Green v. Green
69 A.3d 282
| Pa. Super. Ct. | 2013Background
- Husband and Wife divorced after 1981 marriage; December 2008 divorce decree and a December 29, 2008 order memorialized a 50/50 distribution based on a handwritten Exhibit 1 listing assets and values; no formal trial occurred.
- Parties agreed to transfer real estate and investment accounts and exchange personal property following a 2009 status conference; a 2009 order stated disputes over personal property would be resolved within 30 days or hearing could be requested.
- April 2010 order affirmed the earlier 2009 order, concluding personal property distribution was complete; no post-trial relief was sought.
- February 10, 2011 Husband moved to Enforce the Marital Settlement Agreement; the trial court noted the agreement was not a formal written MSA but that it was an order of court and opened the record for trial aids.
- The court subsequently allowed trial aids and held a July 25, 2011 hearing; September 23, 2011 order followed, prompting Husband’s appeal.
- The Pennsylvania Superior Court affirmed, concluding the challenges to Exhibit 1 and the trial aids were waived or not properly raised, and the record supported the court’s distributive orders.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the September 23, 2011 order relied on unsupported findings | Husband contends the court made findings not supported by the record. | Wife asserts the court relied on admitted or properly incorporated evidence. | No abuse; findings supported by the record. |
| Whether Exhibit 1 was properly admitted/used as record evidence | Exhibit 1 was not formally admitted and Husband never consented to its use. | Exhibit 1 was treated as record evidence and referenced by prior pleadings. | Waived objection; exhibit usage permissible in context. |
| Whether trial aids were properly used to resolve unresolved values | Trial aids introduced undisputed facts; they should not be used to substitute evidence. | Trial aids aided resolution and were consented to by both parties; they became part of the record. | Waived objection; trial aids properly utilized under court discretion. |
Key Cases Cited
- Nagle v. Nagle, 799 A.2d 812 (Pa. Super. 2002) (abuse-of-discretion review; findings binding if credible evidence)
- Summers v. Summers, 35 A.3d 786 (Pa. Super. 2012) (waiver when not raised below; appellate review limited)
- White v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas, Corp., 447 Pa. Super. 5 (Pa. Super. 1995) (brief noncompliance may not bar review when not prejudicial)
