Ohio Bar Liab. Ins. Co. v. CCF Dev., L.L.C.

[Cite as Ohio Bar Liab. Ins. Co. v. CCF Dev., L.L.C., 2018-Ohio-3988.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
BUTLER COUNTY
OHIO BAR LIABILITY INSURANCE :
COMPANY, SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST
TO JANICE I. NIEMEYER, EXECUTOR : CASE NOS. CA2017-12-170
OF THE ESTATE OF RUTH Z. FERRELL, CA2017-12-175
DECEASED, et al. :
OPINION
Plaintiffs-Appellants, : 10/1/2018
- vs - :
CCF DEVELOPMENT, LLC, et al., :
Defendants-Appellees. :
CIVIL APPEAL FROM BUTLER COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Case No. CV2009-06-2578
McGowan & Jacobs, LLC, Jack C. McGowan, 246 High Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, for
plaintiff-appellant, Ohio Bar Liability Ins. Co.
Daniel J. Picard, 110 Old Street, Monroe, Ohio 45050, for plaintiffs-appellants, Janice I.
Niemeyer and Robert Ferrell
McNamee & McNamee, PLL, Michael P. McNamee, Cynthia P. McNamee, Gregory B.
O'Connor, 2625 Commons Blvd., Beavercreek, Ohio 45431, for defendants-appellees, CCF
Development, LLC, Liberty Falls LLC, and Liberty Falls of Ohio, LLC
RINGLAND, J.
{¶ 1} This is an appeal from a bench trial in the Butler County Court of Common
Pleas. For the reasons detailed below, we affirm.
{¶ 2} Janice Niemeyer, as executor for the estate of Ruth Ferrell, filed a declaratory
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judgment action against CCF Development, LLC ("CCF"), Todd Crawford, David
Chrestensen, and Liberty Falls of Ohio, LLC ("LFO").1 We have condensed the operative
facts below.
{¶ 3} At the center of this case is a real estate transaction. Ruth and her son Robert
Ferrell ("Ferrell") owned approximately 3.4 acres of real estate in Butler County ("Property").
Ruth passed away in 2004 and Janice Niemeyer eventually was named executor of Ruth's
estate.
{¶ 4} In 2006, Todd Crawford and David Chrestensen approached Ferrell regarding a
potential purchase of the Property. The parties reached an agreement where Crawford,
Chrestensen, and Ferrell would form an LLC ("LLC-1"), in which Crawford and Chrestensen
would each hold a 45 percent interest and Ferrell would hold a 10 percent interest. In theory,
LLC-1 would purchase the Property from Ferrell and the Estate for $1,200,000. The next
phase of the plan included the formation of a second LLC ("LLC-2"), which would develop the
Property and sell it for a profit. LLC-1 was later named CCF and LLC-2 was named Liberty
Falls, LLC.
{¶ 5} CCF ultimately purchased the Property for $1,200,000. To facilitate the
exchange, CCF executed a mortgage and note to be paid to the Estate. Shortly after
executing the note and mortgage, the Estate assigned both instruments to Ferrell and
Niemeyer. The mortgage was recorded in the Mortgage Records of Butler County, Ohio at
Book 7782, Page 1194. In addition, the assignment was recorded in the same office at Book
7782, Page 1197.
{¶ 6} In 2007, Jerry Vaughn, owner and sole member of LFO inquired about
purchasing the Property. At this point, the Property had been improved by a parking lot and
some lighting, but did not yet contain any structural buildings. Crawford and Vaughn
1. Crawford and Chrestensen both filed for bankruptcy, which stayed litigation for a period of time.
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eventually agreed upon a $2,000,000 purchase price for the Property, consisting of
$1,200,000 for the land and $800,000 for the improvements.
{¶ 7} On October 30, 2007, because CCF had found a buyer for the Property,
Crawford, Chrestensen, and Ferrell assigned their interests in CCF to Liberty Falls.2
{¶ 8} On November 6, 2007, CCF transferred its interest in the Property to Liberty
Falls via general warranty deed.
{¶ 9} On December 7, 2007, Niemeyer and Ferrell signed a document titled
"RELEASE OF MORTGAGE." Whether this document effectively released the mortgage
encumbrance on the Property is a central dispute in this litigation.
{¶ 10} Ferrell and Niemeyer denied that they intended to release the mortgage, but
instead allege that they signed the release in order to get the "overall plan" of the real estate
development completed. The release was prepared by real estate attorney and title agent,
Peter Hoshor. The release was atypical for several reasons. First, the release listed Liberty
Falls as the mortgagor, as opposed to CCF. In addition, the release contained a legal
description for an access easement, as opposed to the actual legal description of the
Property. Nevertheless, the release recorded at Book 7973, Page 1612 correctly identified
the recording information for the mortgage and note originally granted to the Estate, as well
as the correct recording information for the subsequent assignment to Ferrell and Niemeyer.
In particular, paragraph five of the note, which was included in both the mortgage and release
correctly identifies the parcel number for the Property. The release also contained express
language that the release "does hereby release and cancel that certain Mortgage" and stated
that the note had been "fully paid and satisfied."
{¶ 11} On December 17, 2007, LFO completed the purchase of the Property and
2. Though LFO and Liberty Falls share a similar name, the two companies are unrelated.
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Liberty Falls executed a general warranty deed to LFO. The title search did not reveal an
outstanding mortgage on the Property, consistent with the release that had been signed ten
days prior.
{¶ 12} Subsequently, it was discovered that Ruth had an additional heir at the time of
her death, thereby effecting the appropriate administration of her estate. As a result, on
March 17, 2009, Niemeyer and Ferrell assigned any remaining interest in the note and
mortgage back to the Estate, but retained the right to collect any scheduled payments due
between August 2006 and January 2009. The assignment correctly identified the note and
mortgage as contained in the book of records and also correctly identified the release by its
recording information.
{¶ 13} In August 2009, Ferrell, Niemeyer, and the Estate entered into a settlement
agreement and assigned the note and mortgage to the Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company
("OBLIC"). The assignment of interest identifies the release and states "[n]o representation
is made concerning the validity or legal effect of said [r]elease."
{¶ 14} Turning to the present declaratory judgment action, OBLIC alleges that the
mortgage release was defective and legally insufficient to release the entire interest
encumbered by the mortgage. OBLIC requests an order declaring that the mortgage release
was void and of no legal effect. OBLIC was substituted as the plaintiff in this action.
{¶ 15} This matter was tried before a magistrate. The magistrate issued a decision
concluding that the release properly terminated the mortgage on the Property and also found
that LFO was a bona fide purchaser for the value of the Property and took title free and clear
of the mortgage. Therefore, the magistrate denied the request for declaratory judgment.
{¶ 16} Thereafter, the trial court adopted the magistrate's findings of fact and
conclusions of law. The entry specified that the mortgage release at issue operated to
terminate the mortgage on the Property. Additionally, LFO was a bona fide purchaser for
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value and took title to the Property free and clear of the mortgage.
{¶ 17} OBLIC filed objections to the magistrate's decision on July 19, 2017. On
November 16, 2017, the trial court overruled OBLIC's objections and affirmed the
magistrate's decision in its entirety, thus constituting a final appealable order. OBLIC now
appeals, raising four assignments of error. Niemeyer and Ferrell have also filed assignments
of error with this court.
OBLIC's case
{¶ 18} Assignment of Error No. 1:
{¶ 19} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF OBLIC BY ITS
FAILURE TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND REACH ITS OWN
INDEPENDENT CONCLUSIONS AS REQUIRED BY CIV. RULE 53(D)(4)(d).
{¶ 20} In its first assignment of error, OBLIC argues the trial court abused its
discretion by failing to independently review the record and relying solely upon the
magistrate's decision in contravention of Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(d). In short, OBLIC claims that the
trial court "rubber stamped" the magistrate's decision. In support of this contention, OBLIC
alleges that the trial court's judgment entry: (1) "makes no reference to having reviewed the
entire record," (2) fails to "mention that the transcript of evidence was reviewed and no claim
that the evidence was independently weighed," and (3) "[t]here is no discussion of the
testimony of any witness, nor is there a citation to any legal authority." We find no merit to
OBLIC's argument.
{¶ 21} Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(d) provides:
If one or more objections to a magistrate's decision are timely
filed, the court shall rule on those objections. In ruling on
objections, the court shall undertake an independent review as to
the objected matters to ascertain that the magistrate has properly
determined the factual issues and appropriately applied the law.
Before so ruling, the court may hear additional evidence but may
refuse to do so unless the objecting party demonstrates that the
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party could not, with reasonable diligence, have produced that
evidence for consideration by the magistrate.
{¶ 22} The magistrate is a subordinate officer of the trial court, not an independent
officer performing a separate function. A trial court is not permitted to "merely rubber-stamp"
a magistrate's decision. Pietrantano v. Pietrantano, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2013-01-002,
2013-Ohio-4330. A failure of the trial court to rule on the objections and conduct an
independent review of the magistrate's recommendations as required by Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(d) is
an abuse of discretion. Id. An abuse of discretion is more than an error of law or judgment
but connotes that the trial court's decision was arbitrary, unreasonable, or unconscionable.
Marcus v. Rusk Heating & Cooling, Inc., 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2012-03-026, 2013-Ohio-
528, ¶ 12.
{¶ 23} Ordinarily, a reviewing court will presume that the trial court performed an
independent review of the magistrate's decision. Kairn v. Clark, 12th Dist. Warren Nos.
CA2013-06-059 and CA2013-08-071, 2014-Ohio-1890, ¶ 11. Thus, "the party asserting error
bears the burden of affirmatively demonstrating the trial court's failure to perform its duty of
independent analysis." Id.; Cottrell v. Cottrell, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2012-10-105, 2013-
Ohio-2397, ¶ 93. "[S]imply because a trial court adopted the magistrate's decision does not
mean that the court failed to exercise independent judgment." Kairn at ¶ 11. A trial court
may adopt a magistrate's decision in whole or in part pursuant to Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(b) so long
as the trial court fully agrees with the magistrate's findings "after weighing the evidence itself
and fully substituting its judgment for that of the [magistrate]." Id.{¶ 24} In the present case, the trial court initially adopted the magistrate's decision
prior to the filing of objections on June 21, 2017. Thereafter, OBLIC filed objections to the
magistrate's decision. The trial court overruled OBLIC's objections in its November 16, 2017
judgment entry. The November 16, 2017 judgment entry specifically states that "[t]he Court
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has carefully reviewed the Magistrate's decision, the parties' pleadings, the transcript of the
proceedings and the exhibits admitted into evidence."
{¶ 25} On appeal, OBLIC maintains that the trial court's "judgment entry itself
demonstrates that there was an inadequate review." Again, OBLIC argues that the judgment
entry makes no reference to having reviewed the entire record and alleges the trial court did
not reference the transcript, testimony of witnesses, and also failed to cite any legal authority.
{¶ 26} However, to come to this conclusion, OBLIC simply ignores the final judgment
entry issued on November 16, 2017. Consistent with Civ.R. 53(D)(4), the trial court adopted
the magistrate's decision and when OBLIC filed objections, the trial court undertook an
independent review of the record and issued its decision overruling those objections in the
November 16, 2017 judgment entry. Furthermore, the fact that the trial court did not cite to
any specific portion of the transcript or any exhibit admitted into evidence beyond those relied
upon by the magistrate does not demonstrate that the trial court failed to undertake an
independent review as to the objected matters. Cottrell, 2013-Ohio-2397 at ¶ 94. "'While
citing such material would tend to demonstrate that the trial court conducted the requisite
independent review, there is no requirement in Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(d) that the trial court do so.'"
Id., quoting Hampton v. Hampton, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2007-03-033, 2008-Ohio-868, ¶
17.
{¶ 27} Following review of the record, we find no evidence that the trial court merely
rubber-stamped the magistrate's decision or failed to conduct an independent review of the
record. Contrary to OBLIC's suggestion otherwise, the June 21, 2017 judgment entry
adopting the magistrate's decision is not viewed in isolation, as that entry was issued prior to
the filing of objections. Upon the filing of objections, the trial court undertook an independent
review of the record and issued the final judgment entry. As a result, we find OBLIC's first
assignment of error is without merit and it is hereby overruled.
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{¶ 28} Assignment of Error No. 2:
{¶ 29} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF OBLIC IN RULING
THAT THE MORTGAGE RELEASE AT ISSUE OPERATED TO TERMINATE THE
MORTGAGE ON THE PROPERTY.
{¶ 30} In its second assignment of error, OBLIC argues the trial court erred by
determining that the mortgage release Niemeyer and Ferrell signed on December 7, 2007
operated to terminate the mortgage on the Property. In so doing, OBLIC maintains that the
release was ineffective to release the mortgage from CCF to the Estate because the release:
(1) named the incorrect mortgagor, (2) incorrectly states that the note securing the mortgage
was paid in full, (2) contains an incorrect legal description of the Property, (4) contains
improperly acknowledged signatures from Niemeyer and Ferrell, and (5) was unsupported by
adequate consideration. We disagree.
{¶ 31} A manifest weight challenge in a civil case concerns the inclination of the
greater amount of credible evidence, offered in a trial, to support one side of the issue rather
than the other. Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, ¶ 12. In a
manifest weight analysis, the reviewing court weighs the evidence and all reasonable
inferences, considers the credibility of witnesses and determines whether, in resolving
conflicts in the evidence, the finder of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest
miscarriage of justice that the judgment must be reversed. Id. at ¶ 20.
{¶ 32} In the present case, the trial court found that the mortgage release signed by
Niemeyer and Ferrell operated to release the mortgage held on the Property. However,
contrary to OBLIC's argument, we find none of the defects alleged operate as a legal
impediment to the valid release of the mortgage.
{¶ 33} Initially, we note that OBLIC attempts to frame this issue as a matter of
contract law, which it is not. A release of a mortgage may be done unilaterally by the
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mortgagee and does not require the assent of the mortgagor. Wead v. Kutz, 161 Ohio
App.3d 580, 2005-Ohio-2921, ¶ 22 (12th Dist.) (purpose of the recording statutes is to
"provide notice of the real condition of the land with respect to encumbrances to all
interested").
{¶ 34} In contrast, "'[a] contract is generally defined as a promise, or a set of
promises, actionable upon breach. Essential elements of a contract include an offer,
acceptance, contractual capacity, consideration (the bargained for legal benefit and/or
detriment), a manifestation of mutual assent and legality of object and of consideration.' A
meeting of the minds as to the essential terms of the contract is a requirement to enforcing
the contract." Artisan Mechanical, Inc. v. Beiser, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2010-02-039, 2010-
Ohio-5427, ¶ 26, quoting Kostelnik v. Helper, 96 Ohio St. 3d 1, 2002-Ohio-2985, ¶ 16.
{¶ 35} The issue before this court is not a matter of contract law, but rather whether
the mortgage release was sufficient to release the Property from the prior mortgage. R.C.
5302.12 provides that a properly executed mortgage is valid when it "in substance" follows
the form ascribed therein. The form requires only a "[d]escription of land or interest in land
and encumbrances, reservations, and exceptions, if any." Argent Mtge. Co., LLC v. Drown,
578 F.3d 487, 490 (6th Cir.2009). On the other hand, a land installment contract must
contain a "legal description of the property conveyed." R.C. 5313.02(A)(3). The legislature's
choice to require land installment contracts to contain "legal descriptions" while only requiring
mortgages to contain a "description" can be assumed to have significance. Id.; State v.
Polus, 145 Ohio St.3d 266, 2016-Ohio-655, ¶ 12 ("[n]o part [of a statute] should be treated as
superfluous unless that is manifestly required").
{¶ 36} The goal in describing real property in a mortgage is to describe the land well
enough "to indicate the land intended to be conveyed, so as to enable a person to locate it."
Roebuck v. Columbia Gas Transm. Corp., 57 Ohio App.2d 217, 220 (3d Dist.1977). In other
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words, the "purpose of a release is to make the record show that the condition of the
mortgage has been performed, and thus give notice to the public of the state of the title. It
would seem that the important thing is that the release appear upon the record, and that it be
intelligible enough to be understood." Snyder v. Castle, 16 Ohio App. 333, 338 (4th
Dist.1922).
{¶ 37} Upon review, we agree with the trial court's finding that the release contained
sufficient information to put third parties on notice of its existence. In the present case, the
release refers to the correct date of the mortgage being released, indicates the correct
recording information for the mortgage being released, states that the note had been "fully
paid and satisfied," states that the "recorder is hereby authorized to cancel and release the
same of record," is appropriately indexed in the recorder's office, contains the signatures of
Niemeyer and Ferrell, the mortgagees, and is the only mortgage between the parties
recorded in the Butler County Recorder's Office.
{¶ 38} Though the release contained an incorrect legal description of the Property, we
agree that does not impact the release's enforceability. In this case, the release specifically
referred to the mortgage book and page number, which contained the correct legal
description of the Property, and would have apprised any disinterested third party of the
mortgage that the release referenced. In short, the record contains ample testimony and
documentary evidence to support the trial court's decision. As a result, we find the trial
court's decision that the mortgage release operated to extinguish the mortgage on the
Property was supported by the weight of the evidence. OBLIC's second assignment of error
is overruled.
{¶ 39} Assignment of Error No. 3:
{¶ 40} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF OBLIC IN
DETERMINING THAT LFO WAS A BONA FIDE PURCHASER FOR VALUE OF THE
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PROPERTY WHO TOOK TITLE TO THE PROPERTY FREE AND CLEAR OF THE
MORTGAGE WHEN LFO WAS ON NOTICE THAT THE MORTGAGE OF RECORD WAS IN
THE NAME OF A DIFFERENT PARTY AND PERTAINED TO A SIGNIFICANTLY
DIFFERENT LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR THE PROPERTY.
{¶ 41} In its third assignment of error, OBLIC argues the trial court erred by finding
that OBLIC was a bona fide purchaser for value that took title to the Property free and clear
of the prior mortgage. However, we disagree with OBLIC's assertion and reiterate our
resolution of OBLIC's second assignment of error. In this instance, there is no need to
conduct an examination as to whether LFO was a bona fide purchaser for value, as
consistent with our finding above, the mortgage release operated as a full discharge of the
mortgage on the Property. As a result, we find OBLIC's third assignment of error is without
merit and is hereby overruled.
{¶ 42} Assignment of Error No. 4:
{¶ 43} THE MAGISTRATE AND THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE
OF OBLIC IN THE WEIGHT GIVEN TO THE TESTIMONY OF PETER HOSHOR.
{¶ 44} In its fourth assignment of error, OBLIC maintains the trial court placed
inappropriate weight on the testimony of Peter Hoshor, an employee of the title company that
prepared the release of the mortgage.
{¶ 45} However, the trier of fact is in the best position to observe the witnesses, weigh
evidence, and evaluate testimony. Therefore, an appellate court must not substitute its
judgment for that of the trial court absent an abuse of discretion. BAC Home Loans
Servicing, L.P. v. Mapp, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2013-10-193, 2014-Ohio-2005, ¶ 29.
Furthermore, in addition to Hoshor's testimony, there was ample documentary evidence in
the form of the mortgage and mortgage release that supports the trial court's decision in
reaching its final judgment. OBLIC's argument with respect to the amount of weight placed
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on Hoshor's testimony is a matter of pure speculation. As a result, we overrule OBLIC's
fourth assignment of error.
Niemeyer and Ferrell's case
{¶ 46} Assignment of Error No. 1:
{¶ 47} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DETERMINING THAT ALL CLAIMS UNDER
THE PROMISSORY NOTE WERE DISCHARGED WITH THE BANKRUPTCY FILINGS OF
CHRESTENSEN AND CRAWFORD.
{¶ 48} Assignment of Error No. 2:
{¶ 49} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DETERMINING THAT CRAWFORD WAS
FULLY AUTHORIZED TO SIGN A DEED FROM CCF DEVELOPMENT LLC TO LIBERTY
FALLS LLC.
{¶ 50} Assignment of Error No. 3:
{¶ 51} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DETERMINING THAT THE RELEASE OF
THE MORTGAGE WAS VALID AND OF LEGAL EFFECT.
{¶ 52} Assignment of Error No. 4:
{¶ 53} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DETERMINING THAT THE INCORRECT
LEGAL DESCRIPTION DID NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF THE RELEASE.
{¶ 54} Assignment of Error No. 5:
{¶ 55} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DETERMINING THAT LIBERTY FALLS OF
OHIO WAS AN UNRELATED BONA FIDE PURCHASER WITHOUT NOTICE OF ANY
MISREPRESENTATION.
{¶ 56} We will address Niemeyer and Ferrell's assignments of error together. As
noted in the statement of facts, Niemeyer and Ferrell failed to object to the magistrate's
decision and therefore, as this court recently noted in Aviation Publishing Corp. v. Morgan,
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12th Dist. Warren No. CA2017-12-169, 2018-Ohio-3224, ¶ 12, this court's review is
"extremely deferential" to the trial court.
{¶ 57} As noted therein, pursuant to Civ.R 53(D)(3)(b)(iv):
[e]xcept for a claim of plain error, a party shall not assign as error
on appeal the court's adoption of any factual finding or legal
conclusion, whether or not specifically designated as a finding of
fact or conclusion of law under Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(ii), unless the
party has objected to that finding or conclusion as required by
Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b).
{¶ 58} The Ohio Supreme Court has articulated that reviewing courts must "proceed
with the utmost caution" when utilizing the civil plain error standard and limit the doctrine
"strictly to those extremely rare cases where exceptional circumstances require its application
to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice, and where the error complained of, if left
uncorrected, would have a material adverse effect on the character of, and public confidence
in, judicial proceedings." Goldfuss v. Davidson, 79 Ohio St. 3d 116, 121 (1997). "Thus, for a
court to find plain error in a civil case, an appellant must establish (1) a deviation from a legal
rule, (2) that the error was obvious, and (3) that the error affected the basic fairness, integrity,
or public reputation of the judicial process, and therefore challenged the legitimacy of the
underlying judicial process." Aviation Publishing Corp. at ¶ 12.
{¶ 59} We have reviewed the entirety of the record before this court and find the trial
court did not commit plain error. As noted above, the trial court's decision with respect to the
validity of the mortgage release was supported by the weight of the evidence. As a result,
Niemeyer and Ferrell's second, third, fourth, and fifth assignments of error are similarly
without merit. With respect to Niemeyer and Ferrell's first assignment of error, we also
conclude that it is without merit. The record reflects that the trial court substituted OBLIC as
party plaintiff for Niemeyer as executor of Ruth's estate in an entry dated November 13,
2014. Niemeyer did not object to the trial court's decision until filing a "motion to vacate
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judgment" on February 19, 2016. Therefore, Niemeyer's request is untimely. Moreover,
Niemeyer and Ferrell were never named as individual parties in this action and their
arguments now are not properly before this court. As a result, we find Niemeyer and Ferrell's
five assignments of error to be without merit and they are hereby overruled.
{¶ 60} Judgment affirmed.
S. POWELL, P.J., and PIPER, J., concur.
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