Mummau, O. v. Mohler, J. ( 2014 )


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  • J-S48032-14
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    O. HOWARD MUMMAU, RAE W.                         IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    MUMMAU, GERALDINE M. ZIMMERMAN,                        PENNSYLVANIA
    AND ELI ZIMMERMAN,
    Appellants
    v.
    JEFFREY D. MOHLER AND CLYMER &
    MUSSER, P.C. CLAIR S. MUMMAU,
    INDIVIDUALLY AND IN HIS CAPACITY AS
    ATTORNEY IN FACT FOR IVA K.
    MUMMAU, LAWRENCE N. MUMMAU,
    INDIVIDUALLY AND AS PERSONAL
    REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF
    IVA K. MUMMAU, I. BERNICE TAMKIN
    AND GALEN S. SPICKLER,
    Appellees                 No. 161 MDA 2014
    Appeal from the Order December 30, 2013
    in the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County
    Civil Division at No.: CI-06-04412
    BEFORE: DONOHUE, J., JENKINS, J., and PLATT, J.*
    MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.:                        FILED SEPTEMBER 09, 2014
    Appellants, O. Howard Mummau, Rae W. Mummau, Geraldine M.
    Zimmerman, and Eli Zimmerman, appeal from the order of December 30,
    second amended complaint with prejudice. After careful review, we affirm.
    ____________________________________________
    *
    Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
    J-S48032-14
    December 30, 2013, supplemented as necessary for our review by the
    family farm and the estate of Iva K. Mummau.              Owen and Iva Mummau,
    husband and wife, had eight children and owned a broiler chicken farm in
    Mount Joy Township, Pennsylvania.              Each of their children owned a 3.8%
    their children re-conveyed their interests back to Owen and Iva.                (See
    Complaint, 12/19/06, at 6 ¶ 26, 7-8 ¶¶ 41-43). The other two siblings, O.
    Howard Mummau and Geraldine M. Zimmerman, refused to re-convey their
    interests. (See id. at 9-10 ¶ 52).
    . Howard Mummau,
    subdividing a portion of the farm zoned for residential use.1 (See id. at 6 ¶¶
    30-32). On February 11, 1997, he received a notice letter terminating his
    power to act as                                       See id. at 16-17 ¶ 95).
    fact, executed an agreement between him and his wife and Owen and Iva to
    ____________________________________________
    1
    record, O. Howard Mummau is also an attorney-at-law, who represents
    himself and the other Appellants in this appeal.
    -2-
    J-S48032-14
    purchase the farm, with advice from attorney Jeffrey D. Mohler of the law
    firm Clymer and Musser, P.C.   (See id. at 4 ¶ 13-14).     In January 1999,
    Owen and Iva executed new wills which eliminated a marital bypass trust
    from their previous wills. (See id. at 3 ¶ 17; see also Petition to Extend
    Time in Which to File Complaint, 9/21/06, at 2-3 ¶ 10-11). In his new will,
    estate to Iva, whom he appointed executor.
    Owen died on March 13, 1999. The subdivision of the residential lots
    was completed shortly thereafter. On May 23, 2000, Iva executed a codicil
    to her will, assisted by Clair Mummau as attorney in fact and Jeffrey D.
    Mohler. On February 22, 2000, Mohler filed a Petition for Partition of Real
    a resolution to the fractional interests
    in the farm and lots[ and to] reunit[e] the farm and lots into a single
    partition action was filed in order to remove O. Howard Mummau and
    Geraldine Zimmerman as record owners of the farm and residential lots due
    to their respective 3.8% interests that they did not re-convey back to Owen
    in 1985.   (See Complaint, 12/19/06, at 26-27 ¶¶ 159-61).          Appellants
    demanded consideration for their interests in the farm, claiming that the
    was to achieve the ultimate objective to effect a disinheritance of
    [Appellants] by Iva Mummau and the acquisition of the farm by Clair at a
    price he ha
    -3-
    J-S48032-14
    Complaint, 7/14/08, at 31 ¶ 179). Appellants did not attend a settlement
    conference scheduled in February 2004. (See Complaint, 12/19/06, at 37 ¶
    167(z)).
    Eventually, Mohler, as representative for Iva K. Mummau, Clair
    Mummau, family friend Galen Spickler, O. Howard Mummau, and Geraldine
    in the farm and residential lots, and provided that Clair would buy the farm
    for $402,000.00, thus settling their respective interests in the lots and the
    farm.    (See id. at 38-39 ¶ 168(j)).   As a result, the partition action was
    withdrawn, and in 2004, the farm was conveyed to Clair and Jean Mummau,
    and then to their son, Kevin and his wife Stacey. (See id. at 39 ¶ 168(o)).
    Appellants claim the sale price was well below fair market value. (See id. at
    38-39 ¶ 168(j)).
    Iva died on August 8, 2006. (See id. at 3 ¶ 7). Her sons Lawrence
    Mummau and Clair Mummau were appointed executors of the estate. (See
    id.
    on September 16, 2006.      (See Petition to Extend Time in Which to File
    Complaint, 9/21/06, at Exhibit I).
    pellants continued to
    litigate this action. Eventually, on May 29, 2010, all eight children and six
    grandchildren of Owen and Iva entered into a settlement agreement which
    resolved all the objections and caveats raised by Appellants in their
    challenges to                                                            See
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    J-S48032-14
    In re Estate of Iva K. Mummau, No. 1382 MDA 2013, unpublished
    memorandum at Exhibit B, page 7 (Pa. Super. filed May 12, 2014)).                   The
    settlement included a tortfeasor release and provided that
    estates did not include the farm. (See id. at *2).
    writ of summons in the instant case on May 4, 2006.              (See Trial Ct. Op.,
    12/30/13, at 1). As stated by Appellant O. Howard Mummau:
    The gravamen of this case arises from . . . an underlying
    Court brought by [Appellees Jeffrey D. Mohler and Clymer &
    Musser, P.C.] as counsel in the name of Iva [K]. Mummau, but
    initiated by Clair Mummau as her attorney in fact, against
    [Appellants] in connection with the purported settlement of the
    estate [of] Owen E. Mummau, Deceased, who was the father of
    [Appellant], O. Howard Mummau.
    (Petition to Extend Time in Which to File Complaint, 9/21/06, at 2 ¶ 6).
    malicious use of process, abuse of process, tortious interference with
    contractual    relations,   intentional    infliction   of   emotional   distress    by
    outrageous     conduct,     and   unjust    enrichment/constructive       trust,    and
    requested compensatory and punitive damages. (See generally Complaint,
    12/19/06).     Appellees filed preliminary objections.        On January 26, 2007,
    im for
    another set of preliminary objections, and on June 25, 2008, the trial court
    -5-
    J-S48032-14
    dismissed with prejudice the intentional infliction of emotional distress count
    in the amended complaint, granting Appellants leave to amend this claim
    within twenty days. (See Order, 6/25/08, at unnumbered pages 1-3). On
    July 14, 2008, Appellants filed a second amended complaint claiming fraud,
    Appellees filed preliminary objections, and Appellants responded with
    preliminary objections of their own.           (See Second Amended Complaint,
    7/14/08, at 35).      Appellants then filed a motion to discontinue against all
    defendants except Jeffery Mohler and Clymer & Mussler, PC, which the court
    denied on November 4, 2009.              (See Order, 11/04/09).   Eventually, on
    and sustained those of Appellees, dismissing the complaint.         (See Order,
    12/30/13). Appellants timely appealed.2
    Appellants raise three questions for our review:
    I.
    second amended complaints when it granted, then revoked,
    a complaint where
    damages to be claimed are dependent upon an underlying case
    now on appeal to this Court, where it made no finding in
    disposing of preliminary objections that [Appellants] failed to
    state a cause or causes of action, and failed to dispose of
    preliminary objections for more than five years, without
    explanation, claiming that [Appellants] were required to appeal
    interlocutory orders within thirty days of entry?
    ____________________________________________
    2
    statement on February 18, 2014. The trial court entered a Rule 1925(a)
    opinion on April 2, 2014. See Pa.R.A.P 1925.
    -6-
    J-S48032-14
    II.
    discontinue their action against all defendants named except
    Jeffrey D. Mohler and Clymer & Mussler, P.C., in 2009 where the
    defendants whose discontinuance was requested were
    of the action in its final order, inter alia, was its claim that the
    case was a family dispute which it could not understand?
    III.
    reversed where it engaged in a pattern of procedural
    manipulation in conjunction with the underlyin
    case (on appeal in the Superior Court) including, inter alia, an ex
    parte
    defendants Mohler and Clymer & Musser, P.C. prior to disposition
    of preliminary objections, denial of discovery requested by
    as to defendants other than Mohler and Clymer & Mussler, P.C.,
    while failing to dispose of preliminary objections for more than
    five years without explanation in violation of the judicial code?
    -5).
    In their first issue, Appellants argue, inter alia, that the trial court
    their complaints. (See                            -51). However, Appellants fail
    to develop with citation to the record or relevant authority their assertion
    that the trial court erred in revoking their extension of time to file their initial
    complaint.    (See                               -15, 17); see also Pa.R.A.P.
    2119(a)-(c). Therefore, to the extent that we can discern the first issue as a
    Our standard of review is as follows:
    When reviewing the dismissal of a complaint
    based upon preliminary objections in the nature of a
    demurrer, we treat as true all well-pleaded material,
    factual averments and all inferences fairly deducible
    -7-
    J-S48032-14
    therefrom. Where the preliminary objections will
    result in the dismissal of the action, the objections
    may be sustained only in cases that are clear and
    free from doubt. To be clear and free from doubt
    that dismissal is appropriate, it must appear with
    certainty that the law would not permit recovery by
    the plaintiff upon the facts averred.     Any doubt
    should be resolved by a refusal to sustain the
    decision for an abuse of discretion or an error of law.
    Further, this Court has noted the following with regard to review
    on to sustain preliminary objections.
    decision to sustain preliminary objections, we
    examine the averments in the complaint, together
    with the documents and exhibits attached thereto, in
    order to evaluate the sufficiency of the facts averred.
    The impetus of our inquiry is to determine the legal
    sufficiency of the complaint and whether the
    pleading would permit recovery if ultimately proven.
    regarding preliminary objections only where there
    has been an error of law or an abuse of discretion.
    , 
    924 A.2d 675
    , 679-80 (Pa. Super.
    2007) (citations omitted).
    This Court, during review of an order granting a demurrer,
    may not supply a fact missing in the complaint. We are also
    precluded from considering any conclusions of law or inferences
    which are not supported by the factual allegations contained in
    the complaint.     This includes argumentative allegations or
    expressions of opinion. And while it is true that allegations of
    malice, intent and other conditions of the mind may be pled
    generally, see Pa.R.C.P. 1019(b), such characterizations of
    conduct, without supporting factual allegations, are insufficient.
    , 
    647 A.2d 542
    , 552-53 (Pa. Super. 1994), affirmed, 
    676 A.2d 222
     (Pa. 1996) (citations omitted).
    -8-
    J-S48032-14
    First, Appellants assert that the court erred in dismissing their claims
    for wrongful use of civil proceedings and malicious use of process regarding
    the partition actio
    was a termination
    at 18, 22 (emphasis in
    original); see id. at 17-40). We disagree.
    Mi-
    Lor, Inc. v. DiPentino, 
    654 A.2d 1156
    , 1157 (Pa. Super. 1995) (citation
    omitted).
    A person who takes part in the procurement, initiation or
    continuation of civil proceedings against another is subject to
    liability to the other for wrongful use of civil proceedings:
    (1) he acts in a grossly negligent manner or without
    probable cause and primarily for a purpose other than that
    of securing the proper discovery, joinder of parties or
    adjudication of the claim in which the proceedings are
    based; and
    (2) the proceedings have terminated in favor of the person
    against whom they are brought.
    42 Pa.C.S.A. § 8351(a).
    The burden of proof is prescribed by 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 8354 as follows:
    In an action brought pursuant to this subchapter the
    plaintiff has the burden of proving, when the issue is properly
    raised, that:
    (1) The defendant has procured, initiated or continued the
    civil proceedings against him.
    -9-
    J-S48032-14
    (2) The proceedings were terminated in his favor.
    (3) The defendant did not have probable cause for his
    action.
    (4) The primary purpose for which the proceedings were
    brought was not that of securing the proper discovery,
    joinder of parties or adjudication of the claim on which the
    proceedings were based.
    (5) The plaintiff has suffered damages as set forth in
    section 8353 (relating to damages).
    42 Pa.C.S.A. § 8354.
    Here, Appellants contend that the partition action was a wrongful use
    of civil proceedings against them. It is well-
    effect of a partition is to give each of [the] joint owners the possession he is
    entitled to o                            Ramsey v. Taylor, 
    668 A.2d 1147
    ,
    1150 (Pa. Super. 1995) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).
    Bernstein v. Sherman, 
    902 A.2d 1276
    , 1278 (Pa.
    Super. 2006) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).
    In the instant case, Appellants argue that they stated a prima facie
    the partitio
    partition action ended in withdrawal, constituting termination in favor of
    that they retained two 3.8% interests in the farm, and that the litigation was
    commenced in order
    - 10 -
    J-S48032-14
    (Second Amended Complaint, 7/14/08, at 31 ¶ 178). Thus, Appellees had a
    right to partition, and probable cause to bring the partition action.   See
    Bernstein, 
    supra at 1278
    .          Because Appellees had probable cause,
    Appellants cannot state a claim for wrongful use of civil proceedings. See
    42 Pa.C.S.A. § 8354(3); Mi-Lor, Inc., 
    supra at 1157
    . Accordingly, the trial
    court did not err in dismissing this claim.
    the defendant instituted proceedings without probable cause, with malice,
    De Salle
    v. Penn Cent. Transp. Co., 
    398 A.2d 680
    , 682 (Pa. Super. 1979) (citation
    and footnote omitted).      As previously discussed, Appellees did not lack
    probable cause to bring the partition action, and thus Appellants could not
    recover on this claim. See Burgoyne, supra at 679-80. Thus, the court
    did not err in dismissing this claim.
    Next, Appellants assert that the court erroneously dismissed their
    part of [Appellees] whose purposes were not the legitimate object of a
    Abuse of civil process is concerned with the perversion of a
    process after it is issued. The Restatement (Second) of Torts
    process against another primarily to accomplish a purpose for
    which it is not designed. To establish a claim for abuse of
    process, it must be shown that the defendant (1) used a legal
    process against the plaintiff, (2) primarily to accomplish a
    - 11 -
    J-S48032-14
    purpose for which the process was not designed, and (3) harm
    has been caused to the plaintiff
    the tort of abuse of process has been interpreted broadly and
    encompasses the entire range of procedures incident to the
    litigation process.
    *     *      *
    . . . [A]n essential element of the tort of abuse of process[ is]
    that the process was used primarily for a purpose for which the
    process was not designed. It is not enough that the process
    employed was used with a collateral purpose in mind.
    A cause of action for abuse of process requires some
    definite act or threat not authorized by the process, or
    aimed at an objective not legitimate in the use of the
    process . . .[;] there is no liability where the
    defendant has done nothing more than carry out the
    process to its authorized conclusion, even though
    with bad intentions.
    Hart, supra at 551-52 (citations and quotation marks omitted; emphasis in
    original).
    As previously discussed, Appellees initiated the partition action in
    general allegation that Appellees
    only actual, specific assertion of use of the litigation process against them is
    s signature to the Petition
    Id.).    Rule
    1023 was rescinded April 22, 2002, effective July 1, 2002, and thus we are
    unable to discern what Appellants intend in arguing bad faith on this basis.
    See Pa.R.C.P. 1023; Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a)-(b). This claim does not merit relief.
    - 12 -
    J-S48032-14
    Next, Appellants contend that they stated a cause of action in fraud
    fraudulently and unduly by said fraud induced her to become engaged in
    litigation against [Appellants] and to change her testamentary instruments
    Brief, at 40). We disagree.
    To state a claim for fraud, Appellants must show:
    (1) A representation; (2) which is material to the transaction at
    hand; (3) made falsely, with knowledge of its falsity or
    recklessness as to whether it is true or false; (4) with the intent
    of misleading another into relying on it; (5) justifiable reliance
    on the misrepresentation; and, (6) the resulting injury was
    proximately caused by the reliance.
    Weston v. Northampton Pers. Care, Inc., 
    62 A.3d 947
    , 960 (Pa. Super.
    2013), appeal denied
    mistake sh
    prima   facie     case     of    fraud,   the    recipient   of    the
    misrepresentation    must     be   the    one      to   reasonably   rely   upon    the
    misrepresentation and to be damaged as a proximate cause of that
    Joyce v. Erie Ins. Exch./Erie Ins. Co., 
    74 A.3d 157
    , 167 (Pa.
    Super. 2013) (citation omitted; emphasis in original). Here, Appellants aver
    Appellants were damaged as a result.              (See Appellan                    -41).
    allege that the recipient of the misrepresentation was the individual or entity
    - 13 -
    J-S48032-14
    damaged    as   a    proximate   cause    of   reasonable   reliance   upon   the
    misrepresentation        Joyce, 
    supra at 167
    .    Thus, the court did not err in
    dismissing this claim.
    Next, Appellants allege that they have stated a cause of action for
    concerning the actions of [Appellees] f
    wrongful and tortious conduct Iva would have included Howard and
    res
    judicata from pursuing this claim.
    The fundamental principle upon which [res judicata] is
    based is that a court judgment should be conclusive as between
    the parties and their privies in respect to every fact which could
    properly have been considered in reaching the determination and
    in respect to all points of law relating directly to the cause of
    action and affecting the subject matter before the court. The
    essential inquiry is whether the ultimate and controlling issues
    have been decided in a prior proceeding in which the present
    parties had an opportunity to appear and assert their rights.
    Chada v. Chada, 
    756 A.2d 39
    , 43-44 (Pa. Super. 2000) (citation and
    emphasis omitted).
    A judgment upon the merits bars a subsequent suit upon the
    same cause, though brought in a different form of action, and a
    party therefore cannot, by varying the form of action or adopting
    a different method of presenting his case, escape the operation
    of the principle that one and the same cause of action shall not
    be twice litigated.
    - 14 -
    J-S48032-14
    Dempsey v. Cessna Aircraft Co., 
    653 A.2d 679
    , 682 (Pa. Super. 1995),
    appeal denied, 
    663 A.2d 684
     (Pa. 1995) (citation omitted).
    the ultimate and controlling issues,
    Appellants availed themselves of the opportunity to appear and assert their
    rights. (See In re Estate of Iva K. Mummau, No. 1382 MDA 2013 (Pa.
    Super. filed May 12, 2014)). Furthermore, a panel of this Court affirmed the
    inter alia,
    Appellants and the other Mummau children, which agreed that the family
    relevant part:
    WHEREAS, all the parties to this Agreement believe it will be in
    the best interest of all parties hereto that all of the claims and
    causes of action, either actual or potential, between and among
    the parties to this Agreement be forever settled and resolved.
    *     *      *
    8.    O. Howard Mummau and Geraldine M. Zimmerman shall
    execute a joint tortfeasor release in the civil action filed by O.
    Howard Mummau and Geraldine M. Zimmerman to No. CI-06-
    04412 and currently pending in Lancaster County releasing Clair
    S. Mummau, Laurence N. Mummau, Bernice Tamkin, Galen
    Spickler, Kevin Mummau, Stacy Mummau and Clair S. Mummau
    and Laurence N. Mummau in their capacity as personal
    representatives of the Estate of Owen E. Mummau, Laurence N.
    Mummau in his capacity as personal representative of the Estate
    of Iva K. Mummau, and Clair S. Mummau in his capacity as
    attorney-in-fact for Iva K. Mummau.
    9.   Each and every party to this Agreement, on behalf of
    himself or herself and his or her heirs, executors and assigns do
    - 15 -
    J-S48032-14
    forever release, acquit, discharge and hold harmless each other
    individually and collectively for any and all actions, causes of
    action, claims, demands, damages, costs, losses, expenses and
    compensation, on account of or in any way growing out of any
    and all known or unknown claims, either actual or potential,
    between and among each other which have arisen or may have
    occurred at any time heretofore. . . .
    (Id. at *3, Exhibit A, at 2 ¶¶ 8, 9; see also 
    id.
     at Exhibit A, at 2 ¶ 10).
    Thus, Appellants had a full and fair opportunity to litigate their claims related
    tortfeasor release of the relevant parties.        See Chada, 
    supra at 43-44
    .
    Therefore, we will not permit this issue to be twice-litigated, and conclude
    that it is barred by the doctrine of res judicata. See Dempsey, 
    supra at 682
    .    Appellants cannot state a claim for tortious interference with an
    inheritance.3
    [t]hird [p]arty [b]eneficiaries against [Appellees] Mohler and Clymer &
    ____________________________________________
    3
    Appellees
    persuaded Iva K. Mummau to transfer the farm to Clair Mummau at a
    diminished price, does not state a claim for tortious interference with an
    of inter vivos transfers alleged to diminish an eventual bequest. Rather, we
    have limited the parameters of potential . . . claims to instances involving
    demonstrable interference with the testamentary scheme the decedent had
    Estate of
    , 
    859 A.2d 472
    , 477 (Pa.
    Super. 2004), appeal denied, 
    876 A.2d 396
     (Pa. 2005) (citation omitted).
    Appellants have not asserted that Appellees prevented Iva from changing
    her will in favor of Appellants. Therefore, even if Appellants had not
    released Appellees from tortfeasor liability, their claim would not merit
    inter vivos transfer to Clair.
    - 16 -
    J-S48032-14
    ey
    they would have standing to make claims as third party beneficiaries,
    Id. at 45).
    As previously discussed, Appellants failed to state a claim for tortious
    interference.
    Furthermore, their claim is barred by the doctrine of res judicata, in
    that they have already been given the opportunity to be heard on their
    claims against the perpetuation of Iva K. Mummau               See Chada,
    
    supra at 43-44
    ; (see also In re Estate of Iva K. Mummau, No. 1382
    MDA 2013 (Pa. Super. filed May 12, 2014)).      Thus, this claim would not
    merit relief.
    cause of actio
    Brief, at 47). We disagree.
    There remains some question as to whether the courts of
    this Commonwealth recognize a cause of action for intentional
    infliction of emotional distress. However, our Supreme Court
    has indicated that in order for a plaintiff to prevail on such a
    claim, he or she must, at the least, demonstrate intentional
    outrageous or extreme conduct by the defendant, which causes
    severe emotional distress to the plaintiff.
    Swisher v. Pitz, 
    868 A.2d 1228
    , 1230 (Pa. Super. 2005) (citations
    show physical injury or harm in order to
    Fewell v. Besner, 
    664 A.2d 577
    , 582 (Pa. Super. 1995) (emphasis added;
    - 17 -
    J-S48032-14
    Kazatsky v. King David Memorial Park, 
    527 A.2d 988
    , 995 (Pa.
    1987) (stating that claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress
    i
    See 
    id.
    They claim, in pertinent part:
    301.
    fright, horror, grief, shame, humiliation, embarrassment, anger,
    chagrin, disappointment, worry, depression.
    302.                       uct has been the direct and proximate
    health care and medical professionals.
    (First Amended Complaint, 1/26/07, at 8 ¶¶ 301-02). Appellants fail to aver
    hysical illness requiring the services of
    
    Id.
     at 8 ¶ 302).
    Thus, they failed to aver sufficient facts to state a claim for intentional
    infliction of emotional distress.    See Kazatsky, supra at 995; Fewell,
    
    supra at 582
    .      The court did not err in dismissing this claim.         See
    Burgoyne, supra at 679-
    merit.
    were arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion and in violation of the
    - 18 -
    J-S48032-14
    urt Estate of Iva K.
    Id.
    Id. at 52).
    of various canons of the Judicial Code of Conduct, effective July 1, 2014, and
    the duties of judges under the Pennsylvania Constitution Article V, Section
    Id. at 54; see also id. at 53).4 These issues are waived.
    a self-serving and speculative history
    at 56; see also id. at 51-56).            They cite only to general case law and
    canons of the Pennsylvania Code of Judicial Conduct to assert that the court
    5
    (Id. at 53); see also Lakatosh, supra at
    ____________________________________________
    4
    Appellants also raise a second sub-
    permitted
    fail to develop this assertion with citations to the record or relevant
    see also Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a)-(b); Estate of Lakatosh, 
    656 A.2d 1378
    , 1381
    (Pa. Super. 1995).
    5
    Appellants later repeat this assertion, claiming that, pursuant to
    Commonwealth v. Druce
    the Judicial Code of Conduct . . . combined with evidence of bias or prejudice
    -57). Druce is inapposite,
    (Footnote Continued Next Page)
    - 19 -
    J-S48032-14
    argument section pertaining to these issues consists of general statements
    unsupported by any citation of authority.           The argument portion of an
    appellate brief must include a pertinent discussion of the particular point
    omitted). Thus, they have waived these claims. See Lakatosh, 
    supra at 1381
    .
    stated that four of its prior orders were interlocutory and suggested that the
    appeal deadlines fell thirty days after their respective entries.    (See Trial
    assertion that these orders were interlocutory and not appealable until a
    final order was entered, but nevertheless determine that Appellants are
    entitled to no relief on this claim.
    _______________________
    (Footnote Continued)
    a criminal case did not violate judicial canons or codes of conduct, and does
    no
    fail to indicate that they ever properly filed a petition to recuse, and thus,
    have waived this claim on this ground as well. See Coulter v. Ramsden,
    2014 Pa. Super. Lexis 1192, at *21 (Pa. Super. 2014)                   -settled
    that a party seeking recusal or disqualification must raise the objection at
    - 20 -
    J-S48032-14
    It is well-settled that an appeal may be taken as of right from any final
    order of a lower court.   See Pa.R.A.P. 341.    Rule 341(b) provides that a
    (2) is expressly defined as a final order by statute; or (3) is entered as a
    final order pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 341(c). 
    Id.
    n, the orders at issue were interlocutory, (see
    Trial Court Opinion, 4/02/14, at unnumbered page 2), and based on our
    all parties, or were entered as final orders pursuant to Rule 341(c): the
    November 29, 2006 order required Appellants to file a complaint within
    intentional infliction of emotional distress claim; the October 2, 2008 order
    was a scheduling order and did not dispose of any claims or issues; and the
    except Jeffery D. Mohler and Clymer & Mussler, and therefore did not
    dispose of the parties or claims.   Thus, the orders were interlocutory and
    unappealable until the court entered the final order of December 30, 2013,
    from which Appellants properly appealed.
    Louis Dreyfus Commodities Suisse SA v.
    Fin. Software Sys., Inc., 2014 Pa. Super. Lexis 2319, at *6 (Pa. Super.
    relief based on the substance of those prior orders lack merit or have been
    - 21 -
    J-S48032-14
    waived on
    relief.
    In their third issue, Appellants obje
    matter solely with respect to [Appellees] Jeffrey D. Mohler and Clymer &
    -58). We disagree.
    First, Appellants fail to develop or cite any authority for their
    Id. at 57). Thus, this contention is
    waived. See Lakatosh, 
    supra at 1381
    .
    Court, they should be permitted to pursue their claims against Appellees
    Jeffrey D. Mohler and Clymer & Musser, P.C. (See                                 -
    59).       This claim is also waived for failure to cite to any relevant or
    persuasive authority.        See Lakatosh, 
    supra at 1381
    .           Moreover, as
    In re Estate
    of Iva K. Mummau, No. 1382 MDA 2013 (Pa. Super. filed May 12, 2014),
    -party beneficiary claims against Appellees are barred by res
    judicata
    issue does not merit relief.
    - 22 -
    J-S48032-14
    Order affirmed.
    Donohue, J., joins the memorandum.
    Jenkins, J., concurs in the result.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 9/9/2014
    - 23 -