Harris v. Dumont ( 2024 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Docket No. 50610
In the Matter of the Estate of: Fay C. )
Harris, Decedent. )
TRENTON FAY HARRIS, Personal )
Representative for the Estate of Fay C. ) Filed: March 15, 2024
Harris, Decedent, )
) Melanie Gagnepain, Clerk
Petitioner-Respondent, )
) THIS IS AN UNPUBLISHED
v. ) OPINION AND SHALL NOT
) BE CITED AS AUTHORITY
MARTHA JEAN DUMONT, )
)
Respondent-Appellant. )
)
Appeal from the District Court of the Seventh Judicial District, State of Idaho,
Bingham County. Hon. Darren B. Simpson, District Judge. Hon. Cleve Colson,
Magistrate.
Appeal from decision of the district court, on intermediate appeal from the
magistrate court, affirming order construing will, reversed; case remanded.
Wright Law Office, PLLC; Steven J. Wright; Beard, St. Clair, Gaffney PA; John
M. Avondet, Idaho Falls, for appellant. John M. Avondet argued.
Carey Law, PLLC; Donald F. Carey, Idaho Falls, for respondent. Donald F. Carey
argued.
________________________________________________
HUSKEY, Judge
Martha Jean Dumont appeals from the district court’s decision and order on appeal
affirming the magistrate court’s order construing the will of Fay C. Harris (Fay). Dumont argues
the district court erred by looking beyond the contested provision to determine Fay’s intent despite
finding the language was clear and unambiguous. Dumont also argues the district court erred by
deciding an issue not raised in the pleadings. Trenton Fay Harris (Trenton), the Personal
Representative of the Estate, argues the district court correctly considered the language within the
four corners of the will, reading the document as a whole, to determine Fay’s intent. Trenton also
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argues that Dumont failed to preserve her claim that the district court erroneously decided an
unpled issue for appeal. For the following reasons, we reverse the district court’s order on appeal
and remand for further proceedings.
I.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Fay and Dumont lived together for some years prior to Fay’s death. Fay died in October
2021, and Trenton filed for informal probate of Fay’s will. A dispute arose regarding Article VI,
Section B in the will and how some of Fay’s personal property was to be distributed. Trenton filed
a petition for an order construing a single, disputed provision of the informally probated will. The
disputed provision, Article VI, Section B of the will states:
I declare that my special friend, MARTHA JEAN DUMONT and I have
accumulated personal property together. I give all personal property in which I
may have an interest which is located in the residence of MARTHA JEAN
DUMONT at the time of my passing to MARTHA JEAN DUMONT, free of any
claim by my Personal Representative or my heirs or devisees.
The magistrate court held the language was not ambiguous, and Fay’s inferred intent was
for the jointly accumulated personal property located at Dumont’s residence to be devised to
Dumont. The magistrate court reached this conclusion by comparing the language of Article IV,
which addressed joint bank accounts, to the language of Article VI. Article IV of the will states:
I declare that my special friend, MARTHA JEAN DUMONT and I have a
joint checking account. It is my intent and direction that any balance in said account
shall be considered to be the property of MARTHA JEAN DUMONT. To the
extent I have any interest in said account, it is my direction that my Personal
Representative deliver the entire balance in the account to MARTHA JEAN
DUMONT.
The magistrate court held that because both articles began in a similar manner by
identifying Dumont as a special friend, and Article IV explicitly granted only the joint property to
Dumont, Article VI should be interpreted the same way, and Dumont should receive only the
jointly accumulated personal property. In addition, although not raised by either party and for
which there was no briefing or argument, the magistrate court also addressed the joint bank
accounts in Article IV in its conclusions of law, stating the separate accounts of Fay should remain
with the estate. Dumont appealed the order to the district court. First, Dumont argued the
magistrate court erred in its interpretation of the plain language of the will. Second, Dumont
argued that any ruling regarding the bank accounts was outside the scope of the petition and
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because she had no opportunity to address the distribution of proceeds of the bank accounts, the
magistrate court erroneously decided the issue.
The district court held the language of the will as a whole “colors and informs” the
individual clauses and because the language of Article IV nearly mirrored the language in Article
VI, the magistrate court correctly interpreted the first sentence of Article VI as limiting the devise
of personal property in the second sentence to jointly acquired property. The district court held
Dumont failed to preserve the issue of the magistrate court deciding an unpled issue because she
did not receive an adverse ruling from the magistrate court, and therefore the issue would not be
considered. Dumont timely appealed.
II.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
For an appeal from the district court, sitting in its appellate capacity over a case from the
magistrate court, we review the record to determine whether there is substantial and competent
evidence to support the magistrate court’s findings of fact and whether the magistrate court’s
conclusions of law follow from those findings. Pelayo v. Pelayo, 154 Idaho 855, 858-59, 303 P.3d
214, 217-18 (2013). However, as a matter of appellate procedure, our disposition of the appeal
will affirm or reverse the decision of the district court. Id. Thus, we review the magistrate court’s
findings and conclusions, whether the district court affirmed or reversed the magistrate court and
the basis therefor, and either affirm or reverse the district court.
III.
ANALYSIS
On appeal, Dumont asserts two arguments: (1) the district court erred by inferring the
intent on the disputed provision based on another provision of the will when the language was
unambiguous; and (2) the district court erred in finding Dumont failed to preserve her argument
regarding the bank account ruling. Trenton agrees the language of the disputed provision is clear
and unambiguous, but argues the district court correctly looked within the four corners of the will
to determine Fay’s intent. He concedes that although the magistrate court erred in addressing
issues not within the petition, the district court correctly determined Dumont failed to preserve her
claim when she failed to raise the issue before the magistrate court.
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A. The District Court Erred in Its Interpretation of Article VI, Section B of the Will
Dumont asserts the district court erred in affirming the magistrate court’s decision to define
“all property” in Article VI, Section B as “jointly acquired property” based on the language of
Article IV. In doing so, Dumont argues, the district court ignored the plain language of Article
VI, Section B and failed to adhere to the standards of construction. Dumont asserts the language
of Article VI is clear and, thus, there is no need to look to any other provisions or language of the
will to determine Fay’s intent. The plain language of the provision states Dumont is to receive all
property at the residence in which Fay had an interest, not just jointly accumulated property.
Trenton contends the district court correctly interpreted the will by finding it was not ambiguous
and by determining Fay’s intent by looking within the four corners of the document. Trenton
asserts the first sentence of Article VI, Section B limits the legal devise of the second sentence to
only the jointly acquired property, just as Article IV limited the distribution of bank accounts to
only the jointly held account.
When interpreting a will, the intention of the testator must be given effect. Allen v. Shea,
105 Idaho 31, 32, 665 P.2d 1041, 1042 (1983). “The judicial function is to give effect to the lawful
testamentary intent as evidenced by the will, and to eschew speculation as to the testator’s
undeclared motives or purposes.” Matter of Estate of Howard, 112 Idaho 306, 309, 732 P.2d 275,
278 (1987). If the language of the will is clear and unambiguous, the intentions of the testator are
reflected in the document itself. Matter of Estate of Berriochoa, 108 Idaho 474, 475, 700 P.2d 96,
97 (Ct. App. 1985). Whether the document is ambiguous is a question of law. Hedrick v. West
One Bank, Idaho, N.A., 123 Idaho 803, 806, 853 P.2d 548, 551 (1993). “Ambiguity exists only if
language of the conveyance instrument is subject to conflicting interpretations.” Houston v.
Houston, 172 Idaho 264, 271, 531 P.3d 1161, 1168 (2023) (quoting Neider v. Shaw, 138 Idaho
503, 508, 65 P.3d 525, 530 (2003)).
The dispute revolves around the first two sentences of Article VI of Fay’s will, which
states:
I declare that my special friend, MARTHA JEAN DUMONT and I have
accumulated personal property together. I give all personal property in which I
may have an interest which is located in the residence of MARTHA JEAN
DUMONT at the time of my passing to MARTHA JEAN DUMONT, free of any
claim by my Personal Representative or my heirs or devisees.
The question to resolve is whether the first sentence of the article limits the distribution given in
the second sentence. Because the parties agree the language is not ambiguous, they also agree the
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intentions of the testator are set forth in the provision. A court “cannot speculate as to what the
testatrix intended to declare in the will, except as that intent is expressed by the words actually
used therein.” Dolan v. Johnson, 95 Idaho 385, 389, 509 P.2d 1306, 1310 (1973). Whether we
look solely at the language of Article VI or the language contained in the four corners of the will,
the result is the same. The first sentence in each article does not have language indicating or
conveying intent; instead, the first sentence of each article is a factual statement indicating the
relationship between Fay and Dumont and provides context for the bequests in the respective
articles. The second sentence of each article reflects the intention of Fay regarding his personal
property.
The second sentence of Article VI states that “all” personal property in the residence is to
go to Dumont. The plain meaning of “all” is “the whole amount, quantity, or extent of” and “the
whole of one’s possessions, resources, or energy.” All, Webster’s Dictionary,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all (last visited Jan. 23, 2024). Thus, the plain
meaning of the sentence is that the entirety of Fay’s personal property located in Dumont’s
residence should be given to Dumont. The only limiting element in the sentence is based on the
location of the property: the property to be distributed is limited to the personal property in the
residence. Because the second sentence is clear and unambiguous, and it does not contain language
incorporating the first sentence, we do not need to look to the four corners of the document to
determine Fay’s intent. Fay’s intent is expressed in the plain language of the second sentence.
But even if we look at the will as a whole, we conclude that Fay specifically intended
different distributions for the property referenced in the respective articles. In Article IV, for
example, the first sentence references a jointly owned bank account. Fay’s intent is expressed in
the second sentence where he limits the bequest to “said account,” clearly referencing the jointly
owned account. In Article IV of the will, Fay devised the joint bank account with explicit
language, stating:
It is my intent and direction that any balance in said account shall be
considered to be the property of MARTHA JEAN DUMONT. To the extent I have
any interest in said account, it is my direction that my Personal Representative
deliver the entire balance in the account to MARTHA JEAN DUMONT.
Fay further went on to state:
I declare that I may hold other savings accounts, checking accounts or other
accounts in a joint name with a person other than MARTHA JEAN DUMONT. It
is my intention in doing so for convenience only, and I nevertheless state that it is
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my intention that said property shall remain in my Estate and shall be disposed of
pursuant to this my last will and testament.
The language of Article IV, by using limitations such as “said accounts,” demonstrates that Fay
understood how to identify and limit a devise. In Article IV, Fay clearly stated his intentions
regarding distributing assets that were jointly accumulated between himself and Dumont.
In contrast, the second sentence in Article VI does not reference the first sentence and as a
result, does not limit the bequest to the jointly accumulated personal property. In Article VI, Fay
did not limit the devise of personal property as he did in Article IV, even after demonstrating his
knowledge of how to effectively do so. In Article VI, Fay explicitly chose to use the word “all”
to describe the property conveyed. Therefore, the language and, by extension, the intent of Fay,
indicates a desire to devise all his personal property at the residence of Dumont to Dumont.
Trenton argues that this interpretation renders the first sentence of each article meaningless.
In other words, argues Trenton, there would be no reason to include such a statement in Article VI
if Fay meant to give all the property located at the residence to Dumont. We disagree. As
discussed above, the language in the first sentence provides notice or context as to why Fay made
the distributions--because he wanted to give certain assets to his “special friend,” Dumont.
Moreover, despite that similar language in the first sentence of each article, Fay chose different
language to devise different assets. The language in the first sentence does not alter or inform the
explicit language regarding the distribution of the relevant asset identified in the second sentence
of each article. We note there may be practical reasons for devising the different property
differently. Indeed, as discussed at oral argument, going through the property in the home and
determining which was joint and which was separate may very well have been precisely what Fay
wished to avoid. However, we need not speculate as to why Fay included the first sentence or why
he chose to devise different assets differently. “The judicial function is to give effect to the lawful
testamentary intent as evidenced by the will, and to eschew speculation as to the testator’s
undeclared motives or purposes.” Howard, 112 Idaho at 309, 732 P.2d at 278. Here, Fay’s explicit
and specific language in each article expressed his intent to devise different property differently.
Trenton argues that despite the plain language regarding “all” the personal property, Fay
could not have intended that because it would vitiate Article VI, Section C, which states:
I give my property not disposed of under the provisions of paragraph A and
B of this Article IX to my children who survive me, to be divided among them as
they shall agree, or in the absence of such agreement, as my Personal
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Representative shall determine, which determination shall be conclusive. No anti-
lapse statute shall apply.
However, to the extent the testator had assets not located at the residence, those assets would still
be distributed pursuant to Section C. Section C is not superfluous and does not vitiate the
interpretation that all property, jointly acquired or otherwise, located at Dumont’s residence would
go to Dumont, but other property not located at Dumont’s residence would be distributed to his
estate.
Both parties cite Beus v. Beus, 151 Idaho 235, 254 P.3d 1231, 1250 (2011) for guidance
but have conflicting views of its applicability to the case. In the case before us, Beus is neither
controlling nor persuasive for our analysis because unlike the provisions in Beus, the provisions in
Fay’s will do not conflict in their application. In Beus, the decedent’s will left his widow certain
real property and bequeathed the remainder of his property to a trustee in trust. Id. at 237, 254
P.3d at 1233. The will provided that upon the death of the widow, the trust terminated, and the
remaining assets subject to the trust were to be distributed equally among the decedent’s three
sons. Id. If the sons could not agree upon the operation, management, and division of the real
property, the trustee was to sell the property and divide the proceeds equally among the sons, after
payment of all expenses, taxes, and liens against the property. Id. One son farmed the land and
secured a loan using the farm as collateral, but without the consent of his brothers. Id. The issue
was whether the son who incurred the debt could use the estate to pay the debt prior to distributing
the remainder, essentially forcing the other brothers to share in the debt liability.
The provision directing proceeds from the sale to be divided equally after payment of debts
directly conflicted with another provision in the will that clarified the beneficiary who operates the
farm is liable for his own debts. Id. at 241-42, 254 P.3d at 1237-38. The Court held “[t]here is
nothing in the will indicating that [the testator] intended to permit the son who operated the farm
to spend the inheritances of the other two.” Id. at 242, 254 P.3d at 1238. The Court considered
the will as a whole to determine the decedent’s intent. Id. at 241, 254 P.3d at 1237.
The guidance of Beus is minimally instructive for interpreting Fay’s will. When viewing
Fay’s will as a whole, the articles do not conflict in application because each article is capable of
being executed without an effect on the other article. Thus, the district court erred in affirming the
magistrate court’s interpretation by looking to Article IV to determine Fay’s intent when Article
VI was unambiguous.
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B. The District Court Erred in Determining Dumont’s Unpled Claim Issue Is Not
Preserved
Dumont appeals the district court’s decision affirming the magistrate court’s order based
on her failure to preserve the issue for appeal. The issue is based on the magistrate court’s order
and decision addressing Fay’s separate bank accounts even though the accounts were not a part of
the petition or listed inventory to be considered, nor was the ownership or distribution of the
accounts briefed or argued. Dumont argues that without an opportunity to address the distribution
of the bank accounts during the hearing, the magistrate court erred, and the district court
misunderstood the origin of the magistrate court’s order regarding the separate accounts. Trenton
concedes the magistrate court’s order exceeded the considerations of the petition but argues
Dumont failed to object or otherwise seek review of the order and, therefore, Dumont failed to
preserve the issue for appeal.
Here, the magistrate court explicitly referenced the separate bank accounts in the
conclusions of law despite having no discussion or argument about the accounts during trial. As
the district court noted in its findings:
Nothing in the Record mentions any dispute between [Dumont] and Trenton
regarding the accounts referenced in Article IV of Fay’s Will, or that Article IV
would be a point of contention at the June 15 Hearing. Neither party briefed any
issue regarding the language of Article IV (other than Trenton’s citation to Article
IV in support of his interpretation of Article VI.B).
Courts are “not authorized to grant relief that is inconsistent with the pleadings and
evidence in the case.” Dawson v. Cheyovich Fam. Tr., 149 Idaho 375, 381, 234 P.3d 699, 705
(2010). Here, although neither party raised the issue of the distribution of bank accounts, the
magistrate court nonetheless issued a ruling without any opportunity for the parties to brief or
argue the issue. While it is not error for a court to sua sponte rule on an issue if it provides the
parties notice and opportunity to brief the issue, Papin v. Papin, 166 Idaho 9, 20, 454 P.3d 1092,
1103 (2019), it is an error to do so without providing that opportunity. Here, the magistrate court
provided neither notice nor an opportunity to address the issue before it issued its Findings of Fact/
Conclusions of Law. The district court ruled Dumont failed to properly preserve the issue and
affirmed the magistrate court’s finding that the bank accounts reverted to the estate, even without
any evidence about those accounts, residual beneficiaries, or any interest Dumont may have in the
accounts. Because the magistrate court ruled on an issue for which it provided neither notice nor
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an opportunity to brief the issue, it exceeded the bounds of the issue it was presented, and the
district court erred in affirming the magistrate court’s decision.
IV.
CONCLUSION
The language of Fay’s will is unambiguous and devises all Fay’s personal property located
in Dumont’s residence at the time of his death to Dumont. Additionally, Dumont preserved her
unpled claim for appeal. Accordingly, we reverse the district court’s decision and order on appeal
affirming the magistrate court’s order construing the will of Fay C. Harris, and remand for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Chief Judge GRATTON and Judge LORELLO CONCUR.
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