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Suffolk Cement Products, Inc. v. Empire Concrete Enterprises

Citations: 234 A.D.2d 447; 650 N.Y.S.2d 801; 1996 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 13080

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; December 15, 1996; New York; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

Miguel Inacio appeals a judgment from the Supreme Court, Suffolk County, in favor of the plaintiff for $44,483.12, stemming from a guaranty agreement. The appeal follows an order granting the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on a specific cause of action. The notice of appeal is considered premature regarding the judgment. Inacio and another defendant, Julio Fernandes, had personally guaranteed debts incurred by their corporation, Empire Concrete Enterprises Inc., when applying for a credit account. Although Empire later executed a $60,000 promissory note not personally guaranteed by Inacio, it defaulted on this note. The language of the guaranty clearly encompasses any debt owed by Empire to the plaintiff, and Inacio does not dispute his signature on the guaranty or the corporation's default. As a result, the court found it appropriate to grant summary judgment against Inacio. The judgment is affirmed with costs.

Legal Issues Addressed

Guaranty Agreement Enforcement

Application: The court enforced the guaranty agreement against Inacio, as he did not dispute his signature or the corporation's default, which the guaranty covered.

Reasoning: The language of the guaranty clearly encompasses any debt owed by Empire to the plaintiff, and Inacio does not dispute his signature on the guaranty or the corporation's default.

Interpretation of Guaranty Language

Application: The court interpreted the guaranty language as encompassing all debts of the corporation, including those not explicitly listed, affirming the plaintiff's claim.

Reasoning: The language of the guaranty clearly encompasses any debt owed by Empire to the plaintiff.

Premature Notice of Appeal

Application: The appeal notice was considered premature concerning the judgment, affecting the timing and procedural aspects of the appeal.

Reasoning: The notice of appeal is considered premature regarding the judgment.

Summary Judgment Standard

Application: The court granted summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff based on the undisputed terms of the guaranty agreement.

Reasoning: The appeal follows an order granting the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on a specific cause of action.