Shneyder

BACKGROUND

In July 2004, appellant, Valery Shneyder, and other plaintiffs brought suit against respondents, Polina and Gene Sokolovsky, and other defendants after disputes arose relating to the parties‟ acquisition of multiple parcels of real property (the prior action). The parties eventually entered into settlement negotiations and various drafts of a written settlement agreement were created. A notice of settlement was filed and the case was dismissed. The terms of the settlement agreement discussed among the parties called for the conveyance of Shneyder‟s interest in various properties to appellants, and respondents‟ payment to Shnedyer of $579,800 in three separate principal payments, in the amounts of $383,500, $135,000, and $61,300. Respondents paid the first amount of $383,500, plus interest. They also paid the second amount of $135,000, again with interest. According to Shneyder‟s trial testimony in the instant action, in 2009 respondents paid a total of $11,000 toward the remaining $61,300 obligation. Shneyder initiated this action on January 25, 2010, after respondents failed to make any further payments. His complaint alleged, inter alia, that the parties entered into…