Knight, T. v. Knight, P. ( 2020 )

J. A02036/20
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION – SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
TAMARA K. KNIGHT : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
v. :
:
PATRICK G. KNIGHT, : No. 1079 WDA 2019
:
Appellant :
Appeal from the Decree Entered June 26, 2019,
in the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County
Civil Division at No. No. 533 A.D. of 2016
TAMARA K. KNIGHT, : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellant :
:
v. : No. 1125 WDA 2019
:
PATRICK G. KNIGHT :
Appeal from the Decree Entered June 26, 2019,
in the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County
Civil Division at No. 533 A.D. of 2016
TAMARA K. KNIGHT, : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellant :
:
v. : No. 1214 WDA 2019
:
PATRICK G. KNIGHT :
Appeal from the Order Dated July 10, 2019,
in the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County
Domestic Relations at No. 196 DR 2009
J. A02036/20
BEFORE: SHOGAN, J., OLSON, J., AND FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.: FILED JUNE 16, 2020
In these consolidated cross-appeals docketed at No. 1079 WDA 2019
and No. 1125 WDA 2019, Patrick D. Knight (“Husband”) and Tamara K. Knight
(“Wife”), respectively, challenge the trial court’s equitable distribution of the
marital estate in the divorce proceedings between them.1 Husband’s and
Wife’s consolidated cross-appeals have been consolidated with Wife’s appeal
of the trial court’s July 10, 2019 order that terminated her spousal support
and that this court docketed at No. 1214 WDA 2019. We affirm the divorce
decree. We reverse the July 10, 2019 order that terminated Wife’s spousal
support.
The record reflects that Husband and Wife married on August 4, 1984.
Wife initiated these proceedings by filing a complaint in divorce on July 5,
2016. Wife’s claims for divorce, equitable distribution, alimony pendent lite,
spousal support, alimony, counsel fees, costs, and expenses proceeded before
a master. Following a three-day hearing, the master filed a report and
1 We note that in his notice of appeal, Husband purports to appeal from the
trial court’s June 25, 2019 order approving and adopting the master’s report
and recommendations. The final, appealable order in divorce litigation,
however, is the divorce decree. Wilson v. Wilson, 828 A.2d 376, 378
(Pa.Super. 2003). We have corrected the caption of Husband’s appeal
docketed at No. 1079 WDA 2019 to reflect that his appeal is from the divorce
decree entered on June 26, 2019.
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recommendations on August 1, 2018 (“master’s report”). Both parties filed
exceptions. The trial court then directed the parties to file proposed findings
of fact, conclusions of law, and a proposed order. The parties complied. The
trial court then made the following findings of fact:
Neither Party has been previously married, and all
surviving children born of this marriage are adults.
Wife, born July 30, 1963, resides at 430 Patterson Run
Road, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. Wife has a
High School Diploma, having graduated in 1981.
Following high school she attended nine months of
post-secondary education in Morgantown, West
Virginia, at the conclusion of which she received a
dental assistant certificate. Wife, however, never
secured employment in that field. After marriage,
Wife worked for a number of years for David Knight,
her father-in-law, at “Knight’s Market” in Jefferson,
Pennsylvania. While Wife was predominately a
“stay-at-home” wife and mother, she did, at intervals,
work at various other unskilled labor jobs. At the time
of hearing held in this matter, Wife was employed by
Stallion Oilfield Services, as an accounts receivable
clerk, with an annual salary of $24,630. Wife secured
employment with Stallion Oilfield Services in 2015.
Husband, born January 5, 1962, resides at
1572 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Pennsylvania, 15344,
which is the marital residence. Husband has a
High School Diploma, having graduated in 1980.
Husband is employed by Southwestern Pennsylvania
Water Authority, where he has been employed since
1982. At the time of hearing, evidence was presented
which showed that Husband had gross earnings from
his employment of $85,300 for the 2016 tax year and
$96,424 for the 2017 tax year. Husband also receives
$100 per month for his services as a board member
on the Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority
Board, and $450 per month rental income from a
rental property located at 200 Pine Street, Jefferson,
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Pennsylvania, which was purchased during the
marriage.
The parties married in August 1984, and lived in a
home that Husband owned in Khedive, Pennsylvania.
Subsequently, this home was sold and on
September 4, 1992, the parties, using the proceeds
from the sale of the Khendive residence
(approximately $32,500), purchased, with Husband’s
parents (David G. Knight and Rose Marie Knight), the
marital residence located at 1572 Jefferson Road,
Jefferson, Pennsylvania, which included a farmhouse
and 84.33 acres of land. Husband’s Father offered to
pay the remaining purchase price in order that the
parties would not need to obtain a mortgage.
Therefore, he and his wife’s name was included on the
deed. Husband’s Father and Mother, however, never
resided on the property. By deed dated April 13,
2009, the parties and Husband’s father obtained from
Consolidation Coal Company a 26.976 acre tract of
land that adjoins the 1572 Jefferson Road property for
Consol mining under 84.33 acres of the
1572 Jefferson Road property. Therefore, the marital
residence now consists of 111.31 acres.
During the marriage, and on July 31, 2006, a rental
property, located at 200 Pine Street, Jefferson,
Pennsylvania was purchased and conveyed to
Husband and his father. This property, at the time of
the hearing, was leased for $400.00 per month to a
floral shop, which occupied the top floor. The bottom
floor or garage area was rented as vehicle storage,
with a storage charge of $25.00 per month per
vehicle. At the time of hearing, Husband was
receiving $50 per month for storage rental of two (2)
vehicles.
In acquiring the rental property, Wife, Husband, and
Husband’s father executed a mortgage document, on
July 14, 2006, encumbering the marital residence for
$20,000.00. The original settlement agreement for
the purchase of the rental property prepared listed the
borrowers (purchasers) of the property as Husband
and Wife. On July 28, 2006, Husband contacted the
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attorney handling the real estate transaction and
requested that the settlement sheet and Deed be
amended to delete Wife’s name from both documents
and instead add his father’s name to the documents.
Wife was unaware of Husband’s action in this regard.
Husband has received all income from the rental
property and the loan secured on the marital
residence has been satisfied in full by the parties. The
marital residence at the time of hearing had no
mortgage.
On November 26, 2007, the parties and Husband’s
Father (a Widower) entered into an Oil and Gas Lease
with Atlas America for the 84.33 acres at the
1572 Jefferson Road property.
On October 31, 2007, Husband filed for divorce. Wife
moved out of the marital residence approximately
September or November 2008 and sublet an
apartment from her friend, Donna Koller, in
Waynesburg, until approximately May 2009. In June
2009, Wife moved into her brother’s trailer at
430 Patterson Run Road, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.
In July 2009, Wife purchased the property from her
brother for $25,000. The property is comprised of
two acres of land and the 1980 trailer. Wife continued
to reside at that premise until the trailer was
destroyed by fire in August 2011.
As a result of the fire, Wife received an insurance
settlement check in the amount of $20,000.00.
Husband cleared the burnt debris and developed
rental lots on the acreage for the placement of camper
trailers by pipeline workers. Husband provided to
Wife the camper trailer rental income received from
the rentals during the time frame the parties used the
property for camper unit rental.
After the trailer burned, Husband and Wife discussed
Wife moving back to the farm, and Husband
acknowledged that Wife could have moved back to the
farm at that time. Husband supported Wife’s decision
to partially move in with her Mother to assist with her
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care, and partially live at the marital residence, limited
usually to week-ends.
On August 25, 2011, the parties began marriage
counseling with Keith L. Reider, Ed.D. This counseling
lasted approximately four (4) months. On
November 22, 2001, Husband purchased new
wedding rings which he gave to Wife. Wife at this time
continued primarily to live with her Mother.
Nonetheless, the parties vacationed together with
their family, attended community outings, and
participated in everyday familial interactions,
including intervals of cohabitation at the marital
residence.
On May 31, 2012, while attending a “Steam Show”
with their grandson, the parties had a verbal
altercation, which resulted in the parties leaving by
separate modes of transportation, and Wife returning
her wedding rings to Husband.
Wife resumed primary residency with her Mother.
Nonetheless, the parties continued to eat meals
together, attend movies and concerts together, have
sexual relations, and accompany one another to
family events and vacations.
In December 2015, Wife moved back into the marital
residence permanently. The move to the marital
residence initially was to be temporary, due to
relatives coming to stay at the home of Wife’s Mother
over the Holidays, which resulted in overcrowding.
Wife, however, remained at the marital residence until
she filed her Complaint in Divorce July 5, 2016. She
left the marital residence permanently on July 28,
2016. On December 21, 2016, [the trial c]ourt
entered an Order, by stipulation of the parties, which
directs Husband to pay Wife $1,300 per month in
spousal support. This Order remains valid this date.
Prior to Wife filing for divorce, and on June 25, 2016,
a mobile home was purchased from the Carl Barciesi
Estate at auction and placed on the 430 Patterson
Road Property for Wife. Although the sales contract
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lists the buyers as [Husband and Wife], it is
undisputed that the parties and Husband’s Father
attended the auction and Husband’s Father paid by
check the full purchase price with his personal funds.
During the summer of 2017, the parties and
Husband’s Father entered into an oil and gas pipeline
right-of-way conveyance relative to the marital
residence property[.] The parties received
$150,000.00 as consideration for the conveyance.
Husband’s Father received $75,000.00 for his one-half
interest in the property and Husband and Wife each
received $37,500.00 their one-fourth (¼) interest of
the proceeds received pursuant to this agreement.
Trial court opinion and order, 6/25/19 at 4-11.
On June 25, 2019, the trial court approved and adopted the master’s
report by opinion and order entered June 25, 2019. The trial court then
entered the divorce decree on June 26, 2019.
On July 10, 2019, and prior to the expiration of the 30-day appeal period
set forth in Pa.R.A.P. 903(a), the trial court entered an order that terminated
and vacated Wife’s $1,300 per month spousal support2 due to entry of the
divorce decree. (Order of court, 7/10/19.3) On July 10, 2019, Husband filed
his notice of appeal; on July 23, 2019, Wife filed her notice of cross-appeal of
the divorce decree. By separate orders entered July 29, 2019, the trial court
2 The record reflects that the trial court, upon stipulation of the parties,
entered a spousal support order on December 21, 2016 that required Husband
to Pay Wife $1,300 per month in spousal support. (Order of court, 12/21/16.)
3 The July 10, 2019 order also noted that at the time that the trial court
terminated Wife’s spousal support, Husband had overpaid Wife support in the
amount of $1,141.98. (Order of court, 7/10/19.)
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ordered Husband and Wife to file concise statements of errors complained of
on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). On August 5, 2019, Husband filed
his Rule 1925(a) statement.
On August 9, 2019, the parties appeared before the trial court on Wife’s
petition for special relief to reinstate spousal support. The trial court took the
petition under advisement. (Trial court order, 9/30/19.) Also on August 9,
2019, Wife filed a notice of appeal of the July 10, 2019 order terminating her
spousal support, which this court docketed at No. 1214 WDA 2019. By
per curiam order entered August 13, 2019, this court sua sponte
consolidated Husband’s and Wife’s cross-appeals of the divorce decree.
(Order of court, 8/13/19.) On August 14, 2019, Wife filed her Rule 1925(b)
statement with respect to her cross-appeal of the divorce decree.
Thereafter, on August 22, 2019, this court entered a per curiam order
consolidating Wife’s appeals docketed at No. 1125 WDA 2019 and
No. 1215 WDA 2019 as cross-appeals to Husband’s appeal docketed at
No. 1079 WDA 2019. On September 5, 2019, the trial court filed its
Rule 1925(a) opinion with respect to the parties’ challenges of the divorce
decree. In that opinion, the trial court relied on its June 25, 2019 opinion and
order that approved and adopted the master’s report. (Trial court
Rule 1925(a) opinion, 9/5/19.)
On September 11, 2019, the trial court ordered Wife to file a
Rule 1925(b) statement with respect to her appeal of the July 10, 2019 order
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that terminated her spousal support. Wife timely complied. On
September 30, 2019, the trial court filed its Rule 1925(a) opinion with respect
to Wife’s appeal of the July 10, 2019. There, the trial court opined that
because Wife filed her notice of appeal of the July 10, 2019 order before it
ruled on her petition to reinstate spousal support, it was divested of
jurisdiction and, therefore, it refrained from issuing an advisory opinion. (Trial
court Rule 1925(a) opinion, 9/30/19 at unnumbered pages 4-5.)
With respect to his appeal of the divorce decree, Husband raises the
following issues:
1. The Master ordered [Husband] to buy the real
estate interest of [Wife] at values determined
by the Master. Husband objects to having to
purchase [] Wife’s marital interest in the two
pieces of real estate. The [trial] court should
have directed the marital portion being an
undivided one-half interest in both pieces of
surface real estate to be sold at public auction
and the proceeds distributed according to the
[trial] court’s order.
2. [Husband] objects to the valuations placed on
the two pieces of real estate in the marital
estate; however, if the [trial] court simply sells
the properties sold at public sale and the
proceeds distributed; then there is no objection.
3. The [trial] court’s acceptance of the Master’s
Report failed to include a marital asset, being
the $20,000 in fire insurance proceeds that was
paid to [] Wife during the marriage and added
to the equitable distribution of assets.
4. The [trial] court failed to treat [Husband’s]
father’[s] loan of the monies to [Husband]
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needed to purchase a trailer for [Wife] as an
advancement against equitable distribution.
5. The [trial] court failed to treat [Husband’s] labor
and expenses in setting up the replacement
trailer (to the one that burned), advanced by
[Husband], as an advancement against
equitable distribution.
6. The [trial] court erred in allowing two items of
the marital estate’s real estate be divided on a
50/50 basis but found that the third piece of real
estate, being the parties’ oil and gas interests,
should be divided on a 55/45 basis[Footnote 1].
[Footnote 1] This error was raised
by Husband’s prior counsel. Upon
review of the record, [Husband] has
chosen not to brief this issue.
Husband’s brief at 70.4
Wife raises the following issues for our review:
[1.] Did the trial court erroneously determine that
the parties[’] interest in their rental property
was only 50 [percent] of the value as Husband
underhandedly placed the property in his name
and his Father’s without Wife’s knowledge or
consent?
[2.] Should Wife receive 60 [percent] of the marital
estate rather than 55 [percent] as Husband
received the 111.31 acre farm, the rental
property worth $80,000.00, the most valuable
personal assets and he earns more than four
times the income as Wife?
4 We note that Husband appended the trial court’s opinion and the master’s
report to the beginning of his brief. Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate
Procedure 2111 sets forth the order of the contents of an appellant’s brief and
provides that the relevant opinions are to follow the short conclusion stating
the precise relief sought. See Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(10). Husband violated
Rule 2111(a)(10).
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[3.] After a 27[-]year marriage where Wife
essentially was a dependent spouse, is Wife
entitled to alimony sufficient to cover her basic
needs and for a period of time until she is
eligible to collect retirement benefits?
[4.] Should the trial court have issued the order
terminating support 30 days after the opinion
and order was issued to ensure there would be
no appeal? Alternatively, should the divorce
decree have included a provision that any
existing spousal support order shall hereafter be
deemed an order for alimony pendent lite if any
economic claims remain pending?
Wife’s brief at 5 (full capitalization omitted).
All of Husband’s issues and Wife’s first and second issues challenge
equitable distribution. A trial court has broad discretion when fashioning an
award of equitable distribution. Dalrymple v. Kilishek, 920 A.2d 1275, 1280
(Pa.Super. 2007). Our standard of review when assessing the propriety of an
order effectuating the equitable distribution of marital property is “whether
the trial court abused its discretion by a misapplication of the law or failure to
follow proper legal procedure.” Smith v. Smith, 904 A.2d 15, 19 (Pa.Super.
2006) (citation omitted). We do not lightly find an abuse of discretion, which
requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence. Id. This court will not
find an “abuse of discretion” unless the law has been “overridden or misapplied
or the judgment exercised” was “manifestly unreasonable, or the result of
partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill will, as shown by the evidence in the certified
record.” Wang v. Feng, 888 A.2d 882, 887 (Pa.Super. 2005). In determining
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the propriety of an equitable distribution award, courts must consider the
distribution scheme as a whole. Id. “[W]e measure the circumstances of the
case against the objective of effectuating economic justice between the parties
and achieving a just determination of their property rights.” Schenk v.
Schenk, 880 A.2d 633, 639 (Pa.Super. 2005) (citation omitted).
Moreover, it is within the province of the trial court to
weigh the evidence and decide credibility and this
Court will not reverse those determinations so long as
they are supported by the evidence. We are also
aware that a master’s report and recommendation,
although only advisory, is to be given the fullest
consideration, particularly on the question of
credibility of witnesses, because the master has the
opportunity to observe and assess the behavior and
demeanor of the parties.
Childress v. Bogosian, 12 A.3d 448, 445-446 (Pa.Super. 2011) (quotation
marks and internal citations omitted).
In his first and second issues, Husband challenges the valuations of the
properties that he was awarded; specifically, the rental property at 200 Pine
Street (“rental property”) and the marital residence (“marital residence”)
(collectively, the “properties”). Husband also contends that because the
properties were jointly owned with Husband’s father,5 they should have been
valued as a divided one-half interest for purposes of equitable distribution.
Husband further complains that the trial court abused its discretion in ordering
5 We note that the record reflects that Husband and Wife purchased the
marital residence jointly with Husband’s parents. Husband’s mother has since
passed away.
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that he buy Wife out of her interest in the properties. In her first issue, Wife
complains that because Husband and his father fraudulently removed Wife’s
name from the deed of the rental property without her knowledge, she should
have received one-half of its entire value, as opposed to one half of the
one-half divided interest that the trial court determined to be the marital
interest.
With respect to valuations of the properties, Husband first claims that
because he “would never pay” the values assigned, they are erroneous.
(Husband’s brief at 78.) Such a claim falls far short of producing the clear
and convincing evidence necessary to support a finding of an abuse of
discretion. “Clearly, it is within the trial court’s powers to assign a value to
the marital home or to equitably divide the value of the marital residence
between the parties. However, the valuations should be made as close as
possible to the property distribution date.” Powell v. Powell, 577 A.2d 576,
583 (Pa.Super. 1990)
Nevertheless, we note that the record reflects that Husband and Wife
retained their own appraisers. Wife retained Gwen Nicholson who appraised
both properties under two approaches – the sales comparison approach and
the cost approach. (Notes of testimony, 1/10/18 at 6-36.) Husband retained
Gregory Sprowls to appraise the marital residence, but he did not retain an
appraiser to value the rental property. Mr. Sprowls appraised the marital
residence under the sales comparison approach and the cost approach. (Id.
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at 100-124.) Both appraisers submitted appraisals of the marital residence
and testified at length at the master’s hearing. Ms. Nicholson valued the
marital residence at $375,000 under the sales comparison approach and
$400,000 under the cost approach. Mr. Sprowls valued the marital residence
at $235,000 under the sales comparison approach and $239,477 under the
cost approach. The master accepted Ms. Nicholson’s appraisal of $375,000
under the sales approach with respect to the marital residence. (Master’s
report, 8/1/18 at 11,6 ¶ 14).
With respect to the rental property, Ms. Nicholson utilized the sales
comparison approach and valued the rental property at $80,000. Husband
did not offer a relevant appraisal of the rental property7 and did not present
any testimonial evidence of such value at the hearing. The master accepted
Ms. Nicholson’s appraisal of the rental property.
In adopting the master’s report, the trial court noted that Husband’s
complaints regarding the appraised value of the marital residence amounted
to an attack on the master’s credibility determinations. (Trial court opinion,
6/25/19 at 39.) We agree and discern no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s
6 We note that the pages of the master’s report are not numbered. For ease
of reference, we assigned corresponding numbers to the unnumbered pages.
7 The record reflects that Husband offered a June 25, 2009 appraisal of the
rental property performed by Joseph Koval on behalf of Wife. At the hearing,
Husband’s counsel stated that he was not offering the June 25, 2009 appraisal
to prove the value of the rental property, but, rather, to show that Wife
obtained the appraisal at that time. (Notes of testimony, 1/9/18 at 128-129.)
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adoption of the master’s appraised value of the marital residence. With
respect to the appraised value of the rental property, and notwithstanding the
fact that Husband failed to present any evidence of its value, we discern no
abuse of discretion in the trial court’s adoption of the Wife’s appraised value
of the rental property.
Husband further complains that because Husband and Wife owned the
properties8 with Husband’s father9 and because their marital interest was a
divided one-half interest of the whole, the value of the properties must be the
divided one-half interest of the whole for equitable distribution purposes. By
way of example, with respect to the marital residence, Husband contends that
because the marital interest in the property was one-half of the $375,000
appraised value adopted by the trial court, the value of the marital residence
for equitable distribution purposes must be $187,500, which must be divided
and distributed between Husband and Wife. Because Husband cites to no
legal authority to support his logic, and we certainly know of none, Husband
8We note that although Wife was not on the rental property deed, the master
and the trial court determined that one-half of the rental property was marital
property. We further note that the rental property deed reflects that Husband
and his father own the property as joint tenants with the right of survivorship.
(Notes of testimony, 1/10/18 at 14, 17, offering and then admitting into
evidence as Exhibit E Wife’s rental property appraisal report, 1/24/17 at 33.)
9 The record reflects that the marital residence is deeded to Husband, Wife,
and Husband’s parents. The deed does not reflect the grantees’ form of
concurrent ownership. (Notes of testimony, 1/10/18 at 8, 11, offering and
then admitting into evidence as Exhibit C Wife’s marital residence appraisal
report, 1/27/17 at 39.)
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waives this aspect of his argument on appeal. See Butler v. Illes, 747 A.2d
943, 944-945 (Pa.Super. 2000) (holding claims waived for failure to set forth
adequate argument concerning claim on appeal; argument lacked meaningful
substance and consisted of mere conclusory statements; appellant failed to
explain cogently or even tenuously assert how trial court abused its discretion
or made error of law). Notwithstanding waiver, we note that title alone does
not determine if an asset is marital property. Fitzpatrick v. Fitzpatrick, 547
A.2d 362, 367 (Pa.Super. 1988).
Husband next complains that the trial court abused its discretion when
it ordered Husband to buy out Wife’s interest in the properties. Husband
suggests that the marital interests in the properties should have been sold at
public auction and distributed. In support, Husband relies on Barletta v.
Barletta, 485 A.2d 752 (Pa. 1984), and also cites to Brojack v. Brojack,
561 A.2d 788 (Pa.Super. 1989).
Brojack summarized Bartletta and its progeny as follows: “Barletta
concerned personal property and under the circumstances of that case the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court required a distribution in kind of the personal
property.” Brojack, 561 A.2d at 789. “[A] distribution in kind of nondivisible
real estate is impossible to achieve.” Id.As to personal property, the Barletta court found that
it should have been divided between the parties and
not distributed to one spouse because the personal
property “was readily severable and we believe
capable of being divided without destroying its relative
value.” 506 Pa. at 408, 485 A.2d at 754. The
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assumption underlying Barletta is that the spouse
would have to sell the personalty in order to satisfy
the obligation under the equitable distribution order.
After Barletta, the Superior Court decided Bold v.
Bold, 374 Pa.Super. 317, 542 A.2d 1374 (1988). This
Court considered a husband’s claim that the trial court
erred in forcing him into a “buy-out” of his former
spouse’s interest in the marital home. The panel,
without recognizing the very real difference between
personalty and realty, noted that under Barletta and
Wolf v. Wolf, 356 Pa.Super. 365, 514 A.2d 901(1986), “a court may not resort to a buy-out remedy
absent specific findings as to why the marital property
cannot be divided.” Bold, 374 Pa.Super. at 322, 542
A.2d at 1379. As neither the master nor the trial court
in Bold made any specific findings as to why the
marital residence could not be divided, the panel
remanded the case, directing the trial court to proceed
in accordance with Barletta and Wolf.
Brojack, 561 A.2d at 790.
Here, Husband claims that the trial court abused its discretion in
requiring Husband to buy Wife out of the properties because neither the trial
court nor the master made specific findings as to why the marital interests in
the properties could not be sold at auction as required by Barletta and its
progeny. As noted by the trial court, however, “the [m]aster’s distribution of
the property is cognizant of [Husband’s f]ather’s interest in the property and
the distribution is only to the marital interest of same.” (Trial court opinion,
9/25/19 at 38.) Indeed, in cross-examining Wife’s appraiser, Husband’s
counsel noted, and Wife’s appraiser agreed, that Husband’s father’s interest
cannot be sold by the master. (Notes of testimony, 1/10/18 at 24-25.)
Therefore, this claim lacks merit.
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With respect to the rental property, Wife claims that she is entitled to
one-half of its $80,000 appraised value because Husband and his father
perpetrated a fraud on her when they removed her name from the deed
immediately after the three purchased the property in 2006. Because the
appeal before us concerns equitable distribution, we decline Wife’s invitation
to review the circumstances of an alleged fraud that occurred 14 years ago
that purportedly involved Husband’s father who was not a party to the
underlying divorce proceeding and is not a party to this appeal.
In his third issue, Husband claims that the trial court and the master
erred in not including within the marital estate the $20,000 that Wife received
in insurance proceeds after fire destroyed her mobile home. Although the trial
court agreed that the insurance proceeds were marital property, it found that
the record was insufficient to determine whether those proceeds were spent
on family and marital expenses or otherwise. (Trial court opinion, 6/25/19
at 45.) The trial court refused to speculate on how the proceeds were spent
and rejected Husband’s claim for want of evidence. (Id. at 44-45.) Indeed,
in his appellate brief, Husband baldly asserts that “Wife kept the remainder of
the proceeds” and provides no record citations to support that conclusion.
(Husband’s brief at 86-87.) We discern no abuse of discretion.
Husband addresses his fourth and fifth issues together. (Id. at 87-88.)
Husband complains that the trial court failed to treat monies loaned to him by
his father to purchase a mobile home for Wife, as well as Husband’s labor in
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setting up the mobile home, as an advance against equitable distribution. In
his exceptions to master’s report and recommendations, Husband states that
the new trailer was purchased after the date of separation. (Husband’s
exceptions to master’s report, 8/16/18 at 3, ¶ 7(a).) The trial court, therefore,
determined that the mobile home was not marital property, but “a gift outside
the marital estate to Wife.” (Trial court opinion, 9/25/19 at 47.) We discern
no abuse of discretion.
Husband has abandoned his final claim of error. (See Husband’s brief
at 70 n.1 (stating that “Husband has chosen not to brief this issue.”).)
Therefore, we now turn to Wife’s remaining claims.
In her second issue, Wife contends that she should have been awarded
60 percent of the marital estate instead of 55 percent. To support her claim
that the distribution scheme was not equitable, Wife cites to income disparity,
standard of living disparity, the length of the marriage, her present inability
to access the portion of Husband’s pension that she was awarded, and her
loss of health-care coverage through Husband’s employer. (Wife’s brief
at 14.)
We do not evaluate the propriety of the distribution
order upon our agreement with the [trial] court[’s]
actions nor do we find a basis for reversal in the [trial]
court’s application of a single factor. Rather, we look
at the distribution as a whole, in light of the court’s
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overall application of the [23 Pa.C.S.A. § 3502(a)10]
factors [for consideration in awarding equitable
10 The statutory factors relevant to equitable distribution are set forth as
follows:
(1) The length of the marriage.
(2) Any prior marriage of either party.
(3) The age, health, station, amount and sources
of income, vocational skills, employability,
estate, liabilities and needs of each of the
parties.
(4) The contribution by one party to the
education, training or increased earning power
of the other party.
(5) The opportunity of each party for future
acquisitions of capital assets and income.
(6) The sources of income of both parties,
including, but not limited to, medical,
retirement, insurance or other benefits.
(7) The contribution or dissipation of each party in
the acquisition, preservation, depreciation or
appreciation of the marital property, including
the contribution of a party as homemaker.
(8) The value of the property set apart to each
party.
(9) The standard of living of the parties
established during the marriage.
(10) The economic circumstances of each party at
the time the division of property is to become
effective.
(10.1) The Federal, State and local tax ramifications
associated with each asset to be divided,
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distribution]. If we fail to find an abuse of discretion,
the [o]rder must stand.
Childress v. Bogosian, 12 A.3d at 462 (some brackets in original; citations
and extraneous quotation mark omitted). “The trial court has the authority
to divide the award as the equities presented in the particular case may
require.” Id. (citation omitted).
In its report, the master thoughtfully considered the equitable
distribution factors set forth in Section 3502(a) and recommended that Wife
receive 55 percent and Husband receive 45 percent of the marital estate.
(Master’s report at 22.) In making that determination, the master explained
that
although the parties worked along-side one another in
accumulating their marital estate, Husband had the
greater earning capacity throughout the marriage and
is in a better position to support himself through his
interest in retirement and pension savings. It is the
belief of the [m]aster that awarding a higher
percentage of the calculated marital estate to Wife will
effectuate economic justice between the parties as
they move forward with their separate lives. All other
factors previously discussed herein were also
considered by the [m]aster in making this
distributed or assigned, which ramifications
need not be immediate and certain.
(10.2) The expense of sale, transfer or liquidation
associated with a particular asset, which
expense need not be immediate and certain.
(11) Whether the party will be serving as the
custodian of any dependent minor children.
23 Pa.C.S.A. § 3502(a).
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recommendation. Therefore, based on all of the
testimony adduced at the hearing on this matter and
after careful consideration of the statutory factors set
forth in the Pennsylvania Divorce Code, the Master is
convinced that this is the appropriate
recommendation.
Id. at 22-23.
We have thoroughly reviewed the record in this case. The record
supports the trial court’s adoption of the master’s report with respect to the
statutory factors and the equitable distribution scheme. We discern no abuse
of discretion.
In her third issue, Wife claims that the alimony award is inadequate.
The record reflects that the trial court awarded Wife alimony of $500 per
month for three years after entry of the divorce decree. Wife contends that
she needs $1,300 per month for ten years.
Following divorce, alimony provides a secondary
remedy and is available only where economic justice
and the reasonable needs of the parties cannot be
achieved by way of an equitable distribution. An
award of alimony should be made to either party only
if the trial court finds that it is necessary to provide
the receiving spouse with sufficient income to obtain
the necessities of life. The purpose of alimony is not
to reward one party and punish the other, but rather
to ensure that the reasonable needs of the person who
is unable to support herself through appropriate
employment are met.
Alimony is based upon reasonable needs in
accordance with the lifestyle and standard of living
established by the parties during the marriage, as well
as the payor’s ability to pay. An award of alimony
may be reversed where there is an apparent abuse of
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discretion or there is insufficient evidence to support
the award.
Kent v. Kent, 16 A.3d 1158, 1161 (citation, internal citations, and quotation
marks omitted).
In adopting the master’s recommendation for alimony, the trial court
noted that
after review of Wife’s [b]udget [s]heet, [it is]
determined that Wife’s expenses are inflated with
items that are not necessities and/or the amounts for
necessities are excessive, i.e[.], [v]acation, [h]oliday
[e]xpenses, [e]ntertainment, and monthly clothing
allowance.
. . . . Taking these figures into consideration, coupled
with the recommended distribution award, Wife’s
reasonable needs can be achieved by way of the
equitable distribution award, her employment and the
alimony award as determined by the [m]aster.
. . . . Appropriate consideration was given by the
[m]aster to all statutory factors,[11] including both
11 When determining the propriety of alimony, the trial court must consider all
of the following relevant statutory factors:
(1) The relative earnings and earning capacities of
the parties.
(2) The ages and the physical, mental and
emotional conditions of the parties.
(3) The sources of income of both parties, including,
but not limited to, medical, retirement,
insurance or other benefits.
(4) The expectancies and inheritances of the
parties.
(5) The duration of the marriage.
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(6) The contribution by one party to the education,
training or increased earning power of the other
party.
(7) The extent to which the earning power,
expenses or financial obligations of a party will
be affected by reason of serving as the
custodian of a minor child.
(8) The standard of living of the parties established
during the marriage.
(9) The relative education of the parties and the
time necessary to acquire sufficient education or
training to enable the party seeking alimony to
find appropriate employment.
(10) The relative assets and liabilities of the parties.
(11) The property brought to the marriage by either
party.
(12) The contribution of a spouse as homemaker.
(13) The relative needs of the parties.
(14) The marital misconduct of either of the parties
during the marriage. The marital misconduct of
either of the parties from the date of final
separation shall not be considered by the court
in its determinations relative to alimony, except
that the court shall consider the abuse of one
party by the other party. As used in this
paragraph, “abuse” shall have the meaning
given to it under section 6102 (relating to
definitions).
(15) The Federal, State and local tax ramifications of
the alimony award.
(16) Whether the party seeking alimony lacks
sufficient property, including, but not limited to,
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[p]arties’ employment, assets, and the equitable
distribution award.
Trial court opinion, 6/26/19 at 30-31.
Our review of the record demonstrates that it supports the trial court’s
factual conclusions and the alimony award. We discern no abuse of discretion.
Wife finally claims that the trial court erred in terminating her spousal
support effective upon entry of the divorce decree because all economic claims
between the parties were not resolved. We agree. This court has explained
that
“[u]pon entry of a decree in divorce, any existing
order for spousal support shall be deemed an order
for alimony pendente lite if any economic claims
remain pending.” Pa.R.C.P. 1920.31(d). Alimony
pendente lite (“APL”) is defined as “[a]n order for
temporary support granted to a spouse during the
pendency of a divorce or annulment proceeding.”
23 Pa.C.S.A. § 3103. Pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 3702, alimony pendente lite is allowable to either
spouse during the pendency of the action.
However, “[t]he award of APL is not dependent upon
the status of the parties but on the state of the
litigation. This means, in theory, that the APL
property distributed under Chapter 35 (relating
to property rights), to provide for the party’s
reasonable needs.
(17) Whether the party seeking alimony is incapable
of self-support through appropriate
employment.
23 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(b).
The duration of the alimony award must be reasonable under the
circumstances. Id. at 3701(c).
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terminates at the time of divorce which usually
concludes the litigation.” DeMasi v. DeMasi, 408
Pa.Super. 414, 597 A.2d 101, 104 (Pa. Super. 1991).
In DeMasi, our Court held that
a divorce is not final for purposes of APL
until appeals have been exhausted and a
final decree has been entered. Thus,
while APL typically ends at the award of
the divorce decree, which also should be
the point at which equitable distribution
has been determined, if an appeal is
pending on matters of equitable
distribution, despite the entry of the
decree, APL will continue throughout the
appeal process and any remand until a
final [o]rder has been entered.
Prol v. Prol, 840 A.2d 333, 335 (Pa.Super. 2003) (some internal quotations
and citations omitted; emphasis in original).
Here, the trial court abused its discretion when it terminated Wife’s
spousal support before the expiration of the 30-day appeal period during
which period Husband filed an appeal challenging equitable distribution. As a
result of Husband’s appeal, the pendency of the economic claims between the
parties remained and Wife was and is entitled to receive alimony
pendente lite until appeals on those economic claims have been exhausted.
Therefore, we vacate the trial court’s July 10, 2019 order and remand for
further proceedings.
Decree affirmed. July 10, 2019 order terminating Wife’s spousal support
vacated. Case remanded. Jurisdiction relinquished.
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Shogan, J. joins this Memorandum.
Olson, J. concurs in the result.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 6/16/2020
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