Martin v. Lovelace ( 2021 )

FILED
May 28, 2021
released at 3:00 p.m.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA EDYTHE NASH GAISER, CLERK
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA
Robert P. Martin and
Melanie A. Martin,
Defendants Below, Petitioners
vs) No. 19-0745 (Pocahontas County 18-C-09)
Donald W. Lovelace and
Ardel A. Lovelace,
Plaintiffs Below, Respondents
MEMORANDUM DECISION
In March 2018, Respondent husband and wife Donald W. Lovelace and Ardel A.
Lovelace filed this action to quiet title by adverse possession of a 0.75 acre parcel of real estate
from their neighbors, Petitioners Robert P. Martin and Melanie A. Martin, husband and wife.
Following a jury verdict, the Circuit Court of Pocahontas County entered judgment orders in
favor of the Lovelaces on July 24, 2019, and assessed costs against the Martins. 1 The Martins
filed a motion to alter or amend judgment under Rule 59 of the West Virginia Rules of Civil
Procedure seeking to disallow costs, which was denied. The circuit court found that it had no
discretion but to assess costs against the Martins. On appeal to this Court, the Martins contend
the circuit court erred by: (1) denying their pre-trial motion for summary judgment; (2) ruling
certain exhibits inadmissible at trial; and (3) assessing court costs against them.
This Court has considered the parties’ briefs, their oral arguments, and the appendix
record on appeal. 2 As explained below, we decline to consider whether the circuit court erred in
denying the Martins’ motion for summary judgment because that was an interlocutory order not
subject to appeal. We also decline to consider the evidentiary issues raised by the Martins
because they did not file a motion for a new trial. But under the facts presented here, we agree
that the circuit court abused its discretion in assessing court costs against the Martins without
considering their argument that it was inequitable. So, we reverse the circuit court’s October 21,
2019 order and remand on the issue of court costs. Because this case satisfies the “limited
1
The circuit court entered two orders on the same date. In one order, the court entered
judgment in favor of the Lovelaces. In the other order, the court set the description of the
adversely possessed property (with attached exhibits) and assessed court costs against the
Martins.
2
Petitioner Robert P. Martin is an attorney licensed to practice law in this State. Mr.
Martin represents himself and his wife in this appeal. The Lovelaces are represented by Barry L.
Bruce, Esq.
1
circumstances” requirement of Rule 21(d) of the West Virginia Rules of Appellate Procedure, a
memorandum decision is appropriate to resolve the issues presented.
I. Factual and Procedural History
The Martins and the Lovelaces own neighboring tracts of land in Pocahontas County.
This case arose when the Lovelaces filed an action seeking to enjoin the Martins from removing
a portion of the fence between the two properties. The Lovelaces filed an initial complaint in
March 2018, and an amended complaint in January 2019, to quiet title by adverse possession of a
0.75 acre tract from the Martins. 3 The Lovelaces maintained that they had purchased their
property (66 acres more or less) in November 1978, had occupied the disputed 0.75 acres since
that time, and “exercised control” of the 0.75 acre tract “continuously, hostilely, openly and
notoriously, actually, and exclusively (over 39 years).” The Martins filed an answer denying the
Lovelace’s claims. 4
After the close of discovery, the Martins filed a motion for summary judgment in
February 2019. They argued that the Lovelaces failed to establish the essential elements of
adverse possession, among other things. 5 Specifically, the Martins argued that the Lovelaces
could not assert a claim of title or color of title to the disputed property, and that their use of the
disputed property had been permissive. The Lovelaces argued that their claim was under color
of title since their predecessor-in-title’s deed included the disputed property. The Lovelaces also
disputed the Martins’ characterization of their use of the property as “permissive” because the
fence line was in existence before the Martins purchased their property. The circuit court
conducted a hearing on the Martins’ motion for summary judgment in March 2019. The parties
3
The Lovelaces amended their complaint after they realized that an exhibit attached to
the original complaint (Exhibit A) was incorrect. During Mr. Lovelace’s deposition, the
Lovelaces introduced Exhibit 10 showing what they believed was the correct property line. They
attached this document to their amended complaint.
4
The Answer was not included in the appendix record.
5
The elements required to establish adverse possession are set forth as follows:
One who seeks to assert title to a tract of land under the doctrine of
adverse possession must prove each of the following elements for the requisite
statutory period: (1) That he has held the tract adversely or hostilely; (2) That the
possession has been actual; (3) That it has been open and notorious (sometimes
stated in the cases as visible and notorious); (4) That possession has been
exclusive; (5) That possession has been continuous; (6) That possession has been
under claim of title or color of title.
Syl. Pt. 3, Somon v. Murphy Fabrication & Erection Co., 160 W. Va. 84, 232 S.E.2d 524 (1977).
2
were advised, by e-mail from the court’s clerk, that the motion was denied. But the circuit court
did not enter an order reflecting its ruling. 6
A jury trial commenced on April 8, 2019, and the jury returned a verdict in favor of the
Lovelaces three days later. The jury found that the Lovelaces were entitled to adverse possession
of the 0.75 acre tract. Later, in two orders entered on July 24, 2019, the circuit court entered
judgment in favor of the Lovelaces, set the description of the adversely possessed property, and
assessed court costs against the Martins. 7
In August 2019, the Martins filed a motion to alter or amend judgment seeking to set
aside the cost assessment. They argued that it was inequitable for the court to assess costs
against them because they engaged in no wrongful conduct. The Martins claimed that they were
hauled into court “and forced to defend” their property interests. They requested that the circuit
court not assess costs against either party. 8 Alternatively, they requested an evidentiary hearing
on the issue. The Lovelaces responded that the losing party is generally liable for court costs. In
its October 21, 2019 order denying the Martins’ motion, the circuit court stated that it “believed
it had no discretion with regard to the assessment of and taxation of costs pursuant to Rule
54(d)” of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure. 9 The circuit court advised the Martins to
seek guidance from this Court on the issue.
II. Standard of Review
The Martins raise three assignments of error, which require this Court to apply different
standards of review. First, “[t]his Court reviews de novo the denial of a motion for summary
judgment, where such a ruling is properly reviewable by this Court.” 10 Second, “‘[a] trial court’s
6
The Martins filed a motion for relief from the circuit court’s ruling denying summary
judgment. Rule 60(b) W. Va. R. Civ. Pro. But it does not appear that the circuit court ruled on
this request.
7
The circuit court assessed $3,995.52 in court costs ($3,690.52 for jury costs, $285 for
court reporter fees, and $20 for copy costs).
8
See W. Va. Code § 52-1-17(3), in part (“In the discretion of the court, and only when
fairness and justice so require, a circuit court or magistrate court may forego assessment of the
jury fee, but shall set out the reasons for waiving the fee in a written order[.]”).
9
Rule 54(d) provides, in relevant part: “Cost. Except when express provision therefor is
made either in a statute of this State or in these rules, costs shall be allowed as of course to the
prevailing party unless the court otherwise directs[.]”
10
Syl. Pt. 2, West Virginia State Police v. Hughes, 238 W. Va. 406, 796 S.E.2d 193(2017) (quoting Syl. Pt. 1, Findley v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 213 W. Va. 80, 576 S.E.2d
807 (2002)).
3
evidentiary rulings, as well as its application of the Rules of Evidence, are subject to a review
under an abuse of discretion standard.’” 11 And third, we are asked to consider the circuit court’s
order denying the Martins’ motion to alter or amend a final order with regard to the cost
assessment. We have held that:
The standard of review applicable to an appeal from a motion to alter or
amend a judgment, made pursuant to W. Va. R. Civ. P. 59(e), is the same standard
that would apply to the underlying judgment upon which the motion is based and
from which the appeal to this Court is filed. 12
Because we review assessment of costs under Rule 54(d) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil
Procedure for an abuse of discretion, this standard applies. 13
III. Analysis
At the outset we note during a four-day trial, the jury heard evidence from both sides and
visited the disputed property line. The jury decided that the Lovelaces met all the elements of
their adverse possession claim, and the circuit court entered the jury’s verdict in its judgment
orders. The Martins do not raise any issue as to the jury’s verdict or final judgment orders other
than the cost assessment. 14 So, we are not asked to find that the jury was improperly instructed
or that the verdict was incorrect. 15
Instead of attacking the jury verdict, the Martins reach back to events that occurred prior
to trial. In their first assignment of error, the Martins argue that the circuit court erred when it
failed to grant their motion for summary judgment. The Lovelaces respond that this issue is not
properly before this Court. They contend that the Martins waived this argument by not obtaining
an order from the circuit court denying summary judgment or requesting a hearing on their
motion for relief from the ruling denying summary judgment.
11
Syl. Pt. 1, State v. Varlas, 237 W. Va. 399, 787 S.E.2d 670 (2016) (quoting Syl. Pt. 4,
State v. Rodoussakis, 204 W. Va. 58, 511 S.E.2d 469 (1998)).
12
Syl. Pt. 1, Wickland v. Am. Travellers Life Ins. Co., 204 W. Va. 430, 513 S.E.2d 657(1998).
13
Smith v. Gebhardt, 240 W. Va. 426, 429-30, 813 S.E.2d 79, 82-83 (2018) (citing
Bartles v. Hinkle, 196 W. Va. 381, 472 S.E.2d 827 (1996)).
14
The appendix record has no transcripts of the jury trial or any hearing in the case.
15
This Court has stated that “[w]hen a case involving conflicting testimony and
circumstances has been fairly tried, under proper instructions, the verdict of the jury will not be
set aside unless plainly contrary to the weight of the evidence or without sufficient evidence to
support it.” Syl. Pt. 4, Laslo v. Griffith, 143 W. Va. 469, 102 S.E.2d 894 (1958); see also Syl. Pt.
2, McNeely v. Frich, 187 W. Va. 26, 415 S.E.2d 267 (1992).
4
We decline to consider whether the circuit court erred in denying the Martins’ motion for
summary judgment, especially in light of a full trial on the merits and a lack of a summary
judgment order. The denial of summary judgment retains its interlocutory character as simply a
step along the route to trial and final judgment. This Court has held that: “An order denying a
motion for summary judgment is merely interlocutory, leaves the case pending for trial, and is
not appealable except in special instances in which an interlocutory order is appealable.” 16 This
case does not present any special circumstance that would make the circuit court’s interlocutory
ruling appealable. So, we reject this assignment of error.
The Martins also argue that the circuit court made evidentiary errors at trial. They
contend that it failed to properly consider and ruled inadmissible Exhibit A, attached to the
Lovelace’s original complaint, 17 as well as the tax map aerial photographs maintained by the
Office of the Assessor of Pocahontas County. The Lovelaces counter that this Court should not
address the merits of this argument because the Martins failed to file a motion for a new trial. 18
Rule 59(f) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure addresses what happens when a
party fails to move for a new trial:
If a party fails to make a timely motion for a new trial, after a trial by jury in
which judgment as a matter of law has not been rendered by the court, the party is
deemed to have waived all errors occurring during the trial which the party
might have assigned as grounds in support of such motion. 19
This Court addressed the application of Rule 59(f) in Miller v. Triplett. 20 In that case, a
jury awarded a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs for injuries they sustained in an automobile
accident. The plaintiffs appealed the favorable verdict and sought a new trial because of the
small size of the award. This Court applied Rule 59(f) and declined to address the assignments
of error made by the plaintiffs because they failed to file a motion for new trial. In doing so, we
held that “if a party fails to make a timely motion for a new trial, Rule 59(f) . . . bars
consideration on appeal of alleged errors which occurred during the trial which a party might
16
Syl. Pt. 8, Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Fed. Ins. Co. of NY, 148 W. Va. 160, 133 S.E.2d
770 (1963).
17
See note 3, supra.
18
The parties disagree as to whether the Martins moved for judgment as a matter of law
at the end of the Lovelaces’ case in chief, or at the close of the evidence. Because the appendix
record does not contain a trial transcript, we are unable to verify whether that motion was made.
In any event, the determinative issue is that the Martins failed to file a motion for a new trial.
19
(Emphasis added).
20
203 W. Va. 351, 507 S.E.2d 714 (1998).
5
have assigned as grounds in support of a motion for a new trial.” 21 So, we decline to grant relief
with regard to these evidentiary issues because the Martins failed to file a motion for a new trial.
The Martins’ final argument on appeal is that the circuit court abused its discretion in
assessing costs against them. They state that (1) the circuit court was wrong to conclude that it
had no discretion with regard to cost assessment, and (2) it was inequitable to assess costs
against them when they were simply defending their real property rights in this suit. The
Lovelaces counter that this Court should not disturb the circuit court’s ruling.
Rule 54(d) provides, in relevant part: “Cost. Except when express provision therefor is
made either in a statute of this State or in these rules, costs shall be allowed as of course to the
prevailing party unless the court otherwise directs[.]” 22 By its plain language, Rule 54(d) vests
the circuit court with discretion in assessing court costs. 23 So, contrary to its belief, the circuit
court had wide discretion when determining whether to assess court costs against the Martins. 24
The term “discretion,” signifies action taken “in the light of reason as applied to all the facts and
with a view to the rights of all the parties to the action while having regard for what is right and
equitable under the circumstances and the law.” 25 And the circuit court, by its own admission,
exercised no discretion and assessed costs against the Martins simply because the Lovelaces
prevailed in the suit.
For these reasons, we agree with the Martins that the circuit court abused its discretion by
not exercising it and failing to consider the equitable arguments that mitigate against assessing
costs to the Martins. 26 We grant relief on this assignment of error, reverse the circuit court’s
order denying the Martins’ motion to alter or amend the final order with regard to the cost
assessment, and remand for further consideration.
21
203 W. Va. at 356, 507 S.E.2d at 719.
22
(Emphasis added).
23
See McKenzie v. Sevier, __ W. Va. __, 854 S.E.2d 236, 251 (2020) (stating Rule 54(d)
imbues court with discretion in assessing court fees; but court must state its reason for assessing
fees against prevailing party).
24
Syl. Pt. 4, Collins v. City of Bridgeport, 206 W. Va. 467, 525 S.E.2d 658 (1999); see
also Nagy v. Oakley, 172 W. Va. 569, 309 S.E.2d 68 (1983) (stating equitable considerations are
part of court’s discretion in assessing costs).
25
State v. Lead Indus. Ass’n, Inc., 69 A.3d 1304, 1309 (R.I. 2013) (quotation marks and
citations omitted).
26
See, e.g., Banker v. Banker, 196 W. Va. 535, 548, 474 S.E.2d 465, 478 (1996) (“An
abuse of discretion occurs in three principal ways: (1) when a relevant factor that should have
been given significant weight is not considered; (2) when all proper factors, and no improper
ones, are considered, but the family law master in weighing those factors commits a clear error
of judgment; and (3) when the family law master fails to exercise any discretion at all in issuing
the order.”).
6
IV. Conclusion
For the above reasons, we affirm the circuit court’s July 24, 2019 judgment orders insofar
as it entered the jury verdict and set the description of the property the Lovelaces attained by
adverse possession. But we reverse the circuit court’s October 21, 2019 order denying the
Martins’ motion to alter or amend judgment to set aside the cost assessment and remand this case
for further proceedings consistent with this decision.
Affirmed in part, reversed
in part, and remanded.
ISSUED: May 28, 2021
CONCURRED IN BY:
Chief Justice Evan H. Jenkins
Justice Elizabeth D. Walker
Justice Tim Armstead
Justice John A. Hutchison
Justice William R. Wooton
7