Court Opinion

ID: 2698085
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 17:45:19.014319+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:50:42.791365
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Woodie v. Patterson, 2014-Ohio-3017.]

                                       COURT OF APPEALS
                                   COSHOCTON COUNTY, OHIO
                                   FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                         JUDGES:
C. JAMES WOODIE                                  :       Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J.
                                                 :       Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J.
    Plaintiff-Appellee/Cross-Appellant           :       Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
                                                 :
-vs-                                             :
                                                 :       Case No. 2013CA0022
DEANNA L. PATTERSON FKA                          :
WOODIE                                           :
                                                 :       OPINION
Defendant-Appellant/Cross-Appellee

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                             Civil appeal from the Coshocton County
                                                     Court of Common Pleas, Domestic
                                                     Relations Division, Case No. 2011DV0287

JUDGMENT:                                            Affirmed in part; Reversed and Remanded
                                                     in part

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                              July 7, 2014

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                               For Defendant-Appellant

ROBERT SKELTON                                       JACQUELINE L. KEMP
309 Main Street                                      88 West Mound Street
Coshocton, OH 43812                                  Columbus, OH 43215
[Cite as Woodie v. Patterson, 2014-Ohio-3017.]

Gwin, J.

        {¶1}    Appellant and Cross-Appellant appeal from the September 4, 2013

judgment entry of the Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations

Division, granting in part and denying in part the parties’ motions for contempt.

        {¶2}    Appellee/Cross-Appellant C. James Woodie (“James”) filed a complaint for

divorce against Appellant/Cross-Appellee Deanna L. Patterson fka Woodie (“Deanna”)

on May 4, 2011. An Agreed Judgment Entry and Decree of Divorce was filed on July

25, 2012.

        {¶3}    On January 22, 2013, James filed a contempt motion against Deanna.

James alleged that Deanna failed to pay her portion of expenses for properties in

Florida and Coshocton, Ohio, after a property management company the parties

mutually selected declined to be involved in collecting and distributing funds. On March

1, 2013, Deanna filed a contempt motion against James. In her motion, Deanna alleged

that James was in contempt for: being present at the personal property exchange and

taking items not designated for him in the personal property division, failing to pay her

the full amount of her paycheck through August 31, 2012, failing to cooperate with

Deanna regarding the payment of bills, failing to provide Deanna with excess “Kno-Ho-

Co” sums after the sale of the Florida property, and failing to remove her name from

American Express, Chase/Comdata, and AT&T corporate accounts.

        {¶4}    The trial court held an evidentiary hearing on the parties’ motion for

contempt on May 31, 2013 and July 19, 2013. James admitted he was on the property

during the personal property exchange when he knew the divorce decree stated he was

not supposed to be there during the exchange. James testified he took a boat (“Jon
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                3

boat”) off the truck because it was his understanding it was staying with the property.

James confirmed that, on the personal property distribution form attached to the agreed

judgment entry, the Jon Boat was checked in columns for both him and Deanna. James

stated the AT&T account and the Chase/Comdata accounts are not in Deanna’s name

and the Chase/Comdata account is a dormant account with an expired card. Deanna’s

name is still on the American Express account, but James testified he attempted to

refinance the debt in his name and was not able to complete the refinance because,

after paying Deanna in the divorce settlement, he did not have enough funds to

refinance the debt. James cancelled the card; however, there is a balance on the card

that he pays each month on time. James intends to pay off the debt in full but does not

currently have the full amount to pay it off. James stated he has done everything

possible to get Deanna’s name off of all business debt of Coshocton Trucking. James

testified he did not take any personal property items from the Florida property or the

other items of personal.   He stated he shipped most of the items to her after the

housekeeper packed them up and that he provided her with more items at the

deposition. James testified that he did not provide Deanna with “Kno-Ho-Co” profits

because there were no excess funds or profit.

      {¶5}   Deanna testified that her name is still on the American Express account,

but admitted her name was not on the AT&T or Comdata/Chase account and she was

simply getting e-mails with regard to these accounts. The American Express account is

a Coshocton Trucking business account with her name on it and, as far as Deanna

knows, there have not been any late or missed payments. Deanna stated she was only

paid until August 29, 2012 and not August 31, 2012 like the decree requires and
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                 4

requested an additional $1,153.84 for two days of work. Deanna’s yearly salary was

approximately $150,000 and she confirmed she was paid $100,961.35 for working in

2012. Deanna testified she was paid on a weekly basis and was paid $2,884.81 for the

last week in August. When counsel for James asked Deanna to compute her salary on

a weekly basis, Deanna stated for eight months of salary in 2012, she should receive

$100,961.35. If Deanna computed her salary on a daily basis for the eight months in

2012, her salary would be $100,273.78. When counsel for James asked Deanna to

compute her yearly salary using the amount she wanted for the two days of work in

August (August 30 and August 31), she computed her annual salary would amount to

$210,575.80.

      {¶6}     Deanna testified there were numerous items of personal property that she

was entitled to have and she did not get them, although she did sign for the personal

property brought to her by Della Biller. Deanna testified the Jon boat was a gift from

James to her many years ago. Further, that James told her the boat was hers, so she

does not know why there were checkmarks beside both of their names on the personal

property division form in the agreed judgment entry and decree of divorce. Though she

admitted there were checkmarks in both columns, Deanna assumed the boat was hers.

Deanna testified she went to the Florida property two days after the agreed judgment

entry and divorce decree were entered, but that James had removed personal property

items from that property. However, Deanna could point to no evidence that James

removed the items she alleged he took.

      {¶7}     Della Biller (“Biller”), a cleaner at Coshocton Trucking and housekeeper,

testified that she packed up the personal property items except furniture in the
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                 5

Coshocton house because James instructed her to do so and she had Deanna sign a

form stating she received the items when Biller delivered the items.

      {¶8}   The trial court issued a judgment entry on September 4, 2013. The trial

court denied James’ January 22, 2013 motion for contempt with regard to the expenses

of the parties’ real estate holdings. The trial court granted in part and denied in part

Deanna’s motion for contempt.       The trial court found James in contempt for being

present at the personal property exchange and in contempt for forcibly taking

possession of the Jon Boat during the personal property exchange. The remainder of

Deanna’s motion was denied. The trial court stated James could purge his contempt by

paying $250.00 to the Clerk of Courts, paying $11,721.26 in attorney fees, and paying

Deanna $959.00 for the Jon Boat. On September 11, 2013, James filed a Civil Rule

60(B) motion and request for findings of fact and conclusions of law with regards to the

Jon Boat. The trial court did not rule on these motions. On October 3, 2013, James

filed a notice of partial compliance and tendered a check for $250.00 to the Clerk of

Courts for the contempt fine and a check for $5,869.00 for attorney fees towards a

finding of contempt as it related to James going on to the property during exchange of

personal property.

      {¶9}   Appellant/Cross-Appellee Deanna appeals the September 4, 2013

judgment entry and assigns the following as error:

      {¶10} “I.      THE    TRIAL      COURT         ERRED     IN      FINDING    THAT

PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE WAS NOT IN CONTEMPT AS IT PERTAINS TO PERSONAL

PROPERTY AND THE INTERPRETATION OF THE LANGUAGE CONTAINED IN THE

DECREE OF DIVORCE, WHICH REFERENCES PROPERTY THAT WAS IN
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                              6

EXISTENCE AT THE TIME OF THE DECREE (JUDGMENT ENTRY DATED

SEPTEMBER 4, 2013).

      {¶11} "II.    THE   TRIAL     COURT      ERRED       BY   FAILING    TO   FIND

PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE        IN   CONTEMPT        FOR        NOT   PROPERLY    PAYING

DEFENDANT/APPELLANT HER REGULAR WAGES AS REQUIRED UNDER THE

TERMS OF THE DIVORCE DECREE THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2012 (JUDGMENT

ENTRY DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2013).

      {¶12} "III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY FAILING TO ENFORCE THE

PROVISION THAT PROVIDED FOR THE PROPER TREATMENT OF “KNO-HO-CO”

FUNDS (JUDGMENT ENTRY DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2013).

      {¶13} "IV.    THE    TRIAL    COURT      ERRED       BY   FAILING    TO   FIND

PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE IN CONTEMPT FOR CONTINUING TO UTILIZE THE CREDIT

LINE AND ACCOUNT OF DEFENDANT/APPELLANT DESPITE BEING REQUIRED

TO HOLD DEFENDANT/APPELLANT HARMLESS AND REFINANCE OR PAY OFF

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS ACCOUNT WHICH IS AN ACCOUNT UTILIZED BY

COSHOCTON          TRUCKING     AND     SECURED       BY    DEFENDANT/APPELLANT

(JUDGMENT ENTRY DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2013)."

      {¶14} Appellee/Cross-Appellant James also filed an appeal of the September 4,

2013 judgment entry and assigns the following as error:

      {¶15} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY FINDING THE

PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE IN CONTEMPT FOR TAKING POSSESSION OF A SMALL

FISHING BOAT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A “JON BOAT” DURING THE

PERSONAL PROPERTY EXCHANGE.
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                      7

       {¶16} "II. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY ORDERING THE

PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE TO PAY THE SUM OF $5,869.63 IN ATTORNEY FEES FOR

THE CONTEMPT FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE JON BOAT AND ORDERING THE

PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE TO PAY TO THE DEFENDANT/APPELLANT THE SUM OF

$959.00 FOR THE JON BOAT.”

                                          Civil Contempt

       {¶17} The standard of proof in a civil contempt proceeding is by clear and

convincing evidence. Brown v. Executive 200, Inc., 64 Ohio St. 2d 250, 416 N.E.2d 610

(1980). The determination of “clear and convincing evidence” is within the discretion of

the trier of fact. Id. We will not disturb the trial court’s decision as against the manifest

weight of the evidence if the decision is supported by some competent, credible

evidence. C.E. Morris Co. v. Foley Construction Co., 54 Ohio St. 2d 279, 376 N.E.2d
578 (1978).

       {¶18} In addition, our standard of reviewing a court’s judgment in a contempt

proceeding is the abuse of discretion standard. Hout v. Hout, 5th Dist. No. 2007-CA-

111, 2008-Ohio-2684, citing State ex rel. Celebrezze v. Gibbs, 60 Ohio St. 3d 69, 573
N.E.2d 62 (1991). An abuse of discretion implies the court’s attitude is unreasonable,

arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St. 3d 217, 450 N.E.2d
1140 (1983).

       {¶19} Further, the Ohio Supreme Court explained that, “[A] reviewing court

should not reverse a decision simply because it holds a different opinion concerning the

credibility of the witnesses and evidence submitted before the trial court. A finding of

error in law is a legitimate ground for reversal, but a difference of opinion on credibility
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                   8

of witnesses and evidence is not.” Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St. 3d 77,

81, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984). The underlying rationale for this deference to the trial

court is 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.” Id. We are not fact finders; we neither weigh the

evidence nor judge the credibility of the witnesses. Our role is to determine whether

there is relevant, competent and credible evidence upon which the fact finder could

base his or her judgment. Peterson v. Peterson, Muskingum App. No. CT2003-0049,

2004-Ohio-4714.

                                               I.

      {¶20} Deanna first argues the trial court erred in finding James was not in

contempt for the failure to provide all items of personal property to Deanna as listed in

the agreed judgment entry and decree of divorce.         The trial court found that the

testimony on the issue of personal property was confusing, that Deanna appeared

evasive and less than honest during her testimony, and that the personal property was

either shipped to Deanna, left by her at the residence, was no longer in existence, or

replaced with other items.

      {¶21} In the agreed judgment entry, the parties attached a list of various items

with checkmarks beside the name of the party who was to retain or receive the listed

item. Deanna argues she did not receive certain items on the list. Deanna testified that

Biller, a housekeeper for the parties when they were married and for James after the

divorce, brought Deanna multiple boxes from the Coshocton home and she signed a

receipt stating she received the items, including some items Deanna now contends she
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                     9

never received (Plaintiff’s Exhibit 6). Deanna stated she signed that she received the

items before she inventoried the contents of the boxes so, despite her signature that

she received certain items, she did not receive them. Biller testified she packed up the

items in the Coshocton home, except furniture, as instructed by James and delivered

them to Deanna. Biller also stated there were multiple items of personal property

missing prior to the divorce being filed. With regards to items at the Florida property,

Deanna testified she went to the Florida property two days after the divorce decree was

entered, prior to the agreed-upon dates listed in the decree, and that items were

missing from the home. When asked what evidence she had that James took the items

she stated that she had “no evidence of that.”

          {¶22} James testified the items Deanna argues she did not receive were sent to

her and signed for by her after Biller packed them up at the Coshocton home or given to

Deanna at the deposition. James stated that, other than these items already provided

to Deanna, he does not know where or what the items are. James testified he did not

take the items and does not have the items, as he had no desire to fight over the “small

stuff.”

          {¶23} As the trial court was in the best position to judge the credibility of the

parties and to determine whether James violated a court order, we cannot find that the

court abused its discretion in denying Deanna’s motion with regards to the personal

property.     Upon review of the record, we find there was relevant, competent, and

credible evidence upon which the trial court could base his or her judgment. The trial

court weighed the parties’ credibility on that issue and did not abuse its discretion when

it declined to find James in contempt. Deanna’s first assignment of error is overruled.
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                   10

                                                II.

      {¶24} Deanna contends the trial court erred in failing to find James in contempt

for not paying Deanna her regular wages through August 31, 2012. We disagree.

      {¶25} The agreed judgment entry and divorce decree provides that Deanna

remain on the payroll at her current level of compensation (salary) and benefits (health

insurance) until August 31, 2012. The trial court found Deanna was paid the full amount

of her salary through August 31, 2012 as required by the decree. The trial court has the

inherent power to interpret and enforce its own orders. Hume v. Hume, 5th Dist. Knox

No. 13CA26, 2014-Ohio-1577. Such interpretations are within the sound discretion of

the trial court and will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. In order to find an

abuse of discretion, we must determine the trial court’s decision was unreasonable,

arbitrary or unconscionable and not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v.

Blakemore, 5 Ohio St. 3d 217, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).

      {¶26} Deanna argues she was only paid through August 29, 2012. Deanna first

testified she is paid weekly for a total yearly salary of $150,000 and received $2,884.81

for the last week in August. However, Deanna maintained that she was entitled to

$576.92 per day even though such figure would equate to her salary being $210,575.80

per year. Exhibit D shows that, in 2012, Deanna was paid $100,961.35 from Coshocton

Trucking. As adduced through Deanna’s testimony, under any calculation by month,

week, or day, Deanna has been paid equal to or more than her full salary through

August 31, 2012, as required by the divorce decree. Accordingly, based upon the

evidence presented at the hearing, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in not
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                11

finding James in contempt because Deanna was paid equal to or more than what was

required by the divorce decree. Deanna’s second assignment of error is overruled.

                                              III.

      {¶27} Deanna argues the trial court erred by failing to enforce the provision that

provided for the proper treatment of “Kno-Ho-Co” funds. We disagree.

      {¶28} In the agreed judgment entry and divorce decree, the parties agreed that,

with respect to the payment of expenses associated with several properties, the parties

would sign a contract with property management company Cam Taylor that, “provides

that the company shall handle the receipt of the Kno-Ho-Co payments and other monies

from the parties as provided herein, and which further provides that the company shall

then pay all expenses as noted above.” According to the agreement, Cam Taylor was

to invoice James and Deanna each 50% of any expenses in excess of the funds on

initial deposit and, if one of the properties was sold and the remaining property’s

expenses totaled less than the Kno-Ho-Co rent payment, “the difference shall be paid to

[appellant] on a monthly basis, which she shall retain free and clear of any claim of

Plaintiff.” The trial court found that since Cam Taylor could not be retained to manage

the properties, the evidence at the hearing showed James utilized the “Kno-Ho-Co”

funds to pay the expenses to the benefit of Deanna.

      {¶29} We again note that the trial court has the inherent power to interpret and

enforce its own orders. Hume v. Hume, 5th Dist. Knox No. 13CA26, 2014-Ohio-1577.

Such interpretations are within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be

reversed absent an abuse of discretion. In order to find an abuse of discretion, we must

determine the trial court’s decision was unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable and
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                  12

not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St. 3d 217, 450
N.E.2d 1140 (1983). In this case, both James and Deanna testified that Cam Taylor

property management company refused to work with the parties to carry out the agreed

judgment entry. James testified there were no excess “Kno-Ho-Co” sums to send to

Deanna because they were being used to cover the expenses for the properties.

Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in not finding James in contempt

because the amount of expenses for the properties in the agreed judgment entry and

divorce decree exceeded the amount from the “Kno-Ho-Co” funds.            Deanna’s third

assignment of error is overruled.

                                               IV.

      {¶30} Deanna contends the trial court abused its discretion in failing to find

James in contempt for failing to timely remove Deanna from the American Express

account as required in the decree. We disagree.

      {¶31} In the divorce degree, with regards to Coshocton Trucking, Inc., it provides

that, “Plaintiff shall pay, indemnify and save Defendant harmless on all liabilities and

expenses associated with the Companies. Plaintiff shall immediately begin using his

best efforts to refinance indebtedness or take other such action so as to cause

Defendant’s name to be removed from same.” The trial court found that James used

his best efforts to refinance indebtedness or to remove Deanna’s name from the

indebtedness as required by the decree.

      {¶32} As the trial court was in the best position to judge the credibility of the

parties and to determine whether James violated a court order, we cannot find that the

court abused its discretion in denying Deanna’s motion.        At trial, both James and
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                   13

Deanna testified the American Express bill was being paid by James and no payment

had ever been missed. Thus, Deanna has been held harmless from this debt. Further,

James testified Deanna’s name is still on the account, but that he attempted to

refinance the debt in his name and was not able to complete the refinance because,

after refinancing other debts to effectuate the divorce settlement, he did not have

enough funds to refinance the debt. James testified the account has been cancelled but

there is a balance on the card he pays each month.           James stated he has done

everything possible to get Deanna’s name off all business debt of Coshocton Trucking.

Accordingly, Deanna’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.

                                  Cross-Assignment of Error I

      {¶33} Cross-appellant/appellee James argues the trial court abused its

discretion by finding him in contempt for forcibly taking possession of a small fishing

boat or a “Jon boat” during the personal property exchange. We agree.

      {¶34} The agreed judgment entry and decree of divorce provides that James is

entitled to retain those items specifically allocated to him as indicated by a checkmark in

the column entitled “Claude.” The trial court found James in contempt for forcibly taking

possession of the fishing boat or “Jon boat” during the personal property exchange.

The trial court also separately found James in contempt for being present at the

personal property exchange in violation of the agreed judgment entry and decree of

divorce. As noted above, our standard of reviewing a court’s judgment in a contempt

proceeding is the abuse of discretion standard. Hout v. Hout, 5th Dist. No. 2007-CA-

111, 2008-Ohio-2684, citing State ex rel. Celebrezze v. Gibbs, 60 Ohio St. 3d 69, 573
N.E.2d 62 (1991). An abuse of discretion implies the court’s attitude is unreasonable,
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                                  14

arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St. 3d 217, 450 N.E.2d
1140 (1983).

       {¶35} Exhibit B, attached to the agreed judgment entry and divorce decree, has

a checkmark in both James and Deanna’s column next to the item entitled “Jon boat.”

James testified it was his understanding the Jon boat was his. Deanna stated that

James told her she could have the Jon boat, so she did not know how the box was

checked beside both of their names for the boat. Deanna confirmed the boxes were

checked under both her and James’ names for the boat and there was confusion as to

who was entitled to the Jon boat, but she assumed it was hers.

       {¶36} We find the trial court erred in finding James in contempt for taking

possession of the Jon boat. A party “cannot be found in contempt if the contempt

charge is premised on a party’s failure to obey an order of the court and the order is not

clear, definite, and unambiguous and is subject to dual interpretations.”      Contos v.

Monroe County, 7th Dist. Monroe No. 04 MO 3, 2004-Ohio-6380; Chilcote v. Gleason

Const. Co., 5th Dist. Ashland No. 01COA01397, 2002-Ohio-746. Here, the parties each

had a checkmark by their name on Exhibit B with regards to the Jon boat and each

testified they thought the Jon boat belonged to them due to the confusion with the dual

checkmarks. Accordingly, we find there was no competent and credible evidence to

support the trial court’s decision that James was in contempt for taking the Jon boat

because the agreed judgment entry and divorce decree is not clear, is ambiguous, and

is subject to dual interpretations with regards to the Jon boat, as testified to by both

parties.   Having concluded that the trial court’s decree was ambiguous as to the Jon

boat, we find the trial court’s finding of contempt based upon this ambiguous provision
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                              15

was unreasonable.     Cross-appellant/appellee’s first cross-assignment of error is

sustained.

                                Cross-Assignment of Error II

      {¶37} Cross-appellant/appellee argues the trial court abused its discretion by

ordering him to pay the sum of $5,869.63 in attorney fees for the removal of the Jon

boat and ordering him to pay Deanna the sum of $959.00 for the Jon boat. We agree.

      {¶38} Based upon our analysis in Cross-Assignment of Error I, we find the trial

court erred in requiring James to pay $5,869.63 in attorney fees and in ordering James

to pay appellant the sum of $959.00 for the Jon boat.       Cross-appellant/appellee’s

second cross-assignment of error is sustained and the portion of the trial court’s

judgment entry requiring James to pay appellant $959.00 for the Jon boat and

$5,869.63 in attorney fees in order to purge the contempt for taking the Jon boat is

hereby reversed.
Coshocton County, Case No. 2013CA0022                                           16

      {¶39} Based upon the foregoing, the September 4, 2013 judgment entry of the

Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, is affirmed in

part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this

opinion.

By Gwin, J.,

Hoffman, P.J., and

Baldwin, J., concur