Layman v. Bone

David Newbern, Justice.

This is a default-judgment case arising from an action to recover on a promissory note. The payee, appellee James Larry Bone, sued one of the makers, appellant Kevin W. Layman, for payment. Mr. Layman’s answer was filed more than twenty days from the date he was served, and thus it was untimely and not in compliance with Ark. R. Civ. P. 12(a). The Trial Court declined to enlarge the time to file the answer and entered the default judgment in favor of Mr. Bone, stating that there was no “mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect or other just cause” for the…