Sicilia v. Sicilia, Unpublished Decision (12-13-2002)
Sicilia v. Sicilia, Unpublished Decision (12-13-2002)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
[¶ 1] Plaintiff-appellant Sam Sicilia ("Husband") appeals from the decision of the Columbiana County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, granting him a divorce from defendant-appellee Carol Sicilia ("Wife"), ordering him to pay child support, and spousal support, and dividing the property and debts. We are asked to determine if the trial court abused its discretion in dividing property, ordering spousal support and ordering child support. For the reasons stated below, the decision of the trial court is affirmed.[¶ 2] This case is related to Sicilia v. Sicilia, 7th Dist. No. 99CO66, 2001-Ohio-3364. As such the facts are identical. The parties were married on November 8, 1980. One child was born as issue of the marriage, Jaclyn Sicilia. The court granted the parties a divorce and entered its judgment on August 31, 1999. Husband timely appealed that decision. Our court remanded the decision back to the trial court to determine whether the property at issue was marital or separate property. Id. Accordingly, the trial court reviewed the transcript of proceedings and determined that the property at issue was marital property. 10/31/01 J.E. Husband timely appeals from that decision.
[¶ 5] An appellate court reviews a trial court's determination of property division under a manifest weight of the evidence standard. Martinv. Martin (1985),[¶ 4] "THE TRIAL COURT'S DIVISION OF THE APPELLANT'S PREMARITAL HOME EQUITY WAS AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION AND THEREFORE CONTRARY TO LAW."
[¶ 6] Prior to the marriage, husband owned the marital home. Husband claims that part of the equity in the home was his separate property. Husband testified he "guessed" he had at least $80,000 in equity in the house at the time of the marriage. (Tr. 46). Wife testified that she "believed" husband's equity in the house at the time of the marriage was $30,000. (Tr. 418). No documentation was provided to support either party's "guess" or "belief." The proceeds from the sale of the house was $9,000. (Tr. 46). Husband explained that the reason the proceeds from the sale of the house were so small was due to the second mortgage the parties had previously taken out on the house, which they had used to pay off some of their debt. (Tr. 46). The trial court held that the $9,000 was marital property and as such divided that amount between the parties. Husband claims that the trial court's holding is incorrect.
[¶ 7] Marital property does not include any separate property. R.C.
[¶ 8] Husband has the burden to prove by a preponderance of evidence that a portion of the home is separate property rather than marital property. Zeefe v. Zeefe (1998),
[¶ 9] Applying the above law to the facts, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the proceeds from the sale of the marital home was marital property. Husband claimed he had separate equity in the house at the time of the marriage, therefore it was his burden to prove that a portion of the equity in the marital home was his separate property. Husband failed to meet this burden. He testified that he "guessed" he had $80,000 in equity in the house at the time of the marriage. (Tr. 46). As explained earlier, testimony alone is not enough to trace separate property that was commingled with marital property. He provided no documentation to corroborate this testimony. Had husband shown when he acquired the property, the purchase price, the indebtedness at the time of purchase and at time of marriage, this would trace his equity in the home and would provide evidence of separate property. Having failed to show any more than a mere "guess" as to the amount of equity he had in the home prior to marriage, husband has failed to prove his claim. This assignment of error is without merit. The trial court did not abuse its discretion.
[¶ 10] "THE TRIAL COURT'S DISTRIBUTION OF VIRTUALLY THE ENTIRE NET VALUE OF THE MARITAL ESTATE TO THE APPELLEE/WIFE IS NOT EQUITABLE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND THEREFORE IS AN ABUSE OF THE TRIAL COURT'S DISCRETION AND CONTRARY TO LAW."[¶ 11] On remand, the trial court determined the proceeds of the marital residence, the balance of the 1998 income tax refunds, the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird GT, 1998 Pontiac Grand Am GT, GM Stock Savings Plan, and the GM Pension Plan were marital property. The court divided the proceeds from the marital residence, the balance of the 1998 income tax refunds, and the GM Pension Plan equally between the parties. The trial court awarded the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am GT, estimated actual value at $13,650, to husband. However, he owed more than this on the car. The trial court awarded the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird GT to wife which was valued at $3,725. Husband was awarded $25,281.21 from the GM Stock Savings Plan which was to pay off the SSPP loans. The remainder of the Stock Savings Plan was divided equally between the parties. Deducting the loan balance on the 1998 Grand Am from husband's share of the assets, the total allocation works out to be $67,148.69 to husband and $72,443.43 to wife. This means husband received approximately 48% of the total assets and wife received approximately 52% of the total assets.
[¶ 12] The court also divided the marital debt. Husband must pay marital credit card debt of $40,118.03 and the SSPP loans of $25,281.21. However, the court allocated money from the Stock Savings Plan to pay off the SSPP loans. Wife must pay marital credit card debt $19,407.12. Without including the SSPP loan, since the trial court allocated money to pay off this debt, husband must pay approximately 67% of the marital debt, while wife pays 33%. The trial court stated that due to the earning capacity of the parties, equal division of the debt would have been inequitable. 10/31/01 J.E. As such, the debt was divided more heavily to husband. 10/31/01 J.E.
[¶ 13] Husband argues that when the allocation of debt and property is taken in conjunction with the amount of spousal support, $2,000 a month for 48 months, and child support, $871.64 per month, the division of property and debt is inequitable. He claims that as a result of these figures, wife obtains a windfall. He states that given his monthly income, he is incapable of paying the amount of debt, child support and spousal support per month as he is required to by court order.
[¶ 14] When dividing property, the court shall divide marital property equally, unless an equal division would be inequitable. R.C.
[¶ 15] In the case sub judice, clearly the debt is not allocated equally. Husband uses his 1998 income to show that he cannot pay all he is required to pay. However, in his numbers he includes the attorney fees, which were deferred by the court for 18 months from August 31, 1999. 10/26/99 J.E. As such, husband would be required to begin paying $150 a month in attorney fees starting March of 2001. The court reasoned that by this time a few of the credit cards would be paid off. Examining the debt, it appears to be reasonable that three credit cards would be paid off by this point. Furthermore, Jacklyn should graduate from high school in May 2002; she turned 18 in September 2001. As such, child support would terminate.
[¶ 16] Additionally in husband's calculation to show that he cannot pay all that is required of him, he adds in the SSPP loans and life insurance in excess of what is needed to fulfill his obligation. Regarding the SSPP loans, the trial court specifically, in its journal entry, allocated money from the Stock Savings Plan to pay this debt. Both parties agree the Stock Savings Plan contained $69,659.88 and that an early withdraw would have tax consequences. The SSPP loans amount to $25,281.21. The trial court subtracted this amount from the Stock Savings Plan and then divided the remainder equally between the parties. Husband has the option of taking the money out of the Stock Savings Plan and paying the consequences of the early withdraw to pay off the loans.
[¶ 17] Concerning the additional life insurance purchased by husband, husband admits that this life insurance is optional and could be dropped. (10/15/99 Tr. 6, 7). His only argument is that if he drops this insurance and later on can afford it, he would not be allowed to pick this policy back up. (10/15/99 Tr. 6, 7). However, the trial court found that he did not need this insurance to satisfy his spousal support and child support obligation to wife and daughter if he died before termination of those orders. He can drop this insurance and save $106 a month.
[¶ 18] Furthermore, husband uses his 1998 gross income of $88,282.78 to claim he cannot pay all the obligations he is required to. The 1998 gross income is the lowest income in the five years that preceded the divorce. Before 1998 he made between $90,000 and $100,000 gross. The trial court stated in its journal entry that husband makes roughly $100,000 per year and specifically stated in 1993, he made $93,000. The trial court was in the best position to determine the income and expenses of the parties. However, even if the 1998 figure is used, it appears husband can meet the financial obligations. His net income would be $65,510.36. Subtract from that amount the spousal support award of $24,000 and the child support obligation of $18,415.08, the remainder is $31,050.68. Subtract his living expenses for the year which was allocated by the court at $18,415.08. The remainder is $12,635.60. Then subtract $9,744 a year in credit card debt. This calculation results in a surplus of over $2,000.
[¶ 19] Husband additionally claims wife received a windfall from the divorce. However, this is not true. Adding the spousal support and the child support together, wife receives $34,459.68 per year. Also, minimum wage at $10,712 can be imputed to wife. Therefore, she is earning $45,171.68 per year. Subtracting her basic living expense for the year which was allocated by the court at $30,000, the remainder is $15,171.68. She has $14,448 per year in credit card debt. Subtract these amounts and the remainder is $723.68.
[¶ 20] Given all of the numbers that were provided to the trial court, it did not abuse its discretion in allocating marital debt. This assignment of error is without merit.
[¶ 21] "THE TRIAL COURT'S SPOUSAL SUPPORT ORDER AND AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES IS SO INEQUITABLE IN BOTH THE AMOUNT AND THE COURT ORDERED TAX TREATMENT, AS TO RENDER IT AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION AND CONTRARY TO LAW."[¶ 22] Husband was ordered to pay $2,000 a month for 48 months in spousal support. The trial court ordered this award to put the wife and husband in an approximately equal state as they had been when they were married. The court stated that the length of spousal support was calculated to help with raising the child and to give wife the opportunity and the incentive to find full-time employment. 10/31/01 J.E. Husband argues that the court's award of spousal support is inequitable in light of the factors set forth in R.C.
[¶ 23] The trial court considered the factors enumerated in R.C.
[¶ 24] The trial court considered the income and debts of the marriage in computing spousal support. The trial court considered the husband's income, the possible minimum wage income of wife and the distribution of the property and debt during the divorce to determine the spousal support award. R.C.
[¶ 25] The trial court also considered the tax consequences for both parties of the spousal support award. R.C.
[¶ 26] The determination of the reasonable and appropriate amount of spousal support is a matter within the discretion of the Domestic Relations Court. Glick v. Glick (1999),
[¶ 27] "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW BY FAILING TO CONSIDER THE APPELLANT'S SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS AND OTHER COURT ORDERED OBLIGATIONS AND PROVIDE FOR A CHILD SUPPORT DEVIATION IN CALCULATING CHILD SUPPORT PURSUANT TO ORC [sic][¶ 28] At trial, the parties stipulated to basic child support calculations given husband's income history and imputing minimum wage to wife. They stipulated to $871.64 per month in child support. The court ordered this amount paid in child support.3113.215 ."
[¶ 29] Husband argues that the stipulation was subject to his supplemental request for deviation due to the party's substantial debt. He claims that along with the $29,423.52 per year in debt that he is required to pay, he must also pay $24,000 non-tax deductible spousal support per year. The trial court stated it did not believe it was equitable to the child to change the child support based on husband's complaint that he cannot pay the debts of the marriage that he and wife incurred. 10/31/01 J.E.
[¶ 30] Husband wants a downward departure from the child support award based upon his substantial indebtedness. As stated earlier, husband can meet his financial obligations under these orders. No other facts exist to support a downward departure from the agreed upon child support award. Therefore, this assignment of error is also without merit.
[¶ 31] For the foregoing reasons, the decision of the trial court is hereby affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
Donofrio and DeGenaro, JJ., concur.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.