The mission of the Connecticut Judicial Branch is to serve the interests of justice and the public by resolving matters brought before it in a fair, timely, efficient and open manner.

Foreclosure Law Supreme Court Opinion

by Booth, George

 

SC20090 - JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Assn. v. Essaghof (Foreclosure; "In this certified appeal, we must decide whether a trial court may order a mortgagor to reimburse a mortgagee for the mortgagee's ongoing advancements of property taxes and insurance premiums during the pendency of an appeal from a judgment of strict foreclosure. The defendants Roger Essaghof and Katherine Marr-Essaghof appeal from the judgment of the Appellate Court affirming the trial court's order requiring that the defendants reimburse the plaintiff, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, for property tax and insurance premium payments advanced by the plaintiff during the pendency of this appeal. The defendants' principal claim is that the Appellate Court incorrectly concluded that the trial court's order was a valid exercise of its equitable authority. We conclude that the trial court abused its discretion because the relief it ordered is inconsistent with the remedial scheme available to a mortgagee in a strict foreclosure. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the Appellate Court insofar as it affirmed the trial court's order directing the defendants to reimburse the plaintiff for property taxes and insurance premiums. We affirm the Appellate Court's judgment in all other respects.")