Court Opinion

ID: 4030541
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-01 07:07:45.542372+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:29:28.234804
License: Public Domain

STATE OF MICHIGAN

                             COURT OF APPEALS

MARK L. RUGIERO,                                                   UNPUBLISHED
                                                                   August 30, 2016
               Plaintiff-Appellee,

v                                                                  Nos. 325254, 325257
                                                                   Wayne Circuit Court
GEORGE R. LUBIENSKI, and                                           LC No. 12-011723-CZ
CHRISTOPHER B. KROLL,

               Defendants,
and

PAUL M. LUBIENSKI,

               Defendant-Appellant.

Before: RONAYNE KRAUSE, P.J., and SAWYER and STEPHENS, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

       In these consolidated appeals1, defendant Paul M. Lubienski appeals as of right the circuit
court order transferring plaintiff Mark L. Rugiero’s case to Wayne County Probate Court under
MCR 2.227 for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction and the circuit court’s denial of
reconsideration of that order. We affirm in part and remand in part.

                             I. BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURE

       This case involves plaintiff’s challenge to an amendment of the Pecar Family Trust that
disinherited him. The Pecar Family Trust was executed on November 6, 2007. LeRoy Pecar

1
 Rugiero v Lubienski, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, issued May 13, 2015 (Docket
Nos. 325254, 325257).

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(the decedent), grantor of the Pecar Family Trust, died testate on November 19, 2011. George R.
Lubienski (George) and Paul M. Lubienski (defendant) were named as primary successor trustee
and secondary successor trustee, respectively. George and defendant are attorneys. They are
also father and son. Between the years of 2008 and 2010, the Pecar Family Trust was amended
four times. The first amendment was executed on February 19, 2008, for the purposes of leaving
the Pecar’s home to their neighbor, Richard Krasicky.2 The second amendment was executed on
April 14, 2009, and changed the distribution of remaining Trust property to “1. Thirty-three and
one-third percent (33.33%) to GEORGE R. LUBIENSKI. 2. Thirty-three and one-third percent
(33.33%) to PAUL M. LUBIENSKI. 3. Thirty-three and one-third percent (33.33%) to MARK
RUGGERIO [sic].”3 The third amendment executed on October 27, 2009, appointed George and
defendant as immediate co-trustees, along with decedent, due to decedent’s and his wife’s “age
and physical condition.” Decedent executed the fourth and last amendment on February 23,
2010, which disinherited plaintiff and left all residuary property, “1) 50% to George R.
Lubienski. 2) 50% to Paul M. Lubienski.”

        Plaintiff learned that he was disinherited by decedent on January 10, 2012, after visiting
the office of George and defendant. After being denied a petition for decedent’s estate to be
probated and for the appointment of a personal representative in probate court, plaintiff filed a
complaint in circuit court against defendant, George and Christopher B. Kroll4 on September 5,
2012, alleging undue influence (Count I) and tortious interference with inheritance (Count II).
On November 3, 2014, the circuit court granted defendant partial summary disposition as to
Count II, holding that the cause of action was not recognized in Michigan. The court sua sponte,
noticed a hearing to consider transferring the undue influence claim to probate court for lack of
subject-matter jurisdiction. The court afforded the parties the opportunity to brief the issue and
to have oral argument. Both parties opposed the transfer and argued that the circuit court had
concurrent jurisdiction with the probate court under MCL 700.1303(1)(a), (g) and (h) to
determine property rights, impose a constructive trust and hear and decide a claim regarding the
return of property from a fiduciary or trustee. The court disagreed in an opinion and order dated
November 7, 2014, that transferred plaintiff’s remaining Count I to probate court without costs.
The court determined that plaintiff’s undue influence claim fell within the exclusive jurisdiction
of the probate court under MCL 700.1302(b)(iv) and (v). Defendant was denied reconsideration
of the transfer order on December 5, 2014.

                           II. SUBJECT-MATTER JURISDICTION

2
 The first amendment also devised $1,000 to Monsignor James Moloney of St. Anselm’s
Church.
3
  The second amendment also devised $10,000 to Richard Krasicky “for his help and assistance
that he has shown [] over the years” and $1,000 to “friend” Betsy Hall.
4
 The circuit court granted summary disposition to defendant Christopher B. Kroll on August 21,
2014. Plaintiff’s claims against George R. Lubienski were settled in case evaluation.
Accordingly, we refer to Paul M. Lubienski only as defendant.

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       Plaintiff and defendant jointly argue that the circuit court erred in concluding that it
lacked subject-matter jurisdiction, and in transferring plaintiff’s case to probate court. We
disagree.

       “Whether a trial court has subject-matter jurisdiction is a question of law that this Court
reviews de novo.” Etefia v Credit Techs, Inc, 245 Mich. App. 466, 472; 628 NW2d 577 (2001).
“The interpretation and application of the court rules, like the interpretation of statutes, is [also] a
question of law that is reviewed de novo on appeal.” Colista v Thomas, 241 Mich. App. 529, 535;
616 NW2d 249 (2000).

        “[A] court is continually obliged to question sua sponte its own jurisdiction over a
person, the subject matter of an action, or the limits of the relief it may afford[.]” Yee v
Shiawassee Co Bd of Com’rs, 251 Mich. App. 379, 399; 651 NW2d 756 (2002). “Jurisdiction
over the subject-matter is the right of the court to exercise judicial power over that class of cases,
not the particular case before it, but rather the abstract power to try a case of the kind or character
of the one pending....” Joy v Two-Bit Corp, 287 Mich. 244, 253; 283 N.W. 45 (1938). Subject-
matter jurisdiction is established by reference to the allegations in the complaint. Neal v
Oakwood Hospital Corp, 226 Mich. App. 701, 707; 575 NW2d 68 (1997). “In determining
jurisdiction, this Court will look beyond a plaintiff's choice of labels to the true nature of the
plaintiff's claim.” Manning v Amerman, 229 Mich. App. 608, 613; 582 NW2d 539, 541 (1998).
“The question of jurisdiction does not depend on the truth or falsity of the charge, but upon its
nature....” Altman v Nelson, 197 Mich. App. 467, 472; 495 NW2d 826 (1992).

        Circuit courts are courts of general jurisdiction and have original jurisdiction over “all
civil claims and remedies, except where exclusive jurisdiction is given in the constitution or by
statute to some other court or where the circuit courts are denied jurisdiction by the constitution
or statutes of this state.” Farmers Ins Exch v South Lyon Community Schools, 237 Mich. App.
235, 241; 602 NW2d 588 (1999), quoting MCL 600.605. Here, the circuit court determined that
it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over plaintiff’s claims and that jurisdiction was instead
vested exclusively in the probate court.

        “The probate court . . . is a court of limited jurisdiction, deriving all of its power from
statutes.” Manning, 229 Mich. App. at 611. “The jurisdiction, powers and duties of the probate
court and of the judges thereof shall be provided by law.” Const 1963, art 6, § 15. Under MCL
600.841, the probate court has jurisdiction and power as conferred upon it under the Estates and
Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), MCL 700.1101 et seq. MCL 700.1302 provides that the
probate court “has exclusive legal and equitable jurisdiction” over the following matters:

       (a) A matter that relates to the settlement of a deceased individual’s estate,
       whether testate or intestate, who was at the time of death domiciled in the county
       or was at the time of death domiciled out of state leaving an estate within the
       county to be administered, including, but not limited to, all of the following
       proceedings:

       (i) The internal affairs of the estate.

       (ii) Estate administration, settlement, and distribution.

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       (iii) Declaration of rights that involve an estate, devisee, heir, or fiduciary.

       (iv) Construction of a will.

       (v) Determination of heirs.

       (vi) Determination of death of an accident or disaster victim under section 1208.

       (b) A proceeding that concerns the validity, internal affairs, or settlement of a
       trust; the administration, distribution, modification, reformation, or termination of
       a trust; or the declaration of rights that involve a trust, trustee, or trust beneficiary,
       including, but not limited to, proceedings to do all of the following:

       (i) Appoint or remove a trustee.

       (ii) Review the fees of a trustee.

       (iii) Require, hear, and settle interim or final accounts.

       (iv) Ascertain beneficiaries.

       (v) Determine a question that arises in the administration or distribution of a trust,
       including a question of construction of a will or trust.

       (vi) Instruct a trustee and determine relative to a trustee the existence or
       nonexistence of an immunity, power, privilege, duty, or right.

       (vii) Release registration of a trust.

       (viii) Determine an action or proceeding that involves settlement of an irrevocable
       trust.

       (c) Except as otherwise provided in section 1021 of the revised judicature act of
       1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.1021, a proceeding that concerns a guardianship,
       conservatorship, or protective proceeding.

       (d) A proceeding to require, hear, or settle the accounts of a fiduciary and to
       order, upon request of an interested person, instructions or directions to a
       fiduciary that concern an estate within the court's jurisdiction.        [MCL
       700.1302(a)-(d)].

In addition to the probate court’s exclusive jurisdiction under MCL 700.1302, the probate court
also has concurrent jurisdiction under MCL 700.1303, over “the following in regard to an estate
of a decedent, protected individual, ward, or trust:”

       (a) Determine a property right or interest.

       (b) Authorize partition of property.

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       (c) Authorize or compel specific performance of a contract in a joint or mutual
       will or of a contract to leave property by will.

       (d) Ascertain if individuals have survived as provided in this act.

       (e) Determine cy-pres or a gift, grant, bequest, or devise in trust or otherwise as
       provided in 1915 PA 280, MCL 554.351 to 554.353.

       (f) Hear and decide an action or proceeding against a distributee of a fiduciary of
       the estate to enforce liability that arises because the estate was liable upon some
       claim or demand before distribution of the estate.

       (g) Impose a constructive trust.

       (h) Hear and decide a claim by or against a fiduciary or trustee for the return of
       property.

       (i) Hear and decide a contract proceeding or action by or against an estate, trust,
       or ward.

       (j) Require, hear, or settle an accounting of an agent under a power of attorney.

       (k) Bar an incapacitated or minor wife of her dower right. [MCL 700.1303(1)(a)-
       (k).]

The purpose of concurrent jurisdiction is to simplify estate proceedings “by consolidating the
probate and other related actions or proceedings in the probate court.” MCL 700.1303(3).
“Where the exercise of a concurrent jurisdiction is recognized, whether it will be exercised or
declined rests largely in the discretion of the court[.]” Fid Mut Life Ins Co v Blain, 144 Mich.
218, 220; 107 N.W. 877 (1906) (quotation omitted).

       On appeal, both plaintiff and defendant argue that plaintiff’s claims fall under MCL
700.1303, the statute for concurrent jurisdiction. However, “subject matter jurisdiction cannot be
conferred on the court by the consent of the parties.” In re Hatcher, 443 Mich. 426, 433; 505
NW2d 834 (1993). As previously stated, subject-matter jurisdiction is determined by the
complaint allegations, not by stipulation. Neal, 226 Mich. App. 707.

        The circuit court determined that exclusive jurisdiction of plaintiff’s claim rested with the
probate court under MCL 700.1302(b)(iv) (ascertain beneficiaries) and (v) (determine a question
that arises in the administration or distribution of a trust). We agree. A review of the complaint
allegations shows that plaintiff was asking the circuit court to determine that he was a
beneficiary under the Trust and then to distribute his rightful share to him. The complaint
alleged that after a third amendment to the Trust, plaintiff expected to receive one-third of the
residuary Trust estate, however, he was disinherited by a fourth amendment that was a product of
undue influence by defendant. These allegations clearly involve an ascertainment of beneficiary
status and a question regarding the administration or distribution of a trust. These issues are
within the exclusive jurisdiction of the probate court. MCL 700.1302(b)(iv) and (v).

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        Defendant contends that plaintiff’s claims fit under MCL 700.1303(1)(a) (determine a
property right or interest), (g) (impose a constructive trust), and/or (h) (a claim against a
fiduciary or trustee for the return of property). We disagree. It is true that the complaint alleged
that plaintiff had a right to one-third share of the Trust residue, which would involve the
determination of a property right, but that property right is dependent on plaintiff’s status as a
beneficiary of the Trust. Thus, the determination of plaintiff’s right or interest flows from
plaintiff’s status under the Trust. MCL 700.7103 defines “Trust beneficiary” as “a person to
whom 1 or both of the following apply: (i) The person has a present or future beneficial interest
in a trust, vested or contingent [and] (ii) The person holds a power of appointment over trust
property in a capacity other than that of trustee.” MCL 700.7103(l). Additionally,
“[d]istribution of trust property to the proper beneficiary is a primary administrative duty of a
trustee. MCL 700.7401(1), (hh).” In re Temple Marital Trust, 278 Mich. App. 122, 133; 748
NW2d 265 (2008). Plaintiff’s beneficiary status has not been determined. If plaintiff is not a
beneficiary, then he has no right or interest in property or the return of property under the Trust.
At most, plaintiff’s claims under MCL 700.1303(1)(a) and (h) would be joined with the
exclusive probate claim to ascertain beneficiaries under MCL 700.1303(3) as a related action.
The same goes with MCL 700.1303(1)(g). As stated in 76 Am Jur 2d, Trusts, § 175, p 230, “[a]
constructive trust requires money or property identified as belonging in good conscience to the
plaintiff which can clearly be traced to particular funds or property in the defendant’s
possession.”

        Defendant’s argument that the circuit court has concurrent jurisdiction to adjudicate
plaintiff’s claims under MCL 700.1303(1)(a), (g) and/or (h) is also erroneously premised on the
status of the Trust estate at the time plaintiff filed the complaint and not, as required, on the
complaint allegations. Defendant argues that MCL 700.1302(b)(iv) does not apply because by
the time of the complaint filing, “that ship ha[d] sailed” and the Trust assets were already
distributed. Plaintiff agrees with this reasoning. Neither defendant nor plaintiff however, cites
authority supporting that the probate court loses exclusive jurisdiction to hear petitions after
Trust proceeds have been distributed. Defendant also contends that the trial court should have
just “treated” plaintiff “as if he was [a beneficiary] for damage-assessment purposes.” Again,
plaintiff’s right to any damages is entirely based on his status as a beneficiary. It is for this
reason that we are also not persuaded by the unpublished cases cited by defendant that involve
plaintiffs whose statuses as beneficiaries are not at issue.

        Although plaintiff labels his claim as one of undue influence, the gravamen of his cause
of action is that he is a beneficiary under the Trust and as such, was not distributed his one-third
share of decedent’s Trust estate. The ascertainment of beneficiaries and questions regarding
distribution and administration of a trust are claims within the exclusive jurisdiction of the
probate court. Accordingly, we conclude that the court did not err in transferring plaintiff’s
remaining claim of undue influence to the probate court for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

                           III. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION

       Defendant next argues that the circuit court was required to order reasonable
compensation to defendant as a condition of the transfer of plaintiff’s case to probate court under
MCR 2.227(A)(2). We agree. Because the court did not make a ruling on this issue, remand is
appropriate.

                                                -6-
        This Court reviews a trial court’s decision on a motion for reconsideration, Woods v SLB
Prop Mgt, LLC, 277 Mich. App. 622, 629; 750 NW2d 228 (2008), and decision whether to award
attorney fees and costs, Smith v Khouri, 481 Mich. 519, 526; 751 NW2d 472 (2008), for an abuse
of discretion. “An abuse of discretion occurs when the trial court's decision is outside the range
of reasonable and principled outcomes.” Id. This Court reviews a trial court’s interpretation of
court rules de novo. Szymanski v Brown, 221 Mich. App. 423, 433; 562 NW2d 212 (1997).

       MCR 2.227(A) provides

       (1) When the court in which a civil action is pending determines that it lacks
       jurisdiction of the subject matter of the action, but that some other Michigan court
       would have jurisdiction of the action, the court may order the action transferred to
       the other court in a place where venue would be proper. . . .

       (2) As a condition of transfer, the court shall require the plaintiff to pay the
       statutory filing fee applicable to the court to which the action is to be transferred,
       and to pay reasonable compensation for the defendant’s expense, including
       reasonable attorney fees, in attending in the wrong court. [MCR 2.227(A)(1)-(2)].

        This issue was first raised by defendant in a motion for reconsideration. A motion for
rehearing or reconsideration must demonstrate that “(1) the trial court made a palpable error and
(2) a different disposition would result from correction of the error.” Luckow v Luckow, 291
Mich. App. 417, 426; 805 NW2d 453 (2011) citing MCR 2.119(F)(3). “Palpable” is defined as “
‘[e]asily perceptible, plain, obvious, readily visible, noticeable, patent, distinct, manifest.’ ”
Stamp v Mill Street Inn, 152 Mich. App. 290, 294; 393 NW2d 614 (1986), quoting Black’s Law
Dictionary (5th ed). “Ordinarily, a trial court has discretion on a motion for reconsideration to
decline to consider new legal theories or evidence that could have been presented when the
motion was initially decided.” Yoost v Caspari, 295 Mich. App. 209, 220; 813 NW2d 783 (2012).
This Court will not find an abuse of discretion when the trial court has denied “a motion resting
on a legal theory and facts which could have been pled or argued prior to the trial court’s original
order.” Charbeneau v Wayne Co Gen Hosp, 158 Mich. App. 730, 733; 405 NW2d 151 (1987).
“A circuit court does not err by declining to consider legal arguments raised for the first time in a
motion for reconsideration.” Pierron v Pierron, 282 Mich. App. 222, 264; 765 NW2d 345 (2009).

        Defendant’s motion for reconsideration requested reasonable attorney fees and costs
incurred for attending in the wrong court, or in the alternative remand for an evidentiary hearing
to determine the amount of reasonable fees to be awarded. In support of his motion, defendant
attached an affidavit from defense attorney Melissa E. Graves averring the amount of hours spent
she and other individuals worked on defendant’s case along with their rates per hour. Defendant
also attached the “2014 Economics of Law Practice Attorney Income and Billing Rate Summary
Report” published by the State Bar of Michigan. The court issued an order denying
reconsideration after review of defendant’s motion and brief, exhibits and the court’s prior
opinion and order.

       The record does not provide us with the basis for the court’s determination that defendant
was not entitled to any compensation. It is possible that the court determined that all of
defendant’s expenses were not incurred due to filing in the wrong court. However, we will not

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speculate when the payment of reasonable expenses occasioned by filing in the wrong court is
mandatory under MCR 2.227(A)(2). “As a condition of transfer, the court shall require the
plaintiff to pay the statutory filing fee applicable to the court to which the action is to be
transferred, and to pay reasonable compensation for the defendant’s expense, including
reasonable attorney fees, in attending in the wrong court.” MCR 2.227(A)(2) (emphasis added).
In this case the court’s silence leads us to conclude that the court abused its discretion in not
granting defendant’s motion for reconsideration in regard to MCR 2.227(A)(2) only. Defendant
demonstrated that a palpable error occurred where the court rule mandates the statutory filing fee
and reasonable compensation be paid as a condition of transfer and the circuit court failed to rule
on the issue. Therefore, we remand to the circuit court for an evidentiary hearing to determine
the total amount of reasonable compensation, including attorney fees, due defendant for
attending in the wrong court.

        We affirm the circuit court’s holding that it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction. We
remand the issue of reasonable compensation for an evidentiary hearing. We do not retain
jurisdiction.

                                                            /s/ David H. Sawyer
                                                            /s/ Cynthia Diane Stephens

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