Marriage of Marianos v. Marianos

431 N.E.2d 530, 1982 Ind. App. LEXIS 1079
CourtIndiana Court of Appeals
DecidedFebruary 23, 1982
DocketNo. 2-881A281
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 431 N.E.2d 530 (Marriage of Marianos v. Marianos) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Indiana Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Marriage of Marianos v. Marianos, 431 N.E.2d 530, 1982 Ind. App. LEXIS 1079 (Ind. Ct. App. 1982).

Opinion

SHIELDS, Judge.

Betty L. Marianos (Betty) appeals the action of a special judge in her dissolution [531]*531proceeding and raises five issues for our review. Because we reverse, we need only address Betty’s contention that the trial court’s decision granting a change of venue from the judge was contrary to law and an abuse of discretion. We agree and therefore reverse and remand for further proceedings.

A chronology of events is beneficial in resolving this issue:

July 2, 1979 — Betty files her petition for dissolution of marriage and for division of property.
July 8, 1980 — Trial held.
July 15, 1980 — Decree of dissolution entered and filed.
September 23, 1980 — Betty files Petition to Set Aside Pending Decree, Request for a New Hearing and Accounting and Restraining Order for Disposing of Marital Assets.
October 3, 1980 — George files Motion to Dismiss Petition to Set Aside Decree.
October 7, 1980 — George files an unverified Motion for Change of Venue from Judge.
October 11, 1980 — Betty files objections to Motion for Change of Venue from Judge.
October 13, 1980 — Trial judge grants Motion for Change of Venue from Judge.
April 16, 1981 — Special Judge Huse denies petition to set aside and sustains motion to dismiss.

The decree of dissolution entered on July 15, 1980, omitting formal parts, reads as follows:

“Comes now the Petitioner, BETTY L. MARIANOS, in person and by Counsel, and also comes the Respondent, GEORGE MARIANOS, and the cause being at issue, the date of hearing being more than sixty (60) days from the date of issuance of the summons served on the Respondent, which summons was served ten (10) days before the summons was made returnable, the cause of action submitted on the complaint of Petitioner, alleging statutory grounds for dissolution are true, and the Petitioner is entitled to a dissolution of marriage.
“The Court further finds that the parties were duly married on the 30th day of May, 1951, and separated on the 29th day of June, 1979, and have not lived together as husband and wife since the last named date.
“That there were seven (7) children born of this marriage, all of whom are emancipated.
“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED:
1. That the marriage be dissolved;
2. That the petitioner shall receive the furniture.
3. That the real estate of the parties is to be sold; if not sold within 30 days, petitioner’s attorney shall notify the Court and the Court shall designate a real estate agent to list said property for sale.
4. That the respondent is to file a list of debts of the marriage with the Court stating the date incurred and the balance due within 30 days.
5. That the proceeds from the sale of the real estate will be distributed as follows:
a. To pay all costs incurred as sale expenses;
b. To pay Kathleen Madinger Ange-lone the sum of $200.00;
c. Remainder to be paid into Court for the Judge’s determination for final distribution.”

The judgment order entered by Special Judge Huse on April 16, 1981, omitting formal parts, reads as follows:

“Comes now the Petitioner, Betty L. Marianos, in person and by counsel, Marvin E. Coffey, and files her Petition to Set Aside Decree:
(H.I.)
“And comes now the Respondent, George Marianos, in person and by counsel, Robert A. Burns, and files his motion (sic) to Vacate Hearing,. Order and to Dismiss Petition to Set Aside Decree:
[532]*532(H.I.)
“And all matters now being at issue, and a hearing having previously been held in this matter on December 5, 1980 wherein evidence was heard by the Court and argument of counsel presented, and further hearing and argument of counsel heard on April 13, 1981.
(H.I.)
“And the Court being fully advised in the premises and having examined the relevant evidence, law and documents filed of record now FINDS that the Petitioner has failed in her burden and hereby DENIES said Petition to Set Aside Decree, and SUSTAINS Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss.
“The Court finds the marriage of the parties has been previously dissolved on July 8, 1980 by order of the Honorable Betty Barteau, Judge Marion County Superior Court, Civil Division, Room No. 3 subject to final sale of the family residence and distribution of the proceeds thereof including the proceeds of a fire insurance claim.
“The Court further finds that the home has been sold, all encumbrances satisfied, and the net proceeds totaling in excess of Thirty-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty-six Dollars ($39,986.00) is on deposit in an interest bearing Escrow account in Fletcher Savings and Loan in Indianapolis.
“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the Petition to Set Aside Decree filed by Petitioner is hereby Dismissed with prejudice, costs paid.
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that Petitioner and Respondent each be awarded one-half (V2) of the accumulated net proceeds of the marital residence now on deposit in the Fletcher Savings & Loan Association escrow account as the respective share of the remaining marital assets of the parties, in addition to previous distributions by the Judge of Superior Court, Civil Division, Room No. 3. Both Petitioner and Respondent are hereby granted all right and title to one-half (V2) of said funds absolutely without further order of this Court. All of which is ORDERED this 16th day of April, 1981.”

Betty contends the trial court’s order of July 15, 1980 was not a final and appealable order and her motion of September 23,1980 was merely an extension of the original action and not a new cause of action. Therefore, Betty concludes the automatic change of judge provisions were not applicable as more than thirty (30) days had elapsed since the petition for dissolution was filed. George Marianos (George) argues that Betty’s petition of September 23, 1980 was a new cause of action because the trial court’s order of July 15, 1980 was a final and appealable order. Consequently, he argues his motion for change of judge was timely filed.

“. . . To be appealable as a final judgment, an order or judgment must be one which finally determines the rights of the parties involved; or, if it does not dispose of all the issues, it will still be appealable if it disposes of some distinct and definite branch of the proceedings leaving no further question for future determination by the court as to that particular issue.”

Geib v. Estate of Geib, (1979) Ind.App., 395 N.E.2d 336, 337 (Citations omitted, quoting Krick v.

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Bluebook (online)
431 N.E.2d 530, 1982 Ind. App. LEXIS 1079, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/marriage-of-marianos-v-marianos-indctapp-1982.