[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur,
2021-Ohio-2318.]
COURT OF APPEALS
COSHOCTON COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DOUGLAS G. HOFFMAN : JUDGES:
:
: Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, P.J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J.
: Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
-vs- :
: Case No. 2020CA0009
: (consolidated with 2020CA0016)
PHILLIP F. ARTHUR, EXECUTOR OF :
THE ESTATE OF SANDRA L. :
HOFFMAN :
:
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Coshocton County
Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 19-
CI-0424
JUDGMENT: REVERSED AND REMANDED;
MOTION TO DISMISS DENIED
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: July 7, 2021
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee: For Defendant-Appellant:
ROBERT E. WEIR BRAIN W. BENBOW
305 Main Street BENBOW LAW OFFICES LLC
Coshocton, OH 43812 265 Sunrise Center Drive
Zanesville, OH 43701
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
Delaney, J.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Phillip F. Arthur, Executor of the Estate of Sandra L.
Hoffman appeals the June 25, 2020 and November 3, 2020 judgment entries of the
Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The Probate Court Proceedings
{¶2} On December 15, 2015, Plaintiff-Appellee Douglas G. Hoffman filed an
action in the Coshocton County Probate Court entitled Hoffman v. Hoffman, Case No.
21540001. In his complaint, Hoffman alleged his mother, Sandra Hoffman, in her capacity
as successor Trustee of the Kenneth G. Hoffman Revocable Trust and as Trustee of the
Sandra L. Hoffman Revocable Trust improperly transferred real property to Defendant
Phillip F. Arthur and Defendant Jahweh, LLC. Phillip F. Arthur was the sole member of
Jahweh, LLC. Hoffman asserted a claim of undue influence against Arthur and claims for
declaratory judgment and constructive trust against Sandra Hoffman.
{¶3} On July 8, 2016, the Probate Court appointed Jetta Mencer as the Guardian of
the Person and Estate of Sandra Hoffman. Jetta Mencer (hereinafter “Guardian”) was
substituted for Sandra Hoffman in the Probate Court proceedings. In her responsive
pleadings, the Guardian asserted a counterclaim alleging undue influence by Douglas
Hoffman and requested an accounting. The Guardian also claimed undue influence and
breach of fiduciary duty in her cross-claim against Phillip Arthur and Jahweh, LLC.
{¶4} Phillip Arthur filed an answer, alleging claims for declaratory judgment and
unjust enrichment.
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
The Guardian’s Judgment Against Douglas Hoffman
{¶5} On August 3, 2017, the Guardian filed a motion for summary judgment
against Douglas Hoffman. In her motion, the Guardian argued there was no genuine issue
of material fact that Douglas Hoffman improperly made cash withdrawals from Sandra
Hoffman’s accounts and applied it to his own use. On October 5, 2017, the Probate Court
granted the Guardian’s motion for summary judgment against Douglas Hoffman. The
Probate Court ordered Douglas Hoffman “to return to the Guardian $408,162.69
wrongfully taken from Sandra Hoffman.” (Judgment Entry, October 5, 2017). On
November 6, 2017, the trial court issued a final judgment against Douglas Hoffman in the
amount of $408,162.69.
{¶6} On November 20, 2017, the Probate Court issued a Certificate of Judgment
for Lien upon Lands and Tenements in Case No. 2017JLD139 for the November 6, 2017
judgment.
{¶7} Douglas Hoffman appealed the Probate Court’s November 6, 2017
judgment entry to this Court in Case No. 2017CA0014. We dismissed the appeal on April
20, 2018 for lack of a final appealable order. Upon reconsideration, we reactivated the
appeal on May 18, 2018. Douglas Hoffman voluntarily dismissed his appeal on
September 13, 2018.
The Settlement Agreement: Probate Court Retains Jurisdiction
{¶8} Douglas Hoffman, the Guardian, Phillip Arthur, and Jahweh, LLC entered
into a Settlement Agreement and Release, effective January 20, 2018. Relevant to this
appeal, the terms of the Settlement Agreement state as follows:
…
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
WHEREAS, on October 5, 2017, the Coshocton County Probate Court
entered a judgment in favor of the Guardian against Plaintiff Doug Hoffman
in the Litigation, ordering Doug to return to the Guardian $408,162.69 taken
from Sandra; and
…
10. The Defendants’ Release of the Plaintiffs, the Guardian, and her
ward, Sandra. In consideration of the foregoing promises, the Defendants
[Phillip Arthur and Jahweh, LLC] and their respective heirs, members,
successors, predecessors, agents, representatives, assigns, insurers,
insureds, or any other person or entity affiliated with the Defendants
irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and forever discharge the
Plaintiffs, the Guardian, and her ward, Sandra, and their respective heirs,
successors, predecessors, agents, representatives, assigns, insurers,
insureds, or any other person or entity affiliated with the Plaintiffs, the
Guardian, and her ward, Sandra, from any and all rights, claims, duties,
obligations, liabilities, causes of action, demands, damages (including
punitive and exemplary damages), contract rights, costs, penalties, claims
of attorney’s fees, bad faith and expenses, contributions and indemnities
whatsoever, in law or in equity, past or present, pending or not pending,
known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen (“Claims”), which may exist
against the Plaintiffs, the Guardian, or her ward, Sandra, including but not
limited to all Claims in any way related to any allegations or claims at issue
in the litigation.
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
…
12. No Effect on the Judgment Against Doug. The Parties agree that this
Agreement has no effect on the Guardian’s judgment against Plaintiff Doug
Hoffman, which remains in full force and effect.
…
17. Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement is governed by and shall
be interpreted under Ohio law. The sole and exclusive venue for any
litigation among the Parties that may arise out of, or is related to this
Agreement is in the Coshocton County Common Pleas Court, Probate
Division (the “Court”).
{¶9} On January 18, 2018, the trial court issued a Final Judgment Entry that
states in pertinent part:
…
The Parties represent that the Agreement has no effect on the order and
judgment entered on October 5, 2017 granting summary judgment for
compensatory damages of $408,162.69 in favor of Guardian on her
Counterclaim against Plaintiff Douglas G. Hoffman, which is unpaid in full.
Based upon the Agreement and consent of the Parties, it is hereby
…
ORDERED, that pursuant to the Agreement this Court shall retain
jurisdiction to enter any all subsequent orders that may be necessary to
implement, interpret or enforce the rights or obligations of the Parties under
the Agreement.
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
Sandra Hoffman’s Estate
{¶10} Sandra Hoffman passed away on September 8, 2018.
{¶11} On June 4, 2019, Robert Weir, counsel for Douglas Hoffman, applied to
probate the will for Sandra Hoffman. He also filed a motion to bypass the will of Sandra
Hoffman. On August 23, 2019, Phillip Arthur applied for authority to administer the estate
because the Last Will and Testament of Sandra Hoffman named Phillip Arthur as
Executor. On September 13, 2019, the trial court appointed Robert Weir, Douglas
Hoffman’s attorney, as the Administrator WWA of the Estate of Sandra Hoffman.
Douglas Hoffman’s Original Motion for Summary Judgment
{¶12} On October 22, 2019, Douglas Hoffman filed a motion for summary
judgment in the Probate Court proceeding. In his motion for summary judgment, Douglas
Hoffman argued: (1) Phillip Arthur previously released all rights to inheritance from the
Estate of Sandra Hoffman based on the Settlement Agreement, (2) the contingent
beneficiaries to the will of Sandra Hoffman had no standing to make a claim to inherit the
assets, and (3) Douglas Hoffman satisfied the $408,169.62 judgment. In support of his
motion, he attached the affidavit of the Guardian and Larry J. McClatchey. The October
21, 2019 affidavit of the Guardian stated in pertinent part:
…
3. I retained Larry J. McClatchey to represent the Guardian in the
Guardianship Case.
…
5. Subsequent to the settlement of in the Guardianship Case with Phillip F.
Arthur and Jahweh, LLC, there were monies owed to Larry J. McClatchey
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
for legal services rendered in the Litigation, Successor Trustee and
Guardian fees and monies owed to Medicaid for Sandra L. Hoffman’s case.
6. Douglas G. Hoffman is the sole contingent surviving beneficiary of the
Kenneth Trust and Sandra Trust.
7. To satisfy the $408,169.62 judgment rendered in favor of the Guardian
against Douglas G. Hoffman in the Guardianship Case, I sold as Successor
Trustee of the Kenneth Trust and Sandra Trust 21.97 acres for $180,195.00
(Exhibit “D”) and 66.8495 acres of $480,720.00 (Exhibit “E”) with the
consent of Douglas G. Hoffman, judgment debtor and sole contingent
surviving beneficiary of the Kenneth Trust and Sandra Trust.
8. The net proceeds from the above sales were used to pay Larry J.
McClatchey for attorney fees, the Successor Trustee and Guardian fees,
the claim for Medicaid reimbursement to the State of Ohio and anticipated
capital gains taxes.
9. As a result of the above satisfaction, the Guardian’s Account, the final
account, does not include the judgment of $408,169.62 rendered in favor of
the Guardian against Douglas G. Hoffman in the ITEMIZED STATEMENT
OF ALL FUNDS, ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS that asset is no longer in
existence.
Probate Court Denies Summary Judgment as to Satisfaction of Judgment
{¶13} On December 2, 2019, the Probate Court issued a judgment entry
addressing multiple pending issues. First, the Probate Court admitted the Last Will and
Testament of Sandra Hoffman, dated August 17, 2015, and appointed Phillip Arthur as
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
the Executor of the Estate. Second, Robert Weir was removed as fiduciary. Third, the
Probate Court denied the October 22, 2019 motion for summary judgment filed by
Douglas Hoffman.
The Common Pleas Court Proceedings
Complaint Filed One Day After the Probate Court Denied Summary Judgment
{¶14} On December 3, 2019, Douglas Hoffman filed a complaint in the Coshocton
County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, against Defendant-Appellant Phillip
Arthur, Executor of the Estate of Sandra Hoffman, requesting (1) specific performance of
the agreement by filing a release of the Judgment Lien, 2017JLD139, and by filing a
satisfaction of the $408,169.62 Judgment Entry rendered in favor of the Guardian against
Douglas Hoffman and (2) declaratory judgment that the judgment of the Guardian against
Douglas Hoffman has been satisfied.
{¶15} Counsel for Phillip Arthur requested an extension to file an answer.
Identical Motion for Summary Judgment
{¶16} On April 20, 2020, Douglas Hoffman filed a motion for summary judgment
arguing he was entitled to judgment as a matter of law that the $408.169.62 judgment
against him was satisfied. The motion for summary judgment Douglas Hoffman filed in
the Common Pleas Court was virtually identical to the October 22, 2019 motion for
summary judgment he filed in the Probate Court. In support of the motion for summary
judgment filed in Common Pleas, Douglas Hoffman attached copies of the affidavits of
the Guardian and Larry J. McClatchey he originally filed with the Probate Court in support
of his October 22, 2019 motion for summary judgment and the following attachments: (A)
October 5, 2017 judgment entry of the Probate Court; (B) Settlement Agreement and
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
Release; (C) January 18, 2018 judgment entry of the Probate Court; (D) deed of transfer;
(E) deed of transfer; (F) June 4, 2019 Last Will and Testament of Sandra Hoffman; (G)
June 4, 2019 Application to Probate Will; (H) August 23, 2019 Application to Probate Will;
(I) August 23, 2019 Last Will and Testament of Sandra Hoffman; (J) September 13, 2019
judgment entry of the Probate Court; (K) December 2, 2019 judgment entry of the Probate
Court; (L) December 3, 2019 judgment entry admitting Sandra Hoffman’s will to Probate;
(M) warranty deed; (N) November 11, 2017 judgment lien issued by the Probate Court;
and (O) December 11, 2018 Guardian accounting. Douglas Hoffman also filed his
affidavit, which repeated the language of the motion for summary judgment and
complaint.
{¶17} On May 11, 2020, counsel for Phillip Arthur withdrew and Arthur proceeded
pro se. Phillip Arthur filed a motion to extend his response date to the motion for summary
judgment.
{¶18} On June 25, 2020, the trial court issued a judgment entry, which first denied
Phillip Arthur’s motion for enlargement of time and second, granted Douglas Hoffman’s
motion for summary judgment. The trial court ordered Phillip Arthur to “specifically
perform the agreement of the parties by executing and filing a release of the Judgment
Lien, 2017JLD139, and by executing and filing a satisfaction of the $408,169.62
Judgment Entry rendered in favor of the Guardian against Plaintiff.” (Judgment Entry,
June 25, 2020). The trial court next entered declaratory judgment in favor of Douglas
Hoffman that the judgment lien was satisfied. Phillip Arthur filed a notice of appeal of the
June 25, 2020 judgment entry in Case No. 2020CA0009.
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
Douglas Hoffman Certifies the Judgment is Satisfied
{¶19} On July 21, 2020, Douglas Hoffman filed a motion for contempt, arguing
that Phillip Arthur failed to execute and file a satisfaction of the judgment lien.
{¶20} On July 23, 2020, the Common Pleas Court granted Douglas Hoffman leave
to execute and file a release of the judgment lien in Case No. 2017JLD139. On July 29,
2020, Douglas Hoffman filed a “Certificate of Release of Judgment Lien” signed by
Douglas Hoffman.
{¶21} On August 24, 2020, Phillip Arthur, represented by counsel, filed a motion
to stay the June 25, 2020 judgment entry pending appeal. The Common Pleas Court
granted the motion, dependent upon Phillip Arthur filing a supersedeas bond in the
amount of $408,169.62.
{¶22} On September 15, 2020, Phillip Arthur filed a motion to vacate and void the
June 25, 2020 judgment entry for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
{¶23} On September 23, 2020, Phillip Arthur filed a motion to stay before this
Court. We remanded the matter to the trial court to rule on the pending September 15,
2020 motion to vacate and void the judgment.
{¶24} On November 3, 2020, the Common Pleas Court denied the motion to
vacate the June 25, 2020 judgment entry. Phillip Arthur appealed that decision to this
Court in Case No. 2020CA0016.
{¶25} The June 25, 2020 and November 3, 2020 judgment entries are now before
this Court upon appeal. Also pending for this Court’s resolution is Douglas Hoffman’s
motion to dismiss the appeals due to Phillip Arthur’s failure to post the supersedeas bond.
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶26} Phillip Arthur raises three Assignments of Error:
{¶27} “I. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PREJUDICIAL ERROR BY
DENYING APPELLANT’S MOTION TO VACATE AND VOID THE TRIAL COURT’S
JUNE 25, 2020 JUDGMENT ENTRY FOR LACK OF SUBJECT MATTER
JURISDICTION. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PREJUDICIAL ERROR BY ISSUING
A JUDGMENT WHEN IT HAD NO POWER TO DO BY THE DECLARATORY
JUDGMENT ACT. WHILE THE TRIAL COURT HAS THE INHERENT AUTHORITY TO
VACATE ITS OWN JUDGMENTS, THE TRIAL COURT LACKS ANY POWER TO
OVERRULE JUDGMENTS OF ANOTHER COURT, WHICH POWER IS EXCLUSIVELY
CONFERRED UPON COURTS OF APPEALS BY THE OHIO CONSTITUTION. THE
TRIAL COURT ACCORDINGLY VIOLATED THE OHIO CONSTITUTION BY VACATING
A JUDGMENT OF ANOTHER COURT.
{¶28} “II. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PREJUDICIAL ERROR BY
DENYING APPELLANT’S MOTION TO VACATE AND VOID THE UNILATERAL
JUDGMENT ENTRY FOR LACK OF SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, SERVICE OF
PROCESS, PERSONAL JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS.
{¶29} “III. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PREJUDICIAL ERROR BY
GRANTING APPELLEE’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT WHEN THERE WAS
NO GENUINE ISSUES OF MATERIAL FACT AND WHEN APPELLEE HAD NOT RIGHT
TO JUDGMENT AS A MATTER OF LAW. APPELLANT WAS INSTEAD ENTITLED TO
JUDGMENT AS A MATTER OF LAW.”
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
ANALYSIS
I., II., and III.
{¶30} We consider Phillip Arthur’s three Assignments of Error together because
they are interrelated. Phillip Arthur contends the Common Pleas Court was without
subject matter jurisdiction to consider Douglas Hoffman’s complaint as to the satisfaction
of the judgment lien because the Probate Court had jurisdiction over the matter. We
agree.
Summary Judgment
{¶31} Because the Common Pleas Court first granted summary judgment in favor
of Douglas Hoffman and then denied Phillip Arthur’s motion to vacate, we start our
analysis with the trial court’s decision to grant summary judgment.
Standard of Review
{¶32} We refer to Civ.R. 56(C) in reviewing a motion for summary judgment. The
moving party bears the initial responsibility of informing the trial court of the basis for the
motion and identifying those portions of the record before the trial court, which
demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of fact on a material element of the
nonmoving party's claim. Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292,
662 N.E.2d 264 (1996).
The nonmoving party then has a reciprocal burden of specificity and cannot rest on the
allegations or denials in the pleadings but must set forth “specific facts” by the means
listed in Civ.R. 56(C) showing that a “triable issue of fact” exists. Mitseff v. Wheeler,
38
Ohio St.3d 112, 115,
526 N.E.2d 798, 801 (1988).
{¶33} Pursuant to the above rule, a trial court may not enter summary judgment if
it appears a material fact is genuinely disputed. Vahila v. Hall, 77 Ohio St.3d 421, 429,
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur,
2021-Ohio-2318.]
674 N.E.2d 1164 (1997), citing Dresher v. Burt,
75 Ohio St.3d 280,
662 N.E.2d 264
(1996).
{¶34} As an appellate court reviewing summary judgment motions, we must stand
in the shoes of the trial court and review summary judgments on the same standard and
evidence as the trial court. Smiddy v. The Wedding Party, Inc., 30 Ohio St.3d 35,
506
N.E.2d 212 (1987).
Settlement Agreement Confers Jurisdiction to Probate Court
{¶35} Douglas Hoffman argued in his motion for summary judgment before the
Common Pleas Court that there was no genuine issue of material fact the judgment lien
issued by the Probate Court had been satisfied. In demonstrating there was no genuine
issue of material fact, Douglas Hoffman submitted as Civ.R. 56 evidence the parties’
Settlement Agreement, the January 18, 2018 judgment entry issued by the Probate Court
memorializing the Settlement Agreement, and the December 2, 2019 judgment entry of
the Probate Court denying Douglas Hoffman’s motion for summary judgment on the same
issue.
{¶36} Phillip Arthur did not file a response to the motion for summary judgment in
the Common Pleas Court proceeding. On appeal, he contends there were genuine issues
of material fact raised in Douglas Hoffman’s motion for summary judgment that should
have precluded judgment in Hoffman’s favor. Upon our de novo review of the Civ.R. 56
evidence provided by Douglas Hoffman to the Common Pleas Court, we agree there was
evidence to demonstrate that reasonable minds could come to differing conclusions that
Douglas Hoffman was not entitled to judgment as a matter of law because the Common
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
Pleas Court was without jurisdiction to consider Douglas Hoffman’s complaint for specific
performance and declaratory judgment.
{¶37} There is no genuine issue of material fact that on October 5, 2017, the
Probate Court granted summary judgment for compensatory damages of $408,162.69 in
favor of Guardian on her counterclaim against Douglas G. Hoffman. The Probate Court
issued a Certificate of Judgment for Lien upon Lands and Tenements on November 20,
2017 in Case No. 2017JLD139 as to the $408,162.69. The Settlement Agreement and
January 18, 2018 judgment entry specifically referred to the $408,169.62 judgment
against Hoffman. In his motion for summary judgment before the Common Pleas Court,
Douglas Hoffman argued the $408,162.69 judgment issued by the Probate Court had
been satisfied.
{¶38} In his motion for summary judgment, Douglas Hoffman referred the
Common Pleas Court to the Settlement Agreement. He did not, however, direct the trial
court to a relevant term of the Settlement Agreement:
17. Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement is governed by and shall
be interpreted under Ohio law. The sole and exclusive venue for any
litigation among the Parties that may arise out of, or is related to this
Agreement is in the Coshocton County Common Pleas Court, Probate
Division (the “Court”).
(Emphasis added.)
{¶39} A settlement agreement is a particularized form of a contract. Breech v.
Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 5th Dist. No. 2017CA00012, 2017-Ohio-9211,
101 N.E.3d 1199,
2017 WL 6550473, ¶ 34 citing Hinds v. Muskingum Cty., 5th Dist. Muskingum No.
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur,
2021-Ohio-2318.]
CT2016-0063,
2017-Ohio-8212,
2017 WL 4675812, ¶ 17 citing Noroski v. Fallet,
2 Ohio
St.3d 77, 79,
442 N.E.2d 1302 (1982). It is a “contract designed to terminate a claim by
preventing or ending litigation, and … such agreements are valid and enforceable by
either party.” Continental W. Condominium Unit Owners Assn. v. Howard E. Ferguson,
Inc.,
74 Ohio St.3d 501, 502,
660 N.E.2d 431 (1996). Douglas Hoffman made no assertion
that the Settlement Agreement was invalid or unenforceable in his motion for summary
judgment. Hoffman contractually agreed the Probate Court had exclusive jurisdiction over
any litigation arising out of or relating to the Settlement Agreement.
{¶40} Douglas Hoffman referred to the January 18, 2018 final judgment entry of
the Probate Court memorializing the Settlement Agreement in his motion for summary
judgment. The Probate Court judgment entry, attached to the motion for summary
judgment, stated:
ORDERED, that pursuant to the Agreement this Court shall retain
jurisdiction to enter any all subsequent orders that may be necessary to
implement, interpret or enforce the rights or obligations of the Parties under
the Agreement.
{¶41} There is no factual dispute the $408,169.62 judgment against Douglas
Hoffman originated from the Probate Court proceedings. Through the Settlement
Agreement, the parties agreed to the Probate Court’s continuing jurisdiction over all
matters related to the Probate Court proceedings. Douglas Hoffman’s declaratory
judgment action before the Common Pleas Court arose out of or was related to the
Probate Court proceedings. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement and the January 18,
2018 Probate Court judgment entry provided as Civ.R. 56 evidence, we find there is a
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
genuine issue of material fact whether the Probate Court, not the Common Pleas Court,
retained exclusive jurisdiction over all subsequent orders necessary to implement,
interpret, or enforce the rights or obligations of the parties under the Settlement
Agreement, thereby barring Douglas Hoffman’s requests for relief from the Common
Pleas Court.
Motion to Vacate
{¶42} We next consider Phillip Arthur’s motion to vacate or void the June 25, 2020
judgment entry for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. He argues the Common Pleas Court
was without subject matter jurisdiction to consider Hoffman’s complaint because of the
jurisdictional priority rule. We agree.
{¶43} The jurisdictional-priority rule states: “‘[A]s between [state] courts of
concurrent jurisdiction, the tribunal whose power is first invoked by the institution of proper
proceedings acquires jurisdiction, to the exclusion of all other tribunals, to adjudicate upon
the whole issue and to settle the rights of the parties.’” Holmes Cty. Bd. of Commrs. v.
McDowell, 5th Dist. No. 05CA007, 169 Ohio App.3d 120,
2006-Ohio-5017,
862 N.E.2d
136, ¶ 25 quoting State ex rel. Racing Guild of Ohio v. Morgan,
17 Ohio St.3d 54, 56, 17
OBR 45,
476 N.E.2d 1060 (1985), quoting State ex rel. Phillips v. Polcar,
50 Ohio St.2d
279,
4 O.O.3d 445,
364 N.E.2d 33 (1977), syllabus. “Once a court acquires jurisdiction
over a cause, its authority continues until the matter is completely and finally disposed of,
and no court of coordinate jurisdiction is at liberty to interfere with its proceedings.”
Duckworth v. Burger King Corp.,
159 Ohio App.3d 540,
2005-Ohio-294,
824 N.E.2d 592,
¶ 13, citing John Weenink & Sons Co. v. Cuyahoga Cty. Court of Common Pleas (1948),
150 Ohio St. 349,
38 O.O. 189,
82 N.E.2d 730, paragraph three of the syllabus.
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur,
2021-Ohio-2318.]
{¶44} The rule contemplates a two-part test. First, there must be cases pending
in two different courts of concurrent jurisdiction involving substantially the same parties;
and, second, the ruling of the court subsequently acquiring jurisdiction may affect or
interfere with the resolution of the issues before the court where suit was originally
commenced. Id.
{¶45} When the test is satisfied, the court whose power was last invoked should
dismiss the claims for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.
{¶46} We find the two-part test has been met in the present case.
{¶47} The Probate Court proceedings involving Douglas Hoffman, Phillip Arthur,
and the Guardian were originally commenced in 2015 and resolved by a Settlement
Agreement. On January 18, 2018, the Probate Court ordered that it retained jurisdiction
to enter all subsequent orders that may be necessary to implement, interpret or enforce
the rights or obligations of the parties under the Settlement Agreement. On October 22,
2019, Douglas Hoffman filed a motion for summary judgment in the Probate Court, where
he and Phillip Arthur were parties involved in the Estate of Sandra Hoffman. In his motion
for summary judgment, Douglas Hoffman argued in part that he had satisfied the
$408,169.62 judgment memorialized in the Settlement Agreement and January 18, 2018
judgment entry. On December 2, 2019, the Probate Court denied Hoffman’s October 22,
2019 motion for summary judgment.
{¶48} On December 3, 2019, one day after the negative ruling by the Probate
Court, Douglas Hoffman filed a complaint in the Common Pleas Court, naming Phillip
Arthur as the defendant. It is undisputed that in his complaint, Douglas Hoffman requested
from the Common Pleas Court the same relief that he had been denied by the Probate
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
Court. On June 25, 2020, the Common Pleas Court granted judgment in favor of Douglas
Hoffman, thereby affecting and interfering with the resolution of the issue before the
Probate Court where the suit was originally commenced and had been vested with
continuing jurisdiction by agreement of the parties.
{¶49} We find the jurisdictional-priority rule divested the Common Pleas Court of
subject-matter jurisdiction as to Douglas Hoffman’s claims for satisfaction of the judgment
originating in the Probate Court.
{¶50} Accordingly, we conclude the Common Pleas Court erred as to its
jurisdiction to consider Douglas Hoffman’s complaint when it granted summary judgment
in favor of Douglas Hoffman and denied Phillip Arthur’s motion to vacate. The three
Assignments of Error raised by Phillip Arthur are sustained.
Motion to Dismiss Appeals
{¶51} On September 25, 2020, Douglas Hoffman filed a motion to dismiss the
appeals of the June 25, 2020 and November 3, 2020 judgment entries for Phillip Arthur’s
failure to post a supersedeas bond as ordered by the Common Pleas Court. Pursuant to
our rulings above, we find Douglas Hoffman’s motion to dismiss the within appeals for
failure to post the supersedeas bond to be not well taken and we deny the same.
[Cite as Hoffman v. Arthur, 2021-Ohio-2318.]
CONCLUSION
{¶52} The June 25, 2020 and November 3, 2020 judgment entries of the
Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas are reversed, and the matter is remanded to
the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this Opinion and law.
By: Delaney, J.,
Baldwin, P.J. and
Gwin, J., concur.
