Court Opinion

ID: 2756725
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-12-02 21:06:47.983588+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:13:41.438251
License: Public Domain

J-A24037-14

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

MARIA L. CERCIELLO,                              IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                                       PENNSYLVANIA
                            Appellant

                       v.

THOMAS R. CERCIELLO,

                            Appellee                     No. 415 EDA 2014

                    Appeal from the Decree January 29, 2014
                  in the Court of Common Pleas of Pike County
                   Domestic Relations at No.: 1624-2007-Civil

BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., BENDER, P.J.E., and PLATT, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.:                         FILED DECEMBER 02, 2014

        Appellant, Maria L. Cerciello (Wife), appeals from the decree granting a

divorce to her and Appellee, Thomas R. Cerciello (Husband), and equitably

distributing the parties’ marital property. We affirm.

        The relevant facts and procedural history of this case are as follows.

Wife and Husband married on August 7, 1995, and they separated

approximately eleven years later on April 1, 2006.         When they separated,

Wife moved out of the marital residence and took her personal possessions

and other household items with her. Husband cashed in a MetLife Investors

account valued at $6,433.15 to help Wife pay for moving expenses.            On

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*
    Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
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September 27, 2007, Wife filed a divorce complaint seeking equitable

distribution of the marital property.

      On April 11, 2011, five years after the parties separated, a fire

destroyed the marital residence.        The parties still jointly owned the home

and Husband resided in it.     Husband was the only named insured on the

homeowners’ insurance policy and he paid all premiums for coverage after

the parties’ separation. The insurance company made all payments directly

to Husband, and the proceeds were allocated into three categories, to

compensate for loss of the structure of the home, the contents of the home,

and related living expenses.

      The trial court appointed a Divorce Master, attorney Steven R. Guccini

(Master), who held hearings on the issue of equitable distribution on August

17, 2012 and November 8, 2012. On October 8, 2013, the Master filed a

report recommending an award of 60% of the marital property to Wife and

40% to Husband, calculating $40,416.53 net payable to Wife. With respect

to the insurance proceeds relating to the fire, the Master recommended that

the court award Wife 60% of the funds for the structure of the marital

residence (with no award of interest), but no share of the proceeds for the

contents of the residence or living expenses. The Master also recommended

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a credit of $2,573.26 to Husband for the money he gave Wife from the

MetLife account to help with moving expenses.1

       Both parties filed exceptions to the Master’s report. On January 14,

2014, following a hearing, the trial court entered an order denying the

parties’ exceptions.      On January 29, 2014, the court entered a divorce

decree ordering Husband to pay Wife $40,416.53.            This timely appeal

followed.2

       Wife raises the following issues for our review:

       1. Did the trial court commit an abuse of discretion in failing to award
       [Wife] a percentage share of the entirety of the insurance proceeds
       resulting from the loss of a marital home?

       2. Did the trial court commit an abuse of discretion in failing to award
       [Wife] interest on the insurance proceeds awarded to her when the
       reason for the delay in her receipt of the same was due to [Husband’s]
       misappropriation of funds to his benefit and interest is compensation
       for the deprivation of said funds?

       3. Did the trial court commit an abuse of discretion in failing to award
       [Wife] her percentage share of the MetLife account?

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1
  The MetLife account was valued at $6,433.15 in March 2006. (See
Master’s Report, 10/08/13, at unnumbered page 3 ¶ 12). Husband testified
that he gave all of the funds to Wife to cover moving expenses. (See N.T.
Hearing, 11/08/12, at 6). The $2,573.26 credit to Husband represents his
40% share of the MetLife account. (See Trial Court Opinion, 3/11/14, at
11). The Master deducted this credit to Husband in calculating the net
payable to Wife. (See Master’s Report, 10/08/13, at unnumbered page 10).
2
  Pursuant to the trial court’s order, Wife filed a timely concise statement of
errors on February 20, 2014. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). The court filed a Rule
1925(a) opinion on March 11, 2014. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a).

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      4. Did the trial court commit an abuse of discretion in adopting the
      report and recommendation of the Divorce Master who did not timely
      file his report and recommendation in accordance with the Rules of
      Civil Procedure?

(Wife’s Brief, at 6).

      Our standard of review is as follows:

                   A trial court has broad discretion when
             fashioning an award of equitable distribution. Our
             standard of review when assessing the propriety of
             an order effectuating the equitable distribution of
             marital property is whether the trial court abused its
             discretion by a misapplication of the law or failure to
             follow proper legal procedure. We do not lightly find
             an abuse of discretion, which requires a showing of
             clear and convincing evidence. This Court will not
             find an abuse of discretion unless the law has been
             overridden or misapplied or the judgment exercised
             was manifestly unreasonable, or the result of
             partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill will, as shown by the
             evidence in the certified record. In determining the
             propriety of an equitable distribution award, courts
             must consider the distribution scheme as a whole.
             [W]e measure the circumstances of the case against
             the objective of effectuating economic justice
             between the parties and achieving a just
             determination of their property rights.

             Moreover, it is within the province of the trial court to
      weigh the evidence and decide credibility and this Court will not
      reverse those determinations so long as they are supported by
      the evidence. We are also aware that a master’s report and
      recommendation, although only advisory, is to be given the
      fullest consideration, particularly on the question of credibility of
      witnesses, because the master has the opportunity to observe
      and assess the behavior and demeanor of the parties.

Childress v. Bogosian, 12 A.3d 448, 455-56 (Pa. Super. 2011) (citations

and quotation marks omitted).

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      In her first issue, Wife claims that the trial court abused its discretion

in adopting the Master’s recommendation to award her 60% of the insurance

proceeds for the structure of the marital home, but no share of the proceeds

for the contents of the home or living expenses related to the fire.      (See

Wife’s Brief, at 14-23). She argues that “the entirety of the proceeds should

be split 60/40 in favor of Wife.” (Id. at 20 (emphasis omitted); see also id.

at 23). Wife acknowledges the parties’ long separation before the fire, but

asserts that she left several items of marital personal property at the home,

such as tools, guns, and appliances, which she intended to claim. (See id.

at 20). This issue does not merit relief.

      In addressing Wife’s issue, we are mindful that “[t]he process of

equitable distribution is an exercise in marshalling, valuing and dividing the

marital pot in a fair manner.” Moran v. Moran, 839 A.2d 1091, 1095 (Pa.

Super. 2003) (citation omitted).    “There is no simple formula by which to

divide marital property; the method of distribution derives from the facts of

the individual case.” Taper v. Taper, 939 A.2d 969, 974 (Pa. Super. 2007)

(citation omitted). “The courts attempt to split property equitably, instead

of equally, taking into consideration such factors as length of marriage, the

contributions of both spouses, ages and health of each spouse.”             Id.

(citation omitted).

      We also note that this Court has found that, under circumstances

where an insurance policy on a marital residence is issued in only one

spouse’s name, the unnamed spouse may recover an equitable share of the

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proceeds paid on that policy for personal property destroyed by fire.    See

Beamer v. Beamer, 479 A.2d 485, 487, 489 (Pa. Super. 1984) (finding

that, under particular circumstances of case, trial court should determine

value of Wife’s personal property left in possession of Husband and

destroyed by fire where obvious that parties agreed to distribution of

property and Wife left several items behind at Husband’s request).

      In the instant case, the record reflects that, in making its equitable

distribution recommendation, the Master considered the parties’ education

levels and employment status, Husband’s ability to earn a higher salary than

Wife, Wife’s lack of retirement benefits or health insurance, and each party’s

health conditions. (See Master’s Report, 10/08/13, at unnumbered pages 2-

3, 8); see also Taper, supra at 974.      When considering the appropriate

distribution of the insurance proceeds paid because of the fire at the marital

residence, the Master recommended and the trial court agreed that Wife

should receive a 60% share of the proceeds paid for the structure of the

home, and Husband should receive only a 40% share. (See Trial Ct. Op., at

4). However, the Master and the court concluded that Wife was not entitled

to any of the funds paid for the contents of the home or for living expenses.

(See id.).    The court explained the basis for its decision regarding the

contents of the home as follows:

            The parties had been separated for five years at the time
      of the fire. [(See Master’s Report, 10/08/13, at unnumbered
      page 2)]. Testimony revealed that Wife had moved her personal
      property from the home shortly after separation. [(See N.T.
      Hearing, 8/17/12, at 17, 38)] (Where Wife testified that she

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       removed pre-marital property she had brought to the house)
       [;(see id. at 59)] (Where Wife testified that she hired a mover
       and a moving truck). Wife also testified that the only items of
       significant value purchased during the marriage were a dining
       room table, which she took when she moved out of the
       residence, and a living room set [valued at $3,000.00, left in the
       home. (see id. at 40-43; see also Master’s Report, 10/08/13,
       at unnumbered pages 4, 9)]. Husband claimed that Wife took
       many items in addition to those she brought to the house
       including small appliances, dishes, furnishings, and an
       entertainment center. [(See N.T. Hearing, 8/17/12, at 63)].
       The parties’ daughter, Andrea Cerciello, testified that Wife
       moved many items from the home, including a dining room
       hutch, desk, pictures, and the contents of her bedroom. . . .
       [(See N.T. Hearing, 11/08/12, at 17-19)].

              . . . [T]he value of the $3,000 living room set [lost in the
       fire], which both parties acknowledged was marital property,
       was factored into the total amount of marital assets. [(See
       Master’s Report, 10/08/13, at unnumbered page 9)]. Although
       Wife claimed, and her friend Alison O’Shea corroborated, that
       there were additional personal items she intended to remove
       from the home, the Master determined that this argument was
       [not] compelling. [(see id. at unnumbered page 8; N.T Hearing
       11/08/12, at 33-34)]. This determination was based on the
       [testimony at the hearings], the fact that five years had elapsed
       between the parties’ separation and the fire, and that Wife had
       not made any claims to items in the home in the interim. [(See
       Master’s Report, 10/08/13, at unnumbered pages 7-8).]

(Id. at 5-6).3

       With respect to the living expense insurance proceeds, Husband

testified that he used the funds to cover the cost of purchasing a mobile

home to live in when the fire destroyed the marital home, while a new home

was constructed. (See N.T. Hearing, 8/17/12, at 66-67; see also Master’s
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3
  Wife acknowledged that the parties never had an agreement with respect
to the remaining contents of the home. (See N.T. Hearing, 8/17/12, at 31).

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Report, 10/08/13, at unnumbered page 11).          Wife had not lived in the

marital home for five years, and therefore did not incur similar living

expenses. (See N.T. Hearing, 8/17/12, at 43-44). Husband was the only

named insured on the policy and he paid all premiums for coverage after the

parties separated. (See Master’s Report, 10/08/13, at unnumbered page 2;

Trial Ct. Op., at 6).

      Upon review, we conclude that the court’s determination that Wife is

not entitled to insurance proceeds for the contents of the home or living

expenses is supported by the record where: Wife removed her property at

separation five years before the fire; the parties did not enter an agreement

with respect to the remaining contents; Wife made no claims for items left

behind before the fire; and Wife did not incur any additional living expenses

as a result of the fire. Compare Beamer, supra at 487, 489. We discern

no abuse of discretion in the court’s decision. See Childress, supra at 455-

56. Wife’s first issue does not merit relief.

      In her second issue, Wife argues that the trial court abused its

discretion in failing to award her interest on her portion of the insurance

proceeds for the structure of the home from the date Husband received the

funds.   (See Wife’s Brief, at 23).     Wife contends that she is entitled to

interest because Husband received the proceeds in 2011 and spent the funds

to his benefit, while he gave her none of the proceeds. (See id.). This issue

does not merit relief.

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      In her one-page argument on this issue, Wife cites one case, Bryant

v. Girard Bank, 517 A.2d 968 (Pa. Super. 1986). (See Wife’s Brief at 23).

The Bryant case involved interest purportedly accrued on settlement funds,

and Wife cites it for the general proposition that “[i]nterest is the

compensation allowed by law for the deprivation of money.” (Wife’s Brief at

23 (quoting Bryant, supra at 979)). Wife cites no relevant legal authority

to persuade us that she is entitled to interest on the insurance proceeds

under the facts of this case. See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a)-(b).

      In the instant case, the trial court agreed with the Master’s decision

not to award interest based on its finding that the Master carefully

considered the economic circumstances of Husband and Wife along with

relevant statutory factors, and fairly and accurately interpreted the

testimony and evidence presented at the hearings. (See Trial Ct. Op. at 5,

11-12). The trial court concluded that it could “find no compelling reason to

award [W]ife interest on the insurance money when she was awarded a 60%

share of the marital assets.” (Id. at 12). We find no abuse of discretion in

the court’s decision.    See Childress, supra at 455-56.    Moreover, Wife’s

assertion that Husband should have paid her in 2011 immediately upon

receipt of the funds is specious where the record shows that the parties

wholly disagreed as to the appropriate allocation of funds and sought

resolution through equitable distribution.   Accordingly, Wife’s second issue

does not merit relief.

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       In her third issue, Wife claims that the trial court abused its discretion

in failing to award her 60% of the MetLife account (valued at $6,433.15)

that Husband cashed in to help her with moving expenses.                  (See Wife’s

Brief, at 24). In support of this issue, Wife argues that Husband’s testimony

was not credible, because he first testified that he gave her approximately

$6,000.00 to help with moving expenses, and later “contradicted himself” by

stating that he gave her $5,000.00 for these expenses.               (Id. (citing N.T.

Hearing, 11/08/12, at 6, 12)). Wife asserts that she testified that Husband

gave her only $2,500.00 for expenses, not the entire amount from the

MetLife account.4 (See id.). This issue does not merit relief.

       As stated above, a master’s report is to be given the fullest

consideration, especially on questions of witness credibility, because the

master had the opportunity to observe the parties’ demeanor and behavior.

See Childress, supra at 455-56.                It was for the trial court to weigh the

evidence and resolve credibility issues, and this Court will not reverse its

determinations if the evidence supports them. See id.

       Here, Husband testified that he gave all of the funds from the MetLife

account to Wife to help with moving costs. (See N.T. Hearing, 11/08/12, at

6). When asked on cross-examination by Wife’s attorney whether he gave

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4
  Wife provides this Court with no citation to the record for this purported
testimony, (see Wife’s Brief, at 24), and after review of the hearing
transcript, we did not locate her testimony to this effect.

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Wife only $3,000.00 to help her move, Husband answered “No.” (Id. at 12).

The Master found Husband’s testimony that he gave Wife all of the funds

from the MetLife account credible despite his reference to a $5,000.00

figure. (See Master’s Report, 10/08/13, at unnumbered page 10; see also

N.T. Hearing, 11/08/12, at 12).           The trial court reviewed the record and

found no evidence that Husband agreed to give Wife only $2,500.00 toward

moving expenses.        (See Trial Ct. Op., at 10).    The court determined that

Wife’s recollection of the record did not comport with the hearing testimony,

and that the record instead supported the Master’s findings. (See id.). We

agree, and conclude that the court did not abuse its discretion in declining to

award Wife 60% of the MetLife account where the record reflects that she

used all of the proceeds for moving expenses.           See Childress, supra at

455-56. Wife’s third issue lacks merit.

       In her fourth issue, Wife argues that the trial court abused its

discretion in adopting the Master’s report because the Master failed to file it

within thirty days of the equitable distribution hearing in this matter, in

violation of Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1920.55-2.5        (See Wife’s

Brief, at 24; see also Rule 1925(b) Statement, 2/20/14, at unnumbered

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5
  Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1920.55-2, provides in relevant part
that, after the conclusion of a hearing, a Master “shall . . . file the record and
the report within . . . thirty days after the receipt of the transcript by the
master in contested actions[.]” Pa.R.C.P. 1920.55-2(a)(1)(ii).

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pages 1-2).      Wife contends that the court should not have adopted the

report because the Master filed it nearly one year after the final hearing.

(See Wife’s Brief, at 24). This issue is waived.

        It is an appellant’s responsibility to ensure that this Court receives a

complete record, and when deficiencies in a brief hinder our ability to

conduct meaningful appellate review, we may find certain issues waived.

See Pa.R.A.P. 2101; see also Cresci Const. Serv., Inc. v. Martin, 64

A.3d 254, 266 (Pa. Super. 2013). Here, in her appellate brief, Wife has not

provided this Court with any legal argument to support her contention that

the court abused its discretion in accepting the Master’s report. (See Wife’s

Brief, at 24). Wife’s only presented argument on this issue consists of one

and one-half sentences; her             brief omits the      subsequent page     that

presumably addressed this issue.               (See id.).   Accordingly, the issue is

waived. See Pa.R.A.P. 2101; see also Cresci Const. Serv., Inc., supra at

266.6
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6
  Moreover, Wife’s fourth issue would not merit relief. First, we note that
Rule 1920.55-2(a)(1)(ii) sets forth a thirty-day deadline for the Master to file
a report after receipt of the transcript, not a thirty-day timeframe from the
date of the hearing. Further, even assuming a violation of the rule, “the
court at every stage of any such action or proceeding may disregard any
error or defect of procedure which does not affect the substantial rights of
the parties.” Pa.R.C.P. 126.

      Here, the trial court acknowledged the lengthy delay between the
equitable distribution hearings and filing of the Master’s report. (See Trial
Ct. Op., at 7). It considered the proceedings and determined that the delay
did not substantially affect the parties’ rights where the record reflects that
(Footnote Continued Next Page)

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      Decree affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 12/2/2014

                       _______________________
(Footnote Continued)

the Master carefully considered the unique facts of this case and his report
was in accord with the testimony and evidence presented at the hearings.
(See id. at 5, 7); see also Pa.R.C.P. 126. We discern no abuse of
discretion in the trial court’s disposition of this issue.

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