First Union National Bank v. Wilson

BECTON, Judge. We observe first that the Douglases failed properly to set forth their exceptions and assignments of error concerning the dismissal of their appeal as required by Rule 10 of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure, and that the Clerk’s entry of default was interlocutory and thus not subject to review here. Crotts v. Pawn Shop, 16 N.C. App. 392, 192 S.E. 2d 55 (1972), cert. denied, 282 N.C. 425, 192 S.E. 2d 835 (1972). Therefore, the only *783 question before us is the propriety of the judgment of default entered against the Douglases. When default is entered due to defendant’s failure to answer, the substantive allegations raised by plaintiffs complaint are no longer in issue, and for the purposes of entry of default and default judgment are deemed admitted. Bell v. Martin, 299 N.C. 715, 721, 264 S.E. 2d 101, 105 (1980), petition for reh. denied, 300 N.C. 380 (1980). It is undisputed that the Clerk granted plaintiff’s motion for an entry of default because defendants failed to answer in a timely fashion. The Answer was not filed until two days after the entry of default. Clearly, the entry of default was proper. Rather than appeal the entry of default, defendants’ remedy was a motion to set aside the default. Bell v. Martin. This they did not do. The trial court, therefore, properly entered the judgment of default against defendants. Defendants next argue that they were not properly apprised of the proceeding during which the default judgment was entered. We find no merit in that contention. Defendants’ attorney, Ted Douglas, was notified of the hearing by mail; a notice of hearing was posted in The Mecklenburg Times, as per the rules of practice for the 26th Judicial District; and defendants waived any objections as to notice by entering a general appearance at that hearing. Collins v. Highway Commission, 237 N.C. 277, 74 S.E. 2d 709 (1953). We have examined defendants’ other contentions and find them to be without merit. For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the trial court is Affirmed. Judges Webb and Phillips concur.