Lotz v. Lotz

[Cite as Lotz v. Lotz, 2014-Ohio-5625.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
AUGLAIZE COUNTY

RICKIE LOTZ,

PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT,
CASE NO. 2-14-06
v.

ALICE LOTZ,

DEFENDANT-APPELLEE,
-and-
OPINION
DONNA J. LOTZ,

INTERVENOR-APPELLEE.

Appeal from Auglaize County Common Pleas Court
Domestic Relations Division
Trial Court No. 2012-DR-074

Judgment Affirmed

Date of Decision: December 22, 2014

APPEARANCES:

James C. King for Appellant

Matthew J. Kentner for Appellee, Alice Lotz
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PRESTON, J.

{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant, Rickie Lotz (“Rickie”), appeals the April 22, 2014

“judgment entry – orders on divorce” of the Auglaize County Court of Common

Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, in which the trial court concluded, among

other things, that real property located at 20086 Wapakoneta-Cridersville Road in

Wapakoneta, Ohio (the “Property”) was “marital property in its entirety.” On

appeal, Rickie argues that the Property was an advance on his inheritance and

separate property. He also argues that even assuming the Property was marital,

the trial court should have valued the Property at ten dollars based on a right of

first refusal held by Rickie’s mother, intervenor-appellee, Donna J. Lotz

(“Donna”). For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

{¶2} On May 22, 2012, Rickie filed a complaint for divorce against

defendant-appellee, Alice Lotz (“Alice”). (Doc. No. 1). On June 18, 2012, Alice

filed an answer and counterclaim for divorce. (Doc. No. 15).

{¶3} On November 28, 2012, Donna filed a “motion to intervene as party

defendant.” (Doc. No. 49). In her motion, Donna argued that a right of first

refusal gave her a contractual interest in the Property. (Id.).

{¶4} On December 19, 2012, the trial court granted Donna’s motion to

intervene. (Doc. No. 50).

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{¶5} On December 4, 2013, the trial court held a hearing at which the

parties notified the trial court of their agreement concerning some of the issues in

the case. (Dec. 4, 2013 Tr. at 4). The trial court accepted the parties’ partial

agreement. (Doc. No. 97).

{¶6} On February 25, 2014, the trial court held a final hearing on the

merits. (Feb. 25, 2014 Tr. at 4).

{¶7} On April 22, 2014, the trial court filed its “judgment entry – orders on

divorce” that is the subject of this appeal. (Doc. No. 124). Among other things,

the trial court concluded that the Property was “marital property in its entirety,”

subject to a lien on the Property in the amount $149,575.56, and that the

Property’s value was $440,000. (Id.). Concerning Donna’s purported right of first

refusal, the trial court stated “that the domestic relations division has no power to

settle a contract dispute between the parties.” (Id.).

{¶8} Rickie filed his notice of appeal on May 21, 2014. (Doc. No. 129).

He raises two assignments of error for our review, which we elect to address

together.

Assignment of Error No. I

The trial court erred in finding that the marital residence is
marital property in its entirety.

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Assignment of Error No. II

The trial court erred in finding that the court had no power to
determine the validity of the right of first refusal agreement
previously executed between the parties.

{¶9} In his first assignment of error, Rickie argues that the Property is

separate property, not marital property, because Donna gifted the Property to

Rickie as an advance on his inheritance. He argues, “It is clear from the evidence

presented that it was Donna[’s] intent for this transfer to be an advance on

[Rickie]’s inheritance as she was making similar gifts to her other children and

that she intends to equalize the life-time gifts with the amount of inheritance each

child receives upon her death.” (Appellant’s Brief at 7). He also argues that

Alice’s name was included on two deeds transferring the Property “as part of a

misguided estate planning measure.” (Id. at 5).

{¶10} In his second assignment of error, Rickie argues that Donna held a

right of first refusal on the Property, which was “[f]urther evidence” that Donna

intended the transfer to be an advance on Rickie’s inheritance. (Id. at 7). He also

argues that if the Property is marital, then the trial court should have valued it at

ten dollars based on Donna’s right of first refusal. Rickie argues that the trial

court erred when it determined “that it had no power to settle a contract dispute

between the parties.” (Id. at 8). Based on what Rickie describes as “some

discrepancy as to the timing of the execution of both deeds and the Right of First

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Refusal Agreement,” he argues in the alternative “that, at a minimum, the Right of

First Refusal Agreement applies to 70.2% of the entire interest” in the Property.

(Id. at 7-8).

{¶11} In a divorce proceeding, the division of marital and separate property

involves a two-step process governed by R.C. 3105.171. Forman v. Forman, 3d

Dist. Marion No. 9-13-67, 2014-Ohio-3545, ¶ 13; Iacampo v. Oliver-Iacampo,

11th Dist. Geauga No. 2011-G-3026, 2012-Ohio-1790, ¶ 16. First, the trial court

must determine whether property is marital or separate property, and, second, the

trial court must equitably allocate the marital and separate property. Forman at ¶

13, citing Schalk v. Schalk, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-07-13, 2008-Ohio-829, ¶ 6,

citing Gibson v. Gibson, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-07-06, 2007-Ohio-6965, ¶ 29,

citing R.C. 3105.171(B), (D); Iacampo at ¶ 16, citing R.C. 3105.171(B).

{¶12} At issue under Rickie’s first assignment of error is the first step of

the two-step process set forth in R.C. 3105.171—the trial court’s determination of

whether property is marital or separate. Under R.C. 3105.171(A)(3)(a), “marital

property” includes:

(i) All real and personal property that currently is owned by either

or both of the spouses * * * and that was acquired by either or both

of the spouses during the marriage;

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(ii) All interest that either or both of the spouses currently has in

any real or personal property * * * and that was acquired by either or

both of the spouses during the marriage * * *.”

R.C. 3105.171(A)(3)(a)(i), (ii). “Property acquired during a marriage is

presumed to be marital property unless it can be shown to be separate.” Hall v.

Hall, 3d Dist. Hardin No. 6-10-01, 2010-Ohio-4818, ¶ 6, citing Barkley v.

Barkley, 119 Ohio App.3d 155, 160 (4th Dist.1997). Under R.C.

3105.171(A)(6)(a), “separate property” includes:

[A]ll real and personal property and any interest in real or personal

property that is found by the court to be any of the following:

***

(vii) Any gift of any real or personal property or of an interest in

real or personal property that is made after the date of the marriage

and that is proven by clear and convincing evidence to have been

given to only one spouse.

R.C. 3105.171(A)(6)(a)(vii).

{¶13} “The essential elements of an inter vivos gift are: ‘(1) [the] intent of

the donor to make an immediate gift, (2) delivery of the property to the donee,

[and] (3) acceptance of the gift by the donee.’” Williams v. Williams, 3d Dist.

Seneca No. 13-12-17, 2012-Ohio-6116, ¶ 16, quoting Barkley at 161, fn. 2, citing

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Bolles v. Toledo Trust Co., 132 Ohio St. 21 (1936). “‘The gift exception in

division (A)(6)(a)(vii) requires proof that not only did the donor intend to benefit

one of the spouses, but that the donor also intended to exclude the other spouse

from acquiring any interest in the property through the gift that was made.’”

Butler v. Butler, 5th Dist. Holmes No. 12CA009, 2012-Ohio-6085, ¶ 24, quoting

Kotch v. Kotch, 178 Ohio App.3d 358, 2008-Ohio-5084, ¶ 30 (5th Dist.), citing

Marshall v. Marshall, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2000 CA 95, 2001 WL 468407, *2

(May 4, 2001).

{¶14} “Additionally, R.C. 3105.171(H) provides that ‘[e]xcept as otherwise

provided in this section, the holding of title to property by one spouse individually

or by both spouses in a form of co-ownership does not determine whether the

property is marital property or separate property.” Strasburg v. Strasburg, 3d Dist.

Auglaize No. 2-10-12, 2010-Ohio-3672, ¶ 20, quoting R.C. 3105.171(H).

“However, ‘title can be some evidence of the parties’ intent as to the nature of the

asset being marital or separate.’” Id., quoting Gallo v. Gallo, 11th Dist. Lake No.

2000-L-208, 2002-Ohio-2815, ¶ 25.

{¶15} “A party who wants an asset classified as separate property bears the

burden of tracing that asset to his or her separate property.” Chawla v. Chawla,

10th Dist. Franklin No. 13AP-399, 2014-Ohio-1188, ¶ 43, citing Alexander v.

Alexander, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 09AP-262, 2009-Ohio-5856, ¶ 24. As set forth

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in R.C. 3105.171(A)(6)(a)(vii), “[w]hen a party claims the separate property to be

a gift, the burden is clear and convincing.” Butler at ¶ 24, citing Eikleberry v.

Eikleberry, 7th Dist. Belmont No. 00 BA 13, 2002-Ohio-438. “Clear and

convincing evidence is ‘[t]he measure or degree of proof that will produce in the

mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the allegations sought to

be established.’” Williams at ¶ 15, quoting In re Estate of Haynes, 25 Ohio St.3d

101, 104 (1986).

{¶16} This court reviews the trial court’s classification of property as

marital or separate under a manifest-weight-of-the-evidence standard. Reed v.

Reed, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-09-63, 2010-Ohio-4550, ¶ 7, citing Gibson, 2007-Ohio-

6965, at ¶ 26. Accordingly, we will not reverse the trial court’s judgment if it is

supported by some competent, credible evidence. Id., citing Barkley, 119 Ohio

App.3d at 159. “‘This highly deferential standard of review permits the

affirmation of the trial court’s judgment if there is even ‘some’ evidence to

support the court’s finding.’” Id., quoting Huelskamp v. Huelskamp, 185 Ohio

App.3d 611, 2009-Ohio-6864, ¶ 15 (3d Dist.).

{¶17} In his second assignment of error, Rickie challenges the trial court’s

valuation of the Property. “R.C. 3105.171(C)(1) mandates that a trial court divide

marital property equally, or, if an equal division is inequitable, that the court

divide the marital property equitably.” Schwarck v. Schwarck, 3d Dist. Auglaize

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No. 2-11-24, 2012-Ohio-3902, ¶ 26. “To comply with that duty, a trial court must

generally assign and consider the values of marital assets in order to equitably

divide those assets.” Id., citing Beagle v. Beagle, 10th Dist. Franklin No.

07AP-494, 2008-Ohio-764, ¶ 41 and Hightower v. Hightower, 10th Dist. Franklin

No. 02AP-37, 2002-Ohio-5488, ¶ 22. “The valuation of property in a divorce case

is a question of fact.” Id. at ¶ 27, citing Herron v. Herron, 3d Dist. Allen No.

1-04-23, 2004-Ohio-5765, ¶ 23. “Accordingly, a trial court’s decision pertaining

to the valuation of property will be reviewed under a manifest weight of the

evidence standard and will not be reversed so long as it is supported by some

competent and credible evidence.” Id., citing Herron at ¶ 23. See also Snell v.

Snell, 5th Dist. Richland No. 13CA80, 2014-Ohio-3285, ¶ 50 (“Although the trial

court’s division of property is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard,

factual determinations such the value of the property subject to division are

reviewed under a manifest weight of the evidence standard.”), citing Brown v.

Brown, 4th Dist. Pike No. 02CA689, 2003-Ohio-304.1

1
We acknowledge that this court and other Ohio courts have applied an abuse-of-discretion standard of
review to a trial court’s valuation of property in a divorce case. See, e.g., Link v. Link, 3d Dist. Mercer No.
10-11-21, 2012-Ohio-4654, ¶ 53 (“A trial court’s valuation of marital property is only disturbed upon a
showing of abuse of discretion.”), citing Stringfield v. Stringfield, 7th Dist. Monroe No. 05 Mo. 16,
2007-Ohio-1116, ¶ 17. However, we have stated, “It is not an abuse of discretion when the trial court
assigns value to [property] in an amount that is supported by competent, credible evidence.” Huelskamp,
185 Ohio App.3d 611, at ¶ 27, citing Osting v. Osting, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-03-88, 2004-Ohio-4159, ¶ 21.
Therefore, the case law establishes that the ultimate inquiry under either the manifest-weight standard or
the abuse-of-discretion standard is whether “competent, credible evidence” supports the trial court’s
valuation determination.

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{¶18} The trial court “is not required to adopt any particular method of

valuation.” Huelskamp at ¶ 27, citing James v. James, 101 Ohio App.3d 668, 680

(2d Dist.1995). See also Davis v. Davis, 11th Dist. Geauga No. 2011-G-3018,

2013-Ohio-211, ¶ 41, citing Huelskamp at ¶ 27. “‘Rigid rules to determine value

cannot be established, as equity depends on the totality of the circumstances.’”

Dollries v. Dollries, 12th Dist. Butler Nos. CA2012-08-167 and CA2012-11-234,

2014-Ohio-1883, ¶ 10, quoting Baker v. Baker, 83 Ohio App.3d 700, 702 (9th

Dist.1992). “‘[W]hen the parties present substantially different valuations of an

asset,’ [the trial court] may believe all, part, or none of any witness’s testimony.”

Huelskamp at ¶ 27, citing Covert v. Covert, 4th Dist. Adams No. 03CA778, 2004-

Ohio-3534, ¶ 29. “Furthermore, ‘[a] reviewing court should be guided by a

presumption that the findings of a trial court are correct, since the trial judge is

best able to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures, and voice

inflections, and use those observations in weighing the credibility of the

testimony.’” Id., quoting DeWitt v. DeWitt, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-02-42, 2003-

Ohio-851, ¶ 11.

{¶19} We begin our analysis by addressing whether the trial court’s

conclusion that the Property was marital property is supported by some competent,

credible evidence. Contrary to Rickie’s assertion that Alice bore the burden of

proving that the Property was marital property, it was he who bore the burden of

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demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that because Donna gifted the

Property to him only, the Property was separate property. See Butler, 2012-Ohio-

6085, at ¶ 24.

{¶20} A review of the record reflects that Rickie and Alice married on June

18, 1990. (Doc. No. 15). They moved into the residence on the Property on

January 1, 2007. (Feb. 25, 2014 Tr. at 197). On April 3, 2007, Donna executed a

general warranty deed for a 70.2% interest in the Property “to Rickie L. Lotz, and

Alice Lotz, married, for their joint lives, remainder to the survivor of them.”

(Defendant’s Ex. F). (See also Feb. 25, 2014 Tr. at 192-193). That deed was

recorded with the Auglaize County Recorder on August 13, 2007. (Defendant’s

Ex. F). (See also Feb. 25, 2014 Tr. at 193).

{¶21} Donna testified that “probably a few days before Mother’s Day” in

2007, she “heard about that Alice had said that as soon as she got the deed she was

going to sell the property and go to Georgia where her brother lives.” (Feb. 25,

2014 Tr. at 195). After learning that, Donna had her counsel prepare a “right of

first refusal agreement,” which Donna, as “Grantee,” executed on June 28, 2007,

and which Rickie and Alice, as “Grantors,” executed on July 5, 2007. (Plaintiff’s

Ex. 7); (Feb. 25, 2014 Tr. at 35, 124-126, 195-197, 243-244, 307-308). In it,

Rickie and Alice granted to Donna “an exclusive right of first refusal to purchase

the real property owned by Grantor [sic] and legally described on ‘Exhibit A’

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attached hereto and incorporated herein * * *.” (Plaintiff’s Ex. 7). The agreement

provided that Donna could purchase for ten dollars the real property described in

Exhibit A if Rickie and Alice received a bona fide offer to purchase it. (Id.); (Feb.

25, 2014 Tr. at 35). No “Exhibit A” was attached to Plaintiff’s Exhibit 7, the two-

page right of first refusal agreement. (Id.); (Id. at 125, 317). Alice testified that

when she signed the right of first refusal agreement, it was a two-page document;

however, she could not recall if “Exhibit A” was attached to it. (Feb. 25, 2014 Tr.

at 248). Alice testified that the right of first refusal agreement was never recorded,

and Plaintiff’s Exhibit 7 does not bear a recorder’s stamp. (Id. at 251); (Plaintiff’s

Ex. 7).

{¶22} On March 6, 2008, Donna executed a general warranty deed for the

remainder of her interest in the Property “to Rickie L. Lotz and Alice Lotz,

husband and wife.” (Defendant’s Ex. G). (See also Feb. 25, 2014 Tr. at 193-194).

That deed was recorded with the Auglaize County Recorder on March 12, 2008.

(Defendant’s Ex. G).

{¶23} On July 19, 2008, Rickie and Alice executed a survivorship deed for

the Property “to RICKIE L. LOTZ and ALICE L. LOTZ, husband and wife, for

their joint lives, remainder to the survivor of them * * *.” (Defendant’s Ex. H).

(See also Feb. 25, 2014 Tr. at 129). Rickie and Alice executed the survivorship

deed so that they could obtain a home-equity loan against the Property. (Feb. 25,

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2014 Tr. at 129, 250). Rickie and Alice obtained the home-equity loan together,

and when they did, they did not notify the bank of the right of first refusal

agreement. (Id. at 129-130, 159-160, 250-251). Donna never discussed the right

of first refusal agreement with the bank from which Rickie and Alice obtained

their home-equity loan. (Id. at 200).

{¶24} At the February 25, 2014 hearing, Alice’s counsel asked Donna

about her intent at the times she deeded the Property:

[Alice’s Counsel]: Mrs. Lotz, there was obviously Exhibits F and

G, the deeds, they speak for themselves, but

was it your intent to deed the property to Rickie

and Alice, wasn’t it, Ma’am?

[Donna]: Originally, yeah, but not once I heard what

Alice said.

[Alice’s Counsel]: Oh, that you heard Alice wanted to move to

Georgia?

[Donna]: Yeah, was going to sell it.

(Id. at 199). On direct examination, Donna testified that she gifted the Property to

Rickie and Alice:

[Donna’s Counsel]: You were the owner of property on 20086

Wapak-Cridersville Road; is that correct?

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[Donna]: Yes.

[Donna’s Counsel]: And you decided to give it as a gift to Rick and

Alice; is that right?

[Donna]: Yes.

***

[Alice’s Counsel]: Now the only property you gave to Rick and

Alice consisted of the property at 20086

Cridersville Road, the seventy (70) acres; is that

right?

[Donna]: Yeah.

(Id. at 307-309). According to Donna, the Property was transferred in two deeds

“because of the gift tax law.” (Id. at 312). Donna identified Third Party Exhibit A

as “an ongoing thing” tallying the gifts she makes to her children and the gifts’

respective values. (Id. at 310). Donna acknowledged that the total value of the

gifts she has given to Rickie, as reflected on Third Party Exhibit A, includes “the

entire gift of that seventy (70) acres to him.” (Id. at 311).

{¶25} Finally, Rickie admitted on cross-examination that in his “affidavit

of property,” which he filed on May 22, 2012 when he filed his complaint for

divorce, he listed nothing under the section for “separate property claims,” which

includes “gifts to one spouse only.” (Id. at 130-131); (Defendant’s Ex. C). (See

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also Doc. No. 9). Rickie testified that he “didn’t have an attorney present when

[he] filled * * * out” his affidavit of property. (Feb. 25, 2014 Tr. at 130). And

while he admitted that he was represented by counsel at the time he filed his

complaint for divorce and his affidavit of property, his counsel “don’t really look

at it.” (Id. at 131).

{¶26} Based on the evidence above, we conclude that the trial court’s

conclusion that the Property was marital property is supported by some competent,

credible evidence. Rickie was required to prove by clear and convincing evidence

that Donna gifted the Property only to him and intended to exclude Alice from

acquiring any interest in the Property through the gift. See Butler,

2012-Ohio-6085, at ¶ 24. Notably, Rickie did not call Donna as a witness at the

February 25, 2014 hearing—his only two witnesses were himself and Alice. Later

at the hearing, Donna testified that she gifted the Property to Rickie and Alice. At

one point, Donna testified that it was her intent to gift the Property to Rickie and

Alice until she heard Alice wanted to sell the Property—something she learned

after execution of the first deed but before execution of the second deed. The

record reflects, however, that Donna addressed her concerns by executing the right

of first refusal agreement. Indeed, the second deed transferred the Property to

Rickie and Alice notwithstanding Donna’s learning earlier that Alice wanted to

sell the Property. Moreover, Rickie and Alice executed a survivorship deed to

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transfer the Property to themselves so that they could obtain a home-equity loan.

While we acknowledge that, under R.C. 3105.171(H), “the holding of title to

property by one spouse individually or by both spouses in a form of co-ownership

does not determine whether the property is marital property or separate property,”

title can be some evidence of the parties’ intent concerning the nature of the asset.

Strasburg, 2010-Ohio-3672, at ¶ 20. Finally, even at the outset of this case, Rickie

did not disclose the Property as separate property in his affidavit of property.

Shipley v. Shipley, 5th Dist. Licking No. 02CA59, 2003-Ohio-17, ¶ 27 (“The

parties treated the $50,000.00 as a joint gift and appellant did not even list the

amount as separate property in her own affidavit.”). Between Donna’s testimony,

the deeds transferring the Property from Donna to Rickie and Alice, Rickie and

Alice’s joint-survivorship deed, and Rickie’s not listing the Property as separate

property on his affidavit of property, the trial court’s characterization of the

Property as marital property is supported by some competent, credible evidence

and therefore not against the manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶27} Not lost on us is Rickie’s argument that the Property was not just a

gift from Donna to him, but an advancement on his inheritance, which is a specific

type of gift. “An advancement of inheritance is an irrevocable gift made by a

person during his or her lifetime to an heir, by way of anticipation of the whole or

part of the estate which the heir would receive in the event of the person’s death.”

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Dudley v. Dudley, 5th Dist. Guernsey No. 07CA000027, 2008-Ohio-3760, ¶ 65,

citing King v. King, 82 Ohio App.3d 747 (2d Dist.1992). See also Crish v. Crish,

7th Dist. Mahoning No. 02CA93, 2003-Ohio-4465, ¶ 14, citing King at 750, citing

Moore v. Freeman, 50 Ohio St. 592, 593 (1893). “A gift is an advancement

against a share of an estate only if it is declared in a contemporaneous writing by

the decedent or acknowledged in writing by the heir to be an advancement.”

Dudley at ¶ 65, citing R.C. 2105.051. See also Crish at ¶ 14, citing R.C.

2105.051. Therefore, perhaps without realizing it, Rickie created an extra

requirement for himself by arguing that the Property was not only a gift but also

an advancement on his inheritance.

{¶28} Nevertheless, the distinction between the elements of an inter vivos

gift and the elements of an advancement on inheritance are immaterial in this case.

See Pudlo v. Pudlo, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-2000-29, 2001 WL 730986, *5 (June

29, 2001). As we discussed above, Rickie failed to prove by clear and convincing

evidence that, under R.C. 3105.171(A)(6)(a)(vii), the Property was a separate gift

to him only. Adopting the advancement-on-inheritance framework urged by

Rickie, he likewise failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence the existence

of a contemporaneous writing declaring that the Property was an advancement on

his inheritance from Donna. First, Rickie did not call Donna as a witness or offer

as an exhibit Donna’s “ongoing” tally sheet recording her gifts to her children.

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Second, there was no evidence that the tally sheet, which Donna offered as an

exhibit, was prepared contemporaneously with the gift of the Property.

{¶29} We next address whether the trial court’s valuation of the Property is

supported by some competent, credible evidence. The trial court assigned a value

of $440,000 to the Property and, after factoring in the $149,575.56 lien on the

Property, found the Property’s net value to be $290,424.44. (Doc. No. 124).

Rickie argues that the trial court should have relied on the right of first refusal

agreement to conclude that the Property’s value was ten dollars. He also argues

that the trial court erred when it concluded that it “had no power to determine the

validity of the right of first refusal agreement previously executed between the

parties.” (Appellant’s Brief at 7).

{¶30} Rickie mischaracterizes the trial court’s conclusion regarding its

ability to determine the validity of the right of first refusal agreement. The trial

court’s judgment entry reflects that, after detailing the “number of problems with

the right of first refusal”—including its lack of an “Exhibit A,” which the right of

first refusal agreement references as describing the property subject to the right of

first refusal—the trial court concluded “that the domestic relations division has no

power to settle a contract dispute between the parties and has no power to hear a

partition action to carve up the real estate interests of the parties, under these

unusual circumstances.” (Doc. No. 124).

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{¶31} By concluding that it had “no power to settle a contract dispute

between the parties” and “no power to hear a partition action to carve up the real

estate interests of the parties,” the trial court was merely saying that the issue of

whether Donna would be entitled to purchase the Property for ten dollars if the

Property is sold was not an issue before the trial court. Rather, as the trial court

noted, its duty is to determine what property is marital and “assess and divide the

values thereof.” (Id.). To that end, the trial court examined the evidentiary value

of the right of first refusal agreement and noted “a number of problems” with it.

Indeed, the right of first refusal agreement introduced at trial did not contain the

“Exhibit A” referenced in that agreement, so it is impossible to determine from the

agreement to which property the agreement applies. And while the parties

testified to their understanding of what property was subject to the right of first

refusal agreement, the trial court was free, as it apparently did, to assign greater

evidentiary weight to the appraisal—offered and identified by Rickie as Plaintiff’s

Exhibit 6—valuing the Property at $440,000. (Feb. 25, 2014 Tr. at 27-28). See

Huelskamp, 185 Ohio App.3d 611, at ¶ 27.

{¶32} In support of his second assignment of error, Rickie relies heavily on

Lindsay v. Lindsay, which is distinguishable from this case. 6th Dist. Sandusky

No. S-11-055, 2013-Ohio-3290. In that case, the Sixth District Court of Appeals

concluded that the trial court did not abuse its discretion “in finding the fair market

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value of the family farm to be $234,000.” Id. at ¶ 12. The Sixth District noted,

“The purchase agreement gave the intervening parties a 20 year right of first

refusal to purchase the property for $234,000. Thus, the property, encumbered,

could not be sold on the open market for more than $234,000 at the time of the

divorce.” Id. The appellant apparently did not dispute the validity of the right of

first refusal but argued that the trial court should have instead valued the property

based on an appraisal in the amount of $385,000 that did not account for the right

of first refusal. Id. at ¶ 10, 12. Unlike the right of first refusal in Lindsay, the right

of first refusal agreement in this case was riddled with multiple evidentiary issues.

Much like the Sixth District in Lindsay concluded that the trial court did not err in

basing the property’s value on a right of first refusal that was apparently free of

evidentiary issues, we conclude that the trial court did not err in basing the

Property’s value on an appraisal rather than a right of first refusal agreement that it

found problematic in multiple respects.

{¶33} For the reasons above, we conclude that the trial court’s valuation of

the Property is supported by some competent, credible evidence and therefore not

against the manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶34} Rickie’s assignments of error are overruled.

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Case No. 2-14-06

{¶35} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the

particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Judgment Affirmed

ROGERS and SHAW, J.J., concur.

/jlr

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