Court Opinion

ID: 9668890
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 02:30:21.637002+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:49.487370
License: Public Domain

Terry Crabtree, Judge, dissenting. I write separately to underscore my belief that the trial court turned a blind eye to the undisputed facts of this case. The evidence adduced at trial established that Michael lived in Connie’s house; that Michael participated in multiple holiday celebrations with Connie and her family; that Michael accompanied Connie or her family on various vacations including trips to the Bahamas and Disney World; that Connie cooked for Michael; that the couple professed love for each other; that the couple exchanged greeting cards memorializing their love; that Michael was listed on Connie’s athletic-club membership as one of her “household” and using the name “Michael Gibson”; and that Michael received mail at Connie’s residence addressed to “Michael Gibson.” Although Connie claimed that Michael was merely a tenant in her home, she produced no evidence of any rental payment made from Michael to her. In addition, Connie has never declared any rental payments as income on her income tax returns. These facts taken together clearly demonstrate that Connie and Michael resided in not only the same house but also in the same household. Gladwin, J., joins in this dissent.