Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper

Headline: Appellate Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Mortgage Servicer in Debt Collection Case

Citation:

Court: Texas Court of Appeals · Filed: 2026-03-10 · Docket: 01-25-00582-CV · Nature of Suit: Contract
Published
This case clarifies the scope of the Texas Debt Collection Practices Act, emphasizing that actions taken by a loan servicer in managing an existing loan, even if involving modification discussions, may not fall under the definition of 'debt collection' if they do not involve attempts to collect a debt outside the established loan terms. It also reinforces the high bar for surviving summary judgment on breach of contract claims when specific contractual violations are not clearly demonstrated. moderate affirmed
Outcome: Defendant Win
Impact Score: 15/100 — Low impact: This case is narrowly focused with minimal precedential value.
Legal Topics: Texas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA)Breach of ContractLoan ModificationSummary Judgment StandardDeceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) (implied, as often related to debt collection claims)
Legal Principles: Summary JudgmentBurden of Proof in Civil LitigationStatutory Interpretation (TDCPA)Contract Interpretation

Case Summary

Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper, decided by Texas Court of Appeals on March 10, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Ily Trust and Doris Young sued Nationstar Mortgage LLC (Mr. Cooper) for alleged violations of the Texas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA) and breach of contract, stemming from Nationstar's handling of a loan modification. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Nationstar. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the plaintiffs failed to present sufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact regarding their claims, particularly concerning whether Nationstar's actions constituted unlawful debt collection or a breach of contract. The court held: The court held that the plaintiffs failed to present sufficient evidence that Nationstar's actions constituted "debt collection" under the TDCPA, as the actions were related to the servicing of an existing loan and not an attempt to collect a debt in the traditional sense.. The court held that the plaintiffs did not raise a genuine issue of material fact regarding their breach of contract claim, as they did not demonstrate how Nationstar's actions violated specific terms of the loan agreement or modification documents.. The court found that the plaintiffs' argument that Nationstar's alleged misrepresentations constituted a breach of contract failed because the alleged misrepresentations were not tied to specific contractual obligations.. The court affirmed the trial court's grant of summary judgment, concluding that Nationstar was entitled to judgment as a matter of law because the plaintiffs failed to meet their burden of proof.. This case clarifies the scope of the Texas Debt Collection Practices Act, emphasizing that actions taken by a loan servicer in managing an existing loan, even if involving modification discussions, may not fall under the definition of 'debt collection' if they do not involve attempts to collect a debt outside the established loan terms. It also reinforces the high bar for surviving summary judgment on breach of contract claims when specific contractual violations are not clearly demonstrated.

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. May contain errors. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.

Key Holdings

The court established the following key holdings in this case:

  1. The court held that the plaintiffs failed to present sufficient evidence that Nationstar's actions constituted "debt collection" under the TDCPA, as the actions were related to the servicing of an existing loan and not an attempt to collect a debt in the traditional sense.
  2. The court held that the plaintiffs did not raise a genuine issue of material fact regarding their breach of contract claim, as they did not demonstrate how Nationstar's actions violated specific terms of the loan agreement or modification documents.
  3. The court found that the plaintiffs' argument that Nationstar's alleged misrepresentations constituted a breach of contract failed because the alleged misrepresentations were not tied to specific contractual obligations.
  4. The court affirmed the trial court's grant of summary judgment, concluding that Nationstar was entitled to judgment as a matter of law because the plaintiffs failed to meet their burden of proof.

Deep Legal Analysis

Rule Statements

"A motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim is the proper vehicle to challenge the legal sufficiency of a plaintiff's cause of action."
"To state a claim for violation of the notice requirements under section 51.002 of the Texas Property Code, a plaintiff must plead specific facts demonstrating that the notice provided was legally insufficient."

Entities and Participants

Frequently Asked Questions (42)

Comprehensive Q&A covering every aspect of this court opinion.

Basic Questions (10)

Q: What is Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper about?

Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper is a case decided by Texas Court of Appeals on March 10, 2026. It involves Contract.

Q: What court decided Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper?

Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper was decided by the Texas Court of Appeals, which is part of the TX state court system. This is a state appellate court.

Q: When was Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper decided?

Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper was decided on March 10, 2026.

Q: What is the citation for Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper?

The citation for Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper is . Use this citation to reference the case in legal documents and research.

Q: What type of case is Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper?

Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper is classified as a "Contract" case. This describes the nature of the legal dispute at issue.

Q: What is the case name and who are the parties involved in Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC?

The case is styled Ily Trust and Doris Young, Plaintiffs, v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Mr. Cooper, Defendant. The plaintiffs, Ily Trust and Doris Young, brought the lawsuit against the defendant, Nationstar Mortgage LLC, which does business as Mr. Cooper.

Q: What court decided the case of Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC?

The case was decided by the Texas Court of Appeals (texapp). This court reviewed a decision from a lower trial court that had granted summary judgment in favor of Nationstar Mortgage LLC.

Q: What was the primary dispute in the Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC case?

The primary dispute centered on Nationstar Mortgage LLC's handling of a loan modification for Ily Trust and Doris Young. The plaintiffs alleged that Nationstar violated the Texas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA) and breached their contract.

Q: What was the outcome of the case at the trial court level?

At the trial court level, Nationstar Mortgage LLC was granted summary judgment. This means the trial court found that there were no genuine disputes of material fact and that Nationstar was entitled to judgment as a matter of law, dismissing the plaintiffs' claims.

Q: What was the final decision of the Texas Court of Appeals in this case?

The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's decision, granting summary judgment in favor of Nationstar Mortgage LLC. The appellate court found that the plaintiffs, Ily Trust and Doris Young, did not present enough evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact for their claims.

Legal Analysis (15)

Q: Is Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper published?

Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper is a published, precedential opinion. Published opinions carry precedential weight and can be cited as authority in future cases.

Q: What was the ruling in Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper?

The court ruled in favor of the defendant in Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper. Key holdings: The court held that the plaintiffs failed to present sufficient evidence that Nationstar's actions constituted "debt collection" under the TDCPA, as the actions were related to the servicing of an existing loan and not an attempt to collect a debt in the traditional sense.; The court held that the plaintiffs did not raise a genuine issue of material fact regarding their breach of contract claim, as they did not demonstrate how Nationstar's actions violated specific terms of the loan agreement or modification documents.; The court found that the plaintiffs' argument that Nationstar's alleged misrepresentations constituted a breach of contract failed because the alleged misrepresentations were not tied to specific contractual obligations.; The court affirmed the trial court's grant of summary judgment, concluding that Nationstar was entitled to judgment as a matter of law because the plaintiffs failed to meet their burden of proof..

Q: Why is Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper important?

Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper has an impact score of 15/100, indicating narrow legal impact. This case clarifies the scope of the Texas Debt Collection Practices Act, emphasizing that actions taken by a loan servicer in managing an existing loan, even if involving modification discussions, may not fall under the definition of 'debt collection' if they do not involve attempts to collect a debt outside the established loan terms. It also reinforces the high bar for surviving summary judgment on breach of contract claims when specific contractual violations are not clearly demonstrated.

Q: What precedent does Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper set?

Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper established the following key holdings: (1) The court held that the plaintiffs failed to present sufficient evidence that Nationstar's actions constituted "debt collection" under the TDCPA, as the actions were related to the servicing of an existing loan and not an attempt to collect a debt in the traditional sense. (2) The court held that the plaintiffs did not raise a genuine issue of material fact regarding their breach of contract claim, as they did not demonstrate how Nationstar's actions violated specific terms of the loan agreement or modification documents. (3) The court found that the plaintiffs' argument that Nationstar's alleged misrepresentations constituted a breach of contract failed because the alleged misrepresentations were not tied to specific contractual obligations. (4) The court affirmed the trial court's grant of summary judgment, concluding that Nationstar was entitled to judgment as a matter of law because the plaintiffs failed to meet their burden of proof.

Q: What are the key holdings in Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper?

1. The court held that the plaintiffs failed to present sufficient evidence that Nationstar's actions constituted "debt collection" under the TDCPA, as the actions were related to the servicing of an existing loan and not an attempt to collect a debt in the traditional sense. 2. The court held that the plaintiffs did not raise a genuine issue of material fact regarding their breach of contract claim, as they did not demonstrate how Nationstar's actions violated specific terms of the loan agreement or modification documents. 3. The court found that the plaintiffs' argument that Nationstar's alleged misrepresentations constituted a breach of contract failed because the alleged misrepresentations were not tied to specific contractual obligations. 4. The court affirmed the trial court's grant of summary judgment, concluding that Nationstar was entitled to judgment as a matter of law because the plaintiffs failed to meet their burden of proof.

Q: What cases are related to Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper?

Precedent cases cited or related to Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper: Hollingsworth v. Nationstar Mortg., LLC, 588 S.W.3d 911 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2019, pet. denied); Bank of Am., N.A. v. Prater, 387 S.W.3d 116 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, no pet.).

Q: What specific Texas law did Nationstar Mortgage LLC allegedly violate according to the plaintiffs?

The plaintiffs, Ily Trust and Doris Young, alleged that Nationstar Mortgage LLC violated the Texas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA). This act governs the conduct of debt collectors in Texas.

Q: What legal standard did the appellate court apply when reviewing the summary judgment ruling?

The appellate court applied the standard for reviewing a summary judgment, which requires determining whether the movant (Nationstar) established its right to judgment as a matter of law. This involves examining whether there was sufficient evidence to negate any genuine issue of material fact raised by the non-movant (Ily Trust and Doris Young).

Q: What was the core legal issue regarding the TDCPA claim?

The core legal issue regarding the TDCPA claim was whether Nationstar's actions in handling the loan modification constituted unlawful debt collection practices under the Act. The plaintiffs needed to show that Nationstar's conduct met the statutory definition of a violation.

Q: What was the basis for the breach of contract claim against Nationstar?

The breach of contract claim was based on Nationstar's alleged failure to adhere to the terms of the loan agreement or the loan modification process. The plaintiffs contended that Nationstar's actions during the modification process constituted a breach of their contractual obligations.

Q: What did the court find lacking in the plaintiffs' evidence for their claims?

The court found that the plaintiffs, Ily Trust and Doris Young, failed to present sufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact. This means their evidence did not adequately support their allegations of TDCPA violations or breach of contract to proceed to trial.

Q: Did the court find that Nationstar's actions during the loan modification were unlawful debt collection?

No, the court did not find that Nationstar's actions constituted unlawful debt collection under the TDCPA. The appellate court concluded that the plaintiffs did not provide enough evidence to demonstrate that Nationstar's conduct violated the Act.

Q: What is the significance of 'summary judgment' in this case?

Summary judgment is a procedural device where a party can win a case without a full trial if they show there are no disputed facts and they are entitled to win as a matter of law. In this case, Nationstar successfully argued for summary judgment, meaning the trial court agreed the case could be decided without a trial.

Q: What does it mean for a party to 'raise a genuine issue of material fact'?

Raising a genuine issue of material fact means presenting evidence that creates a real question about a fact that is important to the outcome of the case. If such an issue exists, the case must typically go to trial for a fact-finder to resolve the dispute.

Q: What is the Texas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA)?

The Texas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA) is a state law that prohibits certain abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by debt collectors. It provides consumers with rights and remedies when dealing with debt collectors.

Practical Implications (6)

Q: How does Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper affect me?

This case clarifies the scope of the Texas Debt Collection Practices Act, emphasizing that actions taken by a loan servicer in managing an existing loan, even if involving modification discussions, may not fall under the definition of 'debt collection' if they do not involve attempts to collect a debt outside the established loan terms. It also reinforces the high bar for surviving summary judgment on breach of contract claims when specific contractual violations are not clearly demonstrated. As a decision from a state appellate court, its reach is limited to the state jurisdiction. This case is moderate in legal complexity to understand.

Q: How does this ruling impact homeowners seeking loan modifications?

This ruling suggests that homeowners seeking loan modifications must provide concrete evidence of specific violations of debt collection laws or contract terms to proceed with a lawsuit. Simply alleging a violation without sufficient supporting evidence may lead to summary judgment against them.

Q: Who is most affected by the outcome of this case?

Homeowners who are undergoing loan modification processes and believe their mortgage servicer is violating debt collection laws or their contract are most directly affected. Lenders and mortgage servicers may also be affected by the clarity provided on evidentiary standards required to defend against such claims.

Q: What are the practical implications for consumers dealing with mortgage servicers?

Consumers need to meticulously document all communications and actions taken by their mortgage servicer during loan modification attempts. They must be prepared to present specific evidence of wrongdoing, rather than relying solely on general allegations, to successfully challenge a servicer's conduct in court.

Q: What does this case suggest about the burden of proof for plaintiffs in debt collection lawsuits?

The case reinforces that plaintiffs bear the burden of proof to present sufficient evidence to establish their claims. In this instance, Ily Trust and Doris Young needed to show more than just a disagreement with Nationstar's actions; they needed evidence demonstrating a violation of the TDCPA or a breach of contract.

Q: Could this case influence how mortgage servicers handle loan modifications?

Yes, the case may encourage mortgage servicers to ensure their loan modification processes and communications are well-documented and compliant with relevant laws. It also highlights the importance of responding adequately to borrower inquiries and requests to avoid potential litigation.

Historical Context (3)

Q: How does this case fit into the broader legal landscape of consumer protection in debt collection?

This case illustrates the application of consumer protection laws like the TDCPA in the context of mortgage servicing and loan modifications. It underscores that while these laws provide recourse, consumers must meet specific evidentiary burdens to succeed in their claims against financial institutions.

Q: Are there any landmark Texas cases concerning debt collection practices that are similar?

While this case specifically addresses loan modifications, it operates within the framework established by prior Texas cases interpreting the TDCPA and common law contract principles. Landmark cases often define the scope of 'unfair or deceptive acts' or 'unconscionable conduct' in debt collection, which would be relevant to analyzing claims like those brought by Ily Trust and Doris Young.

Q: How has the interpretation of debt collection laws evolved to include loan modification disputes?

The evolution of debt collection laws has seen their application expand beyond traditional collection methods to encompass activities related to loan servicing and modification. Courts increasingly interpret whether actions taken during these processes, such as misrepresentations or failures to follow procedures, fall under the purview of consumer protection statutes.

Procedural Questions (5)

Q: What was the docket number in Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper?

The docket number for Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper is 01-25-00582-CV. This identifier is used to track the case through the court system.

Q: Can Ily Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper be appealed?

Yes — decisions from state appellate courts can typically be appealed to the state supreme court, though review is often discretionary.

Q: How did the case reach the Texas Court of Appeals?

The case reached the Texas Court of Appeals after the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Ily Trust and Doris Young appealed this decision to the appellate court, seeking to overturn the trial court's ruling.

Q: What procedural ruling did the appellate court uphold?

The appellate court upheld the procedural ruling of summary judgment granted by the trial court. This means the appellate court agreed that, based on the evidence presented, Nationstar was entitled to win without a trial.

Q: What is the significance of the 'summary judgment' procedural posture?

The summary judgment posture means the case was decided on legal grounds rather than factual disputes. The appellate court's review focused on whether the trial court correctly determined that no material facts were genuinely disputed and that Nationstar was entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Cited Precedents

This opinion references the following precedent cases:

  • Hollingsworth v. Nationstar Mortg., LLC, 588 S.W.3d 911 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2019, pet. denied)
  • Bank of Am., N.A. v. Prater, 387 S.W.3d 116 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, no pet.)

Case Details

Case NameIly Trust and Doris Young v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper
Citation
CourtTexas Court of Appeals
Date Filed2026-03-10
Docket Number01-25-00582-CV
Precedential StatusPublished
Nature of SuitContract
OutcomeDefendant Win
Dispositionaffirmed
Impact Score15 / 100
SignificanceThis case clarifies the scope of the Texas Debt Collection Practices Act, emphasizing that actions taken by a loan servicer in managing an existing loan, even if involving modification discussions, may not fall under the definition of 'debt collection' if they do not involve attempts to collect a debt outside the established loan terms. It also reinforces the high bar for surviving summary judgment on breach of contract claims when specific contractual violations are not clearly demonstrated.
Complexitymoderate
Legal TopicsTexas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA), Breach of Contract, Loan Modification, Summary Judgment Standard, Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) (implied, as often related to debt collection claims)
Jurisdictiontx

Related Legal Resources

Texas Court of Appeals Opinions Texas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA)Breach of ContractLoan ModificationSummary Judgment StandardDeceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) (implied, as often related to debt collection claims) tx Jurisdiction Home Search Cases Is It Legal? 2026 Cases All Courts All Topics States Rankings Texas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA) GuideBreach of Contract Guide Summary Judgment (Legal Term)Burden of Proof in Civil Litigation (Legal Term)Statutory Interpretation (TDCPA) (Legal Term)Contract Interpretation (Legal Term) Texas Debt Collection Practices Act (TDCPA) Topic HubBreach of Contract Topic HubLoan Modification Topic Hub

About This Analysis

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AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. May contain errors. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.

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