ORDERED that the appeal from the order dated June 10, 1998, is dismissed, as that order was superseded by the order dated October 28, 1998, made upon reargument; and it is further,
ORDERED that the order dated October 28, 1998, is affirmed insofar as appealed from; and it is further,
ORDERED that the respondents are awarded one bill of costs.
A mortgage is merely security for a debt or other obligation and cannot exist independently of the debt or obligation ( see, Copp v. Sands Point Marina, 17 N.Y.2d 291, 292). Here, the motion to dismiss the complaint was properly granted since the debt which the mortgage secured concededly was satisfied prior to the commencement of the action.
The appellant's remaining contentions are without merit.
BRACKEN, J.P., SULLIVAN, GOLDSTEIN, and McGINITY, JJ., concur.