J-S53043-14
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
LINDA C. MATEY, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
JOHN G. MATEY,
Appellant No. 333 WDA 2014
Appeal from the Order January 29, 2014
in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County
Family Court at No.: FD097870006
BEFORE: DONOHUE, J., OLSON, J., and PLATT, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.: FILED OCTOBER 31, 2014
Appellant, John G. Matey (Husband), appeals from the trial court’s
order of equitable distribution, dismissing his exceptions to the special
master’s report and adopting the recommendation of the special master,
following the entry of a decree in divorce. We affirm in part, vacate in part,
and remand with instructions.
The trial court summarized the factual history of this case as follows:
Husband and . . . Linda C. Matey (Wife) were married on
September 23, 1995, separated on September 4, 2009, and
divorced on January 29, 2014. They have one son[.] . . . Wife
has a B.A. in history from Brown University and a M.S. in library
science from the University of Pittsburgh. At the time of the
marriage, Wife was working full time as a librarian at the
Greensburg Hempfield area library. The parties agreed that Wife
would work part time at the library during the marriage. Upon
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*
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
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separation, Wife returned to work full time at the same library.
Wife’s salary in 2011 was $21,794. The [s]pecial [m]aster set
her net [monthly] income for purposes of child support at
$1,899. Husband is a civil engineer and also has a Master’s
Degree. His net monthly income was set at $4[,]268 per month.
(Trial Court Opinion, 5/05/14, at 1-2).
On April 2, 2012, the trial court appointed a special master (Master)
who held two hearings on August 23 and October 3, 2012. On November
27, 2012, the Master filed a report (Master’s Report) “recommending a
60/40 split in Wife’s favor of a marital estate valued at $629,995.” (Trial Ct.
Op., at 2; see also Master’s Report, 11/27/12, at 16). Specifically, the
Master determined that Husband’s earning capacity was more than two
times greater than Wife’s earning capacity. (See Master’s Report, 11/27/12,
at 16). The Master treated Wife’s inheritance as separate property, but did
include an investment return rate of three percent on the cash portion in her
net income. (See id. at 6).
At the hearing, the parties disputed the value of the marital residence
and each produced expert appraisals. Ultimately, the Master accepted the
appraisal of Wife’s expert and valued the marital residence at $121,000 in
2012. (See id. at 10).
Additionally, the Master awarded Wife counsel fees based on: (1) three
court orders each awarding $1,000 in counsel fees that were deferred to
equitable distribution; (2) the disparity of the parties’ income; and (3) the
number of individual assets in Husband’s name. (See id. at 19).
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Husband filed sixty-two exceptions to the Master’s Report on
December 14, 2012. The trial court heard argument on the exceptions on
June 20, 2013. On August 5, 2013, the trial court dismissed Husband’s
exceptions and entered the Master’s Report as a final order.
On August 27, 2013, Husband filed an appeal. On October 11, 2013,
this Court quashed Husband’s appeal as interlocutory because there was no
final divorce decree entered. A final divorce decree was entered on January
29, 2014. Husband timely filed an appeal on February 25, 2014.1
Husband raises the following issues for our review:
1. Whether the trial court erred when it refused to treat
Wife’s inheritance as income despite her testimony that she
treated if [sic] as income?
2. Whether the trial court committed an abuse of discretion
when it awarded Wife attorney’s fees?
3. Whether the trial court erred in its valuation of the pre-
marital residence of Husband?
4. Whether the trial court committed an abuse of discretion in
not imputing a higher earning capacity to Wife?
5. Whether the trial court erred in awarding Wife 60% of the
marital estate?
6. Whether the trial court erred in accepting the Master’s
calculations of Husband’s pre-marital assets?
(Husband’s Brief, at 4).
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1
Pursuant to the trial court’s order, Husband filed a Rule 1925(b) statement
on March 13, 2014. The court entered its Rule 1925(a) opinion on May 5,
2014. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
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Our standard of review of a challenge to equitable distribution is well-
settled:
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. [We] 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.
Biese v. Biese, 979 A.2d 892, 895 (Pa. Super. 2009) (citations and
quotation marks omitted).
Further, we note that this Court “must give fullest consideration to the
findings [of fact] of the master who had an opportunity to observe the
witnesses and is the best judge of credibility.” Brojack v. Brojack, 561
A.2d 788, 789 (Pa. Super. 1989) (citation omitted).
Husband first argues that the trial court erred by adopting the Master’s
recommendation not to treat Wife’s inheritance as income. (See Husband’s
Brief, at 8). We disagree.
In Pennsylvania, “an inheritance [does not fit] into the statutory
definition of ‘income’ . . . [and] it may not be so included.” Humphreys v.
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DeRoss, 790 A.2d 281, 287 (Pa. 2002). However, “where the fact finder
determines that an inheritance affects a payor’s financial obligations by
making more income available for support, an upward deviation is
appropriate.” Id. at 288.
In this case, the testimony at the hearing showed that Wife inherited
approximately $160,230 after her mother’s death in late September 2009.
(See N.T. Hearing, 8/23/12, at 114-21). The court found the Master’s
recommendation to “include[] an investment return rate of 3% on the
$100,000 cash portion of Wife’s inheritance in her net income [to be
appropriate].” (Trial Ct. Op., at 4).
Based on the applicable case law and facts of record, we conclude that
the court did not abuse its discretion when it dismissed Husband’s exception
to the Master’s recommendation not to treat Wife’s inheritance as income.
(See id.); see also Humphreys, supra at 287-88; Biese, supra at 895.
Accordingly, Husband’s first issue does not merit relief.
In his second issue, Husband argues that the trial court erred by
adopting the Master’s recommendation of awarding Wife $7,500 in
attorney’s fees. (See Husband’s Brief, at 10). We disagree.
The purpose of an award of counsel fees is to promote [the] fair
administration of justice by enabling the dependent spouse to
maintain or defend the divorce action without being placed at a
financial disadvantage; the parties must be on par with one
another.
Counsel fees are awarded based on the facts of each case
after a review of all the relevant factors. These factors include
the payor’s ability to pay, the requesting party’s financial
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resources, the value of the services rendered, and the property
received in equitable distribution.
Busse v. Busse, 921 A.2d 1248, 1258 (Pa. Super. 2007), appeal denied,
934 A.2d 1275 (Pa. 2007) (citations and quotation marks omitted).
Here, in accepting the Master’s recommendation, the court noted that:
Wife received 60% of a modest marital estate . . . [and] utilized
a large portion of her inheritance to pay her attorneys’ fees.
Husband’s net monthly income is nearly three times that of Wife
and he has amassed a large separate estate.
(Trial Ct. Op., at 4-5).
Additionally, “[t]he [c]ourt found no abuse of discretion in the
recommendation of the [] Master that Husband pay roughly one-third of
Wife’s fees.” (Id. at 5; see also N.T. Hearing, 8/23/12, at 148-54; Master’s
Report, 11/27/12, at 19). We agree and conclude that the court did not
abuse its discretion in adopting the Master’s recommendation of awarding
Wife $7,500 in attorneys’ fees. (See Trial Ct. Op., at 5); see also Biese,
supra at 895; Busse, supra at 1258. Accordingly, Husband’s second issue
does not merit relief.
In Husband’s third issue, he argues that the trial court erred by
adopting the Master’s recommendation of the valuation of the marital
residence. (See Husband’s Brief, at 11). We disagree.
Husband believes that the value of the marital residence was closer to
$78,000 in 2012. (See N.T. Hearing, 10/03/12, at 11-13). Nevertheless,
Husband introduced a county tax form showing the 2012 tax assessed value
as $93,000 and an expert appraisal with a value of $96,000. (See id. at 12-
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14). Wife’s expert appraisal valued the property at $121,000. (See N.T.
Hearing, 8/23/12, at 12-13). Ultimately, the Master accepted the appraisal
of Wife’s expert and valued the marital residence at $121,000. (See
Master’s Report, 11/27/12, at 10).
Here, the court accepted the Master’s recommendation because
“[t]here was no evidence that [it] was based on prejudice, partiality or ill will
or that the Master misapplied the law.” (Trial Ct. Op., at 5). Furthermore,
“Husband provided no basis for the [c]ourt to overturn the Master’s factual
determination.” (Id.).
We conclude that the court did not abuse its discretion in adopting the
Master’s recommendation and “accept[ing] the figures of [Wife]’s appraiser.”
(Id.); see also Biese, supra at 895. Accordingly, Husband’s third issue
does not merit relief.
In his fourth issue, Husband argues that the trial court erred by
adopting the Master’s recommendation not to impute a higher earning
capacity to Wife. (See Husband’s Brief, at 13). We disagree.
Husband believes that Wife’s earning capacity should be higher
because “Wife has a Master’s Degree which affords her the opportunity to
earn an income similar to [his].” (Id. at 14). The court accepted the
Master’s recommendation because “[w]hile Husband raised an exception
that Wife’s earning capacity should be higher, he did not argue this in his
supporting brief.” (Trial Ct. Op., at 6). Nevertheless, the court noted that:
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Wife was working as a librarian doing the same work at the
same library for essentially the same pay when they met. She
continued to work at the library throughout the marriage. When
the parties’ son was born, Husband agreed that she should work
part time. She testified that she applied for higher paying
positions as a research librarian, but her degree does not qualify
her for those jobs. Essentially she had the same earnings her
entire working life and [H]usband never raised any objection.
(Id.; see also N.T. Hearing, 8/23/12, at 135-37, 140-41, 144-46).
Based on our review of the record, we conclude that the court did not
abuse its discretion in adopting the Master’s recommendation not to impute
a higher earning capacity to Wife. (See Trial Ct. Op., at 6); see also Biese,
supra at 895; Brojack, supra at 789. Accordingly, Husband’s fourth issue
does not merit relief.
In Husband’s fifth issue, he argues that the trial court erred by
adopting the Master’s recommendation to award Wife sixty percent of the
marital estate. (See Husband’s Brief, at 15). We disagree.
Husband’s Rule 1925(b) statement claims that “the [c]ourt erred in
awarding [Wife] a 60/40 distribution in [Wife]’s favor as the parties earning
capacities are equivalent.” (Husband’s 1925(b) Statement, 3/13/14, at
unnumbered page 2). Nevertheless, in his brief, Husband argues that “[i]t is
obvious that Wife earns less income than Husband but the marital estate
was fully funded by . . . Husband’s lifetime work . . . and the inheritance he
received . . . .” (Husband’s Brief, at 16). Husband abandoned his initial
claim of equivalent earning capacities and has raised a new issue; that he
fully funded the marital estate. Furthermore, the court determined that
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“[a]t no time in these proceedings has Husband ever contended that Wife’s
earning capacity was similar to his.” (Trial Ct. Op., at 6); see also Pa.R.A.P.
302(a) (stating that issues not raised in the lower court are waived). We
conclude that Husband has abandoned his 1925(b) claim that their earning
capacities are equivalent and waived the argument that he contributed
significantly to the marital estate. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(4)(vii).
Moreover, his issue would not merit relief. The court noted that, “Wife
is a librarian and has always worked in a profession which Husband
describes as minimum wage, low stress, employment.” (Trial Ct. Op., at 6
(internal quotation marks omitted); see also Husband’s Pre-Trial
Statement, 8/09/12, at unnumbered page 2; Husband’s Amended Pre-Trial
Statement, 8/16/12, at unnumbered page 2).
Accordingly, after our review, we conclude that the record supports the
court’s findings and the court did not abuse its discretion in adopting the
Master’s recommendation to award Wife sixty percent of the marital estate.
(See Trial Ct. Op., at 6); see also Biese, supra at 895; Brojack, supra at
789. Therefore, Husband’s fifth issue does not merit relief.
In his final issue, Husband argues that the trial court erred by adopting
the Master’s calculation of Husband’s pre-marital assets. (See Husband’s
Brief, at 17). We agree in part and disagree in part.
Husband argues that he “had substantial pre-marital assets which
exceed[ed] the amount awarded to him by the court.” (Id.). Moreover,
Husband claims that the marital estate has a value of $201,921.00 and not
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$629,995.00 as the Master calculated. (See id. at 19). Wife agrees that
the Master miscalculated the marital value of Husband’s PNC stock at
$14,873.00 in “merely a typographical error.” (Wife’s Brief, at 9). The
value of Husband’s PNC stock should have a value at the date of the
marriage of $19,455.78, and the marital portion is worth $19,662.22. (See
id.).
The court noted that:
[Husband] does not specify which assets were erroneously
valued. The value of the marital residence has been addressed.
In exceptions, Husband raised the pre-marital value placed on
the National City IRA and PNC stock. As to the National City
IRA, Husband contended that the [] Master erred in accepting
Wife’s higher date of separation value. Both parties submitted a
statement dated December 31, 2009 for the National City IRA.
Husband’s statement had a value of $55,337.82, while Wife’s
statement showed a value of $84,611. The statements looked
substantially similar and the [] Master expressed frustration with
the failure of either party to call a witness from National City to
address the discrepancy. . . .
(Trial Ct. Op., at 6-7; see also N.T. Hearing, 8/23/12, at 203-04; N.T.
Hearing, 10/03/12, at 238).
The court accepted the Master’s recommendation because:
Ultimately the Master determined that Wife’s statement was
more accurate. . . . Husband provided no basis for setting aside
this determination. . . . He had every opportunity to provide
testimony from National City supporting the validity of his
statement, but failed to do so.
(Trial Ct. Op., at 7).
However, the court recognized that the Master made a calculation
error and that the parties stipulated to the pre-marital value of the PNC
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stock as $19,455.78. (See Trial Ct. Op., at 7). The court did not correct the
order to reflect this error when Husband filed exceptions. Because the court
did not correct the error, we conclude that the portion of the order adopting
the Master’s valuation of the PNC stock must be vacated. This case is
remanded and the trial court is directed to enter an order reflecting the
stipulated value of the PNC stock and consequently the marital estate.
Although Husband disagrees with the Master’s valuation of his pre-
marital assets, Husband has failed to identify any specific error or that the
court’s conclusions are manifestly unreasonable, or the result of partiality,
prejudice, bias, or ill will. See Biese, supra at 895. Accordingly, we
conclude that the court did not abuse its discretion in adopting the Master’s
recommendation of the value of Husband’s pre-marital assets, other than
the value of the PNC stock. See id.
Order affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded with
instructions. Jurisdiction relinquished.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 10/31/2014
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