Walsh v. Walsh ( 2022 )

[Cite as Walsh v. Walsh, 2022-Ohio-3373.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ASHTABULA COUNTY
KENNETH J. WALSH, CASE NO. 2022-A-0030
Petitioner-Appellant,
Civil Appeal from the
- vs - Court of Common Pleas
CARMELLA A. WALSH,
Trial Court No. 2016 DR 00334
Petitioner-Appellee.
OPINION
Decided: September 26, 2022
Judgment: Affirmed
Kenneth J. Walsh, pro se, 1144 Lloyd Road, Wickliffe, OH 44092 (Petitioner-Appellant).
Darya Jeffreys Klammer, The Klammer Law Office, Ltd., 7482 Center Street, Unit 6,
Mentor, OH 44060 (For Petitioner-Appellee).
MARY JANE TRAPP, J.
{¶1} Appellant, Kenneth J. Walsh (“Mr. Walsh”), appeals from the judgment entry
of the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas, which issued several post-judgment
orders regarding the dissolution decree and separation agreement between Mr. Walsh
and his former spouse, appellee Carmella A. Walsh (“Ms. Walsh”).
{¶2} Mr. Walsh asserts three assignments of error, contending that (1) the trial
court erred by failing to apply the law with respect to the parties’ oral modifications to their
separation agreement; (2) the magistrate erred by stating that the separation agreement
could not be modified orally; and (3) the trial court erroneously interpreted the provisions
in the separation agreement regarding his obligations to repair and maintain Ms. Walsh’s
residence.
{¶3} After a careful review of the record and pertinent law, we find as follows:
{¶4} (1) The trial court did not err by disregarding the alleged oral modifications
to the parties’ separation agreement. In light of the statutes governing dissolution
proceedings and the express terms of the separation agreement requiring written
modifications, the trial court had no legal authority to modify the separation agreement
pursuant to an oral agreement.
{¶5} (2) We find no reversible error with respect to the magistrate’s purported
statements. Our appellate review involves the trial court’s final judgment, not the
magistrate’s oral statements, and the magistrate’s comments were a correct statement of
the law.
{¶6} (3) The trial court did not err in its interpretation of the separation
agreement. Since there is no express language limiting Mr. Walsh’s repair/maintenance
obligations to conditions arising post-judgment, his obligations encompassed the
residence’s existing conditions.
{¶7} Thus, we affirm the judgment of the Ashtabula County Court of Common
Pleas.
Substantive and Procedural History
{¶8} Mr. Walsh and Ms. Walsh were married in 1983. In 2016, the parties, pro
se, filed a petition for dissolution of marriage without children in the Ashtabula County
Court of Common Pleas, attaching a separation agreement. Following a hearing, the
parties submitted written modifications to their separation agreement. Following a second
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hearing, the trial court filed a judgment entry that granted the parties a dissolution and
incorporated the terms of their separation agreement, as modified.1
{¶9} The separation agreement and the 2016 entry provided, in relevant part, as
follows:
{¶10} (1) Mr. Walsh was awarded certain real property in Gates Mills, and Ms.
Walsh was awarded certain real property in Willoughby Hills. The parties agreed to
transfer their respective property interests within six months.
{¶11} (2) Mr. Walsh was required to pay monthly spousal support of $2,000
directly to Ms. Walsh and $150,000 in cash via a home equity loan on the Gates Mills
property. Ms. Walsh was permitted to file a lien on the Gates Mills property in the amount
of $350,000 to be paid upon the property’s sale. The parties agreed to begin the loan
and lien processes within 30 days after the property transfers.
{¶12} (3) Mr. Walsh was responsible for the interior and exterior repairs and
maintenance to the Willoughby Hills property as long as Ms. Walsh resided there. Mr.
Walsh’s spousal support and repair/maintenance obligations were terminable upon his
reaching the age of 70, the death of either party, or Ms. Walsh’s cohabitation or
remarriage, none of which occurred in the underlying matter.
{¶13} According to Mr. Walsh, the parties orally modified their separation
agreement, at Ms. Walsh’s request, immediately after the 2016 entry was filed. Pursuant
to this alleged oral agreement, Mr. Walsh would pay all of Ms. Walsh’s expenses in lieu
of monthly spousal support, the $150,000 sum, and the $350,000 lien, and the parties
1. Although neither party resided in Ashtabula County, the entry states that the parties waived venue and
voluntarily appeared there.
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would transfer their respective property interests “later on.” According to Ms. Walsh,
however, she did not initiate or agree to these terms. Although she did not file a legal
challenge when these terms were implemented, she repeatedly requested that Mr. Walsh
perform the obligations set forth in the separation agreement and the 2016 entry.
{¶14} Over three years later, in February 2020, Mr. Walsh transferred his interest
in the Willoughby Hills property to Ms. Walsh. According to Ms. Walsh, she refused to
transfer her interest in the Gates Mills property at that time because Mr. Walsh refused to
pay the $150,000 sum or permit her to file the $350,000 lien.
{¶15} Meanwhile, Ms. Walsh sent Mr. Walsh a list of repairs for the interior and
exterior of her Willoughby Hills residence, which included a leaking roof and resulting
water damage, cracks and holes in the driveway, cracks in the sidewalk, a damaged deck,
and damaged kitchen cabinets.
{¶16} Mr. Walsh largely failed to complete or refused to perform the requested
repairs. According to Mr. Walsh, he was not required to make “capital improvements,”
such as replacement or remodeling, nor was he required to repair any conditions that
existed at the time the 2016 entry was filed.
{¶17} In June 2020, Mr. Walsh, pro se, filed a “Post Judgment Motion to Reopen
above captioned case and Compel Defendant to Transfer Property Interest.” Ms. Walsh
appeared through counsel and filed a response to Mr. Walsh’s motion, a motion to show
cause, and a motion for attorney fees. She contended that Mr. Walsh should be held in
contempt of court for failing to satisfy his obligations in the 2016 entry. Mr. Walsh filed a
response denying that he had failed to satisfy his obligations based on the parties’ oral
modifications to their separation agreement.
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{¶18} Following a pretrial hearing in October 2020, the magistrate filed an order
requiring Mr. Walsh to pay monthly spousal support of $2,000 directly to Ms. Walsh
pursuant to the 2016 entry. Mr. Walsh appealed, which we dismissed for lack of a final
appealable order. See Walsh v. Walsh, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2020-A-0050, 2020-
Ohio-6998.
{¶19} In April 2021, the magistrate held a hearing on all pending motions. Mr.
Walsh and Ms. Walsh both testified and presented documentary evidence.
{¶20} The magistrate filed a decision setting forth findings of fact and conclusions
of law. The magistrate rejected the alleged oral modifications to the parties’ separation
agreement because they were not in writing. The magistrate also determined, in relevant
part, as follows:
{¶21} (1) Mr. Walsh was in contempt of court for failing to repair and maintain the
deck, driveway, sidewalk, roof, and interior leak damage relating to Ms. Walsh’s
Willoughby Hills residence. Mr. Walsh’s repair and maintenance obligations applied to
all conditions existing at the time of the separation agreement and the 2016 entry and any
condition that subsequently arose. However, Mr. Walsh was not required to replace the
roof, driveway, or sidewalk.
{¶22} (2) Mr. Walsh substantially complied with the entry’s spousal support order
by making in-kind payments; however, he was ordered to pay $7,541.51 in arrearages.
{¶23} (3) Mr. Walsh was not in contempt of court in relation to the $350,000 lien;
however, Ms. Walsh was granted and was ordered to prepare and file a lien in that
amount.
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{¶24} (4) Mr. Walsh was not in contempt of court for failing to pay $150,000 to Ms.
Walsh; however, he was ordered to apply for an equity loan in that amount following Ms.
Walsh’s deposit into escrow of a quit claim deed transferring her interest in the Gates
Mills property.
{¶25} Mr. Walsh filed objections to the magistrate’s decision, which Ms. Walsh
opposed. The trial court filed a judgment entry that overruled Mr. Walsh’s objections and
affirmed and adopted the magistrate’s decision in its entirety. Mr. Walsh appealed, which
we dismissed for lack of a final appealable order because the trial court did not set forth
its ruling on the matter. See Walsh v. Walsh, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2022-A-0004,
2022-Ohio-1101.
{¶26} Mr. Walsh filed a motion for a final appealable order. 2 The trial court
subsequently filed a judgment entry that adopted the magistrate’s findings of fact and
issued orders consistent with the magistrate’s decision.
{¶27} Mr. Walsh filed the instant appeal and raises the following three
assignments of error:
{¶28} “[1.] The Trial Court erred by not applying law with respect to the oral
changes made to the original Separation Agreement of November 2016., case no. 2016
DR 334 in the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas.
{¶29} “[2.] Magistrate Russo erred in stating at the hearing on October 1, 2020
that the Separation Agreement cannot be changed orally. Magistrate Russo then restated
2. Mr. Walsh also filed a petition in this court for a writ of procedendo ordering the trial court judge to issue
a final appealable order. See Walsh v. Sezon, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2022-A-0024. We granted Mr.
Walsh’s motion to dismiss his petition following the trial court’s issuance of a final appealable order.
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at April 12, 2021 trial again that the parties voluntary Separation Agreement of November
2016 cannot be changed orally and affirmed by Judge Sezon.
{¶30} “[3.] Trial Court erred in not properly interpreting the repairs and
maintenance clause in the Separation Agreement of November 2016.” [sic throughout.]
Standard of Review
{¶31} In reviewing an appeal from a trial court’s decision adopting a magistrate’s
decision, we determine whether the trial court abused its discretion. Nedel v. Nedel, 11th
Dist. Portage No. 2007-P-0022, 2008-Ohio-1025, ¶ 27. An abuse of discretion is the trial
court’s “‘failure to exercise sound, reasonable, and legal decision-making.’” State v.
Beechler, 2d Dist. Clark No. 09-CA-54, 2010-Ohio-1900, ¶ 62, quoting Black’s Law
Dictionary 11 (8th Ed.Rev.2004).
{¶32} Where the issue on review has been confided to the discretion of the trial
court, the mere fact that the reviewing court would have reached a different result is not
enough, without more, to find error. Id. at ¶ 67. When a pure issue of law is involved in
appellate review, however, the mere fact that the reviewing court would decide the issue
differently is enough to find error. Id.
Oral Modifications
{¶33} In his first assignment of error, Mr. Walsh contends that the trial court erred
by failing to recognize the parties’ alleged oral modifications to their separation
agreement.
{¶34} “In Ohio, dissolution is a creature of statute that is based upon the parties’
consent. It is this mutuality component of a dissolution that distinguishes it from
termination of a marriage by divorce. Indeed, ‘mutual consent is the cornerstone of our
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dissolution law.’” In re Whitman, 81 Ohio St.3d 239, 241, 690 N.E.2d 535 (1998), quoting
Knapp v. Knapp, 24 Ohio St.3d 141, 144, 493 N.E.2d 1353 (1986).
{¶35} “An integral part of the dissolution proceeding is the separation agreement
agreed to by both spouses,” which constitutes “a binding contract between the parties.”
Id. “If the court is satisfied that both parties agree to the dissolution and to the terms of
the separation agreement, then a judgment or decree of dissolution is granted whereby
the marriage is legally terminated.” Id.; see R.C. 3105.65(B).
{¶36} Courts retain only limited jurisdiction in dissolution proceedings. In re
Whitman at 241. For instance, R.C. 3105.65(B) provides that “[t]he court * * * may modify
the amount or terms of spousal support * * * only in accordance with [R.C. 3105.18(E)(2)].”
(Emphasis added.) R.C. 3105.18(E)(2), in turn, provides that “if a continuing order for
periodic payments of money as spousal support is entered in a * * * dissolution of marriage
action that is determined on or after January 1, 1991, the court that enters the decree of
* * * dissolution of marriage does not have jurisdiction to modify the amount or terms of *
* * spousal support unless the court determines that the circumstances of either party
have changed and * * * the separation agreement that is approved by the court and
incorporated into the decree contains a provision specifically authorizing the court to
modify the amount or terms of * * * spousal support.” (Emphasis added.)
{¶37} Here, the separation agreement expressly states that “the Court shall not
retain jurisdiction to modify spousal support.” (Emphasis added.) Therefore, Mr. Walsh
could not satisfy the statute’s jurisdictional requirement.
{¶38} R.C. 3105.65(B) also provides that “[t]he court may modify the division of
property provided in the separation agreement only upon the express written consent or
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agreement of both spouses.” (Emphasis added.) Mr. Walsh never asserted or purported
to establish that Ms. Walsh expressly agreed or consented in writing to a modification of
the property division. Therefore, Mr. Walsh could not satisfy this statutory requirement.
{¶39} Mr. Walsh counters that R.C. 3105.65(B) is written in the disjunctive, which
means that parties can modify a property division either by “express written consent” or
by “agreement.” According to Mr. Walsh, an “oral” agreement is sufficient for purposes
of the statute.
{¶40} Mr. Walsh’s proposed construction is not reasonably supported by the
statutory text or basic rules of grammar. A plain reading of the statute indicates that the
“express written” requirement applies to “consent” and “agreement.”
{¶41} Further, the separation agreement expressly provides that “[n]o change to
the terms of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and knowingly and voluntarily
signed by both parties.” (Emphasis added.) This court has held that “where a contract
or separation agreement prohibits oral modifications and requires any changes to be
made in writing, a trial court correctly disregards the alleged modification and looks to the
four corners of the [s]eparation [a]greement * * *.” Grzely v. Singer, 2012-Ohio-2440, 971
N.E.2d 481, ¶ 22 (11th Dist.). Similarly, the Fifth District Court of Appeals has held that
“where a separation agreement provides for no oral modifications, and requires any
changes be made in writing and executed by both parties, a trial court correctly concludes
an attempted oral modification of the agreement is ineffective and unenforceable.”
Garofalo v. Garofalo, 5th Dist. Stark No. 95-CA-00395, 1996 WL 363071, *1 (May 28,
1996).
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{¶42} In sum, the trial court had no legal authority to modify the separation
agreement pursuant to the parties’ alleged oral agreement. Accordingly, the trial court
did not err in disregarding the alleged oral modifications.
{¶43} Mr. Walsh’s first assignment of error is without merit.
Magistrate’s Statements
{¶44} In his second assignment of error, Mr. Walsh contends that the magistrate
erred by stating during the October 2020 pretrial and the April 2021 evidentiary hearing
that the separation agreement could not be modified orally.
{¶45} “It is well-settled that a court speaks only through its judgment entries and
not by oral pronouncements.” Mentor v. Kreischer, 11th Dist. Lake No. 93-L-198, 1994
WL 590330, *1 (Sept. 23, 1994); see In re Guardianship of Hollins, 114 Ohio St.3d 434,
2007-Ohio-4555, 872 N.E.2d 1214, ¶ 30 (“We have repeatedly stated that a court speaks
exclusively through its journal entries”). Thus, our appellate review in this case involves
the trial court’s judgment entry, not oral statements the magistrate may have made at pre-
judgment hearings.
{¶46} In any event, the only transcript in the record before us is for the April 2021
proceeding, which indicates that the magistrate disagreed with Mr. Walsh’s contention
that an “agreement” to modify a property division under R.C. 3105.65(B) was not required
to be in writing. For the reasons explained above, the magistrate’s comments were a
correct statement of the law.
{¶47} Mr. Walsh’s second assignment of error is without merit.
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Repairs and Maintenance
{¶48} Finally, in his third assignment of error, Mr. Walsh contends that the trial
court erroneously interpreted the separation agreement with respect to his obligations to
repair and maintain Ms. Walsh’s residence.
{¶49} “Since a separation agreement is a contract, its interpretation is a matter of
law. It is subject to the same rules of construction as other contracts.” Forstner v.
Forstner, 68 Ohio App.3d 367, 372, 588 N.E.2d 285 (11th Dist.1990). “The primary
principle which courts must follow is that the contract must be interpreted ‘so as to carry
out the intent of the parties * * *.’” Id., quoting Skivolocki v. East Ohio Gas Co., 38 Ohio
St.2d 244, 313 N.E.2d 374 (1974), paragraph one of the syllabus. “Pursuant to this rule,
it has been held that when a term in an agreement is unambiguous, then the words must
be given their plain, ordinary and common meaning; however, when the term is not clear,
parol evidence is admissible to explain the meaning of the words.” Id.{¶50} The provision at issue provides, “[Mr. Walsh] shall be responsible for repairs
and maintenance to [the Willoughby Hills property], both interior and exterior, as long as
[Ms. Walsh] resides there.” Mr. Walsh contends that he was not responsible for repairing
conditions to the residence that existed at the time the 2016 entry was filed. Rather, Ms.
Walsh received the Willoughby Hills property “as is.”
{¶51} There is no express language to this effect or otherwise limiting Mr. Walsh’s
repairs and maintenance obligations. Principles of contract interpretation preclude us
from rewriting a contract by adding language or terms that the parties omitted. See DDR
Rio Hondo, L.L.C. v. Sunglass Hut Trading, L.L.C., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98986, 2013-
Ohio-1800, ¶ 23; Smithers v. Rossford Exempted Village School Dist. Bd. of Edn., 6th
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Dist. Wood No. 93WD070, 1994 WL 262542, *2 (June 10, 1994) (“It is impermissible for
a court interpreting a contract to add terms which do not appear therein”). Thus, based
on the plain and ordinary meaning of the language, Mr. Walsh’s repair/maintenance
obligations encompassed the residence’s existing conditions. Accordingly, the trial court
did not err in its interpretation of the separation agreement.
{¶52} Mr. Walsh’s third assignment of error is without merit.
{¶53} In sum, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in adopting the
magistrate’s decision.
{¶54} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Ashtabula County Court of
Common Pleas is affirmed.
CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, J.,
JOHN J. EKLUND, J.,
concur.
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