PNC Bank v. Mathias- Superior Court- July 17, 2007
http://www.aopc.org/OpPosting/Superior/out/A03002_07.pdf
The trial court did not have jurisdiction to enter a default judgment against the heir of deceased mortgagor, where the plaintiff bank did not serve the heir -- named as a defendant "unknown heir" -- with a copy of the complaint, even though it knew of his existence and location and had corresponded with him by letter and phone.
Despite learning of mortgagor's death, the existence of a potential heir, and correspondence with that person, the bank filed and trial court granted the bank's motion for alternate serve under Rule 430, instead of requiring regular service under Rule 410(a). The heir didn’t learn of the alternate service and never received personal service. In its motion, the bank averred that decedent's heirs were not known.
The appellate court held that the plaintiff "did not effectuate proper service" of the complaint where it had prior written and telephone communications with the heir, knew that the heir represented the mortgagor's estate, and knew that the person was a possible heir to the mortgagor's estate, having said as much in a letter to him. "If the plaintiff has failed to effectuate valid service and if the defendant lacks notice of the proceedings against him, the court has no jurisdiction over the party and is powerless to enter judgment. Entry of a judgment under these circumstances was also held to violate due process.
