Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley

COURT OF CHANCERY
OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE
PATRICIA W. GRIFFIN CHANCERY COURTHOUSE
MASTER IN CHANCERY 34 The Circle
GEORGETOWN, DELAWARE 19947
Date Submitted: September 3, 2021
Draft Report: December 8, 2021
Final Report: January 31, 2022
Richard E. Berl, Jr., Esquire
Hudson, Jones, Jaywork & Fisher, LLC
34382 Carpenter’s Way
Suite 3
Lewes, Delaware 199958
Gary Shockley
SBI Number 00139419
Sussex County Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 500
Georgetown, Delaware 19947
RE: Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
C.A. No. 2018-0782-PWG
Dear Mr. Berl and Mr. Shockley:
The last stage of a partition proceeding involves the distribution of proceeds
from the sale of the partitioned property. This dispute centers around co-owners
who were tenants in common, each holding a one-half interest in two pieces of real
property devised to them by one of the co-owners’ mother. One property was the
mother’s home, and the other was rental property containing six rental units. This
decision resolves the issues concerning the distribution of sale proceeds from the
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
partitioned property, balancing contributions for payments made toward the cost of
the properties against rental income received by the co-owners. This is a final report.
I. Background1
This partition action involves two properties, 32790 Bi-State Boulevard,
Laurel, Delaware (the “House Property”) and 32715 Bi-State Boulevard, Laurel,
Delaware (the “Apartments Property”) (collectively, the “Properties”), co-owned in
equal shares by Petitioner Melvin Green (“Green”) and Respondent Gary Shockley
(“Shockley”).2 They inherited the Properties as tenants in common on February 24,
2016, at the death of Margaret R. Taylor (“Decedent”), Shockley’s mother.3
The House Property was Decedent’s residence, and it was subject to a
mortgage held by Nationstar Mortgage LLC (“Nationstar”).4 Green lived in the
House Property with Decedent and continued to reside there after Decedent’s death.5
1
I refer to the transcript of the September 1, 2021 hearing in this matter as “Trial Tr.” and
to Green’s trial exhibits as “Pet’r Tr. Ex.” and Shockley’s trial exhibits as “Resp’t Tr. Ex.”
Certain expenses for the Properties are summarized by category in the Appendix to this
report.
2
See Docket Item (“D.I.”) 1, ¶¶1-3; See In re Margaret R. Taylor, Register of Wills Folio
No. 11034 (“ROW Folio”), D.I. 2. Because the Register of Wills (“ROW”) is a Clerk of
the Court of Chancery, filings with the ROW are subject to judicial notice. See 12 Del. C.
§ 2501; Del. R. Evid. 202(d)(1)(C); Arot v. Lardani, 2018 WL 5430297, at *1, n. 6 (Del.
Ch. Oct. 29, 2018).
3
D.I. 1, ¶ 4; see also ROW Folio, D.I. 2.
4
D.I. 1, ¶ 7.
5
Trial Tr. 119:8-20.
2
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
The Apartments Property had five apartments (Apartments A – E) on the premises
and a trailer, which were rented out.6 Green, who collected most of the rental income
for the Apartments Property, testified that rent collection was not always consistent.7
Shockley’s brother and agent, Richard Shockley (“Richard”), collected some rental
income for the trailer.8
Green filed this partition action on October 29, 2018.9 An initial hearing was
held on January 7, 2019 and the matter was stayed for the parties to consider whether
to pursue a partition in kind or a private sale.10 On February 28, 2018, I wrote the
parties asking them to submit supplemental evidence regarding whether partition in
kind with owelty would be appropriate in this case.11 Also on February 28, 2019,
Shockley filed a response to the petition for partition (“Petition”).12 On April 1,
2018, I advised the parties that partition in kind with owelty was not appropriate in
6
See Pet’r Tr. Exs. B, E.
7
See Trial Tr. 14:13-20 (describing Section 8 housing subsidies); id. 18:18-24 (describing
one tenant who never paid rent); id. 21:16-22 (describing another tenant who paid rent
irregularly).
8
See n. 46 infra. I use first names in pursuit of clarity and intend no familiarity or
disrespect.
9
D.I. 1.
10
D.I. 8.
11
D.I. 15.
12
D.I. 17. Shockley’s application to proceed In Forma Pauperis was granted on February
28, 2018 on the condition that he would pay fees and costs when the real property was sold.
D.I. 18.
3
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
this case.13 On April 24, 2019, I ordered a partition sale and appointed a trustee (the
“Trustee”) for purposes of completing that sale.14 On April 29, 2019, Shockley filed
a motion for a writ of injunction seeking to have rental monies held in escrow until
the partition sale process was completed, which was denied on June 26, 2019.15
On October 11, 2019, the Properties were sold at public action. 16 The House
Property, which was subject to a paramount mortgage lien, sold for $10,000.00.17
The Apartments Property sold for $132,000.00 and proceeded to settlement on
November 6, 2019.18 The Trustee made his return of sale on November 8, 2019 to
confirm the sale of the Apartments Property.19 I approved the Trustee’s sale of the
Apartments Property on November 26, 2019.20 The sale of the House Property was
13
D.I. 26. I found that, because the parties lacked equity in the House Property and one
party would have to pay a large sum to equalize the parties’ shares in the Properties, it
would be unreasonably burdensome to order partition in kind with owelty and I declined
to do so. Id.
14
D.I. 27. Shockley appealed that partition order to the Delaware Supreme Court, which
dismissed the appeal on May 24, 2019 for lack of jurisdiction to consider an appeal of a
Master’s order. D.I. 28; D.I. 32.
15
D.I. 29; D.I. 33.
16
D.I. 36, at 3-4.
17
Id., at 3-5. The principal amount due and owing on the House Property’s mortgage held
by Nationstar was $160,146.03 at the time the foreclosure action on the mortgage was filed
on December 31, 2018. See Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Mr. Cooper v. Est. of Margaret
R. Taylor, C.A. No. S18L-12-033 CAK (Del. Super.), D.I. 1.
18
D.I. 36., at 4-5.
19
Id.
20
D.I. 37.
4
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
not completed by the buyer and the Trustee advised that another partition sale would
be futile since Nationstar was foreclosing on the House Property’s mortgage.21
Shockley submitted his proposed decree of distribution on October 24, 2019
and again on December 20, 2019.22 Green filed his proposed decree of distribution
on February 24, 2020.23 The decree for distribution hearing was delayed due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.24 An evidentiary hearing on the decree for distribution was
held on September 1, 2021.25 The Trustee currently holds $121,781.58 in escrow
from the sale of the Properties.26 I reserved my decision following the evidentiary
21
The Trustee notified the Court on February 6, 2020 that the buyer no longer wished to
purchase the House Property and forfeited the $10,000.00 deposit. D.I. 44. The Trustee
also stated that the House Property would go to sheriff’s sale in the foreclosure action. Id.
The House Property was sold in a sheriff’s sale on August 17, 2021. See Nationstar
Mortgage LLC d/b/a Mr. Cooper v. Est. of Margaret R. Taylor, C.A. No. S18L-12-033
CAK (Del. Super.), D.I. 21.
22
D.I. 25; D.I. 41. In his Response to the Petition, Shockley advanced several
counterclaims arguing that Green had breached some fiduciary duty as either a co-tenant
or as the executor of Decedent’s Estate (the “Estate”). See D.I. 17; D.I. 29. He did not
pursue these counterclaims at trial, but the relief he requested in these counterclaims is
largely addressed in the contribution and accounting analysis contained in this report. To
the extent that Shockley’s claims sought relief related to the administration of, or
distributions from, the Estate, those claims should have been raised in exceptions to the
accounting or the inventory filed with the Register of Wills. See 12 Del. C. § 2302(d).
Regardless, the counterclaims for breach of fiduciary duty were not addressed or proven at
trial.
23
D.I. 45.
24
See D.I. 53.
25
D.I. 68.
26
D.I. 69.
5
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
hearing and issued my draft report on December 8, 2021.27 Green took exceptions
to my draft report,28 which have been fully briefed.29 I reviewed the exceptions and
believe that they, for the most part, repeat arguments that were adequately addressed
in the draft report. Where appropriate, I have addressed the exceptions in this report
and made other minor changes. This is my final report.
II. Analysis
A. Ownership Interests of the Parties
Green seeks a distribution of 60% of the sale proceeds for himself and 40%
for Shockley, arguing that he “was completely responsible for oversight, repair, and
maintenance of the properties.”30 Shockley asks for contributions for his share of
the rental income retained by Green, as well as rent representing Green’s exclusive
use of the House Property.31
The Last Will and Testament of Margaret R. Taylor (the “Will”) devised the
Properties to Green and Shockley as tenants in common, giving each a one-half
ownership interest in the Properties.32 “Tenants in common of the legal title to land
27
D.I. 71.
28
D.I. 72.
29
D.I. 75; D.I. 78; D.I. 79.
30
D.I. 45, at 5.
31
D.I. 41, at 6.
32
ROW Folio, D.I. 2, at 2. The Inventory filed by Green as executor shows that Green and
Shockley each own a one-half interest in the Properties. Id., D.I. 7, at 2.
6
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
are ordinarily entitled to the use, benefit and possession of such land.”33 In addition
to those rights, the tenant in common takes on certain duties with respect to the
property in which they have an undivided interest. While Green argues that an
uneven distribution scheme is equitable because of the services he provided to the
Properties, I find no evidence to rebut the principle that equity compels an equal
division based upon each co-tenant’s ownership interest. Therefore, I will split the
proceeds on an equal basis between the parties, subject to specific contributions and
offsets.
B. Claim for Rental Value Benefit Against Green for the House Property
Shockley seeks an offset for the fair rental value of the House Property during
the period in which he alleges Green had exclusive possession of the House
Property.34 “[E]ach co-tenant is entitled to the possession of the property, [and] the
mere fact that one is in possession and the other is not ‘does not presumptively show
an ouster.’”35 “A cotenant is generally entitled to make personal use of the property
held in common and is not accountable for such use in the absence of ouster.”36 And,
33
Garber v. Whittaker, 174 A. 34, 37 (Del. Super. 1934).
34
D.I. 41, at 6.
35
Smith v. Lemp, 63 A.2d 169, 170 (Del. Ch. 1949) (citations omitted); see also Knight v.
Knight 89 A. 595, 596 (Del. Ch. 1914).
36
In re Estate of Gedling, 2000 WL 567879, at *7 (Del. Ch. Feb. 29, 2000) (citations
omitted).
7
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
a co-owner residing in the jointly owned property has no obligation to pay rent unless
the co-owners agreed that rent would be paid.37 “However, if a co-tenant has
exclusive possession of the property and ousts other co-tenants, then the rental value
(representing the benefit received by the co-tenant having exclusive possession) may
be set off against their share of the sale proceeds.”38
In this case, there is no evidence that Green agreed to pay rent. And, there is
not sufficient evidence that Green had exclusive possession of the House Property
or that he ousted Shockley. Although Shockley did not access the House Property,
Richard, his agent, had access to the House Property.39 And, there is no evidence
that Richard was ever excluded from accessing the House Property by Green.
Indeed, the evidence suggests that Shockley believed he had the ability to control
the House Property – he sent Green a letter on or about June of 2018 stating that
Richard will move into the House Property when Green left.40 Green testified that,
37
Id., at *13 (“As a co-owner, she has no obligation to pay rent.”); see also In re Real
Estate of Hunsucker [“Hunsucker”], 2019 WL 1984242, at *3 (Del. Ch. May 3, 2019); In
re Smith’s Estate, 93 A.2d 314, 316 (Del. Orphans’ Ct. 1952) (“Upon what theory, then, is
[the cotenant] liable to account for the fair rental value of the remaining one-half of the
premises? The only possible basis for a duty to account under the facts here presented
would be that the [other cotenants] were excluded from possession.”).
38
Ponder v. Willey, 2020 WL 6735715, at *3 (Del. Ch. Nov. 17, 2020), adopted 2020 WL
7043627 (Del. Ch. Nov. 30, 2020).
39
Shockley has been incarcerated since before Decedent’s death so he did not have the
opportunity to access the Property. However, Richard, who acted on Shockley’s behalf on
various occasions, testified that he visited Green on the Property. Trial Tr. 104:10-105:3.
40
Resp’t Tr. Ex. D.
8
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
after he moved to Virginia, he did not seek tenants for the House Property because
Shockley told him Richard was moving in.41 Thus, Shockley has not shown
exclusive possession by Green and I decline to offset the fair rental value of the
House Property against Green for the period in which he resided in the House
Property.42
C. Rental Income from the Apartments Property
Shockley requests that the distribution reflect an accounting for the rental
income that Green received from the Apartments Property.43 A cotenant “is entitled
to an accounting from her cotenants for rents which [another cotenant] has received
from third parties for the use of the lot owned in common.”44 At trial, Green showed
that he collected $47,215.50 in rent on the Apartments Property between November
41
See Trial Tr. 119:17-22; id. 120:14-21.
42
The parties dispute when Green resided in the House Property, with Green claiming he
moved out in February of 2018, and Shockley arguing that Green still used the House
Property as his residence until October of 2018. See Trial Tr. 25:20; id. 119:17-22; id. 68:2-
18. However, since I find no ouster has been shown, I do not need to determine the exact
timing of Green’s move from the House Property.
43
D.I. 41, at 3-5.
44
Mougianis v. Embassy Realty Co., 112 A.2d 844, 847 (Del. Ch. 1955).
9
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
of 2017 and November of 2019.45 In addition, the evidence shows that Shockley’s
agent, Richard, collected $5,200.00 in rent for the Apartments Property.46
Green and Shockley disagree on the period during which the rental income
should be accounted for. Shockley argues that the rental income accrues to both co-
tenants beginning at Decedent’s death in February of 2016.47 Green asserts that
45
See Trial Tr. 14:1-15:3. Green affirmed that his Trial Exhibit B was an accurate
reflection of the amount of rent collected during that period. Id. Shockley disputed the
accuracy of Green’s statement, arguing that Green underrepresented rents collected,
including for Apartments C, D and E. See id. 65:6-8; 74:3-76:24. But, Shockley failed to
present proof that Green collected any rental income other than what was reported on Trial
Exhibit B. The only tenant to testify about rental payments was Margie Joseph (“Joseph”),
who testified that she paid rent on the trailer at the Apartments Property to Richard. See
Trial Tr. 112:10-17; id. 115:21-116:9. Shockley provided a copy of a lease for Apartment
C between Green and Matthew Joseph (“Matthew”) which listed the rent as $650.00 per
month beginning on August 19, 2018. Resp’t Tr. Ex. F. He also provided the notice, dated
October 15, 2018, stating that Matthew was delinquent in paying $1035.00 in rent. Id. That
evidence does not prove that Matthew provided rent to Green, considering that the claimed
delinquency amount was similar to the amount that would have been due for Matthew’s
two months under the lease. Shockley further claims that he should receive his share of
rental income collected by Green for November of 2019 that was deducted from the
Apartments Property’s sale proceeds. Trial Tr. 62:15-21. The November of 2019 rent
collections are included in rental income calculated in Green’s Trial Exhibit B. Pet’r Tr.
Ex. B.
46
Shockley testified that Richard collected $4,400.00 in rent for the Apartments Property.
See Trial Tr. 78:10-11. Richard testified that he collected $400.00 in rent from Joseph but
didn’t know for what time period, saying “probably less than a year.” Id. 104:6-9. Joseph
testified that she gave Richard $400 per month for 13 months (from September 2018 to
September 2019), which equals $5,200.00 in rent for the trailer. See id. 112:6-17; id.
114:10-12. Green asserts that Richard also collected rental fees for Apartment C but
provided no proof of that claim. See Pet’r Tr. Ex. E. Richard denies Green’s claim and
testified he only received rental monies for the trailer. Trial Tr. 101:19-21; id. 102:4-12.
Weighing this conflicting testimony, I rely on the most specific and credible testimony and
determine that Richard collected $5,200.00 in rent for the trailer.
47
See Trial Tr. 63:9-64:3.
10
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
Decedent’s estate (the “Estate”) managed the Apartments Property prior to its
closing and that by failing to object to the Estate accountings, Shockley cannot now
seek an accounting of those transactions.48
I consider the rental income for the Apartments Property beginning from
Decedent’s death in February of 2016. Delaware law is well settled that
beneficiaries take real property interests under a will “immediately upon the death
of the testator subject to be divested if it be necessary to sell it for the payment of
debts of the deceased.”49 Thus, Green and Shockley became tenants in common
with respect to the Properties immediately upon Decedent’s death. The rental
income from the Apartments Property accrued not to the Estate but to Green and
Shockley as tenants in common.
Green testified that the attorney for the Estate handled the rental income and
payment of expenses for the Apartments Property during the estate administration.50
Despite that claim, however, the Estate’s First and Final Account filed with the
Register of Wills shows no income or expenses of the Estate beyond administrative
48
See id. 126:3-19.
49
In re Est. of Bernstein, 17 A.3d 1172, 1176, n. 10 (Del. Ch. 2011) (quoting In re Harris’
Est., 44 A.2d 18, 19 (Del. Orphans’ Ct. 1945)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
50
See Trial Tr. 13:7-10; id., at 38:11-39:11.
11
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
expenses of the Estate and attorneys’ fees.51 Under Delaware law, if an estate
collects rents and profits of the decedent’s real estate, the executor or administrator
must account for those rents and profits as assets of the estate. 52 Because the First
and Final Account did not list rents and profits from the Properties, rents and profits
were not treated as estate assets. Further, because the First and Final Account failed
to address the income or expenses pertaining to the Apartments Property, it would
not have put Shockley on notice to object to the Estate’s handling of those matters.
Accordingly, I conclude that Shockley’s failure to object to the First and Final
Account does not foreclose looking at rental income that accrued between March of
2016 and October of 2017.53
51
ROW Folio, D.I. 20. The First and Final Account was signed by Green as “just and true
to the best of [his] knowledge and belief,” under penalty of perjury. Id.
52
See 12 Del. C. §§ 1902, 2301.
53
In his exceptions, Green argues that consideration of the period from Decedent’s death
in February 2016 to the Estate’s closing in October 2017 in the partition action is barred
by 12 Del. C. §2302(d), and an improper collateral attack on a determination made by the
ROW and this Court in approving the accounting. D.I. 75, at 6-10. Shockley argues that
Green’s position at trial is contrary to the position he took before the ROW. D.I. 78, at 3.
A beneficiary of an estate must file exceptions in writing with the ROW within three
months of the filing of an account. 12 Del. C. § 2302(d). However, this does not bar claims
regarding funds that are not assets of an estate. See generally Est. of Simmons, 2016 WL
590373, at *5 (Del. Ch. Feb. 11, 2016). Here, the First and Final Account, to which Green
averred its accuracy, and the accompanying documentation, show that the Estate received
no income during its administration. ROW Folio, D.I. 20; id., Acct. Proofs. Had Green
collected the rental income from the Apartments Property on behalf of the Estate, that
income would have become an asset of the Estate, and Green would have accounted for it
in the First and Final Account. See 12 Del. C. §§ 1902(a); 2301(a); see also Harman v.
Eastburn, 76 A.2d 315 (Del. Ch. 1950). Because Green did not account for it as an Estate
12
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
asset, the rental income was not an Estate asset, and it may be subject to these claims in
partition.
Green also contends that the approved First and Final Account serves as a judicial
determination that the rental proceeds from the Apartments Property were Estate assets,
which cannot be subject to a collateral attack. D.I. 75, at 8-10; D.I. 79, at 4-5. “A collateral
attack is an attempt to ‘avoid, defeat, evade, or deny the force and effect of a final order or
judgment in an incidental proceeding other than by appeal, writ of error, certiorari, or
motion for new trial.’” In re Vale, 2015 WL 721038, at *4 (Del. Ch. Feb. 19, 2015)
(citations omitted). The Court of Chancery, through the ROW, supervises the
administration of decedent’s estates and approves the accountings. See 12 Del. C. § 2301;
In re Webb’s Est., 269 A.2d 413 (Del. Ch. 1970). “Accounts passed by an administrator
before the [ROW] are final and conclusive, unless excepted to and carried into the [Court
of Chancery], in the due course of such appellate proceedings, wherein alone they can be
questioned.” State v. Barnett, 42 A. 420, 421 (Del. Super. 1895). Here, the First and Final
Account shows that the Estate received no income during its administration, and I will not
revisit that determination. Shockley’s rent claims do not constitute an improper collateral
attack on a final judgment, or an “appeal” of, or an attempt to modify, the First and Final
Account, since the Apartments Property’s rental income was not addressed in that
accounting. Instead, Green’s obligation to account for the rental income in this partition
action stems from his co-tenancy with Shockley of the Apartments Property. See supra
note 44 and accompanying text. I do not find the cases cited by Green in support of his
argument persuasive. D.I. 75, at 8-9. He cites Gulf LNG Energy, LLC v. Eni USA Gas
Mktg. LLC, but, unlike the situation here, the claims at issue in that case were, in effect, an
“appeal” of a final arbitration award and time-barred. 242 A.3d 575, 590 (Del. 2020), cert.
denied, 142 S. Ct. 76 (2021). Therefore, rental income that was not included in the Estate
is appropriately considered in this partition action.
In his exceptions, Green also asserts that Shockley had actual knowledge that the
Estate was handling the rental proceeds from the Apartments Property between Decedent’s
death and October of 2017, despite Green’s failure to account for the rental proceeds in the
First and Final Account. D.I. 75, at 4-5, 7-8 (citing D.I. 29, Aff.). Green argues that
Shockley’s correspondence with Green’s then-attorney constitutes an acknowledgement
by Shockley that the Estate was collecting the rental income from the Apartments Property.
Shockley averred that he “acknowledged to [Green’s then-attorney his] desire to retain
ownership of the properties … Mr. Green would collect the rents.” D.I. 29, Aff., ¶ 4.
Shockley’s communications reveal that he considered himself at that time to be a “co-
tenant” with Green regarding the House Property and the Apartments Property. Id.; see
also Resp’t Tr. Ex. B (letter from Green’s then-attorney to Shockley indicating that
Shockley owns a 50% interest in the House Property). Thus, this affidavit does not show
that Shockley knew the Estate was handling the rental proceeds.
13
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
However, no evidence was provided concerning the exact amounts of rent
collected for the period between Decedent’s death and October of 2017.54 Shockley
asks the Court to presume that the Apartments Property was fully rented and all rents
due were collected during that period.55 This would be inequitable. Trial testimony
shows that the Apartments Property’s rental units went through periods of partial
vacancy, and that rent collection did not always occur.56 I find the most equitable
means of setting the rental income between March of 2016 and October of 2017 is
to estimate the rent collection during that period by averaging the actual monthly
collection from November of 2017 through November of 2019.57
54
See Pet’r Tr. Ex. B.
55
See Trial Tr. 65:5-10.
56
See e.g., id. 18:18-24 (describing one tenant who never paid rent); id. 21:16-22
(describing another tenant who paid rent irregularly); see also id. 39:12-22 (Green’s
testimony that the rents collected during the period of the estate were “[b]asically, about
the same thing” as the rents collected after the estate was closed).
57
In his exceptions, Green contends that this analysis is “speculative.” D.I. 75, at 9. Green
testified that he collected the rents from the Apartments Property from Decedent’s death
until November of 2017, and that the rents collected from the Apartments Property during
that time were “[b]asically, about the same thing” as from November of 2017 to November
of 2019. Trial Tr. 37:5-7; id. 39:20. Green also testified that he “didn’t have” the records
of rental collection from Decedent’s death until November of 2017. Id. 43:24-44:1.
Because evidence of rental income accrued between Decedent’s death and October of 2017
was not presented at trial but trial testimony established that Green collected the rents
during that period at a similar rate, I find using an average of proven monthly rents
collected between November of 2017 and November of 2019 to calculate rental income
during the earlier period is the most equitable means to resolve this issue.
14
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
Combining the amount of rent Green collected ($47,215.50) and the amount
that Shockley collected ($5,200.00), from November of 2017 to November of 2019,
the Apartments Property generated $52,415.50 in revenue. On a monthly basis, this
averages to $2,096.62 per month over the 25-month period. Using the monthly
average over the additional 20-month period, the Apartments Property generated an
estimated $41,932.40 in revenue from March of 2016 to October of 2017. In total
from March of 2016 to November of 2019, the Apartments Property generated an
estimated $94,347.90 in revenue. Green and Shockley are each entitled to
$47,173.95, representing one half of the total revenue, less contributions or expenses
paid.
Green realized approximately $87,447.40 of this revenue.58 Shockley realized
$6,900.50 of this revenue.59 To make both these numbers equal $47,173.95,60
Shockley must receive an additional $40,273.45 from the partition proceeds, and
Green’s share must be reduced by $40,273.45.
58
Green testified that he was collecting rents from the Apartments Property during the
period in which the Estate was open. See Trial Tr. 37:5-7. Therefore, I impute to him all
the revenues collected during that period by adding $47,215.50 (November of 2017 –
November of 2019) and $41,932.40 (March of 2016 – October of 2017) and subtracting
his payments to Shockley (totaling $1,700.50).
59
I calculate this by adding to the $5,200.00 collected by Richard: (1) $710.00 that Green
transferred to Shockley’s account; and (2) $990.50 in checks that Green sent to Richard.
See Pet’r Tr. Ex. D.
60
$47,173.95 is one-half of the total estimated rental revenue of $94,347.90.
15
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
D. Contributions for Mortgage and Tax Expenses
Green seeks contribution from Shockley for $9,022.59 in mortgage payments
and $297.15 in property taxes.61 Shockley claims contribution from Green for
$200.00 he paid in property taxes.62
“[A] cotenant not in possession also has a duty to contribute to the cotenant in
possession as to any payments on a mortgage or for taxes.”63 The party claiming
contributions for taxes, repairs, or other costs has the burden of proof.64
Here, I find there is sufficient evidence to show that Green made $7,153.73 in
mortgage payments on the House Property.65 Green, however, provided no proof of
making the $297.15 property tax payment and I decline to include it in his
contributions. Although Green testified that he paid income taxes on the rental
61
See Pet’r Tr. Ex. D.
62
Resp’t Tr. Ex. O.
63
Haygood v. Parker, 2013 WL 1805602, at *3 (Del. Ch. Apr. 30, 2013) (citing Carradin
v. Carradin, 1980 WL 268076, at *2 (Del. Ch. Sept. 22, 1980)); see also Est. of Weber v.
Weber [“Weber”], 2014 WL 589714, at *5 (Del. Ch. Feb. 17, 2014) (“Delaware law
requires cotenants to share equally the taxes imposed on jointly-owned property and
insurance costs associated with the property, even when one cotenant has exclusive
possession of the property.”) (citations omitted); In re Real Estate of Turulski, 1993 WL
18767, at *5 (Del. Ch. Jan. 21, 1993) (co-tenant is reimbursed for payments on taxes related
to partition sale proceeds distribution).
64
Weber, 2014 WL 589714, at *5-6 (denying contribution claims because the cotenant
“provided no justification” for the claimed figures).
65
Pet’r Tr. Ex. D; see App., Table 1.
16
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
income from the Apartments Property,66 I discount that claim because Green did not
provide proof that he paid income taxes or the amount of taxes paid. I find Shockley
has provided sufficient proof that he paid $200.00 in property taxes.
Additionally, as I have imputed rental income to Green for the period between
Decedent’s death and October of 2017, I will impute to Green and Shockley the
mortgage and taxes expenses for this period. Combining the amount of expenses
Green incurred ($7,153.73) and the amount that Shockley incurred ($200.00), from
November of 2017 to November of 2019, $7,353.73 in mortgage and taxes expenses
was expended on the two properties. On a monthly basis, this averages to $294.15
per month over the 25-month period. Of this, Green contributed an approximate
$286.15 per month, and Shockley contributed approximately $8.00 per month.
Using the monthly averages over the additional 20-month period, an additional
estimated $5,883.00 in mortgage and taxes expenses from March of 2016 to October
of 2017, of which Green incurred $5,723.00 and Shockley incurred $160.00. In total
from March of 2016 to November of 2019, the co-tenants incurred $13,236.73 in
mortgage and taxes expenses.
In total, Green incurred an estimated $12,876.73 in mortgage and taxes
expenses, and Shockley incurred an estimated $360.00 in mortgage and taxes
66
See Trial Tr. 28:6-18.
17
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
expenses. For both co-tenant’s share of the mortgage and taxes expenses to equal
$6,618.36,67 Green will receive an additional $6,258.36 from the partition proceeds,
and Shockley’s share will be reduced by $6,258.36.
E. Contributions for Utilities, Repairs, and Maintenance
As part of the rental of the Apartments Property, Green incurred various
expenses related to common utilities, repairs, and maintenance in the course of the
rental agreements.68 Green claims (1) $3,170.60 in utility costs, (2) $5,176.84 in the
costs of repair supplies and skilled repairmen, and (3) $21,295.00 for his own labor
in maintenance and expenses.69 Shockley opposes this request to the extent that
maintenance expenses were not approved by agreement between the two co-tenants
or that Green cannot prove the expenses.70
If proven,71 payments for repairs may be allowed pursuant to an agreement or
consent between the cotenants.72 Additionally, the Court may consider such
67
$6,618.36 is one-half of the total estimated mortgage and taxes expenses of $13,236.73.
68
See Trial Tr. 31:2-36:19.
69
See Pet’r Tr. Ex. D.
70
See Trial Tr. 68:23-69:14; id. 71:2-72:16.
71
See Weber, 2014 WL 589714, at *5-6 (Del. Ch. Feb. 17, 2014). The parties each have
the burden of providing sufficient proof of their claimed contributions, including cancelled
checks or receipts, to show that the expenses or damages claimed are proven to a reasonable
certainty and are not speculative or conjectural. See generally H & H Brand Farms, Inc. v.
Simpler, 1994 WL 374308, at *5 (Del. Ch. June 10, 1994).
72
Haygood v. Parker, 2013 WL 1805602, at *5 (Del. Ch. Apr. 30, 2013) (citing In re
McCaffrey, 1995 WL 37794, at *1 (Del. Ch. May 31, 1995)).
18
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
expenses as an offset to rental income,73 and the Court may, as a matter of equity,
compensate a co-tenant proportionally out of sale proceeds in a partition for
improvements made by one co-tenant if “those improvements have enhanced the
value of the property.”74
Here, there is evidence that Green and Shockley agreed to share the reasonable
costs of renting the Apartments Property.75 I allow Green’s proven expenses because
they were incurred in the course of renting the Apartments Property, which
benefitted both co-tenants. I find that Green has provided proof that he paid
$1,906.23 in utility costs76 and $4,368.09 for repairs77 to the Apartments Property,
73
Cf. Hunsucker, 2019 WL 1984242, at *2 (Del. Ch. May 3, 2019) (declining under the
facts of the case to consider rental income and expenses because the parties had previously
divided the income and costs of the two apartments on the partitioned property).
74
Weber, 2014 WL 589714, at *5. To be entitled to contribution from sale proceeds, a co-
tenant must show that the other co-tenant agreed to the repairs or that improvements
enhanced the property’s value. Id.75
See Pet’r Tr. Ex. C (letter from Shockley directing Green to “let Richard know of any
repairs being done” and for Richard “to agree on any moneys [sic] being spent on [the
Properties]”; D.I. 49, Ex. B (letter from Shockley to Green suggesting an agreement for an
even split of repair expenses).
76
Payments for a trash dumpster for the Apartments Property, in the amount of $1,432.90,
and $473.33 for electricity to power the water pump for the rental units, make up the proven
utility expenses paid by Green. See Pet’r Tr. Ex. D; App., Table 2; Trial Tr. 31:2-32:5; id.
48:11-20.
77
Proven repair costs include Green’s documented payments for repair supplies and for
plumbing-related repairs and the septic system. See Pet’r Tr. Ex. D; App., Table 3. Green
testified that the Apartments Property had persistent issues with its plumbing and septic
systems that required the pumping of its holding tank on a regular basis. Trial Tr. 35:2-
36:4. The proven repair supplies were determined by matching receipts and credit card
statements in Green’s Trial Exhibit D with his claimed list of expenses in that exhibit. See
19
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
for a total of $6,274.32. This reflects expenditures sufficiently documented by
Green through receipts submitted as evidence at trial.78 I decline to award Green his
claimed labor and maintenance expenses. Green claims approximately $400 per
month in “Maintenance” costs and additional “Labor” costs.79 Green testified that
these expenses reflect his own labor,80 but he failed to provide any detail on the tasks
he performed, how long those tasks took, or the fair market value of his services.81
Green, thus, “has provided no justification for the … figure[s he] assigns to [his]
‘labor’ costs.”82
In addition, since I have imputed rental income for the Apartments Property
for the period between March of 2016 and October of 2017, it is equitable that I
similarly account for repair and utility costs for that period. Green incurred
$6,274.32 in repair and utility expenses from November of 2017 to November of
2019. On a monthly basis, this averages to $250.97 per month over the 25-month
Pet’r Tr. Ex. D. If Green did not provide payment documentation, I did not consider the
expense on Green’s list as proven.
78
See Pet’r Tr. Ex. D.
79
Id. Green also claims $300.00 for time spent in court appearances in October and
November of 2019 but provided no detail on those expenses. Id. He also provided a copy
of a $40.00 check to JP Court dated July 20, 2018 but did not provide documentation to
show the check was associated with a court action for the Apartments Property. Id. Since
I find those expenses are not supported by sufficient documentation, I do not include them.
80
See Trial Tr. 33:13-34:12.
81
Pet’r Tr. Ex. D.
82
Weber, 2014 WL 589714, at *6 (Del. Ch. Feb. 17, 2014).
20
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
period. Using the monthly average over the additional 20-month period, Green
incurred an estimated $5,019.40 in repair and utility expenses from March of 2016
to October of 2017.
In total from March of 2016 to November of 2019, Green incurred an
estimated $11,293.72 in utility and repair expenses. To assess equal utility and
repair expenses to both co-tenants ($5,646.86),83 Green will receive an additional
$5,646.86 from the partition proceeds, and Shockley’s share will be reduced by
$5,646.86.
F. Attorneys’ Fees
Green requests contribution for $2,053.00 in attorneys’ fees.84 Shockley
disputes this request, arguing that Green is responsible for his own attorneys’ fees in
this matter.85 “Delaware follows the ‘American Rule,’ which provides that each
party is generally expected to pay its own attorneys’ fees regardless of the outcome
of the litigation.”86 Equitable exceptions to the American Rule include the bad faith
83
$5,646.86 is one-half of the total estimated utility and repair expenses of $11,293.72.
84
See Pet. Tr. Ex. D.
85
See Trial Tr. 73:20-24.
86
Shawe v. Elting, 157 A.3d 142, 149 (Del. 2017); see also Mahani v. Edix Media Grp.,
Inc., 935 A.2d 242, 245 (Del. 2007); ATP Tour, Inc. v. Deutscher Tennis Bund, 91 A.3d
554, 558 (Del. 2014).
21
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
exception,87 and the “common benefit doctrine.”88 Here, I find no basis to shift
Green’s attorneys’ fees and costs to Shockley. There is no evidence of bad faith
conduct on the part of Shockley, or that Green’s efforts to partition the Properties
produced a benefit that would not otherwise have existed.89 Therefore, Green’s
claim for attorneys’ fees is denied, and he must bear his own attorneys’ fees and
costs.
G. Court Costs to be Paid by Shockley
On February 28, 2019, I granted Shockley’s In Forma Pauperis application
with the condition that Shockley would “[p]ay fees and court costs upon the
condition that the real property is sold.”90 The Register in Chancery has calculated
that Shockley’s fees and court costs related to this case as of the time of the draft
87
Delaware courts have awarded attorney’s fees for bad faith when “parties have
unnecessarily prolonged or delayed litigation, falsified records or knowingly asserted
frivolous claims.” Kaung v. Cole Nat. Corp., 884 A.2d 500, 506 (Del. 2005) (citing
Johnston v. Arbitrium (Cayman Islands) Handels AG, 720 A.2d 542, 546 (Del. 1998)); see
also RBC Capital Markets, LLC v. Jervis, 129 A.3d 816, 877 (Del. 2015) (citation omitted).
88
“The common benefit doctrine . . . is designed to equitably spread the costs of producing
a benefit realized by a group, which benefit, absent the Plaintiff’s efforts, would not exist.”
Moore v. Davis, 2011 WL 3890534, at *2 (Del. Ch. Aug. 29, 2011).
89
Courts have found that partition sales result “in the co-tenants exchanging an asset of
equal value, i.e., the co-tenants exchange an undivided fractional ownership in the property
for a corresponding fractional interest in the net value of the property upon sale. The result
is a wash and, therefore, no benefit to the group results from a petitioner’s actions in a
typical partition case.” Estate of Proffitt v. Miles, 2012 WL 3542202, at *2 (Del. Ch. Aug.
4, 2012); see also Moore, 2011 WL 3890534, at *2.
90
D.I. 18.
22
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
report total $1,808.50.91 Pursuant to the February 28, 2019 Order, the Trustee will
be directed to disburse $1,808.50 from Shockley’s share of the partition proceeds to
the Register in Chancery.
III. Conclusion
For the reasons set forth above, I recommend that the Court direct that the
remaining sale proceeds in the amount of $121,781.58 be distributed by the Trustee
as follows: $32,522.56 to Green,92 $87,450.52 to Shockley,93 and $1,808.50 to the
Register in Chancery. This is a final report, and exceptions may be taken under
Court of Chancery Rule 144.
Sincerely,
/s/ Patricia W. Griffin
Master in Chancery
91
In the interest of efficiency and recognizing that additional costs would be minimal, I
limit the court costs to the amount due when the draft report was filed.
92
I reach this figure by taking $60,890.79 (one half of the proceeds held by the Trustee),
subtracting $40,273.45 (representing the excess rental revenue Green received), adding
$6,258.36 (representing Green’s excess contribution to mortgage and taxes), and adding
$5,646.86 (representing Green’s contribution to repair and utility expenses).
93
This figure is calculated by taking $60,890.79 (one half of the proceeds held by the
Trustee), adding $40,273.45 (representing the excess rental revenue Green received),
subtracting $6,258.36 (representing Green’s excess contribution to mortgage and taxes),
subtracting $5,646.86 (representing Green’s contribution to repair and utility expenses),
and subtracting $1,808.50 (representing Shockley’s court costs to be paid to the Register
in Chancery).
23
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
Appendix: Green’s Proved Expenses
TABLE 1: Mortgage Payments
Date Paid To Amount Citation
12/08/2017 WEB PMT MR $1,316.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, at 9
COOPER
02/22/2018 WEB PMT MR $2,000.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, at
COOPER 28
03/12/2018 Nationstar dba $1,737.73 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, at
RETRY PYMT 32
06/06/2018 WEB PMT MR $1,400.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, at
COOPER 34
07/10/2018 WEB PMT MR $700.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, at
COOPER 42
TOTAL $7,153.73
TABLE 2: Utility Costs to the Apartments Property
Date Paid To Amount Citation
11/10/2017 Water Pump $18.17 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
11/17/2017 Chesapeake Waste $100.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 8
12/11/2018 Water Pump $18.71 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
01/09/2018 Water Pump $18.56 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
02/12/2018 Water Pump $37.20 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
03/14/2018 Water Pump $28.93 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
03/27/2018 Chesapeake Waste $100.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 21
02/08/2018 Chesapeake Waste $100.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 30
04/11/2018 Water Pump $18.43 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
04/24/2018 Chesapeake Waste $72.90 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 36
24
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
04/24/2018 Chesapeake Waste $100.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 36
05/11/2018 Water Pump $18.51 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
06/11/2018 Water Pump $18.49 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
07/12/2018 Water Pump $18.57 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
07/31/2018 Chesapeake Waste $100.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 46
08/13/2018 Water Pump $18.35 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
09/11/2018 Water Pump $18.20 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
09/18/2018 Chesapeake Waste $100.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 50
10/12/2018 Water Pump $18.89 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
11/09/2018 Water Pump $18.22 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
11/14/2018 Chesapeake Waste $180.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 53
12/11/2018 Water Pump $18.56 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
01/09/2019 Water Pump $16.06 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
01/14/2019 Chesapeake Waste $100.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 59
02/12/2019 Water Pump $19.36 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
03/14/2019 Water Pump $18.90 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
04/11/2019 Water Pump $18.54 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
05/07/2019 Chesapeake Waste $96.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 69
05/10/2019 Water Pump $18.56 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
06/11/2019 Water Pump $18.92 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
06/25/2019 Chesapeake Waste $96.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 73
07/12/2019 Water Pump $18.85 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
07/18/2019 Chesapeake Waste $96.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 75
08/12/2019 Water Pump $18.82 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
09/11/2019 Water Pump $18.93 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 81
10/11/2019 Water Pump $18.60
10/11/2019 Chesapeake Waste $192.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 79
TOTAL $1,906.23
25
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
TABLE 3: Repairs to the Apartments Property
Date Paid To Amount Citation
12/11/2017 Lowes $358.97 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 12
12/13/2017 Lowes $8.54 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 12
12/21/2017 Johnson’s Sewer $350.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 10,
& Drain 13
12/22/2017 Lowes $16.11 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 12
12/24/2017 Lowes $19.04 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 12
01/01/2018 East Coast $149.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 18
Plumbing Service
01/9/2018 McMullen Septic $250.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 17,
Service, Inc. 18
01/18/2018 East Coast $249.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 23
Plumbing Service
01/18/2018 McMullen Septic $220.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 23
Service
01/20/2018 Lowes $15.83 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 15
01/21/2018 Lowes $36.07 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 15
01/21/2018 East Coast $149.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 23
Plumbing Service
01/21/2018 East Coast $149.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 23
Plumbing Service
01/25/2018 Lowes $14.24 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 15
02/06/2018 Lowes $24.17 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 19
02/08/2018 Lowes $139.15 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 19
02/10/2018 Lowes $57.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 19
02/18/2018 Lowes $33.71 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 19
03/01/2018 Penco Corporation $14.77 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 31
03/05/2018 Lowes $83.12 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 22
03/18/2018 Lowes $8.72 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 22
26
Melvin Green v. Gary Shockley
Case No. 2018-0782-PWG
January 31, 2021
04/28/2018 Grand Rental $28.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 36
Station
05/03/2018 Penco Corporation $15.83 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 36
08/12/2018 Laurel $3.99 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 48
Community
Hardware
08/28/2018 McMullen Septic $280.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 44
Service
12/05/2018 Slaughter Septic $225.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 53
12/07/2018 East Coast $59.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 54
Plumbing Service
12/10/2018 East Coast $704.00 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 54
Plumbing Service
04/30/2019 Lowes $39.16 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 62
05/01/2019 Lowes $11.95 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 65
07/17/2019 Sherwin Williams $205.38 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 71
07/27/2019 Lowes $450.34 Pet. Tr. Ex. D, 72
TOTAL $4,368.09
27