Papp v. Papp

2013 Ohio 506

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: February 15, 2013
• Docket: 25333
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as Papp v. Papp, 2013-Ohio-506.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT MONTGOMERY COUNTY

EDWARD L. PAPP : : Appellate Case No. 25333 Plaintiff-Appellant : v. : Trial Court Case No. 1994-DR-380 : MARLENE M. PAPP : : (Civil Appeal from Common Pleas Defendant-Appellee : (Court, Domestic Relations) : ...........

OPINION

Rendered on the 15th day of February, 2013.

...........

CHARLES M. BLUE, Atty. Reg. #0074329, Murr, Compton, Claypoole & Macbeth, 401 East Stroop Road, Kettering, Ohio 45429-2829 Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellant

DAVID M. McNAMEE, Atty. Reg. #0068582, McNamee Law Office, 42 Woodcroft Trial, Suite D, Beavercreek, Ohio 45430 Attorney for Defendant-Appellee

.............

FAIN, P.J.

{¶ 1} Plaintiff-appellant Edward Papp appeals from an order denying his motion to

terminate his spousal support obligation. Mr. Papp contends that the trial court abused its

discretion in denying the motion to terminate, because it erred in finding no change in 2

circumstances. He further contends that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to

recognize that a continued award of spousal support – when his only income consists of his

retirement benefits – is precluded by the provision in the divorce decree for the division of

property, which awarded him his retirement plan “free and clear” of any claims by Ms. Papp.

{¶ 2} We conclude that the trial court erred in holding that the only changes in

circumstance that could be a basis for terminating spousal support are the death or remarriage

of the obligee spouse. But we conclude that this error is harmless because, on the facts in

evidence, there was no change of circumstances justifying the termination of spousal support.

We further conclude that Mr. Papp’s income is available to pay spousal support,

notwithstanding that his income is derived from an asset that was awarded to him in the

division of property provided for in the divorce decree. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial

court is Affirmed.

I. The Papps Are Divorced

{¶ 3} Edward and Marlene Papp were married in 1970. They were divorced on

September 8, 1994. Of relevance hereto, the parties’ separation agreement, incorporated in

the divorce decree, reflects that both parties “shall retain their respective retirement accounts

free and clear of any claim of the other.” Mr. Papp was ordered to pay spousal support of

$500 per month. The language regarding the spousal support, pertinent hereto, stated:

Such support shall * * * continue until further Order of Court. * * *

Spousal support payments shall terminate upon the death of either party or the

remarriage of support obligee. * * * Spousal support shall be subject to the 3

continuing jurisdiction of this court. Each party shall notify the other party in

writing of any circumstance which might modify spousal support rights,

including any variation over 10% in gross income; failure to do so may result

in a modification of spousal support effective with the date of change in

circumstances. * * * IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that [Mr. Papp] shall

maintain life insurance on his life * * * naming [Ms. Papp] as sole and primary

beneficiary. * * * This provision shall remain in effect until all spousal support

obligations are satisfied or terminated. * * * [Ms. Papp] shall have a valid

claim against [Mr. Papp’s] probate estate to the extent that this provision has

not been fully obeyed.

II. Spousal Support

{¶ 4} In 2000, Ms. Papp moved to increase spousal support which was granted.

The court increased Mr. Papp’s monthly support obligation to $775. In April, 2011, Mr. Papp

moved to terminate his spousal support obligation. Mr. Papp argued that he had retired

effective January 1, 2011, and was receiving retirement benefits from his pension plan. He

noted that the retirement benefits are his only source of income. He also noted that the

divorce decree awarded him his interest in his retirement account free and clear of any claims

from Ms. Papp. He argued that payment of spousal support constitutes an improper claim by

Ms. Papp upon his retirement account, and that Ms. Papp was not entitled “to any spousal

support arising from [his] retirement payments and the same should be terminated.”

{¶ 5} The magistrate denied the motion, concluding that the award of spousal 4

support was separate from the division of property. The magistrate also found that the

reasons justifying the award of support had not changed. The magistrate went on to state:

More importantly, [Mr. Papp] does not address the simple fact that the

spousal support award provides for termination only upon death or remarriage

and no other basis is set forth. If the parties had intended for spousal support

to terminate upon [Mr. Papp’s] retirement, it seems reasonable that they would

have said so and documented it in the most important and obvious place. This

magistrate also notes that it seems very reasonable for the parties to have

(correctly) assumed that at some point [Mr. Papp] would retire but that his

retirement would not necessarily change the substantial income disparity in this

case (as it indeed has not), and that the reasons justifying spousal support

would remain generally applicable.

{¶ 6} The trial court adopted the decision of the magistrate over Mr. Papp’s

objections, agreeing generally with the magistrate, and adding that there had been no change

in circumstances that was not contemplated by the parties. From the order denying his

motion to terminate spousal support, Mr. Papp appeals.

III. Although the Trial Court Erred in Holding that Only The Death of Either Party or

Ms. Papp’s Remarriage Can Constitute a Change of Circumstances for Purposes of

Terminating Spousal Support, that Error Is Harmless, Because the Evidence in this

Record Does Not Support a Termination of Spousal Support

{¶ 7} Mr. Papp’s First Assignment of Error is as follows: 5

THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY HOLDING

THAT THE RETIREMENT OF PLAINTIFF DID NOT CONSTITUTE A

SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES.

{¶ 8} Mr. Papp argues that the trial court erred in holding that spousal support could

only be terminated upon the death of either party or the remarriage of Ms. Papp.

{¶ 9} The first issue is whether the decree limits the circumstances under which the

spousal support obligation can be terminated. Ms. Papp, the magistrate, and the trial court all

focus on the language in the decree stating that the obligation “shall terminate upon the death

of either party or the remarriage of [Ms. Papp],” and conclude that death and remarriage

constitute the only reasons for termination. But the decree also provides that the support shall

continue “until further order of the Court.”

{¶ 10} We conclude that the proper construction of the divorce decree is that the trial

court may terminate or modify the support order upon a change in circumstances, but that the

support order will not, in any event, survive Ms. Papp’s death or remarriage.

{¶ 11} The next issue is whether Mr. Papp’s retirement constituted a change of

circumstances requiring a change in his spousal support obligation.

{¶ 12} A trial court has the authority to modify spousal support if the court

determines that “the circumstances of either party have changed” and that the divorce decree

contains a provision authorizing the court to modify the amount or terms of spousal support.

R.C. 3105.18(E); Allread v. Allread, 2d Dist. Darke No. 2010 CA 6, 2011–Ohio–1271, ¶ 19.

{¶ 13} A change of circumstances “includes, but is not limited to, any increase or

involuntary decrease in the party's wages, salary, bonuses, living expenses, or medical 6

expenses.” R.C. 3105.18(F). The change of circumstances must be “substantial,” and cannot

have been contemplated and taken into account by the parties or the court at the time of the

original decree. Mandelbaum v. Mandelbaum, 121 Ohio St.3d 433, 2009–Ohio–1222, 905

N.E.2d 172, ¶ 32–33. “Courts have misconstrued that standard by applying a test of

foreseeability: was the particular circumstance one reasonably to be anticipated? The better

test is one grounded in the record, and contemplates a finding that the circumstance is not one

that ‘was thoroughly considered at the time of the divorce.’ ” Allread v. Allread, 2d Dist.

Darke No. 2011-CA-14, 2012-Ohio-2093, ¶ 16 (Citation omitted).

{¶ 14} If a substantial change in circumstances has occurred, the trial court must examine

the existing order in light of the changed circumstances, considering whether spousal support

is still appropriate and reasonable and, if so, in what amount. Norbut v. Norbut, 2d Dist.

Greene No. 2006–CA–112, 2007–Ohio–2966, ¶ 15. When deciding whether the existing order

should be modified, a trial court must consider all relevant factors, including those listed in

R.C. 3105.18(C). Id. The relevant factors include (1) the income of the parties from all

sources, (2) the parties' relative earning abilities, (3) the ages and physical, mental, and

emotional conditions of the parties, (4) the retirement benefits of the parties, (5) the duration

of the marriage, (6) the standard of living established during the marriage, (7) the parties'

relative assets and liabilities, and (8) any other factor that is relevant and equitable. See R.C.

3105.18(C).

{¶ 15} Trial courts have broad discretion regarding spousal support orders. Chepp v.

Chepp, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2008 CA 98, 2009-Ohio-6388, ¶ 5. Accordingly, an appellate

court ordinarily will not disturb those orders absent an abuse of discretion. Id. A trial court 7

abuses its discretion when the court's attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary, or

unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).

{¶ 16} In the decision denying the termination, the magistrate stated that “if the

parties had intended for spousal support to terminate upon [Mr. Papp’s] retirement, it seems

reasonable that they would have said so and documented it in the most important and obvious

place.” However, it appears that neither the magistrate nor the trial court actually considered

whether retirement was a circumstance that was thoroughly considered at the time of the

divorce decree. The pleadings filed indicate that Mr. Papp considered retirement a substantial

change while Ms. Papp did not. This indicates that a question of fact existed with regard to

the original decree. Neither the magistrate nor the trial court held a hearing to take evidence

on the matter. And again, the magistrate and trial court only considered death or remarriage

as possible reasons for terminating support. Thus, we conclude that the trial court erred in

this regard.

{¶ 17} But any error in this regard is harmless. When support was increased in

2000, Ms. Papp had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had retired on disability. At

that time her income was $52,348, and her monthly expenses were $3,742. Mr. Papp’s

income at that time was $81,919, and his monthly expenses were $4,318.

{¶ 18} At the time of filing the motion to terminate, Mr. Papp’s income – consisting

of his retirement benefits – was $95,484, and his monthly expenses were $4,255. Ms. Papp’s

income was relatively unchanged at $54,453. Mr. Papp was 64, with no health issues, and

Ms. Papp was 62, with serious health issues, as a result of which, she used a wheel chair for

mobility. Ms. Papp’s monthly expenses totaled $3,600, while Mr. Papp’s were $4,255. 8

{¶ 19} The magistrate and trial court found that the “reasons justifying [the original

order of spousal support [including income disparity] * * * remain generally applicable.” We

agree. The financial situation of Mr. Papp, the obligor spouse, had improved significantly;

the financial situation of Ms. Papp was essentially unchanged. Obviously, then, these facts

do not provide a basis for terminating or reducing spousal support.

{¶ 20} Mr. Papp’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.

IV. Spousal Support Is Payable out of Mr. Papp’s Income, Even When

that Income Is in the Form of Periodic Payments from a Retirement

Account that Was Awarded to Him in the Division of Property

{¶ 21} Mr. Papp’s Second Assignment of Error is as follows:

THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY HOLDING THAT AN

ASSET PREVIOUSLY DIVIDED BY THE PARTIES, WHICH WAS RETAINED

“FREE AND CLEAR” OF ANY CLAIMS OF THE OTHER SPOUSE, MAY BE

USED TO FUND SPOUSAL SUPPORT.

{¶ 22} Mr. Papp argues that since he was awarded his retirement account “free and

clear” of any claims by Ms. Papp, the trial court has erroneously given Ms. Papp an interest in

his separate property. We disagree.

{¶ 23} As noted by the magistrate:

[W]hile an equitable division of property and determination of spousal support are

certainly interrelated legal concepts, they are also separate and distinct. “[A]fter the court

determines the division or disbursement of property . . . the court of common pleas may award 9

reasonable spousal support” after considering a lengthy list of factors (one of which is the

retirement benefits of the parties).

{¶ 24} In this case, Mr. Papp was awarded his retirement account free and clear of any

claims from Ms. Papp. Ms. Papp was not given any interest in the pension plan by any means,

including by means of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. Mr. Papp now receives a substantial

income from that retirement account, and that income is properly considered when determining the

appropriateness and amount of spousal support. See, Templeton v. Templeton, 2d Dist. Montgomery

No. 18860, 2001 WL 1173340, * 2 (Oct. 5, 2001).

{¶ 25} Mr. Papp’s Second Assignment of Error is overruled.

V. Conclusion

{¶ 26} Both of Mr. Papp’s assignments of error having been overruled, the order of the trial

court denying his motion to terminate spousal support, from which this appeal is taken, is Affirmed.

FROELICH and HALL, JJ., concur.

Copies mailed to:

Charles M. Blue David M. McNamee Hon. Denise L. Cross