[Cite as Meyer v. Meyer, 2016-Ohio-5806.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
Andrew J. Meyer, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
No. 16AP-253
v. : (C.P.C. No. 11DR-3197)
Tami K. Meyer, : (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Defendant-Appellant. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on September 13, 2016
On brief: Hillard M. Abroms, for appellant. Argued:
Hillard M. Abroms.
On brief: Grossman Law Offices, Jeffrey A. Grossman and
John H. Cousins, IV, for appellee. Argued: Jeffrey A.
Grossman.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas,
Division of Domestic Relations
HORTON, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Tami K. Meyer, appeals a decision of the Franklin
County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, issued on March 4, 2016,
which declined to hold plaintiff-appellee, Andrew J. Meyer, in contempt for alleged
violations of a divorce decree issued regarding the parties approximately three years
earlier on May 1, 2013. Because we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion, we
affirm.
No. 16AP-253 2
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶ 2} This case began when, on August 16, 2011, Andrew1 filed a complaint for
divorce. (Aug. 16, 2011 Compl.) The parties eventually came to an agreement via an in-
court settlement; whereupon the trial court issued a divorce decree and adopted a shared
parenting plan in accord with the agreement of the parties. (May 1, 2013 Divorce Decree;
May 1, 2013 Shared Parenting Plan.)
{¶ 3} On April 4, 2014, Tami filed a motion for a finding of contempt against
Andrew to which she attached an affidavit setting forth the factual grounds for the
motion. (Apr. 4, 2014 Mot. for Contempt.) In the affidavit she described several
purported violations of the divorce decree on the part of Andrew. (Tami Aff. at ¶ 1-5.) In
response, Andrew, on April 22, filed a motion to divide personal property alleging that
Tami had not been cooperative in permitting him to retrieve personal property. (Apr. 22,
2014 Mot. to Divide Property.) Approximately ten months later, on February 24, 2015,
Tami supplemented her motion for a finding of contempt with several new allegations.
(Feb. 24, 2015 Amend. Mot. for Contempt.)
{¶ 4} On March 3, 2015, the trial court convened a hearing and allowed both
parties to present evidence, which both did, in the form of their own testimony. (Mar. 3,
2015 Tr.) The trial court reconvened approximately one year later, on February 23, 2016,
to complete the hearing, at which time counsel for both sides gave argument and updated
the trial court on the state of cooperation (or lack thereof) between the parties in
effectuating the divorce decree. (Feb. 23, 2016 Tr.)
{¶ 5} On March 4, 2016, having heard testimony of both parties and considering
the arguments and assertions of counsel, the trial court issued a detailed decision that
addressed each and every claimed ground for contempt and declined to find Andrew in
contempt. (Mar. 4, 2016 Decision.) Following that decision, Tami filed a notice of appeal.
(Apr. 1, 2016, Notice of Appeal.) Contemporaneously, she also filed a motion to set aside
the decision and strike references to the transcripts of the hearings before the trial court.
(Apr. 1, 2016, Mot. to Strike.) Because of the pending appeal, the trial court declined to
consider the motion to set aside or strike the decision. (Apr. 22, 2016 Entry Declining
Decision.)
1 Because the parties share a last name, for the sake of clarity we refer to each by first name. No informality
or disrespect is intended.
No. 16AP-253 3
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶ 6} Tami assigns two errors for our review, one of which is divided into two sub-
parts:
ERROR 1
A. The trial court abused its discretion and
committed reversible Error by ignoring and failing to
follow the controlling law from ORC 2705-Contempt
of Court and this 10th District Court of Appeals in
Large v. Large, supra as well as the body of case law
mandating a finding of contempt of Court.
B. The trial court abused its discretion and
committed reversible Error by following a different
standard of consideration of the testimony and
evidence offered by Appellant in her motions for
contempt versus only the testimony of Appellee.
ERROR 2
The trial court erroneously relied upon and used an
unfiled, uncertified copy of the transcription of the
March 3, 2015 hearing provided by Plaintiff-
Appellee's counsel prior to the beginning of the
February 23, 2016 hearing.
III. DISCUSSION
A. First Assignment of Error – Whether the Trial Court was Required to
Hold Andrew in Contempt2
{¶ 7} The Ohio Revised Code provides a "person guilty of," among other things,
"[d]isobedience of, or resistance to, a lawful writ, process, order, rule, judgment, or
command of a court," or "failure to comply with an order issued pursuant to section
3109.19 or 3111.81 of the Revised Code," "may be punished as for a contempt[.]"
(Emphasis added.) R.C. 2705.02(A) and (F). In addition, we have observed that "a trial
court may decline to hold a party in contempt even when one party is definitively
aggrieved by the disobedience of another party of an order of the court." Hopson v.
Hopson, 10th Dist. No. 04AP-1349, 2005-Ohio-6468, ¶ 12, citing Lentz v. Lentz, 19 Ohio
App. 329, 333 (10th Dist.1924). In short, despite the "mandatory" contempt assertion in
2Although Tami's brief asserts a second branch of this first assignment of error, it is not separately argued or
explained anywhere in the body of the brief. We therefore disregard it. App.R. 12(A)(2).
No. 16AP-253 4
Tami's assignment of error, both as a matter of statute and case law, whether to find a
party in contempt is a matter within the discretion of the trial court. Consistent with that
observation, we review decisions on contempt for abuse of discretion. Hopson at ¶ 9.
{¶ 8} In her motion and amended motion for contempt, Tami alleged contempt
on a number of grounds. The trial court addressed each of these in turn in its decision.
Now on appeal, Tami addresses a limited number of these grounds in sequence. We shall
address each individually but limit our discussion to those issues which Tami argues in
her brief.
1. $100,000 and Return of Personal Property
{¶ 9} In her motion, Tami alleged that Andrew owed her $100,000 pursuant to
the decree and had not paid. (Tami Aff. at ¶ 2.)3 At the hearing, Andrew admitted that he
owed the $100,000, stated that he had the money in the bank, and a check written.
(Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at 37-41.) He explained that he had been trying to arrange a time to go
over to the former marital residence to give Tami the check and, at the same time, retrieve
certain items of personal property to which he was entitled but that Tami, unwilling to
part with the personal property, had thwarted him. Id.
{¶ 10} The divorce decree provided in relevant part:
Each of the parties shall be entitled to retain those items of
personalty currently in their possession except as otherwise
provided herein. The parties agree that personal effects, art,
etc. that are presently maintained in the North Ardmore Road
residence shall be divided by agreement of the parties. To that
extent, any personalty that originated from either party's
family shall be awarded to that individual. In the event that a
dispute arises with regard to the division of said personal
property, the Court retains jurisdiction to order a method of
division including the parties alternating choices.
***
[T]he Plaintiff shall pay a remaining sum of $100,000 to the
Defendant. Said payment shall be made to Defendant within
six (6) months of the date of divorce or sooner, if possible.
(Divorce Decree at 8-9.)
3 The affidavit contains two paragraphs numbered "2." This is the first.
No. 16AP-253 5
{¶ 11} The trial court recognized that Andrew had withheld payment but called the
withholding "justified." The trial court reasoned that in light of the fact that "Tami's
behavior largely contributed to the prolonged dispute regarding the division of the parties'
personal property" in that "[w]hen the parties were close to an agreement, Tami changed
her mind at the last minute, causing the deal to implode and increasing both parties' legal
fees." (Decision at 5.) This court does not agree that Andrew's intentional and unilateral
disregard of a court-imposed duty to make payment can ever be considered "justified."
Such blatant disregard of a specific court order usurps the very power of our judiciary and
erodes the fabric of our civil union. However, in light of the trial court's finding that
"neither party has clean hands" and both "equally contributed" to the prolonged dispute,
we detect no abuse of discretion in failing to find contempt in such circumstances.
(Decision at 5.) In any event, by the time the trial court decided the motion, the parties
had divided the "personal property to their mutual satisfaction and [] Andrew had paid
Tami $100,000." Id. Thus, as the trial court concluded:
[N]ot only have these matters been resolved, the court finds
that neither party has clean hands. The court believes that
Tami and Andrew equally contributed to the acrimonious
nature and continued conflict revolving around the
performance of the aforementioned necessary acts and as a
consequence, Andrew's withholding of funds did not rise to
the level of contempt.
(Decision at 5.)
2. The Lien on 98 North Ardmore Road
{¶ 12} Tami argued that Andrew had failed to satisfy a lien on the property at 98
North Ardmore Road and perjured himself by lying about having done so. (Tami Aff. at
¶ 2.)4 At the hearing, Andrew explained that he thought at the time of the settlement and
decree that the lien in question had been released. However, when it became clear that it
had not been, he took steps to make sure that it was released. (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at 41-45.)
In addition, in the second hearing, counsel explained that though the debt underlying the
lien has been fully satisfied and the bank has issued a certificate releasing the lien, for
unknown reasons, the lien apparently continues to appear when the title is investigated.
(Feb. 23, 2016 Tr. at 15-16.) Counsel argued that it is not his client's fault that the bank
4 The affidavit contains two paragraphs numbered "2." This is the second.
No. 16AP-253 6
has continued to err in this regard. Id. In addition, counsel indicated Andrew would be
willing to sign an authorization giving Tami the right to take whatever action she deems
proper to urge the bank to properly record the release in light of the fact that the debt has
been satisfied. Id. at 16-17.
{¶ 13} Based on this evidence, argument, and discussion between the parties, the
trial court explained its decision not to hold Andrew in contempt:
Andrew testified that he paid off the second mortgage to PNC
Bank which he thought was sufficient to remove the lien. Once
Andrew was made aware of the existing lien, he made
numerous attempts to have it removed, but to no avail. Tami
recently hired an expert to conduct a title search. The court
does not find Andrew in contempt. He believed that he was in
compliance with the parties' Decree by satisfying the second
mortgage to PNC. It is possible the PNC lien was caused by
the bank's mistake. While it is unfortunate that Tami had to
go to the extent to hire an expert, the court does not find that
Andrew is to blame.
(Footnote omitted.) (Decision at 6.)
{¶ 14} Again, we discern no abuse of discretion here.
3. Investments
{¶ 15} In her motion, Tami identified five investment assets of which, she claimed,
Andrew owed her half: MTL Holdings, First Bexley Bank, Knox Energy, American Funds,
and Cool Claws – Pet Specialties. (Tami Aff. at ¶ 3A-3E.) Tami also asserted problems
with other investments in her oral testimony at the March hearing. (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at
10-24.)
{¶ 16} With respect to investments, the divorce decree provided in relevant part as
follows:
[T]he American Funds joint account #5103 shall be divided
equally between the parties.
The parties currently have an interest in additional assets that
may currently be held in the name of the Plaintiff as follows:
Breck #1303, MTL Holdings, First Bexley Bank Shares, Cool
Claws – Pet Specialties, Carapace, Subway – ECSG and Knox
Energy. It is ordered that all of these assets shall be divided
equally between the parties with each sharing 50% of the cost
necessary to cause the division. For each asset that is divided,
each party shall thereafter be entitled to retain their individual
benefit derived from ownership of said asset and each shall be
No. 16AP-253 7
responsible for any future costs or obligations, including taxes
associated with such ownership. In the event a particular asset
cannot be divided, the parties shall either agree as to which
party may take individual ownership of said asset or, if no
agreement is reached by the parties, may apply to the Franklin
County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic
Relations to assist with the resolution of the conflict. The
Court hereby retains jurisdiction for the limited purpose of
resolving such conflict if one exists.
(Divorce Decree at 6-7.) Nowhere did the divorce decree speak to any time limit in which
the division of assets was to take place or explicitly assign the burden of division to one
party or the other. Indeed, the decree speaks to "sharing" the costs of division which
suggests that both parties were, to some extent, responsible for dividing assets. (Divorce
Decree at 7.)
{¶ 17} As to MTL Holdings, Tami asserted in her affidavit:
Within a few days of our divorce, I asked the plaintiff the
status of the MTL Holdings investment. It wasn't the first time
I had asked, but since the case was "final," maybe he thought
his answer wouldn't matter anymore. Well, he is wrong. He
responded, "Oh, I sold that in 2010." I told him that I was
sorry but since he included that asset in the divorce, from the
very first filing of his Assets and Liabilities and then
throughout the divorce, including the Final Decree, that I was
not about to walk away from my share of the funds he
received from that sale or any other funds in the MTL account
as well as how much is in there, if any. I believe he sold the
asset for nearly $25,000, but I want proof of how much he
sold it for and then I want my half.
(Tami Aff. at ¶ 3A.) At the hearing, Andrew testified that, although he listed it originally
during the divorce as an asset, he discovered when he went to divide the asset that it had
been sold even before the divorce complaint was filed. (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at 53-55.) Thus,
the trial court concluded:
Post-decree, Andrew discovered that the parties' interest in
MTL was sold July 1, 2010, thus before the divorce was filed.
Tami is now demanding to either be awarded one-half interest
in MTL or alternatively, one-half of the funds Andrew
received from the sale of same. The court finds Tami's request
unreasonable. Andrew made a good faith effort in disclosing
his numerous business assets throughout this on-going
litigation. The court does not find Andrew committed fraud
and further finds him credible in that MTL was sold well
No. 16AP-253 8
before he filed for divorce and that any income received from
the sale went into the marital pot.
(Decision at 7.)
{¶ 18} At the hearing, both Andrew and Tami testified that she had obtained her
half of the First Bexley Bank shares. (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at 20, 47-48.) Andrew testified
that Tami had also received a half-interest payout in the investment known as Carapace.
(Tr. at 56-57.) He also testified that he bought out Tami's one-half interest in ECSG
Subway by check before settling the divorce. (Tr. at 57.) Tami admitted having received
payments for Carapace and Subway but claimed she was not given proof to verify whether
the payments were indeed for half of the investment's worth. (Tr. at 21-23.) On this
record, the trial court stated:
Tami acknowledged that she received stock or funds in
relation to her interest in Bexley Bank, Carapapace [sic], and
Subway ECSG. However, she protests that she has not been
provided documentation that demonstrates the stock and/or
funds reflect one-half of the marital interest in same. Andrew
testified that Tami received one-half of those interests. The
court finds Andrew has no obligation to provide Tami with an
evaluation of each asset and further found his testimony
credible.
(Decision at 7-8.) The trial court also noted, in the context of discussing MTL, that Tami
enjoyed subpoena power during the two years the divorce case was pending and could
have used it to obtain a valuation of the assets, yet did not do so. (Decision at 7.)
{¶ 19} With respect to Breck #1303 Tami testified that she had not received half of
it and did not know what it was. (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at 19-20.) Andrew testified, however,
that Breck #1303 was a property investment in Breckenridge, Colorado put together by
his brother-in-law, that he notified Tami that there was a "cash call" for all investors, and
that if Tami wished to continue to participate in the investment, she had to meet her
responsibilities regarding the "cash call." (Tr. at 52-53.) He also testified that Tami knows
his brother-in-law and is capable of contacting him if she had wished to participate. Id.
{¶ 20} In regards to the American Energy Fund investment, Andrew testified that
the account had a value of around $500, that he had taken steps to get it divided, and that
he had received a check for Tami which he had delivered to Tami's counsel. (Mar. 3, 2015
Tr. at 51.) Thus, by the time the trial court finished the hearing and decided the motion in
2016, the issue had long-since been resolved.
No. 16AP-253 9
{¶ 21} With respect to the Cool Claws – Pet Specialties investment, Tami testified
that there were eight shares and that she had not gotten half of them. (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at
20-21.) Andrew testified that the investment had failed, that he had been unable to
contact the owner or ascertain if there was any value left, and that Tami could "have all
eight shares of it." (Tr. at 55-56.) Thus, by the time of the trial court's decision in 2016,
this too had been long-since resolved.
{¶ 22} On the topic of Knox Energy, Tami testified that she was receiving
statements from only one of two Knox Energy investments. (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at 23-24.)
Andrew testified that he was aware of only one Knox Energy and that it had been split
with Tami. (Tr. at 57-58.) However, counsel for Andrew clarified in oral argument in the
February hearing that Tami's belief that there were two Knox Energy investments was due
to the fact that the investment had been split with each party receiving a separate half of
the original entity. (Feb. 23, 2016 Tr. at 17-18.)
{¶ 23} The trial court, concluded:
[T]he court finds that Andrew is not in contempt of the
parties' Agreed Decree of Divorce. He has made efforts to
effectuate the division of the assets and transfer one-half of
same to Tami. The court finds particularly relevant that the
parties did not set forth a deadline by which the transfers were
to be made, nor impose the duty to transfer solely on Andrew.
Of course, Andrew will need to continue to be proactive in
dividing these assets but Tami may need to take initiative as
well. The high level of animosity between these parties seems
to be contributing to the delayed division of these assets.
(Decision at 8.) Given the record as discussed above, we cannot discern any error or
abuse of discretion in this conclusion.
4. 529 College Savings Account and Life Insurance Documentation
{¶ 24} Tami argued in her motion that Andrew had been dishonest on several
matters during the divorce and so she did not believe that he continued to maintain
insurance as required. (Tami Aff. at ¶ 5.) In addition, she asserted that Andrew would not
cooperate in providing her with statements of the 529 balances and that she should not
have "to pay my lawyer to badger his to maybe get the information and reassurance I am
entitled to." (Tami Aff. at ¶ 4-5.)
{¶ 25} At the March 2015 hearing, Tami testified that she had not been given
updates on the 529 balances despite reasonable requests and had not been provided with
No. 16AP-253 10
verification of life insurance. (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at 14-16.) Andrew testified that he sent
year-end account statements for the 529 accounts to Tami for 2013 and 2014 and that he
carries life insurance as required with her designated as the beneficiary. (Tr. at 49, 65-67.)
{¶ 26} On the these topics, the divorce decree provided as follows:
The Plaintiff shall maintain sufficient life insurance with the
Defendant named as beneficiary necessary to provide all of
Plaintiffs obligations to Defendant until such time as the
parties' youngest child is emancipated. Thereafter, to the
extent that the Plaintiff's existing life insurance is sufficient, it
shall be maintained for the protection of Defendant so long as
Plaintiff * * * has a financial obligation to Defendant.
***
Plaintiff shall provide documentary evidence relating to the
establishment of 529 accounts held for the benefit of the
parties' children.
(Divorce Decree at 3, 9.) In addition, the shared parenting plan provided as follows:
Father shall only use the 529 Accounts for the children's post
high school educational expenses. Father shall provide
verification of proper use of same. Wife shall receive
confirmation of the use and amounts in each account upon
her reasonable request.
(May 1, 2013 Shared Parenting Plan at 10.) Nowhere did the decree or plan explicitly
require Andrew to provide verification to Tami of his life insurance nor did it specify the
type or frequency of documentary evidence to be provided in respect to the 529 accounts.
{¶ 27} On this record, the trial court concluded:
The parties failed to set forth how often Andrew is required to
provide Tami with 529 account balances and life insurance
policy information in their Decree. Andrew testified that Tami
has had access to this information since their Decree was filed
and it was represented to the court that Andrew brought
updated statements to the February 23, 2016 hearing. Based
on the language of the parties' Decree, Tami is entitled to
reassurance that Andrew maintains her as the beneficiary of
his life insurance policy and the children's 529 accounts.
However the regularity of this reassurance will be at Andrew's
reasonable discretion.
(Decision at 9.) We cannot discern an abuse of discretion in failing to find Andrew in
contempt here.
No. 16AP-253 11
5. Yard Barbers Paycheck
{¶ 28} Rather than spousal support, the divorce decree provides that Tami is to be
employed with Andrew's business, Yard Barbers, Inc. (Divorce Decree at 2-3, 9-11.)
Apparently she has generally been so employed and paid accordingly, but, in her amended
motion for contempt, Tami alleged that Andrew wrongfully deducted funds from her
paychecks from Yard Barbers, Inc. for life insurance that Tami did not elect or approve of
and that he "repeatedly failed" to timely issue her paycheck. (Amend. Mot. for Contempt
at 2.)
{¶ 29} At the hearing, Tami testified that her most recent check had been delayed
and that this had happened before. (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at 26-27.) However she did not
provide any other concrete examples nor did she testify about any wrongfully deducted
funds. Andrew testified that not only were funds not wrongly deducted for life insurance,
but that Yard Barbers does not even offer life insurance as a benefit to its employees. (Tr.
at 67.) Andrew did admit that the most recent check had been delayed, but testified that a
payroll error had caused every employee's paycheck to be delayed and that every
employee had received delayed handwritten checks from the company as a result. (Tr. at
68-69.) Andrew testified that he had sent the handwritten check to Tami with his son, but
that Tami had somehow not received it, and that he therefore brought it with him to the
hearing. (Tr. at 69.)
{¶ 30} The trial court concluded:
Tami contended that her paycheck from Yard Barbers, Inc.
was a few days overdue at the March 3, 2015 hearing and
further that Andrew wrongfully deducted funds from her
paycheck. Andrew testified that there was a glitch with the
company and none of the Yard Barbers employees were paid
on their expectant pay day. Andrew sent a personal check
along with the parties' son to Tami's house but it was never
received by Tami. Andrew stated he personally delivered the
paycheck to Tami at the March 3, 2015 hearing. The court
finds Tami presented insufficient evidence to demonstrate any
wrongful deductions from her Yard Barbers paycheck. * * *
The court finds that this matter is moot and further that
Andrew is not in contempt of the parties' Agreed Decree of
Divorce.
(Decision at 9.) Again, we discern no abuse of discretion in these findings on this record.
No. 16AP-253 12
6. Children's Expenses
{¶ 31} In her amended motion for a finding of contempt, Tami alleged that Andrew
failed to reimburse her for medical and non-medical expenses paid by her on behalf of the
children. (Amend. Mot. for Contempt at 1.) The shared parenting plan requires the
reimbursement of expenses as follows:
EXTRA CURRICULAR COSTS
Father and Mother shall equally share agreed upon
extracurricular activity expenses (both school and non-school
related) of the minor children, until the children are
emancipated. Any extracurricular expenses (both school and
non-school related) not agreed upon, shall be paid by the
parent who enrolled the minor children.
For agreed upon extracurricular activity expenses, whichever
parent pays the expense, that parent shall notify the other
parent within 45 days of the expense being incurred. If not
done, claim to reimbursement is waived. Payment shall be
made by the other parent within 30 days of notice.
(Shared Parenting Plan at 10.) With regard to medical expenses, the plan required
payments in relevant part as follows:
Father shall pay 85% and Mother shall pay 15% of all
uncovered medical and dental expenses for the children,
which are defined as all medical and other health care
expenses exceeding the amount paid by the obligor for cash
medical support per calendar year.
(Shared Parenting Plan at 9.)
{¶ 32} At the hearing, Tami testified that Andrew had failed to reimburse her for
medical and non-medical expenses paid by her on behalf of the children but presented no
receipts or other documentation regarding the expenses (other than a spreadsheet she
prepared herself). (Mar. 3, 2015 Tr. at 16-18; Ex. A to Feb. 24, 2015 Amend. Mot. for
Contempt.) Andrew denied failing to reimburse medical expenses except with respect to
one unspecified bill he said he accidentally paid 80 percent rather than 85 percent and
another unspecified bill which he declined to pay because it was for their eldest son who
was old enough that he had been emancipated. (Tr. at 58-60.) He acknowledged failing to
pay certain extracurricular expenses but said he did so because Tami refused to reimburse
No. 16AP-253 13
extracurricular expenses he incurred. (Tr. at 61-64.) Overall he testified that he feels he
pays more than 50 percent of the children's expenses. (Tr. at 70.)
{¶ 33} The trial court noted on the record at the hearing that the shared parenting
plan provides that costs not agreed upon are paid by the enrolling parent. (Tr. at 69-70.)
It then concluded in its written decision:
The court finds that the parties' tit-for-tat modus operandi,
while not in violation of the terms of their Shared Parenting
Plan, only fuels their intense dislike for one another. Without
supporting documentation for Tami's medical and
extracurricular expenses for which she seeks reimbursement,
the court will not find Andrew in contempt.
(Decision at 10.) We discern no abuse of discretion here.
{¶ 34} Having concluded that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in any
respect challenged by Tami's brief, we overrule her first assignment of error.
B. Second Assignment of Error – Whether the Trial Court Erred in
Relying on Transcripts of the Hearings Before it
{¶ 35} Tami argues that Andrew's counsel provided the trial court with a
transcribed copy of the March hearing and that the trial court impermissibly used these
materials in preparing its decision. (Tami's Brief at 25.) However, in violation of
App.R. 16(A)(3), Tami fails to direct our attention to the place in the record where this
error is reflected. Tami likely fails in this regard because there is no place in the record
where this error is reflected; that is, there is no evidence in the record that the trial court
relied on an uncertified transcript in drafting its decision. The trial court judge did
mention, in the February hearing, that she had a transcript of the prior hearing but not
whether it was somehow unofficial or uncertified. (Feb. 23, 2016 Tr. at 5, 29.) Moreover,
even if the trial court had relied on an uncertified transcript as Tami suggests, the trial
court judge was present for the live testimony of the parties, and was entitled to use her
notes, transcripts, audio recordings, or any other reasonably reliable method to refresh
her recollection of the proceedings. State v. Waddell, 75 Ohio St.3d 163 (1996), paragraph
one of the syllabus (trial court has discretion to permit jurors to take and rely upon notes);
State v. Withers, 44 Ohio St.2d 53, fn. 1 (1975) (using an incomplete and uncertified
transcript in stating the background facts of the case); English v. Progressive Specialty
Ins. Co., 6th Dist. No. L-14-1239, 2016-Ohio-847, ¶ 40 (noting without finding error that
the trial court considered uncertified transcript excerpts in making its decision).
No. 16AP-253 14
{¶ 36} We overrule Tami's second assignment of error.
IV. CONCLUSION
{¶ 37} Because most of the matters initially alleged in the motion for contempt
were resolved by the time the hearing concluded, because both Andrew and Tami are to
blame for the continuing animosity and difficulty in dividing assets, and because there
was no credible evidence that Andrew violated the decree in the many ways Tami alleged,
the trial court was well-within its discretion after holding a hearing and listening to
testimony and argument from both parties, to deny the motion. In addition, it was not
error for the trial court to have refreshed its memory of the hearing with a transcript
(certified or not) or any other reasonably reliable record of the proceedings as an aid to
recalling the testimony given in order to write the decision. Accordingly, the judgment of
the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
DORRIAN, P.J., and TYACK, J., concur.