In re Estate of John C. , 2017 Ohio 8648 ( 2017 )

[Cite as In re Estate of John C., 2017-Ohio-8648.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
In the Matter of the Estate of :
[John C.],
: No. 17AP-398
(Prob. No. 568920)
[Donna et al., :
(REGULAR CALENDAR)
Appellants]. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on November 21, 2017
On brief: Eugene R. Butler, and James R. Leickly; Strip
Hoppers Leithart McGrath & Terlecky, LPA, and Paul W.
Leithart, II, for appellants. Argued: Eugene R. Butler.
On brief: Bellinger & Donahue, and Scott P. Bellinger, for
Montana C. Argued: Scott P. Bellinger.
On brief: Jay E. Michael, for Sandra C. Argued: Jay E.
Michael.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
Probate Division
DORRIAN, J.
{¶ 1} Appellants, Donna, Nicole, and Arthur, appeal the May 8, 2017 judgment of
the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, overruling objections to
and adopting the December 30, 2016 magistrate's decision. For the following reasons, we
affirm.
I. History
{¶ 2} The instant matter arises out of the death of John C. ("decedent").
Decedent was a tow truck operator who, on September 22, 2014, was struck and killed by
a vehicle while providing assistance to a disabled vehicle. As relevant to the instant
No. 17AP-398 2
matter, decedent was survived by his daughter, Montana; mother, Sandra; eight siblings
including Charles, Arthur, Donna, Carol, Nicole, James, Mildred, and Rose; and
grandson, Camden, Montana's son who was conceived prior to decedent's death but born
following his death.
{¶ 3} On October 6, 2014, Montana applied to the trial court to be appointed
administrator of decedent's estate for the purpose of pursuing a wrongful death claim. No
other applications for appointment of administrator were made. On October 6, 2014, the
trial court appointed Montana administrator. On May 12, 2016, Montana filed an
application for approval of a fee agreement she entered into with attorneys hired to
represent the estate in the wrongful death claim. On the same date, the trial court
approved the fee agreement.
{¶ 4} On June 9, 2016, Montana filed an application to approve settlement and
distribution of wrongful death and survival claims. On August 30, 2016, Montana filed an
amended application to approve settlement and distribution of wrongful death and
survival claims. The insurance company of the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed
decedent offered to settle for $25,000.00. The company that insured the towing
company's vehicle that decedent was operating at the time of the incident offered to settle
for $450,000. After accounting for attorney fees and expenses, the net proceeds
remaining for distribution equaled $303,522.15. In the application, Montana requested
the proceeds be distributed as follows: $203,522.15 to Montana, and $100,000.00 to
Sandra, decedent's mother. The application also listed decedent's siblings, allocating
none of the proceeds from the settlement to them. Montana, James, Sandra, and Mildred
each filed signed forms consenting to the settlement and distribution of the wrongful
death and survival claims as set forth in the application.
{¶ 5} On September 2, 2016, a magistrate appointed to hear the matter on behalf
of the trial court filed a decision approving the settlement. No objections to the
magistrate's decision were filed. On September 20, 2016, the trial court filed an entry
adopting the magistrate's decision.
{¶ 6} On November 29, and December 14, 2016, the magistrate conducted a
hearing on the application to approve distribution of wrongful death and survival claims.
At the hearing, the following individuals provided testimony regarding their relationship
No. 17AP-398 3
with decedent and the impact of his death: Nicole, Arthur, Charles, Donna, Carol, Sandra,
Mildred, Montana, and Sharmane, decedent's ex-wife and Montana's mother.
{¶ 7} On December 30, 2016, the magistrate filed a decision including findings of
fact and conclusions of law. In the decision, the magistrate recommended the settlement
proceeds be distributed as follows: $178,522.15 to Montana, $70,000.00 to Sandra,
$15,000.00 to Charles, $10,000.00 each to Arthur, Donna, Carol, and Nicole, and
nothing to James, Mildred, Rose, and Camden.
{¶ 8} On January 13, 2017, Nicole filed objections to the December 30, 2016
magistrate's decision. On the same date, Donna and Arthur jointly filed objections to the
December 30, 2016 magistrate's decision. Also on the same date, Nicole, Donna, and
Arthur filed a joint motion for leave of court to supplement their objections to the
December 30, 2016 magistrate's decision.
{¶ 9} On January 27, 2017, Carol filed a response to the magistrate's decision,
supporting the distribution as determined by the magistrate and reserving the right in the
alternative to accept more of the proceeds should the court alter the distribution. On the
same date, Sandra and Montana separately filed memoranda contra the January 13, 2017
objections of Nicole, Donna, and Arthur. Also on January 27, 2017, Sandra filed a motion
for leave to supplement her memorandum contra.
{¶ 10} On February 6, 2017, Nicole filed a reply memorandum in support of her
January 13, 2017 objections. On the same date, Donna and Arthur jointly filed a reply to
the January 27, 2017 memoranda contra of Sandra and Montana. On February 28, 2017,
the trial court filed an entry granting the January 13, 2017 joint motion of Nicole, Donna,
and Arthur for leave of court to supplement their objections to the December 30, 2016
magistrate's decision.
{¶ 11} On March 27, 2017, counsel for Donna and Arthur filed an affidavit,
pursuant to Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b)(iii), to supplement the transcript with portions of the
record that were not recorded. On the same date, Donna and Arthur filed supplemental
objections to the December 30, 2016 magistrate's decision. Also on March 27, 2017,
Nicole filed supplemental objections to the December 30, 2016 magistrate's decision.
No. 17AP-398 4
{¶ 12} On April 27, 2017, Sandra filed a memorandum contra the supplemental
objections of Nicole, Donna, and Arthur. On April 28, 2017, Montana filed a
memorandum contra the supplemental objections of Nicole, Donna, and Arthur.
{¶ 13} On May 8, 2017, Donna and Arthur jointly filed a reply to the April 27 and
April 28, 2017 memoranda contra of Sandra and Montana. On May 8, 2017, the trial
court filed a judgment entry overruling objections and adopting the December 30, 2016
magistrate's decision.
II. Assignments of Error
{¶ 14} Appellants appeal and assign the following three assignments of error for
our review:
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW IN
USING THE REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION OF R.C.
2125.02(A)(1) IN MAKING A DISTRIBUTION UNDER R.C.
2125.03(A) TO MONTANA CARPENTER AND SANDRA
CARPENTER.
II. EVEN IF THE REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION OF R.C.
2125.02(A)(1) IS APPLICABLE TO THE DISTRIBUTIONS
UNDER R.C. 2125.03(A) TO MONTANA CARPENTER AND
SANDRA CARPENTER, THE EVIDENCE CLEARLY
REBUTTED THE PRESUMPTION.
III. THE AWARD OF $10,000 TO EACH OF THE
APPELLANT SIBLINGS IS CONTRARY TO LAW AND TO
THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
III. Discussion
{¶ 15} Appellants assert the trial court erred in applying the rebuttable
presumption as provided in R.C. 2125.02(A)(1) to the distribution of the wrongful death
proceeds. Appellants contend that even if the rebuttable presumption in R.C.
2125.02(A)(1) is applicable to the distribution of the wrongful death proceeds, the
evidence rebutted such presumption. Finally, appellants contend the trial court's
distribution to appellants was contrary to law and the weight of the evidence.
A. Applicable Law
{¶ 16} Chapter 2125 of the Ohio Revised Code governs actions for wrongful death.
R.C. 2125.02 governs the persons entitled to recover in actions for wrongful death and
No. 17AP-398 5
damages recoverable through such actions. R.C. 2125.02 provides in pertinent part as
follows:
(A)
(1) Except as provided in this division, a civil action for
wrongful death shall be brought in the name of the personal
representative of the decedent for the exclusive benefit of the
surviving spouse, the children, and the parents of the
decedent, all of whom are rebuttably presumed to have
suffered damages by reason of the wrongful death, and for the
exclusive benefit of the other next of kin of the decedent. A
parent who abandoned a minor child who is the decedent
shall not receive a benefit in a civil action for wrongful death
brought under this division.
(2) The jury, or the court if the civil action for wrongful death
is not tried to a jury, may award damages authorized by
division (B) of this section, as it determines are proportioned
to the injury and loss resulting to the beneficiaries described
in division (A)(1) of this section by reason of the wrongful
death and may award the reasonable funeral and burial
expenses incurred as a result of the wrongful death. In its
verdict, the jury or court shall set forth separately the amount,
if any, awarded for the reasonable funeral and burial expenses
incurred as a result of the wrongful death.
(3)
(a) The date of the decedent's death fixes, subject to division
(A)(3)(b)(iii) of this section, the status of all beneficiaries of
the civil action for wrongful death for purposes of determining
the damages suffered by them and the amount of damages to
be awarded. A person who is conceived prior to the decedent's
death and who is born alive after the decedent's death is a
beneficiary of the action.
(b)
(i) In determining the amount of damages to be awarded, the
jury or court may consider all factors existing at the time of
the decedent's death that are relevant to a determination of
the damages suffered by reason of the wrongful death.
***
(B) Compensatory damages may be awarded in a civil action
for wrongful death and may include damages for the
following:
(1) Loss of support from the reasonably expected earning
capacity of the decedent;
No. 17AP-398 6
(2) Loss of services of the decedent;
(3) Loss of the society of the decedent, including loss of
companionship, consortium, care, assistance, attention,
protection, advice, guidance, counsel, instruction, training,
and education, suffered by the surviving spouse, dependent
children, parents, or next of kin of the decedent;
(4) Loss of prospective inheritance to the decedent's heirs at
law at the time of the decedent's death;
(5) The mental anguish incurred by the surviving spouse,
dependent children, parents, or next of kin of the decedent.
{¶ 17} R.C. 2125.03 governs the distribution of proceeds from a wrongful death
action brought pursuant to R.C. Chapter 2125. R.C. 2125.03(A)(1) provides in pertinent
part as follows:
The amount received by a personal representative in an action
for wrongful death under sections 2125.01 and 2125.02 of the
Revised Code, whether by settlement or otherwise, shall be
distributed to the beneficiaries or any one or more of them.
The court that appointed the personal representative, except
when all of the beneficiaries are on an equal degree of
consanguinity to the deceased person, shall adjust the share of
each beneficiary in a manner that is equitable, having due
regard for the injury and loss to each beneficiary resulting
from the death and for the age and condition of the
beneficiaries. If all of the beneficiaries are on an equal degree
of consanguinity to the deceased person, the beneficiaries may
adjust the share of each beneficiary among themselves. If the
beneficiaries do not adjust their shares among themselves, the
court shall adjust the share of each beneficiary in the same
manner as the court adjusts the shares of beneficiaries who
are not on an equal degree of consanguinity to the deceased
person.
B. Standard of Review
{¶ 18} "R.C. 2125.03(A)(1) requires a trial court to distribute wrongful death
proceeds in an equitable manner 'without regard to the statute of descent and
distribution, and without regard to any precise mathematical formulae.' " In re Estate of
Barnett-Clardy, 10th Dist. No. 08AP-386, 2008-Ohio-6126, ¶ 22, quoting In re the Estate
of Straszheim, 2d Dist. No. 18046 (Apr. 7, 2000). Therefore, because R.C. 2125.03(A)(1)
"vests the trial court with broad discretion in apportioning wrongful death proceeds
among beneficiaries, appellate courts will not reverse a trial court's apportionment absent
No. 17AP-398 7
an abuse of discretion." Barnett-Clardy at ¶ 22, citing Straszheim and In the Matter of
the Estate of Coman, 7th Dist. No. 07-MA-181, 2008-Ohio-2266, ¶ 17. However, in
considering whether the trial court's decision was in accordance with law, our review is
plenary. Cook v. Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Servs., 10th Dist. No. 14AP-852, 2015-Ohio-
4966, ¶ 16, citing Bryant Health Care Ctr., Inc. v. Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Servs., 10th
Dist. No. 13AP-263, 2014-Ohio-92, ¶ 23.
C. First Assignment of Error
{¶ 19} In their first assignment of error, appellants contend the trial court erred in
applying the rebuttable presumption as provided in R.C. 2125.02(A)(1) to the distribution
of the wrongful death proceeds. The trial court made the following findings:
The [d]ecedent had a long history of sexually abusing females,
including family members. As a result of the [d]ecedent's
conduct, Montana's mother chose to protect her daughter and
demanded he not contact Montana. Montana therefore did
not have a father-daughter relationship for reasons
unbeknownst to her while she was a child. Given the unique
facts and circumstances of this case, Montana's decision as an
adult to not initiate a relationship with her father in the
relatively few years before her father was killed[] is not an
unreasonable one. Due to the decedent['s] own improper acts,
he was largely a stranger to Montana and his entire family.
Neither he nor the family made efforts to communicate, or
rehabilitate the relationship. This distinction is important to
consider when making an equitable adjustment to the shares
of the beneficiaries as Barnett-Clardy and R.C. 2125.03
require.
Notwithstanding the above and all assertions made by the
objectors that Montana suffered no loss, the law presumes
that the decedent's spouse, children, and parents have
suffered damages. The siblings[] must prove their damages.
Montana is presumed to have suffered damages. Although
there was minimal contact between Montana and the
[d]ecedent, she is the [d]ecedent's only child. As the only
child, Montana is entitled to inherit from the [d]ecedent's
estate. See R.C. 2125.02(B)(4). Nevertheless, an equitable
distribution must be made pursuant to R.C. 2125.03. The
Court is required to adjust the share of each beneficiary in a
manner that is equitable having due regard for the injury and
loss to each resulting from the death and for the age and
condition of the beneficiaries.
No. 17AP-398 8
Upon a thorough and independent review of this matter and
with due consideration of the transcript and the unique
situations presented in this case, the Court finds that the
Magistrate was correct in awarding Montana Carpenter the
largest share of the distribution, in the amount of $178,522.15.
The Court does not make this award on the basis of a formula
but from equitable considerations. Montana is a young
woman with a child who took the initiative to open her
father's estate to pursue collection recovery from those
accountable for his death. Most significantly is the fact that
Montana is the only surviving child of a father who failed to
parent her since the age of 7 for reasons due to no fault of her
own. The parent-child relationship did not exist not as the
result of some failure on Montana's part as the objectors
suggest, but due solely to the incomprehensible acts of the
decedent. Given the facts and circumstances of this case, this
court believes that it is only fair to provide Montana
compensation upon the death of her father in order to
compensate for what her father failed to provide her, both
financially and emotionally, when he was alive.
(Decision at 17-18.)
{¶ 20} In Barnett-Clardy, we reviewed the trial court's apportionment of proceeds
from a wrongful death settlement.1 In that case, Barnett-Clardy's father challenged the
trial court's application of R.C. 2125.02 to apportion the proceeds. Contrary to the father's
contentions, we found that "R.C. 2125.03—not R.C. 2125.02—empowers a trial court to
distribute the proceeds of a wrongful death settlement." Id. at ¶ 18. However, we noted
the following:
Tangentially, we note that other courts have recognized that a
trial court can draw guidance from R.C. 2125.02(B) in
distributing wrongful death proceeds. In the Matter of the
Estate of Cochran, 12th Dist. No. CA2000-05-030 (Mar. 19,
2001); In the Matter of the Estate of Thomas, 9th Dist. No.
19588 (Apr. 12, 2000). R.C. 2125.02(B) sets forth the bases on
which a trier of fact may award compensatory damages in a
wrongful death action. However, nothing in R.C. 2125.03
requires a trial court to consider any of the R.C. 2125.02(B)
bases in apportioning wrongful death proceeds. See In re
Estate of Steigerwald, 5th Dist. No. 2003-AP-10-0079, 2004-
Ohio-3834, at ¶ 19-20 (finding that the trial court did not err
when it ignored R.C. 2125.02(B) in allocating wrongful death
1We note this was the second appeal of the underlying matter. See In re Estate of Barnett-Clardy, 10th Dist.
No. 07AP-55, 2007-Ohio-6783.
No. 17AP-398 9
proceeds). But, see, In the Matter of the Estate of Engle, 4th
Dist. No. 99CA50, 2000-Ohio-1955 (holding that when
distributing wrongful death proceeds, "the trial court should
consider the factors outlined in R.C. 2125.02[B]").
Id. at ¶ 18, fn. 2.
{¶ 21} Here, the trial court found that "Montana is presumed to have suffered
damages" and, citing R.C. 2125.02(B)(4), stated that "Montana is entitled to inherit from
[d]ecedent's estate." (Decision at 17.) However, the court also stated that "[n]evertheless,
an equitable distribution must be made pursuant to R.C. 2125.03. The Court is required
to adjust the share of each beneficiary in a manner that is equitable having due regard for
the injury and loss to each resulting from the death and for the age and condition of the
beneficiaries." (Decision at 17-18.) Furthermore, the court stated that "R.C. 2125.02 does
not govern the court's distribution of the wrongful death proceeds." (Decision at 16.)
Thus, contrary to appellants' contentions, the trial court did not err in referring to the
rebuttable presumption in R.C. 2125.02, as the decision reveals that the court applied the
principles of equity, pursuant to R.C. 2125.03, in making the distribution.
{¶ 22} Accordingly, we overrule appellants' first assignment of error.
D. Second Assignment of Error
{¶ 23} In their second assignment of error, appellants assert the trial court erred in
its distribution of the proceeds with regard to Montana and Sandra because they lacked a
relationship with decedent.
{¶ 24} In the trial court, Montana testified that, upon learning of decedent's death,
she felt "[l]ike a part of me was now gone," even though she had not seen him since she
was seven or eight years old. (Tr. Vol. II at 205.) Montana stated that she had met with
decedent's sister Mildred and found that they both suffered a loss resulting from
decedent's death. When asked whether meeting with Mildred "helped [to] heal those
wounds" resulting from the loss of decedent, Montana replied: "Nothing probably will
ever heal them fully. It will just help the healing process." (Tr. Vol. II at 213.) Montana
additionally testified that she had visited the cemetery where decedent was buried.
{¶ 25} Montana admitted that she did not have a relationship with decedent from
the time she was seven or eight years old. However, the record is also clear that the lack of
relationship between Montana and decedent was not attributable to any fault on the part
No. 17AP-398 10
of Montana. Sharmane testified that decedent sexually assaulted Montana's sister and, as
a result, she told decedent to stay away from Montana. Montana did not know the true
reason for decedent's absence from her life until she was an adult. Decedent never
attempted to make contact with Montana following their separation.
{¶ 26} Sandra testified that she was deeply affected by the loss of decedent. She
stated that she visited his gravesite, still talked to him, and was distressed by the manner
in which decedent was killed. Furthermore, Sandra testified that decedent had provided
some services to her. Sandra testified that she witnessed decedent sexually assault his
younger sister. Sandra informed Arthur that decedent was stealing money from Arthur's
business. Sandra stated that her relationship with decedent suffered as a result of his
sexual misconduct and because she informed Arthur of decedent's theft.
{¶ 27} In evaluating the nature of the relationship between Montana and decedent,
the trial court stated that "[g]iven the unique facts and circumstances of this case,
Montana's decision as an adult to not initiate a relationship with her father in the
relatively few years before her father was killed, is not an unreasonable one. Due to the
decedent[']s own improper acts, he was largely a stranger to Montana and his entire
family." (Decision at 17.) Furthermore, in making its award to Montana, the trial court
stated that "[t]he Court does not make this award on the basis of a formula but from
equitable considerations." (Decision at 18.)
{¶ 28} With regard to Sandra, the trial court found that "[t]he lack of a normal
parent-child relationship between the decedent and Sandra [is] a result of the decedent's
own sexual abuse actions which strained that relationship." (Decision at 20.)
Nevertheless, the court found that "[d]espite these challenges, Sandra and the decedent
maintained a mother-child relationship, which could not have been easy given his abuse
directed to his sister." (Decision at 20.) The court found that "the evidence presented at
[the] hearing clearly exhibit[s] that Sandra suffered mental anguish upon the loss of her
son." (Decision at 20.)
{¶ 29} Appellants contend the trial court erred in considering the reasons for
Montana and Sandra's lack of relationship with decedent. R.C. 2125.03, however,
explicitly provides for the trial court to make an "equitable" distribution with "due regard
for the injury and loss to each beneficiary resulting from the death and for the age and
No. 17AP-398 11
condition of the beneficiaries." Given Montana and Sandra's ample testimony regarding
the nature of their loss resulting from decedent's death, we find that it was within the
"broad discretion" of the trial court to consider the surrounding facts and circumstances
"in apportioning wrongful death proceeds among beneficiaries." Barnett-Clardy at ¶ 22.
Although in Barnett-Clardy we found the trial court did not err in basing its distribution
on the amount of participation in the decedent's life, nothing in that decision prevents the
trial court from considering extenuating circumstances, such as those present in this case,
when making its equitable determination pursuant to R.C. 2125.03. Therefore, upon a
thorough review of the record, we hold the trial court did not err in its distribution of
settlement proceeds with regard to Montana and Sandra.
{¶ 30} Accordingly, we overrule appellants' second assignment of error.
E. Third Assignment of Error
{¶ 31} In their third assignment of error, appellants contend that the evidence did
not support the award to Donna, Arthur, and Nicole. Specifically, appellants contend that
the trial court failed to base its distribution on the amount of time the beneficiaries spent
with decedent. As discussed in our resolution of appellants' second assignment of error,
the trial court possessed the discretion to consider the surrounding facts and
circumstances when making its equitable determination pursuant to R.C. 2125.03. Upon
a thorough review of the record, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
its distribution to Donna, Arthur, and Nicole.
{¶ 32} Accordingly, we overrule appellants' third assignment of error.
IV. Conclusion
{¶ 33} Having overruled appellants' three assignments of error, we affirm the
judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division.
Judgment affirmed.
KLATT and HORTON, JJ., concur.