Kachmar v. Kachmar

[Cite as Kachmar v. Kachmar, 2010-Ohio-1311.]
STATE OF OHIO, MAHONING COUNTY
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
SEVENTH DISTRICT
FRANCES E. KACHMAR, )
) CASE NO. 08 MA 90
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, )
)
- VS - ) OPINION
)
STEPHEN KACHMAR, Jr., )
)
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. )
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS: Civil Appeal from Common Pleas
Court, Domestic Relations Division,
Case No. 05 DR 575.
JUDGMENT: Affirmed in Part, Reversed in Part
and Remanded.
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee: Attorney Matthew Giannini
1040 South Common Place
Suite 200
Youngstown, OH 44514
For Defendant-Appellant: Attorney Francesca T. Carinci
Suite 904-911
Sinclair Building
100 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
JUDGES:
Hon. Mary DeGenaro
Hon. Joseph J. Vukovich
Hon. Cheryl L. Waite
Dated: March 26, 2010
DeGenaro, J.
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{¶1} This timely appeal comes for consideration upon the record in the trial court,
the parties' briefs, and their oral arguments before this Court. Defendant-appellant,
Stephen Kachmar, appeals the decision of the Mahoning County Court of Common
Pleas, Domestic Relations Division that granted a divorce between him and plaintiff-
appellee, Frances Kachmar. On appeal, Stephen challenges several aspects of the trial
court's property division and spousal support determinations. He also challenges the trial
court's decision to award attorney fees to Frances.
{¶2} Upon review, Stephen's fifth and sixth assignments of error are meritorious,
in part. The trial court erred by ordering Stephen to name Frances as an irrevocable
beneficiary of a unnamed $25,000.00 life insurance policy, because there is no evidence
in the record demonstrating the existence of such a policy. In addition, the trial court
abused its discretion by using inconsistent dates for the valuation of marital property.
Stephen's remaining assignments of error are meritless. Accordingly, the judgment of the
trial court is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded to the trial court for further
proceedings.
Facts
{¶3} The Kachmars married on September 21, 1973. On August 30, 2005,
Frances moved out of the marital home. On September 8, 2005, Frances filed a
complaint for divorce in which she requested, among other things, an equitable division of
the marital property, attorney fees and spousal support. At the time the complaint was
filed, all of the Kachmars' children were emancipated. Stephen was employed by Delphi
Packard Electric Systems earning approximately $76,164.00 per year as a toolmaker.
Frances was employed by the Youngstown City Schools earning approximately
$47,872.00 per year as a teacher.
{¶4} On October 18, 2005, the magistrate issued temporary orders, which,
among other things, ordered Stephen to pay Frances temporary spousal in the amount of
$500.00 per month plus processing fee, effective September 8, 2005. On April 6, 2006, a
judgment entry was issued by the court wherein the parties stipulated that the temporary
spousal support would terminate as of February 14, 2006.
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{¶5} Initially, a full divorce hearing was scheduled for September 18, 2006. Prior
to trial, the parties indicated they had reached a settlement on all issues. That agreement
was then dictated into the record. However, when it came time to reduce that agreement
to writing the parties apparently had some discord. As a result of that, and because the
settlement failed to address all necessary issues, the trial court vacated the settlement
agreement that had been read into the record.
{¶6} The case was subsequently set for final trial several times, but was
continued several times because the trial judge disqualified herself, and because Stephen
went through several different attorneys. The case finally came for trial before a visiting
judge, beginning on December 27, 2007. At the start of trial, the court stated the
attorneys had informed it there was "substantial agreement" on most issues, but there
remained some disagreement about whether to consider Stephen's Social Security
benefits when making the property division. Stephen then personally argued to the court
that his Social Security benefits should not be considered. Both counsel and the court
tried to explain to Stephen that the law in Ohio states otherwise. Nonetheless, Stephen
continued to argue at length about this issue. Stephen then rejected an offer by Frances
to split all assets and the pensions 50/50, with his Social Security values used to offset
Frances' STRS pension. Stephen continued to personally argue with the court, and in the
end decided he wanted to litigate all issues in the case, despite the fact that most issues
had been settled prior to trial. The court subsequently warned Stephen that if he chose to
do this, he could be ordered to pay Frances's attorney's fees for the time it took to litigate
the unmeritorious issues.
{¶7} The court then proceeded to hear the whole case. First, Stephen was
called as a witness by Frances and stated he is employed full-time but was on sick leave
for part of 2006 and 2007. Because of that his income was only $40,945.00 for 2006.
However he earned $90,000.00 in 2005 and $85,903.00 in 2004. He testified he would
earn between $60,000.00 and $70,000.00 during calendar year 2007. Stephen also
testified about debts the parties' incurred both prior to and after their separation. He
testified about the parties' four vehicles, as well as their various checking and savings
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accounts. He said the parties own a parcel of real estate in Boardman (the Boardman
home). Stephen testified there was no mortgage debt associated with the Boardman
home, and agreed the entire value of that property is marital. He requested that the
Boardman home be sold, and that it be listed with Klacik Realty for $69,000.00 for one
year, after which time it be auctioned. He testified he currently lives in the Boardman
home, and has been paying real estate taxes and insurance on it since the parties
separated. He admitted he had not paid any rent to Frances during that time. He stated
that Frances held title to another parcel of real estate, which had been deeded to her by
her mother ("the Struthers home").
{¶8} Stephen testified about his Delphi pension and personal savings plan, and
Frances's IRA account. He stated he has a full life insurance policy, in his name only,
through Nationwide, which had a cash surrender value of $5,174.57 as of July 1, 2006.
He stated he purchased this policy prior to the marriage, but had no information about the
value of the policy on the date the parties married. He stated Frances has a whole life
insurance policy through First Ladies' Catholic Slovak Association. Stephen also testified
that the parties purchased approximately $2,000.00 in United States Savings Bonds
during the marriage.
{¶9} Stephen described his mental and physical conditions. He said he was on
sick leave for several months during 2007 because of a broken left hand. He stated he
also suffers from a pinched nerve in the left hand, rhabdomyalysis and neuropathy in his
legs, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He stated he is stressed and anxiety-
ridden over the divorce. He alleged that Frances is a "hypochondriac" and is "in fairly
good shape if she would lose some weight."
{¶10} Stephen testified the parties enjoyed a "normal standard of living"
throughout the marriage. They took two or three vacations to Virginia Beach, and were
able to assist three out of the four children with college tuition and expenses. He stated
he has a Bachelor's degree. He said he understood the tax ramifications of spousal
support. Throughout the hearing, Stephen was generally argumentative and
uncooperative, and the court threatened him with a contempt sanction several times.
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{¶11} Frances then testified. She confirmed that her mother gifted her the
Struthers home, and said she has been residing there since the parties' separated.
Frances also requested the Boardman home to be sold. She stated that Stephen had
been living in the home since the separation and that his girlfriend had subsequently
moved there also. She agreed Stephen had been paying the insurance and real estate
taxes on that residence since the parties separated.
{¶12} Frances testified about her various checking and savings accounts, and
about her credit cards debts, both of those accrued during and after the separation. She
stated she has an IRA with National City Bank and an annuity with Metlife, and that the
parties have US Savings Bonds. Frances presented a document from Pension
Evaluators that determined the fair market value of Stephen's Social Security Benefits
was $202,781.14 as of March 20, 2006. The marital portion thereof was valued at
$190,321.25. She also presented an evaluation of her STRS pension, which determined
its fair market value as of March 20, 2006 was $290,423.81, with a marital portion valued
at $274,651.47. She also presented evaluations of Stephen's pension, IRAs, stocks, and
personal savings plan.
{¶13} With regard to life insurance, she confirmed the existence and value of her
term life policy and agreed Stephen has a $5,000.00 full life policy with Nationwide with a
cash surrender value of $5,174.57 as of June 12, 2006.
{¶14} Frances testified she has been employed as a teacher with the Youngstown
City Schools for twenty-six years, and that she has tenure and a permanent certificate.
She stated she earned $49,413.77 during tax year 2006. She presented her contract with
the school district for the 2006-2007 school year showing that she will earn $57,548.00.
Frances also presented an affidavit showing her expenses.
{¶15} As far as her mental condition is concerned, Frances testified she is
stressed, has been in counseling for the past three to four years, and has been
diagnosed with moderate depression. She stated she is no longer able to participate in a
lot of the activities she once did, like church functions and volunteer work. She stated
she sees her family physician every two to three months and that she suffers from
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borderline diabetes part 2, asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and
osteoarthritis in her knees and lower back. In the past she was forced to use a walker
because of these conditions, and testified that she currently uses a cane to ambulate.
She stated she participates in physical therapy and is treated regularly by two
chiropractors.
{¶16} As far as the parties' standard of living, she generally agreed with Stephen
that they enjoyed a middle class standard of living during the marriage. Frances stated
she earned a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree during the marriage. She stated
Stephen has a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, a degree in engineering and "almost" a
degree in computer science. She stated his education was financed through grants and
through Stephen's employer. On cross, Frances admitted her employment contract with
Youngstown School District does not preclude her from taking summer employment.
{¶17} Stephen's direct testimony was then presented. He did not present any
exhibits of his own, and did not contest the property valuations in Frances's exhibits.
Likewise, Stephen did not contest most of Frances's testimony, with the following
exceptions. He stated that two of the U.S. Savings Bonds actually belonged to one of
their sons. Frances later agreed with this testimony. Stephen also alleged that the stocks
Frances testified about no longer have any value. He testified that the Putnam IRA no
longer exists because he consolidated it with one of his UBS accounts. Further, he
insisted the parties used marital assets to make improvements on the Struthers home. In
addition, Stephen agreed he was eligible to receive Social Security Benefits upon
retirement, but alleged that the values presented by Frances were incorrect. However, he
failed to present his own valuation of his Social Security benefits.
{¶18} After evaluating the evidence, the trial court made some preliminary rulings
from the bench. The court then asked the parties to submit written closing arguments,
and stated it would issue a final judgment entry after reviewing them. Both parties then
submitted proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
{¶19} In the final decree, the trial court granted the parties a divorce based on
their living separate and apart for over one year. The court set the end-date of the
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marriage as August 30, 2005, the date the parties' separated. The court awarded
Frances 60% of the marital assets, including Stephen's pensions. Stephen was awarded
40% of Frances's STRS pension, offset by his Social Security Benefits. Frances was
awarded the Pontiac Grand Am, and the other three vehicles were ordered sold. The
court awarded the Boardman home to Stephen, and ordered Stephen to pay Frances
60% of the home's appraised value. Frances was awarded the Struthers home gifted to
her by her mother, with no offset to Stephen for its value. The court ordered that each
party shall be solely responsible for their respective credit card debt that was incurred
after the separation. With regard to the remaining marital credit card debt, which totaled
$3,000, the court ordered that Frances shall be responsible for 40% and Stephen 60%.
{¶20} The court ordered that Stephen shall retain free and clear of any claim from
Frances, the ownership in the Nationwide Life Insurance Policy, and that Frances shall
retain free and clear of any claim of Stephen her life insurance policy with the First
Ladies’ Catholic Slovak Association policy. However, at the end of the decree, the court
also ordered that "[Stephen] shall name [Frances] as an irrevocable beneficiary of a
Twenty Five Thousand Dollar ($25,000.00) life insurance policy currently owned by
[Stephen] with verification provided to this court." The court did not identify this policy by
name.
{¶21} Finally, the court ordered Stephen to pay $100.00, plus processing fee, per
month, in spousal support to Frances, subject to termination upon the death of either
party, remarriage by Frances, or Frances cohabiting with a non-relative male. The court
retained jurisdiction over spousal support. Finally, the court ordered Stephen to pay
Frances's attorney fees for the two days of trial. The court stated it would hold a later
hearing to present evidence on the attorney fee issue.
{¶22} This timely appeal followed. Stephen requested a stay with the trial court,
which was denied. He subsequently requested a stay with this court, to which we
responded with an order specifying the following:
{¶23} "(1) A stay of the $100 per month in spousal support is denied;
{¶24} "(2) A stay of that part of the judgment entry dealing with the sale of the
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marital home is granted. Defendant-appellant may continue to reside in the home and is
responsible for taxes, insurance and repair. He is not to encumber the home with any
mortgage;"
{¶25} "(3) That part of the judgment entry regarding the auctioning of certain
vehicles titled in the name of appellant is stayed.
{¶26} "(4) All other provisions regarding debt obligations are not stayed."
{¶27} The trial court subsequently issued Qualified Domestic Relations Orders
(QDRO's) for Stephen's Putnam IRA, his UBS IRA, and his UBS Resource Management
Account which used December 31, 2005 as the valuation date. The court also issued a
QDRO for France's STRS pension, which used August 20, 2005 as the valuation date.
QDRO's relating to Stephen's Delphi personal savings plan and Delphi pension listed the
valuation date for these assets as December 31, 2005.
{¶28} On March 11, 2009 we issued a limited remand to the trial court so that it
could rule on the issue of attorney fees. This occurred because the final decree awarded
attorney fees to Frances, but failed to calculate the exact amount of the attorney fee
award, instead relegating that determination for hearing on a later date. We ruled that
absent a determination of the amount of the attorney fee award, the final decree did not
constitute a final appealable order.
{¶29} The trial court held a hearing on attorney fees on April 2, 2009. In an
opening statement, Frances's attorney, Matthew Giannini, stated he was requesting
attorney fees because Stephen essentially forced several days of trial, and litigated many
unnecessary issues due to his untenable position about how his Social Security benefits
should be considered. Attorney Giannini was then called as witness and testified he
represented Frances at trial, and that he was requesting attorney fees for trial
preparation, the two days of trial, and the preparation of findings of fact and conclusions
of law. He stated that Frances had not yet paid those fees. He presented a current bill
for his services as an exhibit. He testified he has practiced law in the State of Ohio since
1978, that 60-70% of his cases involve family law, and that he charges $200 per hour.
Attorney Giannini testified that he had pre-trial discussions with each of Stephen's four
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successive attorneys about the issue of Stephen's Social Security benefits. Attorney
Giannini said that prior to the December 2007 trial, Frances's then-attorney, Anthony
Vivo, indicated that the issue had been resolved.
{¶30} Frances then called Attorney George Briach, who testified he has been
practicing in the State of Ohio for 25 years, that his practice consists of approximately
75% family law cases, and that he charges $200 per hour. He felt that $200 per hour is
reasonable for a divorce case in Mahoning County and stated he knows attorneys who
charge even more. Overall, Attorney Briach testified that the amount of work done and
fees charged by Attorney Giannini in this case was reasonable. Frances was then called
by Stephen as a witness, and testified about her income from work and spousal support,
and her ability to work. In the end, Attorney Giannini requested the court order Stephen
pay $3,600 in attorney fees: 14 hours for trial preparation and trial, and 4 hours for
preparation of the findings of fact and conclusions of law, at $200 per hour.
{¶31} In an April 13, 2009 judgment entry, the trial court ordered Stephen to pay
Frances the sum of $3,600.00 as requested. The court found that the amount of attorney
fees is "necessary and reasonable under the facts and the totality of the circumstances in
this case," and that they were "necessitated as a direct result of Defendant's refusal to
negotiate in good faith in lieu of the litigation of unmeritorious issues in the proceedings
conducted on 12/27/07, 12/28/07 and the preparation of Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law resulting therefrom."
{¶32} On April 22, 2009, Stephen filed a separate notice of appeal from that
judgment, which was styled 09-MA-75. On May 9, 2009, we merged Case Number 09-
MA-75 with the present case, 08-MA-90, and dismissed 09-MA-75 for record purposes
only.
Property Division
{¶33} Four of Stephen's seven assignments of error relate to the trial court's
division of marital property. We will address them first because the trial court must make
its property division determination prior to awarding spousal support, and any change can
impact spousal support. R.C. 3105.18(B).
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{¶34} A domestic relations court is required, when granting a divorce, to
"determine what constitutes marital property and what constitutes separate property."
R.C. 3105.171(B). Then the court shall proceed to divide the marital property in an
equitable manner. Id. "Pursuant to R.C. 3105.171(C)(1), the division of marital property
shall be equal unless an equal division of marital property would be inequitable. As such,
an equal division of marital assets and liabilities is the starting point." Boso v. Boso, 7th
Dist. No. 04JA26, 2005-Ohio-2937, at ¶22. Equitable does not necessarily mean equal.
Id.{¶35} "[T]he court shall make written findings of fact that support the determination
that the marital property has been equitably divided and shall specify the dates it used in
determining the meaning of 'during the marriage." R.C. 3105.171(G). Further, "[i]n
allocating property between the parties to a divorce * * * the trial court must indicate the
basis for its award in sufficient detail to enable a reviewing court to determine that the
award is fair, equitable and in accordance with the law." Kaechele v. Kaechele, 35 Ohio
St.3d 93, 518 N.E.2d 1197, at paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶36} Pursuant to R.C. 3105.171(F), as effective on the date of the divorce
decree, a court must consider the following factors when dividing the marital property: (1)
the duration of the marriage; (2) the assets and liabilities of the spouses; (3) the
desirability of awarding the family home, or the right to reside in the family home for
reasonable periods of time, to the spouse with custody of the children of the marriage; (4)
the liquidity of the property to be distributed; (5) the economic desirability of retaining
intact an asset or an interest in an asset; (6) the tax consequences of the property
division upon the respective awards to be made to each spouse; (7) the costs of sale, if it
is necessary that an asset be sold to effectuate an equitable distribution of property; (8)
any division or disbursement of property made in a separation agreement that was
voluntarily entered into by the spouses; (9) any other factor that the court expressly finds
to be relevant and equitable. Former R.C. 3105.171(F).
{¶37} "Since a trial court has broad discretion in the allocation of marital assets, its
judgment will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion." Neville v. Neville, 99 Ohio
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St.3d 275, 2003-Ohio-3624, 791 N.E.2d 434, at ¶5. When reviewing a trial court's
decision for an abuse of discretion, this court cannot simply substitute its judgment for
that of the trial court. Holcomb v. Holcomb (1989), 44 Ohio St.3d 128, 131, 541 N.E.2d
597. "The term 'abuse of discretion' connotes more than an error of law or judgment; it
implies that the trial court's attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable."
Blakemore v. Blakemore (1983), 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 5 OBR 481, 450 N.E.2d 1140.
{¶38} Further, "[a] reviewing court examines the overall equity of the division of
marital assets and debt, rather than engage in a detailed analysis of every jot and tittle of
marital property: '[I]t is not this court's role to conduct an item by item review of the marital
assets and liabilities. Our review is limited to the equity, i.e., fairness * * *.'" Hiscox v.
Hiscox, 7th Dist. No. 07CO7, 2008-Ohio-5209, at ¶53, quoting Fergus v. Fergus (1997),
117 Ohio App.3d 432, 438, 690 N.E.2d 949.
Dates Used for the Valuation of Marital Property
{¶39} In his sixth assignment of error, Stephen asserts:
{¶40} "The court did not make a determination of what dates constitute the
marriage and inconsistent dates were used for determining valuation of assets."
{¶41} Stephen is incorrect that the trial court failed to determine an end date for
the marriage. Paragraph two of the "Conclusions of Law and Order" contained within the
divorce decree states: "The time of the marriage was from September 21, 1973, to
August 30, 2005." August 30, 2005 is the date the parties separated.
{¶42} The trial court did, however, use inconsistent dates for the division of marital
property. The court used August 30, 2005 to divide some of the marital assets, stating:
{¶43} "The Plaintiff has a pension with the State of Ohio State Teacher's
Retirement System which the Defendant shall be entitled to forty percent (40%) offset by
his Social Security Benefits. The time of coverture for this and all pensions shall be
September 21, 1973, through August 30, 2005. In addition, the Plaintiff shall be entitled
to sixty percent (60%) of the Husband's pensions with Delphi and Kurtz Tool & Dye and
both UBS accounts. Finally, the Plaintiff shall be entitled to sixty percent (60%) of the
Personal Savings Plan for the aforementioned coverture dates." (emphasis added.)
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{¶44} Subsequently, the court used a different date for the division of other
assets, stating:
{¶45} "Plaintiff shall receive sixty percent (60%) of the Putnam Account, the Delphi
Personal Savings Plan and the Bonds Service. Plaintiff shall retain his checking and/or
savings accounts. The amounts that were in the account on December 31, 2005, shall be
equalized and divided with Plaintiff receiving sixty percent (60%) and Defendant receiving
forty percent (40%). * * *" (emphasis added.)
{¶46} There are two problems with the above paragraph. First, it is unclear from
that language which account or accounts should be divided as of December 31, 2005.
Second, and most importantly, it is error to use a date after the end of the marriage to
divide marital assets.
{¶47} "As a general matter, a trial court should consistently apply the same set of
dates when evaluating marital property that is subject to division and distribution in a
divorce proceeding.” Angles v. Angles (Sept. 15, 2000), 5th Dist. No. 00CA1, at *4
(internal citations omitted). If the circumstances of a given case so require, the trial court
may choose different dates for valuation purposes so long as the court adequately
explains its reasons, and its decision does not constitute an abuse of discretion. Id.; see,
also, R.C. 3105.171(G); Hyslop v. Hyslop, 6th Dist. No. WD 01-059, 2002-Ohio-4656, at
¶36. However, the trial court abuses its discretion when it chooses a division date that
occurs after the end of the marriage. See Crowder v. Crowder (Aug. 5, 1999), 10th Dist.
No. 98AP-1124. This is so because “[t]he duration of the marriage is critical in
distinguishing marital, separate, and post-separation assets and determining appropriate
dates for valuation." Harris v. Harris, 11th Dist. No. 2002-A-81, 2003-Ohio-5350, at ¶10.
{¶48} For example, in Crowder, the court held that the trial court abused its
discretion by failing to value and divide a marital asset as of the date the court chose as
the de facto termination of the marriage, instead using the later final hearing date as the
division date. Id. at *2-3. Similarly, the trial court here designated the parties' separation
date, August 30, 2005, as the date the marriage terminated, yet used December 31,
2005, as the division date for some of the marital property. This constitutes an abuse of
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discretion and the trial court erred by using a date falling after the termination of the
marriage as the division date for some of the marital property.
{¶49} Frances argues that any error regarding the use of inconsistent dates was
rendered moot by the trial court's subsequent determination that, for purposes of
uniformity, the valuation for all marital assets, including retirement, would be the date of
marriage through December 31, 2005. Frances points to the fact that the QDRO's issued
by the trial court against each parties' individual retirement plans used December 31,
2005 as the division date.
{¶50} A review of the QDRO's in this case reveals that the trial court did use
December 31, 2005 as the division date for the Putnam Account, the UBS Account and
Stephen's Delphi pension. However, this does not render Stephen's argument moot,
because the division dates in those QDRO's conflicts with the trial court's stated division
date for those assets in the final decree. A QDRO is "merely an order in aid of execution
on the property division ordered in the divorce decree." Hale v. Hale, 2d Dist. No. 21402,
2007-Ohio-867, at ¶14. "If the QDRO [ ] is inconsistent with the decree, the trial court
lacks jurisdiction to issue the same, and it is void." Id.{¶51} Thus, we must look only to the dates used in the final divorce decree when
deciding this assignment of error, not the dates used in the QDRO's. As discussed
above, in the final decree the trial court inexplicably used inconsistent dates, some of
which fell after the end-date of the marriage, when dividing the marital property. On
remand, the trial court must divide marital assets as of a date falling within the duration of
the marriage. Moreover, if different dates are used for some of the assets, the trial court
must adequately give its reasons for doing so. Accordingly, Stephen's sixth assignment
of error is meritorious.
Division of Marital Assets and Liabilities
{¶52} In his third assignment of error Stephen asserts:
{¶53} "The court erred in dividing the marital assets on a 60/40 division."
{¶54} Stephen argues that the trial court failed to consider the factors contained in
R.C. 3105.171(F) when dividing the marital property and that it its decision to depart from
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an equal distribution was an abuse of discretion. Frances counters that there is no
presumption that a trial court divide the marital property equally. She argues that the
unequal split in this case was reasonable based on the evidence presented at trial.
However, Frances does not address Stephen's argument that the trial court failed to
properly consider the R.C. 3105.171(F) factors.
{¶55} As explained above, a trial court must consider the factors contained in R.C.
3105.171(F) when dividing the marital property. See ¶36 supra. Here the trial court
mistakenly applied the R.C. 3105.18(C) spousal support factors when making its property
division ruling. When discussing its property division determination, the court considered
and analyzed at length the parties' relative incomes; the age and physical mental and
emotional conditions of the parties; the parties' retirement benefits; the duration of the
marriage; the fact that all children were emancipated; the parties' standard of living and
education levels; the relative assets and liabilities; the contribution of each party to the
education and training of the other; the time and expense necessary for potential
retraining of the spouse; and the tax consequences of ordering spousal support. These
are precisely the factors a court must consider when awarding spousal support pursuant
to R.C. 3105.18(C). Notably, the trial court does not even cite to the R.C. 3105.171(F)
property division factors when making its property division determination.
{¶56} Although this constituted error on the part of the trial court, we conclude this
error was harmless as the record reflects the trial court adequately considered the proper
factors. See, e.g., Campana v. Campana, 7th Dist. No. 08MA88, 2009-Ohio-796, at ¶56
(concluding that the trial court's application of the child custody modification best interest
factors instead of the visitation modification best interest factors was harmless error
where the court's decision evidenced it considered the proper factors.)
{¶57} Here the court considered the long duration of the marriage, and the assets
and liabilities of the parties pursuant to R.C. 3105.171(F)(1)-(2). The court discussed the
impact of the liquidity of various assets pursuant to R.C. 3105.171(F)(4). The court
considered the desirability of retaining an asset intact, pursuant to R.C. 3105.171(F)(5),
when it decided to award the marital home to Stephen, instead of ordering the home sold.
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The court also considered the tax ramifications of the property division pursuant to
section R.C. 3105.171(F)(6). The court discussed the costs of sale of the marital home
and the automobiles, pursuant to R.C. 3105.171(F)(7). The court clearly considered "any
other factors that the court expressly finds to be relevant and equitable," pursuant to R.C.
3105.171(F)(9), when it applied the R.C. 3105.18(C) spousal support factors. R.C.
3105.171(F)(3) does not apply to this case.
{¶58} Further, we conclude the trial court's overall property division determination
was not an abuse of discretion. The trial court awarded Frances 60% of the marital
assets and 40% of the marital debt. The court chose to depart from an equal split of
marital assets and liabilities for several reasons, namely, the long duration of the
marriage, Frances's declining physical and mental health, and the fact that Stephen had a
higher earning capacity. At trial, the court summarized its rationale as follows:
{¶59} "With respect to the asset division, I am going to do a 60/40 here. I am
going to give Mrs. Kachmar 60 percent of the marital assets and Mr. Kachmar 40 percent
of the marital assets. I am not going to do 50/50. I thought about that and what it appears
to me as though her, while, she has a good job and has some financial future, her
medical conditions are serious and could be debilitating. Furthermore, his history of
making $90,000 in some years indicates that he is either underemployed, or maybe they
are just having hard times out there, but his ability to make substantially more than her is
there and he will continue to have that. He is 56 years old and continues to work at
Delphi and has multiple degrees which qualify him to do a great many things. Certainly
she is educated as well and has a Master's degree as she has testified, and I accept that.
And she is a competent, qualified person as well, but she has medical problems that
could result in her inability to work. It is a 34-year marriage, a moderate standard of
living. Her ability to accumulate just will not be as great as his and thus the 60/40 division
would be equitable in my judgment."
{¶60} The trial court's decision is not unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable. It
is supported by the evidence in the record. We reject Stephen's argument that the trial
court made a more favorable property division to Frances in order to punish Stephen for
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his antics during trial. He points to several statements made by the trial court which he
believes demonstrate the court was prejudiced against him, for example, when the court
stated: "Okay. I think we have done anything and everything with regard to this case on
the record for the Plaintiff."
{¶61} On its face, that statement is troubling. However, when put in the context of
the trial as a whole, we cannot conclude that this statement evinces bias on the part of
the court. Prior to trial, an agreement had been reached with respect to most issues, but
at the start of the hearing, Stephen refused to settle and forced unnecessary litigation.
During trial, Stephen presented no documentary evidence and did not contest most of
Frances's documentary evidence or testimony. Thus, the trial court's statement that it
had done "anything and everything" for Frances is less problematic when viewed in this
context.
{¶62} Stephen also takes issue with the fact that there was no medical evidence in
the record or testimony of doctors to indicate that Frances had any potentially debilitating
illnesses. However, as Frances points out in her appellate brief, her testimony regarding
her various medical conditions does constitute evidence that the court may consider. In
deciding whether to believe that testimony, the trial court made a credibility determination,
to which, as the reviewing court, we will defer. See Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland
(1984), 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 10 OBR 408, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (stating that "the trial judge
is best able to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures and voice
inflections, and use these observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered
testimony.")
{¶63} Thus, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion when dividing
the marital property. Perhaps we would not have reached the same decision however,
under our deferential abuse-of-discretion standard of review, we must refrain from
substituting our judgment for that of the trial court. Accordingly, Stephen's third
assignment of error is meritless.
The Disposition of the Marital Residence
{¶64} In his fourth assignment of error, Stephen asserts:
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{¶65} "The court erred and abused its discretion by ignoring the request and
agreements of the parties and ordering a disposition of assets contrary to what both
parties agreed and requested in their testimony."
{¶66} Stephen claims the trial court abused its discretion with respect to its
disposition of the Boardman home. On appeal, Stephen mistakenly concludes that the
trial court ordered the marital home sold in the final decree. He concedes that this was
his desired outcome, since he requested the home be sold during trial. Nonetheless, as
Stephen perceives it, the "abuse of discretion" stems from the fact that at the hearing, the
trial court ruled that Stephen should retain the home, while in the final decree, the court
purportedly "reversed itself" and ordered the home sold.
{¶67} However, a review of both the transcript and the decree reveals the trial
court awarded the Boardman home to Stephen, and ordered Stephen to pay 60% of the
home's appraised value to Frances. Stephen's confusion perhaps stems from the fact
that the trial court, within the findings of fact section of the final decree, noted that both
parties requested the home be sold. Regardless, we conclude that the trial court did not
abuse its discretion in awarding the Boardman home to Stephen.
{¶68} There is no requirement that one or both parties must request a particular
disposition of a marital asset before the trial court can make a disposition. Snyder v.
Snyder (Dec. 22, 2000), 11th Dist. No. 99-G-2230, at *2. Likewise, the trial court is not
bound to accept the parties' agreement regarding the disposition of a marital asset. See,
e.g., Szerlip v. Szerlip (1998), 129 Ohio App.3d 506, 513, 718 N.E.2d 473 (noting that
"R.C. 3105.171(F) clearly indicates that private agreements between parties concerning
the division of marital assets are not binding upon the trial court when the court is dividing
marital property equitably.") Rather, a trial court must look to the property division factors
and make an overall determination of what is equitable based on the facts and
circumstances of a given case. Briganti v. Briganti (1984), 9 Ohio St.3d 220, 221-222, 9
OBR 529, 459 N.E.2d 896.
{¶69} Further, "[i]n determining whether the trial court abused its discretion, a
reviewing court cannot examine the valuation and division of a particular marital asset or
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liability in isolation; rather, the reviewing court must view the property division in its
entirety, consider the totality of the circumstances, and determine whether the property
division reflects an unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable attitude on the part of the
domestic relations court." Jelen v. Jelen (1993), 86 Ohio App.3d 199, 203, citing Briganti;
Koegel v. Koegel (1982), 69 Ohio St.2d 355, 23 O.O.3d 320, 432 N.E.2d 206; and
Blakemore.
{¶70} The trial court's decision to award the home to Stephen, notwithstanding the
parties' requests to the contrary, was reasonable based on the facts and circumstances of
this case. Stephen had been living in the home since the parties' separated in August
2005. He had maintained the home, paid the real estate taxes and insurance, and even
moved his girlfriend in with him. Stephen's fourth assignment of error is meritless.
Clerical Errors in the Final Decree
{¶71} In his fifth assignment of error Stephen asserts:
{¶72} "The court's order of April 22, 2008 contained numerous clerical errors,
which directly affected the division of assets and do not agree or coincide with the
documents entered into evidence by the parties."
{¶73} Stephen argues that the final decree misstates several findings of fact: (1)
that Frances requested the division date for all marital property to be December 31, 2005;
(2) that the parties requested Basinger Auctioneers when they really requested Romans
Auctioneers; (3) that Frances requested the court order she receive credit for one half of
the money withdrawn from Stephen's pension and that she not be held responsible for
the children's college educations; (4) that Stephen held a Master's degree when he really
held only a Bachelor's degree; (5) the amount of the marital portion of Frances's STRS
pension.
{¶74} Civ.R. 60(A) provides a mechanism for apprising the trial court about
clerical errors in judgments:
{¶75} "Clerical mistakes in judgments, orders or other parts of the record and
errors therein arising from oversight or omission may be corrected by the court at any
time on its own initiative or on the motion of any party and after such notice, if any, as the
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court orders. During the pendency of an appeal, such mistakes may be so corrected
before the appeal is docketed in the appellate court, and thereafter while the appeal is
pending may be so corrected with leave of the appellate court." Civ.R. 60(A).
{¶76} Stephen never made a Civ.R. 60(A) motion to the trial court or requested
leave of this court to file a Civ.R. 60(A) motion. Moreover, Stephen has failed to show
how these errors prejudiced him, and accordingly they are harmless. "Our limited power
permits us to reverse a lower court's decision only upon a finding of 'prejudicial error
committed by such lower court.' R.C. 2501.02. Where the harm is not immediately
apparent, the appellant must explain how the result would have materially differed were it
not for the intervening error. Prejudice is not presumed." Mangan v. Mangan, 2d Dist.
No. 07-CA-100, 2008-Ohio-3622, at ¶9.
{¶77} Stephen also takes issue with the portion of the decree where the trial
court orders him to name Frances as an irrevocable beneficiary of a $25,000.00 life
insurance policy he purportedly owns. Stephen correctly asserts that there is no evidence
in the record, documentary or otherwise, about a $25,000.00 life insurance policy. There
was testimony and documentary evidence of a $5,000.00 Nationwide life insurance policy
held by Stephen. The trial court specifically dealt with that policy on page 16 of the
decree, stating: "Defendant shall retain free and clear of any claim of Wife the ownership
in the Nationwide Life Insurance Policy * * *." However, there is nothing in the record
about a $25,000.00 life insurance policy.
{¶78} Thus, Stephen's fifth assignment of error, only as it relates to the
$25,000.00 life insurance policy, is meritorious.
Spousal Support
{¶79} Stephen's first and second assignments of error both concern the trial
court's decision to award spousal support. An award of spousal support falls within the
sound discretion of the trial court. Kunkle v. Kunkle (1990), 51 Ohio St.3d 64, 67, 554
N.E.2d 83. However, that discretion is not completely unfettered, in that it is governed by
the spousal support statute, R.C. 3105.18, which states, in pertinent part:
{¶80} "(B) In divorce and legal separation proceedings, upon the request of
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either party and after the court determines the division or disbursement of property under
section 3105.171 of the Revised Code, the court of common pleas may award reasonable
spousal support to either party. During the pendency of any divorce, or legal separation
proceeding, the court may award reasonable temporary spousal support to either party.
{¶81} "An award of spousal support may be allowed in real or personal property,
or both, or by decreeing a sum of money, payable either in gross or by installments, from
future income or otherwise, as the court considers equitable.
{¶82} "Any award of spousal support made under this section shall terminate
upon the death of either party, unless the order containing the award expressly provides
otherwise.
{¶83} "(C)(1) In determining whether spousal support is appropriate and
reasonable, and in determining the nature, amount, and terms of payment, and duration
of spousal support, which is payable either in gross or in installments, the court shall
consider all of the following factors:
{¶84} "(a) The income of the parties, from all sources, including, but not limited
to, income derived from property divided, disbursed, or distributed under section
3105.171 of the Revised Code;
{¶85} "(b) The relative earning abilities of the parties;
{¶86} "(c) The ages and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions of the
parties;
{¶87} "(d) The retirement benefits of the parties;
{¶88} "(e) The duration of the marriage;
{¶89} "(f) The extent to which it would be inappropriate for a party, because that
party will be custodian of a minor child of the marriage, to seek employment outside the
home;
{¶90} "(g) The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage;
{¶91} "(h) The relative extent of education of the parties;
{¶92} "(i) The relative assets and liabilities of the parties, including but not limited
to any court-ordered payments by the parties;
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{¶93} "(j) The contribution of each party to the education, training, or earning
ability of the other party, including, but not limited to, any party's contribution to the
acquisition of a professional degree of the other party;
{¶94} "(k) The time and expense necessary for the spouse who is seeking
spousal support to acquire education, training, or job experience so that the spouse will
be qualified to obtain appropriate employment, provided the education, training, or job
experience, and employment is, in fact, sought;
{¶95} "(l) The tax consequences, for each party, of an award of spousal support;
{¶96} "(m) The lost income production capacity of either party that resulted from
that party's marital responsibilities;
{¶97} "(n) Any other factor that the court expressly finds to be relevant and
equitable.
{¶98} "(2) In determining whether spousal support is reasonable and in
determining the amount and terms of payment of spousal support, each party shall be
considered to have contributed equally to the production of marital income." R.C.
3105.18(B)-(C).
{¶99} Within the limits provided by R.C. 3105.18, the trial court is granted broad
discretion to determine what is equitable under the facts and circumstances of each case.
Kunkle, supra. An abuse of discretion connotes more than an error of law or judgment;
rather, it means the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable.
Blakemore at 219.
Jurisdiction to Order Spousal Support
{¶100} In his first assignment of error, Stephen argues:
{¶101} "The court erred in awarding lifetime spousal support when no specific
request was made and therefore, the trial court lacked jurisdiction to make such an
award."
{¶102} It is true that where spousal support is not specifically requested and the
other party was unaware that spousal support was an issue at trial, the trial court lacks
jurisdiction to award spousal support. Woodland v. Woodland, 7th Dist. No. 06-BE-9,
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2007-Ohio-3503, at ¶22; see, also, R.C. 3105.18(B).
{¶103} Here Stephen insists he had no notice that spousal support an issue, and
claims no request was ever made. He points to a December 20, 2005 pretrial statement
filed by Frances in support of his argument. "Question 17" of this document states: "If
you are making a request for spousal support, state the basis for same in reference to the
factors set forth in R.C. 3105.18(C)(1)(A)-(N): ( ) If not, check here."
{¶104} Frances neither checked the applicable box, nor stated the basis
underlying her request for spousal support. She left this question blank. However, we
conclude Stephen had adequate notice from other sources. In the divorce complaint,
Frances specifically requested spousal support. On October 18, 2005, the court ordered
Stephen to pay Frances $500.00 per month in temporary spousal support, effective
September 8, 2005, which was the date Frances filed her complaint. When Frances filed
the pre-trial statement, as quoted above, she was receiving that temporary support. The
record reveals the temporary spousal support order was subsequently terminated, by
stipulation of the parties, because Stephen had been placed on temporary sick leave and
was not earning as much income. In addition, in his proposed Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law, Stephen admits knowledge that spousal support was an issue at
trial, stating: "The Plaintiff has requested spousal support be paid in accordance with
Ohio Revised Code R.C. 3105.18(C)."
{¶105} The trial court had jurisdiction to award spousal support because Frances
properly requested it, and Stephen had notice. Accordingly, Stephen's first assignment of
error is meritless.
Consideration of the Spousal Support Factors
{¶106} In his second assignment of error, Stephen argues:
{¶107} "The trial court committed reversible error in awarding spousal support
without proper consideration and improper reliance upon the factors set forth in Ohio
Revised Code Section 3105.18."
{¶108} A review of the final decree reveals the trial court did consider all the
required factors pursuant to R.C. 3105.18. Specifically, the court stated it considered the
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parties' relative incomes; their respective ages and physical, mental and emotional
conditions; the parties' retirement benefits; the duration of the marriage; the fact that all
children were emancipated; the parties' standard of living and education levels; the
relative assets and liabilities; the contribution of each party to the education and training
of the other; the time and expense necessary for potential retraining of the spouse; and
the tax consequences of ordering spousal support.
{¶109} Based upon the court's review of those factors, it ordered Stephen to pay
$100.00, plus processing fee, per month in spousal support to Frances, until further order
of the court. The spousal support award was subject to termination upon the death of
either party, remarriage by Frances, or Frances cohabitating with a non-relative male.
The court retained jurisdiction over spousal support.
{¶110} The trial court's spousal support award is reasonable based on the facts of
this case. Stephen does have a slightly higher income than Frances, their marriage
lasted 34 years, and Frances testified that she has health problems, and limited mobility.
{¶111} Nonetheless, Stephen argues that the trial court impermissibly considered
fault when awarding spousal support, and that the award was based on speculation, not
facts. He takes issue with the following statements made by the trial court:
{¶112} "Given her medical conditions, given what has happened, given the 34
years that they were together, given both of their educations, 34 years you bought the
farm. So it is a reservation of jurisdiction."
{¶113} "[S]pousal support cuts both ways so if something happens to him you
may end up supporting him."
{¶114} Stephen argues that the court's "given what has happened" comment
indicates the court considered fault when making its spousal support award. Stephen is
correct that the trial court may not consider fault when fashioning a spousal support
award. See Bernard v. Bernard (Jan. 30, 2002) 7th Dist. No. 00 CO 25, at *6. However,
we do not believe the trial court's comment, or the record as a whole, demonstrates the
court considered fault. Further, we find nothing problematic about the "bought the farm"
comment. Rather this seems to be a colloquial way to state that in a marriage of long
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duration, spousal support is often ordered. Finally, the trial court's comment that spousal
"support cuts both ways" is not particularly problematic either. It appears the trial court
was merely expressing its willingness to modify the spousal support obligation, should a
future situation warrant it. This is precisely why the court reserved jurisdiction over the
spousal support.
{¶115} Based on the foregoing, the trial court's spousal support award was not an
abuse of discretion. Accordingly, Stephen's second assignment of error is meritless.
Attorney Fees
{¶116} In Stephen's sole supplemental assignment of error he asserts:
{¶117} "Court erred and acted contrary to statutes and abused its discretion by
awarding attorney fees to the Appellee."
{¶118} Frances counters that the attorney fee award was reasonable based on
the fact that Stephen made his own determination to force a full trial on all issues, yet
presented no independent witnesses or evidence to contradict the evidence Frances
presented at trial. She also asserts that the decision to award attorney fees in this case
hinges on credibility determinations best made by the trial court.
{¶119} "In an action for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment of
marriage or an appeal of that action, a court may award all or part of reasonable
attorney's fees and litigation expenses to either party if the court finds the award
equitable. In determining whether an award is equitable, the court may consider the
parties' marital assets and income, any award of temporary spousal support, the conduct
of the parties, and any other relevant factors the court deems appropriate." R.C.
3105.73(A) (emphasis added.)
{¶120} "It is well-established that an award of attorney fees is within the sound
discretion of the trial court." Rand v. Rand (1985), 18 Ohio St.3d 356, 359, 18 OBR 415,
481 N.E.2d 609. "[A] trial court's discretion will not be overruled absent an attitude that is
unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable." Id., citing Blakemore, supra. The trial court
did not abuse its discretion by awarding attorney fees in this case. The court based its
decision on a number of factors including Stephen's insistence on litigating issues which
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should not have been litigated, and Stephen's "recalcitrant" attitude during trial. R.C.
3105.73(A) also allows the court to consider the spousal support award, the division of
marital property, and the parties' incomes when awarding attorney fees, but the statute
does not so require. In this case, it appears the court chose not to factor these items into
its decision. Looking at the totality of the circumstances in this case, the trial court's
decision on the attorney fee matter award was reasonable. Accordingly, Stephen's
supplemental assignment of error is meritless.
Conclusion
{¶121} Stephen's fifth and sixth assignments of error are meritorious, in part.
However, all of Stephen's other assignments of error are meritless. Accordingly, the
judgment of the trial court is affirmed in part, reversed in part and remanded to the trial
court for further proceedings.
Vukovich, P.J., concurs.
Waite, J., concurs.