Crowe v. De Gioia

447 A.2d 173, 90 N.J. 126, 35 A.L.R. 4th 394, 1982 N.J. LEXIS 2154

• Court: Supreme Court of New Jersey
• Decided: July 8, 1982
• Status: Published

Opinions

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

POLLOCK, J.

The basic issue on this appeal is whether temporary relief can be awarded in a suit to enforce an agreement between unmarried cohabitants. The Chancery Division awarded interim support and other relief to plaintiff, Rose K. Crowe. With one judge dissenting, the Appellate Division vacated the support order and remanded the case for trial in the Law Division. Crowe v. DeGioia, 179 N.J.Super. 36 (1981). We granted leave to appeal from that interlocutory order and reinstated temporary relief during the pendency of this appeal. 87 N.J. 412 (1981). We now reverse the Appellate Division, thereby continuing the temporary relief pending the outcome of the underlying action, which we remand to the Chancery Division.

I

In a verified complaint filed in the Chancery Division, plaintiff, Rose K. Crowe (who states she is also known as Rose K. De Gioia), claimed that defendant, Sergio De Gioia, breached his non-marital agreement to support her for life. Her complaint alleged the following facts pertaining to their twenty-year relationship. She met De Gioia in February 1960 when she was 38 and separated from her husband, whom she has since divorced. She was the mother of seven children ranging in age from five to seventeen years. He was 26 and single. Starting in 1960, she and her children lived with and were supported by him. From 1967 to 1980, when De Gioia left, they lived in his house in Perth Amboy. Most significantly, he declared that “he would take care of her and support her for the rest of her life, and that he would share with her his various assets.”

In return for his support, she acted like his wife: cooking, cleaning, caring for him when he was ill, helping in his various business ventures, and accompanying him socially. Their relationship was akin to a marriage. Even at the end of their relationship, when De Gioia told her he was leaving to marry a woman 22 years his junior, he promised to give her a “good settlement” so that she would not have to be concerned with her own support. That settlement, however, did not materialize. Crowe asked the court to enforce her alleged agreement with De Gioia for support, to compensate her for her services, and to award her a share of his assets, costs and counsel fees.

In support of her request for interim relief, Crowe certified the following further facts. She was unskilled, unemployable, and completely dependent on De Gioia for support. She owned no assets except her clothes, personal effects, an inoperable automobile, and jewelry De Gioia had given her. De Gioia, by contrast, had become a wealthy man over the years, acquiring substantial property and business interests, including the Perth Amboy home.

Crowe asked for $385 per week in support and payment of medical, dental and related costs. Furthermore, she requested the right to remain in the Perth Amboy home, protection from removal by De Gioia of any property from the house, and payment of all expenses pertaining to the maintenance of the house, such as the mortgage, insurance and utilities. She also wanted the use of an operable automobile at De Gioia’s expense. Finally, she sought an order restraining De Gioia from transferring or otherwise disposing of any of his assets.

In his answer, De Gioia denied most of the allegations of the complaint, but admitted that he had met Crowe in 1960 and had allowed her and her children to live in the Perth Amboy house since 1967. Nonetheless, he denied ever having lived with Crowe or having supported her and her children. He described their relationship as one of friendship and stated that any services she provided to him were meretricious. Furthermore, he denied her allegation that he had promised to support her for the rest of her life or to share his assets with her.

The Chancery Division denied a motion by De Gioia for transfer of the action to the Law Division and granted Crowe’s motion for temporary relief. Fearing the infliction of a grave injustice on Crowe if temporary relief were denied, the Chan-eery Division awarded her “minimal support, enough to keep her alive ... . ” While recognizing that De Gioia denied the underlying support agreement, that court found “some evidence” to infer “there was some type of arrangement between the parties.” Accordingly, the Chancery judge awarded Crowe $125 per week in support, permitted her to remain in the house, restrained De Gioia from transferring any of his assets, but denied Crowe’s request for an automobile.

The Appellate Division granted De Gioia’s motion for leave to appeal. On appeal, the majority concluded that matrimonial precedents were of no value to Crowe in seeking pendente lite relief because she was not married to De Gioia. Moreover, the majority found that the trial court had no authority to order any interim relief under Kozlowski v. Kozlowski, 80 N.J. 378 (1979), where we recognized that a woman had a cause of action in contract against a man with whom she had cohabited for 15 years in exchange for his agreement to support her for the rest of her life (“palimony”). Because the only relief granted in Kozlowski was money damages, the majority of the Appellate Division here concluded that preliminary relief was not available. 179 N.J.Super. at 40. Thus, the Appellate Division vacated the order granting support and restraining De Gioia from transferring his assets. Id. at 48. Additionally, the majority held that the action is “of a traditionally legal character .. . and the relief can and should be obtained in the Law Division.” Id. at 41.

The dissenting judge agreed that matrimonial laws offered no foundation for pendente lite relief. Instead, he found a basis for temporary relief in “settled equitable principles relating to preliminary relief in emergent situations requiring the preservation of the status quo and the prevention of irreparable harm, after balancing conveniences and the interests of the parties, until the final determination of the litigation involved.” Id. at 45. The dissent concluded that jurisdiction in the Chancery Division was proper because the claim was basically for “specific performance' of a unique type of agreement to support and the enforcement of newly judicially created rights impliedly recognized in Kozlowski as basically equitable in nature.” Id. at 47.

II

We begin by affirming that plaintiff is not entitled to alimony. Kozlowski v. Kozlowski, supra, 80 N.J. at 383. The power of a court to award alimony is purely statutory, and alimony may be awarded only in a matrimonial action for divorce or nullity. O’Loughlin v. O’Loughlin, 12 N.J. 222, 229, cert. den., 346 U.S. 824 (1953). Under the relevant statute, alimony may be ordered on an interim basis only in a “matrimonial action,” N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23 (Supp.1981-1982), which does not embrace an action on a contract between unmarried cohabitants. See R. 4:75. The Legislature has proscribed common law marriages. N.J.S.A. 37:1-10. We continue to decline to view non-marital relationships as if they were lawful marriages. Kozlowski v. Kozlowski, supra, 80 N.J. at 387. Consequently, we conclude that plaintiff is not entitled to alimony, either permanent or temporary. Kozlowski v. Kozlowski, supra, 80 N.J. at 383.

The unavailability of statutory alimony pendente lite, however, does not foreclose all temporary relief. To the contrary, New Jersey has long recognized, in a wide variety of contexts, the power of the judiciary to “prevent some threatening, irreparable mischief, which should be averted until opportunity is afforded for a full and deliberate investigation of the case.” Thompson, Attorney General v. Paterson, 9 N.J.Eq. 624, 625 (E. & A. 1854). We recognize that the determination to authorize preliminary. relief summons the most sensitive exercise of judicial discretion. In exercising that discretion, courts have been guided traditionally by certain fundamental principles.

One principle is that a preliminary injunction should not issue except when necessary to prevent irreparable harm. Citizens Coach Co. v. Camden Horse R. R. Co., 29 N.J.Eq. 299, 303 (E. & A. 1878). Harm is generally considered irreparable in equity if it cannot be redressed adequately by monetary damages. In certain circumstances, severe personal inconvenience can constitute irreparable injury justifying issuance of injunctive relief. Hodge v. Giese, 43 N.J.Eq. 342, 350 (Ch.1887) (one tenant temporarily granted right to enter other tenant’s premises to service heater). Pecuniary damages may be inadequate because of the nature of the injury or of the right affected. Outdoor Sports Corp. v. A. F. of L. Local 23132, AFL, 6 N.J. 217, 229-30 (1951); Scherman v. Stern, 93 N.J.Eq. 626, 631 (E. & A. 1922) (seller of business temporarily ordered to abide by agreement not to compete). In this case, Crowe was threatened with the loss of her home of 14 years and her only means of support. The interest of an unmarried cohabitant in enforcement of a support agreement and the trauma of eviction from one’s home may well justify the intervention of equity. Neither an unwarranted eviction nor reduction to poverty can be compensated adequately by monetary damages awarded after a distant plenary hearing.

A second principle is that temporary relief should be withheld when the legal right underlying plaintiff’s claim is unsettled. Citizens Coach Co. v. Camden Horse R. R. Co., supra, 29 N.J.Eq. at 304-05. Here, however, the underlying legal claim, the enforceability of a support agreement between unmarried cohabitants, was settled as a matter of law in Kozlowski v. Kozlowski, supra.

A third rule is that a preliminary injunction should not issue where all material facts are controverted. Citizens Coach Co. v. Camden Horse R. R. Co., supra, 29 N.J.Eq. at 305-06. Thus, to prevail on an application for temporary relief, a plaintiff must make a preliminary showing of a reasonable probability of ultimate success on the merits. Ideal Laundry Co. v. Gugliemone, 107 N.J.Eq. 108, 115-16 (E. & A. 1930). That requirement is tempered by the principle that mere doubt as to the validity of the claim is not an adequate basis for refusing to maintain the status quo. See Naylor v. Harkins, 11 N.J. 435 (1953) (international union temporarily restrained from reporting members of expelled local to employers under union shop contracts); Haines v. Burlington County Bridge Comm’n, 1 N.J.Super. 163, 175 (App.Div.1949) (temporarily restraining county’s efforts to acquire bridges). Indeed, the point of temporary relief is to maintain the parties in substantially the same condition “when the final decree is entered as they were when the litigation began.” Peters v. Public Service Corp. of N.J., 132 N.J.Eq. 500 (Ch.1942), aff’d o.b., 133 N.J.Eq. 283 (E. & A. 1943) (bus company enjoined from proceeding with motion to dismiss suit when statute of limitations barred new action).

On this application, Crowe contends that DeGioia had supported her for some 20 years, and it is uncontroverted that Crowe and her children had been living rent-free in a house owned by De Gioia for some 14 years. Furthermore, Crowe certified to De Gioia’s agreement to support her for life. Although De Gioia’s answering affidavits cast doubt on that contention, the trial court found sufficient evidence to justify temporary relief. That court determined Crowe’s interest in maintaining a minimal standard of living to be sufficient to justify the preservation of the status quo pending the determination of her right at a final hearing. Christiansen v. Local 680 of the Milk Drivers and Dairy Employees of N. J., et al., 127 N.J.Eq. 215 (E. & A. 1940) (company union granted temporary injunction barring enforcement of rival’s closed shop contract with employer).

The final test in considering the granting of a preliminary injunction is the relative hardship to the parties in granting or denying relief. Isolantite Inc. v. United Elect. Radio & Mach. Workers, 130 N.J.Eq. 506, 515 (Ch.1941), mod. on other grounds, 132 N.J.Eq. 613 (E. & A. 1942). DeGioia, apparently now a person of substantial means, would suffer relatively inconsequential expense if relief is granted. By contrast, withholding support from Crowe would be devastating. On balance, the equities favor the grant of temporary relief to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of a final hearing.

Thus, applying traditional equitable principles, we conclude that the record supports the trial court’s authorization of preliminary relief. Our dissenting colleague, Justice Schreiber, who would deny preliminary relief, differs not with our determination of the applicable principles, but in the application of those principles to the facts of this case. Although we approve the grant of preliminary relief, we take no position on the ultimate resolution of the factual dispute, which must await a plenary hearing.

Furthermore, the inability to fit plaintiff’s claim for temporary relief into the conventional category of a matrimonial action is not a bar to relief. To achieve substantial justice in other cases, we have adjusted the rights and duties of parties in light of the realities of their relationship. See, e.g., McGlynn v. Newark Parking Authority, 86 N.J. 551, 559 (1981); State v. Shack, 58 N.J. 297, 307 (1971). Increasing numbers of unmarried couples live together. The number of households comprised of unmarried partners rose from approximately 12,000 in 1960 to more than 1.5 million in 1980. U.S. Bureau of Census, Commerce Dep’t, 1960 Census of Population, “Persons by Family Characteristics,” Table 15 (1960) and Current Population Report, Series P-20, No. 365, “Marital Status in Living Arrangements,” Table 7 (1980). Although plaintiff need not be rewarded for cohabiting with defendant, she should not be penalized simply because she lived with him in consideration of a promise for support. Our endeavor is to shape a remedy that will protect the legally cognizable interests of the parties and serve the needs of justice. See generally Restatement (Second) of Contracts, § 359 at 169 (1981).

Nonetheless, the relief granted should be no broader than necessary to preserve the status quo pending a plenary hearing on the merits. On the showing made before the trial court, a reasonable basis existed to permit Crowe to remain in the Perth Amboy home. See Ferraiuolo v. Manno, 1 N.J. 105 (1948) (landlord temporarily restrained from interfering with tenant’s business on leased premises); Marjer v. Layfmen, 140 N.J.Eq. 68 (Ch.1947) (landlord enjoined from prosecuting dispossess action against tenant who failed to properly exercise option to renew lease). Furthermore, Crowe is entitled to continuation of the support payments ordered by the trial court of $125 per week. Although substantially less than her demand of $385 a week, that sum should provide her with her minimal needs and prevent the necessity of her seeking public welfare. Consistent with the alleged agreement to “care for” Crowe, De Gioia should continue to pay the costs of all necessary medical, dental and pharmaceutical bills. Because an automobile is not essential for Crowe, we agree with the trial court that De Gioia need not provide her with a car. We agree with the Appellate Division that the defendant should not be restrained from transferring assets during the pendency of this proceeding. 179 N.J.Super. at 48. In addition, we disapprove the allowance of costs and counsel fees in an application for temporary relief in an action for support between unmarried cohabitants. In general, counsel fees may not be awarded except as expressly provided by R. 4:42-9. Although that rule permits the allowance of counsel fees pendente lite in a matrimonial action, R. 4:42-9(a)(1), no such provision exists in a non-matrimonial action.

Ill

Another issue is whether an action of this nature should be brought in the Law or Chancery Division of the Superior Court. Under our unified court system, all issues, whether legal or equitable, can be resolved in a single proceeding in either division. Massari v. Einsiedler, 6 N.J. 303, 313 (1951); Fleischer v. James Drug Stores, Inc., 1 N.J. 138, 150 (1948). Nonetheless, the orderly administration of justice suggests that we determine the more appropriate division in which to bring an action for breach of contract between unmarried cohabitants.

Plaintiff’s choice here, as in Kozlowski, was the Chancery Division. In this case, however, the Appellate Division remanded the matter for trial in the Law Division. The Appellate Division reasoned that the essential nature of the action was a breach of contract for which the appropriate remedy was money damages, an action at law. 179 N.J.Super. at 41-42. The dissenting judge concluded, however, the matter belonged in the Chancery Division because the complaint, in effect, sought specific performance of a unique kind of agreement. Id. at 47.

As an abstract proposition, a breach of contract action between unmarried cohabitants might be brought in either the Law or Chancery Division. In many such actions, the only remedy sought may be money damages, an interest in a pension or the like, and the Law Division will be the appropriate forum. In many other cases, where the principal relief is equitable in nature, the action should be brought in the Chancery Division. R. 4:3—1(a)(1).

In her application for preliminary relief, Crowe seeks an order maintaining the status quo during the pendency of the action. Moreover, the ultimate relief sought includes an order enforcing the álleged agreement between the parties and compelling De Gioia to transfer to Crowe “a reasonable share of all property, both real and personal.”

Whether one views the complaint as requesting specific performance or an injunction, it summons the infinite variety and flexibility of equitable remedies. 1 Pomeroy, Equity Jurisprudence, § 109 at 131. Equity preserves that flexibility to devise new remedies “to meet the requirements of every case, and to satisfy the needs of a progressive social condition, in which new primary rights and duties are constantly arising, and new kinds of wrongs are constantly committed.” 1 Pomeroy, supra, § 111 at 144. Other kinds of cases involving contracts for personal support have been brought in the past in equity. E.g., Soper v. Cisco, 85 N.J.Eq. 165 (E. & A. 1915) (action in Chancery Division to set aside conveyance from mother to daughter in exchange for agreement to support for life; held, conveyance made for valid consideration and agreement to support is enforceable); Giacobbi v. Anselmi, 18 N.J.Super. 600 (Ch.Div.1952) (enforcing oral promise to support grantor in return for conveyance of real property to him and his wife, grantor’s daughter). Moreover, a similarity exists between many of the issues and proofs in this type of case and those in a matrimonial action, the exclusive province of the Chancery Division under R. 4:75. Consequently, in this case, as we anticipate will be true in the majority of such cases, the Chancery Division is the appropriate forum. Selection of the Law or Chancery Division in future cases should reflect the responsible exercise of judgment by counsel, subject to the control of the court, to best achieve a just result in this evolving cause of action.

We reverse the judgment of the Appellate Division; continue, as modified, the order of the Chancery Division for interim relief; and remand the matter to the Chancery Division for a plenary hearing on an accelerated schedule.