Buckingham v. Buckingham , 113 N.E.3d 1093 ( 2018 )

[Cite as Buckingham v. Buckingham, 2018-Ohio-2038.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
GREENE COUNTY
NANCY J. BUCKINGHAM :
:
Plaintiff-Appellant : Appellate Case No. 2017-CA-41
:
v. : Trial Court Case No. 2016-CV-0343
:
JAY A. BUCKINGHAM : (Civil Appeal from
: Common Pleas Court)
Defendant-Appellee :
:
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OPINION
Rendered on the 25th day of May, 2018.
...........
MICHAEL P. MCNAMEE, Atty. Reg. No. 0043861, and ALEXANDER W. CLOONAN,
Atty. Reg. No. 0095690, 2625 Commons Boulevard, Beavercreek, Ohio 45431
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellant
KENT J. DEPOORTER, Atty. Reg. No. 0058487, 7501 Paragon Road, Dayton, Ohio
45459
Attorney for Defendant-Appellee
.............
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HALL, J.
{¶ 1} Nancy J. Buckingham appeals from the Civ.R. 12(B)(1) dismissal of her tort
complaint against appellee Jay A. Buckingham, her ex-husband, by the general division
of the Greene County Common Pleas Court.
{¶ 2} Nancy advances two assignments of error.1 First, she contends the trial court
erred in relying on the jurisdictional-priority rule to dismiss her complaint. Second, she
claims the trial court erred in finding that the domestic relations division of the Greene
County Common Pleas Court had exclusive jurisdiction over the issues raised in her
complaint.
{¶ 3} The record reflects that Nancy and Jay obtained a final judgment and divorce
decree from the domestic relations division in November 2013. Thereafter, in May 2016,
Nancy filed a complaint, which she later amended, against Jay in the general division,
alleging fraudulent concealment and spoliation of evidence. The claims in the amended
complaint are based on allegations that Jay had hidden money from Nancy during the
pendency of the divorce proceedings “that should have been included as marital property
in Plaintiff and Defendant’s divorce proceedings.” (Doc. #10, #28). In his answer, Jay
raised lack of subject-matter jurisdiction as a defense. (Doc. #15). After briefing by the
parties, the trial court dismissed Nancy’s complaint for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.
(Doc. #74). The trial court cited two reasons for its decision. First, it concluded that, as
between courts of concurrent jurisdiction, the jurisdictional-priority rule obligated Nancy
to bring her claims in the domestic relations division, whose power had been invoked first,
rather than the general division. (Id. at 5-6). Second, the trial court concluded that Nancy’s
1 For clarity and convenience, we will refer to the parties by their first names.
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claims came within the exclusive statutory jurisdiction of the domestic relations division.
(Id. at 6-10). This appeal followed.
{¶ 4} In her two assignments of error, Nancy challenges both of the trial court’s
conclusions. First, she contends the jurisdictional-priority rule does not apply because the
issues raised in her case are not the same as the issues raised in the domestic relations
case, the claims involved in the two cases are different, and the two cases do not involve
the same “whole issue.” Second, Nancy challenges the trial court’s determination that the
domestic relations division had exclusive statutory jurisdiction. She argues that the
domestic relations division does not have sole jurisdiction over all cases involving
husbands and wives, that she is not seeking the remedies provided by domestic relations
statutes, and that even true domestic relations cases may be heard by a general-division
judge for “some special reason,” which exists here.
{¶ 5} We begin our analysis with Nancy’s second assignment of error, which
addresses whether the domestic relations division had exclusive statutory jurisdiction
over her claims. Because the trial court dismissed Nancy’s complaint for lack of subject-
matter jurisdiction, we review its decision de novo. Mosley v. Dayton Power and Light
Co., 86 N.E.2d 910, 2017-Ohio-985, ¶ 7 (2d Dist.).
{¶ 6} Pursuant to R.C. 2301.03(O)(1), the domestic relations division of the Greene
County Common Pleas Court “shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal
separation, annulment, * * * and all other cases related to domestic relations, except
cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of
common pleas.” This court has recognized that “[a] statutory assignment to one division
of a court confers on that division exclusive jurisdiction to determine the matters assigned,
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and deprives the court’s other divisions, including its general division, of jurisdiction to
determine those same matters.” Keen v. Keen, 157 Ohio App.3d 379, 2004-Ohio-2961,
811 N.E.2d 565, ¶ 12 (2d Dist.), citing Comer v. Bench, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19229,
2003-Ohio-2821. The rule “has been applied to limit jurisdiction over all cases of divorce
or dissolution to a common pleas court’s domestic relations division when it has one.” Id.,citing Bantz v. Bantz, 2d Dist. Greene No. 92-CA-0073, 1993 WL 32002 (Feb. 10, 1993).
{¶ 7} In Keen, this court affirmed the general division’s dismissal of the plaintiff-
former wife’s complaint against her former husband. The complaint contained claims for
conversion and unjust enrichment and sought a declaration regarding the plaintiff’s right
to a portion of her husband’s retirement benefits. The basis for the complaint was that,
through inadvertence or otherwise, the plaintiff improperly had been deprived of a share
her ex-husband’s retirement benefits, which were not divided during the parties’ divorce
years earlier. In affirming the trial court’s dismissal of the complaint, this court reasoned:
The claims for relief pleaded in the complaint that Ingrid filed in the
action she commenced in the general division of the court of common pleas
are a collateral attack on the decree of dissolution that the domestic
relations division of that court granted in 1978, to the extent that the relief
for which Ingrid prayed would necessarily vacate or modify the relief that
was granted by the domestic relations division in its decree of dissolution
with respect to ownership of Paul’s retirement benefits.
The trial court, which is in the general division, correctly found that it
lacked jurisdiction to determine the claims for relief that Ingrid’s complaint
presented. The nature of these claims notwithstanding, the relief prayed for
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is available only through the domestic relations division, not the general
division.
Res judicata bars a new action on the same claims for relief which
were adjudicated in a prior action between the parties and on related claims
that could have been presented in the prior action but were not. Grava v.
Parkman Twp. (1995), 73 Ohio St.3d 379, 653 N.E.2d 226. Therefore, as
the trial court observed, Ingrid’s only avenue of relief on her claims is
through a Civ.R. 60(B) motion filed in the court’s domestic relations division.
Such relief is available where consent or mutuality did not exist when the
parties entered into the separation agreement underlying the dissolution
decree because of fraud or material mistake or misrepresentation. * * *
(Emphasis added) Keen at ¶ 13-15.
{¶ 8} In our view, Keen is not meaningfully distinguishable from the present case.
As in Keen, Nancy asserts tort claims predicated on events that occurred in prior divorce
proceedings in the domestic relations division. In Keen, the plaintiff alleged that she had
been deprived of a share of her ex-husband’s retirement benefits, which had not been
divided. Here Nancy alleges that she has been deprived of a share of her husband’s
hidden funds, which were not divided. As in Keen, we conclude that notwithstanding the
nature of the claims Nancy asserts (i.e., tort claims),2 the damages she seeks effectively
2 In Mosley, 86 N.E. 2d. 910, 2017-Ohio-985, we recognized that the existence of
subject-matter jurisdiction does not turn on whether claims are “couched in tort or
contract terms.” Id. at ¶ 9. “ ‘Instead, courts must look beyond the language used in the
complaint and examine the underlying nature of the claims.’ ” Id., quoting Russell v. AT
& T Corp., 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 22373, 2008-Ohio-3489, ¶ 8; see also Lawton v.
Howard, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 13AP-878, 2014-Ohio-2660, ¶ 10 (affirming the general
division’s Civ.R. 12(B)(1) dismissal of the appellant’s tort and breach-of-contract claims
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would modify the relief that was granted by the domestic relations division in the divorce
decree (to wit: its property division). Therefore, we conclude that Nancy’s present lawsuit
is an improper collateral attack on the divorce decree, that the domestic relations division
has exclusive statutory jurisdiction over the subject matter of her complaint, and that her
only potential remedy is a Civ.R. 60(B) motion in the domestic relations division.
{¶ 9} In opposition to the foregoing conclusion, Nancy asserts that she cannot
bring a Civ.R. 60(B) motion in the domestic relations division because the time for doing
so has expired. Even if that assertion is accurate, we note that potential unavailability of
relief under Civ.R. 60(B) in the domestic relations division cannot confer jurisdiction on
the general division where it does not exist. Comer at ¶ 16. If anything, the potential
unavailability of Civ.R. 60(B) relief in the domestic relations division supports a
determination that the general-division lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over Nancy’s tort
complaint. If the rule were otherwise, a plaintiff could vitiate Civ.R. 60(B) and circumvent
its time bar by seeking similar relief in the general division, which is what Nancy
essentially is trying to do. That would render the Civ. R. 60(B) fraud one-year time
meaningless.
against his ex-wife because “in actuality, his complaint serv[ed] to contest the prior
judgment and decree of divorce issued by the domestic relations division of the court of
common pleas”); Estate of Dombroski v. Dombroski, 7th Dist. Harrison No. 14 HA 3,
2014-Ohio-5827, ¶ 1-2 (“[A]ppellants assert that a suit for fraud, conspiracy to commit
fraud, and negligence does not fall within the probate court’s exclusive jurisdiction,
urging that such claims are regularly heard in the general division. * * * However, the
entire basis for this suit deals with the contents of the summary release from
administration filed in the probate court, and the damages sought essentially depend on
whether the estate would have been distributed differently, which in turn involves the
application of various probate laws. We adopt the evolving case law position that a
probate court can award monetary damages, and we conclude that this case falls within
the exclusive jurisdiction of the probate court[.]”).
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{¶ 10} Finally, Nancy contends the general division had subject-matter jurisdiction
over her complaint because R.C. 2301.03(O)(1) grants the domestic relations division
jurisdiction over all domestic relations cases except those “that for some special reason
are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas.” Nancy argues that a
“special reason” exists here for assigning her case to the general division, namely that
she cannot obtain relief in the domestic relations division under Civ.R. 60(B). We remain
unpersuaded, however, that potential unavailability of relief under Civ.R. 60(B) is a
“special reason” bestowing jurisdiction on the general division to do what Nancy claims
no longer can be done in the domestic relations division.
{¶ 11} We note too that the special-reason language in R.C. 2301.03(O)(1) permits
a case to be assigned to a general-division judge. The language suggests that the Greene
County Common Pleas Court must make the special-reason determination itself. The
statute does not permit a party to determine that a “special reason” exists for bypassing
the domestic relations division and filing an otherwise-improper complaint in the general
division. Thus, the trial court correctly held that the exception “does not apply in this
matter, because there has not been an assignment of this case ‘for some special reason’
to some other judge of the common pleas court; on the contrary, it was the Plaintiff who
took the step of filing this action in the General Division.” (Doc. # 74 at 6-7).
{¶ 12} Having determined that the domestic relations division enjoyed exclusive
jurisdiction over Nancy’s complaint, we need not dwell on her argument about the
jurisdictional-priority rule. Although the trial court addressed the rule, it involves
determining which of multiple courts with concurrent jurisdiction may proceed. “The
jurisdictional-priority rule provides that ‘where there are two courts of concurrent
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jurisdiction the court in which jurisdiction is first invoked obtains jurisdiction of the entire
matter and other courts are excluded therefrom.’ ” State ex rel. Dailey v. Dawson, 149
Ohio St. 3d 685, 2017-Ohio-1350, 77 N.E.3d 937, ¶ 15, quoting State ex rel. Coss v.
Hoddinott, 16 Ohio St.2d 163, 165, 243 N.E.2d 59 (1968). Even when the causes of action
and relief requested are not the same, the jurisdictional-priority rule applies “if the suits
present part of the same ‘whole issue.’ ” (Citations omitted.) State ex rel. Otten v.
Henderson, 129 Ohio St.3d 453, 2011-Ohio-4082, 953 N.E.2d 809, ¶ 29.
{¶ 13} Here the jurisdictional-priority rule did not apply because the domestic
relations division had exclusive jurisdiction over Nancy’s complaint. But even if we
assume, arguendo, that the general division and the domestic relations division shared
concurrent jurisdiction, as Nancy asserts, we agree with the trial court that the
jurisdictional-priority rule would favor the domestic relations division.
{¶ 14} Nancy argues that the pre-existing domestic relations case, which remained
open due to the filing of post-decree motions, does not preclude the general division from
exercising jurisdiction over her tort complaint because the two suits do not involve part of
the same “whole issue.” The trial court held otherwise, reasoning:
In this matter, the parties, Nancy Buckingham and Jay Buckingham,
are the same parties as in the divorce action in the Greene County Domestic
Relations Court, and the divorce proceedings between Nancy Buckingham
and Jay Buckingham were initiated well before the filing of the instant case
on May 24, 2016. Since Nancy Buckingham alleges, in this case, that Jay
committed fraud and deceit in connection with the divorce proceedings in
the Domestic Relations division, the suits present part of the same “whole
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issue.” Therefore, the jurisdictional priority rule applies * * *.
(Doc. #74 at 6).
{¶ 15} In opposition to the trial court’s conclusion, Nancy argues that her tort claims
differ from the claims involved in the divorce action and that a ruling in her favor in the tort
case will not affect or interfere with the resolution of any issues in the divorce case. She
asserts that her tort complaint does not seek to modify or vacate the divorce decree or
any finding made in the divorce case. Rather, she claims the general division can award
her damages not contemplated in the divorce action if it finds that her ex-husband
fraudulently concealed assets during the divorce proceedings. In support of her argument,
Nancy primarily discusses State ex rel. Judson v. Spahr, 33 Ohio St.3d 111, 515 N.E.2d
911 (1987), Robinson v. Robinson, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-94-095, 1994 WL 573803 (Oct.
14, 1994), and this court’s opinion in Keen.
{¶ 16} Judson involved a complaint for a writ of prohibition. The plaintiff-husband
sought to preclude a common pleas court from proceeding on his wife’s complaint
involving the proceeds of an insurance policy following a wrongful-death settlement.
Although ownership of the proceeds was at issue in a pending divorce action between
husband and wife in another county, the Ohio Supreme Court found the jurisdictional-
priority rule inapplicable because the two cases involved different causes of action and
different parties. The wife’s lawsuit involved issues and third-parties that properly would
not be involved in the divorce case. The Judson court also found the jurisdictional-priority
rule inapplicable because the common pleas court was a court of general jurisdiction,
whereas the divorce case involved a court with limited, domestic relations jurisdiction.3
3 But see Pula v. Pula-Branch, 129 Ohio St.3d 196, 2011-Ohio-2896, 951 N.E.2d 72, ¶ 6
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Finally, the Ohio Supreme Court found a writ of prohibition inappropriate because the
plaintiff-husband had an adequate remedy at law through an appeal of a holding that the
common pleas court had jurisdiction over the wife’s complaint.
{¶ 17} In Robinson, a husband and wife were parties to a pending divorce action
in the domestic relations division when wife filed a separate lawsuit in the general division.
Her lawsuit named her husband, other individuals, and a partnership as defendants. She
asserted that she had an ownership interest in the partnership and the stream of income
it generated. The defendants moved to dismiss the lawsuit on the basis that the domestic
relations division had subject-matter jurisdiction over it. Applying the jurisdictional-priority
rule, the trial court dismissed the lawsuit. The Sixth District Court of Appeals reversed. It
noted that the wife was seeking to be named a partner in the partnership and to be
awarded an ownership interest therein. The Sixth District found that these issues fell
outside the authority of the domestic relations division and within the exclusive jurisdiction
of the general division.
{¶ 18} Finally, as noted above, this court in Keen affirmed the dismissal of an ex-
wife’s general-division lawsuit against her ex-husband based on her failure to obtain a
share of his retirement benefits in a prior divorce proceeding. This court reasoned that
her claims for conversion, unjust enrichment, and declaratory judgment were an improper
collateral attack on the divorce decree insofar as they would have the effect of vacating
or modifying the relief granted in the decree.
(describing R.C. 2301.03’s grant of all power in domestic relations cases to the domestic
relations division as “a specific grant of authority,” but not a limitation on the domestic
relations division’s jurisdiction “over other cases,” and noting that the domestic relations
division retains the “same powers and jurisdiction” as other common pleas court judges).
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{¶ 19} Nancy argues that her present lawsuit is similar to the lawsuits in Judson
and Robinson but dissimilar to the lawsuit in Keen. We disagree. Of the three cases, we
believe Nancy’s lawsuit most closely resembles Keen. The present case is
distinguishable from Judson, which involved issues and parties not properly part of the
domestic relations case. Unlike Judson, Nancy’s lawsuit involves only her and her ex-
husband, the same parties to the divorce case. It also involves an issue properly
addressed in the divorce case, namely her entitlement to a share of certain marital funds
allegedly hidden by Jay. Although the present case raises tort claims not brought in the
divorce case, the Ohio Supreme Court more recently has recognized that identity of
claims or causes of action is not always necessary for the jurisdictional-priority rule to
apply. See, e.g., State ex rel. Dunlap v. Sarko, 135 Ohio St.3d 171, 2013-Ohio-67, 985
N.E.2d 450, ¶ 11 (“Nevertheless, we have also recognized that the jurisdictional-priority
rule can apply even when the causes of action and relief requested are not exactly the
same, as long as the actions present part of the same “whole issue.”). Finally, we note
that Judson involved a complaint for a writ of prohibition. The Ohio Supreme Court found
the writ inappropriate, noting that the husband had an adequate remedy at law through
an appeal if the common pleas court found that it had jurisdiction over the wife’s
complaint. The present case does not involve a writ of prohibition. Rather, it is an appeal
of a common pleas court’s ruling on the question of subject-matter jurisdiction.
{¶ 20} Nancy’s reliance on Robinson is equally unavailing. Robinson involved
parties and partnership issues that properly could not be addressed in the domestic
relations division. Conversely, Nancy’s lawsuit involves the same two parties involved in
the divorce case, and the issue she raises is properly brought in the domestic relations
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division. In fact, domestic relations statutes expressly address the issue Nancy’s lawsuit
implicates. Under R.C. 3105.171(B), the domestic relations division had jurisdiction over
all property of either spouse, including Jay’s allegedly concealed assets. Under R.C.
3105.171(E)(3), the parties were required to make a full disclosure of their assets in the
divorce case. Under R.C. 3105.171(E)(4), the domestic relations division had the power
to compensate Nancy for Jay’s concealment or non-disclosure of assets. Finally, R.C.
3105.171(E)(5) provides a specific remedy when a spouse “substantially and willfully”
fails to disclose assets. As in Keen, we believe the only proper procedure would be for
Nancy to seek Civ.R. 60(B) relief in the domestic relations division and to pursue a remedy
there for Jay’s alleged concealment of assets.
{¶ 21} Based on the reasoning set forth above, we overrule Nancy’s assignments
of error and affirm the judgment of the Greene County Common Pleas Court, General
Division.
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WELBAUM, P.J. and TUCKER, J., concur.
Copies mailed to:
Michael P. McNamee
Alexander W. Cloonan
Kent J. Depoorter
Hon. Michael A. Buckwalter