, { "page": "528" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "290 N.C. 308", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8561061, 8561029, 8561098, 8561046, 8561079 ], "year": 1976, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/290/0308-03", "/nc/290/0308-01", "/nc/290/0308-05", "/nc/290/0308-02", "/nc/290/0308-04" ] }, { "cite": "223 S.E.2d 524", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1976, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "29 N.C. App. 60", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8554050 ], "year": 1976, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/29/0060-01" ] }, { "cite": "213 S.E.2d 207", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1975, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "213" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "287 N.C. 26", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8560946 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1975, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "36" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/287/0026-01" ] }, { "cite": "5 S.E.2d 544", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1939, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "545" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "216 N.C. 497", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8606420 ], "year": 1939, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "498" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/216/0497-01" ] }, { "cite": "87 L.Ed.2d 1587", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1943, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1596" }, { "page": "1591" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "319 U.S. 561", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 366821 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1943, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "575" }, { "page": "565" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/319/0561-01" ] }, { "cite": "364 S.E.2d 156", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "159", "parenthetical": "quoting Boone v. Lightner, 319 U.S. 561, 575, 87 L.Ed.2d 1587, 1596 (1943)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "88 N.C. App. 557", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8358594 ], "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "561", "parenthetical": "quoting Boone v. Lightner, 319 U.S. 561, 575, 87 L.Ed.2d 1587, 1596 (1943)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/88/0557-01" ] }, { "cite": "62 N.E.2d 774", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1945, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "776" }, { "page": "776" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "116 Ind. App. 106", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ind. App.", "case_ids": [ 1595995 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1945, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "110-111" }, { "page": "111" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ind-app/116/0106-01" ] }, { "cite": "240 S.E.2d 360", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying a stay where an affidavit did not indicate whether the soldier requested leave, or would be unable to obtain leave, and contained only a mere conclusory statement of the ways his defense would be prejudiced or his rights impaired" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "294 N.C. 146", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8571110 ], "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/294/0146-01" ] }, { "cite": "234 S.E.2d 46", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1977, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "33 N.C. App. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8547611 ], "year": 1977, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/33/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "50 U.S.C.A. \u00a7 521", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "U.S.C.", "year": 1940, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "259 S.E.2d 302", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "298 N.C. 300", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8571502, 8571407, 8571471, 8571441, 8571382 ], "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/298/0300-05", "/nc/298/0300-02", "/nc/298/0300-04", "/nc/298/0300-03", "/nc/298/0300-01" ] }, { "cite": "256 S.E.2d 397", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "399" }, { "page": "399" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "42 N.C. App. 134", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8552898 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "136" }, { "page": "137" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/42/0134-01" ] }, { "cite": "358 S.E.2d 329", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "335" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "320 N.C. 404", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4729461 ], "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "415-416" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/320/0404-01" ] }, { "cite": "311 S.E.2d 281", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "285" }, { "page": "285" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "310 N.C. 274", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2403051 ], "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "278" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/310/0274-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 729, "char_count": 16402, "ocr_confidence": 0.757, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.3075874670173528e-07, "percentile": 0.7880868730184656 }, "sha256": "82f031b188430f54b65cc9e1f90b6ef2396eee8e4a35000f566505603080ce39", "simhash": "1:93105dbb651ffffd", "word_count": 2742 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:39:04.224888+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Chief Judge HEDRICK and Judge GREENE concur." ], "parties": [ "IN THE MATTER OF THE PAPER WRITING OF SUE H. VESTAL" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "EAGLES, Judge.\nI\nDuring oral argument appellant contended that Judge Walker did not have subject matter jurisdiction to enter his order because it was signed out of session. We disagree.\nIn State v. Horner, 310 N.C. 274, 278, 311 S.E.2d 281, 285 (1984), the defendant claimed that a trial court\u2019s order was null ,and void because it had been entered out of session and out of district without his consent. There, the Supreme Court noted that \u201cit appears from the transcript that the trial judge ruled on each of the objects of the motion ... at the time of the trial. He later reduced his ruling to writing, signed the order, and filed it with the clerk.\u201d Id. at 279, 311 S.E.2d at 285. The Court \u201cheld that the trial court\u2019s order . . . was not improperly entered \u2018out of session and out of district\u2019 where the court passed on each part of the motion ... in open court as it was argued and later reduced its ruling to writing, signed the order, and filed it with the clerk.\u201d State v. Smith, 320 N.C. 404, 415-416, 358 S.E.2d 329, 335 (1987).\nHere, Judge Walker heard the propounder\u2019s motion on 5 October 1990. After hearing counsel\u2019s arguments Judge Walker made his decision on the motion in open court. That same day he prepared a handwritten memorandum outlining his findings of fact and his decision to dismiss the caveat. That handwritten memorandum, which appears in the record before us, also indicates that the \u201c[attorney for [the] propounder was directed to incorporate [the] findings into a formal order for later signature.\u201d On 2 November 1990 Judge Walker signed the order submitted by the propounder. The order was filed with the clerk of court on 2 November 1990. Accordingly, we conclude that entry of the order was not improper.\nII\nIn their first, third, fourth and fifth assignments of error, the caveators argue that the trial court erred by concluding that the caveators wilfully and blatantly ignored the court\u2019s orders without reasonable excuse and that they were openly disrespectful to the court. The caveators argue that \u201c[e]vents, over which they had no control\u201d prohibited them from answering the propounder\u2019s interrogatories. Specifically, one caveator, Colonel Robert Weaver, contends that he was prevented from responding due to his involvement with the war in the Persian Gulf. The other caveator, Elizabeth Green, contends that she was unable to answer the questions due to a death in her family. We are not persuaded by either contention.\nWe note initially that \u201c[i]f a noncomplying party wishes to avoid court-imposed sanctions for his failure [to answer interrogatories], the burden is upon him to show that there is justification for his noncompliance.\u201d Silverthorne v. Coastal Land Co., 42 N.C. App. 134, 136, 256 S.E.2d 397, 399, disc. rev. denied, 298 N.C. 300, 259 S.E.2d 302 (1979).\nA\nColonel Weaver argues that he was not required to respond because of protections afforded him by the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act (SSCRA). That act provides in pertinent part:\nAt any stage thereof any action or proceeding in any court in which a person in military service is involved, either as plaintiff or defendant, during the period of such service or within sixty days thereafter may, in the discretion of the court in which it is pending, on its own motion, and shall, on application to it by such person or some person on his behalf, be stayed as provided in this Act . . ., unless, in the opinion of the court, the ability of plaintiff to prosecute the action or the defendant to conduct his defense is not materially affected by reason of his military service.\n50 U.S.C.A. \u00a7 521 (1940). This section of the SSCRA allows the court to stay proceedings based upon either the application of a party or the court\u2019s own discretionary motion. The dispositive issue is whether Colonel Weaver applied for protection under SSCRA \u00a7 521, and if not, whether the trial judge abused his discretion by not granting a stay on its own motion.\nIn order to apply for a stay of proceedings under \u00a7 521 a party must make a motion for continuance, a motion for a stay or file with the court an affidavit which sets forth the basis of his request. See, e.g., Booker v. Everhart, 33 N.C. App. 1, 234 S.E.2d 46 (1977), rev\u2019d on other grounds, 294 N.C. 146, 240 S.E.2d 360 (1978) (trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying a stay where an affidavit did not indicate whether the soldier requested leave, or would be unable to obtain leave, and contained only a mere conclusory statement of the ways his defense would be prejudiced or his rights impaired). Here, Colonel Weaver neither made a motion for stay or continuance, nor filed an affidavit with the court seeking a stay. Colonel Weaver failed to make application for a stay under \u00a7 521.\nBecause Colonel Weaver failed to apply for a stay, \u201c[w]e are only concerned, . . ., under this section, with the discretionary duty owed by the trial court to stay the proceedings on its own motion if in its opinion the ability of the appellant to [answer the propounder\u2019s interrogatories] was materially affected by reason of his military service.\u201d Sharp v. Grip Nut Co., 116 Ind. App. 106, 110-111, 62 N.E.2d 774, 776 (1945). We recognize that \u201c[t]he [United States Supreme Court] . . . said \u2018[t]he discretion that is vested in the trial courts ... is not to be withheld on nice calculations as to whether prejudice may result from absence, or absence result from service.\u201d Smith v. Davis, 88 N.C. App. 557, 561, 364 S.E.2d 156, 159 (1988) (quoting Boone v. Lightner, 319 U.S. 561, 575, 87 L.Ed.2d 1587, 1596 (1943)). \u201cWith that statement no one could disagree, but the man in service must himself exhibit some degree of good faith and his counsel some degree of diligence.\u201d Sharp, 116 Ind. App. at 111, 62 N.E.2d at 776. Here, the only mention of Colonel Weaver\u2019s military service is found in two unverified papers signed by Colonel Weaver\u2019s attorney, \u201cANSWER TO Motion TO Compel\u201d filed on 20 August 1990 and \u201cANSWER to Further Motion to Compel Discovery\u201d filed on 5 October 1990. These papers do not indicate whether Colonel Weaver ever requested military leave to answer the interrogatories or whether leave was likely to be granted upon request. The SSCRA \u201ccannot be construed to require continuance on mere showing that the [caveator] was in . . . military service.\u201d Boone v. Lightner, 319 U.S. 561, 565, 87 L.Ed.2d 1587, 1591 (1943). These unverified papers standing alone do not provide us with sufficient information to conclude that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to issue a stay on its own motion. This assignment is overruled.\nB\nCaveator Elizabeth Green also alleges that she was unable to answer the interrogatories due to \u201c[e]vents, over which [she] had no control.\u201d Here, too, the only mention of the circumstances \u201cpreventing\u201d Ms. Green from answering the interrogatories is found in unverified papers denominated \u201cANSWER TO MOTION TO COMPEL\u201d and \u201cAnswer to Further Motion to Compel Discovery.\u201d In the first paper Ms. Green alleges that she was unable to answer the interrogatories because she was \u201cin the process of a traumatic litigation concerning her divorce. . . .\u201d However, on appeal Ms. Green did not argue that the divorce litigation excused her conduct. Rather, on appeal Ms. Green relied solely on another excuse, that there had been \u201ca death in the family,\u201d which was stated only in the second paper. That paper does not indicate the decedent\u2019s relationship to Ms. Green, nor where the decedent had lived. Further, the uncorroborated statement that Ms. Green had suffered a death in her family does not explain why she was unable to answer a single one of the propounder\u2019s interrogatories between the 20 August 1990 hearing and the 5 October 1990 hearing at which Judge Walker imposed sanctions. The record amply supports the court\u2019s conclusion that Ms. Green wilfully and blatantly ignored and refused to comply with the court\u2019s order. This assignment is overruled.\nIll\nIn their second, sixth, seventh and eighth assignments of error, the caveators argue that the trial court lacks the authority to dismiss a caveat proceeding with prejudice as a sanction pursuant to Rule 37 for violation of an order compelling discovery. We disagree.\nCaveators argue that \u201c[t]he proceedings to caveat a will are in rem without regard to particular persons, and must proceed to judgment, and motions as of nonsuit, or requests for direction of a verdict on the issues, will be disallowed.\u201d (Citations omitted.) In re Redding, 216 N.C. 497, 498, 5 S.E.2d 544, 545 (1939). Thus, caveators contend that \u201c[o]nce a will has been propounded for probate in solemn form, the proceedings must continue until the issue of devisavit vel non is appropriately answered, and no nonsuit can be taken either by the propounders or caveators.\u201d\nThe caveator\u2019s reading of Redding is overbroad and overlooks cases allowing dismissal such as In re Mucci, 287 N.C. 26, 213 S.E.2d 207 (1975) and In re Edgerton, 29 N.C. App. 60, 223 S.E.2d 524, disc. rev. denied, 290 N.C. 308, 225 S.E.2d 832 (1976). In Mucci, our Supreme Court held that a trial judge should grant a motion for directed verdict where the \u201cpropounder fails to come forward with evidence from which a jury might find that there has been a testamentary disposition. . . .\u201d Mucci, 287 N.C. at 36, 213 S.E.2d at 213. In Edgerton, the propounders alleged that the caveator had executed a valid renunciation and release to any interest he may have had in the decedent\u2019s estate. Id. at 62, 225 S.E.2d at 526. Accordingly, the propounders moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted. Id. This court held that because of the release the caveator did not have standing and that the propounders were entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Id. at 65, 225 S.E.2d at 528. Accordingly, we affirmed the trial court\u2019s entry of judgment against the caveator. Id.\nSimilarly, the caveator\u2019s argument overlooks the express power of a trial court to enforce its order compelling discovery by dismissal.\nG.S. 1A-1, Rule 37(b)(2) provides that upon a party\u2019s failure to comply with the court\u2019s order, \u201cthe judge may make such orders in respect to the failure to answer as are just.\u201d The choice of sanctions to be imposed having been left by the rule in the court\u2019s discretion, we may not overturn the court\u2019s decision unless an abuse of that discretion is shown. Rule 37(b)(2) provides further that \u201c[t]he relief granted may include . . . c. An order . . . dismissing the action.\u201d\nSilverthorne, 42 N.C. App. at 137, 256 S.E.2d at 399. After careful review of the record, we find no abuse of discretion. This assignment is overruled.\nAffirmed.\nChief Judge HEDRICK and Judge GREENE concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "EAGLES, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Ottway Burton, attorney for caveator-appellant.", "Moser, Ogburn & Heafner, by Rodney C. Mason, for propounder-appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "IN THE MATTER OF THE PAPER WRITING OF SUE H. VESTAL\nNo. 9119SC16\n(Filed 17 December 1991)\n1. Judgments \u00a7 2 (NCI3d)\u2014 judgment not entered out of session\nThe trial court\u2019s order dismissing a caveat as a sanction for failure of the caveators to answer interrogatories was not improperly entered out of session where the trial judge heard the propounder\u2019s motion for sanctions on 5 October 1990 and made his decision on the motion in open court; that same day the judge prepared a handwritten memorandum outlining his findings of fact and his decision to dismiss the caveat; the memorandum indicates that the attorney for the propounder was directed to incorporate the findings into a formal order for later signature; and on 2 November 1990 the trial judge signed the order and filed it with the clerk of court.\nAm Jur 2d, Judgments \u00a7\u00a7 161-162; Motions, Rules, and Orders \u00a7 38.\n2. Rules of Civil Procedure \u00a7 33 (NCI3d) \u2014 interrogatories\u2014 person in military \u2014 no right to stay\nThe trial court did not abuse its discretion in failing to issue a stay on its own motion postponing a caveator\u2019s duty to answer interrogatories where the caveator did not move for a stay or continuance or file an affidavit with the court seeking a stay, and the only mention of the caveator\u2019s military service was found in two unverified answers to motions signed by the caveator\u2019s attorney which did not indicate whether the caveator ever requested military leave to answer the interrogatories or whether leave was likely to be granted upon request.\nAm Jur 2d, Depositions and Discovery \u00a7\u00a7 96, 211, 357; Military and Civil Defense \u00a7\u00a7 308, 319.\n3. Rules of Civil Procedure \u00a7 33 (NCI3d)\u2014 interrogatories\u2014 death in family \u2014 failure to answer not excused\nA caveator was not excused from answering interrogatories because of \u201ca death in the family\u201d where the only mention of this excuse occurred in an unverified answer to a motion to compel discovery; the answer did not indicate decedent\u2019s relationship to the caveator or where decedent had lived; and the statement that the caveator had suffered a death in the family did not explain why she was unable to answer any of the propounder\u2019s interrogatories between a 20 August 1990 order compelling discovery and a 5 October hearing at which sanctions were imposed.\nAm Jur 2d, Depositions and Discovery \u00a7\u00a7 96, 211, 357.\n4. Rules of Civil Procedure \u00a7 37 (NCI3d) \u2014 violation of discovery order \u2014sanction \u2014dismissal of caveat proceeding\nThe trial court had the authority to dismiss a caveat proceeding with prejudice as a sanction under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 37 for violation of an order compelling discovery.\nAm Jur 2d, Depositions and Discovery \u00a7\u00a7 357, 385, 388.\nAPPEAL by caveator from order filed 2 November 1990 by Judge Russell G. Walker, Jr., in RANDOLPH County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 9 October 1991.\nThis appeal arises out of a will caveat in which the trial judge dismissed the caveat as a sanction under Rule 37 because the caveators failed to comply with a discovery order.\nOn 23 November 1988 the caveators filed a caveat alleging that the paper writing submitted by the propounder was not the last will and testament of Sue Hoover Vestal. The propounder answered the caveat and filed interrogatories on 1 March 1989. On 4 May 1990 the propounder filed a motion to compel the caveators to answer the interrogatories. On 20 August 1990 the caveators filed an \u201cAnswer to Motion to Compel\u201d in which they sought a two week extension to answer the interrogatories and an order that the propounder furnish them with copies of the medical records of the testatrix. Judge William H. Helms granted the propounder\u2019s motion. Judge Helms ordered the caveators to pay to the pro-pounder reasonable attorney\u2019s fees of $150.00 within thirty days of the 20 August 1990 hearing and to answer propounder\u2019s interrogatories within two weeks after the 20 August 1990 hearing. Judge Helms also ordered the propounder to furnish to the caveators authorization from the testatrix\u2019s personal representative to obtain the testatrix\u2019s medical records.\nOn 27 September 1990 the propounder filed a second motion to compel the caveators to answer the interrogatories. The caveators answered the motion on 5 October 1990 alleging that they needed the testatrix\u2019s medical records in order to respond to \u201ca great majority\u201d of the interrogatories, and that they had paid the attorney\u2019s fees ordered by Judge Helms. The motion was heard 5 October 1990. Among his findings, Judge Walker found:\n4. Only three of the Propounder\u2019s twenty-two (22) numbered interrogatories, . . ., could possibly require a reading of the medical records of the decedent to answer and more importantly, the Propounder\u2019s interrogatories ask what the Caveators knew of the testatrix\u2019s medical condition when they instituted the caveat.\n5. The Caveators have not attempted to answer any of the Propounder\u2019s Interrogatories since August 20, 1990, nor have they provided any reasonable excuse for their failure. The Caveators tender of the partial attorneys fees to be paid the Propounder was made fourteen (14) days following the period of time prescribed by Judge Helms in his Order of August 20, 1990.\nBased upon these findings Judge Walker concluded that the caveators had \u201cwilfully and blatantly ignored and refused to comply with\u201d the 20 August 1990 order \u201cwithout justification or excuse.\u201d Acting pursuant to Rule 37 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, Judge Walker then struck the caveators\u2019 pleadings and dismissed the proceeding with prejudice.\nCaveators appeal.\nOttway Burton, attorney for caveator-appellant.\nMoser, Ogburn & Heafner, by Rodney C. Mason, for propounder-appellee." }, "file_name": "0739-01", "first_page_order": 767, "last_page_order": 774 }