Walton v. Walton , 2011 Ohio 2847 ( 2011 )

[Cite as Walton v. Walton, 2011-Ohio-2847.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
UNION COUNTY
MEGAN WALTON,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 14-10-21
v.
JEREMIAH J. WALTON, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Union County Common Pleas Court
Domestic Relations Division
Trial Court No. 05-DR-0092
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: June 13, 2011
APPEARANCES:
Andrea R. Yagoda for Appellant
Anthony W. Greco and Bryan D. Thomas for Appellee
Case No. 14-10-21
PRESTON, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Jeremiah Walton (hereinafter “Jeremiah”),
appeals the Union County Court of Common Pleas’ judgment denying his motion
for a change in parenting time and granting plaintiff-appellee’s, Megan Walton
(k.n.a. Rausch) (hereinafter “Megan”), motion for attorney fees. For the reasons
that follow, we affirm.
{¶2} The facts relevant to this appeal are stated as follows. The parties
were divorced by an Agreed Judgment Entry Decree on September 14, 2005.
Megan was designated the residential parent and legal custodian of the parties’
minor child, Zander, born in 2004. Jeremiah was allocated parenting time on a
specific schedule, which according to the Divorce Decree was supposed to change
at the time the child began school. Additionally, a child support order was issued.
Zander started attending school in August/September of 2009.
{¶3} On March 14, 2009, Jeremiah filed a Motion for Reallocation of
Parental Rights and Responsibilities and requested that he be designated the
school placement parent or, in the alternative, that his parenting times be
expanded.
{¶4} On May 8, 2009, Clarence Mingo was appointed guardian ad litem
(“GAL”) in the case. Mingo later withdrew from the case prior to final
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disposition, at which point in time, Clifton Valentine was appointed GAL for the
remainder of the case.
{¶5} On June 8, 2009, Megan filed a motion seeking an increase in child
support and filed a motion for attorney fees.
{¶6} On June 23, 2009, the trial court ordered, upon motion by the parties,
psychological evaluations of the parties and an independent evaluation of the
minor child.
{¶7} Jeremiah filed three motions for contempt on September 22 and 30,
2009, and October 29, 2009, respectively. Additionally, Jeremiah and his bank,
Richwood Bank, filed motions for protective orders on September 3, 2009, and
October 23, 2009, respectively.
{¶8} On October 22, 2009, Megan filed a motion for order to compel
discovery and/or motion for sanctions and reasonable attorney fees. On January 6,
2010, Megan filed a supplemental motion for an order to compel discovery and/or
motion for sanctions and reasonable attorney fees.
{¶9} The matter came for a final hearing on January 28-29, 2010 on the
following matters: Jeremiah’s motion for reallocation of parental rights; Megan’s
motion to compel; and Jeremiah’s motions for contempt.
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{¶10} On February 1, 2010, the magistrate issued an order compelling
Jeremiah to provide Megan with all financial records for 2007-2009 used in the
preparation of tax returns.
{¶11} On February 24, 2010, the magistrate’s order and decision was filed
denying Jeremiah’s motion for reallocation of parental rights, denying Jeremiah’s
motion to modify parenting time, and denying Jeremiah’s motions for contempt.
{¶12} On March 8, 2010, Jeremiah filed objections to the magistrate’s
decision.
{¶13} On March 15, 2010, Megan filed a motion for order to compel
against Richwood Bank. On March 18, 2010, Megan filed a supplemental motion
for order to compel Richwood Bank. On March 17, 2010, Jeremiah filed a child
support guideline worksheet and request for deviation. On March 23, 2010,
Megan filed a memorandum in opposition to Jeremiah’s request for deviation. On
April 7, 2010, the trial court ordered Richwood Bank to provide records. On April
13, 2010, Jeremiah filed a motion asking the trial court to set aside the order
compelling Richwood Bank to provide records, but this motion was denied.
{¶14} On May 27, 2010, the matter proceeded to hearing on the motion to
modify child support and the motion for attorney fees. On June 11, 2010, the
magistrate issued its decision ordering an increase in Jeremiah’s child support
payments and awarding Megan attorney fees in the amount of $40,000.00.
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{¶15} On June 23, 2010, Jeremiah filed objections to the magistrate’s
decision concerning the child support and attorney fees.
{¶16} On June 30, 2010, Jeremiah’s objections to both decisions were
overruled. On July 22, 2010 a final, appealable order was entered.
{¶17} Jeremiah now appeals and raises the following two assignments of
error.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. I
THE TRIAL COURT’S REFUSAL TO AWARD APPELLANT
GREATER PARENTING TIMES WAS AGAINST THE
MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND
CONSTITUTED AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION.
{¶18} In his first assignment of error, Jeremiah argues that the trial court
abused its discretion in not granting him greater parenting time when the evidence
was uncontroverted that more parenting time was in Zander’s best interest.1
{¶19} A trial court’s establishment of a non-residential parent’s visitation
rights is within its sound discretion and will not be disturbed on appeal absent a
showing of an abuse of discretion. Fordham v. Fordman, 3d Dist. No. 8-08-17,
1
Megan argues that Jeremiah failed to raise the issue of the expansion of parenting time in his original
motion and thus claims that the issue is not properly before this Court. However, at the modification
hearing, the trial court found that Jeremiah’s motion did contain a request for a change in parenting time,
despite the fact that the caption did not explicitly indicate such request. (Jan. 29, 2010 Tr. at 77).
Nevertheless, the trial court found that in light of the prayer for relief language in the motion, as well as the
evidence that had been presented at the hearing, the change in parenting time had been litigated by implied
consent and it granted Jeremiah’s oral request to litigate the issue regarding additional parenting time.
(Id.). We find no error with the trial court’s decision and find that the issue is properly before this Court to
consider.
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2009-Ohio-1915, ¶18, citing Elson v. Elson, 3d Dist. No. 17-04-16, 2005-Ohio-
3228, ¶11, citing Appleby v. Appleby (1986), 24 Ohio St.3d 39, 41, 492 N.E.2d
831; Booth v. Booth (1989), 44 Ohio St.3d 142, 144, 541 N.E.2d 1028. An abuse
of discretion suggests the trial court’s decision is unreasonable or unconscionable.
Blakemore v. Blakemore (1983) 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140. The
trial court’s discretion over visitation in this situation is broader than the court’s
discretion regarding child custody matters. Elson, 2005-Ohio-3228, at ¶11, citing
State ex rel. Scordato v. George (1981), 65 Ohio St.2d 128, 419 N.E.2d 4.
Furthermore, the trial court must exercise its discretion in the best interest of the
child. Bodine v. Bodine (1988), 38 Ohio App.3d 173, 175, 528 N.E.2d 973.
{¶20} Additionally, we note that the trier of fact is in the best position to
observe the witnesses, weigh evidence, and evaluate testimony. Clark v. Clark, 3d
Dist. No. 14-06-56, 2007-Ohio-5771, ¶23, citing In re Brown (1994), 98 Ohio
App.3d 337, 648 N.E.2d 576. Therefore, “‘[a] reviewing court should not reverse
a decision simply because it holds a different opinion concerning the credibility of
the witnesses and evidence submitted before the trial court. A finding of an error
in law is a legitimate ground for reversal, but a difference of opinion on credibility
of witnesses and evidence is not.’” Id., quoting Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v.
Cleveland (1984), 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 81, 461 N.E.2d 1273.
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{¶21} R.C. 3109.051 governs visitation rights of non-residential parents
and provides, in pertinent part:
If a divorce * * * proceeding involves a child and if the court has
not issued a shared parenting decree, the court * * *, in
accordance with division (C) of this section, shall make a just
and reasonable order or decree permitting each parent who is
not the residential parent to have parenting time with the child
at the time and under the conditions that the court directs,
unless the court determines that it would not be in the best
interest of the child to permit that parent to have parenting time
with the child and includes in the journal its findings of fact and
conclusions of law. Whenever possible, the order or decree
permitting the parenting time shall ensure the opportunity for
both parents to have frequent and continuing contact with the
child, unless frequent and continuing contact by either parent
with the child would not be in the best interest of the child.
R.C. 3109.051(A). To determine whether a parenting schedule is in the child’s
best interest, R.C. 3109.051(D) directs the trial court to consider the following
factors, in part:
(1) The prior interaction and interrelationships of the child
with the child’s parents, siblings, and other persons related by
consanguinity or affinity, and with the person who requested
companionship or visitation if that person is not a parent,
sibling, or relative of the child;
(2) The geographical location of the residence of each parent
and the distance between those residences, and if the person is
not a parent, the geographical location of that person’s residence
and the distance between that person’s residence and the child’s
residence;
(3) The child’s and parents’ available time, including, but not
limited to, each parent’s employment schedule, the child’s school
schedule, and the child’s and the parents’ holiday and vacation
schedule;
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(4) The age of the child;
(5) The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community;
***
(7) The health and safety of the child;
(8) The amount of time that will be available for the child to
spend with siblings;
(9) The mental and physical health of all parties;
(10) Each parent’s willingness to reschedule missed parenting
time and to facilitate the other parent’s parenting time rights,
and with respect to a person who requested companionship or
visitation, the willingness of that person to reschedule missed
visitation;
***
(13) Whether the residential parent or one of the parents subject
to a shared parenting decree has continuously and willfully
denied the other parent’s right to parenting time in accordance
with an order of the court;
***
(16) Any other factor in the best interest of the child.
R.C. 3109.051(D).
{¶22} Jeremiah claims that the trial court erred in denying him greater
parenting time when the magistrate failed to consider all of the relevant mandatory
best interest factors. In particular, Jeremiah claims that the magistrate failed to
consider evidence that there were concerns regarding the health and safety of the
parties’ minor child, and evidence regarding Megan’s mental health issues
testified to by David Lowenstein, Ph.D. However, we find Jeremiah’s arguments
unpersuasive.
{¶23} It is clear from the record that the magistrate did consider all of the
applicable best interest factors in rendering its decision. In particular, with respect
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to R.C. 3109.051(D)(1), the magistrate found that furthering Zander’s
relationships with his sister, Jeremiah’s parents, and Zander’s step-mother were
beneficial and should be encouraged and nurtured. (Feb. 24, 2010 Mag. Dec. at
9). In addition, the magistrate acknowledged, pursuant to R.C. 3109.051(D)(2),
that the geographical location of the residences of the parties would facilitate
frequent companionship with both parents. (Id.). Furthermore, under R.C.
3109.051(D)(3), the magistrate found that both parties would have to make
compromises in terms of their schedules when it came to visitation with the minor
child. (Id.).
{¶24} Nevertheless, the magistrate also noted, pursuant to R.C.
3109.051(D)(9) & (10), that Jeremiah’s frustration and suspicion of Megan created
an “air of hostility and undermine[d] communication,” and that any problems that
had occurred with parenting time and schedules were mostly attributable to
“frustration, anger and mistrust.” (Id.). Significantly, with respect to R.C.
3109.051(D)(1), the magistrate noted that “there is considerable acrimony and
mistrust between the parents that has contributed to Zander’s anxiety to the decree
[sic] that he is reluctant to express affection toward either parent in the presence of
the other.” (Id.). Moreover, under R.C. 3109.051(D)(16), the magistrate
recognized that the first GAL recommended Jeremiah be given greater parenting
time, although the magistrate believed that his recommendation “appeared
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qualified and restrained because of the parties’ lack of trust and inability to
communicate.” (Id. at 9-10). The magistrate also considered the second GAL’s
recommendation, who although he believed Jeremiah should be given a first right
of refusal, could not recommend that a change in parenting time was in Zander’s
best interest. (Id.).
{¶25} Overall, after considering all of the applicable factors, the magistrate
concluded, as follows:
Communication and cooperation of parents in raising their
children are always in the best interest of a child; however, the
tone of communications and the attitude in which
communications are given and received dramatically affect the
resultant cooperation or non-cooperation. * * * Such
cooperation is at present no more than an aspiration. Indeed, it
appears that suspicion and mistrust permeates the parents’
interactions to the degree that every contact the child is exposed
to causes the child to suffer anxiety. Notwithstanding Father’s
clear and deep love and commitment for his son, the animosity
between the parents so injures the child that interaction between
Mother and Father cannot be expanded at this time.
(Feb. 24, 2010 Mag. Dec. at 10); (See, also, June 30, 2010 JE at 3).
{¶26} Despite these findings, Jeremiah claims that there were significant
best interest factors that the magistrate did not consider. First, pursuant to R.C.
3109.051(D)(7), Jeremiah argues that he testified about concerns he had regarding
Zander’s health and safety, which were not considered by the trial court.
However, after review of the record, we find that these concerns that Jeremiah
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cites to merely center on a difference of opinion he had regarding Megan’s
decision to enroll Zander in a part-time versus a full-time kindergarten class. We
fail to see how these concerns amount to ones that involve Zander’s health and
safety. Thus, we do not find that there was an abuse of discretion in failing to
consider this factor.
{¶27} In addition, contrary to Jeremiah’s claims that the trial court failed to
consider Megan’s mental health issues, relevant to R.C. 3109.051(D)(9) and
testified to by Dr. Lowenstein, the record clearly indicates that Dr. Lowenstein
found no mental health issues with either parent. As the magistrate asked during
the hearing:
The Court: All right. As a result of all those testing, was there
any psychopathology diagnosed on the part of any party?
[Dr. Lowenstein]: No.
The Court: Was there any personality disorders?
[Dr. Lowenstein]: Nothing of significance.
The Court: So basically the treatment you’re talking about is
essentially behavioral modification?
[Dr. Lowenstein]: Parenting and with child guidance and
behavioral modification, yes.
(Jan. 29, 2010 Tr. at 30). Considering there were no significant mental health
issues diagnosed for either party, we cannot find that there was an abuse of
discretion with respect to this factor.
{¶28} Moreover, we do not find any merit with Jeremiah’s argument that
the second GAL, Mr. Valentine, mischaracterized Dr. Lowenstein’s conclusions in
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his GAL report to the trial court. We find that Mr. Valentine appropriately
summarized Dr. Lowenstein’s conclusions and even acknowledged Dr.
Lowenstein’s findings that Jeremiah should be more involved in the decision-
making process regarding the well-being of Zander, and should be allowed to
spend more time with Zander. (Defendant’s Ex. O). We note that even though
Mr. Valentine could not find a change in parenting time to be in Zander’s best
interest, he did recommend that a right of first refusal be given to Jeremiah. (Id.).
{¶29} Furthermore, we disagree with Jeremiah that the trial court abused its
discretion in failing to consider the testimony and report from the psychologist,
Dr. Lowenstein. Jeremiah claims that the trial court only focused on Dr.
Lowenstein’s recommendation that the parties needed to undergo therapy to
address issues of behavioral modification. However, Jeremiah claims that Dr.
Lowenstein also found no reason why Jeremiah should not be able to spend more
time with Zander during the weekdays, especially considering the fact that both
parties lived within the same school district. (Defendant’s Ex. K). In addition,
Jeremiah argues that Dr. Lowenstein noted that in his opinion Megan was
attempting to alienate the minor child from Jeremiah and was excluding Jeremiah
from the decision-making process regarding the minor child. (Id.).
{¶30} Initially, we note that the magistrate’s decision clearly references Dr.
Lowenstein’s testimony and report. In its decision, the magistrate stated as
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follows: “Dr. David Lowenstein recommended counseling for both parties in order
to enhance their ability to communicate and cooperate in Zander’s best interest. *
* * The recommendation of Dr. Lowenstein was behavioral modification of the
parties through therapy to enhance communication and effect cooperation.” (Feb.
24, 2010 Mag. Dec. at 10).
{¶31} However, with respect to the trial court’s alleged abuse of discretion
in failing to adopt his recommendation, we note that while psychological experts
play an important role in custody matters and in evaluating the interest of children,
their recommendations are not binding upon a trial court. A trial court must be
free to evaluate all of the evidence and determine, based on the entire record, the
child’s best interest. Here, the credibility of Dr. Lowenstein and the weight to be
given to his testimony and report was a matter for the trial court, as the trier of
fact, to determine, and we will not second guess its determination. State v.
DeHass (1967), 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212. See, also, In re R.N., 10th
Dist. No. 04AP-130, 2004-Ohio-4420, ¶55.
{¶32} Nevertheless, we wish to note that in this particular case, even
though one of the recommendations Dr. Lowenstein made was that Jeremiah be
given more parenting time, Dr. Lowenstein also acknowledged the parties
apparent lack of trust and inability to communicate with one another.
(Defendant’s Ex. K). As Dr. Lowenstein stated in his report, “[i]t is clear from
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this evaluation that both parents have a lack of trust for the other parent and this is
especially evident when it comes to the decisions and responsibilities of raising
their son. Both Jeremiah and Megan do not trust each other and have continued to
display behaviors and reactions that continue to reinforce this mistrust.”
(Defendant’s Ex. K at 15). Consequently, Dr. Lowenstein concluded:
Megan and Jeremiah seem to have never been able to
communicate effectively with each other and feel that each
other’s family has interfered with the raising and caring of their
son. They need to find ways to be able to deal with their son and
his needs and find ways to work together to find compromises,
etc. Zander may need continued services for many years and
these services will be most effective when both parents are
supportive and involved. If Megan and Jeremiah cannot resolve
their differences effectively on their own, then they should seek
assistance from a professional who can assist them in mediating
their differences. The present mode of resolving these
differences is not working for Zander and will only further
disrupt his well-being in the future.
(Id. at 16). The parties’ animosity for one another and their inability to
communicate, which again were found to be having direct consequences to their
minor child, were the primary reasons why the magistrate and trial court found
giving Jeremiah more parenting time would not be in Zander’s best interest. (See
Feb. 24, 2010 Mag. Dec. at 10); (See, also, June 30, 2010 JE at 3). As such,
despite Dr. Lowenstein’s recommendation that Jeremiah be given more parenting
time, we cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion with respect to Dr.
Lowenstein’s testimony and report since Dr. Lowenstein clearly recognized that,
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at this point in time, the parties’ could not effectively communicate with one
another.
{¶33} Finally, after reviewing the record, we do not believe that the trial
court’s decision in not awarding Jeremiah greater parenting time was against the
manifest weight of the evidence. It is clear from the record that the parties have
difficulty communicating and cooperating with one another. For example, verbal
communications became so problematic for both sides that the parties resorted to
communicating mostly through email. Not only did Dr. Lowenstein acknowledge
the apparent animosity and lack of cooperation between Jeremiah and Megan, but
both GALs, Jeremiah’s mother, and Jeremiah’s current wife recognized the
difficulties the parties have in communicating and cooperating with one another
with respect to Zander. This lack of trust and suspicious attitude with one another
was directly affecting the parties’ interactions with their child. In particular, there
was evidence that Zander would shut down when he was around both parents at
the same time and would be less affectionate towards both parents. Moreover,
there was evidence that Zander would get very upset whenever he would have to
leave directly from Megan’s house, but that Zander was doing much better now
that the parenting schedule has changed and he gets picked up by Jeremiah
directly from school, instead of leaving from Megan’s house.
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{¶34} Jeremiah claims that his proposed schedule would further eliminate
the contact he and Megan would have with one another. However, the fact
remains that, at the time of the original divorce decree, the parties contemplated a
change in parenting time when Zander began school and both agreed to this
parenting schedule. Despite this agreement, Jeremiah filed his motion for
reallocation of parental rights on March 24, 2009, thus, it is clear that Jeremiah did
not even give the schedule change a chance to work or not to work. Even still,
there was evidence that Zander was progressing and had transitioned smoothly
under the new parenting schedule.
{¶35} Given all of the above, we find that there was competent, credible
evidence to support the trial court’s decision, and thus, that it was not against the
manifest weight of the evidence. Furthermore, in light of the apparent animosity
between the parents and their inability to communicate with one another, we
cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion in denying Jeremiah’s request
for greater parenting time.
{¶36} Jeremiah’s first assignment of error is, therefore, overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. II
THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION AND
ACTED CONTRARY TO LAW IN AWARDING APPELLEE
FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($40,000.00) IN ATTORNEY
FEES.
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{¶37} In his second assignment of error, Jeremiah claims that the trial court
abused its discretion in awarding Megan $40,000.00 in attorney fees when the
award was inequitable under the circumstances.
{¶38} R.C. 3105.73 governs the award of attorney fees and litigation
expenses in domestic relations cases and provides, in pertinent part:
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.
R.C. 3105.73(B).
{¶39} 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 N.E.2d 533. See, also, Kinworthy v. Kinworthy, 3d Dist.
No. 1-10-23, 2010-Ohio-4547, ¶¶18-19. Therefore, we review the trial court’s
decision for an abuse of discretion. Hutta, 2008-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
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substitute its judgment for that of the trial court. Berk v. Matthew (1990), 53 Ohio
St.3d 161, 169, 559 N.E.2d 1301.
{¶40} First, Jeremiah argues that it was improper for the trial court to
consider fees incurred prior to January 26, 2010, which was the date on which
Megan filed her motion for attorney fees. However, not only does Jeremiah not
provide any support for his position, but we find that Jeremiah failed to raise this
issue below, and thus, has waived it for purposes of this appeal. See App.R.
12(A)(2); 16(A)(7).
{¶41} Nevertheless, Jeremiah also claims that the trial court impermissibly
based its decision on his “strained” motion for reallocation of parental rights and,
as a result, awarded Megan attorney fees as a way to punish him for filing his
motions and to prevent him from filing similar motions in the future.
{¶42} We acknowledge that in concluding that Megan should be awarded
attorney fees, the magistrate found that Jeremiah’s motion for reallocation was
“strained” and that there was “a real danger that this matter will return to court in
the future.” (June 11, 2010 Mag. Dec. at 12-13). However, in adopting the
magistrate’s decision, after conducting its own independent review of the record,
the trial court reasoned that “Father elected to chart his own trial strategy
including the employment of experts.” (June 30, 2010 JE at 4-5). In addition, the
trial court found that Jeremiah had failed to comply with the requirements of R.C.
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3119.05 to document income for the purposes of computing child support and the
prior orders of the court. (Id.). The trial court noted that because of Jeremiah’s
actions the time and expenses incurred in the case were greatly increased. (Id.).
Finally, the trial court found that “Father’s aggressive commitment to impose his
will on Mother and the child is obvious,” and that “Mother lacked the ability to
defend herself and unless fees are awarded, she will be unable to reimburse her
parents who funded her defense.” (Id.). Consequently, the trial court found that
$40,000.00 in attorney fees to Megan were equitable “based on the scope,
sophistication and duration of the litigation initiated by Father.” (Id.).
{¶43} After reviewing the record, we do not believe that the trial court
abused its discretion in awarding Megan attorney fees. First of all, there was
evidence of Jeremiah’s aggressive trial strategy, and that he chose to utilize
experts in furtherance of his case. For example, the record reflects that Jeremiah
identified thirty witnesses in his notice of disclosure of witnesses and ultimately
conducted seven depositions for purposes of trial, in comparison to the two
witnesses deposed by Megan. In addition, Jeremiah chose to rely on his personal
accountant, who resided in Florida, for purposes of establishing his finances in
terms of the child support motion, and flew his accountant up for the hearing in
May to discuss Jeremiah’s finances.
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{¶44} Furthermore, there was evidence that illustrated Jeremiah’s
uncooperative behavior in terms of providing his financial records to Megan. Not
only did Jeremiah file a motion for protective order on September 3, 2009 in
regards to his financial records, but he requested that his bank, Richwood Bank,
similarly file a motion for protective order, which it did on October 23, 2009.
Moreover, despite several discovery requests that specifically asked him to
provide all financial records, Jeremiah chose, on his own accord, to only provide
his tax returns. At the January 28, 2010 hearing, on cross-examination, Jeremiah
was asked about the additional financial records he used because he was a self-
employed farmer, and Jeremiah responded:
Q. Do you use Quicken or Quickbooks or any other computer
program to assist you in keeping track of your checkbook?
A. Yes. I use Quickbooks.
Q. Did you provide a copy of that?
A. No.
Q. Why not?
A. Well, I didn’t think it was relevant.
Q. You didn’t think it was relevant?
A. Well, I looked on line. It said you need my taxes.
Q. I’m sorry?
A. On line it says that you need my taxes.
Q. On line?
A. The Union County guidelines.
Q. What are you looking at on line that you’re referring to the
instruction to respond to discovery?
A. I don’t know.
Q. Well, you just testified that something you’re looking at,
you don’t know all of a sudden?
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A. I looked in Union County guidelines for figuring child
support and they said you need my taxes.
Q. Okay.
A. So that’s what I gave you.
(Jan. 28, 2010 Tr. at 157-58). Jeremiah was continually uncooperative during the
proceedings, and at one point, the magistrate had to interject in the proceedings:
The Court: All right. But let me – the fact of the matter is that
the witness has testified in a rather incredible manner that he
has no real insight on what his income and expenses have been in
the farm over the past couple of years. He has no knowledge,
none whatsoever of the balances of his accounts. He unilaterally
decided that the financial records maintained in Quicken were
not relevant to this case. Quite candidly, the entire financial
assets of the – of the father are why they otherwise wouldn’t be
relevant, the lack of candor, I’m going to give Mr. Greco a little
bit more latitude. Because we’re looking at – we are – we are in
fact looking at what he is funding. For example, what are his
crops in the bins now? How often is he selling those crops?
What’s the income being generated? When are those things
being paid?
(Id. at 196). Additionally, despite the trial court’s order mandating Jeremiah to
provide all financial records to Megan for purposes of calculating child support,
we note that Megan still had to file an order to compel because Jeremiah had yet to
provide all of his financial records to her by the date specified in the trial court’s
order. Even Jeremiah concedes in his appellate brief that the trial court may have
acted appropriately based on the fact that it granted Megan’s motion to compel.
Nevertheless, while not all of Jeremiah’s actions were in contravention to court
orders, his actions certainly delayed and prolonged the duration of the child
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support proceedings, which finally occurred on May 27, 2010, and increased the
expenses incurred by Megan.
{¶45} Finally, we note that it is clear that there was a major disparity in
income between Jeremiah and Megan. Jeremiah claims that Megan’s lack of
income was because she chose to be voluntarily unemployed by choosing to
pursue a college degree, rather than obtaining employment. However, not only is
the parties’ income explicitly provided for in R.C. 3105.73 as a factor to consider,
even Jeremiah concedes in his appellate brief that there was an actual disparity in
the parties’ income in this particular case. Furthermore, the disparity of income
was only one of several reasons why the trial court found that it was equitable to
award Megan attorney fees.
{¶46} According to the statutory language of R.C. 3105.73(B), the trial
court is allowed to consider the parties’ income, the conduct of the parties, and
“any other relevant factors.” Here, the trial court consider Jeremiah’s aggressive
trial strategy and tactics, Jeremiah’s conduct, in particular his refusal to comply
with the statutory mandates and court orders, and the disparity of the parties’
income. Given the above evidence, we cannot say that the trial court abused its
discretion in finding that an award of $40,000.00 to Megan in attorney fees was
equitable in this particular case.
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{¶47} Furthermore, while Jeremiah does not specifically raise an issue
regarding the reasonableness of the award, we note that the record supports that an
award of $40,000.00 was reasonable. At the January 29, 2010 hearing on
Jeremiah’s motions for reallocation of parent rights and change in parenting time,
Megan testified that she had so far spent $40,000.00 in attorney fees. (Jan. 29,
2010 Tr. at 107). She stated that she had borrowed this amount from her parents
to pay her attorney so far and, despite the fact that they were her parents, Megan
said she intended to pay them back. (Id. at 107-08). In addition, at that same
hearing, Megan’s father, Jed Rausch, testified that Megan had so far borrowed
$40,000.00 from him to pay her legal fees. (Id. at 124). Megan’s father also
stated that, even though Megan was his daughter, he expected her to repay that
amount in the future. (Id.). Megan additionally presented evidence at the May 27,
2010 hearing, which concerned Megan’s motions for child support and for
attorney fees, that she had incurred, in total, $58,634.00 in attorney fees for legal
representation in opposing Jeremiah’s post-decree motions, seeking orders to
compel discovery, and seeking a modification of child support. (May 27, 2010 Tr.
at 12).
{¶48} It is clear that by awarding Megan $40,000.00 in attorney fees, the
trial court imposed the amount of money Megan had spent in defending the
motions filed by Jeremiah in regards to the reallocation of parental rights and
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change in parenting time. Since the remainder of the proceedings dealt with
Megan’s motions for child support and attorney fees, the additional $18,000.00
was spent in litigating her motions as opposed to defending against Jeremiah’s
motions. As such, we believe that the amount awarded was reasonable under the
circumstances.
{¶49} Overall, given the particular circumstances of this case, and the
applicable statutory language, we cannot say that the trial court abused its
discretion in awarding Megan $40,000.00 in attorney fees.
{¶50} Jeremiah’s second assignment of error is, therefore, overruled.
{¶51} 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
SHAW and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur.
/jlr
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