Court Opinion

ID: 4271545
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-01 19:45:09.610275+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:32:58.874310
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Mathers v. Gibson, 2018-Ohio-1697.]

                                       COURT OF APPEALS
                                   GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO
                                   FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

TERRI MATHERS, GUARDIAN                        :    JUDGES:
OF ROBERT MATHERS, ET AL.                      :    Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
                                               :    Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
        Plaintiffs-Appellees                   :    Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., J.
                                               :
-vs-                                           :
                                               :
RICHARD BRENT GIBSON, ET AL.                   :    Case No. 17 CA 25
                                               :
        Defendants-Appellants                  :    OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                            Appeal from the Court of Common
                                                    Pleas, Probate Division, Case No. 17-
                                                    PV-053026

JUDGMENT:                                           Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT:                                   April 30, 2018

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiffs-Appellees                            For Defendants-Appellants

GERALD J. TIBERIO, JR.                              MARK W. STUBBINS
37 South 7th Street                                 KYLE S. WITUCKY
Suite 250                                           59 North Front Street
Zanesville, OH 43701                                P.O. Box 488
                                                    Zanesville, OH 43702-0488
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                      2

Wise, Earle, J.

       {¶ 1} Defendants-Appellants, Richard Brent Gibson, Tonya R. Marlatt, Richard B.

Marlatt, and Ryan Hatmaker, appeal the October 17, 2017 judgment entry of the Court of

Common Pleas of Guernsey County, Ohio, Probate Division, granting summary judgment

to Plaintiffs-Appellees, Terri Mathers, Guardian of Robert W. Mathers, and Robert W.

Mathers.

                          FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

       {¶ 2} On August 17, 2000, Robert W. Mathers and Maxine L. Mathers created

and executed the Mathers Family Trust as co-trustors for their benefit as co-trustees. The

trust was funded by the transfer of real estate into the trust, approximately 123 acres

consisting of a house and farm. They both executed powers of attorneys, living wills, and

wills, naming each other as their primary agent/beneficiary. Maxine passed away in

January 2013. Robert became the sole co-trustor/co-trustee.

       {¶ 3} When the trust was created, appellants Gibson and T. Marlatt, Robert's

adult step-grandchildren, were named as co-successor trustees of the trust and co-

executors to Robert's will, and were named as alternate attorneys-in-fact and agents for

Robert's estate documents.1      Appellants R. Marlatt and Hatmaker are remainder

beneficiaries of the trust.

       {¶ 4} Appellee discovered Robert was unable to care for himself and his finances

were in disarray. On March 22, 2017, appellee filed an application with the probate court

to be Robert's guardian (Case No. 17PG052914).          On May 3, 2017, appellee was

1Kenneth R. Gibson was also named as a co-successor trustee, but passed away in May
2008.
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                      3

appointed as guardian for Robert's person and estate.             The aforementioned trust

contained a provision that stated in the event a co-trustor was declared a ward of the

court, and if income from the trust was insufficient to provide for the proper health,

support, and maintenance of the ward, the ward's guardian had the right to invade the

trust for the benefit of the ward.

       {¶ 5} On July 10, 2017, appellee filed a complaint with the probate court to invade

the trust and sell the trust real estate pursuant to R.C. 2127.05 because Robert's monthly

expenses exceeded his income from the trust. Appellee named appellants and others

not a part of this appeal. At appellee's request, the probate court appointed a guardian

ad litem for Robert.

       {¶ 6} On August 15, 2017, appellants (excluding T. Marlatt) filed an answer and

asserted affirmative defenses, including that appellee was improperly seeking "to thwart

the authority of the successor trustee by not allowing them to fulfill their duties."

       {¶ 7} On September 15, 2017, appellee filed a motion for judgment on the

pleadings and summary judgment, claiming the sale of the trust real estate was necessary

because Robert was out of funds to pay his bills, and no one had challenged her authority

to sell the real estate or contest its submitted valuation or attempt to remove her as

guardian in the guardianship case.

       {¶ 8} On October 5, 2017, appellants (excluding T. Marlatt) filed a memorandum

in opposition, asserting under the terms of the trust, the co-successor trustees had the

sole authority to sell the trust real estate. Appellants requested discovery to determine

Robert's care and finances so the co-successor trustees could take appropriate actions

under the trust.
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                         4

       {¶ 9} By judgment entry filed October 17, 2017, the probate court granted

summary judgment to appellee and authorized the sale of the entire trust real estate.2

       {¶ 10} Appellants filed an appeal and this matter is now before this court for

consideration. Assignments of error are as follows:

                                              I

       {¶ 11} "THE PROBATE COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW BY GRANTING

APPELLEE GUARDIAN'S MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS AND

SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND PERMITTING HER TO SELL THE ENTIRE REAL

ESTATE OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE WARD'S TRUST WITHOUT DISCOVERY,

AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT EVIDENCE, OR A TRIAL."

                                             II

       {¶ 12} "THE PROBATE COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW BY GRANTING

APPELLEE GUARDIAN'S MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS AND

SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND PERMITTING HER TO SELL THE ENTIRE REAL

ESTATE WHEN OTHER, LESS RESTRICTIVE ALTERNATIVES WERE AVAILABLE."

2We note the judgment entry is lacking a file stamp from the clerk's office. However, the
judgment entry is journalized on the docket sheet dated October 17, 2017, and bears the
certified record sequence No. 39. The clerk's December 12, 2017 certification of the
record indicates "the foregoing is a true transcript of the Docket and Journal Entries of
said Court in the above-entitled cause," and "the papers herewith sent, numbered from 1
to 50 inclusive, are all the original papers and pleadings filed" in the matter. The sequence
number establishes the judgment entry was filed with the clerk for journalization on
October 17, 2017. The parties were aware of the journalization as appellants timely filed
their notice of appeal. Therefore, we accept the October 17, 2017 date as the date the
judgment entry was journalized for the record. Jeffrey v. Marietta Memorial Hospital, 10th
Dist. Franklin Nos. 11AP-492 and 11AP-502, 2013-Ohio-1055, ¶ 59-62. The better
practice however is to place a file stamp upon the document.
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                     5

                                           I, II

      {¶ 13} In their two assignments of error, appellants claim the probate court erred

in granting summary judgment to appellee and permitting the sale of the trust real estate

without discovery and an opportunity to present evidence. Appellants claimed other, less

restrictive alternatives were available. We disagree.

      {¶ 14} Summary Judgment motions are to be resolved in light of the dictates of

Civ.R. 56. Said rule was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State ex rel.

Zimmerman v. Tompkins, 75 Ohio St. 3d 447, 448, 663 N.E.2d 639 (1996):

             Civ.R. 56(C)    provides that before summary judgment may be

      granted, it must be determined that (1) no genuine issue as to any material

      fact remains to be litigated, (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as

      a matter of law, and (3) it appears from the evidence that reasonable minds

      can come to but one conclusion, and viewing such evidence most strongly

      in favor of the nonmoving party, that conclusion is adverse to the party

      against whom the motion for summary judgment is made. State ex. rel.

      Parsons v. Fleming (1994), 68 Ohio St. 3d 509, 511, 628 N.E.2d 1377, 1379,

      citing Temple v. Wean United, Inc. (1977), 50 Ohio St. 2d 317, 327, 4 O.O3d

      466, 472, 364 N.E.2d 267, 274.

      {¶ 15} As an appellate court reviewing summary judgment motions, we must stand

in the shoes of the trial court and review summary judgments on the same standard and
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                         6

evidence as the trial court. Smiddy v. The Wedding Party, Inc., 30 Ohio St. 3d 35, 506
N.E.2d 212 (1987).

      {¶ 16} As explained by this court in Leech v. Schumaker, 5th Dist. Richland No.

15CA56, 2015-Ohio-4444, ¶ 13:

             It is well established the party seeking summary judgment bears the

      burden of demonstrating that no issues of material fact exist for trial.

      Celotex Corp. v. Catrett (1986), 477 U.S. 317, 330, 106 S. Ct. 2548, 91
L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986).      The standard for granting summary judgment is

      delineated in Dresher v. Burt (1996), 75 Ohio St. 3d 280 at 293: " * * * a party

      seeking summary judgment, on the ground that the nonmoving party cannot

      prove its case, bears the initial burden of informing the trial court of the basis

      for the motion, and identifying those portions of the record that demonstrate

      the absence of a genuine issue of material fact on the essential element(s)

      of the nonmoving party's claims. The moving party cannot discharge its

      initial burden under Civ.R. 56 simply by making a conclusory assertion the

      nonmoving party has no evidence to prove its case. Rather, the moving

      party must be able to specifically point to some evidence of the type listed

      in Civ.R. 56(C) which affirmatively demonstrates the nonmoving party has

      no evidence to support the nonmoving party's claims. If the moving party

      fails to satisfy its initial burden, the motion for summary judgment must be

      denied. However, if the moving party has satisfied its initial burden, the

      nonmoving party then has a reciprocal burden outlined in Civ.R. 56(E) to
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                         7

       set forth specific facts showing there is a genuine issue for trial and, if the

       nonmovant does not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall

       be entered against the nonmoving party."            The record on summary

       judgment must be viewed in the light most favorable to the opposing party.

       Williams v. First United Church of Christ (1974), 37 Ohio St. 2d 150.

       {¶ 17} Appellee, as duly appointed guardian of Robert's person and estate, filed a

complaint on July 10, 2017, to sell the trust real estate pursuant to R.C. 2127.05 which

states the following:

              Whenever necessary for the education, support, or the payment of

       the just debts of the ward, or for the discharge of liens on the real property

       of the ward, whenever the real property of the ward is suffering unavoidable

       waste, or a better investment of its value can be made, or whenever it

       appears that a sale of the real property will be for the benefit of the ward or

       the ward's children, the guardian of the person and estate or of the estate

       only of a minor, person unable to manage the person's property because of

       mental illness or deficiency, habitual drunkard, confined person, or other

       person under disability may commence a civil action in the probate court for

       authority to sell all or any part of the real property of the ward. If it appears

       to the advantage of the ward to lay out all or any part of the real property in

       town lots, application for that authority may also be made in the action.
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                         8

       {¶ 18} In support of her September 15, 2017 motion for judgment on the pleadings

and summary judgment, appellee filed an affidavit wherein she averred as Robert's duly

appointed guardian, she had "remaining less than $1,400.00 available to pay creditors,"

the nursing home bill will be due in October, and it was necessary for her to sell the ward's

real estate and personal belongings in order to pay his creditors.

       {¶ 19} In their October 5, 2017 memorandum in opposition to appellee's motion,

appellants (excluding T. Marlatt) argued the co-successor trustees had the authority

under the trust to control the real estate. In support, appellants cited to portions of the

"Abstract of Trust agreement signed and dated August 17, 2000 and recorded in the

Official Records of Guernsey County, Ohio at Book 469, Pages 3117-3119." We note

these pages were not included in the underlying record. However, in their appellate brief

at 3-4, appellants acknowledge copies of the Trust Agreement and related estate planning

documents were filed with the probate court in the guardianship case. Also, pursuant to

a December 14, 2017 certification from the clerk, appellants' motion for transmittal of the

Trust Agreement and other related estate planning documents from the guardianship

case was granted by the probate court and so transmitted to this court for our review.

       {¶ 20} In referring to the Abstract of Trust Agreement, appellants emphasized

under paragraph 2, "Initial Co-Trustees," Robert and Maxine are co-trustees "to serve

until the death, resignation or incompetence of one of them, and the remaining Co-

Trustee shall continue to act as sole Trustee." Paragraph 3, "Successor Trustees,"

names appellants Gibson and T. Marlatt as co-successor trustees in the event Robert

and Maxine are removed as co-trustees. Paragraph 6(a) granted the co-trustees and the
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                        9

co-successive trustees the "power to grant, exchange, lease, sell and convey real and

personal property."

       {¶ 21} The Abstract of Trust Agreement referenced by appellants also contains the

following language at paragraph 16: "The use of this Abstract of Trust Agreement is for

convenience only, and the Trust Agreement is solely controlling as to provisions and

interpretations, and any conflict between this Abstract and the Trust Agreement shall be

decided in favor of the Trust Agreement."

       {¶ 22} Appellants argue because Robert was removed as co-trustor by operation

of law, appellants Gibson and T. Marlatt slide in and control the real estate of the trust.

The gravamen of this case is who controls, the guardian of the ward or the co-successor

trustees under the trust?

       {¶ 23} Filed contemporaneously with the complaint was a portion of the Trust

Agreement, Article II, "Co-Trustors' Rights and Privileges." Paragraph C under Article II

states the following in pertinent part:

              Conservatorship or Guardianship. In the event that either Co-Trustor

       shall be legally declared a Conservatee or a Ward of the court, and the

       income from the trust shall be insufficient to provide for the proper health,

       support and maintenance of such Co-Trustor, the Conservator or Guardian

       of such Co-Trustor shall have the right, with the approval of the appropriate

       court, to invade the trust for the benefit of such Co-Trustor to the extent that

       such Co-Trustor could have invaded the trust had such Co-Trustor not

       been, at that time, subject to a Conservatorship or Guardianship.
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                       10

       {¶ 24} This paragraph from the Trust Agreement is very clear as to what should

occur in the event a co-trustor is legally deemed incompetent and a ward of the court and

"the income from the trust shall be insufficient to provide for the proper health, support

and maintenance of such Co-Trustor."

       {¶ 25} In its judgment entry granting summary judgment to appellee, the probate

court noted Article II, paragraph C, as well as R.C. 2127.05, and referred to appellee's

affidavit indicating the ward had less than $1,400.00 remaining to pay his bills. The

probate court referred to its May 15, 2017 judgment entry in the guardianship case

wherein it authorized appellee, as guardian, to pay monthly expenditures for the ward in

the amount of $5,145.00. The probate court also noted the July 3, 2017 inventory of the

ward's assets filed by appellee in the guardianship case. The probate court determined

in reviewing the ward's annual income, his "monthly expenses are more than his monthly

income." The probate court found the language of the trust to be "quite clear and

unambiguous" and the guardian had the right to invade the trust for the benefit of the

ward. The probate court concluded, "[b]ased on the pleadings and motions before the

Court the Court can come to but one conclusion and that is that the Plaintiff is entitled to

judgment as a matter of law."

       {¶ 26} Appellants now argue the probate court ruled without "Appellants having an

opportunity to conduct discovery or present evidence." Appellants' Brief at 9. Appellants

argue they should have been able to review the records relating to the ward's care and

maintenance, review the guardian's expenditures, and explore alternative funding for

support of the ward. Appellants' Brief at 11-12. Appellants argue the probate court
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                         11

"should have determined the income already being received by Appellee Guardian for the

Ward; the Ward's current living expenses and needs; and the other assets owned by the

Ward which were not part of the Trust Estate before it rule on the Complaint to Sell or

Motion for Summary Judgment." Appellants' Brief at 12.

       {¶ 27} A review of the probate court's judgment entry as noted above indicates the

probate court did consider the ward's income and monthly expenditures relative to the

inventory of the ward's assets.

       {¶ 28} Appellants filed an answer on August 15, 2017. Appellants did not file any

requests for discovery. One month later, on September 15, 2017, appellee filed her

motion for judgment on the pleadings and summary judgment with a supporting affidavit.

On September 18, 2017, the probate court set the motion for non-oral hearing for October

6, 2017. Again, appellants never filed any requests for discovery, nor requested a

continuance to pursue discovery. Instead, appellants filed their opposition memorandum

on October 5, 2017, requesting the probate court to deny appellee's motion and conduct

a status conference to set discovery deadlines.          Appellants did not support their

opposition memorandum with any Civ.R. 56 quality materials pursuant to Civ.R. 56(E)

and (F).   Appellants now cite to the discovery rule, Civ.R. 26(A), but did not avail

themselves of the provisions therein in the matter before the probate court. They cannot

now argue they were denied the opportunity to conduct discovery and present evidence.

       {¶ 29} In addition, appellants now argue rather than sell the entire trust real estate,

less restrictive alternative means were available to provide funds for the care and

maintenance of the ward. For example, appellants argue the real estate "could have

been sold at a private sale, parceled off and sold in part, or mortgaged; or the oil and gas
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                                           12

royalties or mineral interests could have been leased or sold." Appellants' Brief at 12-13.

In support, appellants argue the trustor's intent from the trust agreement should control.

The Abstract of Trust Agreement at paragraph 1 specifically expressed Robert and

Maxine's desire to establish a revocable trust for their own benefit. The Trust Agreement

at page 4-5 specifically designated Robert and Maxine as "co-trustors" and "co-trustees."

It was their intention that they would benefit from the trust real estate during their lifetimes

for their own care and maintenance.

       {¶ 30} Although the Trust Agreement in Article VII(B) and (F) provided that the trust

real estate, in addition to being sold, could be mortgaged, partitioned, subdivided,

optioned, leased, or the gas, oil, and mineral royalties could be sold off, appellee, as

guardian, was not required to accept these cumbersome alternatives. Appellee's affidavit

established time was of the essence in order to pay the ward's creditors.

       {¶ 31} Upon review, we find the probate court did not err in granting summary

judgment to appellee.

       {¶ 32} Assignments of Error I and II are denied.
Guernsey County, Case No. 17 CA 25                                           13

      {¶ 33} The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Guernsey County, Ohio,

Probate Division is hereby affirmed.

By Wise, Earle, J.

Gwin, P.J. and

Baldwin, J. concur.

EEW/db 416