Opinion ID: 2654644
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: facts

Text: [¶3] On February 19, 2011, Decedent died of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Decedent was survived by his wife, Laura Soran, by his parents, Dan and Lynette Soran, and by his sister, Sarah Soran. Robert A. Curran was the driver of the vehicle in which Decedent was a passenger when he died, and Decedent’s father, Dan Soran, in his capacity as wrongful death personal representative, settled with Curran’s insurance providers for the sum of $400,000. A dispute arose between Decedent’s beneficiaries as to how the settlement proceeds should be distributed. On October 18, 2011, Dan Soran, again in his personal representative capacity, filed a Rule 67 motion to 1 deposit the settlement proceeds for holding by the clerk of court until such time as their proper distribution among Decedent’s survivors could be determined. [¶4] On February 4, 2013, a bench trial was held to determine distribution of the settlement proceeds. Decedent’s parents and sister were represented on one side of the dispute, and they framed the dispute in their pretrial memorandum as follows: The remaining dispute lays between, on the one hand, Daniel’s estranged wife Laura Soran, and on the other, Daniel’s immediate family, consisting of his father, mother, and sister (respectively Dan, Lynn and Sarah Soran). Daniel’s parents and sister collectively dispute the portion claimed by Laura, based on evidence that the marriage between Daniel and Laura was irretrievably broken, and that Daniel had unquestionably planned to divorce Laura. In addition to presenting evidence showing the extremely close, loving and ongoing relationship between Daniel and his parents and sister, an additional focus at trial will be on the extensive evidence documenting Daniel’s intent to end his marriage to Laura, refuting her damage claims. [¶5] Decedent’s wife, Laura Soran, was represented on the other side of the dispute, and she described the dispute as follows in her pretrial memorandum: Laura Soran claims that she has significant damages resulting from the death of her husband, Daniel P. Soran, II. Laura Soran’s damages include economic damages of loss of support as well as non-economic damages resulting from the loss of care[,] comfort and society of Decedent. On information and belief, the other wrongful death beneficiaries claim that they have damages resulting from the death of Decedent and further claim that Laura Soran and Decedent’s marriage would have ended in divorce and that, therefore, Laura Soran’s damages in this matter are limited to the care, comfort, society and support that Laura Soran would have received prior to any divorce. Laura Soran denies that her marriage would have ended in divorce. [¶6] At trial, Decedent’s parents and sister submitted evidence of their close relationship with Decedent. They also presented evidence, through testimony and exhibits, including copies of text messages, and divorce documents, that Decedent and his wife were living separately within their home, that Decedent’s wife was making plans 2 to move from the home, and that Decedent and his wife had divided property, had found new homes for their pets, and were planning to divorce. Laura Soran, on the other hand, testified that she felt Decedent had a drinking problem, that the actions she had taken toward divorce in the months before Decedent’s death were intended to force him to get help, and that she was not certain that she and Decedent would ultimately have divorced. She also testified concerning the economic loss she suffered as a result of Decedent’s death and the loss she suffered as a result of losing the companionship of Decedent, who she described as her best friend. [¶7] On February 25, 2013, the district court issued its order distributing the settlement proceeds. The court ordered Decedent’s wife, Laura Soran, to receive a 75% share of the settlement proceeds, Decedent’s parents to each receive a 10% share, and Decedent's sister to receive a 5% share. Decedent’s parents and sister timely filed a notice of appeal.