THE NMI Settlement Fund and the Estate of Manuel Villagomez, in a joint stipulation filed Tuesday, informed the Superior Court that since Feb. 7, the parties have had an initial settlement discussion.
As part of those discussions, the administrator for the Estate of Villagomez and NMISF have exchanged documents.
The stipulation was signed by attorney Nicole Nicole Torres-Ripple, who represents NMISF, and attorney Robert Torres, who represents Colleen V. Manglona, the administrator of the Estate of Villagomez.
According to the stipulation, the parties have been discussing various issues and potential terms of resolution as recently as March 7. “The parties are making progress but have not reached resolution. However, the parties have not reached an impasse as to settlement efforts,” the stipulation stated.
It added that the parties remain engaged in settlement discussions and agree that they need additional time to continue efforts toward resolution.
The attorneys requested the court for an extension of the stay and briefing and to reset the matter for a status conference on April 4 at 2:30 p.m.
“The parties will inform the court on their progress or resolution on or before April 4,” they said.
Presiding over the local court case, Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho granted the request of the parties and stayed the proceedings.
The federal court has also delayed making a decision on NMISF’s motion for an order to stay and intervene in the probate proceedings of the decedent because the parties have initiated settlement discussions.
According to the NMISF, it has a claim against the Estate of Manuel B. Villagomez based on an overpayment in retirement benefits amounting to over $56,000 paid prior to his passing on May 10, 2021.
The decedent was a member of the Settlement Class at the time of his death.
The NMISF said it is a creditor of the estate, and it timely filed a Notice of Claim in the Probate Action (Superior Court) on Nov. 1, 2021.
