Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Arizona

TRO & Prelimenary Injunction

I have a breach of contract, common law fraud, judicial foreclosure & securities fraud case against a developer in AZ regarding my purchase from him of $1M of Promissory Notes secured by 2nd TDs (70 lots at $15K each) to support the development of a master planned community. My case was filed in 06/2007 upon his initial default & is in the discovery phase. Now the first lender, Big Bank, has posted a Notice of Trustee Sale for their underlying TD. As the Developer�s 2nd TD�s granted the holder the right to cure any deficiencies on the 1st, we requested Big Bank to allow us to bring current or buy the lots securing our TDs from them. They denied our request to do so on an individual lot basis. I cannot financially cure the default on all of the lots. I am confident in the merits of my case & believe that I will prevail but I am concerned about collecting on the final judgment. I therefore asked my legal counsel if we could get a TRO & Preliminary Injunction to stop the trustee sale until after our case against the Developer has been heard. He said �no� - the Court would not likely grant one as it would damage the Big Bank�s rights to collect on their debt. Do you agree with this, or is my counsel just to busy to be bothered?


Asked on 2/23/08, 9:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

James Jenkins Jenkins Law Center PLC

Re: TRO & Prelimenary Injunction

This appears to be a complicated matter that is not capable of a full opinion in this limited format, and with the limited facts presented.

One fact you did not mention. Is the first position deed of trust a blanket deed over all the lots, or is there one for each lot? I am guessing that there is one blanket deed of trust, but cannot tell. That makes a difference possibly.

We cannot pass judgment on another attorney's opinion, when he has all the facts, documents, pleadings, discovery papers and research at hand. Unfair to second guess in this situation.

If individual deeds of trust (again, I bet it isn't that way but cannot know) then you have a stronger position.

You may also have the option of a reorganization in bankruptcy court, which might allow you to do what you want if the civil court will not. That option needs to be investigated. I do not know if your investment position is held by you personally or by a corporation or LLC.

I would think you would have options. Some may be a little ugly, but better than losing all.

You might want to get a second opinion from someone who can review all the facts, documents and the court file.

Good luck. Sorry for your situation. A real estate downturn always clips some investors and property owners who have leveraged into properties without the ability to hold long, because they hoped to hold short in a rising market.

Best regards,

James D. Jenkins

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Answered on 2/24/08, 1:40 am


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