Leaf v. Leaf

2022 Ohio 3301

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: September 20, 2022
• Docket: 22 CAF 03 0016
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as Leaf v. Leaf, 2022-Ohio-3301.]

COURT OF APPEALS DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

BRIAN E. LEAF JUDGES: Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., P. J. Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. John W. Wise, J. Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J. -vs- Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 RHONDA J. LEAF (nka RING)

Defendant-Appellant OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Civil Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, Case No. 19 DRA 12 0678

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: September 20, 2022

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

DOUGLAS W. WARNOCK RHONDA J. RING DOUGLAS W. WARNOCK CO., LPA PRO SE 20 East Central Avenue 2020 Wilson Road Delaware, Ohio 43015 Sunbury, Ohio 43074 Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 2

Wise, John, J.

{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Rhonda J. Leaf nka Ring appeals the February 14,

2022, decision of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas wherein the court ruled

on six pending post-decree motions.

{¶2} Plaintiff-Appellee is Brian E. Leaf.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

{¶3} The relevant facts and procedural history are as follows:

{¶4} The parties in this matter were married on February 21, 1999.

{¶5} Two children were born as issue of the marriage: M.L. (DOB December 21,

2001) and H.L. (DOB October 16, 2004).

{¶6} Plaintiff-Appellee Brian Leaf filed a Complaint for Divorce on December 9,

2019.

{¶7} An Agreed Judgment Entry-Decree of Divorce was filed herein on June 30,

2021. Said Decree made final orders as to: the allocation of parental rights and

responsibilities for a minor child; the award, amount, term, and payment of spousal

support by Appellee to Appellant; and, the division of all of the parties' property, including

assets and liabilities. The Decree was reviewed and approved by both parties and their

respective attorneys; initialed and signed by Appellee and Appellant; signed by legal

counsel for each of the parties; and, reviewed, approved, signed, and filed by the trial

court. No appeal was taken from the Divorce Decree.

{¶8} On December 3, 2021, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Contempt and Other Relief

and a Motion to Excuse or Extend Time for Payments and, or, Stay Certain Orders. Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 3

{¶9} On December 7, 2021, Defendant filed a Motion to Release Attorney and to

Stay Certain Orders.

{¶10} On January 11, 2022, Plaintiff filed a Motion to Approve Qualified Domestic

Relations Order.

{¶11} On January 18, 2022, Defendant filed a Motion for Contempt and Other

Relief and a Motion for Completion of Payment Per Divorce Decree (6/30/21) and

Contempt of Court Order.

{¶12} Hearings were held on these post-decree proceedings on December 13,

2021 and February 2, 2022. At each of these hearings, the trial court heard testimony and

took evidence. Following each of the said hearings, the trial court issued Judgment

Entries.

{¶13} In the December 21, 2021, Judgment Entry and the February 14, 2022,

Judgment Entry, the trial court set forth what transpired at the December 13, 2021 and

the February 2, 2022 hearings, respectively, and made orders. The February 14, 2022,

Judgment Entry made final orders with respect to the then-pending motions as follows:

1. Qualified Domestic Relations Order. After further discussion

and drafting, the parties agreed on the terms and language to be included

in the qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) called for in section 14.C.

(on pages 27-28) of the Decree of Divorce. The parties approved the QDRO

and submitted it to the Court for review and approval. The Court approved

the QDRO, signed it, and filed it on February 2, 2022.

2. Timeshare- Hilton Grand Vacation Company; LLC. LV Tower

52 Vacation Suites, A Vacation Ownership Resort Member Number Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 4

792701696. The orders and provisions set forth in the Decree of Divorce in

section 7.D. (on pages 18-19), as the same relate to the said timeshare: are

clear and unambiguous; shall not be changed; and, shall remain in full force

and effect as written therein. The evidence showed that the timeshare

cannot be divided into separate one-bedroom units for each of the parties.

Therefore, as provided in the Decree of Divorce, the parties shall proceed

to "sell the timeshare at the best price obtainable," with "either of the parties

having the option to 'buy out' the interest of the other at a price mutually

agreed to by both of the parties." Ms. Ring declined to "buyout' the interest

of Mr. Leaf, so the parties shall proceed to sell the timeshare as provided in

the Decree of Divorce and according to the terms therein. Further, there is

no provision in the Decree of Divorce for Ms. Ring's planned use of the

timeshare in 2022.

3. 2021 PPP Loan. Referring to section 12.B. (on page 25) of the

Decree of Divorce and section 2. (on pages 3-4) of the 12/21/2021

Judgment Entry, the Court finds that Mr. Leaf requested and received

formal notice of forgiveness of the 2021 PPP loan, in the amount of

$60,425.00. Mr. Leaf received such formal notice on January 20, 2022.

Therefore, Mr. Leaf is obligated under the previous orders of the Court to

pay to Ms. Ring one-half of the forgiven amount, i.e., $30,212.50, on or

before February 19, 2022.

4. Business Interests: After the Pretrial on December 13, 2021, Ms.

Ring signed and delivered certain documents to transfer to Mr. Leaf and, Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 5

or, to release her ownership and other interests in Leaf Chiropractic &

Wellness Center, Inc., Mikhan Properties, LLC, and Mikhan, LLC. Without

modifying or limiting the orders in or provisions of the Decree of Divorce (for

example, in section 12., on pages 24-26), but to enforce these orders and

provisions, the Court now requires Ms. Ring to complete such transfer(s)

and release(s) by resigning as an officer of Leaf Chiropractic & Wellness

Center, Inc. and signing the document(s) reasonably necessary to do so.

Further, Mr. Leaf has agreed to sign documents reasonably necessary to

evidence that he does not own any interest in Massage Professionals, LLC.

The "refinancing'' and payment in full of the State Route 521

mortgage debts having been completed by Mr. Leaf on or before December

31, 2021 (as provided in section 7B, on pages 16-17 of the Decree of

Divorce), and the equalizing distribution (provided for in section 13., on

page 26-27 of the Decree of Divorce) having been paid in full, all of the

original transfer documents described, and all of the escrow obligations set

forth in section 4. (on page 4) of the 12/21/2021 Judgment Entry are

released.

5. Apple Home Application. As provided in section 22. (on page

31) of the Decree of Divorce, Mr. Leaf shall not use the (Apple) Home

application for the Wilson Road real estate. The parties disagreed about

whether Mr. Leaf had been using, accessing, or controlling the said Home

application since June 30, 2021. The Court declines to find that Mr. Leaf

has violated this provision of the Decree of Divorce. Going forward, it shall Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 6

be the obligation of Ms. Ring to provide to Mr. Leaf the Decree of Divorce.

Going forward, it shall be the obligation of Ms. Ring to provide to Mr. Leaf

specific, detailed, and step-by-step instructions in writing as to what actions

(if any) Mr. Leaf needs to take so that he cannot use, access, or control the

said Home application (for example, but not limited to passwords and, or,

user names). Such instructions shall be on official Apple letterhead and, or,

authenticated by Apple so that Mr. Leaf (and, if necessary, the Court) can

rely thereon for accuracy and to take any corrective action(s) needed.

6. Requested Changes to Decree of Divorce. Ms. Ring has

requested changes and, or, additions to language and orders in the Decree

of Divorce. The Court declines to modify the Decree of Divorce and make

such changes and, or, additions and, therefore, denies all of those requests,

including, but not limited to those set forth in Ms. Ring's pending post-

decree motions and those specifically ruled on in this section 6.

a. Spousal Support-Cohabitation Language. The Court has

declined to modify language in the Decree of Divorce about cohabitation or

to add new additional language. So, the orders and provisions set forth in

section 6., pages 13-14, of the Decree of Divorce relating to spousal support

and cohabitation shall not be changed and shall remain in full force and

effect as written therein.

b. Quickbooks. The Court has declined to revisit the disputes

regarding the use and sharing of Quickbooks accounting software and

records. So, Ms. Ring shall not be reimbursed by Mr. Leaf for any fees, Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 7

expenses, and, or, charges incurred by Ms. Ring as it relates to Quickbooks

software, accounting, and tax and accounting records. In section 7.B. of the

Decree of Divorce (on page 17), Ms. Ring was required inter alia, to transfer

to Mr. Leaf all of the Quickbooks accounting software and records. See also

section 12. (on pages 25-26) of the Decree of Divorce.

c. Income-Tax Issues. The agreements made by the parties, the

orders of this Court, and the obligations of Mr. Leaf and Ms. Ring with

respect to income-tax returns are set forth clearly and unambiguously in the

Decree of Divorce, including in section 4. (on pages 8-9) and in section 16.

(on pages 29-30) thereof, both of the parties shall comply with the orders in

the Decree of Divorce.

d. Dissolution of LLC. Any and all requests by Ms. Ring to dissolve

Milchan Properties, LLC and, or, Mikhan, LLC are denied and overruled.

Each and both of the parties shall abide by and comply with the orders

contained and set forth in the Decree of Divorce, as such orders are written,

except only as otherwise provided in this Judgment Entry.

7. Use of Telephone Number. Within a reasonable time after the

filing of this Judgment Entry, and weather permitting, Mr. Leaf has agreed

to remove Ms. Ring's telephone number (which is her cellular telephone

number) from his business sign(s).

8. No Findings of Contempt. The Court has declined to make any

findings of contempt. Therefore, the Court denies and overrules the Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 8

respective requests and claims of Mr. Leaf and Ms. Ring for such findings

and to hold the other in contempt.

{¶14} Defendant-Appellant now appeals.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

{¶15} Appellant Rhonda Leaf sets forth no assignments of error, as required by

App.R.16(A)(3). Rather, in the Argument section of her brief, Appellant set forth the

following:1

{¶16} “THE COURT ERRED WHEN IT ALLOWED THE JUDGEMENT [SIC] TO

BE FILED WITHOUT FIRST GIVING A COPY TO RHONDA J. RING (LEAF)

DEFENDANT-APPELLANT PRO-SE PER RULE 28.02.”

{¶17} Although Appellant in the instant case has presented no assignments of

error for our review, in the interest of judicial economy we shall construe the above to be

an assignment of error for purposes of the disposition of this appeal.

I.

{¶18} Initially, we note that Appellant's brief submitted in support of this appeal

presents no statement of facts, no references to the record of evidence, and cites no legal

authority, as required by App.R.16(A)(7).

{¶19} In providing guidance to appellate courts faced with vague matters such as

that presented in the instant case, the Ohio Supreme Court has established that appellate

courts, “[A]re not obligated to search the record or formulate legal arguments on behalf

1The Table of Contents and the Statement of Issues also contain numerous other assertions which are not separately delineated or argued elsewhere in her brief. Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 9

of the parties.” Risner v. Ohio Dept. of Nat. Res., Ohio Div. of Wildlife, 144 Ohio St.3d

278, 2015-Ohio-3731, 42 N.E.3d 718, ¶ 28.

{¶20} App.R. 12(A)(2) establishes that, “The court may disregard an assignment

of error presented for review if the party raising it fails to identify in the record the error on

which the assignment of error is based or fails to argue the assignment separately in the

brief, as required under App.R. 16(A).”

{¶21} In the instant case, the entirety of Appellant’s argument, as set forth under

IX. THE ARGUMENT and VIII. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT, is as follows:

IX. THE ARGUMENT

A. The court erred when it allowed the judgement [sic] to be filed

without first giving a copy to Rhonda J. Ring (Leaf) Defendant-Appellant

Pro-Se per rule 28.02.

1. Standard of Review

This court reviews judgements [sic] as a matter of law and in this

case Brian E. Leaf Plantiff-Appellee [sic] vs Rhonda J. Ring (Leaf)

Defendant-Appellant-Pro Se, the judgment cannot be used as it is

improperly written and served.

A motion to remove the judgement [sic] in its entirety is further

requested.

2. Argument

It is evident that the Defendant-Appellant Pro Se was not served the

judgement [sic] prior to it being filed and therefore should not be used as it

is in error. Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 10

XIII. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT

The evidence in this case shows that the Judgement [sic] was flied

[sic] without following rule 28.02 and providing the judgement [sic] to

Rhonda J. Ring Defendant-Appellant Pro Se prior to it being flied [sic].

The evidence also shows that there were items both left off of the

judgment entry and put into the Judgement entry in error.

Therefore the evidence shows that the Timeshare should be either

worked out in an Effectuated agreement, or the Defendant-Appellant Pro

Se should be able to keep it since the Plantiff-Appellee [sic] does not want

to share in it.

The Defendant-Appellant Pro Se should also be awarded half of the

$44K that the Plantiff-Appellee [sic] removed from their joint account (TD

into National Financial Services)

The Defendant-Appellant should also be awarded $700,000.00 in

damages from Defamation of character.

(Appellant’s Brief at 18-19).

{¶22} The local rule cited by Appellant, Delaware County Court of Common

Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, Local Rule 28.02 Signature by Both Parties, which

provides that “[a]ll judgment entries, magistrate orders, and magistrate decisions shall be

signed by all attorneys of record and by any party not represented by an attorney …” is

found under section Rule 28 Judgment Entries, Magistrate Orders and Magistrate

Decisions Prepared By Attorneys/Parties and applies only to those entries, orders, and Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 11

decisions that the court has ordered a party, or counsel to prepare. As such, we find such

rule to be inapplicable here.

{¶23} Other than this local rule, Appellant has not provided any support for her

assertion.

{¶24} This Court finds that no statutory or common-law right of a party to review

a court's judgment entry prior to its filing exists. Further, the trial court is not obligated to

allow a party to review a judgment entry in advance of its filing.

{¶25} Additionally troublesome is the fact that Appellant failed to timely provide

this Court with a written transcript of the audio recordings of either the December 13,

2021, or the February 2, 2022, proceedings in which she is alleging error occurred. 2

{¶26} An appellant is required to provide a transcript for appellate review. Knapp

v. Edwards Laboratories, 61 Ohio St.2d 197, 199, 400 N.E.2d 384 (1980). Such is

necessary because an appellant bears the burden of demonstrating error by reference to

matters within the record. See, State v. Skaggs, 53 Ohio St.2d 162, 163, 372 N.E.2d 1355

(1978).

2 By Judgment Entry filed June 6, 2022, Appellant was permitted to supplement the record with a transcript of the audio recording of the February 2, 2022, hearing. Appellant filed a transcript on June 10, 2022, but failed to use an officially appointed court reporter as required by App.R. 9. which states that an officially appointed court reporter must transcribe an audio recording of a trial. See City of Twinsburg v. Atkins, 9th Dist. No. 20510, 2001-Ohio-1400. Without evidence in the record that a transcript of proceedings was prepared by an official court reporter of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, this Court could not consider the transcript in deciding the merits of the appeal. See also, City of Akron v. Giermann, 9th Dist. No. 20780, 2002-Ohio-2650 and Citifinancial, Inc. v. Budzik, 9th Dist. No. 02CA008155, 2003-Ohio-4149. Delaware County, Case No. 22 CAF 03 0016 12

{¶27} This principle is embodied in App.R. 9(B), which states in relevant part:

If the appellant intends to urge on appeal that a finding or conclusion is

unsupported by the evidence or is contrary to the weight of the evidence, the

appellant shall include in the record a transcript of all evidence relevant to the

findings or conclusion. App.R. 9(B).

{¶28} Where portions of the transcript necessary for the resolution of assigned

errors are omitted from the record, an appellate court has nothing to pass upon. As

appellant cannot demonstrate those errors, the court has no choice but to presume the

validity of the lower court's proceedings. State v. Ridgway, 5th Dist. Stark No.

1998CA00147, 1999 WL 100349 (Feb. 1, 1999), citing Knapp, supra.

{¶29} Under the circumstances, a transcript of the proceedings is necessary for a

complete review of the error alleged in Appellant's brief since Appellant is challenging the

trial court’s findings. As Appellant has failed to provide this Court with a transcript, we

must presume regularity of the proceedings below and affirm.

{¶30} Accordingly, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic

Relations Division, Delaware County, Ohio, is affirmed.

By: Wise, John, J. Wise, Earle, P. J., and Baldwin, J., concur

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