Morlock, L.L.C. v. the Bank of New York, as Tr. on Behalf of the Certificate Holders of CWABS, Inc., Asset- Backed Certificates, Series 2004-13, 448 S.W.3d 514 (Tex. App. 2014). · Go Syfert
Morlock, L.L.C. v. the Bank of New York, as Tr. on Behalf of the Certificate Holders of CWABS, Inc., Asset- Backed Certificates, Series 2004-13, 448 S.W.3d 514 (Tex. App. 2014). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“when someone without authorization signs a conveyance on behalf of a grantor corporation, the cause of action for fraud to set-- aside the assignment belongs to the grantor. a third party lacks standing to challenge this voidable defect in the assignment.”
65 citation events (65 in the last 25 years) across 8 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Daniel Ybarra and Lisa Ybarra v. Ameripro Funding, Inc., U.S. Bank, N.A. as Trustee for the Banc of America Finding 2005-HTrust, Banc of America, N.A. Nationstar Mortgage, LLC and Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. AKA \MERS\"" (texapp, 2018-06-14)
Treatment trajectory · 2014 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2014 2020 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 30 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Daniel Ybarra and Lisa Ybarra v. Ameripro Funding, Inc., U.S. Bank, N.A. as Trustee for the Banc of America Finding 2005-HTrust, Banc of America, N.A. Nationstar Mortgage, LLC and Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. AKA \MERS\"" (9×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2018 · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence high
since the bank proved that it is the owner of the deed of trust, it established its interest in the property and right to foreclose as a matter of law regardless of whether it was also a holder or the owner of the note.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Everbank, N.A. v. Seedergy Ventures, Inc. (3×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2016 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
when someone without authorization signs a conveyance on behalf of a grantor corporation, the cause of action for fraud to set-- aside the assignment belongs to the grantor. a third party lacks standing to challenge this voidable defect in the assignment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Grant Trevarthen v. New Century Mortgage Corporation U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for the Pooling and Servicing Agreement Dated as of September 1, 2006 Master Asset Backed Securities Trust 2006-NC2 Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2006-NC2
Tex. App. · 2014 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
deeds obtained by fraud are voidable rather than void, and remain effective until set aside.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re: Deondra Joyce Kheir v. Titan Team LLC, The Money Source Inc., and Auction.com
Bankr. S.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 518 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied). 11 “A foreclosure conducted by Misrepresentation of Authority. an improperly appointed substitute trustee is void ab The quoted text does not appear in Miller.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Michael Singletary v. SWBC Mortgage Corporation and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac)
S.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
Tex. Apr. 16, 2020) (citing Martins v. BAC Home Serv'g, L.P., 722 F.3d 249, 255 (5th Cir. 2013) and Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 518 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014) (pet. denied)), report and recommendation adopted, No. CV H-20-153, 2020 WL 2104639 (S.D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Williams v. Freedom Mortgage Corporation
N.D. Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
CODE § 51.002; Morlock, LLC v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 518 (Tex. App. — Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) DHI Holdings, LP v. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for GSamp Trust 2006-SD1, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-SD1 Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC And Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.
Tex. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
See Pike v. Tex. EMC Management, LLC, 610 S.W.3d 763 , 773–74 (Tex. 2020) (noting Texas courts sometimes apply the label “standing” to statutory or prudential considerations that do not implicate subject matter jurisdiction); id. at 773 (standing “is a word of many, too many, meanings”) (quoting Steel Co. v. Citizens for a Better Env’t, 523 U.S. 83, 90 (1998)); Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 520 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) (contrasting substantive law regarding ability of third party to challenge assignment with justiciable interest req…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) DHI Holdings, LP v. Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust 2018-RPLS2 and Rushmore Loan Management Services, LLC (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
“A deed which is 7 Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Stricker v. DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL I INC. TRUST 2006-HE8 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-HE8
W.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston 2014); see also Wells v. BAC Home Loan Servicing, L.P., No. W–10–CA–00350, 2011 WL 2163987 , at *2 (W.D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) MEI Camp Springs, LLC v. Clear Fork, Inc. and Gunn Oil Company
Tex. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied); see Lance, 543 S.W.3d at 739 (citing Morlock for this proposition).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hu v. Stewart
S.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
A mortgagee "may enforce the deed of trust even if it is not the owner and holder of the note or of the original of the note." Id.; Morlock, LLC v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 518 (Tex. App.— Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) ("The 'weight of Texas authority' supports the proposition that the party owning the deed of trust need not also show that it is the owner or holder of the note in order to foreclose.") Finally, it is well established that Shellpoint is not required to present the original note to the Court to be allowed to proceed with the sale.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Michael W. Schuetz and Jamie K. Schuetz v. Source One Mortgage Services Corporation Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. Citimortgage, Inc. Barrett Daffin Frappier Turner & Engle Robert Ferguson, and Barbara Ferguson
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Rather, it is well established that “a deed of trust may be enforced by the mortgagee, regardless of whether the mortgagee also holds the note.” Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 518 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) (quoting Lowery v. Bank of Am., N.A., No. 04-12-00729-CV, 2013 WL 5762227 , at *2 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Oct. 23, 2013, no pet.)); Bierwerth v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P., No. 03-11-00644-CV, 2012 WL 3793190 , at * 3 (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 30, 2012, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (explaining that right to foreclose under deed of trust is indep…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jerome J. Isaac and Michelle P. Isaac v. Vendor Resource Management, Inc. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. And CitiMortgage, Inc.
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
A third party lacks standing to challenge this voidable defect in the assignment.’” (quoting Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N. Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) (holding that third party lacked standing to claim that assignment of deed of trust was executed without authorization))). 8 See id.
cited Cited as authority (rule) J.M. Arpad Lamell v. OneWest Bank, FSB, a Foreign Corporation
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
See Nobles v. Marcus, 533 S.W.2d 923, 926 (Tex.1976); Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Oscar Melendez and Connie Melendez v. Citimortgage, Inc. Ernestine Williams And Wendy Alexander
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
A third party lacks standing to challenge this voidable defect in the assignment.” Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, 11 Consequently, Citi established as a matter of law that it had authority to foreclose as both mortgage servicer and mortgagee.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Oscar Melendez and Connie Melendez v. Citimortgage, Inc. Ernestine Williams And Wendy Alexander
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
See Hinkle v. Adams, 74 S.W.3d 189, 193 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2002, no pet.) (forfeiture of corporate privileges does not extinguish corporation as entity); Bierwirth v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P., No. 03-11-00644-CV, 2012 WL 3793190 , at *3-4 (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 30, 2012, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (nominee under deed of trust can assign deed of trust separately from note); Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. filed) (“When someone without authorization signs a conveyance on behalf of a grantor corporation, the cause of …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jerome J. Isaac and Michelle P. Isaac v. Vendor Resource Management, Inc. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. And CitiMortgage, Inc.
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Corp., No. 03-12-00790-CV, 2014 WL 5801878 , at *4 (Tex. App.—Austin Nov. 6, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op.) (quoting Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. filed)) (emphasis added).
cited Cited "see" U.S. Bank Ntl Assn v. Blizzard
5th Cir. · 2021 · signal: see · confidence high
See Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 , 520- 21 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) (citing Reinagel v. Deutsche Bank Nat.
cited Cited "see" Suniverse, LLC v. Universal American Mortgage Company, LLC
Tex. App. · 2021 · signal: see · confidence high
See Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied); see also Ferguson, 802 F.3d at 780-81 .
discussed Cited "see" Brent Meyerhoff and Rhonda Barr v. Pacific Union Financial, LLC
Tex. App. · 2019 · signal: see · confidence high
See Morlock L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 518 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) (noting that the Fifth Circuit had “correctly recognized that the ‘weight of Texas authority’ supports the proposition that the party owning the deed of trust need not also show that it is the owner or holder of the note in order to foreclose[]”); Morlock L.L.C. v. Nationstar Mor[t]g.
discussed Cited "see" Charles A. Farris, Jessie Farris and All Other Occupants v. Nationstar Morgage LLC F/K/A Centex Home Equity Company LLC
Tex. App. · 2019 · signal: see · confidence high
See Morlock L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 518 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) (noting that the Fifth Circuit had “correctly recognized that the ‘weight of Texas authority’ supports the proposition that the party owning the deed of trust need not also show that it is the owner or holder of the note in order to foreclose.”); Morlock L.L.C. v. Nationstar Morg.
discussed Cited "see" Jadon F. Newman v. Firstmark Credit Union
Tex. App. · 2015 · signal: see · confidence high
See Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N. Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 518 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. filed) (referring to severability of note and deed of trust and rule that deed of trust may be enforced by mortgagee regardless of whether mortgagee also holds note).
discussed Cited "see" In re Carrsow-Franklin (2×)
Bankr. S.D.N.Y. · 2015 · signal: see · confidence high
See Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 517-19 , 2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 9135, at *5-9 (Tex.App.
cited Cited "see" Morlock, L.L.C. v. the Bank of New York, as Trustee on Behalf of the Certificate Holders of CWABS, Inc., Asset- Backed Certificates, Series 2004-13
Tex. App. · 2014 · signal: see · confidence high
See Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, No. 01-13-00949-CV, 2014 WL 4085771 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 19, 2014).
discussed Cited "see" Morlock, L.L.C. v. the Bank of New York, as Trustee on Behalf of the Certificate Holders of CWABS, Inc., Asset- Backed Certificates, Series 2004-13 (2×)
Tex. App. · 2014 · signal: see · confidence high
See Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, No. 01-13-00949-CV, 448 S.W.3d 514 , 2014 WL 4085771 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 19, 2014).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Patricia A. Grant, Ph.D. v. Richard W. Heo
Tex. App. · 2023 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of NY, 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) (a person with no property interest has no standing to challenge the validity and assignment of a deed of trust).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." William D. Abraham v. Ron Acton, Debbie Acton, AARK Investments, L.P., Federico Fernandez and Carol Fernandez
Tex. App. · 2023 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See Bowman, 2016 WL 258765 , at *6 (“Without an interest in the property, appellants have no standing to assert these challenges.”); see also Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) (holding a person with no property interest has no standing to challenge the validity of an unauthorized assignment of a deed of trust).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Jatex Oil and Gas Exploration L.P., John A. Truitt, Inc., and John A. Truitt v. Nadel and Gussman Permian, L.L.C. and Scott Germann
Tex. App. · 2020 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See Juliette Fowler Homes, Inc. v. Welch Assocs., 793 S.W.2d 660, 664 (Tex. 1990), superseded on other grounds by statute as recognized in Coinmach Corp. v. Aspenwood Apartment, Corp., 417 S.W.3d 909 (Tex. 2013) (“[M]ere unenforceability of a contract is not a defense to an action for tortious interference with its performance.”); Clements v. Withers, 437 S.W.2d 818, 821 (Tex. 1969) (a contract held to be unenforceable under the statute of frauds may nevertheless serve as the basis for a tortious-interference claim); see also Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y., 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.�…
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Ruiz v. Bank of America, N.A.
N.D. Tex. · 2020 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Reinagel, 735 F.3d at 225 ; see also Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) (citations omitted) (same); Vasquez v. Deutsche Bank Nat’l Trust Co., N.A., 441 S.W.3d 783, 787 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, no pet.) (discussing Reinagel with approval).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." John A. Lance, Debra L. Lance, F.D. Franks, and Helen Franks v. Judith and Terry Robinson, Gary and Brenda Fest, Virginia Gray, Butch Townsend and Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Counties Water Control and Improvement District No. 1
Tex. · 2018 · signal: see also · confidence low
And until a court sets a deed aside, it remains "valid and represents prima facie evidence of title." Id. at 926 ; see also Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of N.Y. , 448 S.W.3d 514 , 517 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied) ("A third party lacks standing to challenge this voidable defect in the assignment."); Lopez v. Morales , No. 04-09-00476-CV, 2010 WL 3332318 , at *3 (Tex. App.-San Antonio, Aug. 25, 2010, no writ) (mem. op.) ("[A] suit to set aside a deed obtained by fraud can only be maintained by the defrauded party.").
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
MORLOCK, L.L.C., Appellant
v.
the BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee on Behalf of the Certificate Holders of Cwabs, Inc., Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2004-13, Appellee
01-13-00949-CV.
Court of Appeals of Texas.
Aug 19, 2014.
448 S.W.3d 514
Jerry L. Schutza, Houston, TX, for Appellant., Philip J. Morgan, Lara D. Pringle, Jones Walker LLP, Houston, TX, for Appellee.
Bland, Jennings, Massengale.
Cited by 31 opinions  |  Published
Pinpoint authority: bottom 41%

Lead Opinion

OPINION

MICHAEL MASSENGALE, Justice.

Appellant Morlock, L.L.C. sued The Bank of New York to stop foreclosure on a Harris County house. Morlock alleged that it owned the house, and that the bank[*516] had no interest in it and no authority to foreclose. The bank counterclaimed, requesting a declaratory judgment acknowledging its rights as mortgagee in the home. The bank then successfully moved for traditional summary judgment, obtaining both dismissal of Morlock’s claims and the declaratory judgment it sought. Finding no reversible error, we affirm.

Background

Harshidaben and Jigar Sandesara borrowed money to purchase a home in Harris County, making a note and giving a recorded deed of trust to Mortgage Investment Lending Associates, Inc. (“MILA”). MILA assigned the deed of trust to Countrywide Document Custody Services, a Division of Treasury Bank, N.A. This assignment was filed in the public records of Harris County. Countrywide in turn assigned the deed of trust to The Bank of New York (“BONY”), and that assignment was also filed in the public record.

The Sandesaras’ home was located in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association. The association held a lien on the home to secure payment of assessments owed under neighborhood covenants. When these assessments fell into arrears, the association foreclosed its lien and gave Morlock, the purchaser, a trustee’s deed. By its terms, the lien held by the homeowner’s association was inferior to a purchase money mortgage.

BONY subsequently posted notice of nonjudicial foreclosure. In response, Mor-lock sued to stop the foreclosure. It alleged that BONY did not have an interest in the property for two reasons: BONY was not the .owner or holder of the note and the person who executed the assignment from MILA to Countrywide was not authorized to do so.

BONY counterclaimed, seeking a declaratory judgment that the deed of trust was a valid lien on Morlock’s property, that it was the owner of the deed of trust, and that it had the right to foreclose. BONY then moved for traditional summary judgment, asking the court to dismiss Mor-lock’s claims and to enter the declaratory judgment that it sought. BONY argued that Morlock lacked standing to challenge the assignment from MILA to Countrywide on the grounds that it was unauthorized by MILA. BONY also argued that it did not need to show that it was the owner or a holder of the note to establish its right to foreclose. The trial court granted the motion, and Morlock timely filed notice of appeal.

Analysis

In its appellate brief, Morlock argues that it has standing to challenge whether BONY is the owner and holder of the note and deed of trust and that the summaiy-judgment evidence does not conclusively establish that BONY is the owner and holder of the note and deed of trust.

We review a summary judgment de novo. Provident Life & Accident Ins. Co. v. Knott, 128 S.W.3d 211, 215 (Tex.2003). Traditional summary judgment is properly granted only when a movant establishes that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Tex.R. Civ. P. 166a(c); KPMG Peat Marwick v. Hamson Cnty. Hous. Fin. Corp., 988 S.W.2d 746, 748 (Tex.1999). To determine whether there is a genuine issue of material fact, we consider evidence favorable to the nonmov-ant as true and draw every reasonable inference in its favor, resolving all doubts on the side of the nonmovant. Nixon v. Mr. Prop. Mgmt. Co., 690 S.W.2d 546, 548-49 (Tex.1985).

I. Standing

Morlock’s first appellate issue addresses standing. In its amended petition,[*517] Morlock alleged that “the person who executed the assignment [of the deed of trust] was not authorized to execute the assignment on behalf of Mila, Inc.” to Countrywide. In sum, Morlock’s challenge to the assignment was that it was executed by a person who did not have authority to execute the assignment as an agent of MILA.

Notably, this case does not concern an accusation of forgery. Morlock did not allege that the person who signed the document purported to act as someone else. For example, it did not charge that someone signed the name of a MILA executive without that executive’s approval. Cf. Vazquez v. Deutsche Bank Nat’l Trust Co., N.A., 441 S.W.3d 783, 789 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, no pet. h.). Such an allegation would have been a claim of forgery. See Nobles v. Marcus, 533 S.W.2d 923, 925-26 (Tex.1976) (“[T]o be á forgery the signing must be by one who purports to act as another.”).

A plaintiff who is not a party to an assignment lacks standing to challenge the assignment on grounds which render it merely voidable at the election of one of the parties. See Vazquez, 441 S.W.3d at 786; see also Reinagel v. Deutsche Bank Nat. Trust Co., 735 F.3d 220, 225 (5th Cir.2013) (applying Texas law); Tri-Cities Constr., Inc. v. Am. Nat’l Ins. Co., 523 S.W.2d 426, 430 (Tex.Civ.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1975, no writ); Glass v. Carpenter, 330 S.W.2d 530, 537 (Tex.Civ.App.-San Antonio 1959, writ ref d n.r.e.).

“Deeds procured by fraud are voidable only, not void, at the election of the grantor.” Nobles v. Marcus, 533 S.W.2d 923, 926 (Tex.1976) (distinguishing between challenges based upon fraud and forgery). When someone without authorization signs a conveyance on behalf of a grantor corporation, the cause of action for fraud to set aside the assignment belongs to the grantor. See id. at 926-27. A third party lacks standing to challenge this voidable defect in the assignment. See id. at 927.

Morlock relies on two cases from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Reinagel v. Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., 735 F.3d 220 (5th Cir.2013), and Reeves v. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, 544 Fed.Appx. 564 (5th Cir.2013) (per curiam), cert. denied, — U.S.-, 134 S.Ct. 2668, 189 L.Ed.2d 216 (2014). Neither case, however, supports Morlock’s standing to challenge an unauthorized assignment. The Reinagel court held that lack of authority to enter an assignment of a deed of trust on behalf of a corporate principal was a voidable defect that the plaintiff mortgagor lacked standing to challenge. 735 F.3d at 226. The issue in Reeves was whether a plaintiff who had acquired property subject to a deed of trust through a quitclaim deed had standing to contest the validity of a subsequent foreclosure under the deed of trust. 544 FedAppx. at 568. The Reeves court did not consider whether a property owner has standing to challenge an unauthorized assignment. See id.

Accordingly, we hold that as a nonparty to the transaction, Morlock lacks standing to claim that the assignment from MILA to Countrywide was executed without authorization. Morlock’s first issue is overruled.

II. Right to foreclose under trust deed

In its second issue, Morlock argues that the summary-judgment evidence fails to establish that BONY is the owner and holder of the note and the deed of trust. BONY argues in response that whether it is the owner or holder of the note is irrelevant to its interest in the real property at issue and its right to foreclose, both of which are established by the deed of trust.[*518] BONY also argues that it presented evidence that it received the deed of trust through an unbroken chain of recorded assignments.

BONY attached to its motion for summary judgment a copy of the recorded deed of trust to MILA, a copy of the recorded assignment of deed of trust from MILA to Countrywide, and a copy of the recorded assignment of deed of trust from Countrywide to BONY. The Bank thus established that it is the owner of the deed of trust. Cf. Leavings v. Mills, 175 S.W.3d 301, 314 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.) (reversing summary judgment when chain of assignments in evidence did not reach defendant). Neither BONY nor Morlock has introduced a copy of the note into the record.

“It is so well settled as not to -be controverted that the right to recover a personal judgment for a debt secured by a lien on land and the right to have a foreclosure of lien are severable .... ” Carter v. Gray, 125 Tex. 219, 221, 81 S.W.2d 647, 648 (1935); accord Stephens v. LPP Mortg., Ltd., 316 S.W.3d 742, 746 (Tex.App.-Austin 2010, pet. denied); Poston v. Wachovia Mortg. Corp., No. 14-11-00485-CV, 2012 WL 1606340, at *2 (Tex.App.Houston [14th Dist.] May 8, 2012, pet. denied) (mem. op.). “Consequently, a deed of trust may be enforced by the mortgagee, regardless of whether the mortgagee also holds the note.” Lowery v. Bank of Am., N.A., No. 04-12-00729-CV, 2013 WL 5762227, at *2 (Tex.App.-San Antonio Oct. 23, 2013, no pet.) (mem. op.); accord Martins v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P., 722 F.3d 249, 255 (5th Cir.2013) (applying Texas law); Bierwirth v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P., No. 03-11-00644-CV, 2012 WL 3793190, at *3 (Tex.App.-Austin Aug. 30, 2012, pet. denied) (mem. op.); Hombuckle v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., No. 02-09-00330-CV, 2011 WL 1901975, at *3 (Tex.App.Fort Worth May 19, 2011, no pet.) (mem. op.).

As the Bierwirth court explained, this conclusion follows both from the principle that the note and deed of trust are severa-ble and the fact that the provisions of the Texas Property Code governing nonjudicial foreclosure do not require possession or production of the original note. See Bierwirth, 2012 WL 3793190, at ⅜3. The Code sets conditions for “a sale of real property under a power of sale conferred by a deed of trust or other contract lien.” Tex. Prop.Code Ann. § 51.002(a) (West Supp. 2013). It defines a “mortgagee” as the “grantee” or “beneficiary” of a “security instrument” or as “the last person to whom the security interest has been assigned of record.” Id. § 51.0001(4). Although a mortgagee must give notice and follow other specified procedures, there is no requirement that the mortgagee possess or produce the note that the deed of trust secures in order to conduct a nonjudicial foreclose. See id. § 51.002.

The Fifth Circuit also recently considered whether a Texas mortgagee must show ownership of the note to execute its lien. Martins, 722 F.3d at 254-55. The court correctly recognized that the “weight of Texas authority” supports the proposition that the party owning the deed of trust need not also show that it is the owner or holder of the note in order to foreclose. Id. at 255. Yet, in its- review of Texas cases, that court characterized this court’s decision in Leavings v. Mills, 175 S.W.3d 301 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.), as opposing the “weight of Texas authority.” Id. at 254-55. It described Leavings as holding that “to foreclose through a deed of trust or sue on a •note, a party must prove that it owns and holds the note.” Id. at 254.

[*519] We respectfully disagree with the Martins court’s characterization of the holding in Leavings. The reasoning in Leavings, which involved a retail installment contract for a solar water heating system and an associated mechanic’s and materialman’s lien, cannot be construed to support a. holding that a party seeking to foreclose through a deed of trust must additionally prove ownership of the note. Mills, the defendant and putative owner of the note and deed of trust in that case, failed to establish a complete chain of assignments for either the deed of trust or the note. Leavings, 175 S.W.3d at 307-08, 313-14. When this court faulted Mills for his failure to show ownership of the note, id. at 314, it was not stating necessary conditions but ruling out alternative grounds for foreclosure. See id. The discussion affirmed that the evidence failed to establish Mills’s right to foreclose, either through ownership of the note or through ownership of the deed of trust. See id. This court did not hold in Leavings that ownership of the note was essential to foreclosure. See id. (“Since Mills has failed to show that he is either the owner or the holder of the note or of the trust deed, we hold that Mills has failed to establish his entitlement to summary judgment.”).*

Since the Bank proved that it is the owner of the deed of trust, it established its interest in the property and right to foreclose as a matter of law regardless of whether it was also a holder or the owner of the note. See Lowery, 2013 WL 5762227, at *2; Bienvirth, 2012 WL 3793190, at *3; Hombuckle, 2011 WL 1901975, at *3. Morlock’s petition did not seek independent relief in relation to the note but only “a judgment which determines whether Defendant Bank of New York has any interest in the Property and whether Defendant Bank of New York has any right to foreclose on the property.” Likewise, the Bank’s counterclaim sought only a declaratory judgment recognizing its interest in the house and right to foreclose. Accordingly, the trial court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of the Bank. Morloek’s remaining issues are overruled.

Conclusion

We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Leavings also involved a materially different and distinguishable fact pattern. Unlike the Fifth Circuit in Martins, see 722 F.3d at 254-55, this court in Leavings was not interpreting section 51.0025 of the Property Code, authorizing foreclosure by a mortgage servicer, as that provision had not yet been enacted at the time of the putative assignment at issue in the case. Compare Leavings, 175 S.W.3d at 306 (litigation challenging putative assignee’s authority to foreclose initiated in 1997), with Tex. Prop.Code Ann. § 51.0025 (West 2007), and Act of June 20, 2003, 78th Leg., R.S., ch. 554, § 1, 2003 Tex. Gen. Laws 1897, 1898 (adding section 51.0025 to Property Code). In other words, the statute relied upon by the Martins opinion to characterize Leavings as holding contrary to the "weight of Texas authority" did not apply to the circumstances addressed in Leavings, both as a factual matter (no party in Leavings was a "mortgage servicer") and because it had not been enacted at the relevant time.

Rehearing

SUPPLEMENTAL OPINION ON MOTION FOR REHEARING

In our opinion dated August 19, 2014, we affirmed a summary judgment in favor of The Bank of New York. See Morlock, L.L.C. v. Bank of New York, No. 01-13-00949-CV, 448 S.W.3d 514, 2014 WL 4085771 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 19, 2014). Appellant Morlock, L.L.C. has filed a motion for rehearing. It suggests that our opinion created a split in authority with the Fourteenth Court of Appeals regarding its standing, as a third[*520] party to the transactions at issue, to challenge an allegedly fraudulent assignment clouding its title to property. We deny the motion for rehearing, and provide the following explanation for our conclusion that there is no conflict.

We previously held that because the allegation of fraud in this case would render the challenged assignment merely voidable at the election of the grantor, Morlock lacked “standing” to challenge it as a third party to that transaction. Bank of New York, 448 S.W.3d at 517-18, 2014 WL 4085771 at *2-3. The Fourteenth Court of Appeals, in a decision issued twelve days before ours and with apparently similar facts, held that Morlock had “standing” to challenge a different assignment, precisely because it sought to invalidate the assignment as a cloud on its title. Morlock, L.L.C. v. Nationstar Mortg., L.L.C., 447 S.W.3d 42, 43 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, pet. struck). Despite prevailing on the standing issue in the Fourteenth Court, Morlock nevertheless lost its appeal on the merits of that case.

In Nationstar, the Fourteenth Court analyzed the standing question using the rubric of Austin Nursing Center, Inc. v. Lovato, 171 S.W.3d 845 (Tex.2005), i.e., whether there existed a “real controversy” between the parties that would “actually be determined by the judicial declaration sought.” See Lovato, 171 S.W.3d at 849 (quoting Nootsie, Ltd. v. Williamson Cnty. Appraisal Dist., 925 S.W.2d 659, 662 (Tex.1996)). In contrast, our opinion did not address that specific issue or question Morlock’s “standing” in that particular sense.

Rather, oür decision was based on a different rule of law, established by Nobles v. Marcus, 533 S.W.2d 923 (Tex.1976). In Nobles, the Supreme Court of Texas explained that “[d]eeds procured by fraud are voidable only, not void, at the election of the grantor.” Nobles, 533 S.W.2d at 926. The effect of the Nobles rule in this appeal is that to the extent Morlock is aggrieved by a fraudulent assignment from the grantor (MILA) to the grantee (Countrywide), the substantive law does not provide a stranger to the transaction (such as Morlock) any cause of action to challenge that fraudulent assignment. Even assuming the truth of Morlock’s allegations, the assignment is not void. It is voidable only, at the election of the MILA, the grantor. It is not voidable by Mor-lock.

Nobles provided this further pertinent explanation for the rule:

It is settled that such a deed is valid and represents prima facie evidence of title until there has been a successful suit to set it aside. Meiners v. Texas Osage Cooperative Royalty Pool, 309 S.W.2d 898 (Tex.Civ.App.-El Paso 1958, writ refd n.r.e.); Whalen v. Richardson, 353 S.W.2d 941 (Tex.Civ.App.-Amarillo 1962, n.w.h.). To the same effect is Deaton v. Rush, 113 Tex. 176, 252 S.W. 1025 (1923), wherein this court stated that:
A deed obtained by fraud is not void but voidable only. As between the original parties Rush’s title is prima facie good, and it could only be avoided by a suit and a decree annulling and canceling the deed.
It is a fundamental rule of law that only the person whose primary legal right has been breached may seek redress for an injury. In American Nat. Ins. Co. v. Hicks, 35 S.W.2d 128 ([Tex.]Com.App. 1931, judgm. adopted), a right of action was defined as follows:
The right to maintain an action depends upon the existence of what is termed a cause of action, which involves the combination of a right on the part of the plaintiff and a violation of such right by defendant.
[*521] Without breach of a legal right belonging to the plaintiff no cause of action can accrue to his benefit. A suit to set aside a deed obtained by fraud can only be maintained by the defrauded party. Smith v. Carter, 45 S.W.2d 398 (Tex.Civ.App.-Texarkana 1932, writ dism’d); Meiners v. Texas Osage Cooperative Royalty Pool, supra. A party who was not defrauded by the conveyance has not suffered an invasion of a legal right and therefore does not have standing to bring suit based on that fraud.

Nobles, 538 S.W.2d at 926-27. Thus, as we explained in our decision, even if Mor-lock is aggrieved by a cloud of title stemming from a fraudulent assignment from MILA to Countrywide, the substantive law nevertheless does not provide Morlock with a cause of action against the current holder of the deed clouding Morlock’s title. The challenged assignment , may be voidable by MILA, the party that would have been directly harmed by the alleged fraud. In the absence of action by MILA to challenge the assignment as void, the deed is “prima facie good” as between MILA and Countrywide.

The Supreme Court’s resolution of Nobles was directly cast in terms of a lack of “standing,” and the analysis of our opinion echoed that holding. The Supreme Court stated: “A party who was not defrauded by the conveyance has not suffered an invasion of a legal right and therefore does not have standing to bring suit based on that fraud.” Id. at 927. Morlock’s motion for rehearing does not question the continuing validity of Nobles—in fact, the motion does not mention Nobles. Nor did the Fourteenth Court’s Nationstar opinion. Regardless of whether the Supreme Court today still would apply the label of “standing” to the substantive rule of law announced in Nobles, the outcome is the same for Morlock: “A suit to set aside a deed obtained by fraud can only be maintained by the defrauded party.” Id.