Court Opinion

ID: 7801331
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-08-17 15:05:21.573896+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:29:16.048816
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                   No. 21-1194
                              Filed August 17, 2022

IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF ERICA MARIE TUNINK
AND BRIAN JOHN TUNINK

Upon the Petition of
ERICA MARIE TUNINK,
      Petitioner-Appellant,

And Concerning
BRIAN JOHN TUNINK,
     Respondent-Appellee.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Guthrie County, Richard B. Clogg,

Judge.

      Erica Tunink appeals from the district court’s property distribution and denial

of trial attorney fees. AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.

      David L. Jungmann of David L. Jungmann, P.C., Greenfield, for appellant.

      Todd J. Argotsinger and Bryan D. Swain of Salvo, Deren, Schenck, Gross,

Swain & Argotsinger, P.C., Harlan, for appellee.

      Considered by Bower, C.J., and Schumacher and Ahlers, JJ.
                                           2

AHLERS, Judge.

       Erica and Brian Tunink met while attending Iowa State University. They

married in 2002, shortly after graduating. The parties have four children. In 2019,

Erica filed this dissolution-of-marriage action. The case went to trial.

       The evidence at trial shows that both parties were employed at the time of

trial. Brian has been consistently employed throughout the marriage. Erica has

also maintained employment outside the home, except for a lengthy period when

she worked as a stay-at-home mom for the family. In addition to their employment,

the parties operated a grain and cattle farm.

       Following trial, the district court issued a decree (1) granting the parties joint

legal custody and joint physical care of the children; (2) ordering Brian to pay child

support; (3) dividing the assets and debts of the parties; and (4) declining Erica’s

request for attorney fees. Erica appeals. She challenges the property division,

challenges the denial of her request for trial attorney fees, and asks for appellate

attorney fees.

I.     Property Division

       We review property division issues in dissolution-of-marriage proceedings

de novo.1 In conducting our de novo review, we give weight to the district court’s

findings, especially as to witness credibility, but we are not bound by them.2 “We

will disturb the district court’s ‘ruling only when there has been a failure to do

equity.’”3

1 In re Marriage of McDermott, 827 N.W.2d 671, 676 (Iowa 2013).
2 McDermott, 827 N.W.2d at 676.
3 McDermott, 827 N.W.2d at 676 (quoting In re Marriage of Schriner, 695 N.W.2d

493, 496 (Iowa 2005)).
                                            3

       In dissolution-of-marriage proceedings, Iowa is an equitable distribution

state.4 This means marital property is to be divided equitably after considering the

factors outlined in Iowa Code section 598.21(5) (2019).5               While equitable

distribution of marital property does not require equal division, equality is often

most equitable.6

       The appellate battle over property division starts on uncertain ground due

to the fact that the district court did not make specific findings regarding the value

of the parties’ property or the total value of property awarded to each party. The

district court similarly did not make specific credibility findings. Instead, the totality

of the district court’s findings as to asset and debt values is summed up in a single

sentence reading, “The value of the assets as of the date of trial are most

accurately shown in Erica’s Exhibit 58.” This cryptic reference is made even more

so by the fact that the referenced exhibit lists both Erica’s and Brian’s opinions as

to values of several assets. Nevertheless, we take the quoted sentence to mean

two things. First, to the extent there is a dispute over the value of an asset or debt,

the court valued it at the value placed on the item by Erica in her exhibit. Second,

the reason the court accepted Erica’s opinions on value is that the court found her

opinions on the disputed values more credible than Brian’s. It is from this frame of

reference that we conduct our de novo review.

       The crux of Erica’s challenge to the property division is that Brian received

a larger amount of the marital net worth, so Erica is entitled to a property settlement

4 In re Marriage of Miller, 966 N.W.2d 630, 635 (Iowa 2021).
5 Miller, 966 N.W.2d at 635.
6 In re Marriage of Kimbro, 826 N.W.2d 696, 703–04 (Iowa 2013).
                                           4

payment (or transfer of assets) to balance each party’s net worth. Brian responds

that Erica received a larger share of the marital net worth, so balancing each

party’s net worth would require Erica to pay him a property settlement payment.

In spite of the claim that Erica received more than he did, however, Brian does not

cross-appeal and is content to let the district court’s property division stand.

       Before proceeding to the dispute as to values of specific items, we note that

exhibit 58—the exhibit relied upon by the district court in setting values and

distributing property—omits a number of assets and debts. So, it will be necessary

for us to add to the list of items from that exhibit to get a true sense of the financial

picture of the parties. This addition results in significant additional debts, most of

which were made the responsibility of Brian, which decreases the disparity in the

share of net worth received by the parties.

       If we accepted Erica’s exhibit as an exhaustive list of assets and debts with

the values she assigned to them, then she would be correct that she would be

owed a sizable property settlement payment (or receive additional assets

previously awarded to Brian). On the other hand, if we consider additional debts

omitted from Erica’s exhibit and place different values on some of the assets—

values Brian asserts are warranted by the evidence—Brian would not owe a

property settlement payment to Erica. So, we now turn to the specific assets and

debts that are in dispute.

       A.     The Disputed Items

       Although we have considered the values of all assets and debts that are

disputed, we will only address those disputes that we determine to have merit or

warrant further comment. As to the value of any items we do not address, we
                                           5

accept the district court’s valuations as contained in Erica’s exhibit 58, finding the

values equitable, as they are within the range of the evidence.7

              1.      Erica’s House

       By incorporating the values from Erica’s exhibit, the district court accepted

the value of Erica’s house at $81,000. No persuasive evidence supports this

figure. In an affidavit early in the case, Erica valued the property at $95,000. Also,

evidence establishes the assessed value of the house at $87,470. Understanding

that Erica’s valuation early in the case may have been made without full

information, we reject Brian’s request to value the house at Erica’s initial valuation

of $95,000.    Nevertheless, given the lack of evidence supporting a value of

$81,000, we find the value placed on the property by a neutral third-party,

specifically the county assessor, to be the most persuasive evidence of value.8

We value Erica’s house at the assessed value of $87,470.

              2.      Income Tax Refunds

       In her exhibit incorporated by the district court, Erica included as an asset

Brian’s 2019 income tax refund of $9082, but she neglected to include her own

refund of $10,212. Brian protests this disparate treatment. We agree.

       To begin, we balk at treating tax refunds as an identifiable, stand-alone

asset. Absent a party holding a refund check, the refund does not exist as an

asset. Instead, a refund is usually deposited in a bank account. Indeed, both

7 See In re Marriage of Hansen, 733 N.W.2d 683, 703 (Iowa 2007) (“Ordinarily, a
trial court’s valuation will not be disturbed when it is within the range of permissible
evidence.”).
8 See In re Marriage of Lukowicz, No. 14-0088, 2015 WL 162089, at *3 (Iowa Ct.

App. Jan. 14, 2015) (approving use of assessed value when faced with competing
valuations).
                                           6

parties’ tax returns show that they elected to receive their refunds by direct deposit.

So, these parties have no stand-alone “tax refund” asset. As is commonly the

case, their refunds became a deposit into a bank account. At that point, due to the

fungibility of money, the tax refunds each party received are part of the marital net

worth directly or indirectly by becoming an asset (e.g., a higher balance in the bank

account into which the refunds were deposited), becoming a different asset (e.g.,

if the money in the bank account was used to purchase some other asset),

decreasing a liability (e.g., if the money in the bank account was used to pay a

debt), paying a marital bill (thus avoiding the incurring of a debt or the use of a

different asset to pay the bill), or some combination of those uses.9 Here, evidence

was introduced as to the values of the parties’ assets and debts at the time of trial,

including current balances of bank accounts. The tax refunds both parties received

are reflected in the assets and debts that remain and are subject to division. The

refunds are not identifiable, stand-alone assets that warrant separate division.

Instead, we equitably divide the identifiable assets and debts the parties had left

at the time of trial, which has the effect of equitably dividing any refunds the parties

received.

              3.      Stimulus Money

       Uncontroverted evidence establishes that the parties received stimulus

money prior to trial and they evenly divided it. In spite of the equal division, just as

she did with the income tax refunds, Erica attempts to separately account for the

9 See In re Marriage of Van Voorst, No. 21-0228, 2021 WL 5106054, at *2 (Iowa
Ct. App. Nov. 3, 2021) (discussing the fungibility of wages and how they directly or
indirectly contribute to the marital estate).
                                         7

stimulus money Brian received by including it as an asset on his side of the ledger

while neglecting to include the stimulus money she received as an asset on her

side. To some degree, the equal division of the stimulus money is a red herring,

as it doesn’t matter who received it due to its status as a marital asset. Just like

the tax refund money, the stimulus money does not exist as an identifiable, stand-

alone asset. Instead, the receipt of the money is reflected in the assets and debts

the parties have left to divide. For the same reason tax refund money should not

be separately accounted for, neither should the stimulus money.

              4.     Vehicles & Vehicle Debt

       Brian points to a number of valuation issues regarding the vehicles as a

basis for upholding the district court’s property division. We will address each

issue separately.

       By adopting the values from Erica’s exhibit, the district court valued the

2006 Ford Expedition awarded to Brian at $5267. This valuation conflicts with the

evidence. Brian estimated the value of this vehicle at $2500. Although Erica’s

exhibit valued the vehicle at $5267, her trial testimony was that the vehicle was in

need of some work and was only worth $3000 to $4000. In light of this evidence,

we find the 2006 Ford Expedition to be worth $3000.

       Brian also notes that Erica’s exhibit neglects to list a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina

that Erica admits to purchasing and valuing at $800. While this is true, we also

note that the Lumina was purchased as a vehicle for the children to drive. We put

this in the same category as the 2002 Ford F-350 and its corresponding

indebtedness. While the testimony was that the parties’ oldest child bought the

Ford F-350, the testimony also established that the vehicle was titled in Brian’s
                                           8

name. It is not clear who is responsible for the debt associated with this truck.

Regardless of who is responsible, it appears there is little to no equity in the Ford

F-350. We find the most equitable way to address both vehicles purchased for the

use of the children is to award the vehicle to the party involved with purchasing it

and to make that party responsible for any corresponding debt without any values

appearing on that party’s side of the ledger. So, Erica receives the Lumina and is

responsible for any debt associated with it. Brian receives the Ford F-350 and is

responsible for any debt associated with it.10 However, neither party will have any

value, positive or negative, placed on that party’s side of the ledger for these

vehicles or corresponding debt when determining equitable distribution.

       Although Brian raises issues about the value of other vehicles, including a

camper, we find no reason to modify the values placed on them by the district

10 In making Brian solely responsible for the debt associated with the Ford F-350,
we are mindful of our direction as to how to handle conditional debt in In re
Marriage of Towne, 966 N.W.2d 668 (Iowa Ct. App. 2021). In Towne, we
addressed student loan debt incurred by the parties’ children for which one or both
parents cosigned. 966 N.W.2d at 675. The plan was for the children to be
responsible for payment of their student loan debt, and the two oldest children,
who had graduated from college, were making the agreed-upon payments. Id.
Under those circumstances, given the contingent and speculative nature of the
parents’ liability for the student loans, we found it inequitable to assign
responsibility to one parent and include it on that parent’s side of the ledger for
purposes of calculating property division. Id. Instead, we found it equitable to
make both parties equally responsible for the debt if and when a child defaulted on
a loan and either party became legally responsible for it. Id. at 676. We find the
equities here to be different from those in Towne. In Towne, there was a joint plan
to take out the loans, a joint plan for how it was to be repaid, and joint participation
in obtaining the loans. Id. at 675. In contrast, the incurring of debt to buy the Ford
F-350 was done exclusively by Brian and the child, with no input from or discussion
with Erica. There is also no established history of the child making payments, as
there was in Towne. Under the circumstances here, Brian should be responsible
for any debt that may be owed if the party’s oldest child does not satisfy the pickup
loan as planned.
                                           9

court. The values used are reasonable and within the range of the evidence.11

               5.     Miscellaneous Debts

         Erica placed a value on her Amazon credit card debt of $1497. However,

during her trial testimony, she admitted the balance of this debt was approximately

$100. We agree with Brian that this debt should be valued at $100.

         The district court listed a number of debts and made them Brian’s

responsibility. However, none of these debts were listed on Erica’s exhibit 58,

calling into question how or if the district court valued them given its incorporation

of Erica’s exhibit. Brian does not disagree that he should be responsible for these

debts. He merely wants to receive credit for them based on their current balances.

We agree that Brian should remain responsible for these debts and that he should

receive credit for them when comparing each party’s respective net worth. The

balances of these debts are largely undisputed, and we value them as stated on

the recapitulation statement set forth later in this opinion.

               6.     Grain

         Erica’s exhibit did not include a value for grain Brian received. We agree

with Brian that he should receive the grain at a value of $10,300.

               7.     Other Challenges

         We decline to change the other values listed on Erica’s exhibit that was

adopted by the district court, finding them to be within the permissible range of the

evidence.12

11   See Hansen, 733 N.W.2d at 703.
12   See Hansen, 733 N.W.2d at 703.
                                        10

       B.     Recapitulation Statement

       Having valued the disputed items as detailed above, we determine the

parties should receive the assets and debts as set forth in the following

recapitulation statement. We have rounded to the nearest dollar in setting values

for each item. Assets appearing in one party’s column are awarded to that party,

and debts appearing in one party’s column shall be the responsibility of that party.

 Description of Asset or Debt                         Erica             Brian
 Guthrie Center Residence                                                 250,000
 First mortgage on Guthrie Center property                              (194,881)
 Second mortgage on Guthrie Center property                              (97,426)
 Farmland                                                                  61,252
 Contract with Brian’s mother                                            (21,445)
 Adair Residence                                          87,470
 Mortgage on Adair property                             (48,488)
 Home furnishings                                           2850           23,755
 2019 Ford Taurus                                         17,995
 Loan on Taurus                                         (18,689)
 1999 Chevrolet Lumina                                 No Value
 2006 Expedition                                                            3000
 2001 GMC 12 Passenger Van                             No Value          No Value
 2006 Dutchmen Camper                                                       6660
 2003 Buick Century                                           800
 2002 Ford F350 (Son)                                                    No Value
 F350 Auto Loan (Son)                                                    No Value
 2012 IH 4300 Diesel Service Truck                                          38,548
 3B Farms—Diesel Truck Loan                                               (36,315)
 Health Savings Account                                Unknown
 Wife Checking                                             995
 Wife Savings                                             2722
 Husband Account 49                                                           482
 Husband Account 21                                                      Unknown
 Husband Account 22                                                          2520
 Puck Implement 401k                                                       35,104
 Agrivision Equipment 401k                                                 15,076
 Invesco                                                                     2889
 IPERS                                                      4040
 Two rifles                                                                    750
                                        11

 Computer                                                                     1500
 Husband Best Buy credit card                                               (1438)
 Wife Student Loan                                        (5233)
 Husband Student Loan                                                        (799)
 Wife Amazon credit card                                    (100)
 Wife Best Buy credit card                                  (328)
 Husband Chase credit card                                                   (456)
 Wife—other bank loan                                     (6608)
 Nebraska Furniture Mart credit card                      (1100)
 Machinery                                                                  28,150
 Mechanic’s Tools                                                           15,000
 Cows and Bulls                                                             56,483
 Calves                                                                     26,335
 Cattle Note                                                              (52,079)
 2018 Operating Note                                                      (73,915)
 2017 Operating Note                                                      (13,820)
 Farm Grain                                                                 10,300
 John Deere Financial debt                                                  (4044)
 Mike's Plumbing debt                                                       (2250)
 Guthrie County Vet debt                                                    (1450)
 Adair Feed & Grain debt                                                     (625)
 Lehman Service debt                                                        (1125)
 2018 Rent to Brian’s mother                                              (22,000)
 Butler Storage debt                                      (1370)

 Total                                                    34,956           53,736

As shown, Brian received a greater share of the marital net worth than Erica. In

considering the factors set forth in Iowa Code section 598.21(5) and the notion that

“equality is most often equitable,” we find an equalization payment is necessary. 13

Accordingly, we find Brian is responsible for paying to Erica an equalization

payment of $9390. Upon payment of this amount, Erica and Brian’s net worth will

equalize at $44,346, which we consider to be equitable under the circumstances

of this case.

13See Kimbro, 826 N.W.2d at 703 (quoting In re Marriage of Fennelly, 737 N.W.2d
97, 102 (Iowa 2007)).
                                           12

       We modify the district court’s decree to impose a property settlement

judgment in favor of Erica against Brian in the amount of $9390. Brian shall have

sixty days from the date of procedendo to pay the judgment; Erica cannot engage

in collection efforts and interest shall not accrue on the judgment during this sixty-

day period. If Brian does not satisfy the judgment within sixty days of procedendo,

interest shall begin accruing on the judgment at the statutory rate and Erica can

utilize all collection efforts permitted by law.

II.    Trial Attorney Fees

       In a dissolution-of-marriage action, we review the award or denial of

attorney fees for an abuse of discretion.14 The decision regarding whether to

award attorney fees to a party depends on the parties’ respective abilities to pay.15

“[T]he complaining party must show the district court abused its discretion.”16

       Erica contends Brian should be responsible for paying her trial attorney fees

because his “refusal to obey court orders for discovery, for sharing of expenses for

the children’s care, and for payment of suit money caused Erica extraordinary

expense and concern.” Driving up costs by failing to cooperate with discovery can

be considered in deciding whether to award attorney fees.17 However, we note

the district court’s observation that this litigation was contentious in general—not

one-sided—and, on our review of the record, Erica has not demonstrated that the

district court abused its discretion in denying an award of attorney fees.

14 Towne, 966 N.W.2d at 680.
15 Towne, 966 N.W.2d at 680.
16 In re Marriage of Hazen, 778 N.W.2d 55, 61 (Iowa Ct. App. 2009).
17 In re Marriage of Lenz, No. 05-0997, 2006 WL 782712, at *6 (Iowa Ct. App.

Mar. 29, 2006).
                                          13

III.   Appellate Attorney Fees

       Erica seeks an award of appellate attorney fees. “Appellate attorney fees

are not a matter of right, but rather rest in this court’s discretion.”18 “Factors to be

considered in determining whether to award attorney fees include: ‘the needs of

the party seeking the award, the ability of the other party to pay, and the relative

merits of the appeal.’”19 Each party prevailed on one issue in this appeal. Further,

while Brian earns more than Erica, the current disparity is not great. We also note

that, while we equalized the property division, Brian is taking on a much larger debt

load than Erica that he will need to service. Accordingly, we exercise our discretion

to deny Erica’s request for appellate attorney fees.

IV.    Conclusion

       We modify the district court’s decree to require Brian to pay a property

settlement payment to Erica in the amount and on the terms described in this

opinion. We affirm the denial of Erica’s claim for trial attorney fees, and we deny

her request for appellate attorney fees. Costs on appeal shall be divided equally

between the parties.

       AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.

18 In re Marriage of Okland, 699 N.W.2d 260, 270 (Iowa 2005).
19 Okland, 699 N.W.2d at 270 (quoting In re Marriage of Geil, 509 N.W.2d 738, 743
(Iowa 1993)).