Markert v. Bosley

207 N.E.2d 414, 2 Ohio Misc. 109, 31 Ohio Op. 2d 290, 1965 Ohio Misc. LEXIS 338
CourtCuyahoga County Probate Court
DecidedFebruary 23, 1965
DocketNo. 662003
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 207 N.E.2d 414 (Markert v. Bosley) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Cuyahoga County Probate Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Markert v. Bosley, 207 N.E.2d 414, 2 Ohio Misc. 109, 31 Ohio Op. 2d 290, 1965 Ohio Misc. LEXIS 338 (Ohio Super. Ct. 1965).

Opinion

Andrews, Chief Referee.

This is an action for a declaratory judgment brought by James M. Markert, executor of the [110]*110estate of Mrs. Francine M. Markert, who died on October 31, 1963. Mrs. Markert was a widow, and she is survived by two children, Mrs. Dorothy M. Bosley (nee Dorothy Mae Markert) and J ames M. Markert, who, as noted above, is the executor.

The controversy arises over the ownership of 4711/3 shares of the capital stock of Fundamental Investors, Inc., and 678 2/3 shares of Massachusetts Investors Trust, the latter evidenced by a certificate or certificates of beneficial interest. For simplicity, I will refer to the securities of both companies as “shares,” “stock,” or “securities.” All the shares are registered in the name of the testatrix.

Mrs. Bosley, the daughter, and James M. Markert, the son, each claims to be the owner of 235 2/3 of the above shares of Fundamental Investors, Inc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Fundamental”), and 339 1/3 of the above shares of Massachusetts Investors Trust (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Massachusetts”).

Defendants named in the petition are Dorothy M. Bosley, James M. Markert (individually), the United States of America, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and Louis J. Schneider, Jr., Tax Commissioner of Ohio. On their own motion, the United States of America and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue were dismissed as parties defendant for want of jurisdiction. The petition states that they and the Tax Commissioner of Ohio were joined as having an interest in the action because of the federal estate tax and Ohio inheritance tax.

The dismissal of the United States of America and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue raises the question whether I should proceed to render a declaratory judgment or dismiss the action on my own initiative.

The question arises because of Revised Code Section 2721.07, providing that courts of record may refuse to render a declaratory judgment when such judgment would not terminate the uncertainty or controversy giving rise to the proceeding. See, also, Walker v. Walker, 132 Ohio St. 137; Gutelius v. Gillen, 15 O. O. 51 (Com. Pl. 1939).

It is questionable whether the uncertainty or controversy would be terminated insofar as the dismissed parties are concerned. See Revised Code Section 2721.12, stating in part that [111]*111“No declaration shall prejudice the rights of persons not parties to the proceedings. ’ ’ On the other hand, plaintiff has complied with the first part of that section, requiring that all persons who have or claim any interest which would be affected by the declaration be made parties.

Moreover, it is entirely possible that the federal tax authorities will accede to the decision reached in this action. This possibility becomes greater when we consider the position taken by the Tax Commissioner of Ohio, whose interests are analogous to those of the Commissioner of Internal Eevenue.

Further, by Eevised Code Section 2721.05 (C), plaintiff, as executor, may have a declaration of rights or legal relations to determine any question arising in the administration of the estate. It is important to the executor to know as promptly as possible whether the shares in question belong to the estate or to the individual claimants. Whether to entertain or refuse to entertain a declaratory judgment action rests largely in th^ sound discretion of the trial court. Ohio Casualty Ins. Co. v Ross, 15 O. O. 2d 196, 172 N. E. 2d 349 (Com. Pl. 1960); Borchard, Declaratory Judgments 257, 258, 270, 273 (2d ed. 1941). Under the circumstances of this case, I think that the efficient administration of the estate necessitates my rendering a declaratory judgment despite lack of jurisdiction over the United States of America and the Commissioner of Internal Eeve-nue. The question of the effect of my judgment on the dismissed parties is not before me, and I express no opinion about it. In any event, their interest in the ownership of the shares relates only to the federal estate tax.

The essential allegations of the petition relating to the claimed ownership of the stock by Mrs. Bosley and James Marker! may be summarized as follows.

In January, 1951, Fred S. Markert, father of Dorothy and James, and husband of the testatrix, purchased 300 shares of “Fundamental” and 300 shares of “Massachusetts.” Fifty of the shares of “Fundamental” and 50 of the shares of “Massachusetts” were purchased for Dorothy (now Mrs. Bosley) and were paid for out of her own money. Similarly, 50 of the shares of “Fundamental” and 50 of the shares of “Massachusetts” were purchased for James and paid for out of his own money. [112]*112In each instance, the money was drawn from the child’s savings account. Inasmuch as the children were then minors, the shares bought for them were issued to and registered in the name of their mother, the testatrix. As a matter of fact, all 300 shares of each security were issued and registered in her name.

To the certificate for 50 shares of “Fundamental” bought for Dorothy, a memorandum was attached. It was dated February 18, 1951, and signed by the testatrix. It certified that these 50 shares were the property of Dorothy. An identical memorandum was attached to the 50 shares of “Massachusetts” bought for Dorothy. Identical memoranda were also attached to the certificates representing the shares bought for James, likewise stating that the shares were his property.

Through stock splits and capital gain distributions, the original 300 shares of “Fundamental” have increased to 1414 shares, valued on the inventory and appraisement at $14,479.36, and the original 300 shares of ‘ ‘ Massachusetts ’ ’ have increased to 2036 shares, valued at $31,374.76.

Dorothy and James filed exceptions to plaintiff’s inventory and appraisement, which included all the shares, each asserting a claim to 235 2/3 shares of “Fundamental” and 3391/3 of ‘ ‘ Massachusetts. ’ ’

The 235 2/3 shares of “Fundamental” represent 50 of the original shares purchased, as increased through stock dividends and capital gain distributions. The 3391/3 shares of “Massachusetts,” likewise represent 50 of the original shares purchased, as increased through stock dividends and capital gain distributions.

Plaintiff prays for a declaratory judgment determining ownership of the 4711/3 shares of “Fundamental” and the 678 2/3 shares of “Massachusetts,” one-half of which are claimed by Dorothy to be her property, and one-half of which are claimed by James to be his property.

The hearing on the exceptions to the inventory and ap-praisement has been continued indefinitely, undoubtedly because of the present action.

Separate answers were filed by James and Dorothy. They are identical. I will use Dorothy’s to indicate the contents. She admits the truth of the allegations and statements of the petition. She asserts ownership in 235 2/3 shares of “Funda[113]*113mental” and 3391/3 shares of “Massachusetts,” despite the fact that the certificates were issued to and registered in the name of the testatrix. She prays that the Court declare her the owner of the above shares.

The answer of the Tax Commissioner of the State of Ohio, denies, for want of knowledge, the facts set forth in the petition, and asks that upon the hearing or disposition of the cause, his rights be fully protected.

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Bluebook (online)
207 N.E.2d 414, 2 Ohio Misc. 109, 31 Ohio Op. 2d 290, 1965 Ohio Misc. LEXIS 338, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/markert-v-bosley-ohprobctcuyahog-1965.