Court Opinion

ID: 4252118
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-03-06 19:25:56.560981+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:06.179295
License: Public Domain

J-A22042-17

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    ESTATE OF RICHARD L. ROBINSON                 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
                                                            OF
                                                       PENNSYLVANIA

    APPEAL OF: RICHARD AND JANET
    GOLDBACH

                                                      No. 176 EDA 2017

                    Appeal from the Decree December 8, 2016
                 in the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County
                       Orphans’ Court at No.: 164 OC 2011

    ESTATE OF RICHARD L. ROBINSON                 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
                                                            OF
                                                       PENNSYLVANIA

    APPEAL OF: THE ESTATE OF RICHARD
    L. ROBINSON

                                                      No. 206 EDA 2017

                    Appeal from the Decree December 8, 2016
                 in the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County
                       Orphans’ Court at Nos.: 164 OC 2011
                                   224 OC 2013

BEFORE: BOWES, J., LAZARUS, J., and PLATT, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.:                             FILED MARCH 06, 2018

____________________________________________

*   Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-A22042-17

        In these consolidated cross-appeals, Appellant, the Estate of Richard L.

Robinson (“the Estate”), and Appellee/Cross-Appellants, Richard and Janet

Goldbach (“the Goldbachs”), appeal from the decree entered on December 8,

2016, following the orphans’ court’s decision partially in favor of the Estate

and partially in favor of the Goldbachs in these actions below for breach of

fiduciary responsibility and for an accounting.     For the reasons discussed

below, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.

        We take the underlying facts and procedural history in this matter from

the orphans’ court’s December 8, 2016 opinion and our review of the certified

record.

              These matters come before the [orphans’ c]ourt on two
        separate docket numbers involving the Estate of Richard L.
        Robinson. The circumstances which led to the current matters are
        extensive and unfortunate.      Barbara and Richard Robinson
        (hereinafter “[d]ecedent”)[1] were a married couple residing in
        Monroe County, PA. Barbara and the [d]ecedent lived in a
        Canadensis home called “Nearbrook” where they raised the
        [d]ecedent’s six sons from his first marriage. Prior to her
        marriage, Barbara had attended college, and at that time
        introduced her friend, Janet Clinton to Richard Goldbach on a
        double date. Janet and Richard later married in 1960 and are the
        [r]espondents in these actions.     The Robinsons and [Janet]
        Goldbach appear to have lost contact with one another until the
        Goldbachs attended a college reunion at Skytop Lodge in 1983,
        after which they stopped to visit the Robinsons in nearby
        Canadensis. The Goldbachs then continued to visit the Robinsons
        several times over the years.

              In 2003, Richard Goldbach leased an automobile for Barbara
        to use after noticing her car was unreliable. He did this in part
        out of gratitude to Barbara for introducing him to his wife and
____________________________________________

1   We use the term “decedent” to refer solely to Richard Robinson.

                                           -2-
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     because he had enjoyed a financially successful career. In
     October 2007, Barbara visited the Goldbachs for a week in
     London, England. From that point on, Barbara and Richard began
     an email correspondence which would become the foundation for
     the matters [] before the [orphans’ c]ourt.

            While visiting the Goldbachs in London, Barbara had
     expressed despair over the [d]ecedent’s health and the couple’s
     financial situation. The Robinsons had taken out a reverse
     mortgage on the Nearbrook property and were unsure how long
     the money would last.       The [d]ecedent was suffering from
     dementia, leaving Barbara to handle the couple’s finances. She
     had no experience doing this in the past. Barbara struggled with
     the task of managing finances and needed help. During the
     London trip Barbara informed Janet Goldbach that the Robinsons’
     financial situation and [d]ecedent’s health were so dire that she
     and the [d]ecedent were contemplating suicide. Upon learning
     this from his wife, Richard Goldbach volunteered to help Barbara
     with her financial situation, not only because of the threat of
     suicide, but also because Barbara was responsible for introducing
     him to his wife, for which he was forever in her debt.

            Barbara then supplied Richard Goldbach with documents
     relating to the Robinsons’ finances. It was apparent that the
     Robinsons were living beyond their means, and unable to continue
     to afford the continued maintenance of Nearbrook and the reverse
     mortgage. Sometime in November 2007, Richard called Barbara
     and offered to provide financial assistance to the Robinsons.
     Richard leased a new vehicle for Barbara to use and sent her
     money to help with the deficiency between the Robinsons’ income
     and expenditures. A ten[-]year plan was developed in which the
     Goldbachs would lend the Robinson[s] approximately $1,000 a
     month in the hope they could remain at Nearbrook. Barbara also
     had Richard contact another friend of hers, Reuben Taylor, for
     additional support in developing a financial plan. Reuben Taylor
     believed that the condition of Nearbrook would render it almost
     impossible for the Robinsons to maintain it in the future. All
     parties eventually agreed that the Robinsons’ continued
     ownership of Nearbrook was not feasible.

           Richard Goldbach suggested various options to Barbara that
     included selling Nearbrook, but retaining a life interest to rent a
     portion of the property; selling Nearbrook and renting somewhere
     else; selling Nearbrook and moving closer to the Goldbachs in

                                    -3-
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     Virginia. Another option was then offered to Barbara in which the
     Goldbachs would purchase a home for the Robinsons to live in
     rent[-]free, Nearbrook would be sold, and the proceeds of the sale
     would be signed over to Richard Goldbach to hold and manage for
     the Robinsons’ expenses not covered by the housing offer. This
     was the option eventually pursued by the parties. Janet Goldbach
     then purchased a condo at Labar Village in Stroudsburg,
     Pennsylvania for the Robinsons to live in on May 4, 2009. The
     Goldbachs paid a purchase price of $167,000, together with
     closing costs of $5,498.75. Nearbrook was later sold on May 22,
     2009, netting $157,764.39 for the Robinsons after payment of
     closing expenses and the reverse mortgage. This money was
     signed over to Richard Goldbach and deposited into his and Janet’s
     bank account at Farmer’s Bank in Virginia. Until Nearbrook was
     sold, the Goldbachs continued to send Barbara money every
     month as agreed to in 2007.

            After the sale of Nearbrook the proceeds were given to the
     Goldbachs to maintain and use for the benefit of the Robinsons.
     In emails exchanged between the parties, Barbara referred to the
     money as belonging to Richard Goldbach.           Other evidence
     indicated Barbara could take back the remainder of the Nearbrook
     proceeds at any time, but the Goldbachs would withhold further
     guidance or financial help. The amount of money that remained
     from the Nearbrook proceeds following the [d]ecedent’s death and
     the way in which it was invested remains in dispute. Emails
     between the parties indicate [that] between $142,000 and
     $154,000 existed at various times prior to the [d]ecedent’s death.
     Richard Goldbach testified that in his contact with Barbara he
     inflated the actual amount remaining in order to alleviate some of
     Barbara’s anxiety about running out of money. There was also
     testimony that the Nearbrook money was to be invested at a 3%
     return, but was instead returning less than 1% in the Goldbachs’
     account.

           On June 25, 2011, Barbara Robinson shot her husband and
     took her own life at the home in Labar Village. [Richard Robinson]
     survived his wife by one day before succumbing to his injuries.
     Although there was some testimony that wills for Barbara and
     [Richard Robinson] had been drawn up, or at least contemplated
     by the Robinsons, no wills have been presented for probate.
     Decedent’s son Bradley Robinson (hereinafter “[p]etitioner”) was
     issued [l]etters of [a]dministration by the Monroe County Register
     of Wills on August 17, 2011. The heirs of the Estate are the

                                   -4-
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       [d]ecedent’s five surviving sons (one son having died two (2)
       years prior to the [d]ecedent).

              The Estate hired a computer expert to retrieve and print all
       emails between Richard Goldbach/Rueben Taylor/Barbara
       Robinson. These emails were delivered to [p]etitioner’s counsel
       on August 18, 2011. The Estate was aware that the Nearbrook
       proceeds were endorsed over to Richard Goldbach upon review of
       these emails in August 2011. On November 10, 2011, the
       [d]ecedent’s Estate filed a [p]etition to [c]ompel [a]ccounting of
       the funds which were being held by the Goldbachs []. This matter
       [wa]s docketed at 164 OC 2011. The Goldbachs, through counsel,
       sent supporting documentation of the accounting entries to
       [p]etitioner’s counsel on November 22, 2011.            A verified
       accounting was later filed by the [Goldbachs] on October 29,
       2012. A breach of fiduciary duty claim was filed on December 27,
       2013, and is docketed at 224 OC 2013. [The orphans’ court]
       note[s] the parties waived issues related to the Deadman’s Act,
       and all Exhibits were admitted without objection to the Act or
       hearsay issues.

(Orphans’ Court Opinion, 12/08/16, at 1-5).

       Hearings on the matter took place on December 16, 2015, February 16,

2016, May 13, 2016, and July 20, 2016. On December 8, 2016, the orphans’

court issued an opinion and decree. It held that the statute of limitations

barred the Estate’s breach of fiduciary duty claim and, nevertheless, the

Estate had not met its burden of proving such a breach. (Decree, 12/08/16,

at 1). Further, it granted, in part, the Estate’s objection to the accounting and

awarded it $90,689.65 from the sale of Nearbrook proceeds. (See id.). Both

parties filed timely notices of appeal.2

____________________________________________

2All parties timely complied with the requirements of Pennsylvania Rule of
Appellate Procedure 1925. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). The orphans’ court filed

                                           -5-
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       On appeal, the Estate raises the following eight questions:

       [A.]   Did the [o]rphan[s’ c]ourt err in concluding that the claim of
              breach of fiduciary duty was barred by the statute of
              limitations, a finding not supported by the facts or law?

       [B.]   Did the [o]rphan[s’ c]ourt err in concluding there was no
              harm proved by breach of fiduciary duty shown, because the
              [c]ourt made the Estate “whole” on the accounting side of
              the case, a finding not supported by the facts or law?

       [C.]   Did the [o]rphan[s’ c]ourt err by not finding that [the
              Goldbachs’] filing of an accounting wherein they claimed
              monies were due to them, constituted harm as a result of
              breach of fiduciary duty regardless of the [c]ourt’s holding
              on the accounting side of the case?

       [D.] Did the [o]rphan[s’ c]ourt err in not finding that the Estate
            suffered damage/loss (court costs, filing fees, legal fees,
            financial damages) as a result of the breach of fiduciary duty
            proved?[]

       [E.]   Did the [o]rphan[s’ c]ourt err in its conclusion that the
              monies given to the Robinsons by the Goldbachs from
              November 2007 to May 2009 (prior to the sale of their
              home) were loans and not gifts?

       [F.]   Did the [o]rphan[s’ c]ourt err by citing only [d]ecedent’s
              hearsay testimony (repeated by [Appellee Richard]
              Goldbach), to support its conclusion that Barbara Robinson
              agreed to repay monies advanced to her circa 2007?

       [G.] Did the [o]rphan[s’ c]ourt err on page [fifteen] of its opinion
            stating with improper citation, that there “. . .was testimony
            that Barbara Robinson did not want any financial harm to
            come to Janet Goldbach. . .” where there was no such
            testimony or document, but only a self-serving hearsay

____________________________________________

a statement finding that it had adequately addressed all issues raised in the
Rule 1925(b) statements in its December 8, 2016 opinion. See Pa.R.A.P.
1925(a).

                                           -6-
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              statement made by [Appellee Richard] Goldbach about what
              [d]ecedent said to him?

       [H.] Did the [o]rphan[s’ c]ourt err in giving too much weight to
            Exhibit 63 which [the Goldbachs] referred to as the
            “foundation of the whole transaction” when this document
            was the only exhibit containing no proof on its face that it
            was communicated to anyone and was not responded to?

(The Estate’s Brief, at 2-3).3

       On cross-appeal, the Goldbachs raise the following five questions:

             A.     Did Barbara Robinson’s agreement by acquiescence
       not to hurt Janet Goldbach, as evidenced by her acceptance of
       financial support in 2007, extend to (a) her agreement to accept
       a rent-free tenancy in a property Janet Goldbach purchased and
       (b) the losses Janet Goldbach suffered on the sale of that property
       after Barbara Robinson’s suicide?

            B.       Did the parties discus[s] the plan to sell Nearbrook in
       2007?

             C.   Did [the Goldbachs] set forth case law in support of
       their defense that any claim for repayment of the Nearbrook
____________________________________________

3 Despite raising eight questions in its statement of the questions involved,
The Estate only includes six issues in its argument, contrary to our rules of
appellate procedure. (See the Estate’s Brief, at 12–30); see also Pa.R.A.P.
2119(a) (“The argument shall be divided into as many parts as there are
questions to be argued[.]”). Specifically, in the argument section, Appellant
omit questions C and D as expressed in the statement of the questions
involved, stating that it will address issues B, C, and D together. (See the
Estate’s Brief, at 2 n.1, 22). Thus, there is no question C in the argument
section, and what are labeled as questions E and F in the statement of the
questions involved are questions D and E in the argument section. (See id.
at 2-3, 22, 26). The argument section does not include a question F and
concludes with questions G and H, which is as they are stated in the statement
of questions involved. (See id. at 3, 27, 29). Nonetheless, despite the
difficulties this has caused, we will address the issues. See Donahue v. Fed.
Express Corp., 753 A.2d 238, 241 n.3 (Pa. Super. 2000).

                                           -7-
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       proceeds is barred          by   the    doctrine   of   [a]greement   by
       [a]cquiescence?

            D.     Was there substantial evidence to justify rejecting
       unrebutted testimony and Barbara Robinson’s express written
       acknowledgement that Nearbrook proceeds were turned over to
       [Appellee] Richard Goldbach unconditionally?

             E.    Do the doctrines of promissory estoppel or unjust
       enrichment apply where Barbara Robinson accepted Janet
       Goldbach’s offer to buy the LaBar Village property with the
       expectation she would live in there until her mid-nineties and the
       evidence shows that at the time they moved into LaBar Village,
       the Robinsons had devised a joint-suicide plan which they carried
       out only two years later causing substantial economic loss to the
       [Goldbachs ?]

(The Goldbachs’ Brief, at 2-3).4

       Both parties appeal from the decree of the orphans’ court. Our scope

and standard of review are settled.

             Our standard of review of the findings of an Orphans’ Court
       is deferential.

                    When reviewing a decree entered by the
              Orphans’ Court, this Court must determine whether
              the record is free from legal error and the court’s
              factual findings are supported by the evidence.
              Because the Orphans’ Court sits as the fact-finder, it
              determines the credibility of the witnesses and, on
              review, we will not reverse its credibility
              determinations absent an abuse of that discretion.

             However, we are not constrained to give the same deference
       to any resulting legal conclusions.

____________________________________________

4 Similarly, to the Estate, the Goldbachs’ argument section does not match
their statement of the questions involved. (See the Goldbachs’ Brief, at 2-3;
24–36)/; see also Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a). Again, despite the difficulties caused,
we will address their issues. See Donahue, supra at 241 n.3.

                                           -8-
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            The Orphans’ Court decision will not be reversed unless
      there has been an abuse of discretion or a fundamental error in
      applying the correct principles of law.

            This Court’s standard of review of questions of law is de
      novo, and the scope of review is plenary, as we may review the
      entire record in making our determination. When we review
      questions of law, our standard of review is limited to determining
      whether the trial court committed an error of law.

In re Fiedler, 132 A.3d 1010, 1018 (Pa. Super. 2016), appeal denied, 145
A.3d 166 (Pa. 2016) (citations and quotation marks omitted).

      The Estate first claims that the orphans’ court erred in finding that the

statute of limitations barred its breach of fiduciary duty claim.       (See the

Estate’s Brief, at 12-17). We disagree.

      The statute of limitations for a breach of fiduciary duty claim is two

years.   See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5524(3) and (7).          In discussing statutes of

limitations, this Court has specifically noted our policy that favors “the strict

application of statutes of limitation.” Glenbrook Leasing Co. v. Beausang,

839 A.2d 437, 441 (Pa. Super. 2003), affirmed, 881 A.2d 1266 (Pa. 2005)

(citation omitted). Our Supreme Court has stated:

             As a matter of general rule, a party asserting a cause of
      action is under a duty to use all reasonable diligence to be properly
      informed of the facts and circumstances upon which a potential
      right of recovery is based and to institute suit within the prescribed
      statutory period. Thus, the statute of limitations begins to run as
      soon as the right to institute and maintain a suit arises; lack of
      knowledge, mistake or misunderstanding do not toll the running
      of the statute of limitations, even though a person may not
      discover his injury until it is too late to take advantage of the
      appropriate remedy, this is incident to a law arbitrarily making
      legal remedies contingent on mere lapse of time. Once the
      prescribed statutory period has expired, the party is barred from

                                      -9-
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      bringing suit unless it is established that an exception to the
      general rule applies which acts to toll the running of the statute.

             The “discovery rule” is such an exception, and arises from
      the inability of the injured, despite the exercise of due diligence,
      to know of the injury or its cause. Thus, in a case of subsurface
      injury in which, unknown to the plaintiff, the defendant removes
      coal from his land via access originating on the defendant’s land,
      the inability of the plaintiff, despite the exercise of diligence, to
      know of the trespass, tolls the running of the statute, for no
      amount of vigilance will enable him to detect the approach of a
      trespasser who may be working his way through the coal seams
      underlying adjoining lands, and until such time as the plaintiff
      discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, the trespass, the
      running of the statute is tolled. Likewise, in a case of medical
      malpractice involving the failure of a surgeon to remove an
      implement of surgery, it is the inability of the plaintiff to ascertain
      the presence of the offending implement which prevents the
      commencement of the running of the statute, for [c]ertainly he
      could not open his abdomen like a door and look in; certainly he
      would need to have medical advice and counsel. The salient point
      giving rise to the equitable application of the exception of the
      discovery rule is the inability, despite the exercise of diligence by
      the plaintiff, to know of the injury. A court presented with an
      assertion of applicability of the “discovery rule” must, before
      applying the exception of the rule, address the ability of the
      damaged party, exercising reasonable diligence, to ascertain the
      fact of a cause of action.

Pocono Int’l. Raceway, Inc. v. Pocono Products, Inc., 468 A.2d 468, 471

(Pa. 1983) (citations, emphasis, and quotation marks omitted).

      In its December 8, 2016 opinion, the orphans’ court thoroughly and

correctly explained the basis of its finding that the statute of limitations barred

the Estate’s breach of fiduciary duty claim as follows.

            The first issue before the [orphans’ c]ourt is whether or not
      the Estate’s claim for a breach of fiduciary duty against the
      [Goldbachs] is barred by the applicable statute of limitations. Just
      after Bradley Robinson was appointed [a]dministrator, the Estate
      began looking into the possibility that funds had been mishandled

                                      - 10 -
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     by the [Goldbachs]. On or about August 18, 2011, a computer
     expert, John Conti, delivered to [the Estate’s] attorney copies of
     emails from Barbara’s computer relating to the [Goldbachs]. (See
     Petitioner’s Exhibit 8, Agreement of Bradley C. Robinson for
     Retention of John Conti’s Services, 8/04/11 at 1; N.T. Hearing,
     12/16/15, at 43-44). Bradley Robinson and his counsel read these
     emails in August 2011. (See N.T. Hearing, 12/16/15, at 67-68,
     103). [The Goldbachs] argue, that because of the contents of the
     emails, it was at this point that the [Estate] should have been
     aware that the funds from Nearbrook were held by the Goldbachs,
     who stated they used it all to assist the Robinsons. A [p]etition
     to [c]ompel [a]ccounting in this matter was then filed on
     November 10, 2011. Attached to that accounting is a copy of the
     check for the sale of Nearbrook which was made out to Richard
     Goldbach. (See Petition to Compel Accounting, 11/10/11, Exhibit
     A; N.T. Hearing, 12/16/15, at 111, 120). [Bradley Robinson]
     admitted he knew the Nearbrook proceeds were deposited to the
     Goldbachs’ Virginia bank account when the [p]etition for
     [a]ccounting was filed in November, 2011. (See N.T. Hearing,
     12/16/15, at 111-113). The [b]reach of [f]iduciary [d]uty [c]laim
     was filed on December 27, 2013. [The Estate] argues that the
     statute of limitations should not have begun running until [the
     Goldbachs] filed their verified accounting with the [orphans’ c]ourt
     on October 29, 201[2]. [The Estate] further argues that without
     the accounting [it] was without knowledge that a fiduciary breach
     had occurred that would warrant a separate petition. [The
     Goldbachs] counter that there is no information in the [b]reach of
     [f]iduciary [c]laim that was not already included in the [p]etition
     for [a]ccounting, and therefore the grounds for a breach of
     fiduciary claim had existed and were known at the time the
     accounting was requested in November 2011.

           Actions for [b]reach of [f]iduciary [d]uty are subject to a
     two year statute of limitations under 42 Pa. C.S.A § 5524(7) which
     specifically covers “any other action or proceeding to recover
     damages for injury to person or property which is founded on
     negligent, intentional, or otherwise tortious conduct or any other
     action or proceeding sounding in trespass, including deceit or
     fraud.” [See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5524(7).] The party bringing the
     claim “is under a duty to use all reasonable diligence to be properly
     informed of the facts and the circumstances . . . and to institute
     suit within the prescribed period.” Pocono Int’l Raceway,
     [supra at] 471 ) (citations omitted).                Under normal
     circumstances, the statute of limitations begins as soon as the

                                    - 11 -
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     right to bring and sustain a claim arises. See id. One exception
     to this general procedure is the “discovery rule” when a party is
     unable to know of an injury or its cause despite due diligence. Id.
     “Mere mistake, misunderstanding or lack of knowledge is not
     sufficient to toll the running of the statute.”          Taylor v.
     Tukanowicz, 435 A.2d 181, 183 (Pa. Super. 1981) [(citation and
     quotation marks omitted)]. When the injury is not immediately
     known, the statute of limitations will only begin to run when the
     discovery of it is “reasonably possible.” Id.

            [The Goldbachs] assert that the [Estate] was aware of the
     basis for the breach of fiduciary claim by at least August 2011, if
     not before the Robinsons’ deaths. [The Goldbachs] cite an email
     from August 23, 2009[,] in which Barbara Robinson claimed that
     her step-sons knew that the money from Nearbrook was given to
     Richard Goldbach, and they “kn[e]w the whole story”.
     (Respondent’s Exhibit 30, E-Mail from Barbara Robinson to
     Richard Golbach, 8/23/09 at unnumbered page 1). [Bradley
     Robinson] admitted the August 2009 email was written by Barbara
     Robinson, but that she was “overwhelmed” at this period and that
     his parents did not discuss finances with him or his siblings. (N.T.
     Hearing, 12/16/15, at 45; see also id. at 45-46). [Bradley
     Robinson] also claims to have not been aware of the transfer of
     the Nearbrook proceeds to the [Goldbachs] until after the
     [d]ecedent’s death. (See id. at 29). Based upon [Bradley
     Robinson’s] testimony and the context and tone of other emails
     written by Barbara Robinson it is believable that the Robinsons’
     sons were unaware of their parents’ financial arrangements with
     the Goldbachs until after their deaths. Other evidence and
     credible testimony shows that the Robinsons did not appear
     particularly close enough to any of the children to discuss financial
     matters, and that the children did not assist their parents with
     financial issues or act to alleviate their parents’ concerns. (The
     exception being a payment by one son of $4,400 for an oil bill in
     August 2007 on behalf of his parents which went unexplained at
     time of hearing). Although [Bradley Robinson] lived at Nearbrook
     for a short period of time prior to its sale, paid some rent and
     cooked some meals for his parents, he was generally unaware of
     his parents’ financial situation, was unable to provide assistance
     if asked, and there was no evidence the Robinsons confided in
     their sons. Therefore, we doubt [Bradley Robinson] knew prior to
     the deaths of his parents.

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            Next it must be determined if the statute of limitations
     should have begun once the [Estate] either received the relevant
     emails from Barbara’s computer in August 2011, or in November
     2011[,] when [the Goldbachs’] attorney provided more detailed
     information, or when the [Goldbachs] filed a verified accounting
     in October 2012. By [Bradley Robinson’s] own admission, the
     Estate’s attorney received copies of Barbara’s emails on August
     18, 2011. (See N.T. Hearing, 12/16/15, at 44). [The Goldbachs]
     argue that all of the information contained within the two petitions
     in this matter were known to the Estate by August 2011 through
     those emails. The only noticeable difference in the allegations
     between the two petitions is that the [p]etition for [a]ccounting
     claims the [Goldbachs] purchased the Labar Village property as a
     tax write-off, while the [b]reach of [f]iduciary [d]uty claim asserts
     that the Labar Village property was improperly purchased with
     monies from the sale of Nearbrook. However, it was clear from
     the evidence that the [Goldbachs] purchased the Labar Village
     property with their own or borrowed monies, and not the
     Nearbrook proceeds.        In fact, Nearbrook was sold by the
     Robinsons after the Labar Village property was purchased by the
     Goldbachs.

            [The Estate] then states that [it] was not aware of a possible
     fiduciary breach until [the Goldbachs] filed their accounting.
     However, Paragraph [fifteen] of the November 1[0], 2011
     [p]etition for [a]ccounting alleges that the [Goldbachs] co-
     mingled the Estate’s funds from the sale of Nearbrook by
     depositing them in [the Goldbachs’] own bank account. (See
     Petition to Compel Accounting, ¶ 15). Such action could constitute
     a breach of fiduciary duty. Therefore, at the very least, [the
     Estate] was aware of facts indicating a possible breach of fiduciary
     duty as of November 1[0], 2011 when making this allegation. This
     information was also available and readily apparent in several of
     the email exchanges between Barbara and Richard Goldbach.
     These emails were known to [the Estate] in August 2011. The
     [Estate] also attached a copy of the check from the sale of
     Nearbrook, which had been signed over to Richard Goldbach, as
     Exhibit “A” to the [p]etition [to Compel a]ccounting. [Bradley
     Robinson] admitted he was aware of these facts and of the deposit
     to Richard and Janet Goldbach’s Virginia bank account prior to
     filing the [p]etition in November 2011. (See N.T. Hearing,
     12/16/15, at 111-13). . . . [T]he co-mingling of funds alone would
     be grounds for a breach of fiduciary duty claim. Based upon this,
     it was reasonably possible for the [Estate] to have discovered the

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      grounds for a fiduciary breach claim beginning in August 2011 and
      definitely by November 1[0], 2011 when the [p]etition for
      [a]ccounting was filed. The actual [b]reach of [f]iduciary claim
      was not filed until December 27, 2013, more than two years after
      it was reasonable to discover the issue.

(Orphans’ Ct. Op., at 5-9) (citation formatting and record citation formatting

altered).

      Our review of the record shows that the orphans’ court’s factual finding

that the Estate knew or should have discovered the grounds for a breach of

fiduciary responsibility claim by, at the latest, November 2011, is clearly

supported by the evidence.     See Fiedler, supra at 1018.      Moreover, we

discern no error of law in the orphans’ court declining to apply the discovery

rule beyond November 2011. See Crouse v. Cyclops Indus., 745 A.2d 606,

611 (Pa. 2000) (citation omitted) (explaining discovery rule only applies until

point that party knows or reasonably should know of injury). The Estate’s first

claim lacks merit.

      In its second claim, the Estate argues that the orphans’ court “err[ed]

in concluding [that] there was no harm proved by breach of the fiduciary

duty[.]”    (The Estate’s Brief, at 18) (unnecessary capitalization omitted).

However, because we have found that the orphans’ court did not err in holding

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that the statute of limitations barred the Estate’s breach of fiduciary

responsibility claim, we need not address this issue.5

       In its fifth claim, the Estate claims that the orphans’ court erred “in its

conclusion that the monies given to [decedents] by fiduciary Goldbach from

Nov. 2007 to May 2009 were loans and not gifts[.]” (The Estate’s Brief, at

22) (unnecessary capitalization omitted); (see id. at 22-26). We disagree.

       Initially, we note that, to the extent that the Estate is complaining that

the orphans’ court relied on evidence admitted in violation of the Deadman’s

Act and on hearsay evidence, (see the Estate’s Brief, at 23), it has waived the

claim. The orphans’ court specifically states in its decision that “the parties

waived issues related to the Deadman’s Act, and all Exhibits were admitted

without objection to the Act or hearsay issues.” (Orphans’ Ct. Op., at 5). The

record supports this statement and the Estate cannot now complain that the

trial court relied on exhibits that it agreed to admit.      (See N.T. Hearing,

12/16/15, at 156-58; N.T. Hearing 5/13/16, at 41; N.T. Hearing 7/20/16, at

63); see also Pa.R.A.P. 302(a); Samuel-Bassett v. Kia Motors America,

Inc., 34 A.3d 1, 45-46 (Pa. 2011).

____________________________________________

5 The Estate’s third and fourth claims as delineated in the statement of
questions involved also concern the merits of its breach of fiduciary duty
claims. However, as discussed supra, the Estate discussed these together
with the second issues in its brief, thus we need not address them because of
our ruling on the statute of limitations issue.

                                          - 15 -
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      Moreover, our review of the record demonstrates that the orphans’

court’s holding that the monies in question were a loan, not a gift, (see

Orphans’ Ct. Op., at 15, 21), is well-supported by the evidence of record. The

record reflects that in late 2007, the Goldbachs offered to lend Barbara

Robinson funds to offset the difference between her income and expenses.

(See Respondents’ Exhibit 63, Letter from Richard Goldbach to Barbara

Robinson, 10/07/03, at unnumbered pages 1-2; N.T. Hearing, 5/13/16, at 40-

44, 54-55). The nature of the transaction was delineated in an e-mail sent by

Richard Goldbach to Barbara Robinson in response to her request.         (See

Respondents’ Exhibit 5, E-Mail from Barbara Robinson to Richard Goldbach,

11/06/07, at unnumbered page 1; Respondents’ Exhibit 6, E-Mail from Richard

Goldbach to Barbara Robinson, 11/14/07, at unnumbered pages 1-3;

Respondents’ Exhibit 7, E-Mail Chain Between Barbara Robinson and Richard

Goldbach, 11/15/07, at unnumbered page 5; Respondents’ Exhibit 63,

supra).   These letters and e-mails specifically state that the monies were

loans, mentions Barbara Robinson’s intent to keep this on a “business-like”

basis, and her wish not to be the cause of any financial harm to Janet

Goldbach. (Id.). Both Richard Goldbach and Reuben Taylor testified as to

their understanding of the events of 2007 and the trial court clearly credited

their testimony. (See Orphans’ Ct. Op., at 15-17, 21; N.T. Hearing, 5/13/16,

at 40-41, 54-55, 103).

                                    - 16 -
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      While the Estate points to several e-mails that it contends support its

contention that the monies were gifts not loans, (see the Estate’s Brief, at 24-

25), it fails to explain how these exhibits support its contentions. (See id. at

25-26). We have reviewed them and are unable to discern what statements

in these exhibits support the Estate’s contention that the monies sent to

Barbara Robinson in 2007 through 2009 were gifts, not a loan. We remind

the Estate that it is not this Court’s responsibility to comb through the record

seeking the factual underpinnings of its claim.      See Commonwealth v.

Mulholland, 702 A.2d 1027, 1034 n.5 (Pa. Super. 1997) (“In a record

containing thousands of pages, this [C]ourt will not search every page to

substantiate a party’s incomplete argument.”). Thus, the factual finding of

the orphans’ court that the monies advanced between November 2007 and

May 2009 were loans, not gifts, is supported by the record and we see no

abuse of discretion in this finding. See Pocono Int’l. Raceway, supra at

471. The Estate’s fifth claim lacks merit.

      In its sixth claim, the Estate contends that the orphans’ court erred by

only relying on hearsay testimony in concluding that Barbara Robinson agreed

to repay funds. (See the Estate’s Brief, at 26). However, as discussed above,

the Estate agreed to waive all objections to hearsay.      (See N.T. Hearing,

12/16/15, at 156-58; N.T. Hearing, 7/20/16, at 63) Thus, it cannot complain

now that the orphans’ court erred in relying upon it. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a);

Samuel-Bassett, supra at 45-46. The Estate’s sixth claim lacks merit.

                                     - 17 -
J-A22042-17

      In its seventh claim, the Estate argues that the orphans’ court erred on

page fifteen of its opinion by incorrectly using “Id” in that portion of its

decision.   (The Estate’s Brief, at 3; see also id. at 27-29).       It further

complains that the trial court erred in stating that there was testimony that

Barbara Robinson did not want harm to come to Janet Goldbach when no such

testimony existed except for the self-serving testimony of Richard Goldbach.

(See id. at 27-29).

      Initially, we note that the Estate has failed to point to any law that

supports an argument that this Court can overturn an orphans’ court decision

following a hearing because of alleged citation errors in its opinion. Moreover,

while Barbara Robinson, of course, could not testify as to her statements,

there was evidence of record that she did not want harm to come to Janet

Goldbach. (See Respondents’ Exhibit 63, supra; N.T. Hearing, 5/13/16, at

44). We again note that the Estate cannot now complain about the orphans’

court’s reliance on hearsay evidence when it agreed to its admission. Lastly,

as discussed above, the record amply demonstrates that the monies advanced

by the Goldbachs to Barbara Robinson between November 2007 and May 2009

were loans, not gifts. The Estate’s seventh claim lacks merit.

      In its final claim, the Estate maintains that the orphans’ court gave too

much weight to Respondents’ Exhibit 63 in concluding that the advanced

monies were loans and not gifts. (See The Estate’s Brief, at 29-30). We find

the claim waived.

                                     - 18 -
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       In its brief, the Estate fails to cite to the objectionable portions of the

orphans’ court opinion. (See id.). Thus, it is not readily apparent to us to

what portions of the opinion the Estate is objecting. This Court will not act as

counsel and will not develop arguments on behalf of an appellant.                    See

Bombar v. West Am. Ins. Co., 932 A.2d 78, 94 (Pa. Super. 2007). When

deficiencies in a brief hinder our ability to conduct meaningful appellate

review, we can dismiss the appeal entirely or find certain issues to be waived.

See Pa.R.A.P. 2101. Because the Estate has failed to develop this issue, it

waived it.6 See id.; see also Bombar, supra at 94; Jones v. Jones, 878
A.2d 86, 90 (Pa. Super. 2005).

       In their first two issues, the Goldbachs claim that Barbara Robinson’s

agreement by acquiescence to the terms of their financial dealings estops the

Estate from seeking return of the monies. (See The Goldbachs’ Brief, at 24-

32). We agree.

       Our    Supreme      Court    described      the   doctrine   of   agreement    by

acquiescence thusly:

____________________________________________

6 In any event, our review of the record demonstrates that the trial court twice
cites to Respondents’ Exhibit 63 in discussions of rulings that ultimately
favored the Estate. (See Orphans’ Ct. Op., at 16-17, 20). The only other
mention of Respondents’ Exhibit 63 is in a string cite to various exhibits and
notes of testimony relied upon by the trial court in concluding that the monies
advanced between 2007 and 2009 were loans, not gifts. (See id. at 21).
There is nothing in this citation that demonstrates that the trial court placed
undue weight on Respondents’ Exhibit 63 or even placed any particular weight
on it as opposed to the others pieces of evidence noted in the citation. Thus,
even if the Estate had not waived the claim, it lacks merit.

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     An estoppel may be raised by acquiescence, where a party aware
     of his own rights sees the other party acting upon a mistaken
     notion of his rights. The rule is well recognized that when a party
     with full knowledge or with sufficient notice or means of
     knowledge of his rights and of all the material facts, remains
     inactive for a considerable time or abstains from impeaching the
     transaction, so that the other party is induced to suppose that it
     is recognized, this is acquiescence, and the transaction, although
     originally impeachable, becomes unimpeachable. . . . [I]t was
     stated by this [C]ourt: It would be most unreasonable to permit
     an employee to receive his pay without objection or dissent, from
     time to time at a fixed rate, for a considerable period, and
     thereafter present a claim for additional compensation. If the
     amount received was not satisfactory the employees should have
     quit work, or raised an objection then and there; so that the
     department would have been put upon notice, and would have
     exercised its option of meeting the demand, or finding some one
     else to do the work for the rate of pay deemed sufficient. We can
     only look upon the continuance in employment, as an expression
     of satisfaction by the workmen with the amount of the
     compensation; and the receipt of payments every two weeks
     throughout the whole period, is to be deemed an estoppel against
     the assertion of any claim for additional compensation at this time.
     Under the circumstances, continuance in the employment of the
     department from day to day can only be regarded as acquiescence
     in the rate of wages fixed by the department.

In re Kennedy’s Estate, 183 A. 798, 801 (Pa. 1936) (citations and quotation

marks omitted).

     Here, the Goldbachs contend that the orphans’ court erred in not finding

that Barbara Robinson “accepted a lifelong rent-free and expense-free tenancy

in a home purchased by [them] in exchange for the proceeds of the Nearbrook

sale.” (The Goldbachs’ Brief, at 24). They further argue that the orphans’

court mistakenly found that the 2007 through 2009 loans were distinct

agreements temporally separated, a conclusion that the orphans’ court used

to support its finding that Barbara Robinson did not have any concerns about

                                    - 20 -
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future financial harm to Janet Goldbach regarding home purchase in 2009.

(See id. at 25-31). Again, we agree.

      Our review of the relevant portions of the record demonstrates that

these were not two separate transactions but rather a single series of

negotiations. Namely, while the parties initially believed that the Robinsons

could remain in Nearbrook, they almost immediately concluded that this was

not possible; the delay in the Robinsons’ departure was caused not by a

change of plans but rather by difficulties in selling Nearbrook. Specifically, we

note that in the initial 2007 e-mail, Richard Goldbach believed that Barbara

Robinson could remain in Nearbrook if her income was bolstered by loans (in

response to Barbara Robinson’s wish that things be conducted on a business-

like basis and Janet Goldbach not be harmed) from Janet Goldbach, but he

changed his mind within approximately one week. (See Respondents’ Exhibit

63, supra at unnumbered pages 1-2; Respondents’ Exhibit 6, supra at

unnumbered page 1 ¶¶ 2-4 (discussing need to sell Nearbrook as soon as

possible and difficulties in so doing)).      The November 14, 2007 e-mail

specifically noted that one possibility for the future was that the Goldbachs,

specifically Janet Goldbach, would purchase a retirement home for the

Robinsons to live in rent-free during their lifetimes. (See Respondents’ Exhibit

6, supra at unnumbered page 2 ¶ 7).           In his testimony, Reuben Taylor

confirmed both that Barbara Robinson did not want Janet Goldbach to be

harmed financially and that, while Richard Goldbach initially wanted the

                                     - 21 -
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Robinsons to stay in Nearbrook, he quickly realized that this was not feasible.

(See N.T. Hearing, 7/20/16, at 89-92; see also N.T. Hearing, 5/13/16, at 55-

58).   Thus, the orphans’ court was incorrect in its conclusion that, in 2007,

the parties were not discussing the sale of Nearbrook. (See Orphans’ Ct. Op.,

at 15-16).

       Further, the record reflects that Barbara Robinson willingly accepted all

financial assistance offered by the Goldbachs. (See N.T. Hearing, 5/13/16, at

73-74; see also N.T. Hearing, 7/20/16, at 86).        In accordance with their

agreement, the Goldbachs loaned Barbara Robinson $1,000.00 per month

between November 2007 and the sale of Nearbrook in May 2009. (See e.g.,

Respondents’ Exhibit 14, E-Mail 1/27/08, at unnumbered page 1; see also

N.T. Hearing, 5/13/16, at 71-73).       In furtherance of the agreement, she

agreed to turn over unconditionally the proceeds from the sale of Nearbrook

to Richard Goldbach in return for lifetime rent-free and expense-free tenancy

at Labar Village, in the condominium owned by Janet Goldbach, with all

remaining bills to be paid by Richard Goldbach from the sale proceeds. (See

Respondents’ Exhibit 24, E-Mail from Richard Goldbach to Barbara Robinson,

4/04/09, at unnumbered pages 1-2 (discussing: (1) how to allocate various

expenses between parties; (2)       that Barbara Robinson would turn over

proceeds from Nearbrook sale unconditionally to Richard Goldbach; (3)

monies would be placed in Goldbachs’ bank account; (4) monies to be used

to pay all Barbara Robinson’s remaining bills; (5) iterating that Barbara

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Robinson needed to stop giving away money; and (6) if she requested,

Goldbachs would return remaining monies, but would no longer pay her bills

and manage her finances); see also N.T. Hearing, 5/13/16, at 81-92).

     Barbara Robinson confirmed her acceptance of this proposal by signing

over the Nearbrook proceeds to Richard Goldbach. (See Petition to Compel

Accounting, supra at Exhibit A; N.T. Hearing, 5/13/16, at 92). Less than five

months later, Barbara Robinson expressed discomfort with the situation,

acknowledging that the money belonged to Richard Goldbach, but feeling

uncomfortable with having to ask him for money. (See Respondents’ Exhibit

29, E-Mail Chain from Richard Goldbach to Barbara Robinson, 7/18/09, at

unnumbered page 2). Richard Goldbach again reminded Barbara Robinson

that if she did not agree with his method of handling her finances, he would

return the monies. (See id. at unnumbered page 1; see also N.T. Hearing,

5/13/16, at 93-95). There is no evidence of record that Barbara Robinson

ever sought return of the monies prior to her death.

     In Kennedy’s Estate, supra, a father and his two sons entered into a

business. See Kennedy’s Estate, supra at 799. The business arrangement

lasted for many years without objection from the sons. See id. at 799-800.

After the father’s death, the sons filed a claim against the estate for a

reimbursement of losses incurred by the business, which had been originally

charged against them on the basis of the business agreement. See id. On

appeal, our Supreme Court declined to address the merits of the underlying

                                   - 23 -
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dispute of whether the business agreement created a partnership or if the

sons were profit-sharing employees of their father. See id. at 800. Instead,

the Court held that the sons were obligated to raise their objections close in

time to when the losses were first assessed against them, and by waiting to

do so, they were precluded from raising the claim against the estate. See id.

at 801. Specifically, the Court stated, “[t]he time to have raised the question

now before us was during the lifetime of [the father], not after his death.” Id.

       Here, as discussed in detail above, beginning in 2007 and ending in

2011, Barbara Robinson agreed to an on-going financial arrangement that

would both protect Janet Goldbach from any future financial difficulties, by

allowing the Labar Village property to revert to her after the Robinsons’ death,

and assist Barbara Robinson. She accepted loans of $1,000.00 a month from

November 2007 through May 2009.                In late 2007, she agreed to place

Nearbrook on the market; she subsequently agreed to turn over the proceeds

from that sale unconditionally to Richard Goldbach.          In return for these

monies, the Goldbachs agreed to pay for the Labar Village residence and its

related expenses, and to pay Barbara Robinson’s bills for life.7 As discussed

____________________________________________

7 It is evident that the proceeds of approximately $157,000.00 would only
have lasted for a few years, particularly given that Barbara Robinson was
obligated to repay the approximately $23,000.00 loaned to her by the
Goldbachs. Clearly, at some point, Richard Goldbach would have needed to
pay her bills out of his own pocket. Thus, it is only because of Barbara
Robinson’s decision to kill her husband and commit suicide in 2011, that there
are any remaining funds.

                                          - 24 -
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above, Barbara Robinson knew that she could seek return of the remaining

funds at any time, but would then have to manage her own finances and pay

her own bills. (See Respondents’ Exhibit 24, E-Mail from Richard Goldbach to

Barbara Robinson, 4/04/09, at unnumbered pages 1-2). She chose not to

repudiate the agreement.

      Thus, the relevant issue was not the underlying merits of whether the

monies advanced with respect to the Labar Village residence was a loan or a

gift, but whether the Estate is now barred from objecting because Barbara

Robinson acquiesced to the financial arrangement set by Richard Goldbach.

See Kennedy’s Estate, supra at 800-01. We find that the trial court made

a fundamental error of law in not holding that by not objecting during her

lifetime, Barbara Robinson forfeited any claim on behalf of the Estate for the

proceeds of Nearbrook.         See Pocono Int’l Raceway, supra at 471;

Kennedy’s Estate, supra at 801; see also Commonwealth ex. rel. City

of Philadelphia v. Public Serv. Mut. Ins. Co., 247 A.2d 636, 640 (Pa. 1968)

(relying on Kennedy’s Estate for proposition that appellants were not

entitled to return of forfeited bail monies where they were aware of facts

underlying forfeiture and paid judgments without protest, thus they could not

later seek return of funds).

      Because we find that Barbara Robinson’s agreement by acquiescence

estopped the Estate from seeking return of the remaining proceeds from the

sale of the house after her death, we need not address the Goldbachs’

                                     - 25 -
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remaining claims. Accordingly, for the reasons discussed above, we affirm

the decree in part, reverse in part, and remand for entry of a decree consistent

with this opinion.

      Decree affirmed in part and reversed in part.           Case remanded.

Jurisdiction relinquished.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 3/6/18

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