Gupta v. Sharan
Citation2022 Ohio 4479
Date Filed2022-12-13
Docket22AP-81
JudgeKlatt
Cited3 times
StatusPublished
Syllabus
Trial court properly denied appellant's motion for continuance of final divorce hearing, divided marital property, awarded appellee sole custody of the parties' two minor children, and ordered appellant to pay appellee's attorney fees out of appellant's share of the marital assets.
Full Opinion (html_with_citations)
[Cite as Gupta v. Sharan,2022-Ohio-4479
.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
Kanhaiya Lal Gupta, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
No. 22AP-81
v. : (C.P.C. No. 19DR-3788)
Sumana Sharan, : (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Defendant-Appellant. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on December 13, 2022
On brief: Nigh Law Group, L.P.A., Joseph A. Nigh and
Tracy Q. Wendt, for appellee. Argued: Tracy Q. Wendt.
On brief: Charles Tyler, Sr., for appellant. Argued: Charles
Tyler, Sr.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas,
Division of Domestic Relations
KLATT, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Sumana Sharan, appeals a judgment of the Franklin
County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, that granted appellant and
plaintiff-appellee, Kanhaiya Lal Gupta a divorce, divided the marital property, allocated
parental rights and responsibilities, awarded no spousal support or child support, and
ordered appellant to pay appellee's attorney fees. For the following reasons, we affirm.
{¶ 2} The parties were married in India on May 22, 2013. Two children were born
of the marriage; both are still minors. On October 24, 2019, appellee filed a complaint for
divorce and requested temporary orders. A hearing on the temporary orders was set for
December 5, 2019. On December 4, 2019, appellant voluntarily left the marital residence
No. 22AP-81 2
with the children. Appellee appeared at the December 5, 2019 hearing with counsel;
appellant appeared pro se and requested a continuance to obtain counsel. The trial court
granted the continuance and set a new hearing date. Following the December 5, 2019
hearing, the children resided with appellee and appellant had no further physical contact
with them. On December 11, 2019, appellant, pro se, filed an answer and counterclaim for
divorce. Appellant returned to India on December 18, 2019. Appellant obtained counsel in
late January 2020. On January 31, 2020, the trial court appointed Laura M. Peterman as
guardian ad litem ("GAL") for the children.
{¶ 3} Following several continuances, a hearing was held on the temporary orders.
Appellee attended in person; appellant appeared via Zoom. Temporary orders, effective
October 24, 2019, were issued on April 6, 2020, pursuant to which appellee was designated
the temporary residential parent and legal custodian of the children and appellant was
granted parenting time via telephone or other electronic communication. No child support
or spousal support was ordered.
{¶ 4} On December 3, 2020, appellant requested a stay of the proceedings
pursuant to an alleged travel ban between the United States and India due to the COVID-
19 pandemic; appellee opposed the request. The trial court granted the stay on February 2,
2021. The stay was lifted on April 13, 2021.
{¶ 5} On March 30, 2021, appellee filed a motion requesting the trial court set a de
facto termination date of marriage of December 4, 2019. On June 25, 2021, appellee filed
a motion to compel appellant's response to appellee's discovery requests. Both motions
were set for hearing, along with a status conference, on September 17, 2021. The trial court
sua sponte continued the motion hearing/status conference until October 22, 2021.
{¶ 6} Appellee, appellee's counsel, appellant's counsel and the GAL appeared at the
October 22, 2021 hearing; appellant did not attend. Appellee's de facto termination of date
of marriage motion was heard first. Appellee testified and presented documentary
evidence; appellant's counsel presented no witnesses or documentary evidence on
appellant's behalf. Based on appellee's evidence, the trial court orally granted appellee's
motion, finding a de facto termination date of marriage of December 4, 2019.1
1 The trial court memorialized its oral ruling in a decision and entry filed October 27, 2021. In that decision,
the trial court found the duration of the marriage to be from May 22, 2013 to December 4, 2019. Appellant
does not assign error in the trial court's ruling.
No. 22AP-81 3
{¶ 7} Thereafter, the trial court addressed appellee's motion to compel. Following
a colloquy about the discovery issues, counsel and the court discussed scheduling of the
final divorce hearing. Upon the trial court's averment that "we know we are going to set
this in a week or so for the divorce * * * [and appellant] is not going to be here," counsel for
appellant indicated that he would not be available until the first week of November.
(Oct. 22, 2021 Tr. at 44.) The trial court asked if the hearing would be uncontested;
appellant's counsel responded, "Correct." Id. at 49. Attempting to clarify counsel's
statement regarding his availability, the court asked, "but you're saying wait until the first
week of November?" Id. Counsel replied, "Right." Id. Counsel for appellee suggested a
November 1, 2021 hearing date; counsel for appellant agreed to that date. Counsel for
appellant then inquired, "[w]ould you be opposed since it's uncontested, if I can attend by
Zoom?" Id. The trial court agreed and set the matter for final hearing on November 1, 2021.
{¶ 8} On October 25, 2021, appellant filed a motion requesting that she be
permitted to attend the November 1, 2021 hearing via Zoom. Appellant asserted that she
lived in India and was unable to travel to Ohio. The next day, appellant filed a motion
requesting that the court appoint an interpreter. Appellee opposed appellant's Zoom
motion, arguing that such request contradicted the statements made by appellant's counsel
at the October 22, 2021 hearing, i.e., that appellant would not be present for the
November 1, 2021 hearing and that counsel wished to attend the hearing via Zoom. The
trial court denied the motion by entry filed October 27, 2021. The court reasoned that
appellant had failed to appear at the last three hearings, two of which were held via Zoom,
that it had been advised at the October 22, 2021 hearing that appellant would not attend
the final hearing, and that appellant had failed to comply with discovery requests. In a
separate entry filed the same day, the trial court granted appellant's motion for an
interpreter.
{¶ 9} On October 29, 2021, the GAL filed her report. On the same day, appellee
filed a "Memo Contra Plaintiff to Defendant's Motion to Continue." In this filing, appellee
averred that on October 29, 2021, appellant filed a motion requesting a continuance of the
final hearing set for November 1, 2021. We note that appellant's motion for continuance is
not part of the trial court record.
No. 22AP-81 4
{¶ 10} The final hearing was held as scheduled on November 1, 2021. Appellee, his
counsel, and the GAL attended in person. Counsel for appellant appeared via Zoom;
appellant did not attend. At the outset, the trial court noted that an interpreter was present
in the courtroom. The court averred that it granted appellant's request for an interpreter
in case she appeared at the hearing. Noting appellant's absence, the court excused the
interpreter from the proceedings.
{¶ 11} The court next addressed appellant's motion to continue the hearing.2 As we
noted above, this motion is not part of the trial court record; accordingly, we glean its
contents through appellee's written response and the discussion held on the record at the
hearing. The court first entertained counsel's argument that the GAL did not file her report
seven days prior to the final hearing as required under the domestic court's local rules.
The GAL responded that she had articulated her position for "well over a year" that she
would not recommend that appellant be awarded custody of the children while she lived in
India; accordingly, her recommendation that appellee be awarded custody "should not have
come as a surprise to anyone." (Nov. 1, 2021 Tr. at 7.) The GAL further averred that the
custody issue would be revisited if appellant returned to the United States. The GAL also
asserted that that the seven-day local rule is not mandatory.
{¶ 12} The trial court then permitted appellant's counsel to argue the other points
raised in the motion for continuance. To that end, counsel argued that appellee's counsel
had failed to provide his trial notebook two weeks prior to the final hearing. Counsel also
maintained that in contravention of the domestic court's local rules, the trial court failed to
schedule a case management hearing after the stay was lifted. According to counsel, the
trial court instead "decided to set a quick trial date for just over a week after the latest
hearing." Id. at 9. Counsel acknowledged that he agreed to the November 1, 2021 hearing
date, but asserted that after he told appellant about the hearing date, she informed him that
her attendance was both logistically and financially impossible; thus, he filed the motion
requesting that appellant be permitted to attend by Zoom.
2 The court also addressed and denied appellant's motion requesting recusal of the trial judge. We note
that this motion is not included in the trial court record. The record includes only appellee's October 29,
2021 response and the trial court's November 2, 2021 entry denying the motion. We further note that
appellant has not assigned error in the trial court's ruling.
No. 22AP-81 5
{¶ 13} The trial court reminded counsel that he had agreed to the final hearing date
of November 1, 2021 and indicated that the divorce would be uncontested. The court
averred that it agreed to permit counsel to appear via Zoom because "uncontested" in the
context of this case meant "she is not coming * * * or I guess if you're coming, you're
standing there and you're not making arguments or not presenting evidence to the
contrary." Id. at 12.
{¶ 14} Following a lengthy discussion about the protracted procedural history of the
case, the trial court denied the motion for continuance. In particular, the court noted that
appellee was present and wanted the hearing to go forward. The court further averred, "I
think [appellant] did have time to be here * * * and I think she really doesn't have any
intention of being here from what we could tell from the last hearing." Id. at 29-30.
{¶ 15} Following a brief recess, counsel for appellant advised the court that he had
received an email from appellant stating that she no longer wanted him to represent her;
accordingly, on the advice of his malpractice insurer, he moved to withdraw as counsel.
After the trial court granted that motion, counsel orally moved for a continuance to allow
appellant to either obtain another attorney or to prepare to represent herself. The trial
court denied that motion stating, "[t]he fact that she is firing you on the day of trial doesn't
mean I have to give her [a] chance for another counsel." Id. at 32. Counsel thereafter took
no further actions on appellant's behalf.3
{¶ 16} Following resolution of those preliminary matters, the hearing proceeded to
the presentation of evidence. As relevant here, appellee testified that he and appellant were
married in India on May 22, 2013 and share two minor children. During their marriage,
appellant had an extramarital affair and filed several false police reports against appellee
alleging domestic violence.
{¶ 17} Appellee further averred that over the course of the divorce proceedings, he
had, through counsel, submitted several requests for discovery; appellant either did not
respond to the requests at all or responded in an untimely manner. As a result, he had no
information about appellant's current financial circumstances or employment status.
3 Appellant's appellate counsel is the same counsel who represented her (prior to his dismissal) in the trial
court proceeding.
No. 22AP-81 6
{¶ 18} Regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, appellee
testified that he agreed with the recommendation in the GAL's report that he be awarded
sole legal custody of the children. Appellee averred that appellant had not been physically
present to parent the children since she left for India in December 2019. Appellee disagreed
with the GAL's recommendation that appellant be permitted FaceTime interactions with
the children three times per week at designated times; appellee agreed to thrice-weekly
FaceTime interactions but requested the flexibility to schedule them in accordance with the
children's activities and his work schedule. Appellee further testified that appellant was
convicted of disorderly conduct in May 2019 stemming from a shoplifting incident at a local
mall. According to appellee, appellant committed the offense in the presence of the
children, initially gave the arresting officers a false name and address, and did not provide
them with appellee's contact information.
{¶ 19} Appellee also averred that he had lived in his current residence, a two-
bedroom apartment, since December 2011 and planned to live there for the foreseeable
future. The children were enrolled in age-appropriate schools and had friends in the
community. Because appellant had lived in India for the past two years, appellee was solely
responsible for the physical, emotional, and financial needs of the children. In addition,
appellant had not contributed financially to the children's care. Appellee stated that
appellant lived with her parents in India and had indicated in her court filings that she had
no living expenses. Appellee testified that he did not want appellant to have parenting time
with the children other than through FaceTime. In addition, he requested that the trial
court order that if appellant returned to the United States, she would be permitted
parenting time only if she had a permanent visa, as he feared that appellant would take the
children back to India if she had only a temporary visa.
{¶ 20} Appellee further testified that he is currently employed at United Software
Group, Inc. at an annual salary $101,000; he identified documentation substantiating that
testimony. (Pl.'s Ex. 9.) In addition, he testified that he provides medical, dental, and vision
insurance for the children, and pays tuition at the preschool where his youngest child is
enrolled; he provided statements outlining those monthly insurance and tuition payments.
(Pl.'s Exs. 10, 11.) He further averred that although he worked from home during the
COVID-19 pandemic, he recently had been informed by his employer that he would return
No. 22AP-81 7
to in-person work beginning in January 2022; he estimated his monthly childcare expense
to be $2,000 following his return to in-person work. Because he knew nothing about
appellant's current employment status, he requested that the court impute her salary at
minimum wage. Appellee noted that appellant has a Bachelor of Science degree, has no
physical or mental impairments, and is 28 years old.
{¶ 21} Appellee presented a child support worksheet which included his annual
income of $101,000, annual insurance payments of $8,652, annual childcare costs of
$3,900, imputation of $18,304 (minimum wage) to appellant, and request for monthly
child support of $207.98 (Pl.'s Ex. 12.) Appellee requested that neither party be awarded
spousal support. Appellee further testified that he had made all court-ordered payments
for the GAL fees and would pay the GAL any outstanding fees associated with preparation
of her final written report and corresponding in-court testimony.
{¶ 22} Regarding the division of marital assets and liabilities, appellee presented a
balance sheet including valuations. (Pl.'s Ex. 14.) Specifically, the balance sheet indicated
that the parties owned no real property. The balance sheet listed two properties appellee's
parents purchased in India, both before and during his marriage, that were gifted to him
and his siblings. The balance sheet also listed a Honda CR-V owned by appellee valued at
$19,000 and upon which appellee owed $10,000. (Pl.'s Exs. 14, 15, 16, 17.) In addition,
the balance sheet listed several bank accounts held in appellee's name—Wells Fargo, Chase,
State Bank of India, ICICI Bank—with corresponding balances. (Exs. 14, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B,
20, 21A, 21B.) The balance sheet also showed two 401K retirement accounts owned by
appellee—Hewlett Packard and Perspecta. Appellee offered documentation valuing those
accounts at $56,283.85 and $64,391, respectively. (Pl.'s Exs. 14, 22, 23.) Appellee testified
that he wanted the court to award appellant the entire value of the Perspecta retirement
account. The balance sheet also listed $2,00o in household goods (Pl.'s Ex. 14.) Regarding
liabilities, the balance sheet identified credit card and healthcare-related debt incurred
solely in appellee's name totaling $1,830. (Pl.'s Exs. 14, 24, 25.) Appellee also presented
his 2019 and 2020 federal income tax returns. (Pl.'s Exs. 26, 27.) Appellee acknowledged
that the balance sheet demonstrated his receipt of $152,951, with appellant receiving
$64,391—a difference of $88,560—and that equalization would require appellee to pay
appellant $44,280. Appellee requested that the $44,280 be used as an offset to the
No. 22AP-81 8
property settlement to account for his expenditures for childcare costs, attorney fees, and
GAL fees since December 4, 2019.
{¶ 23} Regarding attorney fees, appellee testified that as of the date of the final
hearing, he had paid attorney fees totaling $30,215.92 ($17,000 to his former counsel and
$13,215.92 to his current counsel), with an additional approximated amount of $3,900
owed to current counsel for trial preparation, attendance at trial, and divorce decree
preparation. Appellee averred that appellant's actions during the proceedings increased his
attorney fees. Appellee particularly noted appellant's failure to respond to discovery
requests which necessitated, among other things, the issuance of subpoenas to obtain
pertinent information. Appellee also averred that appellant appeared at only 2 of 13
scheduled hearings—the temporary orders hearing at which she appeared in person, and
the hearing on the motion for stay at which she appeared via Zoom. Appellee also testified
that appellant's motion to stay the proceedings was predicated upon false information
regarding the alleged travel ban. Appellee further testified that he paid $4,300 in GAL fees
as of September 2021 and would incur an additional $800 in GAL fees for preparation of
the final report and appearance at the hearing.
{¶ 24} The GAL testified at the hearing and submitted her October 29, 2021 report
as an exhibit. (GAL Ex. 1.) The GAL averred that when she was appointed on January 31,
2020, appellant had already left for India; as such, she had no opportunity to observe
appellant with the children. She further averred that she had observed appellee with the
children at home; she opined that appellee had a very strong, loving bond with them.
{¶ 25} The GAL further testified that she spoke with appellant via Skype on at least
two occasions. During these conversations, appellant expressed concerns that the children
were malnourished and underweight. In response, the GAL asked appellee to demonstrate
via Zoom the children's physical appearance and the contents of his refrigerator and pantry.
Based on this Zoom interaction, the GAL was satisfied that the children were healthy and
well-nourished. The GAL further averred that appellant expressed concern that appellee
was abusing the children and sent her a photograph depicting a mark on the nose of one of
the children. The GAL immediately contacted appellee, who reported that the mark
resulted from the child running into the corner of a wall during playtime; the GAL observed
that appellee had installed corner guards in the apartment. The GAL also spoke privately
No. 22AP-81 9
with the children; both expressed respect for appellee and looked to him for love, direction,
and care. Based on her investigation, the GAL found no merit to appellant's allegations.
{¶ 26} The GAL expressed concerns about appellant's behavior, including the
shoplifting incident at the mall. The GAL further noted that appellant had often signaled
her intention to return to the United States when she could afford to do so; however, she
had yet to return. The GAL further averred that "last week was the first time that I heard
she had no intention of returning." (Nov. 1, 2021 Tr. at 88.) The GAL recommended that
if appellant were to return to the United States, re-evaluation of the custody issue would be
necessary; the GAL echoed appellee's concerns about granting appellant parenting time if
she was in the United States on only a temporary visa.
{¶ 27} Following conclusion of the GAL's testimony, appellee provided additional
testimony. Appellee requested that appellant be awarded only one-half of the value of the
Perspecta retirement account, with the balance awarded to him to offset the legal fees he
has incurred in defending himself and his family against claims of domestic abuse levied by
appellant in India. Appellee also averred that before appellant left for India, he had
cameras installed in his home to provide evidence to the police that he was not physically
abusing appellant.
{¶ 28} The trial court memorialized its oral ruling denying the continuance in its
January 18, 2022 amended judgment entry-decree of divorce. The court found that
appellant was not prejudiced by the scheduling of the final hearing on November 1, 2021,
as she was represented by counsel at the time of the scheduling, her counsel participated in
choosing the date, indicated that the matter was uncontested, and informed the court that
appellant would not be in attendance. The court also found unavailing appellant's
arguments regarding the trial notebooks and delay in receiving the GAL's report.
Specifically, the court found that because appellant's counsel stated at the October 22, 2021
hearing that the matter would be uncontested, there was no need for the GAL to file a report
seven days in advance of the November 1, 2021 hearing or for the parties to exchange trial
notebooks. In addition, the court rejected appellant's arguments regarding the lack of an
amended case management order after the stay was lifted on April 13, 2021. The court
noted that the local rule upon which appellant relied placed the onus on her counsel to
request a hearing or submit an amended order; counsel had done neither.
No. 22AP-81 10
{¶ 29} Turning to the substantive issues raised at the final hearing, the court granted
appellee a divorce from appellant on grounds of extreme cruelty and adultery and
dismissed appellant's counterclaim. The court determined the duration of the marriage to
be from May 22, 2013 to December 4, 2019.
{¶ 30} Regarding the division of marital assets and liabilities, the court noted that
appellee presented a proposed balance sheet. The court divided the marital assets and
liabilities in accordance with the testimony and exhibits provided by appellee at the final
hearing. The court ordered that appellant pay the attorney fees incurred by appellee based
on appellant's failure to participate in the litigation, failure to provide discovery, and failure
to attend hearings. The court further noted that appellant had made multiple false
allegations about appellee to the GAL and police that caused delay and expense to appellee.
In addition, the court noted that appellee paid all the GAL fees and the costs of raising the
children since December 2019. Specifically, the court awarded appellee attorney fees
totaling $39,000, consisting of $5,100 in GAL fees and $33,900 in attorney fees. The court
found that due to appellant's lack of participation in the proceedings, her residing outside
the jurisdiction and in the absence of a child support order, the attorney fees and GAL fees
should be offset from the marital balance sheet.
{¶ 31} The court awarded as separate property the real property owned by appellee
in India and all four bank accounts. As to the marital property, the court awarded appellant
his automobile and associated debt, all credit card and healthcare related debt, the entire
balance of the Hewlett Packard retirement account, and $39,000 of the $64,391 value of
the Perspecta retirement account. The court awarded the $25,391 balance of the Perspecta
retirement account to appellant.
{¶ 32} Regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, the trial court
found, after consideration of the factors set forth in R.C. 3109.04, that appellee should be
awarded sole legal custody the parties' minor children. In support of this finding, the court
noted that appellee had been the sole caretaker and provider of financial and emotional
support for the children following appellant's departure to India in December 2019. The
court further noted that the GAL had recommended that appellee be awarded custody of
the children. In addition, the court noted appellant's conviction for disorderly conduct.
No. 22AP-81 11
{¶ 33} Regarding child support, the court found, after consideration of the factors in
R.C. 3119.02, that child support owed appellee would be in the sum of $207.28 per month,
plus cash medical support of $10.72 and 2 percent processing charge of $4.37, for a total of
$223.07 per month. The court further found that a deviation in child support was
appropriate based upon appellee's testimony that the cost of living is 71.5 percent lower in
India; however, based on the presumption that wages are lower in India, the court
accordingly presumed that imputing minimum wage of $18,304 to appellant was
unrealistic. The court further noted that appellee's paying for private school and having 100
percent of the financial responsibility for the children would normally substantiate an
upward deviation in child support paid to him. However, because appellee received
attorney fees paid by appellant through the division of marital assets, the trial court ordered
that no child support be paid to appellee.
{¶ 34} Regarding spousal support, the trial court first noted appellee's request that
none be awarded to either party. After addressing each of the factors set forth in R.C.
3105.18(C)(1), the trial court found that the evidence did not support an award of spousal
support to either party.
{¶ 35} Finally, the court addressed an award of attorney fees under R.C. 3105.73(A).
Citing appellee's testimony, the court ordered appellant to pay appellee's attorney fees
totaling $39,000, consisting of $5,100 in GAL fees, $17,000 to appellee's former counsel,
and $16,900 to appellee's current counsel. The court order that the payment be offset
against the division of marital assets.
{¶ 36} Appellant timely appeals, advancing five assignments of error for review:
[I]. The trial court erred, abused its discretion, and
committed reversible error when the judge setting a final trial
date failed to give the Defendant sufficient notice and time to
travel from India to participate in her divorce trial.
[II]. The trial court erred, abused its discretion, and
committed reversible error [when] the judge allowed the
Guardian Ad Litem to submit her GAL report one day before
the trial, in violation of the Court's own local rule, and violated
the Defendant's due process rights.
[III]. The trial court erred, abused its discretion, and
committed reversible error when [the court] ordered the
No. 22AP-81 12
Defendant to pay the Plaintiff's attorney fees from her share
of marital assets.
[IV]. The trial court erred, abused its discretion, and
committed reversible error when the court granted the
Plaintiff full custody of the children.
[V]. The trial court erred, abused its discretion, and
committed reversible error when it ordered a division of the
marital assets that was not fair and equitable.
{¶ 37} In her first assignment of error, appellant argues that the trial court abused
its discretion in failing to grant her motion for continuance of the November 1, 2021 final
hearing.4 Appellant notes that the final hearing was scheduled less than ten days after the
October 22, 2021 hearing determining the de facto termination date of the marriage.
Appellant maintains that the court was aware that appellant lived in India and was both
financially and logistically unable to return to the United States in time for the hearing.
Appellant also argues that the trial court should have granted the continuance because, in
contravention of the domestic court's local rules, the GAL did not file her report seven days
prior to the final hearing and the trial court did not schedule a case management hearing
after the stay was lifted. We disagree with appellant's contentions.
{¶ 38} In State v. Unger, 67 Ohio St.2d 65(1981), the Supreme Court of Ohio set forth a non-exhaustive set of factors for a court to consider in evaluating a motion for a continuance: "the length of the delay requested; whether other continuances have been requested and received; the inconvenience to litigants, witnesses, opposing counsel and the court; whether the requested delay is for legitimate reasons or whether it is dilatory, purposeful, or contrived; whether the defendant contributed to the circumstance which gives rise to the request for a continuance; and other relevant factors, depending on the unique facts of each case."Id. at 67-68
. " 'Unger does not suggest that information will always be available about each of these factors or require a court to assign particular weight to any one factor.' " Pheister v. Pheister, 10th Dist. No. 19AP-672,2020-Ohio-3007, ¶ 14
, quoting Musto v. Lorain Cty. Bd. of Revision,148 Ohio St.3d 456
,2016-Ohio-8058, ¶ 23
. 4 Appellant does not challenge the trial court's denial of the oral motion (made by her counsel prior to his withdrawal) to continue the hearing to allow her to obtain other counsel or to prepare for proceeding pro se. No. 22AP-81 13 On appeal, "Unger requires us 'to apply a balancing test, thereby weighing the trial court's interest in controlling its own docket, including facilitating the efficient dispensation of justice, versus the potential prejudice to the moving party.' " Pfeister at ¶ 12, quoting Fiocca v. Fiocca, 10th Dist. No. 04AP-962,2005-Ohio-2199, ¶ 7
, citingUnger at 67
. " 'The grant or denial of a continuance is a matter which is entrusted to the broad, sound discretion of the trial judge. An appellate court must not reverse the denial of a continuance unless there has been an abuse of discretion.' "Pheister at ¶ 12
, quotingUnger at 67
.
{¶ 39} Although the trial court did not expressly cite to Unger, the trial court
implicitly found applicable some of the Unger factors. Indeed, the trial court noted that at
the October 22, 2021 hearing, appellant's counsel participated in choosing the date of the
final hearing, indicated to the court, appellee, and opposing counsel that the matter was
uncontested, and that appellant would not attend the hearing. Preliminarily, we note that
" 'a client is bound by the acts of his attorney.' " Cichanowicz v. Cichanowicz, 3d Dist. No.
3-13-05, 2013-Ohio-5657, ¶ 68, quoting Thirion v. Neumann, 11th Dist. No. 2004-A-0032,2005-Ohio-1814, ¶ 17
. Moreover, the reasons set forth by the trial court arguably
demonstrate that it considered the inconvenience to the court as well as to appellee, the
GAL, and appellee's counsel (all of whom were present and prepared for the hearing); that
the requested delay was purposeful; that appellant contributed to the circumstance giving
rise to the requested continuance; and that other factors unique to the case were present.
Based on these factors, the court found disingenuous appellant's argument regarding her
alleged financial and logistical inability to attend the final hearing.
{¶ 40} In addition, at the time of the hearing, the action had been pending for over
two years; appellant left the country shortly after appellee initiated the proceedings and
never returned. Further, appellant provided no indication as to when, or even if, she
planned to return to the United States, nor did she provide any indication of her availability
to attend future Zoom hearings if such were scheduled. We further note appellant's
troublesome behavior over the course of the proceedings, including her failure to attend
numerous scheduled hearings, either in person or via Zoom, her failure to comply with
discovery requests, and her obtaining the stay under false pretenses. Under the
circumstances of this case, the trial court's refusal to continue the final hearing based upon
appellant's purposed inability to attend does not amount to an abuse of discretion.
No. 22AP-81 14
{¶ 41} Appellant also contends that the trial court erred when it did not continue the
hearing because the GAL did not comply with Loc.R. 15(I)(1) of the Franklin County Court
of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations ("Loc.R.") when she filed her report less
than seven days prior to the hearing date.
{¶ 42} Preliminarily, we note that appellant's citation to Loc.R. 15(I)(1) is inaccurate.
That rule stated, in relevant part: "In domestic relations proceedings involving the
allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, the final report shall be filed with the court
and made available to the parties for inspection no less than seven days before the final
hearing unless the due date is extended by the court." However, on October 1, 2021, the
domestic relations court amended its local rule governing the filing of the final GAL report.
Loc.R. 15(L), which was in effect at the time the GAL filed her written report in this case,
provides in relevant part:
(L) Reports and Court Appearances
A guardian ad litem shall prepare a written final report that
complies with the requirements of Sup.R. 48.06 as to content,
the time with which it shall be filed, and to whom it shall be
provided.
{¶ 43} Unlike the previous iteration of the rule, Loc.R. 15(L) links the timing
requirement for filing the final GAL report to Sup.R. 48.06(C)(1), which provides in part:
(C) Guardian ad litem reports in allocation of parental rights
and responsibilities cases
(1) A guardian ad litem in proceedings involving the allocation
of parental rights and responsibilities, custody, and visitation
shall provide a report to the court, unrepresented parties, and
legal counsel not less than seven days before the final hearing
date, unless the due date is modified by the court.
{¶ 44} This court and other Ohio appellate courts have held that the rules of
superintendence are merely guidelines and do not have the force and effect of statutory law.
In re S.S., 10th Dist. No. 17AP-681, 2018-Ohio-1249, ¶ 11 ("Rules of Superintendence are
only internal housekeeping rules that do not create substantive rights in individuals or
procedural law, and they do not have the force of law."); Lucas v. Byers, 11th Dist. No. 2020-
L-010, 2021-Ohio-246, ¶ 71 ("Rules of Superintendence are not the equivalent of rules of
procedure and have no force equivalent to a statute. They are purely internal housekeeping
No. 22AP-81 15
rules which are of concern to the judges of the several courts but create no rights in
individual defendants.") (Internal quotations omitted.); Ackley v. Haney, 12th Dist. No.
CA2021-07-017, 2022-Ohio-2382, ¶ 26 ("Rules of Superintendence do not have the same
force as statute or case law, but are rather purely internal housekeeping rules which do not
create substantive rights in individuals or procedural law."). Thus, noncompliance with
such a rule is generally not grounds for reversal. Id.,citing In re B.J., 12th Dist. No. CA2016-05-036,2016-Ohio-7440, ¶ 57
.
{¶ 45} Pursuant to the foregoing case law, the timing requirement set forth in Sup.R.
48.06(C)(1) does not create a substantive right in appellant and does not have the force of
law; accordingly, the trial court's refusal to continue the hearing based upon the GAL's filing
of the final report less than seven days prior to the hearing date does not constitute an abuse
of discretion.
{¶ 46} Appellant's final argument focuses on the trial court's alleged error in failing
to comply with Loc.R. 15(E)(2) which, according to appellant, required the trial court to
schedule a case management hearing after the stay was lifted. That rule provides in part
that "[w]hen the stay is lifted, trial counsel shall schedule a case management hearing."
(Emphasis added.) Id. As the trial court recognized, the rule placed the burden on
appellant's counsel to schedule a case management hearing after the stay was lifted and
counsel failed to do so. There was no abuse of discretion in the trial court's denial of the
motion to continue the hearing based upon appellant's failure to comply with the local rule.
{¶ 47} The first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 48} In her second assignment of error, appellant contends that the trial court
erred by allowing the GAL to submit her final report less than seven days prior to the
hearing date. Appellant maintains that the late filing precluded her from assembling
evidence or witnesses to rebut, explain, or otherwise challenge the statements contained in
the GAL report.
{¶ 49} Appellant again premises her timeliness argument on Loc.R. 15(I)(1) which,
as we discussed in our resolution of the first assignment of error, does not apply to this case.
As we further noted, the applicable rule, Loc.R. 15(L), defers to Sup.R. 48.06(C)(1), which
requires the GAL to provide the final written report "not less than seven days before the
final hearing date, unless the due date is modified by the court." (Emphasis added.) We
No. 22AP-81 16
have already determined, based on case law from this court and others, that Sup.R.
48.06(C)(1) does not create a substantive right in appellant and does not have the force of
law. S.S., 10th Dist. No. 17AP-681, 2018-Ohio-1249, ¶ 11; Lucas, 11th Dist. No. 2020-L-10,2021-Ohio-246, ¶ 71
. Thus, the seven-day requirement is not mandatory. Moreover, even
if it were mandatory, Sup.R. 48.06(C)(1) permits a trial court to modify the due date. Here,
the trial court clearly modified the due date for filing the GAL report based upon the
circumstances of the case. Indeed, the trial court found that because appellant's counsel
indicated at the October 22, 2021 hearing that the matter would be uncontested, there was
no need for the GAL to file the final report seven days in advance of the November 1, 2021
hearing.
{¶ 50} Moreover, we note the GAL's testimony (offered on the continuance issue)
that her position on the custody issue was known to appellant for over one year and thus
should not have been a surprise to her. In addition, appellant fails to provide any indication
as to what evidence or witnesses she could assemble to rebut, explain, or otherwise
challenge the statements contained in the GAL report. For these reasons, we cannot find
that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the GAL to file her final report less than
seven days prior to the final hearing.
{¶ 51} The second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 52} In her third assignment of error, appellant asserts that the trial court abused
its discretion in ordering her to pay appellee's attorney fees from her share of the marital
assets. Appellant's entire argument under this assignment of error consists of the following
four sentences:
It is undisputed that the [appellant] was unemployed during
the marriage and was a housewife while supporting her
husband's career. [Appellant] became homeless after the
[appellee] filed for divorce. She lived in a homeless shelter
before flying home to India. It was an abuse of discretion for
the court to order an indigent spouse to pay the attorney fees
of a spouse that has the means to pay his attorney fees.
(Appellant's brief at 12.)
{¶ 53} In Isreal v. Franklin Cty. Commrs., 10th Dist. No. 21AP-131, 2022-Ohio-
1825, this court recently addressed the rules applicable to the filing of appellate briefs:
No. 22AP-81 17
"The Rules of Appellate Procedure provide requirements for
an appellant filing a brief before an appellate court."
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. Cloyes, 10th Dist. No. 20AP-
107, 2021-Ohio-3316, ¶ 10. "In addition to requiring an
appellant to include assignments of error in their brief, App.R.
16 imposes several other requirements on an appellant's
brief." Id. at ¶ 11. For example, App.R. 16(A)(7) requires
appellant's merit brief contain the following:
An argument containing the contentions of the appellant with
respect to each assignment of error presented for review and
the reasons in support of the contentions, with citations to the
authorities, statutes, and parts of the record on which
appellant relies. The argument may be preceded by a
summary.
"Pursuant to App.R. 16(A)(7), an appellant must present his
or her contentions with respect to each assignment of error
presented for review and the reasons in support of those
contentions, including citations to legal authorities."
Lundeen v. State Med. Bd. of Ohio, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-629,
2013-Ohio-112, ¶ 16. App.R. 12(A)(2) permits this court to
disregard an assignment of error if an appellant fails to cite to
any legal authority in support of an argument as required by
App.R. 16(A)(7). See, e.g., In re C.C., 10th Dist. No. 04AP-
883, 2005-Ohio-5163, ¶ 80; Hall v. Tucker,161 Ohio App.3d 245, 263
,2005-Ohio-2674
,829 N.E.2d 1259
(4th Dist.); State
v. Martin, 12th Dist. No. CA99-01-003, 1999 Ohio App.
LEXIS 3266 (July 12, 1999); Meerhoff v. Huntington Mtge.
Co., 103 Ohio App.3d 164, 169,658 N.E.2d 1109
(3d
Dist.1995).
Id. at ¶ 15-16.
{¶ 54} Here, appellant fails to cite to any legal authority in support of either prong
of her argument, i.e., (1) that due to her alleged dire economic circumstances, the trial court
should not have ordered her to pay appellee's attorney fees, and (2) that the attorney fees
award could not be paid from her share of the marital assets.
{¶ 55} As we stated in Isreal:
This court has consistently held that "[t]he burden of
affirmatively demonstrating error on appeal rests with the
party asserting error." Lundeen at ¶ 16, citing State ex rel.
Petro v. Gold, 166 Ohio App.3d 371, 392,2006-Ohio-943
,850 N.E.2d 1218
(10th Dist.), citing App.R. 9; App.R. 16.
Accordingly, " '[i]t is the duty of the appellant, not the appellate
No. 22AP-81 18
court, to construct the legal arguments necessary to support the
appellant's assignments of error.' " Lamb v. Reynoldsburg Civ.
Serv. Comm., 10th Dist. No. 19AP-864, 2021-Ohio-2322, ¶ 31,
quoting Bond v. Village of Canal Winchester, 10th Dist. No.
07AP-556, 2008-Ohio-945, ¶ 16, citing Whitehall v. Ruckman,
10th Dist. No. 07AP-445, 2007-Ohio-6780, ¶ 20. "If an
argument exists that can support [an] assignment of error, it is
not [an appellate] court's duty to root it out." (Additional
citations and quotations omitted.) Lamb at ¶ 31.
" '[F]ailure to comply with the rules governing practice in the
appellate courts is a tactic which is ordinarily fatal.' "Lundeen
at ¶ 16, quoting Kremer at 60.
Id. at ¶ 19.
{¶ 56} Because appellant has failed to provide this court with any legal authority to
support the conclusion that the trial court abused its discretion in ordering appellant to pay
appellee's attorney fees from her share of the marital estate, this court could summarily
overrule appellant's assignment of error. However, in the interest of justice, we will address
appellant's argument.
{¶ 57} Preliminarily, we note that appellant failed to object to any aspect of
appellee's attorney fees testimony, including the amount or reasonableness of the fees
and/or his request that the fees be paid from appellant's share of the marital property. As
noted above, the matter was uncontested and appellant dismissed her attorney prior to the
presentation of evidence. Because appellant failed to object to appellee's testimony, we
limit our review to whether the alleged error rises to the level of plain error.
{¶ 58} "In civil cases, courts apply the doctrine of plain error 'with the utmost
caution.' " Marshall v. Marshall, 10th Dist. No. 18AP-543, 2019-Ohio-684, ¶ 8, quoting Goldfuss v. Davidson,79 Ohio St.3d 116, 121
(1997). Courts find plain error " 'only in the extremely rare case involving exceptional circumstances where error * * * seriously affects the basic fairness, integrity, or public reputation of the judicial process, thereby challenging the legitimacy of the underlying judicial process itself.' "Id.,
quoting Goldfuss at syllabus.
{¶ 59} R.C. 3105.73(A) governs the award of attorney fees in a divorce action and
provides "a court may award all or part of reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses
to either party if the court finds the award equitable." Guardian ad litem fees, expert fees,
and attorney fees are "litigation expenses" under R.C. 3105.73. Hill v. French, 6th Dist. No.
No. 22AP-81 19
L-20-77, 2021-Ohio-24, ¶ 65; Buckingham v. Buckingham, 2d Dist. No. 2017-CA-31, 2018- Ohio-2039, ¶ 82; Burke v. Burke, 8th Dist. No. 101059,2014-Ohio-5279, ¶ 17
. In assessing whether an award of attorney fees is proper, "the court may consider the parties' marital assets and income, any award of spousal support, the conduct of the parties, and any other relevant factors the court deems appropriate." R.C. 3105.73(A). "A party is not entitled to attorney fees; rather, the court may decide on a case-by-case basis whether attorney fees would be equitable." Galloway v. Khan, 10th Dist. No. 06AP-140,2006-Ohio-6637, ¶ 35
, citing Ockunzzi v. Ockunzzi, 8th Dist. No. 86785,2006-Ohio-5741, ¶ 71
.
{¶ 60} A trial court may rely on its own knowledge and experience in determining
the necessity and reasonableness of attorney fees. Long v. Long, 10th Dist. No 11AP-510,
2012-Ohio-6254, ¶ 20, citing McCord v. McCord, 10th Dist. No. 06AP-102,2007-Ohio-164, ¶ 18
, citing Groza-Vance v. Vance,162 Ohio App.3d 510
,2005-Ohio-3815, ¶ 44
(10th Dist.) Further, a trial court is not required to hear expert testimony to determine the reasonableness of the amount of attorney fees claimed.Id.
A trial court's decision to award attorney fees in a divorce action is reviewed for an abuse of discretion.Galloway at ¶ 35
, citingOckunzzi at ¶ 71
.
{¶ 61} Here, the trial court stated that it weighed the evidence and testimony
adduced at trial and considered the R.C. 3105.73 factors and totality of the circumstances
in this case in finding it "fair and equitable" that appellant pay appellee $39,000 for
attorney fees and GAL fees and that such amount be deducted from appellant's share of the
marital estate. (Am. Jgmt. Entry—Decree of Divorce at 23.) The trial court's decision
focused primarily on appellant's conduct during the litigation. The court noted that
appellant had failed to appear at numerous hearings, had not cooperated or complied with
discovery (which resulted in appellee issuing subpoenas to obtain evidence), had repeatedly
made false allegations/accusations against appellee to both police and the GAL, sought a
stay of the matter based upon inaccurate information regarding her inability to travel from
India, and filed multiple motions in an effort to delay the matter from moving forward.
{¶ 62} Upon review of the record, we find no error in the trial court's analysis or
conclusion on the issue. The trial court was in the best position to assess the impact of
appellant's conduct on the case and the extent to which her conduct disrupted or delayed
the matter. Long at ¶ 16. " 'Conduct supporting an award of attorney's fees may include No. 22AP-81 20 * * * actions that unnecessarily prolong the proceedings.' " (Further citations omitted.)Id.,
quoting Sullivan v. Sullivan, 6th Dist. No. L-09-1022,2010-Ohio-3064
, ¶ 66. " ' "Because a court addresses an award of attorney fees through equitable considerations, a trial court properly can consider the entire spectrum of a party's actions, so long as those actions impinge upon the course of the litigation." ' " Chawla v. Chawla, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-399,2014-Ohio-1188, ¶ 52
, quoting Wehrle v. Wehrle, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-386,2013-Ohio-81
, ¶ 50, quoting Padgett v. Padgett, 10th Dist. No. 08AP-269,2008-Ohio-6815, ¶ 17
.
{¶ 63} As required by R.C. 3105.73, the trial court considered whether an award of
attorney fees to appellee from appellant's share of the marital estate would be equitable. In
its discretion, it concluded that it was. Other than being dissatisfied with the trial court's
ruling, appellant does not direct us to, nor do we find any error, plain or otherwise, in the
trial court's determination.
{¶ 64} The third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 65} Under her fourth assignment of error, appellant contends the trial court
abused its discretion in awarding appellee full custody of the parties' two minor children.
Appellant's entire argument under this assignment of error consists of the following three
sentences:
Because the GAL's report was not filed until October 29, 2021,
[appellant] was not given adequate time to assemble evidence
or witnesses to rebut, explain, or otherwise challenge
statements contained within the GAL's report at the
November 1, 2021, hearing. Therefore, [appellant] should
have been provided with the opportunity to present such
evidence and witnesses at the November 1, 2021, hearing. The
court abused [its] discretion and committed reversible error
when it awarded [appellee] full custody of the minor children.
(Appellant's brief at 12.)
{¶ 66} Appellant again fails to provide this court with any legal authority to support
her argument. Pursuant to Isreal, 10th Dist. No. 21AP-131, 2022-Ohio-1825, this court
could summarily overrule appellant's assignment of error. Id. at ¶ 15-16, 19. Again, in the
interest of justice, we will consider appellant's argument.
{¶ 67} At the outset, we note that the first two sentences of appellant's argument
essentially repackage the contentions raised in the first and second assignments of error
regarding the alleged untimeliness of the GAL's report and its alleged impact on her ability
No. 22AP-81 21
to respond to the statements included therein. In resolving those assignments of error, we
found no merit to appellant's arguments, and we decline to reiterate our analysis here.
{¶ 68} Turning to the final sentence of appellant's argument, i.e., that the trial court
erred in awarding appellee full custody of the children, we first note that appellant failed to
object to the admission of the GAL's report or to the testimony provided by the GAL and
appellee regarding the custody issue. We again note that the matter was uncontested and
appellant dismissed her attorney prior to the presentation of evidence. Because appellant
failed to object to the evidence addressing custody, we limit our review to whether the trial
court's alleged error in granting appellee custody of the children rises to the level of plain
error.
{¶ 69} R.C. 3109.04 governs the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities
and sets forth the procedures and standards courts are to use in proceedings pertaining to
such matters. In re A.G., 139 Ohio St.3d 572, 579,2014-Ohio-2597, ¶ 41
. R.C. 3109.04(B)(1) requires a trial court to take into account the best interests of the children when allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children in an original proceeding. The trial court must consider all relevant factors related to the children's best interest, including those factors specified in R.C. 3109.04(F)(1)(a) through (j). Rankin v. Rankin, 10th Dist. No. 20AP-223,2021-Ohio-1967, ¶ 28
. " 'A trial court must follow R.C. 3109.04 when deciding child custody matters but it has broad discretion when determining what is the appropriate allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.' " Id. at ¶ 27, quoting Pallone v. Pallone, 10th Dist. No. 17AP-409,2017-Ohio-9324, ¶ 36
, citing Parker v. Parker, 10th Dist. No. 05AP-1171,2006-Ohio-4110, ¶ 23
. An appellate court reviews a trial court's determination of the best interest of a child for an abuse of discretion. Smarrella v. Smarrella, 7th Dist. No. 14 JE 18,2015-Ohio-837
, ¶ 11, citing Brown v. Brown, 2d Dist. No. 2012-CA-40,2013-Ohio-3456, ¶ 12
. In conducting such review, we are mindful that " '[c]ustody determinations are some of the most difficult and agonizing decisions a trial judge must make, and, therefore, appellate courts must grant wide latitude to a trial court consideration of the evidence." Id. at ¶ 12, quoting Davis v. Flickinger,77 Ohio St.3d 415, 418
(1997).
{¶ 70} Here, the trial court expressly stated that it considered the statutory factors
outlined in R.C. 3109.04 in awarding sole legal custody of the children to appellee. The
No. 22AP-81 22
court noted that appellee has been the sole caretaker and provider of financial and
emotional support for the children following appellant's move to India in December 2019.
More specifically, the court noted that appellee has provided the children appropriate
nutrition, shelter, clothing, education, medical care, and health insurance. As for appellant,
the court noted that she has had no personal contact with the children since she left for
India. The court also noted the circumstances surrounding appellant's conviction for
disorderly conduct, i.e., that she committed the crime in the children's presence. The court
further noted appellee's testimony that when appellant visited India with the children prior
to the commencement of the current litigation, the children suffered from malnutrition and
had to receive medical treatment on two occasions.
{¶ 71} Upon review of the record, we find no error in the trial court's analysis or
conclusion as to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. As required by R.C.
3109.04, the trial court considered the best interest of the children in concluding that
appellee should be awarded full custody of the children. Again, other than being
dissatisfied with the trial court's ruling, appellant does not direct us to, nor do we find any
error, plain or otherwise, in the trial court's determination.
{¶ 72} The fourth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 73} In her fifth and final assignment of error, appellant contends that the trial
court abused its discretion in dividing the marital assets. Appellant first maintains that the
trial court erred in issuing one judgment entry encompassing both the division of marital
property and the issue of spousal support. Appellant suggests that the trial court was
required to issue a separate judgment entry for each issue. Appellant references Holcomb
v. Holcomb, 44 Ohio St.3d 128, 130 (1989), but only for the proposition that a trial court
must divide the marital property before considering the issue of spousal support. Appellant
does not intimate that Holcomb supports her separate judgment entry theory, nor does she
provide any other legal authority substantiating her position. We cannot find that the trial
court abused its discretion in issuing one judgment entry encompassing both the division
of marital property and the spousal support issue.5
{¶ 74} Appellant next claims that the trial court's division of marital property was
unfair and inequitable. Appellant offers no specific argument in support of her broad claim.
5 Appellant does not challenge the trial court's decision not to award spousal support to either party.
No. 22AP-81 23
Pursuant to Isreal, 10th Dist. No. 21AP-131, 2022-Ohio-1825, this court could summarily
overrule appellant's assignment of error. Id. at ¶ 15-16, 19. Again, in the interest of justice,
we will consider appellant's argument as we understand it.
{¶ 75} At the outset, we note that appellant failed to object to appellee's testimony
and documentary evidence concerning the parties' marital and separate property. Once
again, we note that the matter was uncontested and appellant fired her attorney prior to the
presentation of evidence. Because appellant failed to object to the evidence presented as to
the division of property, we limit our review to whether the trial court's alleged error in
dividing the marital and separate property rises to the level of plain error.
{¶ 76} A trial court must divide the marital and separate property equitably between
the spouses, after determining what constitutes marital and separate property. R.C.
3105.171(B). Additionally, the court must divide the marital property equally unless an
equal division would be inequitable. R.C. 3105.171(C). " '[E]quitable does not necessarily
mean equal.' " Beagle v. Beagle, 10th Dist. No. 07AP-494, 2008-Ohio-764, ¶ 37, quoting Ellars v. Ellars,69 Ohio App.3d 712, 720
(10th Dist.1990). "There is no presumption or requirement that marital property be divided equally."Id.,
citing Booth v. Booth,44 Ohio St.3d 142, 144-45
(1989). "Rather, a potentially equal division is merely the starting point of the trial court's analysis before it considers other factors."Id.,
citing Booth. "Ultimately, '[t]he facts and circumstances of each case dictate what is an equitable division of marital property.' "Id.,
quoting Apps v. Apps, 10th Dist. No. 02AP-1072,2003-Ohio-7154, ¶ 37
. A domestic relations court has broad discretion in fashioning a division of marital property, and its decision will not be reversed absent an abuse of that discretion. Id. at ¶ 38, citing Kaechele v. Kaechele,35 Ohio St.3d 93, 95
(1988).
{¶ 77} The trial court must make written findings of fact to support its
determination that the marital property has been equitably divided. R.C. 3105.171(G);
Galloway, 10th Dist. No. 06AP-140, 2006-Ohio-6637, ¶ 8. Specifically, R.C. 3105.171(G) requires that, "[i]n any order for the division * * * of property * * * made pursuant to this section, the court shall make written findings of fact that support the determination that the marital property has been equitably divided." Thus, "although a trial court has broad discretion in deciding what division of marital property is equitable under the facts and No. 22AP-81 24 circumstances of the case, the trial court must make findings of fact to support the division of marital property as being equitable."Beagle at ¶ 39
.
{¶ 78} Pursuant to R.C. 3105.171(C), when dividing marital property, the trial court
must consider all relevant factors, including those outlined in R.C. 3105.171(F). While the
trial court need not itemize every factor set forth in R.C. 3105.171(F), the court's decision
must clearly indicate that the factors were considered before the property division was
made. Id. at ¶ 40, citing Hightower v. Hightower, 10th Dist. No. 02AP-37, 2002-Ohio-
5488, ¶ 21, citing Casper v. DeFrancisco, 10th Dist. No. 01AP-604, 2002-Ohio-623.
{¶ 79} The trial court found that it had no jurisdiction to divide the real property
owned by appellee in India and thus concluded it constituted separate property. As to the
bank accounts, the court found that the Wells Fargo and Chase accounts contained both
separate and marital funds; the State Bank of India and ICICI accounts contained only
separate funds owned by appellee. The court awarded appellee all the bank accounts. The
court also awarded appellee his automobile and associated debt, all his credit card and
healthcare related debt, the entire balance of the Hewlett Packard retirement account, and
$39,000 of the $64,391 value of the Perspecta retirement account. The court awarded the
$25,391 balance of the Perspecta retirement account to appellant.
{¶ 80} The court stated that "the disproportionate award of liquid marital assets is
appropriate due to the deduction of the attorney fees ordered to be paid to the [appellee]
and deduction for the guardian ad litem fees paid by the [appellee], and [appellee] solely
having the burden of caring for the minor children for the past two (2) years. Additionally,
[appellee] has to incur costs in dealing with litigation in India based on [appellant's]
accusations of domestic abuse, which based on the testimony of [appellee] and the police
reports and what was seen on the home video cameras, appear to be false allegations." (Am.
Jgmt. Entry—Decree of Divorce at 13.)
{¶ 81} While the trial court did not specifically cite to R.C. 3105.171, it is clear from
the court's written findings that it considered the applicable provisions of the statute,
including R.C. 3105.171(B), (C), and (F). Appellant does not direct this court to any specific
error made by the trial court in dividing the marital property; rather, appellant only broadly
claims that the division was unfair and inequitable. Upon review of the record, we find no
error, plain or otherwise, in the trial court's determination.
No. 22AP-81 25
{¶ 82} The fifth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 83} Having overruled appellant's five assignments of error, we hereby affirm the
judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations.
Judgment affirmed.
DORRIAN and McGRATH, JJ., concur.