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discussing value of advanced degree as asset of marital estate subject to distribution upon divorce
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Docket No. 99286.
Decided July 6, 1989.
Bruce T. Leitman, for plaintiff.
Gelman, Friedman Baumkel (by Deborah E. Zukin), for defendant.
Before: MURPHY, P.J., and MacKENZIE and REILLY, JJ.
Defendant Ronald Wiand appeals as of right and plaintiff Lenore Wiand cross appeals as of right from the lower court's judgment of divorce entered on February 25, 1987. We affirm.
The parties were married in July, 1972, and they were separated in February, 1981. Plaintiff filed for divorce in 1982. There were no children born of the marriage. During the course of the marriage, the parties acquired a substantial net worth. The lower court characterized this matter as a "bitterly contested divorce proceeding lasting several years." Defendant has accused plaintiff of infidelity and plaintiff has accused defendant of fraudulent concealment of assets. Plaintiff also accuses defendant of deliberately and intentionally preventing her from obtaining discovery of the true extent of defendant's assets.
After a trial that spanned several days and in which fifteen witnesses testified and eighty-five exhibits were introduced into evidence, the lower court in its opinion stated:
The record makes it abundantly clear that Defendant, Ronald Wiand, has engaged in a pattern of conduct throughout these proceedings designed to harass Plaintiff, Lenore Wiand, and frustrate her efforts to obtain meaningful discovery of his assets and net worth. Moreover, the record clearly shows that he has repeatedly violated the Court's orders for support, discovery and injunctive relief.
A substantial portion of Mrs. Wiand's attorney and accounting fees were necessitated by Defendant, Ronald Wiand's wrongful conduct.
The court then determined that the net marital estate was valued at $1,101,466. However, the court was unable to specifically determine the value of certain assets of the marital estate. Those assets included defendant's interest in certain patents and formulas used by Inland Diamond Products Company, office buildings and defendant's equitable interest in Inland Craft Products Company. Nonetheless, the court estimated defendant's interest in those assets at $300,000. Notwithstanding this valuation estimate, the court's opinion stated:
[I]f either party wishes to conduct discovery, seek independent audit or offer further proofs in this regard, the Court will entertain appropriate post judgment motions.
The court awarded plaintiff forty percent of the marital estate and ordered defendant to pay plaintiff an additional $120,000 in equal installments over a three-year period. This amount represents forty percent of the estimated $300,000 value of defendant's interest in the corporations, patents and formulas, and office buildings.
The court also determined that plaintiff's professional degrees were part of the marital assets and that their present value was $50,312. In addition, the court ordered that defendant pay plaintiff rehabilitative alimony for six months at the rate of $3,000 per month. Finally, to ensure defendant did not default on his obligations pursuant to the judgment of divorce, defendant was ordered to pledge all of his shares of Inland Diamond Products Company into escrow. Moreover, defendant was to execute a consent to wage assignment which was also to be escrowed. Both parties now appeal as of right.
We will first address defendant's several issues raised on appeal. Defendant first contends that the trial court had no authority to order defendant to pledge his corporate stock into escrow. Specifically, defendant argues that the stock subject to escrow is in a closely held corporation and that the stock is restricted from being transferred. We note that there was no evidence submitted in the trial court establishing the allegedly restricted nature of the subject stock and that there was no objection raised below when plaintiff's counsel in closing argument requested security in defendant's Inland Diamond stock. Defendant has appended to his brief a January 24, 1977, agreement between himself and Inland Diamond Products Company which contains a restriction-on-transfer provision specifying that defendant shall not dispose of all or any part of his shares without the written consent of the company.
Defendant has inappropriately sought to enlarge the record on appeal by referring to and attaching to its brief a copy of this 1977 agreement. MCR 7.210(A) provides that appeals to this Court are heard on the original record and that the record consists of original papers filed in the lower court or a certified copy, the transcript of any testimony or other proceedings and the exhibits introduced. This Court's review is limited to the record developed by the trial court and we will not consider references to facts outside the record. See, e.g., Trail Clinic, PC v Bloch, 114 Mich. App. 700, 708-709; 319 N.W.2d 638 (1983), lv den 417 Mich. 959 (1983). Since defendant failed to introduce at trial the now appended agreement restricting the transfer of stock, and defendant failed to object when plaintiff's counsel requested security in defendant's stock, this issue is not properly before us.
Defendant next contends that the lower court was without authority to order defendant to place in escrow a wage assignment to secure his obligations under the judgment of divorce. We disagree.
First, we note that defendant has made the required alimony payments as provided for in the judgment of divorce. Therefore, any contentions relative to the court-ordered wage assignment as it related to defendant's alimony obligations are moot. As for defendant's remaining obligations for which the wage assignment has been pledged, we find no error. This Court in Schaeffer v Schaeffer, 106 Mich. App. 452, 457-458; 308 N.W.2d 226 (1981), stated the following:
A court possesses inherent authority to enforce its own directives. A divorce case is equitable in nature, and a court of equity molds its relief according to the character of the case; once a court of equity acquires jurisdiction, it will do what is necessary to accord complete equity and to conclude the controversy. Moreover, MCL 600.611; MSA 27A.611 provides:
"Circuit courts have jurisdiction and power to make any order proper to fully effectuate the circuit courts' jurisdiction and judgments."
In this case, it is more than obvious that the lower court was displeased with defendant's attempts to evade proper discovery and to shelter assets. Our review of the lower court record convinces us that the court acted appropriately in requiring defendant to execute and escrow a consent to wage assignment.
Defendant next contends that the trial court erred by allowing for a postjudgment discovery period so that the parties could present proofs on the value of certain assets found to be within the marital estate. We agree.
The lower court in its opinion stated:
Substantial evidence has been presented by Plaintiff compelling the Court to conclude that Defendant, Ronald Wiand, has a 50% equitable interest in industrial properties situated at Howard and Edward Streets in Madison Heights, and a 50% equitable interest in his brother, Richard Wiand's company, known as Inland Craft Products Company.
* * *
In making its award to Plaintiff, Lenore Wiand, and based upon the limited proofs presented, the Court has assumed that Defendant, Ronald Wiand's, equitable interest in patents and formulas used by Inland Diamond Products Company, the office buildings on Howard and Edward Streets and Inland Craft Products Company approximates Three Hundred Thousand ($300,000.00) Dollars. However, if either party wishes to conduct discovery, seek independent audit or offer further proofs in this regard, the Court will entertain appropriate post judgment motions.
The lower court order in pertinent part provided the following:
POST JUDGMENT DISCOVERY
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that either party, by post judgment motion, may petition the Court to conduct discovery, seek independent audit or offer further proofs relative to the value of the Defendant-husband's equitable interest in the following marital assets: patents and formulas used by Inland Diamond Products Company; the husband's 50% interest in the office buildings at 32051-53 Howard and 32046-48 Edward Streets; and the husband's 50% interest in Inland Craft Products Company, the ownership of which is disputed by the Defendant-husband. The specific findings in this regard of this Court's opinion of December 18, 1986, are incorporated herein by reference.
This Court has stated that property settlement provisions of a divorce judgment, unlike alimony or child support provisions, are final and, as a general rule, cannot be modified. Colestock v Colestock, 135 Mich. App. 393, 397; 354 N.W.2d 354 (1984).
The court in this case estimated the value of plaintiff's various corporate and commercial property interests at $300,000. The court estimated the value because of defendant's repeated efforts to stymie plaintiff's legitimate discovery efforts. We are satisfied from the record presented that the court had a sufficient basis to arrive at the $300,000 valuation for defendant's various business assets. Therefore, we choose not to disturb the lower court's valuation of those assets. We do, however, conclude that the lower court improperly allowed for an unlimited postjudgment discovery period during which either party could challenge the court's estimated valuation. Such a provision is inconsistent with MCR 2.612, which addresses the various ways in which one may seek relief from a court's judgment. Consequently, pursuant to MCR 7.216(A)(7) we strike the provision in the judgment of divorce entitled "Post Judgment Discovery." However, we affirm the lower court's determination regarding defendant's interest in the various business assets and the court's valuation of those assets.
Defendant next contends that the trial court erred in including assets in the marital estate which allegedly belonged solely to defendant's brother and that the court's finding that defendant had an ownership interest in those assets was against the great weight of the evidence. We disagree.
As a general rule, a court may make property dispositions which affect only the rights of the parties before it. Yedinak v Yedinak, 383 Mich. 409; 175 N.W.2d 706 (1970); Hoffman v Hoffman, 125 Mich. App. 488, 490-491; 336 N.W.2d 34 (1983). Even assuming that defendant's brother's rights were affected by this judgment of divorce, an exception to the rule that a court cannot affect the rights of nonparties is applicable when it is claimed that a third party has conspired with one spouse to deprive the other of his or her rightful interest in the marital estate. Berg v Berg, 336 Mich. 284, 288; 57 N.W.2d 889 (1953); Pruitt v Pruitt, 90 Mich. App. 230, 233-234; 282 N.W.2d 785 (1979); Donahue v Donahue, 134 Mich. App. 696, 704-705; 352 N.W.2d 705 (1984), lv den 422 Mich. 854 (1985). See also Anno: Propriety of consideration of, and disposition as to, third persons' property claims in divorce litigation, 63 ALR3d 373.
In Donahue, supra, the defendant husband and his parents attempted to conceal from the plaintiff the nature and value of the marital estate. The defendant argued that it was beyond the power of the trial court to adjudicate the rights of third parties, i.e., his parents, in the divorce action. At issue were a certificate of deposit and bearer bonds which had a value of almost $200,000 and which apparently were given to the defendant by his father. In resolving whether the trial court had the authority to exercise jurisdiction over third-party interests, this Court held that, since the proofs clearly showed that both the defendant and his parents were concealing assets from the plaintiff, the trial court was well within its jurisdiction and right to determine whether the defendant or his parents were the owners of the certificate of deposit and bearer bonds. Id., p 705. The Donahue Court also noted that, although the defendant's parents were not made parties to the divorce action, they were represented by counsel at trial, they testified at length, and they were cross-examined. Id., p 705.
In this case, the lower court specifically found that defendant and his brother had conspired to deprive plaintiff of her rightful share of the marital estate. Defendant's bother was never made a party to the divorce action, and he was apparently not represented by counsel at trial. He did, however, testify at length at trial on at least two separate days and was subjected to thorough cross-examination. The major distinction between this case and Donahue, supra, was the lack of representation here. We are not convinced that that difference is significant in this case. Defendant's brother apparently knew about this divorce action well in advance of trial and knew of plaintiff's allegations that defendant possessed a legal or equitable interest in properties that defendant claimed were owned solely by his brother. Although the record does not reflect defendant's brother's educational background or his professional training, if any, it reveals that defendant's brother was a very knowledgeable and experienced businessman with an ownership interest in several corporations. We find that Donahue controls this case and allows for the inclusion in the judgment of a dispositive provision involving property allegedly owned by defendant's brother. Simply, we find no error in the lower court's determination as to which assets belong within the marital estate.
Defendant next argues that the court's findings relative to the parties' assets are against the great weight of the evidence and that the court erred in valuing his various corporate interests. We disagree. In Perrin v Perrin, 169 Mich. App. 18, 22; 425 N.W.2d 494 (1988), this Court stated the appropriate standard employed in reviewing a lower court's valuation of marital assets:
The division of marital property is committed to the sound discretion of the trial court. Thomas v Thomas, 164 Mich. App. 618; 622; 417 N.W.2d 563 (1987). This Court reviews property settlements de novo on the record, but will not reverse or modify the property division unless it is convinced that it would have reached another result had it occupied the position of the trial court. Vance v Vance, 159 Mich. App. 381, 385; 406 N.W.2d 497 (1987); Bone v Bone, 148 Mich. App. 834, 838; 385 N.W.2d 706 (1986). The trial court's findings of fact, including its valuation of marital assets, may not be disturbed by this Court unless they are clearly erroneous. Thomas, supra, p 622. A finding is clearly erroneous only if, after review of the entire record, we are left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. Kowalesky v Kowalesky, 148 Mich. App. 151, 155; 384 N.W.2d 112 (1986), lv den 425 Mich. 876 (1986). [Emphasis added.]
The general rule applicable to valuation of marital assets is that the party seeking to include the interest in the marital estate bears the burden of proving a reasonably ascertainable value; if the burden is not met, the interest should not be considered an asset subject to distribution. Miller v Miller, 83 Mich. App. 672, 677; 269 N.W.2d 264 (1978); Beaty v Beaty, 167 Mich. App. 553, 557; 423 N.W.2d 262 (1988).
In this case, plaintiff presented numerous exhibits which reflected on the value of defendant's office buildings, interest in Inland Craft and defendant's patents and formulas. We do note, however, that plaintiff was precluded from presenting detailed evidence on the exact valuation of these assets because of defendant's repeated acts to frustrate plaintiff's legitimate discovery requests. As already noted, the lower court specifically found that defendant repeatedly violated the court's orders and frustrated plaintiff's attempts at meaningful discovery. Based upon our thorough review of the record, the lower court's valuation estimate of $300,000 was proper. Simply, we are satisfied that plaintiff met her burden of proof and we will not disturb the lower court's finding on this issue.
Finally, defendant contends that the trial court erroneously included as marital assets an account receivable, assets in a certain bank account and tax refund monies, because these assets were distributed during the divorce for business and marital expenses. We disagree.
Defendant cites no authority for the proposition that these items should not be part of the marital estate. A statement of position without supporting citations is insufficient to bring an issue before this Court. A party may not leave it to this Court to search for authority to sustain or reject its position. Tringali v Lal, 164 Mich. App. 299; 416 N.W.2d 117 (1987). Therefore, this issue is not before this Court. However, we note that, even if it were, the lower court's findings relative to this issue are not in clear error. MCR 2.613(C).
We now turn to plaintiff's sole issue raised in her cross appeal. Plaintiff contends that the lower court erred by including her educational degrees as marital assets and valuing them at $50,315.
The lower court in its opinion stated that defendant substantially contributed toward plaintiff's education and that her degrees should be considered a marital asset. The court also noted that plaintiff would be fully capable of supporting herself within six months and ordered rehabilitative alimony for six months. Plaintiff testified at trial that when she married defendant in July, 1972, she was "just finishing up a master's degree" in education at Wayne State University. In July, 1986, at the time of trial, she was working toward a Ph.D. and needed only to complete her dissertation, which she expected to be complete by December, 1986.
An advanced degree has been held to be a marital asset, to be distributed to the parties as property. Daniels v Daniels, 165 Mich. App. 726, 731; 418 N.W.2d 924 (1988), citing Woodworth v Woodworth, 126 Mich. App. 258; 337 N.W.2d 332 (1983), lv den 419 Mich. 856 (1984). Fairness dictates that the spouse who did not earn an advanced degree be compensated whenever the advanced degree is the product of a concerted family effort. Woodworth, supra, p 261. Other decisions of this Court have held that an advanced degree is not a marital asset but should be considered as a factor in awarding alimony. Daniels, supra, p 731, citing Olah v Olah, 135 Mich. 404; 354 N.W.2d 359 (1984), and Wilkins v Wilkins, 149 Mich. App. 779; 386 N.W.2d 677 (1986).
Defendant's expert witness testified that the present value of plaintiff's future wages, net after taxes, from her postgraduate degree (when compared to plaintiff's future salary based upon only a bachelor degree) was $50,315. Based upon our thorough review of the record, the lower court properly considered plaintiff's degrees and arrived at an equitable distribution of the parties' marital estate.
Affirmed as modified.