Court Opinion

ID: 2782807
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-02-27 00:05:30.396525+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:28:24.658589
License: Public Domain

J-S62031-14

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

JULIA GRESS                                     IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                                      PENNSYLVANIA
                         Appellee

                    v.

ROBERT E. GRESS

                         Appellant                   No. 3143 EDA 2013

            Appeal from the Decree and Order October 10, 2013
              In the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County
                Civil Division at No(s): A-06-11-63939-D-Q

BEFORE: ALLEN, J., OLSON, J., and OTT, J.

MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.:                          FILED FEBRUARY 26, 2015

      Robert E. Gress (“Appellant”) appeals pro se from the final decree of

divorce and order of equitable distribution entered on October 10, 2013, in

the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County. Appellant contends the trial

court erred in (1) “knowingly proceeding in matters transferred by

Montgomery County in which an appeal was filed[,]” (2) “proceed[ing] in a

case that was transferred from Montgomery County, which had pending

preliminary objections which cited that personal jurisdiction was never

established by Montgomery County[,]” (3) “not acknowledging that the

change of venue order issued by Montgomery County was a nullity, and

therefore Bucks County had neither personal or subject matter jurisdiction,

and would make all orders from Bucks County nullities[,]” (4) “not insuring

that the plaintiff’s pleadings conformed to law or court rules and were legally
J-S62031-14

sufficient, as [appellant] was never properly provided numerous mandatory

documents, since [appellant] was never provided service of original

process[,]” and (5) “proceeding in this case in which no viable proof of

service of original process exists, as no return receipt signed by

[appellant] is existent [pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1930.4(h)(4)].” Appellant’s

Brief, at 4 (emphasis in original). We affirm on the sound reasoning of the

trial court.

       The trial court’s opinion sets out the background of this case and,

therefore, we do not restate it here. See Trial Court Opinion, 3/24/2014.

       After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the

applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the Honorable Gary B.

Gilman, we conclude appellant’s claims merit no relief.      See Trial Court

Opinion, supra (finding:          (1) venue is proper in Bucks County since

appellee/plaintiff resides in Bucks County and the marital home was in Bucks

County, (2) when the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas

transferred jurisdiction to Bucks County, that Court was without further

authority to decide any remaining preliminary objection,1 (3) the record

reflects appellant was consistently and properly served with true and correct

copies of documents pertinent to this case pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1930.4

____________________________________________

1
  We also note the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas docket
sheet, which is contained in the certified record, does not reflect that an
appeal was filed from the Montgomery County transfer order.

                                           -2-
J-S62031-14

(“Service of Original Process in Domestic Relations Matter,” and (4) failure to

include with service a notice of an incarcerated individual’s right to apply to

the court for a writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum to enable him to

participate in the hearing was harmless error where appellant was afforded

repeated notice to respond or participate in the present proceedings, and he

opted not to do so.).2

       Accordingly, we adopt the trial court’s opinion as dispositive of the

issues raised in this appeal.3

       Decree and Order affirmed. Appellant’s Motion to Suppress Appellee’s

Supplemental Reproduced Record and Supplemental Appendix is dismissed

as moot, as this Court considered only the documents contained in the

certified record.

____________________________________________

2
  We further add that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, by per curiam order
of December 12, 2013, granted appellant’s Application for Leave to File
Original Process, and denied his Petition for Writ of Prohibition and/or Writ
of Mandamus, or other Extraordinary Relief. See Robert E. Gress v. Court
of Common Pleas of Bucks Conty-Civil, 142 MM 2013, Application for
Leave to File Original Process Pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 3307 and Application for
Extraordinary Relief Pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 3309 (seeking leave to file original
process in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; seeking a writ of prohibition in
the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas on the basis of lack of jurisdiction,
a writ of mandamus to transfer Gress v. Gress (A06-11-63939) back to the
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, and other extraordinary relief
to correct errors and in the interest of justice).
3
  In the event of further proceedings, the parties are directed to attach a
copy of the Trial Court Opinion, 3/24/2014, to this decision.

                                           -3-
J-S62031-14

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 2/26/2015

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    IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
                           FAMILY COURT

JULIA GRESS

              V.                                          NO. A06·11·63936·36

ROBERT E. GRESS

                                        OPINION

     Robert E. Gress (hereinafter referred to as "Appellant") has filed the instant appeal

from the fam ily court Decree and Order signed by this Court on October 10, 2013. The

effect of that Order was to divorce Appellant and Julia Gress (hereinafter referred to as

"Appellee") from the bonds of matrimony and to equitably distri bute marital property.

I. BACKGROUND

     Appellee filed for divorce in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas

(hereinafter referred to as "Montgomery County") on August 3, 20 10. A deter'::'.~,,~t~n

of improper venue was mad ~ b~ the Court of Comm9n P.leasof_ M.0ntg0n:.~_r,:~o,:nty"

and the case was transferred to the Bucks Cou nty Court of Common Pleas (hereinafter

referred to as "Bucks County") by Order dated November 10, 201 1.

     On November 7, 2012, our colleague on the Bucks County bench, Judge

McMaster, signed an Order approving the Grounds for Divorce and directing the matter

to the Bucks County Domestic Relations Master's Office for conference and hearing.

Ap pellant appealed that Order and on January 25, 2013, the Superior Court granted

Appellee's motion to quash that appeal as having been improperly based upon a non-

appealable interlocutory order. Pursuant to the relevant rules of civil procedure, upon

review of the recommendation by the Master, we thereafter signed the Final Decree on

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October 10, 2013. This appeal was filed on November 11, 2013.'

II. STATEMENT OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL

       Appellant's Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal is recited verbatim

below.

         1. Did not Bucks County Court err, after knowingly proceeding in actions
         in matters transferred by Montgomery County in which an appeal was filed
         (Appeal was filed 12/09/2011), when Bucks County Court reoeived
         undeniable proof that a notice of appeal was filed (within Exhibit 1 of
         Preliminary Objections of 06/07/2012), in violation of Pa. RAP. 1701(a),
         as the appeal involved not only an objection of change of venue (per
         RAP. 311 (c» , but raises the challenge of personal jurisdiction of
         Montgomery County issuing a change of venue or any order.

        2. Did not Bucks County Court err, when it proceeded in a case that was
        transferred from Montgomery County, which had pending Preliminary
        Objections (filed in Montgomery County) , which cited that Personal
        Jurisdiction was never established by Montgomery County, and
        accordingly orders by Montgomery County are a nullity.

        3. Did not Bucks County Court err, by not acknowledging that the change
        of venue order issued by Montgomery County was a nullity, and therefore
        Bucks County had neither personal nor subject matter jurisdiction , and
        would make all orders from Bucks County nullities.

        4. Did not Bucks County Court err, by not insuring that the Plaintiffs
        pleadings conformed to law or court rules and were legally sufficient, as
        the Defendant was never properly provided mandatory documents
        including the Complaint (RC.P. 1920.12 & 1920.72), the Notice to Defend
        and Claim Rights (R.C.P. 1920.71), the Notice of Intention to Request
        Entry of Divorce Decree (RC.P. 1920.73), and the Notice of an
        Incarcerated Person's Right to Apply for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad
        Testificandum (Note in R.C.P. 1930.4(A)), since the Defendant was never
        provided service of original process.

        5. Did not Bucks County Court err, by proceeding in this case in which no
        viable proof of service of the original process exists, as no return receipt
        signed by the Defendant is existent (pursuant to RC.P. 1930.4(h)(4» , as
        divorce and domestic relation services are specifically govern by Pa.
        RC.P. 1930.4, and thus Bucks County never established jurisdiction.

1 The Superior COUM: dockets reflect that the instant app eal is the seventh appeal file d by Appellant as to his
domestic matter since September 201 2.
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III. DISCUSSION

      Appellant has appealed from the Order we signed on October 10, 2013, which

finalized the divorce between these parties. Appellant has used this appeal to attempt

to revisit the issues he has repeatedly raised in Montgomery County as well as in Bucks

County since the date when venue was transferred. While a bit confusing and

seemingly misguided, the five issues raised in the instant appeal can be divided into two

categories. One category pertains to venue and the venue transfer, including the

allegation that Montgomery County never established personal jurisdiction over

Appellant. The second category pertains to Appellant's assertions as to proper receipt,

or lack thereof, of original service and of related other documents. As a matter of law,

these arguments are not property raised on an appeal from the entry of a divorce

decree. Nonetheless, we will briefly address the asserted appellate issues herein.

       First, as to the Venue issues, Appellant has continuously raised non-meritorious

arguments. As a general theme, Appellant asserts that Montgomery County never

established personal jurisdiction, transferred the matter to Bucks County while

preliminary objections as to jurisdiction were pending, and therefore all orders entered

by Montgomery County are a nullity, including the transfer of venue.' Appellant further

argues that therefore all subsequent Bucks County orders are nullities.

      Appellee resides in Bucks County and the marital home was in Bucks County.

Notwithstanding any reasons this matter may have been initially filed in Montgomery

County, venue is proper in Bucks County. Danz v. Danz, 947 A.2d 750 (Pa.Super.2008)

(providing extensive discussion regarding venue in a divorce action and the application

2 We surmise from a review of the file transferred from Montgomery County that there may have been
agreement between the parties to initially file this matter in Montgomery County, as opposed to Bucks
County. Parties may agree upon a county in which to bring a divorce action pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1920.2.
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 of Rule 1920.2). The determination of whether to transfer venue in a case is a matter

 within the sound discretion of the trial court. If there exists any proper basis for the trial

 cOurt's decision to grant the petition to transfer venue, the decision must stand. Estate

 of Werner ex reI. Werner v. Werner, 781 A2d 188, 189 -190 (Pa.Super.2001)(internal

 quotations and citations omitted).

      Appellant apparently misunderstands the relevant law and rules of civil procedure

 in suggesting personal jurisdiction was not established in Montgomery County, or that

 preliminary objections remained pending, once the venue determination was reached by

 the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County. Bradley v. O'Donoghue, 823 A2d

 1038 (Pa.Cmwlth.2003) (When a trial court grants a change of venue through
                             ----------- --- . -----.---.-- - - - - ,..   ~ - ---   .... - ------=

------ -.' -     ...--
 preliminary objections, it is without further authority to decide any remaining preliminary

 objections). Accordingly, Appellant's assignments of error as to jurisdiction and venue

 are incorrect.

      Furthermore, Appellant's preliminary objections raised in Bucks County, which

 included in part, objections as to subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction,

 were overruled by our colleague Judge Baldi's Order of October 18, 2012.

      Appellant argues in his last two matters complained of on appeal that he never

 received documents, including service of original process. At the outset, we note that

 Judge Baldi's Order addressed and overruled the preliminary objection Appellant

 previously raised as to service of the Complaint. Additionally, a review of the Court files

 and dockets reveals that Appellant was conSistently and properly served wilh true arid
                                                            -- - -. ,. - ".
 correct copies of documents pertinent to this case, as required pursuant to Pa. R.C. P.
                                                    --.... -..  -.---_._-_...
                                                           ~----- .-                 _--_._--
--
 1930.4. Appellant received notice of the Grounds hearing and did not choose to

 participate. Appellant received notice of the Master's hearing and did not choose to

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participate. Appellant received Notice of Filing the Master's Report, including the

standard instructional language that either party may file for a de novo hearing, within

twenty (20) days, before the proposed relevant Order is entered by the Court. Agai n,

Appellant chose not to act.

        The Note to Pa . R.C.P. 1930.4 states in part: "[s]ervice upon an incarcerated

person' in a domestic relations action must also include notice of the incarcerated

individual's right to apply to the court for a writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum to

enabte him to participate in the hearing."' While a review of the court file does not

reflect that Appellant received such notice, we find the lack of documentation to be

harmless error 5 Appellant was afforded repeated notice to respo nd or participate in the

subject domestic relations proceedings, and he repeatedly opted not to do so. Yet,

Appellant has exhibited a pattern ottiling appeals asserting non-meritorious pOSitions.

) Appellant was convicted following a trial by Jury and sentenced in October 2007 to an aggregate sentence of
not less than thirty-three (33) years nor more than sixty-seven (67) years incarceration in a state correctional
facility. Appellant was sen tenced upon Count 1 - Rape of a Child. Count 2 - In voluntary Deviate Sexual
intercourse with a Child, Count 16 - Corruption of Minors, and Co unt 24 - Criminal Conspiracy. In December
2008 Appellant's sentence was affirmed by the Superior Court and In October 2009 cert. waS d enied by the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
4 A court must weigh the inte rests of an in carcerated pe rson in presenting testimony in person aga ins t the
interests of the state in maintaining confinement. The followin g factors should be considered: the costs and
inconvenience of transporting the inmate; any potential danger associated with any such t ransfer and/ or
attendance at a ny hearing or trial; the substantiality of the matter at issue; the need for an early
determina tion ohhe marter; the possibility of success on the merits; the integrity ofthe correctional system;
a nd the interests of the inmate in presenting his testimony in pe rson rather than by deposition. A        .
consideration of th e above factors e ntails cons Ide ration of other factors including whether the incarcerated
person is the only one who can render testimony consistent with the allegations of his complaint Salerno v.
Salerno. 554 A2d 563, 564 (Pa.Super. 1989)(interna l citations omitted).
5 In assessIng the abSl:!nce ofa writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum provided to Appellant, we a re guided by
decl.sionallaw s uch as in the case of LQwenschuss v. Loweoschuss. 470 A.2d 970 (Pa.S uper.1983). In
Lowenschu ss the service of a petition for contempt 00 husband did not include the statutorlly-required
notice designed to inform him of the na ture of the contempt proceedings that had been comme nced against .
him. That oversight was deemed to be harmless erro r where husband had been apprised for mally weeks of a
pending contempt proceeding a nd had sufficlent preparation ti me, where twO prior petitions for civil
contempt had been filed by .....-ife alleging husba nd's failure to pay alimony pendente lite a nd to comply with a
child support temporary order, resulting in orders directing payment on a rrearages a nd on one occasion an
orde r of inca rcera tion, where hUSba nd had developed a partern of paying a rrearages only to avo id
Incarceration.

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Accordingly, these procedural issues raised by Appellant are without merit.

IV. CONCLUSION

       For all of the foregoing reasons, we respectfully submit that our Decree and

Order of October 10, 2013, finalizing the divorce of these parties and equitably

distributing their marital property, should be affirmed.

                                           BY TH COURlJ;

                                                      f~
                                                       ILMAN,                 J.

                  N.B.lt is your responsibility
                  to notify all interested parties     ...   ,
                  of the above action.

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