Covalesky v. Covalesky

33 Pa. D. & C.5th 244
CourtPennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Lackawanna County
DecidedSeptember 10, 2013
DocketNo. 60069 of 2003
StatusPublished

This text of 33 Pa. D. & C.5th 244 (Covalesky v. Covalesky) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Lackawanna County primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Covalesky v. Covalesky, 33 Pa. D. & C.5th 244 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2013).

Opinion

MINORA, J.,

INTRODUCTION

This case arises out of a dispute relative to farm deeds executed by Sylvester Covalesky (“Sylvester”), timber harvested from the farm premises, equipment purchased and used on the farm, and banking activity allegedly done by defendants Ruth Covalesky (“Ruth”) and Philip Covalesky (“Philip”), her son, for Sylvester and his sister, Anne Covalesky (“Anne”).

Sylvester and Anne filed a complaint against Ruth and Philip on October 15, 2003. Sylvester died on October 30, 2003. Plaintiffs thereafter filed an amended complaint on January 7, 2005, substituting Anne as executrix of the estate of Sylvester and adding Bernard Covalesky (“Bernard Jr.”) as a plaintiff. Plaintiffs demand judgment against defendants, jointly and severally, plus interest and costs, together with such other and equitable relief the court may deem necessary and proper. Plaintiffs plead the following arguments with respect to the personal property and equipment from the farm, conveyance of the farm deeds, timber from the farm, funds in the accounts of Anne, Sylvester, and Ruth, and Sylvester’s U.S. Savings Bonds.

[247]*247LEGAL ARGUMENT OF THE PLAINTIFFS

I. Personal Property and Equipment from the Farm

Defendants should be ordered to account to Anne for all the equipment and personal property on the farm premises whether retained, sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of by defendants. Judgment should be entered in favor of plaintiff and against defendants in an amount equal to the proceeds and/or the value of the equipment and other personal property retained, sold, otherwise disposed of or destroyed.

II. Conveyance of the Farm Deeds

Sylvester’s conveyance of the five (5) deeds to Anne and Philip were made under coercion and undue influence of defendants, therefore the deeds should be declared null and void. Defendants should be ordered to restore all the estate and premises in the deeds to plaintiff Anne, executrix of Sylvester’s estate.

III. Timbering on the Farm

Defendants should be ordered to account to plaintiffs for all timber cut, harvested and sold by defendants while defendants controlled the property. Defendants should also be ordered to pay the greater of the value of the trees or the dimunition of the value of the premises.

IV. Grave Plot for Sylvester

Of the $1,500 Anne gave Ruth for the purchase of grave plots for Anne, Sylvester, and their brother Joseph Covalesky (“Joseph”), Ruth took the $1,500 and denied plaintiff the benefit of her purchase.

V. Money Withdrawn from the Joint Checking Account of Sylvester, Anne and Ruth and the Joint Account of Ruth and Sylvester

[248]*248Defendants gained access to bank and deposit accounts of Anne and Sylvester by duress, undue influence, or false pretenses.

VI. Sylvester’s U.S. Savings Bonds Totaling Approximately $450,000

Defendants sold and liquidated approximately $450,000 of Sylvester’s U.S. savings bonds at a substantial tax loss to Sylvester.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

A non-jury trial of the case was held on June 19 and 20, 2012. Upon conclusion of trial, the court requested the parties to produce records of medical treatment of Sylvester and the Pennsylvania State Police (“PSP”) report of the alleged kidnapping of Sylvester on August 7, 2003. See trial transcript at 413. After numerous extensions of time by the court to accommodate counsel,1 defendants produced Mercy Hospital and Allied records. Plaintiffs produced the Morristown Hospital records, but failed to produce the patient care records. The court finally insisted the record be closed. Findings of fact and conclusions of law were due thirty (30) days after March 21, 2013. See letter from Judge’s Chambers Re: Covalesky v. Covalesky, 2003-CV-60069 (Mar. 21, 2013).

Defendants dispute plaintiffs’ allegations. The court shall dispose of these dueling claims by virtue of its findings of fact and conclusions of law which are made pursuant to a non-jury trial wherein the parties entered testimony and exhibits in support of their respective [249]*249positions and subsequent filings.

FINDINGS OF FACT

In a non-jury proceeding, “assessments of credibility and conflicts in evidence are for the trial court to resolve.” Tailor v. Tailor, 2010 WL 1779341 (Lacka. Co. 2010). The judge sits as the “finder of fact” and is free to believe all, some, or none of the testimony and/or evidence presented by any witness or party, and is also empowered to render decisions with respect to the probative value and evidentiary weight of the evidence submitted. Commonwealth Financial Systems Inc. v. Hill, 2010 WL 4814094, at *462 (Pa. Com. Pl. July 19, 2010); Id; Tailor, 2010 WL 1779341, supra; Ruthrauff, Inc. v. Ravin, Inc., 914 A.2d 880, 888 (Pa. Super. 2006), Runco v. Burdyn, 2006 WL 2242995 at * 1 (Lacka. Co. 2006). The findings of a trial judge in a non-jury case will be given the same weight and effect as a jury verdict and will not be disturbed absent error of law or abuse of discretion. J.J. DeLuca Co., Inc. v. Toll Naval Associates, 56 A.3d 402 (Pa. Super. 2012); Rissi v. Cappella, 918 A.2d 131 (Pa. Super. 2007).

The findings of fact as determined by the court are supported by the credible, probative, competent, and relevant evidence given weight by this court, and established during the non-jury proceedings and the evidentiary submissions of the parties. The findings are accepted as valid and true by this court.

1. Wesley Covalesky, Anne and Sylvester’s father, died on February 29, 1956 and predeceased his wife, Veronica Covalesky, Anne and Sylvester’s mother. Veronica devised the family farm by deed to her sons Joseph and Sylvester as joint tenants with right of survivorship, who continued to work on the farm until the death of Joseph. The farm contained approximately three hundred twenty [250]*250(320) acres. (See trial transcript 7-9, 12, 20)

2. Joseph died on or about March 7, 2001, which resulted in the farm passing by operation of law solely to Sylvester based on his rights as co-joint tenant with right of survivorship (See trial transcript 10:12-25, deposition of Anne Covalesky (July 31, 2007) at 32; plaintiff’s exhibits #1,2,3,4, and 5)

3. Ruth, the sister-in-law of Anne, Sylvester, and Joseph, was married to Victor Covalesky, their brother. Victor predeceased Joseph (See trial transcript 12)

4. Neither Ruth nor her children Philip, Victor, and Barbara, visited the farm or assisted with farming until Joseph and Sylvester became elderly. (See trial transcript 11; 15:6-9; 307:8-11)

5. After Joseph died, Philip, Victor, Ruth, and Barbara were down at Sylvester and Anne’s house on a daily basis. (See trial transcript 12:17-24, 304)

6.

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Bluebook (online)
33 Pa. D. & C.5th 244, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/covalesky-v-covalesky-pactcompllackaw-2013.