Court Opinion

ID: 987307
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-07-02 22:01:25.780988+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:07:54.853423
License: Public Domain

FILED 

                                                                 MAY 7, 2013 

                                                        In the Office of the Clerk of Court 

                                                       WA State Court of Appeals, Division III 

         IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON 

                            DIVISION THREE 

In re the Marriage of:                         )         No. 30662-3-III
                                               )
LIUBOV A. SCHMIDT,                             )
                                               )
                     Appellant,                )
                                               )
              and                              )         UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                               )
KENNETH R. SCHMIDT,                            )
                                               )
                     Respondent.               )

       KULIK, 1. -   The trial court has broad discretion in making a just and equitable

distribution of property and awarding maintenance in a dissolution action. Here, Liubov

Schmidt appeals the trial court's division of property and award of maintenance. Ms.

Schmidt contends that the court erred by failing to characterize the increased value in Mr.

Schmidt's lending enterprise as community property. Ms. Schmidt also contends that the

court failed to consider the needs of the parties and the ability of the parties to pay. We

conclude the trial court properly exercised its discretion, and we affinn its order.
No.30662-3-III
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

                                         FACTS

      Liubov Schmidt and Kenneth Schmidt began communicating with each other in

2004 through an online Christian dating site. Ms. Schmidt lived in Russia and owned a

successful travel agency. Before owning her travel business, Ms. Schmidt operated a

sunflower oil business and a sewing business. She earned two music degrees and one

health education degree.

       Mr. Schmidt lived in College Place, Washington. Mr. Schmidt was a retired civil

engineer and government employee. He derived his income from social security, a

government pension, and from a private lending enterprise.

      The couple's relationship developed romantically. In 2005, Ms. Schmidt

immigrated to the United States and the couple married. She sold her business and gave

the money to Mr. Schmidt. She donated her home to her church in Russia.

      While married, Ms. Schmidt worked part time as a violin teacher and as a member

of the Walla Walla Symphony. She earned as much as $18,000 per year. Ms. Schmidt

used the money to fund her son's education. Mr. Schmidt continued to earn an income

from his investment enterprise.

      The couple built a new house funded with Mr. Schmidt's separate property. Ms.

Schmidt signed a quit claim deed in which she declared no interest in the property.

                                            2

No. 30662-3-111
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

       Ms. Schmidt filed for divorce in May 2010. The couple was married for about

four and one-half years. The parties proceeded to trial to determine property division and

maintenance.

       Ms. Schmidt alleged that Mr. Schmidt treated her poorly during the marriage. She

claimed that he emotionally abused her and kept her on a very limited budget. She

claimed that the stress of the marriage caused her to have difficulty sleeping, migraines,

and joint pain, which limited her ability to work. She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia,

and was treated with medication and therapy.

       A psychiatric evaluation conducted by Dr. Ronald Page showed that Ms. Schmidt

demonstrated symptoms of pain, but that doctors could not identify the source of the pain.

Dr. Page suggested that the pain was psychosomatic and caused by the stress of the

dissolution proceedings. Dr. Page determined that Ms; Schmidt would be able to return

to her normal level of functioning, including employment, within a short time after the

stress ended. Dr. Page specifically found that Ms. Schmidt was a creative, self-motivated,

and skilled person who had the ability to find gainful employment, despite the challenges

of being an immigrant.

       As for the house, Ms. Schmidt contended that she was led to believe that she was

an owner of the house. It was not until later that she realized the documents she signed

                                             3

No.30662-3-III
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

relinquished her interest in the home. In contrast, the escrow manager who closed the

loan testified that she would have explained to Ms. Schmidt that her husband was buying

the property by himself and that she would not be on the title.

       Ms. Schmidt contended that the community had an interest in Mr. Schmidt's

lending enterprise. She maintained that Mr. Schmidt contributed community labor to the

enterprise, thus giving the community an interest in the increased value of the enterprise.

As proof of Mr. Schmidt's labor, Ms. Schmidt submitted Mr. Schmidt's tax returns in

which he indentified his occupation as an investor and declared business expenses,

including 11,000 miles for business travel. Mr. Schmidt testified that he generated about

$183,000 in interest from loans during the marriage.

       Mr. Schmidt contended that he devoted very little time to the lending enterprise.

He presented testimony of Edward Anderson, a real estate broker, who maintained that he

originated many of Mr. Schmidt's loans. He testified that he would evaluate the loans

and present the loan opportunity to Mr. Schmidt. Mr. Schmidt would review the

paperwork and generally had one day to accept the loan and respond to Mr. Anderson.

After the loan was complete, Mr. Schmidt monitored the payments. In total, Mr.

Anderson testified that Mr. Schmidt spent approximately one or two hours on each loan.

                                             4

No.30662-3-III
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

       For liabilities, Ms. Schmidt presented evidence of dental complications she

suffered through the marriage. Ms. Schmidt's dentist identified approximately $11,000 in

dental work that Ms. Schmidt was likely to require, in addition to the $1,853 already

owed. Previously, Ms. Schmidt had several root canals and implants, which were paid for

by Mr. Schmidt.

       The court issued a memorandum opinion, findings of fact and a decree of

dissolution. The court found that there was little personal property to divide. The court

awarded to Ms. Schmidt the household furnishings and her few items of separate

property. The court awarded to Mr. Schmidt his office equipment and papers, the

contents of the garage, electronic equipment and furniture in the master bedroom, and a

few other items.

       The court awarded the house to Mr. Schmidt as his separate property. The court

found that Mr. Schmidt used his separate funds to build the home and that Ms. Schmidt

did not contribute money or significant labor into the home. The court also found the

closing agent's testimony credible that Ms. Schmidt knowingly signed away her interest

in the property via a quit claim deed.

       As for Mr. Schmidt's investment enterprise, the court detennined that most of the

contracts were in place before marriage, that most of the contracts were facilitated

                                             5

No.30662-3-III
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

through Mr. Anderson, that all ofthe contracts were the product of work, oversight,

monitoring and investment resources of Mr. Schmidt, and that Ms. Schmidt did not

contribute to the business. Regarding Mr. Anderson's business relationship with Mr.

Schmidt, the court found Mr. Anderson's testimony credible.

         The court determined that Mr. Schmidt's lending enterprise was his separate

property. The court found that Mr. Schmidt devoted a minimal or insubstantial amount of

time in running his business. The court also considered the nature of the business

contracts and profits as to whether they are separate, community, or mixed. The court

found that two to four contracts that were generated by Mr. Schmidt could be considered

community property, but that these loans did not generate a profit and had no community

value.

         Despite the failure to find any significant community property, the court awarded

Ms. Schmidt $25,000 cash for her share of community property.

         In determining maintenance, the trial court considered all of the factors listed in

RCW 26.09.090. The court found that Ms. Schmidt had some health issues that hindered

her ability to work in certain fields, but noted that Ms. Schmidt should be able to return to

employment within 18 months and had the ability to earn approximately $18,000 per year

by teaching music lessons and working for the symphony. While the court recognized

                                               6

No.30662-3-III
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

that Ms. Schmidt was 50 years old, the court found that she had the skills and training

needed to return to gainful employment and that additional schooling or training was not

needed.

       The trial court discredited Ms. Schmidt's testimony that she sutfered emotional

domestic violence and attributed most of the stress in the marriage to the parties' cultural

and language difficulties. The court found Dr. Page's report evaluation and conclusions

to be credible.

       The trial court acknowledged that since the separation, Mr. Schmidt paid all of Ms.

Schmidt's daily living expenses, dental and medical expenses, and automobile and

housing expenses. This amount totaled $55,000. The court awarded Ms. Schmidt $2,000

per month in maintenance for a 24-month period. The court ordered Ms. Schmidt to pay

her outstanding dental bills.

       In addition to the $25,000 property award and the $2,000 monthly maintenance

award, the trial court also ordered Mr. Schmidt to pay $10,000 toward Ms. Schmidt's

legal fees. The court concluded that Mr. Schmidt did not have to pay for all of Ms.

Schmidt's legal fees because Ms. Schmidt unnecessarily protracted the proceeding based

on largely irrelevant, unsupported allegations.

       Ms. Schmidt appeals the court's division of property and award of maintenance.

                                             7

No. 30662-3-III
In re Marriage 0/ Schmidt

                                        ANALYSIS

       Property Characterization. In a dissolution action, the court must make a "just

and equitable" distribution of the marital property. RCW 26.09.080. However, before

considering distribution, the court must characterize the marital property as either

separate or community. In re Marriage a/Griswold, 112 Wn. App. 333, 339,48 P.3d

1018 (2002). A court's characterization of property as either separate or community is a

question of law subject to de novo review. In re Marriage o/Skarbek, 100 Wn. App. 444,

447,997 P.2d 447 (2000). If the court makes factual findings regarding characterization,

the findings may be reversed only if they are not supported by substantial evidence.

Griswold, 112 Wn. App. at 339. "Substantial evidence exists if the record contains

evidence of sufficient quantity to persuade a fair-minded, rational person of the truth of

the declared premise." Bering v. SHARE, 106 Wn.2d 212,220, 721 P.2d 918 (1986).

       Ms. Schmidt contends that the trial court erred in failing to characterize the

increased value in Mr. Schmidt's lending enterprise as community property. The issue

here is whether the time Mr. Schmidt contributed to his lending enterprise created a

community interest in the increased value in the enterprise.

       All of the parties' property, both community and separate, is before the court for

distribution. Friedlander v. Friedlander, 80 Wn.2d 293,305,494 P.2d 208 (1972).

                                             8

No.30662-3-III
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

       Assets acquired during a marriage are presumed to be community property. In re

Marriage ofShort, 125 Wn.2d 865,870, 890 P.2d 12 (1995). This presumption may be

rebutted by showing the assets were acquired as separate property. Id.

       Property that was separate when brought into the marriage is presumed to maintain

its character, unless rebutted by direct and positive evidence to the contrary. In re

Marriage ofElam, 97 Wn.2d 811,814,650 P.2d 213 (1982) (quoting Hamlin v. Merlino,

44 Wn.2d 851,857-58,272 P.2d 125 (1954)). Similarly, any increase in the value to

separate property is presumed to be separate property, unless the spouse claiming the

community property interest rebuts the presumption by producing direct and positive

evidence that the increase is attributable to community funds or labors. Id. at 816-17.

       While the community is entitled to the increase of value in separate property due to

the labor of each member performed during the relationship, the community is not entitled

to the natural increase of the value of separate property. In re Marriage ofLindemann, 92

Wn. App. 64, 69-70, 960 P.2d 966 (1998). "The spouse with the separate ownership

interest may defend against the other spouse's claim of an equitable interest by showing

that the increase in value is attributable not to community contributions of labor or funds,

but rather to rents, issues and profits or other qualities inherent in the business." Id.

                                               9

No.30662-3-II1
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

       Here, any increase of the value of the enterprise is not community property. Mr.

Schmidt's labor did not increase the value of Mr. Schmidt's separate lending enterprise.

The trial court specifically addressed this issue, finding that the time Mr. Schmidt

contributed to his business interest to be minimal or insubstantiaL This finding is

supported by substantial evidence. Mr. Schmidt stated that Mr. Anderson primarily

handled his business. Mr. Anderson also testified to his loan development procedures,

and the amount of contact that he had with Mr. Schmidt in the process. He testified that it

took a total of about one to two hours from when he first contacted Mr. Schmidt with a

loan proposal to when he closed the loan. Mr. Anderson further testified that once the

loan was closed, Mr. Schmidt's management of the account was simply to monitor

payments. The trial court's finding regarding Mr. Schmidt's contribution oflabor is

supported by substantial evidence.

       Contrary to the court's finding, Ms. Schmidt produced evidence that Mr. Schmidt

claimed business expenses from the enterprise and classified himself as an investor.

However, the trial court did not give weight to this evidence and found Mr. Anderson's

testimony credible. Based on the trial court's findings, Mr. Schmidt's minimal amount of

labor did not increase the value of his separate lending enterprise. Therefore, any

increase of the value of the enterprise is not community property.

                                             10 

No. 30662-3-II1
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

       In her reply brief, Ms. Schmidt appears to argue that the loans from the lending

enterprise should be community property because Mr. Schmidt comingled the business

loans with the household funds, yet failed to trace the loans to his separate property. She

brings in new case law to establish that when separate property funds are deposited into a

joint checking account, the separate property presumably becomes community property,

unless the owner exhaustively presents documentation to trace the property to the separate

source. Skarbek, 100 Wn. App. at 449-50.

       We consider this to be a new argument raised on reply. While Ms. Schmidt

mentions the failure to segregate business and household funds in her opening brief, she

does so only in the context of showing that Mr. Schmidt did not specifically designate any

portion of the lending enterprise income to the marital community to compensate for Mr.

Schmidt's community labor, thus comingling the separate and community property.

Because the particular issue raised in Skarbek was not addressed in Ms. Schmidt's

opening brief, Mr. Schmidt did not have the opportunity to respond. Thus, we decline to

address this issue on appeal.

       The trial court did not err by failing to characterize the increased value in Mr.

Schmidt's lending enterprise as community property.

                                             11 

No.30662-3-III
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

       Property Division. The trial court has broad discretion in distributing the marital

property and its decision will be reversed only when discretion was exercised on

untenable grounds or for untenable reasons. In re Marriage ofMuhammad, 153 Wn.2d

795, 803, 108 P.3d 779 (2005) (quoting In re Marriage ofLittlefield, 133 Wn.2d 39, 46­

47, 940 P .2d 1362 (1997)). This deferential standard of review exists because the trial

court is "in the best position to assess the assets and liabilities of the parties" in order to

determine what constitutes an equitable outcome. In re Marriage ofBrewer, 137 Wn.2d

756, 769, 976 P.2d 102 (1999).

       RCW 26.09.080 instructs a trial court to make a "just and equitable" distribution of

the parties' property. The statute's nonexclusive list of factors to be considered is:

(1) the nature and extent of the community property; (2) the nature and extent of the

separate property; (3) the duration of the marriage; and (4) the economic circumstances of

the parties. RCW 26.09.080.

       A just and equitable division by a trial court "does not require mathematical

precision, but rather fairness, based upon a consideration of all the circumstances of the

marriage, both past and present, and an evaluation of the future needs of parties." In re

Marriage ofCrosetto, 82 Wn. App. 545, 556, 918 P.2d 954 (1996).

                                               12 

No.30662-3-II1
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

      Here, the trial court's award to Ms. Schmidt of$25,000 and the miscellaneous

items is not an abuse of discretion. Ms. Schmidt did not have a large property interest in

the four and one-half year marriage. Ms. Schmidt's community property award was

appropriate based on the court's finding that there was very little community property to

distribute. Also, the court found Ms. Schmidt's separate property to be minimal.

      Admittedly, the record shows that Mr. Schmidt's economic circumstance was

considerably better than Ms. Schmidt's. However, this does not automatically lead to the

conclusion that Ms. Schmidt was owed a larger award. The court identified Mr.

Schmidt's separate property primarily as the house and the lending enterprise, and states

that Ms. Schmidt did not contribute money or labor to the construction of the home or the

operation of the business. Furthermore, the court took into consideration the fact that Mr.

Schmidt partially compensated Ms. Schmidt between separation and trial by paying

$55,000 in temporary maintenance, medical and dental bills, and other miscellaneous

expenses.

      The court also recognized Ms. Schmidt's unique situation. The court found that

Ms. Schmidt was a 50-year-old immigrant, who came to the United States to marry Mr.

Schmidt, who had very little separate property, and who earned a moderate annual income

of approximately $18,000. The court also found that Ms. Schmidt had some health issues

                                            13 

No. 30662-3-111
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

that hindered her ability to work in certain fields. In this respect, leaving Ms. Schmidt

with no assets would not be ajust and equitable distribution of the property. Even though

Ms. Schmidt contributed few assets to the community, the trial court had an obligation to

consider the needs of Ms. Schmidt. The trial court acted appropriately by awarding Ms.

Schmidt $25,000.

       Thus, the trial court's award to Ms. Schmidt did not constitute an abuse of

discretion considering the lack of community property, the separate nature ofMr.

Schmidt's income, and the payments made after the parties were separated. Awarding

Ms. Schmidt $25,000 in cash and miscellaneous property was a just and equitable

distribution.

       Maintenance. The trial court's decision on an award of maintenance is reviewed

for an abuse of discretion. In re Marriage ofZahm, 138 Wn.2d 213,226-27,978 P.2d

498 (1999). An abuse of discretion occurs when the court bases its decision on untenable

grounds or for untenable reasons. In re Marriage ofFoley, 84 Wn. App. 839, 845, 930

P.2d 929 (1997). The court has wide discretion in deciding the amount and term of

maintenance, with the only limitation being that the award is just in light of all relevant

factors. In re Marriage a/Luckey, 73 Wn. App.201, 209,868 P.2d 189 (1994). "An

                                             14 

No. 30662-3-111
In re Marriage o/Schmidt

award of maintenance that is not based upon a fair consideration of the statutory factors

constitutes an abuse of discretion." Crosetto, 82 Wn. App. at 558.

       RCW 26.09.090 controls the awarding of maintenance. The court must consider

(1) the post-dissolution financial resources of the parties; (2) their abilities to

independently meet their needs; (3) the time necessary for the party seeking maintenance

to find employment; (4) duration of the marriage; (5) the standard of living during the

marriage; (6) the age, physical, and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the

spouse seeking maintenance; and (7) the ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is

sought to meet his needs and financial obligations. RCW 26.09.090(a)-(t).

       The maintenance award adequately provided compensation to Ms. Schmidt. The

court considered the factors listed in RCW 26.09.090(a) through (t). The court noted that

Ms. Schmidt had a modest amount of separate property which essentially had no value.

However, the court found that Ms. Schmidt would receive a $25,000 cash award for her

share of community property. The court also found that Ms. Schmidt would be able to

return to work in music education or travel with no additional training, and had the ability

to meet at least 50 percent of her monthly expenses.

       The court stated that the parties were married for four and one-half years and

enjoyed a middle class lifestyle. Mr. Schmidt paid all of her living expenses and bills

                                               15 

No. 30662-3-III
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

since separation, making the remaining dental bill the only financial obligation owed by

Ms. Schmidt. The court found that Mr. Schmidt had the ability to pay reasonable

maintenance and his own financial obligations.

       Dr. Page's report provides support for the trial court's findings. Dr. Page

concluded that Ms. Schmidt "is very likely to rebound in short order to levels of greater

comfort and productivity, once she is situationally beyond the process of contested

divorce." Clerk's Papers at 120. Furthermore, Ms. Schmidt has demonstrated her ability

to use her music training as a means for income by teaching lessons during the marriage.

       The court's award of $2,000 per month for 24 months allowed Ms. Schmidt the

time she needed to seek out a career in the United States and maintain her middle class

lifestyle. The trial court did not abuse its considerable discretion in its award of

maintenance for Ms. Schmidt, considering Ms. Schmidt's potential for employment and

potential income, her limited liabilities, and the relatively short duration of the marriage.

       The trial court's property division and award of maintenance did not constitute an

abuse of discretion.

       Attorney Fees. Mr. Schmidt requests attorney fees pursuant to RAP 18.l(b). Mr.

Schmidt fails to cite to legal authority that would allow this court to make such an award

on appeal.

                                              16 

No.30662-3-III
In re Marriage ofSchmidt

       In any case, Mr. Schmidt's request fails. To award attorney fees on an appeal ofa

dissolution proceeding, the court examines the merits of the appeal and the financial

resources of the parties. In re Marriage ofMansour, 126 Wn. App. 1, 17, 106 P.3d 768

(2004 ) (quoting In re Marriage ofGriffin, 114 Wn.2d 772, 779, 791 P .2d 519 (1990».

Ms. Schmidt brought forth worthwhile issues on appeal. Furthermore, Ms. Schmidt lacks

the financial resources to pay Mr. Schmidt's attorney fees. Mr. Schmidt's request is

denied.

       We affirm the trial court's order.

       A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to

RCW 2.06.040.
                                            ~/rY.
                                            Kulik, J.

WE CONCUR:

Brown, J.

                                              17