Joseph Fenwick v. Marcia Clark, as of the Estate of Dorothy J. Fenwick ( 2022 )

Cite as 2022 Ark. App. 300ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION IV
No. CV-21-450
JOSEPH FENWICK OPINION DELIVERED AUGUST 31, 2022
APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM THE SEBASTIAN
COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, FORT
V. SMITH DISTRICT
[NO. 66FPR-19-503]
MARCIA CLARK, AS EXECUTRIX OF
THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY J. HONORABLE SHANNON L. BLATT,
FENWICK, DECEASED JUDGE
APPELLEE
AFFIRMED
ROBERT J. GLADWIN, Judge
Joseph Fenwick appeals the July 15, 2021 order of the Sebastian County Circuit
Court denying his motion to dismiss a motion for declaratory judgment filed by appellee
Marcia Clark, as Executrix of the Estate of Dorothy J. Fenwick, deceased. Joseph argues that
the circuit court erred when it held that the probate division is the proper division for
jurisdiction of the issues in this case because the particular dispute between Marcia and him
concerns their respective interests in certain property that passed outside of the estate. We
affirm.
I. Facts and Procedural History
Dorothy and Joseph married on August 16, 2018. Dorothy subsequently purchased
a home located at 6521 Euper Lane, Fort Smith, Arkansas (“Property”), in her name only.
Dorothy conveyed the Property by beneficiary deed (“Deed”) to her daughter, Marcia, on
July 17, 2019. Joseph joined in the conveyance of the Deed solely for the purpose of
conveying his spousal interest. The Deed reads as follows:
BENEFICIARY DEED
CAUTION: THIS DEED MUST BE RECORDED PRIOR TO THE DEATH
OF THE GRANTOR IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTIVE
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
That we, Dorothy J, Fenwick, joined by spouse Joseph Fenwick (signing solely
for his spousal interest), hereinafter called GRANTORS, for and in consideration of
the sum of TEN DOLLARS and other good and valuable consideration paid by
Marcia Clark, a married person, do hereby. Grant, bargain, sell and convey, effective
on their death, unto said Grantee and Grantee’s heirs and assigns forever, the
following described property situate in the County of Sebastian, State of Arkansas,
to-wit: ·
Lot 5, Cliffwood, an Addition to the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas, according
to plat filed November 21, 1961, in the land records of Sebastian County,
Arkansas.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD The same unto the GRANTEE and unto her heirs and
assigns forever, with all appurtenances thereunto belonging.
This beneficiary deed is not to take effect until the death of Dorothy J. Fenwick.[1]
WITNESS our bands this 17th day of July 2019.
The Deed was filed on July 18, prior to Dorothy’s death on August 9, at which time
Dorothy and Joseph were still married.
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One part of the deed reads it is “effective on their death,” while another part of the
deed reads it “is not to take effect until the death of Dorothy J. Fenwick.”
2
On September 23, Joseph filed a petition stating that Dorothy died intestate; asked
to be named administrator of her estate; listed the aforementioned Property as a portion of
Dorothy’s estate in paragraph 4; and in paragraph 7, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 18-12-
608 (Supp. 2021), elected to take his spousal life estate in the marital residence located on
the Property (and attached as exhibit “B” a copy of the Deed). At no point during this case
did Joseph withdraw his claim for his spousal life estate.
On October 18, Marcia filed a petition for probate of Dorothy’s will, which was dated
October 14, 2012, and nominated herself to serve as executrix without bond. The same day,
Marcia also filed an objection to Joseph’s September 23 petition. On October 28, Joseph
was appointed administrator of Dorothy’s estate, but that order was set aside on November
15, and the matter was set for a hearing on November 19. However, before that time, the
parties agreed that the probate of Dorothy’s will was proper; that Marcia should be appointed
executrix; and that the matter would proceed under probate of the will rather than as an
administration of the estate. The order of probate was filed on November 22, pursuant to
which Marcia was appointed executrix without objection from Joseph, and letters
testamentary were issued.
On January 5, 2021, Marcia, in her capacity as executrix, moved for declaratory
judgment requesting that, because Dorothy’s will did not mention any real property owned
by her, the probate division determine that the Property that was the subject of the Deed was
not subject to administration by the probate court and to resolve Joseph’s and her interests
therein. In paragraph 10, Marcia expressed her belief, as supported by the attorney who
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drafted the Deed, that the word “their,” which appears in the body of the Deed in the phrase
“effective upon their death,” was a typographical error on the part of the drafting attorney;
that Joseph signed the Deed solely for his spousal interest and not because he was an owner
of the Property; and that Dorothy expressly intended that the Property be conveyed to Marcia
at Dorothy’s death rather than at the death of both Dorothy and Joseph. Marcia moved for
contempt against Joseph the same day for the willful disposition of estate personal property
without authorization.
On January 19, Joseph filed his response to Marcia’s motions for declaratory
judgment and contempt, and on February 11, he moved to dismiss Marcia’s motion and
filed a separate motion for summary judgment. On February 22, Marcia filed answers to
Joseph’s motion to dismiss and motion for summary judgment. On March 5, Joseph filed a
reply to Marcia’s response to his motions to dismiss and for contempt.
On April 9, Marcia filed a motion asking the circuit court to issue an order directing
Joseph to allow her access to the marital residence in order for her to inventory any and all
personal property owned by Dorothy. Further, she asked the circuit court to direct Joseph to
cooperate with her in the inventory and to provide her with all the information he had
concerning the removal, distribution, and disposition of any of Dorothy’s personal property
that had been removed from the residence since her death. On April 12, Joseph filed a
response to Marcia’s motion agreeing to an inspection of the property.
On May 3, the circuit court entered an order noting that Marcia had withdrawn her
motion for contempt and ordering that Joseph file a motion regarding his concerns over
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jurisdictional issues. On May 5, Joseph moved to deny and dismiss Marcia’s motion for
declaratory judgment. Marcia filed an answer on May 17; Joseph filed a reply on May 21;
and Marcia filed an answer to his reply on May 29. On July 15, the circuit court entered an
order on the parties’ pending motions and found that the probate division was the proper
division for jurisdiction of the issues in this case. Joseph filed a timely notice of appeal on
August 5, and this appeal followed.
II. Standard of Review and Applicable Law
This case raises a question of law regarding the jurisdiction—or power—of a circuit
court presiding over the probate of a decedent’s will to adjudicate the parties’ interests in
certain property. Questions of law are reviewed de novo by this court. Bennett v. Graves &
Assocs., Inc., 2019 Ark. App. 99, at 3, 571 S.W.3d 528, 530.
Probate proceedings adjudicate specific matters carefully defined by statute. The
probate jurisdiction of the circuit court includes:
(1) The administration, settlement, and distribution of estates of decedents;
(2) The probate of wills;
(3) The persons and estates of minors;
(4) Persons of unsound mind and their estates;
(5) The determination of heirship or of adoption;
(6) The restoration of lost wills and the construction of wills when incident to the
administration of an estate; and
(7) All such other matters as are provided by law.
5
Ark. Code Ann. § 28-1-104 (Repl. 2012).
III. Discussion
This appeal arises from the disagreement between Joseph and Marcia regarding the
result of the Deed. Marcia contends that the Deed conveyed to her a fee-simple interest in
the Property upon her mother’s death, while Joseph contends that the Deed conveyed a life
estate to him and that Marcia’s fee-simple ownership of the Property commences upon his
death. But both agree that if the Deed is valid, then the Property is not an asset of Dorothy’s
estate and does not pass through her will.
Joseph argues on appeal that the two individuals involved—Marcia and Joseph—cannot
adjudicate their interests in the Property because the Property is not a part of Dorothy’s
estate in a case within the probate division where Dorothy’s will was being probated. He
claims that a separate case needs to be initiated between Marcia in her individual capacity and
him in the civil division of the circuit court where the effect of the wording of the Deed can
be adjudicated. Because Marcia’s motion asked the probate division of the circuit court to
adjudicate the interests of two individuals who claim an interest in the Property in their own
rights and not as heirs or devisees to property that is not part of the estate, Joseph maintains
that the wrong party filed for relief in the wrong matter before the wrong division of the
circuit court.
Joseph acknowledges that the first two categories of probate jurisdiction govern the
underlying matter in that it is a probate proceeding initiated to administer, settle, and
distribute Dorothy’s estate’s property pursuant to her will. See Ark. Code Ann. § 28-1-
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104(1)–(2). But he maintains that this particular dispute over Marcia’s and his respective
interests in the Property does not concern the “administration, settlement, and distribution”
of Dorothy’s estate.
Joseph argues that the very effect of a deed creating survivorship interests is to make
the property pass by operation of law and outside of the decedent’s estate. See, e.g., Gladson
v. Gladson, 304 Ark. 156, 158, 800 S.W.2d 709, 710 (1990). Accordingly, he argues that the
adjudication of the respective interests created by the Deed must occur in a civil proceeding
rather than in a probate proceeding and, specifically, that the circuit court erred in finding
that it is the proper division for jurisdiction of the issues in this case.
Joseph asserts that with respect to their interests in the Property, Marcia and he are
“strangers” to the estate. See, e.g., Smith v. Smith, 338 Ark. 526, 998 S.W.2d 745 (1999); Jolly
v. Estate of Jolly, 333 Ark. 394, 970 S.W.2d 221 (1998); O’Fallon v. O’Fallon, 335 Ark. 229,
980 S.W.2d 246 (1998). He maintains this is because both he and Marcia claim their interest
in the Property by way of the Deed rather than as heirs or devisees of the estate and that such
disputes are to be adjudicated outside the probate matter. Smith, 338 Ark. 526, 998 S.W.2d
745.
Joseph focuses his argument on the fact that Marcia, in her individual capacity, and
Joseph are real parties in interest in this dispute and that no action currently exists between
Marcia, in her individual capacity, and him, much less one that seeks to adjudicate their
respective interests in the Property. No complaint has been filed and served invoking the
circuit court’s civil jurisdiction over that controversy.
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Joseph maintains that the consolidation of all circuit court jurisdiction into the circuit
court by Amendment 80 to the Arkansas Constitution does not alter his reasoning. He
clarifies that he is not contending that the same circuit court presiding over the probate
matter lacks jurisdiction to decide the civil matter between Marcia and him. Rather, he
asserts that the correct method for invoking jurisdiction is for Marcia, individually, to file a
civil complaint against him to adjudicate their respective rights under the Deed. Joseph notes
that he is not seeking to deprive Marcia of the opportunity to adjudicate the matter between
them over the meaning and validity of the Deed. He merely seeks to have it litigated in a civil
case initiated between the correct parties outside of this probate matter. Accordingly, he
argues that the motion for declaratory judgment should have been denied and dismissed.
We disagree. Amendment 80, which revamped the Judicial Article of the Arkansas
Constitution, was adopted in November 2000, and became effective on July 1, 2001. Section
19(B)(1) states, “The Jurisdiction conferred on Circuit Courts established by this
Amendment includes all matters previously cognizable by Circuit, Chancery, Probate and
Juvenile Courts” and that “Circuit Courts shall assume the jurisdiction of Circuit, Chancery,
Probate and Juvenile Courts.” Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 14(a)
further provide that the “designation of divisions is for the purpose of judicial administration
. . . and is not for the purpose of subject-matter jurisdiction.” And the Arkansas Supreme
Court has held that “the creation of divisions shall in no way limit the powers and duties of
the judges to hear all matters within the jurisdiction of the circuit court.” See Young v. Ark.
Dep’t of Hum. Servs., 2012 Ark. 334, at 4 (quoting Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 14(a)).
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Joseph filed the initial probate action and specifically asserted that the Property was
a portion of the marital estate and that he was claiming his spousal rights in same. The estate
relied on Joseph’s allegations that (1) the Property constitutes a portion of the estate; (2) the
Property is a marital residence; and (3) Joseph is electing his spousal life estate in that marital
residence to the detriment of, and at considerable time and expense to, the estate. We note
that Joseph never withdrew his claims in any of his subsequent pleadings, and the estate had
to seek a determination of his claims before the circuit court. Moreover, because this matter
was pending before the circuit court and now is on appeal, the estate has been precluded
from taking any further action regarding this matter.
O’Fallon, on which Joseph heavily relies, is an example of strangers or third persons
to an estate, but it is both a pre-Amendment 80 case and factually distinguishable from this
matter. In O’Fallon, Ronnie O’Fallon did not claim his interest in the relevant property as a
beneficiary of his father’s estate but rather as a donee of a gift his father gave him before his
death. Here, Joseph claimed his interest in “marital” property that he asserted is part of
Dorothy’s estate. Joseph’s claim of a spousal life estate is an inchoate interest that ripens into
a vested right only upon Dorothy’s death. He made his claim in the probate court through
his own pleadings, stating that he is the surviving spouse and heir.
The probate division of the circuit court has the power to determine whether real
property is included in an estate. Further, the personal representative is obligated to
determine whether the court should find it necessary for real property to become an asset in
the hands of the personal representative to be sold, leased, mortgaged, or exchanged. See
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Ark. Code Ann. § 28-49-102 (Repl. 2012). Joseph placed the property in question at issue
by including the property as a portion of Dorothy’s estate at paragraph 4 of his petition for
appointment of administrator and “electing his spousal life estate in the marital residence
located at 6521 Euper Lane, Fort Smith, Arkansas.” He even initially obtained an order
appointing himself as administrator, drafted by his attorney—although later overturned—
which states at paragraph 3 “[t]hat this Court has jurisdiction.” Moreover, Joseph filed
multiple pleadings requesting relief from the circuit court, never withdrew his initial claims,
and did not contest jurisdiction in any filing until his motion to dismiss.
We hold that the circuit court correctly concluded that it had jurisdiction to
determine the specific issues pending before it at the time of its order and note that Joseph
himself put such issues in contention. Joseph’s claim that the circuit court lacks jurisdiction
is an attempt to disavow and evade his own pleadings and is without merit. Accordingly, we
affirm.
Affirmed.
ABRAMSON and VAUGHT, JJ., agree.
Caddell Reynolds, P.A., by: Bill D. Reynolds; and Brian G. Brooks, Attorney at Law, PLLC,
by: Brian G. Brooks, for appellant.
Paul R. Post, for appellee.
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