Robert Tack v. Mary M. Lipetz

COURT OF CHANCERY
OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE
PATRICIA W. GRIFFIN CHANCERY COURTHOUSE
MASTER IN CHANCERY 34 The Circle
GEORGETOWN, DELAWARE 19947
Date Submitted: June 7, 2021
Draft Report : September 23, 2021
Final Report: October 6, 2021
Dean A. Campbell, Esquire Via U.S. Mail
Dean A. Campbell, P.A. Mary M. Lipetz
P.O. Box 568 317 East Street N.E.
110 West Pine Street Vienna, Virginia 22180
Georgetown, Delaware 19947
RE: Robert Tack v. Mary M. Lipetz, Trustee of the Mary Meade Lipetz Revocable
Trust Dated December 6, 2007, as Amended and Completely Restated on
June 3, 2010, and The Boxwood House Condominium Association of
Owners
C.A. No. 2020-0576-PWG
Dear Counsel and Ms. Lipetz:
Pending before me is the matter of damages against the defaulted defendant
in this case, and the plaintiff’s claim against that defendant for attorneys’ fees
under 25 Del. C. §81-417. Based upon the evidence presented, I find that the
defaulted defendant is liable to plaintiff for $18,707.00 in damages for lost rental
income, plus post-judgment interest at the legal rate. I deny the plaintiff’s request
for an attorneys’ fees award. This is a final report.1
1
This report makes the same substantive findings and recommendations as my
September 23, 2021 draft report, to which no exceptions were filed.
Tack v. Lipetz, et al.
C.A. No. 2020-0576-PWG
October 6, 2021
I. BACKGROUND2
Robert Tack (“Tack”) filed his Complaint for Injunctive Relief and Damages
on July 14, 2020 against Mary M. Lipetz as Trustee for the Mary Meade Lipetz
Revocable Trust Dated December 6, 2007, as Amended and Completely Restated
on June 3, 2010, (the “Lipetz Trust”)3 and the Boxwood House Condominium
Association of Owners (the “Association”).4 Tack sought injunctive relief against
the Lipetz Trust and the Association, seeking to abate trespass and nuisance from a
continuing flow of leaking water and resulting money damages.5 The Association
responded on September 10, 2020.6 The Lipetz Trust was served but failed to
respond,7 and, upon Tack’s motion, I granted a default judgment against the Lipetz
Trust on November 9, 2020.8 Following that default judgment, Tack requested an
inquisition hearing to determine the amount of damages to be assessed against the
2
I refer to the transcript from the inquisition hearing held on April 19, 2021 as “First Inq.
Tr.,” and the transcript from the supplemental inquisition hearing held on June 7, 2021 as
“Sec. Inq. Tr.” I refer to Tack’s exhibits admitted at the June 7, 2021 supplemental
inquisition hearing as “Sec. Inq. Tr. Ex.”
3
Although Ms. Lipetz and the Lipetz Trust have both been referred to in this action’s
proceedings, the Lipetz Trust is the defendant in this litigation and Ms. Lipetz’s
involvement in this litigation is only as trustee for the Lipetz Trust.
4
Docket Item (“D.I.”) 1.
5
Id., at 4-6.
6
D.I. 3.
7
See D.I. 8.
8
D.I. 9.
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C.A. No. 2020-0576-PWG
October 6, 2021
Lipetz Trust related to the default judgment.9 An initial inquisition hearing was
held on April 19, 2021, and a supplemental inquisition hearing was held on June 7,
2021.10 Lipetz Trust, through Ms. Lipetz as trustee, received notice but failed to
appear at both inquisition hearings.11
On September 21, 2021, Tack and the Association stipulated to a dismissal
of Tack’s claims against the Association.12 I granted that dismissal on September
21, 2021.13
9
D.I. 10. The default judgment order granted injunctive relief. See D.I. 9. However,
Tack later noted that the necessity for injunctive relief had become moot. See D.I. 10, at
2. Although the request for equitable relief has been resolved, this Court may retain
jurisdiction over money damages claims through its ancillary jurisdiction under the clean-
up doctrine. See Kraft v. WisdomTree Invs., Inc., 145 A.3d 969, 974 (Del. Ch. 2016).
Having acquired jurisdiction over part of a controversy, this Court may continue to
exercise jurisdiction over purely legal matters to “resolve a factual issue which must be
determined in the proceedings; to avoid a multiplicity of suits; to promote judicial
efficiency; to do full justice . . .” FirstString Research, Inc. v. JSS Medical Research Inc.,
2021 WL 2182829, at *6 (Del. Ch. May 28, 2021) (citation omitted). An unresolved
factual issue related to the default judgment is the amount of damages caused by the
Lipetz Trust. For this reason and in the interest of judicial efficiency, I retained
jurisdiction in order to determine damages against the Lipetz Trust under the default
judgment.
10
D.I. 16; D.I. 22. Both hearings were conducted via Zoom.
11
See D.I. 15; D.I. 17.
12
D.I. 26.
13
D.I. 28. Prior to this stipulation of dismissal, Tack and the Association had indicated
that they may transfer this case to the Superior Court following this decision to resolve
any remaining issues. See Sec. Inq. Tr. 10:7-12 (statement of counsel for Tack); Id.,
10:18-11:13 (statement of counsel for the Association).
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C.A. No. 2020-0576-PWG
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Tack owns real property known as Unit 1-E, The Boxwood House,
Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (“Unit 1-E”).14 The Lipetz Trust
owns real property known as Unit 2-E, The Boxwood House, Wilmington Avenue,
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (“Unit 2-E”).15 The Association is a homeowners
association comprised of the owners of the condominium units at the Boxwood
House in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.16 Boxwood House was constructed circa
1969.17 Unit 1-E is directly below Unit 2-E in the Boxwood House.18
Tack purchased Unit 1-E in February of 2019 to use primarily as an
investment property for seasonal rentals.19 At the time, it was an older property
and needed certain renovations to enhance its rental value.20 Tack engaged a local
contractor in 2019 to undertake these renovations so that Tack could offer Unit 1-E
as a seasonal rental in the 2020 season.21 During these renovations, the contractor
14
D.I. 1, ¶ 1; First Inq. Tr. 25:19-21.
15
D.I. 1, ¶ 2.
16
Sec. Inq. Tr. Ex. 1, Art. I; Id., Art. III.
17
D.I. 1, ¶ 4.
18
Sec. Inq. Tr. 15:6-8.
19
First Inq. Tr. 26:7-13.
20
Id., 26:21-24.
21
Id., 27:5-28:12; Sec. Inq. Tr. 14:2-12.
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discovered significant water damage in the ceiling of Unit 1-E, and the completion
of the renovations was delayed.22
The contractor determined that this water damage was “[d]ue to a leak from
above,” and indicated that the water leak was on-going.23 This stopped the
renovation work on Unit 1-E.24 The contractor at one point entered Unit 2-E and
discovered in Unit 2-E’s bathroom “a handful of items that were visibly noticeably
leaking, and obvious damage into that unit.”25 The contractor determined that the
areas of Unit 2-E in which he discovered leaks were directly above the areas of
Unit 1-E that had the worst water damage.26 He poured water on the bathroom
floor of Unit 2-E and saw that water going through to Unit 1-E.27 He testified that
proper maintenance in Unit 2-E, including caulking or flashing around the bathtub
and grout around the tile, would have prevented the water leaks.28 Before the
water damage was discovered, the contractor testified that he was on schedule to
complete the renovations by Memorial Day of 2020, in time for the tourist rental
22
Id., 14:13-21; First Inq. Tr. 28:15-23.
23
Sec. Inq. Tr. 14:17; First Inq. Tr. 28:17-23; Id., 41:5-9.
24
Sec. Inq. Tr. 14:13-15.
25
Id., 16:1-9. The leaks emanated from cracks in the tile in the bathroom and open areas
in Unit 2-E’s bathroom floor. Id., 16:12-17:12; see also Sec. Inq. Tr. Ex. 9.
26
Sec. Inq. Tr. 21:19-24:16; Id., 33:15-18.
27
Id., 23:13-17.
28
Id., 36:21-37:8; id., 37:16-20.
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season.29 After the water leaks were repaired, renovation work resumed
immediately and was completed around Labor Day of 2020, which did not leave
sufficient time to market the property for rentals before the end of the 2020
season.30
During the 2019 rental season, Unit 1-E was rented fairly consistently from
June 1 to September 21.31 In total, Unit 1-E generated $18,707.00 in rental income
for the 2019 season.32 The realtor, who handled seasonal rentals and specifically
rentals of Unit 1-E, testified that Tack was unable to rent Unit 1-E during the 2020
season.33 She also testified that, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, rental revenues
were higher in the 2020 season, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.34 She stated that
she “would have been able to book [Unit 1-E] very well . . . because we were
booked solid with all of our smaller properties.”35
Tack testified that he seeks damages for lost rental income in the amount of
$18,707.00.36 He also seeks reasonable attorneys’ fees under 25 Del. C. §81-417.37
29
Id., 40:12-20.
30
Id., 26:5-17; id., 41:11-18; id., 43:19-44:16.
31
First Inq. Tr. 15:2-18; id., 17:22-24; Sec. Inq. Tr. Ex. 4.
32
First Inq. Tr. 16:6-9.
33
Id., 18:6-8.
34
Id., 18:19-19:2.
35
Id., 19:6-14.
36
Id., 58:1-7.
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II. ANALYSIS
A. Damage Award Against the Lipetz Trust
Tack seeks monetary damages resulting from a water leak emanating from
the Lipetz Trust’s property and impairing his property.38 Default judgment was
entered against the Lipetz Trust on November 9, 2020.39 Court of Chancery Rule
55(b) states in part “[i]f, in order to enable the Court to enter [default] judgment or
to carry it into effect, it is necessary to take into account or to determine the
amount of damages . . ., the Court may conduct such hearings or order such
references as it deems necessary and proper.”40 “Typically, the sole focus of
inquisition hearings is the amount of damages owed to the plaintiff, which is
determined by the trial court judge. The Court’s findings on damages are based on
a preponderance of the evidence.”41
In my order granting default judgment against the Lipetz Trust, I necessarily
determined that water from Unit 2-E had leaked into Unit 1-E and that this conduct
37
Id., 58:11-15; Sec. Inq. Tr. 50:23-52:13.
38
D.I. 1, at 5.
39
D.I. 9.
40
Ct. Ch. R. 55(b).
41
Jagger v. Schiavello, 93 A.3d 656, 659 (Del. Super. 2014) (citation omitted).
Preponderance of the evidence means “the side on which the greater weight of the
evidence is found.” Id. (citation omitted). Under the preponderance of the evidence
standard, “evidence that is unrebutted when presented by one side should be considered
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was tortious.42 What was left unresolved in that order was (1) the amount of
damages and (2) any apportionment of liability for those damages between the
Lipetz Trust and the Association. The determination of liability is this report is
limited solely to the Lipetz Trust.43
“The function of a damage award in a civil litigation is to provide just and
full compensation to a plaintiff who suffers injury or loss by reason of the conduct
of a tortfeasor.”44 Under Delaware law, “a plaintiff is entitled to compensation to
make him whole, but no more.”45 “In general, a right of action resulting from
tortious conduct encompasses all of the reasonably foreseeable consequences of
the tort.”46 A plaintiff may recover “against a tort-feasor for the loss of use of
conclusive.” Paton v. Yancy, 2014 WL 4674600, at *2 (Del. Super. Sept. 22, 2014)
(quoting Amalfitano v. Baker, 749 A.2d 575, 578 (Del. 2001)) (cleaned up).
42
See D.I. 9.
43
The Association’s liability is no longer at issue following the entry of the stipulation of
dismissal on September 21, 2021. See D.I. 28.
44
Maier v. Santucci, 697 A.2d 747, 749 (Del. 1997) (citation omitted); see also Jardel
Co. v. Huges, 523 A.2d 518, 528 (Del. 1987) (“The object and purpose of an award of
compensatory damages in a civil case is to impose satisfaction for an injury done. In tort
actions that satisfaction normally takes the form of an award of monetary damages to an
injured plaintiff, with the size of the award directly related to the harm caused by the
defendant.”) (citation omitted).
45
Stayton v. Del. Health Corp., 117 A.3d 521, 534 (Del. 2015) (internal quotation marks
and citation omitted).
46
Gill v. Cleotex Corp., 565 A.2d 21, 23 (Del. Super. 1989); see also Adams v. Hazel,
102 A.2d 919, 920 (Del. Super. 1954) (“A tort-feasor is liable for all natural, direct and
proximate consequences of his wrongful acts or omissions; or, for all the probable
consequences of such wrongful acts or omissions.”).
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property provided that the use was a lawful one and the damages are established
with reasonable certainty.”47 In a trespass action, our Supreme Court has indicated
that a plaintiff may recover, as foreseeable damages, the fair market rental value of
the real property.48
Tack presented evidence showing that the water damage to Unit 1-E was
caused by leaks originating from Unit 2-E.49 The evidence shows that the water
causing the damage was coming from Unit 2-E and not from any of the common
areas over which the Association had control, or other property.50 Therefore, I
conclude that the water damage to Tack’s property was caused only by the Lipetz
Trust.
Tack produced evidence confirming that Unit 1-E was unable to be rented in
the 2020 season because of the water damage.51 Further, Tack produced evidence
showing that his rental income for the 2020 season would have been approximately
47
Adams, 102 A.2d at 920.
48
See Rohner v. Niemann, 380 A.2d 549, 554 (Del. 1977).
49
See notes 22-27 supra and accompanying text.
50
See Sec. Inq. Tr. 27:9-29:18; id., 34:15-24.
51
See notes 28-29 supra and accompanying text.
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$18,707.00 and that he would have been able to rent it for the full season, had the
water leaks not occurred.52
Therefore, I conclude that damages in the amount of $18,707.00 shall be
assessed against the Lipetz Trust, which will place Tack in the position he would
have been but for the Lipetz Trust’s tortious conduct.
B. Attorneys’ Fees Under 25 Del. C. § 81-417
Tack seeks reasonable attorneys’ fees under 25 Del. C. §81-417 (the
“Enforcement Provision”).53 First, I note attorneys’ fees were not awarded as a
part of the default judgment.54 Considering Tack’s fee-shifting request, I decline to
award attorneys’ fees in this case.
Chapter 81 of Title 25 of the Delaware Code is the Delaware Uniform
Common Interest Ownership Act (the “DUCIOA”). By its terms, the DUCIOA
applies to common interest communities that were created on or after September
52
See notes 30-34 supra and accompanying text. I consider that the real estate agent
testified that rentals during the 2020 season were “up a considerable amount from 2019 to
2020.” See First Inq. Tr. 18:23-24; see also Sec. Inq. Tr. Ex. 5. Although this suggests
that the actual rental income for 2020 might have been higher than in 2019, adjusting this
figure based upon this conclusory testimony, would be speculative. I decline to make
such an adjustment without more concrete testimony. See Adams, 102 A.2d at 920(damages must be “established with reasonable certainty”). Further, Tack does not seek
any additional damages beyond $18,707.00. See n. 36 supra and accompanying text.
53
Sec. Inq. Tr. 52:8-13.
54
D.I. 9.
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30, 2009.55 If the common interest community was created before September 30,
2009, it is a “Pre-Existing Community,” and the Unit Property Act56 typically
provides the statutory framework governing those common interest communities.57
A Pre-Existing Community may choose to amend its governing documents to
comply with DUCIOA’s requirements or may select particular sections of
DUCIOA to apply to that community.58
However, certain “Enumerated Provisions” apply to Pre-Existing
Communities if the community’s governing documents do not address an issue.59
One of these Enumerated Provisions is the Enforcement Provision.60 The
Enforcement Provision states:
If a declarant or any other person subject to this chapter fails to
comply with any of its provisions or any provision of the declaration
or bylaws, any person or class adversely affected by the failure to
comply has a claim for appropriate relief. The court, in an appropriate
case, may award court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.61
55
25 Del. C. §81-116.
56
25 Del. C. §2201 et seq.
57
See 25 Del. C. §81-119; Bragdon v. Bayshore Property Owners Ass’n, Inc., 251 A.3d
661, 674 (Del. Ch. 2021).
58
25 Del. C. §81-119.
59
Id.; Bragdon, 251 A.3d at 676.
60
25 Del. C. §81-119; 25 Del. C. §81-417; Bragdon, 251 A.3d at 676-77.
61
25 Del. C. §81-417(a).
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Interpreting this provision, Vice Chancellor Laster, in Bragdon v. Bayshore
Property Owners Ass’n, Inc. [hereinafter “Bragdon”],62 analyzed whether the
Enforcement Provision applies in a particular case based upon three elements: (1)
whether there had been a violation of DUCIOA or a community’s declaration or
bylaws, (2) whether there was an adverse effect on the party seeking to recover
expenses under the Enforcement Provision, and (3) whether the case is an
appropriate case for expense shifting under the statute.63
The Enforcement Provision creates a cause of action based in the common
interest community’s declaration, bylaws or in some independent provision of
DUCIOA. When Vice Chancellor Laster in Bragdon granted attorneys’ fees under
this statute, he found that the common interest community’s association had
breached both the community’s declaration and DUCIOA.64
In my default judgment ruling, I found that the Lipetz Trust was liable for
trespass and nuisance—both common law property torts.65 I did not find that the
62
251 A.3d 661 (Del. Ch. 2021).
63
Id. at 677-89.
64
Id. at 679-81.
65
The default judgment order ordered injunctive relief “necessary to abate the flow of
leaking water” and judgment against the Lipetz Trust for reasonable damages resulting
from the leak. D.I. 9. It did not award attorneys’ fees. Id. Tack’s motion for default
judgment sought injunctive relief and judgment against the Lipetz Trust due to the water
leak emanating from its property and damaging Tack’s property. D.I. 8. It also asked for
attorneys’ fees pursuant to 25 Del. C. §81-417(a) and provisions in the Declaration and
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Lipetz Trust had violated DUCIOA or the Association’s Declaration Submitting
Real Property to Provisions of Unit Property Act 25 Del. C. §2201, et seq.
(“Declaration”),66 or its Code of Regulations.67 Tack’s Complaint only brought
claims for trespass and nuisance against the Lipetz Trust and not for any violation
of the Declaration, Code of Regulations, or DUCIOA.68 My finding of liability in
the default judgment against the Lipetz Trust was not based upon any duty arising
out of DUCIOA, the Declaration or bylaws. The Enforcement Provision provides
that a person’s right of action under that statute is contingent upon the failure of
another person or entity, who is subject to DUCIOA, to comply with DUCIOA or
the Declaration or bylaws.69 Because Tack sought only damages for common law
torts and did not make a claim against the Lipetz Trust for a violation of DUCIOA
or the Declaration, the Enforcement Provision is not applicable in this case.
Further, the Declaration or Code of Regulations do not specifically provide for fee-
shifting.70
Code of Regulations. Id. Tack’s Complaint, however, seeks only injunctive relief to
abate a continuing trespass and nuisance, resulting damages and attorneys’ fees. D.I. 1.
66
Sec. Inq. Tr. Ex. 7.
67
Id., Ex. 1.
68
See D.I. 1.
69
25 Del. C. §81-417; Bragdon v. Bayshore Property Owners Ass’n, Inc., 251 A.3d 661,
677 (Del. Ch. 2021).
70
See Sec. Inq. Tr. Exs. 1, 7.
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Finally, I consider whether attorneys’ fees should be awarded in this case
under the American Rule, which provides that each party is normally responsible
for their own attorneys’ fees, whatever the outcome of the litigation, absent express
statutory language to the contrary or an equitable doctrine exception, such as the
bad faith exception.71 Under the American Rule, Delaware courts have awarded
attorneys’ fees for bad faith when “parties have unnecessarily prolonged or delayed
litigation, falsified records or knowingly asserted frivolous claims.”72 “The bad
faith exception is applied in ‘extraordinary circumstances’ as a tool to deter
abusive litigation and to protect the integrity of the judicial process.”73 Here, I do
not find that the Lipetz Trust’s actions implicate the bad faith exception, and
decline to award attorneys’ fees to Tack in this case.
III. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, I recommend that the Court order that the
Mary Meade Lipetz Revocable Trust Dated December 6, 2007, as Amended and
Completely Restated on June 3, 2010, is liable to Robert Tack for damages in the
amount of $18,707.00, plus post-judgment interest at the legal rate. I also
71
Tandycrafts, Inc. v. Initio Partners, 562 A.2d 1162, 1164 (Del. 1989); see also
Johnston v. Arbitrium (Cayman Islands) Handels AG, 720 A.2d 542, 545 (Del. 1998).
72
Kaung v. Cole Nat. Corp., 884 A.2d 500, 506 (Del. 2005) (citation omitted).
73
Montgomery Cellular Holding Co. v. Dobler, 880 A.2d 206, 227 (Del. 2005) (citation
omitted).
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recommend that the Court decline to award attorneys’ fees to Tack in this action.
This is a final Master’s Report, and exceptions may be taken under Court of
Chancery Rule 144.74
Sincerely,
/s/ Patricia W. Griffin
Master Patricia W. Griffin
74
Because all claims against the Association have been dismissed, this report, when it
becomes final, will resolve all remaining issues in this case.
15