In re Marriage of Watanabe

• Court: Washington Supreme Court
• Decided: March 24, 2022
• Docket: 100,045-6
• Status: Published

Opinion

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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

In the Matter of the Marriage of ) ) No. 100045-6 DANIEL Y. WATANABE, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) En Banc and ) ) SOLVEIG H. WATANABE, ) ) Respondent. ) Filed : March 24, 2022 _______________________________________)

MADSEN, J.—Daniel Watanabe and Solveig (Watanabe) Pedersen 1 divorced in

2016. During the marriage, Pedersen inherited a large sum of money and land after her

mother passed away. At their dissolution trial, the court held that various real properties

were Pedersen’s separate property, despite the fact that both Watanabe’s and Pedersen’s

names were on the title for the properties. Watanabe appealed, arguing the trial court

erred by failing to apply the joint title gift presumption since the property was acquired in

both of their names during marriage. Watanabe also argued the trial court erred by

1 We use Pedersen throughout this opinion to avoid confusion between the parties. For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

allowing extrinsic evidence of Pedersen’s intent when she quitclaimed her separate

property to the community. The Court of Appeals affirmed, holding that the gift

presumption does not apply, regardless of whether the property was acquired before or

during marriage. The Court of Appeals also held that extrinsic evidence was

appropriately admitted to determine whether Pedersen intended to transmute separate

property, not to dispute the quitclaim deed itself.

We affirm the Court of Appeals and hold that the joint title gift presumption does

not apply regardless of whether the property was acquired before or during marriage. In

addition, we hold that extrinsic evidence may be admitted to explain the intent of the

parties when signing a quitclaim deed to determine whether a party intended to convert

separate property into community property.

FACTS

Daniel Watanabe and Solveig Pedersen (formerly Watanabe) married in 1999. In

2000, Pedersen’s mother died and left half of her estate to Pedersen. Thereafter,

Pedersen and Watanabe moved to a property in Arlington that Pedersen’s mother had

owned. Between 2000 and 2005, Pedersen inherited around $250,000 from her mother’s

estate, with additional distributions scheduled for future years. She also inherited a 50

percent interest in the Arlington property. The couple started a business named Olivia

Farms Inc. (OFI) in 2003 to breed and train horses. They were 50/50 owners of the

corporation. OFI was not a profitable business, incurring net losses each year.

2 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

In 2005, Pedersen and Watanabe decided to buy property in Ford, Washington to

continue their business raising Norwegian Fjord horses. To finance the purchase of the

Ford property, they obtained a loan from Flagstar Bank, secured by the Arlington

property. One of the conditions to obtain the loan was that Pedersen add Watanabe to the

title of the Arlington property because Pedersen had no credit history at that time.

Pedersen quitclaimed her interest in the Arlington property to herself and Watanabe “to

establish community property.” Ex. R-155 (capitalization omitted). Pedersen does not

recall signing the quitclaim deed and claims she only did so because the loan required it.

According to Pedersen, the loan was intended to be a short-term loan until the Arlington

property could be sold. Pedersen also testified she never intended to convert Arlington to

community property and did not remember signing the quitclaim deed.

Pedersen and Watanabe made monthly mortgage payments of $2,877 from a joint

checking account for just over a year. Once the Arlington property sold, Pedersen

applied her half of the sale to pay off the balance of the Ford property mortgage.

In 2008, Pedersen received another distribution of around $700,000 from her

mother’s estate. Around that time, the couple purchased additional land adjacent to the

Ford property with funds from Pedersen’s separate account. In 2009, they built a home

on the Ford property. From 2005 to 2012, both Pedersen and Watanabe spent time

improving the farm and running the business. In 2012, Watanabe returned to work as a

teacher and his salary went into the couple’s joint account. Between 2010 and 2014,

Pedersen deposited roughly $370,000 into the couple’s joint account and $170,000 into

3 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

OFI’s bank account. In 2013, Pedersen received her final distribution from her mother’s

estate of around $635,000.

The couple decided to purchase a property in Clayton, Washington in 2015. They

bought three adjacent parcels of land. Two of the parcels were paid directly from

Pedersen’s separate account, with the third paid for by their joint account. Both Pedersen

and Watanabe were included on the warranty deeds for all three parcels. The couple

separated in July 2016 and later divorced.

At trial, the superior court determined the Ford property was separate property.

The court concluded the parties did not have sufficient community income or cash flow

to pay anything toward the Ford purchase. The court noted that OFI operated at a loss

and that the payments could not have come from Watanabe’s earnings or from prior

accumulated savings. The court also concluded that based on testimony and exhibits at

trial, Pedersen did not intend to convert her separate property in the Arlington home to

community property despite the fact that both spouses’ names were on the warranty deed.

The court held that the additional Ford property and two of the Clayton parcels were

separate property because they were paid for entirely from Pedersen’s separate property,

but that the third Clayton parcel was community property because it was paid for with the

couple’s joint savings account. Finally, the court concluded that characterization of

property is only one factor to consider and emphasized the broad discretion the trial court

may have to ensure the property is divided equitably considering the source of funds for

the parties’ acquisitions.

4 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

Watanabe appealed, assigning error to the trial court’s characterization of the Ford

and Clayton properties as Pedersen’s separate property. The Court of Appeals affirmed,

holding that the funds were traceable to Pedersen’s separate property, and applied In re

Estate of Borghi, 167 Wn.2d 480, 219 P.3d 932 (2009), for the proposition that the joint

title gift presumption is no longer applicable. In re Marriage of Watanabe, No. 36619-7-

III (Wash. Ct. App. July 1, 2021) (unpublished),

http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/366197_unp.pdf. In addition, the Court of

Appeals noted that even if the trial court’s characterization of the Ford property was

error, Watanabe failed to show that the property would have been divided differently if

properly characterized.

Watanabe also argued that the trial court erred by allowing extrinsic evidence to

show Pedersen’s intent regarding the quitclaim deed for the Arlington property. The

Court of Appeals noted that this issue was not preserved on appeal but exercised its

discretion to address the argument. The court ruled that the extrinsic evidence was not

introduced to dispute the fact that Pedersen had quitclaimed the deed to Watanabe but,

rather, to show her intent in regard to the character of the property.

Watanabe filed a petition for review, arguing the Court of Appeals erroneously

expanded Borghi beyond this court’s intended scope and erred by holding that extrinsic

evidence may be admitted to clarify an unambiguous deed. We granted review.

5 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

ANALYSIS

Joint Title Gift Presumption

A trial court’s characterization of property is a mixed question of law and fact. In

re Marriage of Kile, 186 Wn. App. 864, 876, 347 P.3d 894 (2015) (citing In re Marriage

of Martin, 32 Wn. App. 92, 94, 645 P.2d 1148 (1982)). Factual findings, including time

of acquisition, method of acquisition, and intent of the donor, supporting the

characterization are reviewed for substantial evidence. Martin, 32 Wn. App. at 94. The

characterization of property is reviewed de novo as a question of law. Kile, 186 Wn.

App. at 876; In re Marriage of Schwarz, 192 Wn. App. 180, 191-92, 368 P.3d 173

(2016).

Here, the Court of Appeals held that the trial court’s findings are a verity on

appeal because Watanabe did not assign error to these findings. We agree. Thus, we

review Watanabe’s claim that the property was improperly characterized de novo relying

on the trial court’s findings of fact.

This court held, in Borghi, 167 Wn.2d at 490, that no presumption arises from the

names on a deed or title in the context of characterizing property as community or

separate property. In Borghi, the wife purchased a parcel of real property before

marriage. Id. at 482. Shortly after marriage, she executed a special warranty deed to

“husband and wife.” Id. The couple lived on the property and used it to secure a

mortgage a few years later. Id. After the wife’s death, there was a dispute over whether

the property was community or separate property. Id at 482-83.

6 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

On review, this court pointed out the inherent conflict between the joint title gift

presumption and the presumption that separate property remains separate property absent

clear and convincing evidence of intent to convert the property to community property.

Id. at 489-90. 2 The court concluded that the name on a deed or title does not determine

the separate or community character of the property nor does it provide much evidence.

Id. at 489. Rather, there must be other evidence, such as a quitclaim deed transferring the

property to the community, a valid property agreement, or some other writing evidencing

intent. Id. 3

Watanabe argues that the Borghi court’s rejection of the joint title gift presumption

applies only to situations where one spouse owned separate property prior to marriage

and then added the other spouse to the title. The main holding in Borghi, he contends, is

that “‘the characterization of property is determined at the date it is acquired’.” Suppl.

Br. of Pet’r Daniel Watanabe at 5 (quoting Borghi, 167 Wn.2d at 484). Thus, Watanabe

argues the trial court inappropriately extended Borghi to property acquired during

marriage.

Watanabe urges that In re Marriage of Skarbek, 100 Wn. App. 444, 997 P.2d 447

(2000), not Borghi, is the controlling precedent here. Skarbek, he claims, stands for the

2 The majority opinion in Borghi received only four votes, but Justice Madsen concurred, agreeing with the lead opinion that inclusion of the husband on the deed did not by itself demonstrate a sufficiently clear intent by the wife to transform her separate property into community property. In her concurrence, Justice Madsen argued there was no need to determine what type of evidence is necessary to overcome the separate property presumption given the facts of the case. 3 The assertion regarding the specific evidence required to overcome the presumption of separate property received approval from only a plurality of the court.

7 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

proposition that property purchased in the name of both parties during marriage, where

separate property is used to assist in the purchase, permits the presumption that the

transaction was intended as a gift.

In response, Pedersen points out that Borghi rejected prior case law, including

Skarbek, which allowed a joint title gift presumption for separate property when the title

is changed from the name of one spouse to both spouses. Pedersen argues the conflict

between the joint title gift presumption and the separate property presumption that the

Borghi court highlighted exists regardless of whether or not the property was acquired

before or during marriage. We agree.

Skarbek cites directly to In re Marriage of Hurd, 69 Wn. App. 38, 51, 848 P.2d

185 (1993), overruled in part by Borghi, 167 Wn.2d at 482, to say that property acquired

during marriage with separate funds is a gift to the community. Skarbek, 100 Wn. App.

at 446. But Borghi explicitly rejects Hurd to the extent that it endorses a joint title gift

presumption.

If property is separate property as of the date of acquisition, it will remain separate

property through all of its changes and transitions as long as it can be traced and

identified. Baker v. Baker, 80 Wn.2d 736, 745, 498 P.2d 315 (1972); In re Witte’s Estate,

21 Wn.2d 112, 150 P.2d 595 (1944). Once separate property is established, a

presumption arises that such property remains separate property absent direct and

positive evidence of intent to convert to community property. Guye v. Guye, 63 Wash.

340, 115 P. 731 (1911). In Washington, all property acquired during marriage is

8 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

presumptively community property. Dean v. Lehman, 143 Wn.2d 12, 19, 18 P.3d 523

(2001); RCW 26.16.030. However, property acquired during marriage by inheritance is

considered separate property. RCW 26.16.010; see also RCW 26.16.030 (“Property not

acquired or owned, as prescribed in RCW 26.16.010 . . . is community property.”).

In this case, neither party disputes the fact that the Arlington property was

inherited and was separate property at the time Pedersen received it. Moreover, the trial

court found there was insufficient community income or cash flow to pay anything from

the community toward the Ford property purchase, leading the court to find that the Ford

property was purchased with funds deriving from Pedersen’s separate property.

The issue, then, is whether Pederson intended to convert her separate property into

community property. Prior to obtaining the loan secured by the Arlington property to

purchase the Ford property, Pedersen signed a quitclaim deed conveying her claims to the

Arlington property to “Daniel Y. Watanabe and Solveig H. Watanabe, husband and

wife.” Ex. R-155. The quitclaim deed states the purpose is “to establish community

property.” Id. (capitalization omitted).

In Borghi, the court explicitly stated “a spouse may execute a quitclaim deed

transferring the property to the community.” 167 Wn.2d at 488-89 (citing Volz v. Zang,

113 Wash. 378, 383, 194 P. 409 (1920)). In Volz, the case that the Borghi court relied on,

the court stated property changes from separate to community property “when the parties

intend such a change to take place and evidence this intention by a conveyance

conforming in all essentials to the requirements of the law affecting the transfer of real

9 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

property.” 113 Wash. at 384 (emphasis added); see also Harry M. Cross, The Community

Property Law in Washington, 61 WASH. L. REV. 13, 102 (1986) (noting Volz established

a spouse may change separate property to community property where the deed clearly

expressed the intent and purpose to convert).

Here, the trial court found Pedersen did not intend to transmute her separate

property into community property. The facts presented support the trial court’s finding. 4

Next, Watanabe argues that even if the Arlington property is separate property, the

Ford property is community property because both parties’ names were on the title and

the property was acquired during marriage.

However, in Borghi this court stated, “There are many reasons it may make good

business sense for spouses to create joint title that have nothing to do with any intent to

create community property.” 167 Wn.2d at 489 (citing Guye, 63 Wash. at 353).

Moreover, this court has previously held adding a spouse to a mortgage in order to obtain

a loan does not automatically make the property community property. See, e.g., In re

Finn’s Estate, 106 Wash. 137, 179 P. 103 (1919) (addition of husband to a loan as

required by the lender did not make a separate obligation into a community obligation);

Graves v Columbia Underwriters, 93 Wash. 196, 160 P. 436 (1916) (wife did not convert

separate property to community property by adding husband to mortgage at request of

loan company because adding the husband to the loan did not benefit the community).

4 The evidence includes the fact that the deed was drafted by the lender, Pedersen’s testimony that she had no recollection of signing the deed and did not have anyone explain what signing would entail, and the loan company’s requirement that Watanabe be added to the title.

10 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

But see Katterhagen v. Meister, 75 Wash. 112, 134 P. 673 (1913) (if spouses join in

promissory note, the money borrowed becomes community property even if the note is

paid back in full by one spouse’s separate property); Rawlings v. Heal, 111 Wash. 218,

190 P. 237 (1920) (acknowledging Finn and Graves created an exception to the rule set

forth in Katterhagen).

The governing factor is whether the property acquired during marriage “‘“was

acquired by community funds and community credit, or separate funds and the issues and

profits thereof; the presumption always being that it is community property, but this

presumption may be rebutted by proof.”’” Finley v. Finley, 47 Wn.2d 307, 312, 287 P.2d

475 (1955) (quoting Katterhagen, 75 Wash. at 115 (quoting United States Fidelity &

Guaranty Co. v. Lee, 58 Wash. 16, 22, 107 P. 870 (1910))).

Watanabe argues the loan for the Ford property was acquired with community

credit. But the trial court determined the community had insufficient income and thus the

funds for the purchase of the Ford property, including the mortgage payments from their

joint bank account, derived from Pedersen’s separate property interests and/or her

inheritance income.

Since the Ford property was acquired strictly with separate funds, the trial court

correctly characterized the property as separate property despite the fact it was purchased

during the marriage. We reject the distinction Watanabe attempts to draw between

applying the joint title gift presumption to separate property owned prior to marriage and

property acquired during marriage using separate property. As noted above, the key

11 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

factor is not the timing of the acquisition. If property is characterized as separate

property, then the conflict between the separate property presumption and the joint title

gift presumption exists regardless of when that property was acquired.

Here, Pedersen has presented an alternative reason for including Watanabe on the

title, since the title company required Watanabe to be on the deed in order to obtain the

loan. Thus, Watanabe has failed to show that Pedersen had the intent to convert her

separate property to community property. 5

Extrinsic Evidence

Watanabe also argues that the Court of Appeals erred by allowing extrinsic

evidence where the plain language of the deed was unambiguous. Washington follows

the objective manifestation theory of contract interpretation. Hearst Commc’ns, Inc. v.

Seattle Times Co., 154 Wn.2d 493, 503, 115 P.3d 262 (2005). Under this rule, the

subjective intent of a contract is irrelevant if intent can be determined by the actual words

used. Id.

The Court of Appeals held Watanabe failed to preserve this issue, but the court

nonetheless addressed it. The court held that although Watanabe correctly cited

Washington’s contract interpretation law, he misapplied it to the case because the trial

5 In his petition for review, Watanabe argues that the Court of Appeals’ decision overlooked the fact that the Clayton properties were also purchased after marriage and in the name of both parties. However, as the Court of Appeals acknowledged in footnote 4 of its opinion, Watanabe failed to adequately argue why the trial court erred in classifying the Clayton properties as separate property. Watanabe, slip op. at 9 n.4. Moreover, even if he had done so, his primary argument that the joint title gift presumption should apply is equally inapplicable to these properties.

12 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

court did not allow extrinsic evidence to dispute the fact that Pedersen signed the

quitclaim deed to the community. The quitclaim deed was unambiguous and undisputed

by both parties. Instead, the trial court allowed evidence to determine whether

Pedersen’s intent in signing the deed was to convert her separate property to community

property.

Watanabe makes a similar argument that the plain language of the deed stating its

purpose is “to establish community property” is unambiguous and thus any additional

extrinsic evidence should have been inadmissible. But the inquiry here was not whether

there was a valid quitclaim deed but, rather, whether or not Pedersen had the intent to gift

her separate property to the community. The extrinsic evidence was not admitted to

dispute what the deed actually says, and the title was not altered here. The evidence was

used solely to show Pedersen’s intent, which the trial court used to determine the nature

of the property.

It is well established that parol evidence may be used to establish the intent of a

grantor. Scott v. Currie, 7 Wn.2d 301, 308, 109 P.2d 526 (1941) (stating an intent to

transmute property may be proved by parol evidence); In re Estate of Deschamps, 77

Wash. 514, 518, 137 P. 1009 (1914) (holding that when determining whether property

was converted from separate property into community property courts may look beyond

the terms of a deed to ascertain the intent and purpose of the parties).

The trial court correctly decided that extrinsic evidence was admissible here.

13 For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/. No. 100045-6

CONCLUSION

The joint title gift presumption does not apply in dissolution matters under

Washington law, regardless of whether the property was acquired before or after

marriage. Extrinsic evidence showing a spouse’s intent when signing the quitclaim deed

may be considered in determining the character of property in a dissolution proceeding.

We affirm the Court of Appeals’ decision.

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WE CONCUR:

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