Opinion ID: 2106807
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Plaintiff's Conversion Claims.

Text: Defendant argues that the court erred in finding that the Ford Bronco belonged to plaintiff because both parties used the vehicle and the certificate of title was issued in the name of his business, even though the vehicle was registered and insured in plaintiff's name. He argues that he was the true owner of the truck and could not have converted it. The court, however, found that the truck was given to plaintiff as a birthday gift. [A]n effective inter vivos gift requires three elements: (1) donative intent, (2) delivery with intent to surrender all dominion over the property, and (3) acceptance by the donee. Bennett v. Bennett, 587 A.2d 463, 464 (Me.1991), citing Brackett v. Larrivee, 562 A.2d 138, 139 (Me.1989). A change of mind by the donor ... cannot undo th[e] completed gift. Brackett, 562 A.2d at 140. Despite the confusion in the documents, sufficient evidence was presented at the trial to permit the court to determine that all elements of a gift had been satisfied. As between the parties, ownership turned on the court's assessment of witness credibility. Such factual determinations will not be overturned. Defendant also argues that because he had an equal right to possession of other jointly-owned personal property, he could not have committed the tort of converting such property simply by retaining possession. [T]he gist of conversion is an invasion of a party's possession or right to possession. The Plaintiff must show `(1) a property interest in the goods; (2) the right to their possession at the time of the alleged conversion; and (3) when the holder has acquired possession rightfully, a demand by the person entitled to possession and a refusal by the holder to surrender.' Doughty, 661 A.2d at 1122, quoting Chiappetta v. LeBlond, 505 A.2d 783, 785 (Me.1986). The court did not err in finding that defendant had wrongfully retained possession of goods either solely owned by plaintiff or jointly owned by the parties. Defendant's statement that he would harm plaintiff should she attempt to retrieve her property constituted a sufficient refusal to surrender. With respect to a refund check written in defendant's name alone, retention of the funds despite his knowledge that a portion belonged to plaintiff constituted a conversion. See Ocean National Bank of Kennebunk v. Diment, 462 A.2d 35, 39 (Me.1983) ([C]onversion entails `an intent to exercise a dominion or control over the goods which is in fact inconsistent with the Plaintiff's rights.') Plaintiff was not required to ask defendant for the refund after his violent response to her request for her other belongings: Where the circumstances show that a demand would be useless, a demand is not necessary. General Motors Acceptance Corp. v. Anacone, 197 A.2d 506, 524 (Me. 1964). Defendant next challenges the court's computation of damages for conversion of plaintiff's personal property. We review such findings with great deference: Generally, we will not substitute our judgment for that of the [fact finder] in assessing damages and will not disturb the [fact finder]'s damage award unless that award is a product of bias, prejudice, improper influence, or was reached under a mistake of law or in disregard of the facts.... Although damages need not be proved to a mathematical certainty, an award must be supported by some evidence of the value of property damaged or expenses incurred. The [fact finder] is entitled to act upon probable and inferential as well as direct and positive proof in determining damages. A monetary award based on a judgmental approximation is proper, provided the evidence establishes facts from which the amount of damages may be determined to a probability. Currier v. Cyr, 570 A.2d 1205, 1210 (Me. 1990). In a conversion case, the measure of damages is the value of the property at the time of the unlawful conversion. Doughty, 661 A.2d at 1122, citing General Motors, 197 A.2d at 525. The evidence in the present case supports the court's award of damages.