[Cite as Shankle v. Egner, 2012-Ohio-2027.]
COURT OF APPEALS STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JACQUELINE SHANKLE JUDGES: Hon. John W. Wise, P. J. Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. Julie A. Edwards, J. Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J. -vs- Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and MOLLY ELIZABETH EGNER 2011 CA 00143
Defendant-Appellant OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Civil Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2011 CV 00408
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: May 7, 2012
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
ALLEN SCHULMAN ADAM E. CARR SCHULMAN ZIMMERMAN & ASSOC. THE CARR LAW OFFICE 236 Third Street, SW 5824 Akron-Cleveland Road, Suite A Canton, Ohio 44702 Hudson, Ohio 44236 Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 2
Wise, P. J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Molly Egner, appeals from the April 29, 2011, and
the June 23, 2011, Judgment Entries of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE
{¶2} Appellant Molly Egner and appellee Jacqueline Shankle were involved in a
motor vehicle accident on or about September 15, 2009. On February 3, 2011, appellee
filed a personal injury complaint against appellant in the Stark County Court of Common
Pleas, seeking compensatory damages in excess of $25,000.00.
{¶3} The summons and complaint, which had been sent to appellant via
certified mail to appellant’s address at the time of the accident, was returned on March
2, 2011. The endorsement from the United States Postal Service read as follows:
“RETURN TO SENDER UNCLAIMED UNABLE TO FORWARD.”
{¶4} On March 4, 2011, appellee’s counsel filed a Praecipe for Alias Summons,
asking that the complaint be served by regular U.S. Mail and requesting a certificate of
mailing. The March 4, 2011, docket entry says, “Instructions for service summons and
copies complaint sent to Molly Egner by ordinary mail.” On March 7, 2011, the Clerk of
Courts filed a certificate of mailing for an unspecified piece of mail to the same address
as used previously. The certificate indicated that the type of mail was “Return Receipt
for Merchandise.” The court docket indicates that a certificate of mailing for service was
filed by the clerk on March 7, 2011, evidencing that service was issued to appellant on
March 4, 2011, by the clerk.
{¶5} Appellant, on March 11, 2011, called the office of appellee’s counsel,
indicated that she had received legal documents from the court in the mail, and asked to Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 3
speak to appellee’s counsel. She was advised by the attorney’s office manager to
contact her insurance agent. On April 12, 2011, appellee filed a Motion for Default
Judgment against appellant. As memorialized in a Judgment Entry filed on April 14,
2011, the motion was granted and a damages hearing was scheduled for April 29,
2011. Pursuant to a Judgment Entry filed on April 29, 2011, the trial court granted
judgment in favor of appellee and against appellant in the amount of $120,000.00 plus
interest.
{¶6} Thereafter, appellant, on May 31, 2011, filed a Motion to Vacate a Void
Judgment; Motion for Relief from Judgment. Appellant, in her motion, alleged that the
judgment was void for lack of effective service of process and that she was entitled to
relief under Civ.R. 60(B)(1) and (5). Appellant alleged that liability was in dispute, that
the damages claimed by appellee were excessive and not authorized by law and that
she was not aware of the need to personally respond to the complaint and summons
because she had liability insurance. Attached to appellant’s motion was an affidavit in
which appellant stated, in relevant part, as follows:
{¶7} “(4) At the time of the accident I was living at 2721 Blackfriars Drive, NW,
Canton, Ohio 44708. I moved from that address in December 2010, approximately a
week before Christmas. I have not lived at that address since.
{¶8} “(5) None of the mailings from this court was addressed to my current,
correct address.”
{¶9} On May 31, 2011, appellant also filed a Notice of Appeal from the trial
court’s April 29, 2011, Judgment Entry. The Notice of Appeal was assigned Case No.
2011CA00121. Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 4
{¶10} This Court, pursuant to a Judgment Entry filed in Case No. 2011CA00121
on June 21, 2011, remanded the matter to the trial court to rule on the pending motions.
The trial court, via a Judgment Entry filed on June 23, 2011, denied appellant’s Motion
for Relief from Judgment. The trial court, in its Judgment Entry, found that appellant had
been appropriately served and had full notice of the litigation. The trial court noted that
appellant, after being served, had contacted the office of appellee’s counsel to discuss
the lawsuit and was told to contact her insurance carrier. The court further found that
there was no excusable neglect or other reason for relief from judgment.
{¶11} Appellant appealed from the trial court’s June 23, 2011, Judgment Entry.
The Notice of Appeal was assigned Case No. 2011CA00143.
{¶12} The two cases were consolidated by this Court pursuant to an Order filed
on July 14, 2011.
{¶13} Appellant now raises the following assignments of error on appeal:
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶14} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ENTERING A DEFAULT JUDGMENT
AGAINST A DEFENDANT WHO HAD NOT BEEN SERVED WITH PROCESS.
{¶15} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ENTERING A DEFAULT JUDGMENT
WITHOUT THE NOTICE REQUIRED BY CIVIL RULE 55(A).
{¶16} “III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ENTERING A DEFAULT
JUDGMENT IN AN AMOUNT THAT EXCEEDED THE AMOUNT PRAYED FOR IN
THE PLAINTIFF’S DEMAND FOR JUDGMENT.
{¶17} “IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO VACATE ITS OWN
VOID JUDGMENT. Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 5
{¶18} “V. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN FAILING TO
GRANT RELIEF FROM THE JUDGMENT.
{¶19} “VI. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN AWARDING
EXCESSIVE DAMAGES.”
I.
{¶20} Appellant, in her First Assignment of Error, argues that the trial court erred
in entering a default judgment against her because she had not been served with
process.
{¶21} At issue in this case is whether or not appellant was properly served with
the summons and complaint. Appellee maintains that appellant was properly served by
ordinary mail after certified mail was returned unclaimed.
{¶22} Civ.R. 4.6(D) states as follows: “If a certified or express mail envelope is
returned with an endorsement showing that the envelope was unclaimed, the clerk shall
forthwith notify, by mail, the attorney of record or, if there is no attorney of record, the
party at whose instance process was issued. If the attorney, or serving party, after
notification by the clerk, files with the clerk a written request for ordinary mail service,
the clerk shall send by ordinary mail a copy of the summons and complaint or other
document to be served to the defendant at the address set forth in the caption, or at the
address set forth in written instructions furnished to the clerk. The mailing shall be
evidenced by a certificate of mailing which shall be completed and filed by the clerk.
Answer day shall be twenty-eight days after the date of mailing as evidenced by the
certificate of mailing. The clerk shall endorse this answer date upon the summons which
is sent by ordinary mail. Service shall be deemed complete when the fact of mailing is Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 6
entered of record, provided that the ordinary mail envelope is not returned by the postal
authorities with an endorsement showing failure of delivery. If the ordinary mail
envelope is returned undelivered, the clerk shall forthwith notify the attorney, or serving
party, by mail.”
{¶23} If the ordinary mail envelope is not returned, there is a rebuttable
presumption that proper service has been perfected. Hamilton v. Digonno, 12th Dist. No.
CA2005-03-075, 2005-Ohio-6552, ¶ 10. This Court has held: “Courts will presume
service to be proper in cases where the civil rules are followed unless the defendant
rebuts the presumption by sufficient evidence.” State ex rel. Fairfield County CSEA v.
Landis, 5th Dist. No. 2002 CA 00014, 2002-Ohio-5432, ¶ 17 citing Bank One Cincinnati,
N.A. v. Wells, 1st Dist. No. C-950279, 1996 WL 526702 (Sept. 18, 1996), citing In re
Estate of Popp, 94 Ohio App.3d 640, 650, 641 N.E.2d 739, (8th Dist. 1994).
{¶24} Where service of process is not made in accordance with the Rules of
Civil Procedure, the trial court lacks jurisdiction to consider the complaint, and any
judgment on that complaint is void ab initio. Rite Rug Co., Inc. v. Wilson, 106 Ohio
App.3d 59, 62, 665 N.E.2d 260, (10th Dist. 1998). If service is defective a subsequent
default judgment is void. State ex rel Ballard v. O’Donnell, 50 Ohio St.3d 182, 553
N.E.2d 650 (1990).
{¶25} Appellee contends that because ordinary mail was sent to appellant and
was never returned with an endorsement showing failure of delivery, the presumption is
that ordinary mail service was obtained. Appellee further contends that appellant never
denied receiving the summons and complaint and notes that appellant called the office Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 7
of appellee’s counsel on March 11, 2011 and stated that she had received legal
documents from the court in the mail.
{¶26} Upon review, we find, pursuant to Civ.R. 4.6(D), service by ordinary mail
was completed as evidenced by the Clerk’s docket entry on 3/7/11 which states
“Certificate of Mailing for service issued 03-04-2011 to Molly Egner” following the 3/4/11
entry stating “Instructions for service summons and copies of complaint sent to Molly
Egner by ordinary mail.”
{¶27} Civ.R. 4.6(D) states, in pertinent part:
{¶28} “… If the attorney, or serving party, after notification by the clerk, files with
the clerk a written request for ordinary mail service, the clerk shall send by ordinary mail
a copy of the summons and complaint or other document to be served to the defendant
at the address set forth in the caption, or at the address set forth in written instructions
furnished to the clerk. The mailing shall be evidenced by a certificate of mailing which
shall be completed and filed by the clerk. … Service shall be deemed complete when
the fact of mailing is entered of record, provided that the ordinary mail envelope is not
returned by the postal authorities with an endorsement showing failure of delivery.”
{¶29} While we find that the document in this case purporting to be a “certificate
of mailing” is not the usual type of document, we do not find such to be detrimental in
this case as Civ.R. 4.6(D) provides that service is deemed complete “when the fact of
mailing is entered of record,” and as the trial court speaks only through its journal, “the
fact of mailing is determined from the record, not through certificates and letters that are
not journalized” and because “the fact of mailing was entered into the record, and the
ordinary mail envelope was not returned to the court *** the presumption of completed Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 8
service attached.” Bowers v. Craven, 9th Dist. No. 2442, 2009-Ohio-2222, citing Talarek
v. Miles (July 23, 1997), 9th District No. 96CA006567.
{¶30} Further, we find that there is evidence in this case that appellant did in fact
receive the summons and complaint as she telephoned the office of counsel for the
appellee upon receipt of such.
{¶31} Based on the foregoing, we find that service of the summons and
complaint were proper in this matter
{¶32} Appellant’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.
II.
{¶33} In her Second Assignment of Error, appellant claims that the trial court
erred in entering default without notice required by Civ.R. 55. We disagree.
{¶34} With respect to entry of default judgment, Civ.R. 55(A) provides, in
pertinent part, as follows:
{¶35} “If the party against whom judgment by default is sought has appeared in
the action, he (or, if appearing by representative, his representative) shall be served
with written notice of the application for judgment at least seven days prior to the
hearing on such application.”
{¶36} By its plain language, Civ.R. 55(A) prohibits a default judgment against a
party who has “appeared in the action” unless that party receives written notice of the
application for judgment at least seven days prior to the hearing on the application.
AMCA Internatl. Corp. v. Carlton, 10 Ohio St.3d 88, 91 (1984). When the trial court fails
to comply with Civ.R. 55(A), entry of default judgment is improper. Id. Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 9
{¶37} Applicability of the Civ.R. 55(A) notice requirement hinges on whether
Egner appeared in this action, despite her failure to file an answer
{¶38} Here, appellant argues that her telephone call to appellee’s counsel
constituted an entry of appearance and an intention to defend the lawsuit. However,
upon review, we find that appellant only asked appellee’s counsel what she should do
and was advised that she should contact her insurance carrier. There is no evidence
that appellant made any indication during such telephone call that she intended to
defend the lawsuit. We do not find that appellant entered an appearance requiring
notice pursuant to Civ.R. 55
{¶39} Appellant’s Second Assignment of Error is overruled.
III., VI.
{¶40} In her Third and Sixth Assignments of Error, appellant claims that the trial
court erred in awarding judgment in an amount that exceeded the amount prayed for in
the demand for judgment.
{¶41} Here, appellee’s prayer for relief sought an amount “in excess of Twenty-
five thousand dollars in compensatory damages and, in addition, interest, costs,
attorney fees and such other further relief to which Plaintiff may be entitled.”
{¶42} Civ.R.54(C) states:
{¶43} “A judgment by default shall not be different in kind from or exceed in
amount that prayed for in the demand for judgment. Except as to a party against whom
a judgment is entered by default, every final judgment shall grant the relief to which the
party in whose favor it is rendered is entitled, even if the party has not demanded the
relief in the pleadings.” Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 10
{¶44} Additionally, Civ.R. 8 requires:
{¶45} “(A) Claims for relief
{¶46} “A pleading that sets forth a claim for relief, whether an original claim,
counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, shall contain (1) a short and plain
statement of the claim showing that the party is entitled to relief, and (2) a demand for
judgment for the relief to which the party claims to be entitled. If the party seeks more
than twenty-five thousand dollars, the party shall so state in the pleading but shall not
specify in the demand for judgment the amount of recovery sought, unless the claim is
based upon an instrument required to be attached pursuant to Civ.R. 10. At any time
after the pleading is filed and served, any party from whom monetary recovery is sought
may request in writing that the party seeking recovery provide the requesting party a
written statement of the amount of recovery sought. Upon motion, the court shall require
the party to respond to the request. Relief in the alternative or of several different types
may be demanded.”
{¶47} Further, courts are not limited to only grant the relief requested in a
complaint. Civ.R. 54 authorizes courts to grant the relief to which a party is “entitled,”
regardless of whether the party has demanded the relief in the pleadings. See
Raimonde v. Van Vlerah (1975), 42 Ohio St.2d 21. A prevailing party is entitled to the
relief according to the proof adduced upon trial. Id.
{¶48} Upon review, we find that appellant’s prayer complied with the mandates
of Civ.R. 54(C) and Civ.R. 8 and that the judgment awarded by the trial court does not
exceed the amount prayed for in appellees' demand for judgment. Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 11
{¶49} Appellant also argues that the award in this case was excessive “in the
context of all the other facts of this case” claiming such award was the result of passion
or prejudice. However, appellant fails to advance this argument with any further
explanation or support.
{¶50} We therefore find no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s award of
damages in this matter.
{¶51} Appellant’s Third and Sixth Assignments of Error are overruled.
IV.
{¶52} In her Fourth Assignment of Error, appellant argues that the trial court
erred in failing to vacate its own void judgment.
{¶53} In this assignment or error, appellant again argues that the trial court’s
failure to give Appellant notice pursuant to Civ.R. 55 rendered the judgment herein void.
{¶54} Based on our disposition of Assignment of Error II, we find Appellant’s
argument not well-taken.
{¶55} Appellant’s Fourth Assignment of Error is overruled.
V.
{¶56} In her Fifth Assignment of Error, appellant argues that the trial court
abused its discretion in failing to grant her motion or relief for judgment.
{¶57} Civ.R. 60(B) provides:
{¶58} “On motion and upon such terms as are just, the court may relieve a party
or his legal representative from a final judgment, order or proceeding for the following
reasons: (1) mistake, inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect; (2) newly discovered
evidence which by due diligence could not have been discovered in time to move for a Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 12
new trial under Rule 59(B); (3) fraud (whether heretofore denominated intrinsic or
extrinsic), misrepresentation or other misconduct of an adverse party; (4) the judgment
has been satisfied, released or discharged, or a prior judgment upon which it is based
has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the judgment
should have prospective application; or (5) any other reason justifying relief from the
judgment. The motion shall be made within a reasonable time, and for reasons (1), (2)
and (3) not more than one year after the judgment, order or proceeding was entered or
taken. A motion under this subdivision (B) does not affect the finality of a judgment or
suspend its operation.”
{¶59} In GTE Automatic Electric v. ARC Industries (1976), 47 Ohio St.2d 146,
150–151, 351 N.E.2d 113, the Ohio Supreme Court set forth the factors necessary to
recover under Civ.R. 60(B). “[T]he movant must demonstrate that: (1) the party has a
meritorious defense or claim to present if relief is granted; (2) the party is entitled to
relief under one of the grounds stated in Civ.R. 60(B)(1) through (5); and (3) the motion
is made within a reasonable time, and, where the grounds of relief are Civ.R. 60(B)(1),
(2) or (3), not more than one year after the judgment, order or proceeding was entered
or taken.”
{¶60} Where any one of the foregoing requirements is not satisfied, Civ.R. 60(B)
relief is improper. State ex rel. Richard v. Seidner, 76 Ohio St.3d 149, 151, 1996-Ohio-
54, 666 N.E.2d 1134.
{¶61} “A motion for relief from judgment under Civ.R. 60(B) is addressed to the
sound discretion of the trial court, and that court's ruling will not be disturbed on appeal
absent a showing of abuse of discretion.” Griffey v. Rajan (1987), 33 Ohio St.3d 75, 77, Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 13
514 N.E.2d 1122. In order to find an abuse of that discretion, we must determine the
trial court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable and not merely an
error of law or judgment. Blakemore v. Blakemore (1983), 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 450 N.E.2d
1140.
{¶62} In the instant case, appellant based its Civ.R. 60(B) motion on “mistake,
inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect.” Civ.R. 60(B)(1). In support, appellant
argues that she has no legal training, that she did not know that she had to personally
respond to the complaint because she had liability insurance and because she was not
properly served.
{¶63} Initially, we note there is no bright-line test for excusable neglect. Such a
decision must be made from the facts and circumstances of each case. The Supreme
Court of Ohio has defined “excusable neglect” in the negative, stating “that the inaction
of a defendant is not ‘excusable neglect’ if it can be labeled as a ‘complete disregard for
the judicial system.’ ” Kay v. Marc Glassman, Inc., 76 Ohio St.3d 18, 20 (1996), quoting
GTE Automatic Elec., Inc. at 153. The inquiry into whether a moving party's inaction
constitutes excusable neglect must take into consideration all the individual facts and
circumstances in each case. Colley v. Bazell, 64 Ohio St.2d 243, 249 (1980).
{¶64} Upon review, under the circumstances of the instant case, we find that
Appellant's failure to file an answer did not constitute excusable neglect under Civ.R.
60(B)(1). Appellant acknowledged that she received the summons and complaint. The
summons advised appellant that she was required to file an answer within twenty-eight
days of service or suffer a default judgment for the relief demanded in the complaint. Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 14
{¶65} Further, appellant’s legal inexperience does not equate to excusable
neglect. This Court has previously held that failure to plead and/or seek legal advice
after admittedly receiving complaint is not excusable neglect under Civ.R. 60(B)(1).
Roe v. Nicholas (Apr. 26, 2001), Guernsey App. No. 00CA32. See, also, Curry v. J.
Bowers Constr., Inc. (Feb. 28, 2001), Summit App. No. 20287 (lack of familiarity with
judicial system as lay person is not a decisive factor in determining excusable neglect
where circumstances should have alerted one to the need to act promptly); General
Motors Acceptance Corp. v. Fage (Mar. 13, 1985), Summit App. No. 11805, unreported
(Civ.R. 60[B][1] relief not available to defendant who failed to make any effort to
respond to complaint, including failing to contact an attorney); West Terrace, Inc. v.
Davison (Aug. 29, 1991), Cuyahoga App. No. 58713, unreported (inexperience with
litigation matters and/or failure to understand consequences of complaint may not
constitute excusable neglect under Civ.R. 60(B)(1) ); Walton Constr. Co. v. Perry (Oct.
25, 1996), Montgomery App. No. 15707, unreported (where summons clearly put
defendant on notice that default judgment would be taken if no answer was filed with the
court, failure to file answer deemed inexcusable within contemplation of Civ.R. 60 (B)(1)
); Lebanon Auto Parts v. Dracakis (Apr. 17, 2000), Warren App. No. CA99-09-110,
unreported (courts should not use Civ.R. 60(B)(1) to relieve pro se litigants who are
careless or unfamiliar with legal system).
{¶66} Applying the above law to the facts contained herein, we find the trial court
properly considered all of the surrounding facts and circumstances, and did not abuse
its discretion in determining that based on such facts and circumstance, appellant failed
to establish that she is entitled to relief under one of the grounds stated in Civ.R. Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 15
60(B)(1) through (5). Whether appellant failed to understand that she needed to
personally answer the complaint does not constitute mistake or excusable neglect.
{¶67} Appellant’s Fifth Assignment of Error is overruled.
{¶68} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of
Stark County, Ohio, is affirmed.
By: Wise, P. J.
Delaney, J., concurs.
Edwards, J., dissents.
___________________________________
JUDGES JWW/d 0418 Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 16
EDWARDS, J., DISSENTING OPINION
{¶69} I respectfully disagree with the majority’s analysis and disposition of
appellant’s first assignment of error.
{¶70} At issue in this case is whether or not appellant was properly served with
the summons and complaint. Appellee maintains that appellant was properly served by
{¶71} Civ.R. 4.6(D) states as follows: “If a certified or express mail envelope is
returned with an endorsement showing that the envelope was unclaimed, the clerk shall
forthwith notify, by mail, the attorney of record or, if there is no attorney of record, the
party at whose instance process was issued. If the attorney, or serving party, after
notification by the clerk, files with the clerk a written request for ordinary mail service,
the clerk shall send by ordinary mail a copy of the summons and complaint or other
document to be served to the defendant at the address set forth in the caption, or at the
address set forth in written instructions furnished to the clerk. The mailing shall be
evidenced by a certificate of mailing which shall be completed and filed by the clerk.
Answer day shall be twenty-eight days after the date of mailing as evidenced by the
certificate of mailing. The clerk shall endorse this answer date upon the summons which
is sent by ordinary mail. Service shall be deemed complete when the fact of mailing is
entered of record, provided that the ordinary mail envelope is not returned by the postal
authorities with an endorsement showing failure of delivery. If the ordinary mail
envelope is returned undelivered, the clerk shall forthwith notify the attorney, or serving
party, by mail.” Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 17
{¶72} If the ordinary mail envelope is not returned, there is a rebuttable
presumption that proper service has been perfected. Hamilton v. Digonno, 12th Dist. No.
CA 2005-03-075, 2005-Ohio-6552, ¶ 10. This Court has held: “Courts will presume
service to be proper in cases where the civil rules are followed unless the defendant
rebuts the presumption by sufficient evidence.” State ex rel. Fairfield County CSEA v.
Landis, 5th Dist. No. 2002 CA 00014, 2002-Ohio-5432, ¶ 17 citing Bank One Cincinnati,
N.A. v. Wells, 1st Dist. No. C-950279, 1996 WL 526702 (Sept. 18, 1996), citing In re
Estate of Popp, 94 Ohio App.3d 640, 650, 641 N.E.2d 739, (8th Dist. 1994).
{¶73} Where service of process is not made in accordance with the Rules of
Civil Procedure, the trial court lacks jurisdiction to consider the complaint, and any
judgment on that complaint is void ab initio. Rite Rug Co., Inc. v. Wilson, 106 Ohio
App.3d 59, 62, 665 N.E.2d 260, (10th Dist. 1998). If service is defective a subsequent
default judgment is void. State ex rel Ballard v. O’Donnell, 50 Ohio St.3d 182, 553
{¶74} Appellee contends that because ordinary mail was sent to appellant and
was never returned with an endorsement showing failure of delivery, the presumption is
that ordinary mail service was obtained. However, there is no document in the file
indicating that ordinary mail service was ever sent to appellant. As is stated above, after
certified mail came back “RETURN TO SENDER UNCLAIMED UNABLE TO
FORWARD,” appellee’s counsel filed a Praecipe for Alias Summons, asking that the
complaint be served by ordinary U.S. Mail and requesting a certificate of mailing. On
March 4, 2011, the docket entry indicates the complaint was sent to Molly Egner by
ordinary mail. On March 7, 2011, the Clerk of Courts filed a certificate of mailing for an Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 18
unspecified piece of mail to the same address as used previously. The certificate
indicated that the mail was “Return Receipt for Merchandise.” The court docket
indicates that the certificate of mailing was for service issued on March 4, 2011, to
appellant. But, the actual certificate of mailing document, which underlies the docket
entry, indicates the mail was “Return Receipt for Merchandise.”
{¶75} Appellee further contends that appellant never denied receiving the
summons and complaint and notes that appellant called the office of appellee’s counsel
on March 11, 2011 and stated that she had received legal documents from the court in
the mail. However, as noted by the court in Fay v. Blair, 7th Dist. No. 00 CA 166, 2001
WL 1647281, “Finally, we disagree with appellees [sic] contention that actual notice
renders insufficient service irrelevant. In Jefferson Place Condo. Assn. v. Naples (1998),
125 Ohio App.3d 394, 399, this court held that the trial court erred in finding that
dismissal was unwarranted merely because the defendant received service and had
actual notice. This court noted that the defendant had been served in contravention of
the rules regarding residential and/or personal service as the process server left an
unstamped envelope in her mailbox. Id. We concluded that the mere fact that summons
was received is not decisive. Id., citing Hayes v. Kentucky Bank (1932), 125 Ohio St.
359.” Id at 2.
{¶76} The mailing in this case, if there was a mailing, was not evidenced by a
certificate of mailing. The actual certificate of mailing indicates the mail was ‘Return
Receipt for Merchandise.” The docket may indicate that the complaint was mailed and
that a certificate is in the file evidencing such but the documents do not support that. I
would find that this is not service in compliance with the rule. Because service on Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 19
appellant was not made in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure, I believe that
the trial court lacked jurisdiction to consider the complaint, and the default judgment is
void ab initio.
{¶77} On such basis, I would sustain appellant’s first assignment of error and
find the remaining assignments of error moot.
__________________________________________
Judge Julie A. Edwards Stark County, Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and 2011 CA 00143 20
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JACQUELINE SHANKLE : : Plaintiff-Appellee : : -vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY : MOLLY ELIZABETH EGNER : : Defendant-Appellant : Case Nos. 2011 CA 00121 and : 2011 CA 00143
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the
judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County, Ohio, is affirmed.
Costs assessed to appellant.
JUDGES