[Cite as Barber v. Williamson, 2012-Ohio-4925.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ROSS COUNTY
THELMA BARBER, :
as Guardian of Nettie Mullins, :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee, : Case No. 11CA3265
:
vs. : Released: October 16, 2012
:
RICK WILLIAMSON, et al., :
: DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Defendants-Appellants. : ENTRY
:
APPEARANCES:
Steven C. Newman, Chillicothe, Ohio, for Appellants.
Thomas M. Spetnagel, Chillicothe, Ohio, for Appellee.
McFarland, J.:
{¶1} Appellants Rick and Jerry Williamson appeal the decision of the Ross
County Court of Common Pleas granting judgment in Appellee’ favor for breach
of fiduciary duty in the amount of $66,956.96. Appellants raise five assignments
of error, arguing: 1) the trial court lacked jurisdiction to continue the action once
an application for guardianship was filed in the probate court; 2) the court
committed reversible error in not following In re Thompson, 66 Ohio St.2d 433; 3)
the court erred in finding that a fiduciary relationship existed between parent and
children (her sons, the Appellants), upon failing to find fraud, coercion, or undue
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 2
influence; 4) the court erred in determining the donor incompetent at the time of
transfer based solely upon the doctor’s opinions formulated months after the gift;
and 5) the court erred in failing to find a present intention of the donor to
relinquish ownership, dominion, and control of the property.
{¶2} Having reviewed the record, we find merit to Appellants’ first
assignment of error. The general division of the trial court was not the proper
court for the action because the probate court had exclusive jurisdiction over the
subject matter. Accordingly, we vacate the trial court’s judgment and remand the
cause for transfer to the probate court.
FACTS
{¶3} Nettie Mullins (“Mullins”) had six children from her first marriage:
three daughters and three sons. Later Mullins remarried, but in 2008 she had
started to display the signs of dementia.
{¶4} On January 22, 2009, Mullins took the contents of a savings account
she held jointly with her husband and transferred the money into an account solely
in her name. On February 26, 2009, Mullins withdrew $89,390.89 in cash from the
new account. She met her three sons and allegedly took an unknown amount of
the cash for herself, then she gave the rest to her sons and instructed them to “take
care of her” with the money.
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 3
{¶5} The sons claimed they had not counted the money and initially placed
the funds in a safety deposit box. They later removed it and distributed $5,000 to
each of Mullins’ children, save one, to whom they gave $1,000. They used some
money to place Mullins in an assisted living community. Mullins had occasionally
asked for small sums of cash, which her sons gave her. Another portion of the
money paid for Mullins’ husband’s funeral after he passed in March 2009.
{¶6} The sons, however, also believed Mullins had permitted them to spend
the money in their possession however they wished, which they did. Mullins also
transferred title of her 2006 Chevy Impala to one of her sons for no consideration.
Neither of the two defendant-sons was able to definitively say how much money
Mullins gave them, nor could they provide an accounting for how they spent those
funds.
{¶7} In April 2009, Mullins executed a power of attorney naming two of her
daughters as attorneys in fact. The daughters initiated the instant action on
Mullins’ behalf against sons Jerry and Rick Williamson, alleging they took
advantage of Mullins and she had either intended the money to be held in trust for
her benefit, or she was incompetent to gift the money to them. The daughters filed
claims against the defendant-sons for breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, undue
influence, fraud or coercion, and requested a declaratory judgment and an
accounting, as well as money damages.
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 4
{¶8} While the action was pending in the general division, the third daughter
instituted proceedings in the probate court to appoint a guardian for Mullins due to
her diminished cognitive functions. The probate court determined Mullins was
incompetent and appointed the third daughter, Thelma Barber, as Mullin’s
guardian on July 8, 2010. The trial court’s general division then substituted
Barber, as Mullins’ guardian, as the plaintiff in the instant action and the case
proceeded to a trial to the court.
{¶9} At the close of evidence, the trial court gave its ruling from the bench.
The court found Mullins did not possess the donative intent to gift the money to
her sons. (Tr. at 255.) It also determined Mullins was incompetent to make the
transfers, both the January withdrawal from the joint account and the February
cash withdrawal from her new account. (Tr. at 257.) Oddly though, the trial court
determined Mullins had created a trust when she gave the money to the defendant-
sons and told them to take care of her, rendering them fiduciaries.1 (Tr. at 255-
256.)
{¶10} The trial court held the defendant-sons had breached their fiduciary
duty to Mullins when they spent the money on anything but her care. The court
accounted for any monies the defendants had expended on Mullins’ behalf, which
was proper, and required the defendant-sons to repay the wrongfully expended or
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 5
unaccounted for balance, which came to $66,956.96. The court entered judgment
against the defendant-sons in that amount, holding them jointly and severally
liable. The defendant-sons now appeal.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
1. The trial court lacked jurisdiction to continue this action once an
application for guardianship was filed in the probate court.
2. The court committed reversible error in not following In re Thompson, 66
Ohio St.2d 433.
3. The court erred in finding that a fiduciary relationship existed between
parent and children (her sons, the Appellants), upon failing to find fraud,
coercion, or undue influence.
4. The court erred in determining the donor incompetent at the time of
transfer based solely upon the doctor’s opinions formulated months after the
gift.
5. The court erred in failing to find a present intention of the donor to
relinquish ownership, dominion, and control.
I. Jurisdiction
{¶11} In their first assignment of error, Appellants argue the trial court
lacked jurisdiction to continue the action once Barber filed an application for
guardianship in the probate court. While we do not believe the probate court
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 6
obtained jurisdiction as soon as Barber filed the application for guardianship, we
do believe this action was within the probate court’s exclusive jurisdiction because
it “touched upon the guardianship.”
A. Standard of Review
{¶12} “The existence of the trial court’s subject-matter jurisdiction is a
question of law that we review de novo.” Yazdani–Isfehani v. Yazdani–Isfehani,
170 Ohio App.3d 1, 2006-Ohio-7105, 865 N.E.2d 924, ¶ 20 (4th Dist.). “[L]ack of
subject matter jurisdiction may be raised at any stage of a legal proceeding,
including appeal.” Mock v. Bowen, 6th Dist. No. L-91-210, 1992 WL 163959, *3
(July 17, 1992), citing Fox v. Eaton Corp., 48 Ohio St.2d 236, 358 N.E.2d 536
(1976) (syllabus overruled on other grounds in Manning v. Ohio State Library Bd.,
62 Ohio St.3d 24, 577 N.E.2d 650 (1991)). “That is, subject matter jurisdiction
cannot be waived and is the basis for a mandatory sua sponte dismissal by a court.”
Mock at *3, citing State ex rel. Lawrence Development Co. v. Weir, 11 Ohio
App.3d 96, 463 N.E.2d 398 (10th Dist. 1983).
B. Legal Analysis
R.C. 2101.24 provides:
(A)(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, the probate
court has exclusive jurisdiction:
***
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 7
(e) To appoint and remove guardians, conservators, and
testamentary trustees, direct and control their conduct,
and settle their accounts;
***
(g) To make inquests respecting persons who are so
mentally impaired as a result of a mental or physical
illness or disability, or mental retardation, or as a result
of chronic substance abuse, that they are unable to
manage their property and affairs effectively, subject to
guardianship;
***
(l) To render declaratory judgments, including, but not
limited to, those rendered pursuant to section 2107.084 of
the Revised Code;
***
(m) To direct and control the conduct of fiduciaries and
settle their accounts;
***
(C) The probate court has plenary power at law and in
equity to dispose fully of any matter that is properly
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 8
before the court, unless the power is expressly otherwise
limited or denied by a section of the Revised Code.
{¶13} Civ.R. 73(B) provides, “Proceedings that are improperly venued shall
be transferred to a proper venue provided by law * * *.”
“At all times, the probate court is the superior guardian of wards who are
subject to its jurisdiction[.]” 2111.50(A)(1). See, also, In re Guardianship of
Jawisiak, 64 Ohio St.3d 176, 180, 593 N.E.2d 1379 (1992) (“The court having
jurisdiction of the guardianship matter is superior guardian, while the guardian is
deemed to be an officer of the court.”), citing In re Clendenning, 145 Ohio St. 82,
93, 60 N.E.2d 676 (1945). “The state’s interest in the guardianship is effectuated
by the extension of the probate court’s jurisdiction to all matters ‘touching upon
the guardianship.’” In re Guardianship of Jawisiak at 180, citing In re
Zahoransky, 22 Ohio App.3d 75, 488 N.E.2d 944 (8th Dist. 1985). Thus, the issue
of jurisdiction turns upon whether Mullins’ claims, brought by her guardian,
“touch upon the guardianship.”
{¶14} We have not previously addressed the issue of whether the probate
court has exclusive jurisdiction over claims brought on behalf of the ward to
recover assets that were allegedly wrongfully conveyed away or converted prior to
the guardianship. We have, however, held the probate court has exclusive
jurisdiction over declaratory actions brought to determine any questions arising out
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 9
of the administration of a decedent’s estate. Grimes v. Grimes, 173 Ohio App.3d
537, 2007-Ohio-5653, 879 N.E.2d 247 (4th Dist.), at ¶ 17. In Grimes, the
declaratory judgment action was properly before the probate court because the
plaintiff sought to invalidate inter vivos transfers involving property that would
revert to the estate if the transfers were deemed invalid. Grimes at ¶ 18-19.
“‘[T]he action related to the administration of the estate and is within the exclusive
jurisdiction of the probate court.’” (Emphasis sic.) Grimes at ¶ 19, quoting Mock,
6th Dist. No. L-91-210, 1992 WL 163959, *3 (July 17, 1992).
{¶15} It follows then that when a guardian brings suit on behalf of the ward
seeking a declaratory judgment invalidating pre-guardianship transfers involving
property that would revert to the ward’s estate if the court deems the transfers
invalid, such a claim is within the probate court’s exclusive jurisdiction because it
“touches upon the guardianship.” R.C. 2101.24(A)(1)(l); In re Guardianship of
Jawisiak. See, generally, Grimes.
{¶16} Other courts have reached similar conclusions. In Sayer v. Epler, 121
Ohio App.3d 329, 332-333, 699 N.E.2d 1000 (5th Dist. 1997), the court held
claims for concealing or having wrongfully conveyed away property of the estate
inter vivos, pursuant to R.C. 2109.50, are within the probate court’s jurisdiction
because the property at issue would revert to the estate if the transfers were
declared invalid. Even when a party seeks to enjoin the sale of property it believes
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 10
was wrongfully converted inter vivos from the decedent’s estate, such a claim is
within the probate court’s exclusive jurisdiction and the probate court has the
plenary power to fully dispose of the claim. Bunting v. Estate of Bunting, 5th Dist.
Nos. 2008CA00173, 2008CA00199, 2009-Ohio-3136, at ¶ 13-15.
{¶17} Mullins’ remaining claims are all merely alternate theories attempting
to recoup the money the Appellants allegedly conveyed away from Mullins prior to
the establishment of the guardianship. These too touch upon the guardianship
because they attempt to recapture the ward’s assets and are within the probate
court’s exclusive jurisdiction.
{¶18} Regarding Mullins’ counterargument that the probate court lacks the
ability to issue money judgments, we disagree. R.C. 2101.24(C) clearly gives the
probate court plenary power at law and equity to dispose of any claim properly
before it, which includes issuing money damages. Mullins has cited no section of
the Revised Code that specifically denies or limits this power, nor have we found
any.
{¶19} Moreover, State ex rel. Lewis v. Moser, 72 Ohio St.3d 25, 28-29, 647
N.E.2d 155 (1995) and Goldberg v. Maloney, 111 Ohio St.3d 211, 2006-Ohio-
5485, 855 N.E.2d 856, at ¶ 31-39 do not support her contention that a probate court
lacks the ability to order money damages and a request for such divests the probate
court of jurisdiction over an action. When determining whether the probate court
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 11
“patently and unambiguously lack[ed] jurisdiction” over actions seeking monetary
damages, the Supreme Court noted in both cases there was case law on either side
of the issue.
{¶20} In Lewis, the Court stated, “we are not convinced that the probate
court so patently and unambiguously lacks jurisdiction over claims for breaches of
fiduciary duties seeking monetary damages[.]” Lewis at 28. The Court even went
on to suggest, in light of Goff v. Ameritrust Co., N.A., 8th Dist. Nos. 65196, 66016,
1994 WL 173544 (May 5, 1994), that lower courts reevaluate their holdings
finding the probate court had no jurisdiction under R.C. 2101.24 to award money
damages. Lewis at 29. See, also, In re Katherine Ewanicky, 8th Dist. No. 81742,
2003-Ohio-3351, at ¶ 6-10 (holding the probate court properly adjudicated claims
involving a ward’s accounts and was within its jurisdiction and plenary powers
even though claims sought monetary damages); Goldberg at ¶ 37 (probate court
did not patently and unambiguously lack jurisdiction to determine whether pre-
guardianship transfers were valid, where wrongfully transferred assets would
revert to the ward’s estate).
{¶21} Thus, we find the general division of the trial court was not the proper
court to litigate Mullins’ claims once Barber was appointed her guardian. When
the probate court established the guardianship and the plaintiff changed from
Mullins, through her attorneys in fact, to Barber, in her capacity as Mullins’
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 12
guardian, the nature of the complaint changed. Indeed, the landscape of the
litigation changed. There was suddenly a guardianship and a ward’s estate. The
complaint sought to recover money and assets on Mullins’ behalf – it sought to
recover assets and return them to the ward’s estate. The new factual scenario made
the complaint “touch upon the guardianship” and brought the action within the
probate court’s exclusive jurisdiction. Accordingly, the general division of the trial
court should have transferred the case to the probate court per Civ.R. 73(B).
{¶22} Therefore, we sustain Appellants’ first assignment of error and vacate
the trial court’s judgment and remand the case for proceedings consistent with this
opinion. Appellants’ remaining assignments of error are overruled as moot.
JUDGMENT VACATED AND CAUSE REMANDED.
Ross App. No. 11CA3265 13
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE VACATED AND CAUSE
REMANDED and that the Appellants recover of Appellee costs herein taxed.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Ross
County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
Any stay previously granted by this Court is hereby terminated as of the date
of this entry.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule
27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Exceptions.
Harsha, J. and Kline, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court,
BY: _________________________
Matthew W. McFarland, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final
judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the
date of filing with the clerk.
Barber v. Williamson
Combined Opinion