| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. v Palma |
| 2014 NY Slip Op 00635 [114 AD3d 645] |
| February 5, 2014 |
| Appellate Division, Second Department |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association,Respondent, v Norma Palma, Appellant, et al.,Defendants. |
—[*1] Fein Such & Crane, LLP, Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. (Michael S. Hanusek and RichardGerbino of counsel), for respondent.
In an action to foreclose a mortgage, the defendant Norma Palma appeals from anorder of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (Adams, J.), entered July 2, 2012, whichdenied her motion pursuant to CPLR 3012 (d) to compel the plaintiff to accept heruntimely answer.
Ordered that the order is affirmed, with costs.
"To compel the plaintiff to accept an untimely answer as timely, a defendant mustprovide a reasonable excuse for the delay and demonstrate a potentially meritoriousdefense to the action" (Ryan vBreezy Point Coop., Inc., 76 AD3d 523, 524 [2010]; see Community Preserv. Corp. vBridgewater Condominiums, LLC, 89 AD3d 784, 785 [2011]). "Thedetermination of what constitutes a reasonable excuse lies within the sound discretion ofthe Supreme Court" (MaspethFed. Sav. & Loan Assn. v McGown, 77 AD3d 889, 890 [2010]; see Star Indus., Inc. v InnovativeBeverages, Inc., 55 AD3d 903, 904 [2008]; Antoine v Bee, 26 AD3d 306, 306 [2006]).
Here, the appellant failed to provide a reasonable excuse for the delay in serving heranswer (see Community Preserv. Corp. v Bridgewater Condominiums, LLC, 89AD3d at 785; see also GaralWholesalers, Ltd. v Raven Brands, Inc., 82 AD3d 1041, 1042 [2011]; Yao Ping Tang v Grand Estate,LLC, 77 AD3d 822, 823 [2010]; Dorrer v Berry, 37 AD3d 519, 520 [2007]; Awad vSeverino, 122 AD2d 242, 242 [1986]). Since the appellant failed to offer areasonable excuse, it is unnecessary to consider whether she sufficiently demonstratedthe existence of a potentially meritorious defense. Thus, the Supreme Court providentlyexercised its discretion in denying the appellant's motion pursuant to CPLR 3012 (d) tocompel the plaintiff to accept her untimely answer (see e.g. Maspeth Fed. Sav. &Loan Assn. v McGown, 77 AD3d at 890; Levi v Levi, 46 AD3d 519, 520 [2007]). Skelos, J.P.,Dickerson, Chambers and Miller, JJ., concur.