Prothonotary’s report

A total of 381 cases were started in December in the office of Carbon County Prothonotary Joann M. Behrens, according to a monthly statistical report released by the officeholder. A breakdown of cases is as follows:

Civil actions, 35; custody complaints, 22; complaints to modify custody, 13; district justice appeals, 4; divorce complaints, 9; complaints in ejectment, 2; eminent domain/declaration of taking, 1; license appeals, 2; mortgage foreclosure complaints, 22; protection from abuse petitions, 26; quiet title action, 1; tax sale, 1; zoning appeal, 1; judgments, 219; miscellaneous cases, 2; stipulations/waivers of liens, 2; and writs of executions, 19. The office also processed 66 passport applications and rendered assistance to the public with 24 passport renewal applications.

Behrens’ financial report for December shows $29,743.10 was generated as follows: prothonotary’s fees, $24,862.06; interest income, $3.38; custody/divorce fees, $900; data processing fees, $3,786.66, stenographer fees, $191; and remote access fees, $1,800.

The prothonotary also remitted $3,987.34 to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Revenue, representing state fees collected locally, and $57.60 to the Administrative Offices of the Pennsylvania Courts, this being surcharges on new custody cases in accordance with Act 119 of 1996. Another $1,105 was deposited in the Prothonotary’s Automation Fund for future use in automating the office.

Revenue from deeds

Carbon County Recorder of Deeds Emmett P. McCall reported his office recorded 210 deeds, 139 mortgages and 301 other writs during the month of December.

As a result of those transactions, McCall turned over to the Carbon County General Fund the sum of $25,314.24. A breakdown of that revenue includes: transfer fees, $19,556.50; data processing fees, $1,521.75; notaries, $80; commission on transfers and writs, $3,270.39; and Affordable Housing administrative fee, $885.60.

McCall remitted $325 in state writ taxes to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, while Carbon County municipalities and school districts shared realty transfer tax disbursements totaling $169,912.27, the same amount that was forwarded to the state in realty transfer taxes.

McCall deposited $1,929 in the Recorder of Deeds Record Improvement Fund and $1,286 in the Carbon County Records Improvement Fund, these being fees assessed by state law on each transaction for records management needs. An additional $23,345 was collected and remitted to the state for its Judicial Computer System program.

Also, $5,018.40 was collected last month for the Affordable Housing Program in Carbon County.

In all, funds collected in the Recorder’s office last month amounted to $390,042.18.

Credit card defaults

Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, has filed several civil actions against individuals it alleges have defaulted on credit accounts.

The defendants and the arrearages they owe include: Jessica Card, 200 W. Ridge St., Apt. 5, Lansford, $990.54; Harry W. Zazulak, 415 Koch Road, Kunkletown, $4,141.05; Angela J. Miller, 210 Lansford Court, Lansford, $3,454.35; and Michael L. Rein­hart, 59 E. Center St., Nesquehoning, $6,956.06.

Sues over death

FNU Neelam, individually, and as special administrator of the Estate of Kulbir Singh Mann, Fresno, California, has filed a wrongful-death suit against Edwin Malconado and Transcom Leasing Corporation, North Bergen, New Jersey.

The suit was started by the filing of a writ of summons, a legal process in which the specific claims of the action do not have to be listed.

The plaintiff’s filing indicates the tort action is a motor vehicle case. A jury trial is demanded.

Magistrate’s ruling appealed

The Ford Motor Company LLC, West Chester, has appealed a decision of Magisterial District Judge Casimir Kosciolek.

The lower court judge ruled in favor of Kevin M. Green, 206 Dowbush Road, and Nicole F. Fritzinger, 105 Repsher Lane, both of Lehighton, on Nov. 27, 2018.