Mantell v. Mantell

559 A.2d 535, 384 Pa. Super. 475, 1989 Pa. Super. LEXIS 1330

• Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Decided: May 11, 1989
• Docket: 93
• Status: Published

Opinions

CIRILLO, President Judge,

delivers the opinion of the court affirming the divorce decree, the award of alimony and the equitable distribution order, in which WIEAND, J., joins. DEL SOLE, J., files a concurring and dissenting opinion.

WIEAND, J.,

files a separate opinion, in which he delivers the majority view on the issue of counsel fees, reversing that part of the trial court’s order awarding out of state counsel fees, in which DEL SOLE, J., joins. CIRILLO, President Judge, files a dissenting opinion.

CIRILLO, President Judge:

This is an appeal challenging various rulings on exceptions to an order of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County granting a divorce, equitably distributing marital property, and awarding alimony and counsel fees. We vacate only that portion of the order directing payment of counsel fees to Mrs. Mantell’s Texas counsel.

The parties were married in Mrs. Mantell’s native country, Japan, in 1964. In 1982, Mr. Mantell, appellant here, instituted a Section 201(d) divorce action in Pennsylvania, where both parties resided. Appellee, Mrs. Mantell, responded, denying that the marriage was irretrievably broken or that the parties had been separated for three years. She also raised claims for economic relief, including counsel fees. Mr. Mantell later moved to Texas where, in 1983, he filed another divorce action. That action initially proceeded to a default judgment of divorce but was eventually dismissed by the Texas court in 1986 for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

In 1985 Mrs. Mantell, who remained in Pennsylvania, successfully filed for the appointment of a master. A hearing, not attended by Mr. Mantell or his counsel, was held several months later. The master’s report, recommending the granting of the divorce and the distribution of the property, was filed in October of 1985. Exceptions by both parties followed.

The trial court heard argument on these exceptions in July of 1986 and remanded the matter to the master for consideration of Mrs. Mantell’s claims for alimony and alimony pendente lite, issues on which the master’s report had been silent. Both parties subsequently requested that the court discharge the master and hear the remaining issues.

Following a hearing in August of 1987, the court issued its October 28, 1987 order and opinion which contained findings of fact and which granted the divorce, distributed the property and awarded alimony and fees. Both parties filed for post-trial relief and, except for correcting the weekly net income attributed to Mr. Mantell (the court had erroneously picked up a bi-weekly figure), its October 28th order was reconfirmed as the final order in the case. This appeal followed.

Appellant raises five issues for our review:

1. Did the court err in failing to lower alimony after correcting Mr. Mantell’s weekly net income, thereby reducing it by half?

2. Did the court err in including as marital property subject to equitable distribution realty in Costilla County, Colorado?

8. Did the court err in not designating a percentage of Mr. Mantell’s pension to which Mrs. Mantell is entitled?

4. Did the court err in awarding fees for Mrs. Mantell’s out-of-state counsel, such an award being unsupported on the record?

5. Did the court err in not addressing or discussing Mr. Mantell’s argument #4 above when disposing of Mr. Mantell’s exceptions to the October 28, 1987 order?

With respect to the first four of these issues, appellant asks that we “correct the error and modify” the trial court’s order; he asks that we reverse and remand for explanation as to issue number five.

Mr. Mantell first argues that it was an abuse of discretion not to reduce the alimony award when the court realized its error in finding Mr. Mantell’s net weekly income. He concedes that the evidence supports an award of alimony, but asserts that the court abused its discretion in setting the amount. He reads the court’s order and opinion of October 28th as relying most heavily on the disparity of income between the parties as the basis for its alimony award and finds unsatisfactory its statement, made on consideration of his exception, referring to the other relevant factors at §§ 102(a)(6) and 501 of the Divorce Code in support of its decision to leave the alimony as originally awarded.

Mrs. Mantell points out that the court’s original finding of fact regarding Mr. Mantell’s annual income used the correct figure and that the trial court’s discussion in its opinion uses the correct figures for the parties’ incomes. Additionally, she notes, as did the trial court, that this was only one of at least fourteen factors considered in making the award. She also observes that the trial court was correct in using annual income figures, consideration of a net weekly figure not being reflective of Mr. Mantell’s true ability to pay alimony since the tax impact of paying alimony is not reflected in it. She therefore suggests that the one error in stating weekly income was more typographical than substantive. Mrs. Mantell also argues that, since the trial court had the opportunity to correct the alimony figure, so long as the record supports the award, there is no abuse of discretion.

The trial court took into consideration a number of factors in making the alimony award, most tellingly Mrs. Mantell’s meager education and limited facility with the English language, the parties’ respective assets and liabilities, and their prospects for future income generation. The award was not based on a percentage of Mr. Mantell’s income, and, therefore, Mr. Mantell’s argument that after the correction of the net weekly income figure, not changing the dollar amount of the alimony award results in an award of a much larger proportion of his income, is of no merit. The trial court adequately addressed the facts of this case and the elements of our Divorce Code in setting the amount of alimony and gave due consideration to Mr. Mantell’s ability to pay. It did not abuse its discretion in refusing to alter the alimony amount because of its initial error in stating Mr. Mantell’s net weekly income. The record supports the award made and we will not disturb it.

Mr. Mantell next contends that the evidence, specifically his testimony at the August hearing, showed that the property in question, a number of undeveloped lots in Colorado, was held as a gift for the parties’ son, having been purchased specifically for that purpose in 1971. He argues that there was no evidence to the contrary before the court and that it was, therefore, error to find this property subject to equitable distribution. Mrs. Mantell points out that the deeds were in joint names and argues that the trial court’s ruling was correct in that Mr. Mantell did not meet his burden of proof to rebut the presumption of marital property. The trial court pointed to the evidence of record showing joint title, citing 28 P.S. § 401(e) which defines marital property as “all property acquired by either party during the marriage.” The court concluded that it had distributed the property in accordance with the legislative intent expressed in 23 P.S. § 102(a)(6) — to do economic justice between the parties. We find the trial court’s decision on this issue to be unassailable.

Mr. Mantell next complains that the deferred distribution method of pension valuation chosen by the court was improper. Because the trial court found that Mr. Mantell’s pension was too speculative to determine a coverture fraction, the court elected to retain jurisdiction to allocate the benefits at the time of retirement. Mr. Mantell concedes that this method of distributing the pension is viable and allowable under the law, yet charges error in the trial court’s failure to fix a formula by which the pension will eventually be divided. He argues that the court, if it truly wished to end the legal entanglement between these parties, would have set a definite percentage of Mr. Mantell’s pension to which Mrs. Mantell is entitled. He cites Braderman v. Braderman, 339 Pa.Super. 185, 488 A.2d 613 (1985), which sets out alternate methods for distribution of pensions and observes that immediate offset method has the advantage of contemporaneous finality, as support for this proposition. Mrs. Mantell endorses the trial court’s position that it had too many variables and too few definite facts before it to calculate either the numerator or the denominator of the coverture fraction necessary to a determination of the proportion of retirement benefits attributable to the marriage. She submits, and we agree, that the trial court properly applied the law to the facts of this case. See Flynn v. Flynn, 341 Pa.Super. 76, 491 A.2d 156 (1985) (deferred distribution method preferable given speculative nature of pension).

The evidence shows that it was not possible to know, as of the hearing date, either the numerator representing Mr. Mantell’s total time in the pension plan during the marriage (he still had the opportunity to “buy back” some lost time), or the denominator representing the total time he participated in the plan (he was still active with no plans for retirement). Both of these numbers are essential to setting up the coverture fraction. King v. King, 332 Pa.Super. 526, 533, 481 A.2d 913, 916 (1984). Therefore, no matter how much the court might have wished to end the parties’ legal wrangling, it was not possible for it to determine a coverture fraction to be applied to the pension for immediate valuation. We note that even though the master’s report fixed a numerator for the fraction1, it determined that the pension, because of the unknown total length of service, could not be subject to immediate distribution. Appellant’s argument is without merit in that the immediate offset method of pension evaluation was not appropriate in this case. The trial court was correct in so finding and in using the alternative “reserve jurisdiction method.” See Braderman, supra.

Mr. Mantell’s final arguments on appeal challenge the award of $3,881.25 in counsel fees and charge that the trial court failed to address this argument, raised by exception. He claims that a remand is necessary for an explanation on the record of the trial court’s action. Before turning to a consideration of those arguments,² we note that what follows does not represent the view of a majority of the members of this panel. As to this issue, the majority view is stated in Judge Wieand’s separate opinion, appended below.

The issue of counsel fees, properly raised by Mrs. Mantell in her answer to, and counterclaim in, the Pennsylvania action and properly within Pennsylvania’s jurisdiction was, at the request of both parties, removed from the master and addressed by the court at the August 1987 hearing. At the master’s hearing some two years earlier, Mrs. Mantell’s Pennsylvania counsel testified that he had, on Mrs. Man-tell’s behalf, retained a Texas attorney “for the limited purpose of challenging the jurisdiction of the court in Texas because of the pending Pennsylvania divorce,” that the Texas attorney had, to that time, “done a limited amount of work there,” and that he had had a discussion with the Texas attorney two months prior to the master’s hearing and had “asked him at that time how much he estimated was owed, and he told me that he felt that he was owed $500.00.” The master, in his report, found these fees to be reasonable and advised the court that “maintaining the Texas action, after Mr. Mantell had sued as Plaintiff here in Pennsylvania, was improper,” that “all Mrs. Mantell’s legal expenses associated with the Texas action should be paid by Mr. Mantell” and, because the Texas action was not yet resolved, that “the Court should retain jurisdiction of the matter of future attorney’s fees and costs arising from the action in Texas.” The trial court cited Young v. Young, 274 Pa.Super. 298, 418 A.2d 415 (1980), for the factors to be considered in awarding attorney’s fees: the spouses’ ability to pay, the recipient’s need, and the reasonableness of the fees as charged. It found that Mrs. Mantell clearly did not have the ability to pay her fees, that she needed assistance in paying them, and that Mr. Mantell was in a position to help with these costs. Additionally, it stated, “[w]e, however, cannot conclude that the fees owed to [counsel] in Texas are reasonable. A bill totaling $7,762.50 has been submitted for his services. [Mr. Mantell] will be held responsible for 50 per cent of this bill or $3,881.25.”

Mr. Mantell objects to this award as unreasonable, arguing that it was contrary to and unsupported by the evidence. He points to the disparity between that figure and the $500.00 fee presented at the July 1985 hearing. He argues that the record does not support either the total billed or the amount Mr. Mantell was ordered to pay. Mrs. Mantell underscores the policy behind awarding attorney’s fees and argues that this is a case where such an award is eminently justified. She also argues that the July 1985 figure was a mere estimate on the part of her Pennsylvania attorney, that the litigation handled in Texas ultimately spanned more than three years, and that the trial court was well within its province to weigh the conflicting evidence and conclude that Mr. Mantell should pay some portion of the expense incurred.

Our scope of review of an award of counsel fees in a divorce action is limited to a determination of whether the trial court committed an abuse of discretion. Campbell v. Campbell, 357 Pa.Super. 483, 516 A.2d 363 (1986). In a situation such as this where the fees requested fall outside the usual process of divorce litigation, the discretion of the trial court is especially taxed. As this court noted in Williams, supra:

Although Section 401(b) of the Divorce Code allows a court to make an award of counsel fees, it does not provide any guidance as to how a court shall determine where such an award would be appropriate. This guidance is found in our case law, which has developed in two directions. Although many cases require the petitioning spouse to demonstrate that he/she is in actual need of the award of fees in order to achieve “par” in protecting his/her rights in the divorce action, other cases indicate that the trial court may be guided by a somewhat broader spectrum of considerations in deciding to award counsel fees. Johnson v. Johnson, 365 Pa.Super. 409, 529 A.2d 1123 (1987) (Beck, J., concurring), and cases cited therein. The latter cases indicate that the trial court should consider all relevant factors, including equitable considerations. Id.

Id., 373 Pa.Superior Ct. at 155-56, 540 A.2d at 569. There is sufficient evidence of record to substantiate Mrs. Man-tell’s need of assistance with the expenses connected with the Texas litigation and Mr. Mantell’s ability to pay the award. Indeed, Mr. Mantell has not challenged her entitlement to an award of reasonable counsel fees. The trial court concluded, however, that the charges made by Texas counsel were unreasonable, even given the duration of the Texas action. Although it properly reduced the amount of the award in light of this finding, I must agree with Mr. Mantell that the trial court failed to state a rationale adequate to support the amount actually entered. While the evidence submitted by Mrs. Mantell might, upon further examination by the factfinder, be sufficient to establish an amount that would constitute a reasonable fee for the time expended and the services rendered, I must conclude that in the absence of a specific finding to that effect the trial court’s award of $3,881.25 toward fees charged by Texas counsel was an abuse of discretion. Accordingly, I would vacate the award of counsel fees and remand for further proceedings to determine reasonable counsel fees.

WIEAND, J., joins, except on the issue of counsel fees as stated in his separate Opinion. DEL SOLE, J., files a concurring and dissenting opinion.

JUDGMENT

ON CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, it is hereby ordered and adjudged by this Court that the Decree of divorce, equitable distribution order and order awarding alimony are affirmed; order awarding counsel fees is reversed.

1 . This numerator, assumed that Mr. Mantell would buy back his lost time in the plan. The trial court' declined -to adopt this figure as it judged it to be improper for the court to force Mr. Mantell to buy back the time.

2 . In addressing this issue, I would not decide whether the trial court’s order was proper insofar as it ordered payment of fees charged by out-of-state counsel in defense of the jurisdictionally defective Texas action. The authority of Pennsylvania courts to grant such relief is an open question in light of this court’s divided decision in Williams v. Williams, 373 Pa.Super. 143, 540 A.2d 563 (1988). However, Mr. Mantell has not challenged, either in the trial court or on appeal, the trial court’s authority to order payment of the out-of-state fees, focusing instead on the reasonableness of the fees assessed against him. Accordingly, I would leave for another day the resolution of the questions of statutory interpretation and application of principles of res judicata and collateral estoppel which are suggested by Williams.