Kinworthy v. Kinworthy , 2010 Ohio 4547 ( 2010 )

[Cite as Kinworthy v. Kinworthy, 2010-Ohio-4547.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
ALLEN COUNTY
DAVID R. KINWORTHY, CASE NO. 1-10-23
PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT,
v.
RUTH A. KINWORTHY, nka LAMAN, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.
Appeal from Allen County Common Pleas Court
Domestic Relations Division
Trial Court No. DR 87 02 0754
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: September 27, 2010
APPEARANCES:
F. Stephen Chamberlain, for Appellant
James R. Kirkland, for Appellee
Case No. 1-10-23
PRESTON, J.
{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant, David. R. Kinworthy (hereinafter “David”),
appeals the Allen County Court of Common Pleas’ judgment denying his motion
to terminate or, alternatively, modify his spousal support obligation and awarding
$5,250 in attorney’s fees to his former wife, defendant-appellee, Ruth A.
Kinworthy, n.k.a. Laman, (hereinafter “Ruth”) for defending the action. For the
reasons that follow, we affirm.
{¶2} On April 29, 1958, David and Ruth were married in Lima, Ohio.
(July 13, 1988 JE, Doc. No. 20). On July 13, 1988, the parties were divorced by a
final judgment and divorce decree. (Id.). The divorce decree provided, in pertinent
part, that David maintain Ruth as an irrevocable beneficiary of his life insurance
policies to the extent of $100,000 as long as he remained a common pleas judge
and an alimony award existed. (Id.). Should David retire, be defeated in an
election, or re-enter private practice, then he was ordered to maintain Ruth as an
irrevocable beneficiary of his life insurance policies to the extent of $45,000. (Id.).
{¶3} The court further ordered that David pay Ruth $22,000 per year
($1,833/month) in alimony, subject to the continuing jurisdiction of the court.
(Id.). In reaching this amount, the court noted that David was then earning an
annual salary of $73,750, plus $2,200 per year for some part-time employment.
(Id.). The court reserved continuing jurisdiction to modify spousal support “as to
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a change in circumstances, including but not limited to [David’s] retirement.”
(Id.).
{¶4} On April 8, 1992, Ruth filed a motion for modification of spousal
support seeking a $500 per month increase because her living expenses increased
and David’s annual salary increased. (Doc. No. 29). On April 30, 1992, David
filed an answer and counter-motion seeking an order that spousal support be
modified to a fixed number of years. (Doc. No. 33). On September 18, 1992, the
trial court denied both Ruth and David’s motions. (JE, Doc. No. 40). Spousal
support, thus, continued in the previous amount of $22,000 per year
($1,833/month).
{¶5} On November 5, 1997, David filed a second motion seeking a
termination of support because Ruth had received a $134,000 inheritance. (Doc.
Nos. 42-43). David also asked the court to terminate his life insurance obligation
if it terminated his support obligation. (Id.). On January 12, 1998, Ruth filed a
motion seeking an increase in spousal support. (Doc. No. 56). On June 5, 1998,
the trial court denied Ruth’s motion but granted David’s motion, in part, reducing
his spousal support obligation $800 per month for a total obligation of $1,033 per
month ($12,396/year). (Doc. No. 76).
{¶6} On May 17, 2007, David filed a motion to terminate spousal support
and terminate his life insurance obligation. (Doc. No. 86). Prior to the hearing,
some discovery disputes arose, which resulted in Ruth filing a motion to compel
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and request for attorney’s fees. (Doc. Nos. 98, 103). On December 17, 2007, the
matter proceeded to hearing. On April 8, 2008, the trial court issued its decision
denying David’s motion to terminate spousal support and awarding Ruth
attorney’s fees. (Doc. No. 112). The trial court, however, did not determine the
amount of attorney’s fees owed by David, but rather, set the matter for a further
hearing. (Id.).
{¶7} On May 5, 2008, David filed an appeal to this Court, which was
assigned appellate case no. 1-08-26. (Doc. Nos. 117, 120). However, on May 21,
2008, this Court dismissed the appeal sua sponte for lack of final appealable order,
because the trial court did not resolve the amount of attorney’s fees owed by
David. (Doc. No. 121).
{¶8} On June 5, 2008, David filed a Civ.R. 54(B) motion to certify the
April 8, 2008 judgment as a final order for purposes of appeal. (Doc. No. 122).
On June 25, 2008, the trial court granted the motion and “* * * assign[ed] th[e]
matter for further hearing as soon as practicable given the varying schedules of the
Court and Counsel.” (Doc. No. 123).
{¶9} On July 23, 2008, David filed a subsequent appeal to this Court, and
on January 20, 2009, this Court reversed. Kinworthy v. Kinworthy, 3d Dist. No. 1-
08-43, 2009-Ohio-187. (Doc. Nos. 124, 128). As an initial matter, we found that
we lacked jurisdiction to consider David’s assignment of error relative to the trial
court’s award of attorney’s fees since the trial court’s judgment entry failed to
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specify the amount of attorney’s fees owed to Ruth. Id. at ¶¶12-13. Although we
rejected most of David’s arguments on appeal relative to the trial court’s denial of
his motion to terminate or modify his spousal support obligation, we did find that
the trial court’s use of Plaintiff’s exhibit four’s $5,261.13 figure for David’s
retirement income was arbitrary, and thus, an abuse of its discretion. Id.
Therefore, we remanded the matter to the trial court with instructions to
recalculate David’s retirement income “* * * to exclude any income monies
associated with service credit purchased by David subsequent to June 1, 1988
(8.754 years) but to include any amortized PLOP payments received by David” in
accordance with the divorce decree. Id. at ¶27 (emphasis in original).
{¶10} On May 29, 2009, David filed another motion to terminate or reduce
spousal support. (Doc. No. 129). On June 5, 2009, the trial court held a hearing on
the issues of David’s retirement income and attorney’s fees. On June 22 and 23,
2009, respectively, Ruth and David filed written closing arguments. (Doc. Nos.
130, 131).
{¶11} On August 13, 2009, the trial court ordered the parties to submit the
following calculations:
1. The income the court should use for spousal support
purposes.
2. The amount of monies they claim should be excluded as
“monies associated with service credit purchased by David
subsequent to June 1, 1988 (8.754 years)[”] and the evidence in
the record that supports their position.
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3. The amount of monies they claim the court should “include”
as “amortized” PLOP payments received by David” and the
evidence in the record that supports their position.
(Order, Doc. No. 133). Ruth and David filed their supplemental closing
arguments with calculations on September 14, 2009 and October 9, 2009,
respectively. (Doc. Nos. 134, 137). Ruth filed a reply to David’s supplemental
closing argument on October 29, 2009. (Doc. No. 138).
{¶12} On January 29, 2010, the trial court issued its judgment, finding as
follows:
1. The Plaintiff’s monthly retirement income is $5,981.47.
2. The Plaintiff has gross monthly retirement income of
$6,929.86.
3. The Plaintiff’s gross monthly retirement excludes $1,388.74,
the amount of service credit purchased by the Plaintiff’s
subsequent to June 1, 1988.
4. The Plaintiff’s monthly retirement income includes $440.35
representing the amortized PLOP payments he received.
5. The Defendant is awarded the sum of $5,250.00 as attorney
fees.
(JE, Doc. No. 139). The trial court denied David’s motion to terminate spousal
support and awarded judgment against David for attorney fees in the amount of
$5,250. (Id.).
{¶13} On February 25, 2010, David filed his notice of appeal. (Doc. No.
140). David now appeals raising two assignments of error for our review. We
elect to address the assignments of error out of the order they are presented in his
brief.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. II
THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED ERROR PREJUDICIAL
TO THE PLAINTIFF IN [THE] CALCULATION OF THE
PLAINTIFF’S INCOME THEREBY COMMITTING ERROR
IN DENYING THE MOTION TO TERMINATE SPOUSAL
SUPPORT.
{¶14} In his second assignment of error, David argues that the trial court
erred in calculating his retirement income for purposes of ruling on his motion to
terminate spousal support. Specifically, David argues that the trial court failed to
account for several mandatory deductions, including: Medicare reimbursement;
health care deduction; and federal and state income taxes. We find no error in the
trial court’s calculation of David’s retirement income as he argues, and thus, no
error in its decision to deny the motion to terminate spousal support.
{¶15} A trial court has broad discretion in determining whether or not to
modify an existing spousal support award. Mottice v. Mottice (1997), 118 Ohio
App.3d 731, 735, 693 N.E.2d 1179; Schultz v. Schultz (1996), 110 Ohio App.3d
715, 724, 675 N.E.2d 55. Absent an abuse of discretion, a trial court’s decision to
modify or not modify a spousal support award will not be disturbed on appeal.
Bostick v. Bostick, 3rd Dist. No. 1-02-83, 2003-Ohio-5121, ¶8, citing Booth v.
Booth (1989), 44 Ohio St.3d 142, 144, 541 N.E.2d 1028. An abuse of discretion
is more than an error in judgment; it signifies that the trial court’s attitude was
unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore (1983), 5
Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140. When applying an abuse of discretion
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standard, an appellate court may not substitute its judgment for that of the trial
court. Berk v. Matthews (1990), 53 Ohio St.3d 161, 169, 559 N.E.2d 1301.
{¶16} The trial court, on remand, determined that David’s gross retirement
benefit was $6,929.86. (Jan. 29, 2010 JE, Doc. No. 139). This amount included
monies associated with the 8.754 years of credit David purchased after June 1,
1988. (Apr. 11, 2008 OPERS Letter, Plaintiff’s Ex. 1); (June 5, 2009 Tr. at 10).
The trial court then found that the portion of David’s gross retirement benefit
associated with the 8.754 years of service David purchased after June 1, 1988 was
$1,388.74.1 (Apr. 11, 2008 OPERS Letter, Plaintiff’s Ex. 1); (June 5, 2009 Tr. at
8-9, 11). The trial court subtracted this amount from David’s gross monthly
benefit amount. Then, the trial court determined that David’s gross monthly
retirement benefit was $440.35 less than it would have been due to the $70,224
Partial Lump Sum Option Payment (PLOP) he received. (June 5, 2009 Tr. at 15).
The trial court added this amount to David’s gross monthly benefit amount. As a
result, the trial court calculated that David’s adjusted gross monthly retirement
benefit was $5,981.47 ($6,929.86 - $1,388.74 + $440.35). The trial court’s
computation is supported by the exhibits in the record, and furthermore, was based
primarily upon David’s own calculations. (Apr. 11, 2008 OPERS Letter,
1
The trial court appears to have arrived at this number from David’s calculations submitted in his
supplemental closing arguments. (Doc. No. 137). This number is equal to the number of years of service
David purchased divided by the total years of service times David’s gross monthly pension benefit.
(8.754/43.671 = 20.04% x $6,929.86 = $1,388.74).
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Plaintiff’s Ex. 1); (Supplemental Closing Argument, Doc. No. 137). Additionally,
the calculations are consistent with our instruction to the trial court on remand: to
recalculate David’s retirement income “* * * to exclude any income monies
associated with service credit purchased by David subsequent to June 1, 1988
(8.754 years) but to include any amortized PLOP payments received by David” in
accordance with the divorce decree. Kinworthy, 2009-Ohio-187, at ¶27 (emphasis
in original). David’s sole complaint with the trial court’s calculation is that it did
not account for several mandatory deductions, including both federal and state
income taxes as well as health insurance. The record indicates that the trial court
was aware that its figure of $5,981.47 was before all of these deductions when it
ruled on David’s motion. We simply are not persuaded that the trial court’s
recalculation of David’s income was erroneous, and neither are we persuaded that
the trial court’s decision to deny David’s motion2 was an abuse of its discretion.
{¶17} David’s second assignment of error is, therefore, overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. I
THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED ERROR PREJUDICIAL
TO THE PLAINTIFF IN FINDING THAT THE PLAINTIFF
VIOLATED LOCAL RULE 20.09 OF THE ALLEN COUNTY
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS AND OTHERWISE
COMMITTED DISCOVERY VIOLATIONS THAT REQUIRE
SANCTIONS.
2
We note that the trial court explicitly incorporated its previous findings into its new judgment entry.
Thus, its decision to deny David’s motion to terminate was based upon all the evidence that had been
before it previously, as well as the new evidence of David’s adjusted gross monthly retirement benefit
determined on remand. (Jan. 29, 2010 JE, Doc. No. 139). We rejected many of David’s other arguments
relative to his continued spousal support obligation in the previous appeal and need not reconsider those
issues again here.
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{¶18} In his first assignment of error, David argues that the trial court erred
by finding that he violated Local Rule 20.09 since the rule does not apply to
modifications of spousal support. David also argues that the trial court was
limited on remand to determining the amount of attorney fees that were a direct
result of his purported discovery violations, and that the trial court erred in
granting Ruth attorney fees for the costs of defending the entire action. David
further argues that the trial court erred in awarding attorney’s fees when Ruth
failed to present evidence of a fee agreement or that she paid attorney’s fees.
{¶19} R.C. 3105.73 governs the award of attorney fees and litigation
expenses in domestic relations cases and provides, in pertinent part:
(B) In any post-decree motion or proceeding that arises out of an
action for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment of
marriage or an appeal of that motion or proceeding, the court
may award all or part of reasonable attorney’s fees and
litigation expenses to either party if the court finds the award
equitable. In determining whether an award is equitable, the
court may consider the parties’ income, the conduct of the
parties, and any other relevant factors the court deems
appropriate, but it may not consider the parties’ assets.
(C) * * * The court may make an award of attorney’s fees and
litigation expenses under this section in addition to making an
award of attorney’s fees and litigation expenses under any other
provision of the Revised Code or of the Rules of Civil Procedure.
Awarding attorney fees under R.C. 3105.73 is within the sound discretion of the
trial court. Hutta v. Hutta, 177 Ohio App.3d 414, 2008-Ohio-3756, 894 N.E.2d
1282, ¶46, citing Howell v. Howell, 167 Ohio App.3d 431, 2006-Ohio-3038, 855
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N.E.2d 533. Therefore, we review the trial court’s decision for an abuse of
discretion. Hutta, 2006-Ohio-3756, at ¶46. An abuse of discretion is more than an
error in judgment; it signifies that the trial court’s attitude was unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d at 219. When applying an
abuse of discretion standard, an appellate court may not substitute its judgment for
that of the trial court. Matthews, 53 Ohio St.3d at 169.
{¶20} First, we must reject David’s argument that the trial court was
limited on remand to awarding only those attorney’s fees associated with his
purported discovery violations. As we stated in our previous decision, “[a]n order
that grants a party attorney fees but fails to specify the amount is not a final
appealable order under R.C. 2505.02.” Kinworthy, 2009-Ohio-187, at ¶13, citing
Ft. Frye Teachers Assn. v. Ft. Frye Local School Dist. Bd. of Edn. (1993), 87 Ohio
App.3d 840, 843, 623 N.E.2d 232; Dayton Women’s Health Ctr., Inc. v. Enix
(1993), 86 Ohio App.3d 777, 780, 621 N.E.2d 1262. As such, the trial court’s
prior order granting attorney’s fees was interlocutory, and the trial court retained
jurisdiction to reconsider it, either sua sponte or upon motion, at any time before
entering final judgment. See, e.g., Nilavar v. Osborn (2000), 137 Ohio App.3d
469, 499, 738 N.E.2d 1271; Pitts v. Ohio Dept. of Trans. (1981), 67 Ohio St.2d
378, 379, 423 N.E.2d 1105, Fn.1, citing Civ.R. 54(B) (interlocutory orders are
subject to motions for reconsideration). Additionally, Ruth’s several requests for
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attorney’s fees were not limited to fees associated with David’s purported
discovery violations. (Doc. Nos. 98, 103, 109).
{¶21} Second, we must reject David’s assertion that Ruth failed to present
evidence regarding a fee agreement or her payment of attorney’s fees. The record
contains a billing record from Ruth’s attorney, which clearly shows the attorney’s
hours as well as Ruth’s several payments. (D’s Exs. A-B). Ruth’s attorney also
testified at the hearing regarding the attorney’s fees. (June 5, 2009 Tr. at 25-29).
{¶22} Third, we find that the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees was not
an abuse of its discretion regardless of whether David violated Loc.R. 20.09. As
an initial matter, we agree with David that the trial court’s finding that he violated
Loc.R. 20.09 was erroneous. (Apr. 8, 2008 JE, Doc. No. 112). The rule provides:
Rule 20.09 MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT
A. Any party with standing in a child support case, and/or the
Allen County Child Support Agency (hereinafter CSEA) may file
a motion for modification of child support. All motions
requesting a modification of child support shall be filed with the
Clerk of Courts of Allen County, Ohio.
B. Upon filing of any motion for modification of child
support, the Clerk of Courts of Allen County, Ohio shall provide
pro-se litigants with a copy of the notice designated as DR-5
requiring the responding party to provide the opposing party
and the CSEA if the CSEA has filed the motion for
review/modification of child support, financial information as set
forth therein. The Clerk shall also include a DR-5 notice with
the copy of the motion and the summons upon the same.
Counsel filing motions shall provide their client with form DR-5.
Not later than thirty (30) days after service of the motion upon
opposing party, each party shall provide the other and the
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CSEA if the CSEA has filed the motion for review/modification
of child support the following financial material:
1. A copy of the parties’ federal income tax return from
the previous year.
2. A copy of all pay stubs obtained by the party within the
proceeding six (6) months.
3. A copy of all their records evidencing the receipt of any
other salary, wages or compensations, from whatever
source derived, within the preceding six (6) months.
4. Any other information necessary to properly review
the child support order.
(Emphasis added). Loc.R. 20.09’s plain language indicates that it applies to
modifications of child support, not modifications of spousal support.3 That being
said, the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees was, nonetheless, equitable and
reasonable under the circumstances of this case. See, e.g., Davis v. Widman, 184
Ohio App.3d 705, 2009-Ohio-5430, 922 N.E.2d 272, ¶16, citations omitted (“[a]
judgment by the trial court which is correct, but for a different reason, will be
affirmed on appeal as there is no prejudice to the appellant.”).
{¶23} To begin with, David’s answers to Ruth’s interrogatories were
minimal. (Doc. No. 97). David did not provide his first set of answers until
November 26, 2007, even though they were sent to him on August 3, 2007. (Doc.
Nos. 97-98). David requested that Ruth provide him with copies of her W-2 forms
and federal income tax returns from 2004-2006, but he objected to providing those
documents to Ruth. (Doc. Nos. 89, 97). David did not provide this financial
3
We note that David did file a DR-1 form with his original motion to terminate or modify spousal support
in compliance with Loc.R. 20.01(D), which provides “[i]n all original and re-opened domestic cases each
party shall complete and file a DR-1 form as provided with these rules.” (Doc. No. 90).
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information until December 11, 2007, a few days before the scheduled hearing and
only after Ruth filed several motions for discovery sanctions. (Doc. Nos. 98, 101,
103). As the trial court found, “[David’s] response to [Ruth’s] discovery requests
was neither timely nor complete[, and] [t]he time required for adjudication was
enlarged by the actions and failure to act by [David].” (Jan. 29, 2010 JE, Doc. No.
139). The trial court also found that an award of attorney’s fees was equitable in
this case because: (1) David has substantially more income than Ruth; (2) David,
as an attorney, was able to assist in the prosecution of his own case; and (3)
without the award of attorney’s fees, Ruth would be unable to litigate her rights
and protect her interests. (Id.). Finally, we note that the attorney’s fees in this case
were calculated at the lowest amount possible since Ruth’s counsel agreed to fifty
percent (50%) of the total fees he earned at the lowest, reasonable local rate. (Id.);
(June 5, 2009 Tr. at 25-29). For all these reasons, we cannot conclude that the trial
court’s decision to award Ruth attorney’s fees for defending the action was an
abuse of its discretion.
{¶24} David’s first assignment of error is, therefore, overruled.
{¶25} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the
particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Judgment Affirmed
ROGERS, J., and *SINGER, J., concur.
*(ARLENE SINGER, J., from the Sixth District Court of Appeals Sitting by
Assignment)
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