Vian v. Vian

[Cite as Vian v. Vian, 2013-Ohio-4560.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
MERCER COUNTY
CHRISTINA VIAN,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT, CASE NO. 10-13-05
v.
DANIEL VIAN, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.
Appeal from Mercer County Common Pleas Court
Domestic Relations Division
Trial Court No. 11-DIV-025
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: October 15, 2013
APPEARANCES:
William E. Huber for Appellant
John A. Poppe for Appellee
Case No. 10-13-05
SHAW, J.
{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant Christina Vian (“Christina”) appeals the February
25, 2013, judgment entry of the Mercer County Common Pleas Court, Domestic
Relations Division, granting Christina a divorce from defendant-appellee Daniel
Vian (“Daniel”), distributing the parties’ debts, and denying her request for
spousal support.
{¶2} The facts relevant to this appeal are as follows. On June 7, 2011,
Christina filed a “Complaint for Divorce” alleging that she married Daniel on
November 13, 1982, and that the parties were incompatible.1 (Doc. 3).
{¶3} On June 29, 2011, Daniel filed an answer wherein he agreed that the
parties were incompatible. (Doc. 12).
{¶4} On December 8, 2011, Daniel was deposed. (Doc. 32).
{¶5} On April 24, 2012, and July 9, 2012, the divorce came before the
magistrate for a final hearing. At the final hearing both parties testified, as did the
parties’ adult daughter, and a licensed auctioneer who appraised the parties’
personal property. At the hearing, the parties stipulated that they were
incompatible, and that they owned no real property. In addition, the parties agreed
to an equal distribution of Daniel’s pension with Minster Machine. The magistrate
1
The Complaint for divorce was filed as “without children.” (Doc. 3). The parties actually had three
children together, but at the time of the filing of the complaint, the youngest was 26 years old. All three
children were emancipated.
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was left to determine the issues of whether spousal support was appropriate, the
allocation of marital debt, and the distribution of the parties’ personal property.
{¶6} On July 23, 2012, the parties submitted written closing arguments.
(Docs. 56, 57).
{¶7} On August 21, 2012, the magistrate issued a decision, making
findings of fact and conclusions of law. (Doc. 59). With regard to spousal
support, the magistrate listed and analyzed the requisite factors that are used in
determining whether spousal support is appropriate pursuant to R.C.
3105.18(C)(1) and ultimately decided that the parties were “on equal standing.”
(Id.) Therefore the magistrate determined spousal support was not appropriate in
this case. (Id.) With regard to the allocation of marital debt, the magistrate
decided that Daniel was responsible for debts he had paid such as the American
Budget loan. (Id.) The magistrate found that Christina would be responsible for
the credit card debt, finding that it was her separate debt rather than marital debt.
(Id.) The parties’ personal property was distributed pursuant to an itemized list.
(Id.)
{¶8} On October 26, 2012, Christina filed objections to the magistrate’s
decision, specifically challenging the magistrate’s decision not to award spousal
support, and the magistrate’s finding that the credit card debt was separate debt
rather than marital. (Doc. 64). Christina argued that the credit card debt should be
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marital, and that Daniel should have received half of that debt. (Id.) On
November 7, 2012, Daniel filed a response. (Doc. 65).
{¶9} On February 8, 2013, the trial court filed a “judgment entry on
objections to the magistrate’s decision.” (Doc. 66). In the entry the court stated
that it had undertaken an “independent review of the evidence.” (Id.) Ultimately
the court concluded that the magistrate appropriately addressed the issue of
spousal support and therefore overruled Christina’s objection as to that issue. (Id.)
However, the court did find that the magistrate had inappropriately determined the
credit card debt to be Christina’s separate debt rather than marital debt. (Id.) The
court thus found Christina’s objection to be “for good cause.” (Id.) Nevertheless,
upon the court’s review of the evidence, the court determined that the magistrate
had equitably divided the property and debts of the parties. (Id.) Thus the court
did not find the property/debt had been inequitably divided, and the court
overruled Christina’s request to have Daniel share in the credit card debt. (Id.)
{¶10} On February 25, 2013, the final judgment entry and decree of
divorce was entered, granting the divorce, denying Christina spousal support, and
allocating the credit card debt to Christina. (Doc. 68).
{¶11} It is from this judgment that Christina appeals, asserting the
following assignments of error for our review.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR 1
THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED IT’S [sic] DISCRETION IN
THE DIVISION OF DEBTS IN ALLOCATING THE ENTIRE
CREDIT CARD DEBT TO PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR 2
THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED IT’S [sic] AND WAS
ARBITRARY IN DENYING THE PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT
SPOUSAL SUPPORT.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR 3
THE TRIAL COURT FAILED TO CONDUCT AN
INDEPENDENT REVIEW AS TO ISSUES RAISED AND [sic]
PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT’S OBJECTIONS TO THE
MAGISTRATE’S DECISION.
First Assignment of Error
{¶12} In Christina’s first assignment of error, she argues that the trial court
abused its discretion in its division of marital debt. Specifically, Christina
contends that the trial court erred in allocating the entire credit card debt to her.
{¶13} It is well-settled that trial courts have “broad discretion to determine
what property division is equitable in a divorce proceeding.” Moore v. Moore, 3d
Dist. No. 17-03-04, 2003-Ohio-3320, ¶ 20. “Notably, the ‘[a]llocation of marital
debt is inextricably intertwined with the division of marital property.’” Id. at ¶ 21,
quoting DeWitt v. DeWitt, 3d Dist. Marion App. No. 9-02-41, 2003-Ohio-851, ¶
10 (citation omitted). “Because the division of marital debt is ‘inextricably
intertwined’ with the division of marital property, * * * the same factors are
relevant in fashioning an equitable distribution of marital debt.” Elliott v. Elliott,
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4th Dist. No. 05CA2823, 2005-Ohio-5405, ¶ 25, citing Samples v. Samples,
Washington App. No. 02CA21, 2002-Ohio-544.
{¶14} A trial court’s decision allocating marital property and debt will not
be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. Jackson v. Jackson, 3d Dist. No. 11-07-
11, 2008-Ohio-1482, ¶ 15, citing Holcomb v. Holcomb, 44 Ohio St.3d 128, 131
(1989). “The mere fact that a property division is unequal, does not, standing
alone, amount to an abuse of discretion.” Cherry v. Cherry, 66 Ohio St.2d 348(1981), paragraph two of the syllabus. An abuse of discretion is more than a mere
error; it implies that the court’s attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary, or
unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983). When
applying the abuse of discretion standard, a reviewing court may not simply
substitute its judgment for that of the trial court. Id.{¶15} In this case, the marital property to be divided consisted of Daniel’s
pension, his 401(k), a life insurance policy, three vehicles, and various items of
personal property. The retirement funds and the life insurance amounted to
$66,061.40, and the parties agreed to split those funds evenly via a qualified
domestic relations order.2 The parties’ personal property was appraised, and it
2
We computed this number by adding Daniel’s pension, $56,566.46, Daniel’s 401(k), $8,719.11, and a life
insurance policy, $775.83. (Pl.’s Exs. 12, 13, 14). The actual qualified domestic relations order purporting
to divide these amounts equally was not included in the record.
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was valued at $4,535.00. The personal property was distributed in an itemized
list, and was not objected to by Christina.3
{¶16} In the division of the parties’ vehicles, the parties agreed that
Christina would keep the parties’ 2000 Chevy Blazer, which she valued at $4,400,
and Daniel would keep a 1990 Chevy Silverado truck, and a 1988 Buick Regal,4
valued at $2,200, and $1,200 respectively.5
{¶17} Totaling all of the parties’ assets together (the retirement funds, the
personal property and the vehicles), the parties had assets of approximately
$78,396.40 that were divided in the divorce.
{¶18} The marital debt to be divided by the court consisted of debt on two
credit cards, and debt/bills that Daniel had paid since the divorce proceedings
began for which he was seeking reimbursement. The credit card debt involved
two credit cards in Christina’s name. The first credit card was a Juniper
MasterCard with a balance of $1,291.77 as of August 5, 2011, and the second was
a Chase credit card with a balance of $3,881.25 as of August 8, 2011. (Plaintiff’s
3
In that itemized property distribution, Daniel received personal property valued at $2,390, and Christina
received personal property valued at $1,580. The itemized list contained items designated as “gifts” valued
at $565.00, and it is not clear which party these items were being distributed to. There were, however,
items outside of the list of personal property to be distributed that Christina already had in her possession,
such as a camera, a Nook (e-reader), an electric roaster, a jewelry box, jewelry, and a fire safe. (Tr. at 33,
70).
4
Christina testifies that the Buick is a 1988. Daniel stated in his answer that it was a 1991. The magistrate
used the 1988 figure, so we reference it herein.
5
These are the values Christina assigned to the vehicles in her complaint. Daniel valued the Blazer at
$4000, the Silverado at $1000, and the Regal at $300. (Doc. 14).
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Exs. 16, 17). Christina entered statements reflecting these amounts into the record
at the final hearing.6
{¶19} The marital debt Daniel testified to consisted of a debt that the
parties owed to American Budget for Christina’s vehicle, which was
approximately $1,072, and bills for phone, cable, and utilities that the parties
incurred while Christina was residing in the marital residence.7 (Tr. at 56-57); (Tr.
at 114-117). Daniel requested that he be repaid for half of the bills as he had
already paid them.8 (Tr. at 114-117); (Exs. C, D, E).
{¶20} The total debt of the parties when considering the credit cards, the
American Budget loan, and the marital bills amounted to $6,729.47. Of this
amount, Daniel established that he had paid $1,556.45. The parties sought to have
the court divide the debt.
{¶21} In the magistrate’s decision, the magistrate stated the following with
regard to the marital debt, and the credit card debt specifically.
With regard to marital debt, each party shall be responsible for
any debt incurred in their own name. Therefore, Daniel is
responsible for the loan he paid to American Budget and shall
6
The statements included in the record reflecting these balances were apparently the first statements
available after the divorce was filed. (Plaintiff’s Exs. 16, 17). Christina listed these credit cards as having
similar balances in her complaint under the parties’ monthly installment payments. (Doc. 3). There was no
testimony of Christina making charges on the cards after the divorce was filed, and there was no evidence
of such charges in the statements in the record.
7
The only other debt testified to by the parties was a loan on a truck Daniel bought after this case began,
which he acknowledged he was wholly responsible for.
8
Exhibit C, a bill from Frontier for phone service, amounted to $73.95. Exhibit D, a bill from Dominion for
Gas amounted to $156.77. Exhibit E, a bill from Time Warner Cable amounted to $253.73. See (Exs. C,
D, E); (Tr. at 115-117). Exhibit F showed the receipts for payment to American Budget Company for
Christina’s car, totaling approximately $1,072.00 for five payments.
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not be reimbursed. The debt was marital debt and is now paid
in full. The undersigned will not divide prior debt that has
previously been paid. By the same token, Christina shall pay
her credit card debt. The debt is listed in her sole name. It is
her separate debt. Her testimony was refuted with regard to
what the credit cards were used. It is not marital debt.
Defendant shall be responsible for any of the marital debt for
utilities when Plaintiff was living in the marital residence.
Plaintiff will not reimburse him.
(Doc. 59).
{¶22} Christina filed objections to the magistrate’s decision on the marital
debt distribution, contending that the credit card debt was not separate debt. When
the trial court reviewed her objections, the trial court agreed with her, stating the
following.
Upon the court’s independent review of the evidence, the court
concurs with Plaintiff’s argument that the credit card debt solely
in the name of plaintiff was incurred during the marriage of the
parties, and that the evidence is insufficient to establish that
credit card debt as being plaintiff’s separate debt. To that
extent, the court finds that plaintiff’s first objection is for good
cause.
However, upon the court’s independent review of the evidence in
the record, the court determines that the magistrate has
equitably divided the property and debts of the parties, and
although the credit card debt solely in the name of plaintiff
should have been found by the magistrate to be a part of the
marital debts, nevertheless, that credit card debt should be
allocated to plaintiff as her sole obligation as between the
parties. Therefore, plaintiff’s objection to the Magistrate’s
Decision that as a marital debt, the credit card debt solely in the
name of plaintiff should be divided equally between the parties is
not well-taken, and the same is hereby denied.
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(Doc. 66).
{¶23} On appeal, Christina contends that the trial court abused its
discretion in dividing the marital debt, as she claims the division was unequal and
therefore inequitable. Christina argues that when the trial court found her
objection “for good cause” and found that the credit card debt was marital debt,
the trial court should have divided the marital debt equally. Christina further
argues that there was nothing to support the trial court’s unequal distribution of the
marital debt.
{¶24} As previously stated the parties’ total debt was $6,729.47. Thus if
the debt was divided equally, each party would be responsible for $3,364.735.
Daniel established that he had paid $1,556.45 of the parties’ debt, leaving him
with another $1,808.285 to pay if the debt was divided equally.
{¶25} At the outset, we would note that the amount Christina argues as
inequitable, $1,808.285, only amounts to a 2.532% inequity in the total
distribution of the parties’ marital assets and marital debt.9 While the distribution
in this case might not amount to a perfectly “equal” mathematical distribution as
Christina is seeking, the Ohio Supreme Court stated in Kaechele v. Kaechele, 35
Ohio St.3d 93, 95, (1988), “[e]quitable need not mean equal.” As equitable does
9
This percentage was computed by dividing the alleged inequity ($1808.285) by total assets ($78,396.40)
minus marital debt ($6,729.47) [1,808.285 / (78,396.4 – 6,729.47)]. If marital debt is not subtracted from
the assets, the inequity would be 2.3065%.
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not mean equal, it is unlikely such a small percentage would rise to an abuse of
discretion.
{¶26} However, looking into the facts of this case, it is possible that the
trial court offset amounts in the marital property distribution to satisfy the extra
marital debt given to Christina. For example, the trial court may have considered
the fact that Christina received a vehicle valued at least $1,000 more than the
vehicles received by Daniel in the property distribution.10 The trial court may also
have considered the fact that Christina received items of personal property outside
of the appraised personal property that was distributed by agreement such as
jewelry, an electric roaster, a Nook e-reader, and a fire safe.11 (Doc. 59).
{¶27} Based on this evidence, there are things in the record that could
account for the trial court’s decision to find that the property and the debt had been
offset in the distribution and that the debt and property had therefore been divided
equitably, if not precisely equally. As there is some competent credible evidence
that the award is equitable we cannot find under these circumstances that the trial
court abused its discretion.
{¶28} Accordingly, Christina’s first assignment of error is overruled.
10
If Daniel’s valuations of the vehicles were used instead, Christina’s vehicle was worth $2,700 more than
the vehicles he received in the distribution of property. (Doc. 14). Splitting the difference between those
two valuations, Christina would have received $1,850 more in value, or just over the amount of inequity
she is claiming.
11
While Daniel received more value from the division of personal property, the items taken by Christina
were not appraised and not included in that valuation. Thus we have no way of knowing how valuable
those items were.
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Second Assignment of Error
{¶29} In Christina’s second assignment of error, she argues that the trial
court abused its discretion in denying Christina’s request for spousal support.
Specifically, Christina claims that Daniel’s income exceeds Christina’s, and that
some of the magistrate’s findings when discussing whether to award spousal
support were not supported by the record.
{¶30} “Trial courts are granted broad discretion concerning awards of
spousal support.” Muckensturm v. Muckensturm, 3rd Dist. No. 5-11-38, 2012-
Ohio-3062, ¶ 16, citing Tremaine v. Tremaine, 111 Ohio App.3d 703 (2d
Dist.1996). Their orders will not be reversed on appeal absent an abuse of that
discretion. Id. When applying an abuse-of-discretion standard, an appellate court
may not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court. Blakemore, supra.
{¶31} Revised Code 3105.18 governs the trial court’s award of spousal
support and requires the court to consider fourteen factors set forth in R.C.
3105.18(C)(1), which reads,
(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:
(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;
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(b) The relative earning abilities of the parties;
(c) The ages and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions
of the parties;
(d) The retirement benefits of the parties;
(e) The duration of the marriage;
(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;
(g) The standard of living of the parties established during the
marriage;
(h) The relative extent of education of the parties;
(i) The relative assets and liabilities of the parties, including
but not limited to any court-ordered payments by the parties;
(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;
(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;
(l) The tax consequences, for each party, of an award of
spousal support;
(m) The lost income production capacity of either party that
resulted from that party's marital responsibilities;
(n) Any other factor that the court expressly finds to be
relevant and equitable.
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{¶32} In the magistrate’s decision in this case, the magistrate specifically
listed each factor and made findings under each of those factors, finding only
factor “f” to be inapplicable. In so doing, the magistrate found that “the parties are
on equal standing. Other than the fact that Daniel has recently earned more money
than Christina, when taking into consideration all other factors, the undersigned
finds they are on equal footing. Christina’s health is better than Daniel’s. Both
parties have equivalent earning abilities, etc.” (Doc. 59). Thus the magistrate
declined to award Christina spousal support.
{¶33} Christina objected to the magistrate’s decision regarding spousal
support, and the trial court overruled that objection, stating,
[t]he court finds that the issue of spousal support is
appropriately addressed by the magistrate in paragraph 63 of
the findings of fact wherein the factors contained in R.C.
3105.18(C)(1) are addressed. The court has made an
independent review of the evidence and determines that the
findings of the magistrate which relate to each of the statutory
factors are consistent with the evidence and that those finding[s]
support the conclusion contained in paragraph 8 of the decision
portion of the Magistrate’s Decision that no spousal support
shall be paid by either party to the other.
(Doc. 66).
{¶34} On appeal, Christina contends that several of the magistrate’s
findings were unsupported by the record and that the trial court should have
awarded her spousal support to essentially equalize the parties’ incomes. We will
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discuss briefly the evidence presented with regard to the factors of R.C.
3105.18(C)(1).
{¶35} With regard to factor (a), the facts of this case established that
Daniel earned approximately $18.50 an hour, or $38,000 per year before overtime,
which amounted to at least a few thousand dollars per year. Christina earned
$18,968 in 2011.
{¶36} With regard to factors (b), (h), (j), and (m), Daniel does not have a
high school diploma, as he only went to school through the ninth grade. The
record does not make clear whether Christina graduated from high school. Neither
party contributed to the education, training, or earning ability of the other party
during the marriage, nor was there lost income or production capacity as a result
of marital responsibility. Moreover, there is nothing differentiating the ability of
the parties to secure comparable employment based on their skills or education.
{¶37} With regard to factor (c), Christina testified that she was in good
health. Daniel testified that he suffered from depression and from high blood
pressure, for which he received medication.
{¶38} With regard to factor (d), Daniel had retirement benefits through
Minster Machine Company, but those benefits were being evenly split between the
parties by agreement.
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{¶39} With regard to factor (e), the parties were married for over 28 years.
They were married on November 13, 1982, and separated on May 22, 2011.
{¶40} Factor (f) is not relevant as there were no minor children.
{¶41} With regard to factor (g), the parties testified that throughout their
marriage they lived paycheck to paycheck. The parties did not often go out to eat
or attend entertainment events. During the entirety of the parties’ marriage, they
took no more than three vacations, all to Tennessee, and all in the final years of
their marriage.
{¶42} With regard to factor (i), the parties’ assets and liabilities were
discussed in the previous assignment of error. The assets were split equitably and
there are no other liabilities other than those discussed previously.
{¶43} With regard to factor (k) Christina did not provide evidence that she
was considering acquiring further training or education.
{¶44} Factor (l) relates to tax consequences, and said consequences were
stated to be considered by the magistrate.
{¶45} In sum, the parties maintained a “paycheck to paycheck” standard of
living throughout the course of their marriage. Christina put on evidence that
there was a disparity in the parties’ income, but she did not establish a greater
earning ability in Daniel, or a contribution to Daniel’s earning ability throughout
their marriage. Based on the entirety of the evidence presented in the record, the
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magistrate’s examination of the requisite factors, and the trial court’s independent
review and analysis, we cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion in
declining to award Christina spousal support. Accordingly, Christina’s second
assignment of error is overruled.
Third Assignment of Error
{¶46} In Christina’s third assignment of error, she argues that the trial
court erred by not conducting an independent review and analysis of Christina’s
objections to the magistrate’s decision. Specifically, Christina contends that the
trial court did not independently review her objections to the issues discussed in
the first two assignments of error.
{¶47} “Pursuant to Rule 53(D)(4)(d) of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure,
when objections are filed to a magistrate's decision, the trial court must
independently review the objected matters to decide if the magistrate properly
determined the factual issues and appropriately applied the law.” Gilleo v. Gilleo,
3d Dist. No. 10-10-07, 2010-Ohio-5191, citing Brandon v. Brandon, 3d Dist. No.
10-08-13, 2009-Ohio-3818, ¶ 31. When examining whether a trial court has
conducted the required independent review of a magistrate's decision, appellate
courts “generally presume regularity in the proceedings below, and, therefore, we
generally presume that the trial court conducted its independent analysis in
reviewing the magistrate's decision.” Mahlerwein v. Mahlerwein, 4th Dist. No.
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04CA15, 2005-Ohio-1835, ¶ 47. Therefore, the party who asserts that the trial
court did not conduct such a review bears the burden of affirmatively
demonstrating the trial court's failure to perform its duty. Id.; Figel v. Figel, 3d
Dist. No. 10-08-14, 2009-Ohio-1659, ¶ 2.
{¶48} In this case, Christina contends that the trial court did not conduct an
independent review because it made no additional factual or legal findings.
Despite Christina’s arguments on appeal, when reviewing Christina’s objections,
the trial court stated, “[t]he court has reviewed the pleadings, the exhibits admitted
into evidence, the transcript, and the arguments of the parties, and has made an
independent review of the matter.” (Emphasis added.) (Doc. 66). In addition, the
court referred to its “independent review” of the evidence with respect to both the
first and second objections, and stated yet another time that it had made an
independent review in the same entry. Thus the court was clearly conscious of its
duty to independently review the evidence, as it stated four times that it had done
so in the six paragraphs of the entry.
{¶49} Moreover, with regard to the court’s review of Christina’s objection
to the credit card debt allocation, the court actually reasoned that Christina’s
objection was “for good cause,” indicating an independent review of the record to
determine the credit card debt was, in fact, marital rather than separate.
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{¶50} Furthermore, as to the trial court’s review of Christina’s objection to
spousal support, the trial court specifically referenced the paragraph wherein the
magistrate carefully addressed spousal support and stated that the magistrate’s
findings were consistent with the evidence, indicating the court had actually
conducted the independent review of the record it stated it had. Based upon this,
we cannot find that the court failed to conduct an independent review and analysis.
Accordingly, Christina’s third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶51} For the foregoing reasons Christina’s assignments of error are
overruled and the judgment of the Mercer County Common Pleas Court, Domestic
Relations Division, is affirmed.
Judgment Affirmed
WILLAMOWSKI, J., concurs.
/jlr
ROGERS, J., concurring separately.
{¶52} I concur with the result reached by the majority. I write separately to
comment on Appellant’s third assignment of error which alleged that the trial
court had failed to conduct an independent review of the magistrate’s decision.
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{¶53} Accepting the trial judge at his word, and noting the trial court’s
findings as to the objections to the magistrate’s decision, this court is compelled to
overrule the assignment.
{¶54} I find it curious, however, that the magistrate’s signature appears on
the final judgment entry, above that of the trial court judge. It is the decision of
the judge that is to be embodied in a judgment entry, and not the recommendations
or opinions of the magistrate. If the magistrate’s approval is intended as a
ministerial act to confirm that the entry contains all that it should, then counsel’s
signature, below that of the judge, would be sufficient to provide such
confirmation. However, if the magistrate’s prior approval of stated findings is
required before the trial judge will sign an entry, I would personally, and
professionally, find the procedure to be offensive.
{¶55} At oral argument, counsel stated to this court that in all cases, after
the judge’s ruling on objections, the judgment entry must be submitted to the
magistrate for approval before the judge will sign it. Considering that procedure
along with the fact that the magistrate’s signature appears above that of the judge
on the judgment entry, it is understandable that counsel might wonder who is
having the final word on the case – the magistrate or the judge.
{¶56} Further evidence of this magistrate’s apparent misunderstanding of a
magistrate’s limited authority is evident in her use of language such as “[t]he
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undersigned will not divide prior debt[,]” “[t]he plaintiff shall[,]” and “the parties
shall[,]” as well as her inclusion of the phrase “IT IS SO ORDERED” in bold type
and capital letters at the end of her magistrate’s decision. (Docket No. 59, p. 10).
It would appear that the magistrate actually believes that she is rendering final
orders in the case, rather than recommendations to the trial judge.
{¶57} It is no wonder then that attorneys and parties feel the magistrate is
making the decisions, the trial judge is rubber stamping those decisions, and that
language to the effect that the judge has made an independent review of the
transcript and evidence is nothing but regurgitation of the magic words from
Civ.R. 53.
/jlr
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