Von Hatten v. Scholl

BARTLETT, J.

One of the defendants in the foreclosure suit was named in the summons and other papers simply as Kaul, with a blank before that name. The plaintiff did not add any description identifying the person intended, as permitted by section 451 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or designate this defendant by a fictitious name, so far as his Christian name was concerned.. The purchaser insists that these defects render the judgmentvoid, and hence that she is entitled to be relieved from her purchase. We tbinlr *772the omissions did not invalidate the judgment, if the defendant intended was actually served. In that event they were only irregularities, curable by amendment. Such is the clear weight of authority. Weil v. Martin, 24 Hun, 645; Grant v. Birdsall, 2 Civ. Proc. R. 422. Before taking the title, however, the purchaser has-the right to demand that the requisite amendment be made. This-cannot be done upon the affidavit of Karl Kaul, which was read in the court below in opposition to her motion. In that affidavit theaffiant states that he was duly personally served with the summons and a copy of the complaint in this action more than 20 days before-the application for judgment; that his only interest in the premises involved herein was as a monthly tenant; that he has never appeared in the suit, has no defense, and waives any and all objection to the judgment. He does not say, however, and there is no proof, that he is the defendant Kaul mentioned in the summons and’ complaint with a blank before his name. If the plaintiff shall supply proof of this fact, and procure the judgment to be amended accordingly, the appellant must complete the purchase.

The order appealed from should be reversed, unless the plaintiff procures an amendment of the foreclosure judgment so as to cure-the irregularity growing out of the insufficient designation of the defendant Kaul. The purchaser should also have the costs of this-appeal. All. concur.