Federal National Mortgage Ass'n v. Gallagher

The defendant, Kate Gallagher (“Gallagher”), appeals the trial court’s dismissal of the case, after judgment, from the active docket, and the court’s denial of her motion to extend the time to file a notice of appeal late. A brief procedural history puts the parties’ arguments in context.

Subsequent to a foreclosure, the details of which are not at issue, the plaintiff, Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), brought an eviction action for possession against Gallagher, the mortgagor, who had remained in the foreclosed home. On March 29, 2012, the case proceeded to a bench trial.…