Borrowers Contest Promissory Note Signatures

OHIO CASE LAW UPDATE
Christiana Trust v. Berter, 2020-Ohio-727, (12th District 2020)
The borrowers raised a number of issues in this case. The most significant issue was their argument that they should be allowed to contest the signatures that appear on the promissory note indorsements. This could present significant problems, not least of which would involve tracking down the individuals that signed the indorsements. Courts in Ohio have not had the opportunity to address this issue in any detail.  The borrowers’ argument was based on ORC 1303.35, which corresponds UCC 3-306 and 3-308. Most states have adopted UCC 3-306 and 3-308 in some version so this issue could arise across the country. The Court of Appeals ruled that ORC/UCC does not provide the borrowers with the right to contest signatures that appear on indorsements as that provision was intended to provide the maker of the promissory note with the opportunity to raise the issue of the maker’s signature being fraudulent or forged. The borrowers attempted to appeal this decision to the Ohio Supreme Court, but that court denied jurisdiction. Contrast this with the George decision below.