ROLLESTON v. ESTATE OF SIMS (2005)

These two cases arise from the latest in a long series of lawsuits related to the collection of a judgment entered in favor of the Estate of Rebecca Wight Randolph Cherry Sims (Estate) against Moreton Rolleston.   See Moreton Rolleston, Jr., Living Trust v. Kennedy, 277 Ga. 541, 591 S.E.2d 834 (2004).   Here, as in the previous actions, the Moreton Rolleston, Jr., Living Trust (Trust) claims that real property is not subject to levy because title is held by it, rather than by Rolleston individually.   After filing this action against the Estate and its executor, the Trust moved for default judgment.   The trial court denied the motion and, in Case Number S05A1899, the Trust has filed a direct appeal from that order. Subsequently, the trial court dismissed the Trust's complaint with prejudice, concluding that the suit was barred by the principle of res judicata and that the claim lacked a justiciable basis in fact or law, was utterly vexatious and frivolous, and was brought for an improper purpose.   In Case Number S05A1900, the Trust appeals from that order.   The two cases are hereby consolidated for disposition in this single opinion.

CASE NUMBER S05A1899

 1. Denial of a motion for default judgment is an interlocutory ruling which cannot be appealed directly.  Ware v. Handy Storage, 222 Ga.App. 339, 474 S.E.2d 240 (1996).   Accordingly, this case is hereby dismissed and, pursuant to Rule 6 of this Court, a $2,500 penalty for filing a frivolous appeal is imposed against the Trust and its attorney.

CASE NUMBER S05A1900

 2. The trial court correctly determined that all issues raised in this action were conclusively resolved against the Trust and in favor of the Estate by the rulings in previous actions.   See Moreton Rolleston, Jr., Living Trust v. Kennedy, supra.   Accordingly, the dismissal of the complaint is affirmed and, pursuant to Rule 6 of this Court, an additional $2,500 frivolous appeal penalty is imposed against the Trust and its attorney.

Appeal dismissed and penalty imposed in Case Number S05A1899.   Judgment affirmed and penalty imposed in Case Number S05A1900.

Moreton Rolleston fully deserves the sanctions imposed by the majority in this case, as his frivolous and reprehensible conduct has caused needless hardship for his opponents in this litigation.   In my opinion, however, Rolleston has also disgraced the legal profession generally, and has thereby forfeited the privilege of practicing law in this State.   Accordingly, this Court should utilize its inherent authority to order that he be disbarred.

CARLEY, Justice.

All Justices concur, except SEARS, C.J., who concurs specially.