Brown v. Ward

[Cite as Brown v. Ward, 2019-Ohio-4848.]

BrownCOURT OF APPEALS

GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO

FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

THOMAS R. BROWN JUDGES:

Hon. William B. Hoffman, P. J.

Plaintiff-Appellant Hon. John W. Wise, J.

Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.

-vs-

Case No. 19CA000011

PHYLLIS L. WARD, et al.

Defendants-Appellees OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Civil Appeal from the Court of Common

Pleas, Case No. 17CV000601

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: November 25, 2019

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendants-Appellees

DANIEL P. CORCORAN SCOTT D. EICKELBERGER

ADAM J. SCHWENDEMAN RYAN H. LINN

THEISEN BROCK KINCAID, TAYLOR & GEYER

424 Second Street 50 N. Fourth Street, P. O. Box 1030

Marietta, Ohio 45750 Zanesville, Ohio 43702-1030

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 2

Wise, J.

{¶1} Plaintiff-Appellant Thomas R. Brown appeals the decision of the Guernsey

County Court of Common Pleas granting summary judgment in favor of Defendants-

Appellees Phyllis Ward, Jon Brown, Megan Brown and Sam Brown.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

{¶2} The relevant facts and procedural history are as follows:

{¶3} Plaintiff-Appellant Thomas Brown and Defendant-Appellee Phyllis Ward

were divorced in December, 2016, following a forty (40) year marriage. For more than 20

years prior to the divorce, Appellant and Appellee Ward had jointly owned and lived on

the real property located at 17900 Burson Road, Lore City, Ohio, 43755.

{¶4} The divorce became extremely contentious within the family and resulted in

a rift between Appellant and his children, including Jonathan Brown and his wife Megan

Brown, and Samuel Brown (the "Brown Appellees"). (Aff. Brown at ¶4). During the course

of the divorce proceedings Appellant was held in contempt of court on more than one

occasion and was arrested several times as a result of those contempt applications. (Aff.

Brown at ¶6; Aff. Donahue- Angler at ¶3).

{¶5} One of the principal points of contention within the divorce was the

disposition of the Marital Property. Appellee Ward wanted to sell the property to their

children, the Brown Appellees. (Aff. Donahue-Angler at ¶4). Following some negotiations,

Appellant and Appellee Ward agreed to sell the property to the Brown Appellees provided

Appellant could retain and reserve his one-half (1/2) interest in the sub-surface minerals

underlying the property. (Aff. Brown at ¶9; Aff. Donahue-Angler at ¶4).

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 3

{¶6} On November 9, 2016, Ward and Appellant appeared, represented by

counsel, at a hearing before a magistrate. (Aff. Brown at ¶10; Aff. Donahue-Angler at ¶5).

At the hearing, both Appellee Ward and Appellant expressed, through counsel, the terms

of this verbal separation agreement, which was read into the record of the court and which

they indicated they had entered into freely and voluntarily with the assistance of counsel,

and which they believed to be fair and equitable. (Aff. Brown at ¶11; Aff. Donahue-Angler

at ¶6). The court found the parties' separation agreement to be fair and equitable,

approved it, and entered the decree that same day. (Aff. Brown at ¶12; Aff. Donahue-

Angler at ¶7). Under the terms of the divorce decree, the parties agreed to sell the

property to their adult children, Jon and Sam Brown, reserving unto themselves each a

½ interest in the mineral rights.

{¶7} The deed conveying the marital property, and the other closing documents

to complete the court-approved sale, were prepared by Moorehead Law Offices in

Zanesville, Ohio. (Aff. Brown at ¶14). In January 2017, Appellant was contacted by a

representative from Moorehead Law Offices requesting that he come to the office in order

to execute the closing documents to complete the sale of the real estate. (Aff. Brown at

¶15). Appellee Ward attended the closing separate from Appellant and signed the Deed

and other closing documents.

{¶8} On January 13, 2017, Appellant first went to the Moorehead Law Offices

but he refused to sign the Deed and the other closing documents because he was

concerned that the Deed did not contain a reservation of mineral rights consistent with

the court approved agreement and sale. (Aff. Brown at ¶16). According to Appellant, the

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 4

representatives from Moorehead Law Offices were irritated that he refused to sign the

documents they had prepared. (Aff. Brown at ¶17).

{¶9} Appellant returned to the Moorehead Law Offices a second time on January

17, 2017, and this time, upon the suggestion of a friend, he took a copy of the divorce

decree with him to show to the people at Moorehead Law Office. (Aff. Brown at ¶18; Aff.

Rominger at ¶3). According to Appellant, during this second visit, Mr. Moorehead assured

him that everything was fine, and that he should sign the closing documents, including

the Deed. (Aff. Brown at ¶19). Appellant states that he repeatedly expressed to the

people at Moorehead Law Offices that he wanted to reserve his mineral rights in the

Marital Property. Appellant again refused to sign the documents as he was still concerned

about whether the Deed included a reservation of his mineral rights. At that time a

representative from Moorehead Law Offices told Appellant that if he refused to sign, Ms.

Ward's attorney might file a motion for contempt. (Aff. Brown at ¶20).

{¶10} On January 18, 2017, Atty. Donahue-Angler, Appellant's divorce counsel,

received an e-mail from Attorney Church stating that Appellant was refusing to sign

closing documents and requesting that she call Appellant or Amy at Moorehead Law

Offices in Zanesville. (Aff. Donahue-Angler, ¶16-17). At some point, either in a phone call

or by text, Attorney Church told Atty. Donahue-Angler that she intended to file a motion

for contempt against Appellant for not signing the Deed conveying the Marital Property.

(Aff. Donahue-Angler at ¶18).

{¶11} According to Atty. Donahue-Angler, she informed Appellant that since the

divorce decree said that the mineral rights were reserved, there was no reason why the

deed would not be consistent with the decree. (Aff. Donahue-Angler at ¶20). She also

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 5

told Appellant that if he refused to cooperate in selling the Marital Property, consistent

with the terms of the divorce decree, that he could be held in contempt of court. (Aff.

Donahue-Angler at ¶20). Appellant has the same recollection of their conversation. (Aff.

Brown at ¶21)

{¶12} Appellant returned to the Moorehead Law Offices a third time and signed

the closing documents, including the Deed. (Aff. Brown at ¶21).

{¶13} On September 16, 2017, Appellant entered into a contract to sell his one-

half (1/2) mineral interest in the Marital Property. (Aff. Brown at ¶22). After signing the

contract, Appellant learned that he could not sell his one-half (1/2) interest in the minerals

because they had not been reserved in the Deed. (Aff. Brown at ¶23).

{¶14} On October 27, 2017, Appellant filed a Complaint seeking reformation

and/or rescission of the January 13, 2017, deed due to mutual mistake, duress, and/or

fraud. Appellant also asserted a claim against Appellees for conversion.

{¶15} On December 29, 2017, Appellees served their answer to Appellant's

Complaint

{¶16} On January 18, 2019, Appellees filed a Motion for Summary Judgment

asking the trial court to dismiss Appellant's claims with prejudice. Appellees submitted the

Affidavits of Appellee Jonathan Brown, Appellee Phyllis Ward, and Derek Moorehead in

support of their motion.

{¶17} On February 15, 2019, Appellant filed a Memorandum in Opposition to

Appellees' Motion for Summary Judgment, supplemented by the affidavits of Appellant,

Atty. Lindsey K. Donahue-Angler, and Larry Rominger.

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 6

{¶18} On March 1, 2019, Appellees filed their Reply in support of their Motion for

Summary Judgment. In addition to the various affidavits submitted by the parties, the

deposition transcripts of Derek Moorehead and Amy Wilson, and a second affidavit of

Atty. Lindsey K. Donahue-Angler were also filed and in the record.

{¶19} The trial court held a non-oral hearing on the parties' motions.

{¶20} On April 1, 2019, the trial court issued an entry granting Appellees' Motion

for Summary Judgment.

{¶21} Appellant now appeals, assigning the following error for review:

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

{¶22} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING DEFENDANTS’-

APPELLEES’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT."

Summary Judgment Standard

{¶23} Summary judgment proceedings present the appellate court with the unique

opportunity of reviewing the evidence in the same manner as the trial court. Smiddy v.

The Wedding Party, Inc. (1987), 30 Ohio St.3d 35, 36. Civ.R. 56(C) provides, in pertinent

part:

Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings,

depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits,

transcripts of evidence in the pending case, and written stipulations of fact,

if any, timely filed in the action, show that there is no genuine issue as to

any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a

matter of law. * * * A summary judgment shall not be rendered unless it

appears from such evidence or stipulation and only therefrom, that

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 7

reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is

adverse to the party against whom the motion for summary judgment is

made, such party being entitled to have the evidence or stipulation

construed most strongly in his favor.

{¶24} Pursuant to the above rule, a trial court may not enter a summary judgment

if it appears a material fact is genuinely disputed. The party moving for summary judgment

bears the initial burden of informing the trial court of the basis for its motion and identifying

those portions of the record that demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material

fact. The moving party may not make a conclusory assertion that the non-moving party

has no evidence to prove its case. The moving party must specifically point to some

evidence which demonstrates the non-moving party cannot support its claim. If the

moving party satisfies this requirement, the burden shifts to the non-moving party to set

forth specific facts demonstrating there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial. Vahila

v. Hall, 77 Ohio St.3d 421, 429, 1997-Ohio-259, citing Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280,

1996-Ohio-107.

{¶25} It is based upon this standard that we review Appellant's Assignment of

Error.

I.

{¶26} In his sole assignment of error, Appellant challenges the trial court judgment

entry granting summary judgment in favor of Appellees on Appellant’s complaint. We

disagree.

{¶27} As a general principle of construction, a deed is to be construed most

strongly against the grantor in the resolution of any ambiguities contained in the

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instrument; however, a deed's language is conclusively presumed to express the parties'

intention absent “uncertainty” in the language employed. Ohio Real Estate Law and

Practice, supra, Section T15.06(B), at 298. If a grantee accepts a deed, the knowledge

of its provisions is legally imputed to him; and, by its acceptance, he is bound by all of its

provisions and is estopped to deny their legal effect. 35 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d (1982)

290, 291–292, Deeds, Section 58.

{¶28} The doctrine of “merger by deed” holds that whenever a deed is delivered

and accepted “without qualification” pursuant to a sales contract for real property, the

contract becomes merged into the deed and no cause of action upon said prior agreement

exists. The purchaser is limited to the express covenants of the deed only, unless the

elements of fraud or mistake are involved or unless the deed was accepted under protest

and with a reservation of rights. See, generally, 80 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d (1988) 91, 93,

Real Property Sales and Exchanges, Sections 58–59; Brumbaugh v. Chapman (1887),

45 Ohio St. 368, 13 N.E. 584; Fuller v. Drenberg (1965), 3 Ohio St.2d 109, 32 O.O.2d 91,

209 N.E.2d 417, paragraph one of the syllabus. Cf. Dillahunty v. Keystone Savings Assn.

(1973), 36 Ohio App.2d 135, 65 O.O.2d 157, 303 N.E.2d 750, Suermondt v. Lowe (2006),

165 Ohio App.3d 427 (5th Dist.).

{¶29} In Suermondt, supra, this Court quoted Newman v. Group On, 2005-Ohio-

1582 , which states:

In reality, this doctrine is merely an application of the contract

doctrine of integration. Under this doctrine, all prior documents are

considered to be integrated into the final contract, and only the provisions

contained in the final contract are part of the agreement. This doctrine is the

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 9

combined result of the parol evidence rule and the rule of interpretation

which seeks to determine the intentions of the parties. Thus, if it can be

shown that the parties actually intended that the provisions of a prior

agreement continue in force, then the provisions do so continue. Similarly,

the merger doctrine should only be applied as a canon of construction that

attempts to arrive at the true intention of the parties to a deed. (14 Powell

on Real Property (1995) 81A-136, Section 81A.07(1)(d)).

{¶30} Thus, a proper delivery and acceptance of a deed extinguishes any

obligations of a prior agreement to the extent that the agreement touches upon the real

property which is the subject of the deed. McDermott's Ohio Real Property (1990) at 319.

Exceptions to the rule are made in cases of fraud, mistake, or collateral agreements not

intended by the parties to be incorporated into the deed. Id. at 320. Rescission of

instruments of conveyance, generally, may also be had only where there is duress, undue

influence, or, when there is bad faith, want or failure of consideration. McDermott's Ohio

Real Property, supra, at 299.

Reformation

{¶31} “[R]eformation” is defined as the remedy afforded by courts possessing

equitable jurisdiction to the parties and the privies of parties, to written instruments which

import a legal obligation to reform or rectify such instruments whenever they fail, through

fraud or mutual mistake, to express the real agreement or intention of the parties.

Greenfield v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 75 Ohio App. 122, 127-128, 61 N.E.2d 226 (12th

Dist. 1944).

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 10

Mutual Mistake

{¶32} A court may reform the language in a contract where the parties' true

intentions have not been expressed due to a ‘mutual mistake' - meaning a common

mistake by all the parties to the contract. In re Haynes, 25 Ohio St.3d 101, 104, 495

N.E.2d 23 (1986). The party wishing to reform the deed must demonstrate the ‘mutual

mistake’ by clear and convincing evidence. See Stewart v. Gordon (1899), 60 Ohio St.

170, 53 N.E. 797, paragraph one of the syllabus.

{¶33} Clear and convincing evidence is the degree of evidence necessary to elicit

in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the allegations to be

established. Id.

{¶34} In the instant matter, the evidence submitted by Appellant in opposition to

Appellees’ motion for summary judgment did not demonstrate a question of fact

supporting mutual mistake. A “mutual mistake” means “ ‘a common mistake by all the

parties to the contract.’ ” Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota v. Mowery, 187 Ohio App.3d 268,

2010-Ohio-1650, 931 N.E.2d 1121, ¶ 24 (4th Dist. 2010), quoting Huber v. Knock, 1st

Dist. Hamilton No. C-080071, 2008-Ohio-5900, 2008 WL 4891562, ¶ 6.

{¶35} Here, the record reflects that appellant and Appellee each signed the real

estate purchase agreement, the disclosure forms and the deed, all of which were

consistent with one another and all of which transferred their entire interests in the

property, including the mineral rights. The affidavit of Jon Brown stated that he and his

brother, the purchasers in this case, intended to purchase the entire interest in the real

property. Likewise, Phyllis Ward’s affidavit stated that it was her intent to convey the entire

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 11

estate. Further, Appellant signed the warranty deed voluntarily, after conferring with

counsel.

{¶36} For these reasons, we find that the trial court properly determined that

Appellant was not entitled to reformation based on a mutual mistake.

Fraud

{¶37} The elements of fraud are, “(a) a representation, or where there is a duty to

disclose, concealment of fact, (b) which is material to the transaction at hand, (c) made

falsely, with knowledge of its falsity, or with such utter disregard and recklessness as to

whether it is true or false that knowledge may be inferred, (d) with the intent of misleading

another into relying on it, (e) justifiable reliance upon the representation or concealment

and (f) a resulting injury proximately caused by the reliance.” Burr v. Bd. of Cnty. Com'rs

of Stark Cnty. (1986), 23 Ohio St.3d 69, paragraph two of the syllabus, 491 N.E.2d 1101.

{¶38} Upon review, we find that Appellant has failed to show concealment, false

statements or misrepresentations in this matter.

{¶39} Here, the language in both the contract and deed is clear and unambiguous.

As stated above, all of the closing documents were consistent with purchase agreement

and the disclosure forms. Appellant had the opportunity to inspect the deed through a

simple pre-closing inspection of the deed and did in fact delay signing the deed until after

he had an opportunity to confer with counsel. Appellant signed the deed in this form. Once

the deed was accepted by Appellees, Appellant became bound by the terms of the deed.

The fraud exception to the application of the doctrine of merger by deed cited by Appellant

is not applicable to these facts. See Reid v. Sycks (1875), 27 Ohio St. 285, and McGovern

Builders, Inc. v. Davis (1983), 12 Ohio App.3d 153, 12 OBR 477, 468 N.E.2d 90.

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 12

Duress

{¶40} Finally, Appellant argues an exception to the Merger by Deed Doctrine

based on duress.

{¶41} The Ohio Supreme Court considered the issue of coercion in avoidance of

contract in Blodgett v. Blodgett, 49 Ohio St.3d 243, 551 N.E.2d 1249 (1990):

To avoid a contract on the basis of duress, a party must prove

coercion by the other party to the contract. It is not enough to show that one

assented merely because of difficult circumstances that are not the fault of

the other party.

{¶42} Id. at syllabus.

{¶43} The Blodgett court further held that to prove duress, the party seeking to

avoid the contract must establish

(1) that one side involuntarily accepted the terms of another; (2) that

circumstances permitted no other alternative; and (3) that said

circumstances were the result of coercive acts of the opposite party. * * *

The assertion of duress must be proven to have been the result of the

defendant's conduct and not by the plaintiff's necessities. * * *” (Emphasis

added.) (Citations omitted.)

{¶44} Id. at 246.

{¶45} Appellant herein argues that he signed the deed in this case “because of a

threat that he was going to be arrested and held in contempt of Court.” (Appellant’s brief

at 20).

Guernsey County, Case No. 19CA000011 13

{¶46} Upon review of the record, we find that Appellant and Appellees appeared

at different times for the real estate closing. Deposition testimony from the notary present

at the closing supports the position that Appellant signed the deed voluntarily, without any

undue or outside influence from Appellees and that he did not appear to be in a state of

fear or apprehension while so doing. (Depo. of Amy Wilson at 54-56).

{¶47} Further, Appellant consulted with counsel prior to executing the deed. If

Appellant believed the deed to be in contravention with the prior agreement, he could

have refused to sign same. Instead, he chose to sign the deed as drafted. As such, we

find Appellant has failed to make a case for duress in this case.

{¶48} Consequently, on the issue of the land transfer, there is no genuine issue

of material fact, and Appellees were entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Civ.R. 56.

Therefore, the trial court properly granted partial summary judgment pursuant to the rule.

Accordingly, Appellants' sole assignment of error is not well-taken.

{¶49} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas,

Guernsey County, Ohio, is affirmed.

By: Wise, J.

Hoffman, P. J., and

Delaney, J., concur.

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