Tripp v. French, Unpublished Decision (12-18-2002)
Tripp v. French, Unpublished Decision (12-18-2002)
Opinion of the Court
This cause was heard upon the record in the trial court. Each error assigned has been reviewed and the following disposition is made: {¶ 1} Appellant, Patricia French, appeals from the judgment of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, that granted the motion for summary judgment of Appellee, Axel Tripp, executor of the estate of Willi Tripp. We affirm.
{¶ 2} On December 12, 2000, Appellee filed a complaint against Appellant in the Medina Municipal Court. Appellant filed an answer and counterclaim, along with a motion to certify the counterclaim to the Medina County Court of Common Pleas, on February 9, 2001. The case was transferred to the Medina County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, on February 15, 2001. On April 27, 2001, the Appellee filed a motion for leave to plead, which the court subsequently granted. Appellee then filed a response on June 22, 2001.
{¶ 3} A pretrial was held on August 22, 2001, and the court set November 19, 2001, as the date dispositive motions were due. On November 19, 2001, Appellee filed a motion for extension of time within which to file for summary judgment. The court granted Appellee's motion. Thereafter, on November 29, 2001, Appellee filed a motion for summary judgment on Appellant's counterclaims. Appellant filed a response and motion for partial summary judgment. Summary judgment was granted to Appellee on December 28, 2001. On February 21, 2002, the trial judge ordered that a writ of restitution be executed. Appellant vacated the premises and Appellee gained possession. Appellant timely appealed raising four assignments of error. For ease of review, assignments of error one and two will be addressed jointly.
{¶ 6} In her first and second assignments of error, Appellant maintains that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment because the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the forcible entry and detainer action. Specifically, Appellant argues that the notice she received, pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 7} The Ohio Supreme Court has stated that forcible entry and detainer actions decide the right to immediate possession of property and "nothing else." Seventh Urban, Inc. v. Univ. Circle Property Dev., Inc.
(1981),
{¶ 8} A defendant appealing a judgment of forcible entry and detainer may overcome a ruling of mootness through the process outlined in R.C.
{¶ 9} In the instant case, notwithstanding the fact that the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Appellee, even though Appellee did not file a motion for summary judgment pertaining to the eviction matters, the issue is moot. Appellant did not seek the remedy provided under the statute and instead vacated the premises as ordered. Inasmuch as Appellee currently has possession of the premises at issue, the forcible entry and detainer aspect of this case has become moot. SeeCrossings Dev. Ltd. Partnership,
{¶ 11} In her third assignment of error, Appellant asserts that the trial court erred by granting summary judgment in favor of Appellee. Appellant maintains that she has a legally recognizable interest in the subject real property. Appellant's assignment of error is not well taken.
{¶ 12} Pursuant to Civ.R. 56(C), summary judgment is proper if: "(1) No genuine issue as to any material fact remains to be litigated; (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law; and (3) it appears from the evidence that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion, and viewing such evidence most strongly in favor of the party against whom the motion for summary judgment is made, that conclusion is adverse to that party." Temple v. Wean United, Inc. (1977),
{¶ 13} The party moving for summary judgment bears the initial burden of informing the trial court of the basis for the motion and is to identify portions of the record that demonstrate the absence of genuine issues of material fact as to an essential element of the non-moving party's claims. Dresher v. Burt (1996),
{¶ 14} Construing the evidence most strongly in favor of Appellant, we find that the document submitted, titled "marriage proposal contract," cannot reasonably be construed as satisfying R.C.
{¶ 15} R.C.
{¶ 16} To enforce either an agreement in consideration of marriage or an agreement upon an interest in land, Ohio statutory law clearly requires that there be a writing or memorandum that is signed by the person to be charged. Appellant bases her alleged interest in the real property on a "marriage proposal contract" purportedly written by the decedent. The "contract's" terms require the decedent to provide and love for Appellant and to title a new house in both his and her names if Appellant and the decedent enter into a marital relationship. However, this "marriage proposal contract" submitted by Appellant does not contain the signature of the decedent, the person to be charged. Moreover, the parties were never married, and therefore the condition precedent to the formation of the contract was not satisfied.
{¶ 17} Additionally, Appellant argues that "[a]n oral contract to deed property is recognized in Ohio and is actionable." She asserts that partial performance of the contract removes the matter from the statute of frauds. However, the Ohio Supreme Court has stated that "[t]he doctrine of part performance can be invoked, to take a case out of the statute of frauds in Ohio only in cases involving the sale or leasing of real estate, wherein there has been a delivery of possession of the real estate in question, and in settlements made upon consideration of marriage, followed by actual marriage." Hodges v. Ettinger (1934),
{¶ 18} As the requirements of part performance have not been satisfied and because there is no signed writing conveying an interest of land, Appellant did not present "specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial." Dresher,
{¶ 19} Accordingly, the trial court did not err in granting Appellee's motion for summary judgment. Appellant's third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 21} In her fourth assignment of error, Appellant asserts that the trial court improperly granted Appellee's motion for summary judgment in regards to Appellant's counterclaims for the setting aside of decedent's will, slander of reputation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, Appellant has failed to cite to any legal authority that would support this assignment of error.
{¶ 22} "An appellant bears the burden of affirmatively demonstrating error on appeal." Hutchison v. Henderson, 9th Dist. No. 20862, 2002-Ohio-4521, at ¶ 39, quoting In re Hiltabidel, 9th Dist. No. 21009, 2002-Ohio-3627, at ¶ 58. An appellant's brief must contain argument and law, "with citations to the authorities, statutes, and parts of the record on which appellant relies." App.R. 16(A)(7). "If an argument exists that can support this assignment of error, it is not this court's duty to root it out." State v. Clifford, 9th Dist. No. 20871, 2002-Ohio-4531, at ¶ 15, quoting Cardone v. Cardone (May 6, 1998), 9th Dist. Nos. 18349 and 18673, at 18.
{¶ 23} As Appellant has failed to cite to any legal authority that would support her fourth assignment of error, we shall disregard this alleged error. See App.R. 16(A)(7). Accordingly, this Court will not address Appellant's fourth assignment of error.
{¶ 24} Appellant's assignments of error are overruled. The decision of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, is affirmed.
CARR, J., BATCHELDER, J. CONCUR.
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