Schumacher v. Martin-Schumacher

27 N.E.3d 826 (Table)

Chris SCHUMACHER, Appellant–Petitioner

v.Theresa MARTIN–SCHUMACHER, Appellee–Respondent.

No. 88A01–1407–MI–285.

Court of Appeals of Indiana.

Feb. 3, 2015.

Mark D. Johnson Allen & Johnson, LLC Salem, IN, Attorney for Appellant.

MEMORANDUM DECISION

CRONE, Judge.

Case Summary

[1] In 1997, Chris Schumacher and Theresa Martin–Schumacher obtained a marriage license in Washington County and participated in a wedding ceremony conducted by an individual authorized to solemnize marriages. However, the day before the wedding ceremony, Theresa destroyed the marriage license by burning it in its entirety. Thus, a completed marriage license was never returned to or filed by the county clerk. When Chris filed a dissolution of marriage action in 2011, Theresa contended that the parties were never in fact married. Chris filed a complaint for declaratory judgment requesting the trial court to declare that he and Theresa were married and to order the county clerk to issue a marriage license. Following a hearing, the trial court entered its order declaring that Chris and Theresa were not married as a result of their wedding ceremony and that they both have the status of single persons.

[2] On appeal, Chris argues that the trial court's conclusion that he and Theresa were not married as a result of their wedding ceremony is clearly erroneous. In the alternative, Chris asserts that Theresa should be equitably estopped from denying that the parties are married. Concluding that the trial court's conclusion is not clearly erroneous and that the doctrine of equitable estoppel is inapplicable, we affirm.

Facts and Procedural History

[3] The relevant evidence supporting the trial court's judgment indicates that on October 23, 1997, Chris and Theresa filled out an application for marriage license at the Washington County clerk's office. A marriage license was issued that same day.¹ The next day, Theresa was upset with Chris and she destroyed the marriage license by burning it in its entirety. She told Chris that she had destroyed the marriage license and that she did not wish to get married. Nevertheless, on October 25, 1997, the parties participated in a wedding ceremony officiated by Reverend Jim Manship, an individual authorized to solemnize marriages. Although Manship claims that the parties presented him with a marriage license and marriage certificate form that he completed and mailed to the Washington County clerk's office for filing following the ceremony, the clerk's office has no record of receiving such document and no such document was ever filed by the clerk.

[4] The parties lived together from 1997 until September 2011 when Chris filed a petition for dissolution of marriage. In response, Theresa claimed that the parties were never legally married. Chris filed a complaint for declaratory judgment requesting the trial court to declare that he and Theresa were married and to order the county clerk to issue a marriage license. After a hearing, the trial court found and declared as follows:

1. Individuals who intend to marry must obtain a license and present it to an individual authorized to solemnize marriages. IC 31–11–4–1 ; 31–11–4–13. It is the marriage license which grants the legal authority for an individual who is authorized to solemnize marriages to marry two individuals. IC 31–11–4–14.

2. On the date of their wedding, Chris Schumacher (“Chris”) and Theresa Martin (“Theresa”) did not have a marriage license because the day before, Theresa had intentionally destroyed it by setting it on fire and burning it entirely—a fact she conveyed to Chris at the time.

3. Having intentionally destroyed the license prior to the ceremony, Chris and Theresa could not have justifiably expected to be married as a result of the ceremony in which they participated.

4. The Court declares that Chris Schumacher and Theresa Martin a/k/a Theresa Martin–Schumacher were not married as a result of their wedding. Chris Schumacher's demand for declaratory judgment finding to the contrary is denied. Declaratory judgment is entered in favor of Theresa Martin a/k/a Theresa Martin–Schumacher finding that the parties' status is that of single persons.

Appellant's App. at 4–5. This appeal ensued.

Discussion and Decision

[5] We begin by noting that Theresa did not file an appellee's brief. Under such circumstances, we do not undertake the burden of developing arguments for her. Henderson v. Henderson, 919 N.E.2d 1207, 1210 (Ind.Ct.App.2010). Rather, we may reverse the trial court if Chris presents a case of prima facie error. Id. “Prima facie error means at first sight, on first appearance, or on the face of it.” Id. If such a case is not presented, we will affirm. Id.

[6] The trial court's entry of declaratory judgment² in this case was accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions of law. Where, as here, the trial court enters findings and conclusions without a written request, the entry is considered sua sponte. Samples v. Wilson, 12 N.E.3d 946, 949 (Ind.Ct.App.2014). When a trial court enters specific findings sua sponte, the specific findings control our review and the judgment only as to the issues they cover. Id. at 949–50. Where there are no specific findings, a general judgment standard applies and we may affirm on any legal theory supported by the evidence. Id. at 950.

[7] When reviewing the accuracy of findings, we will first consider whether the evidence supports them. Stone v. Stone, 991 N.E.2d 992, 998 (Ind.Ct.App.2013), aff'd on reh'g, 4 N.E.3d 666. We then determine whether the findings support the judgment. Id. “We will disregard a finding only if it is clearly erroneous, which means the record contains no facts to support it either directly or by inference.” Id. A judgment is clearly erroneous if it relies on an incorrect legal standard, and we do not defer to a trial court's legal conclusions. Id. at 998–99. Upon appellate review, we give due regard to the trial court's ability to assess the credibility of witnesses and we will not reweigh the evidence. Id. at 999. We must consider only the evidence most favorable to the judgment along with all reasonable inferences drawn in favor of the judgment. Id.

Section 1—The trial court's finding that the parties were not married is not clearly erroneous.

[8] Chris claims that the trial court's conclusion that he and Theresa were not married as a result of their wedding ceremony is clearly erroneous. In summarizing Indiana's marriage solemnization provisions, our supreme court has stated,

Before two people may marry in Indiana they must negotiate a multi-step process. The parties must first obtain a marriage license from the clerk of the circuit court of either person's county of residence. I.C. §§ 31–11–4–1, –3. The marriage license issued by the circuit court is the legal authority for an authorized person to marry the betrothed couple. I.C. § 31–11–4–14. The parties must then present the marriage license to a person who is authorized to solemnize marriages. I.C. § 31–11–4–13. Marriages may be solemnized by, among others, a member of the clergy of a religious organization. I.C. § 31–11–6–1(1). The person solemnizing the marriage must complete a marriage certificate and file the certificate and license with the clerk of the circuit court that issued the license; the clerk must then record the certificate and license. I.C. § 31–11–4–16.

McPeek v. McCardle, 888 N.E.2d 171, 176 (Ind.2008).

[9] The statutory law referenced above makes clear that because the marriage license is the legal authority for an authorized person to marry a betrothed couple, the valid marriage of two individuals cannot occur until and unless the parties present the marriage license issued by the circuit court to a person authorized to solemnize marriages. See Ind.Code §§ 31–11–4–13, –14. There is evidence in the record to support the trial court's finding that this condition precedent to a valid marriage did not and could not have occurred here because Theresa destroyed the marriage license the day before the ceremony. Because Reverend Manship was not presented with the marriage license, he was without legal authority to marry Chris and Theresa. Based upon the findings, the trial court properly concluded that the parties wedding ceremony did not result in a valid marriage.

[10] This case boils down to a credibility issue. Chris challenges Theresa's credibility and points to evidence and testimony which indicates that the marriage license was not destroyed but was presented to and completed by Reverend Manship. However, we are not permitted to reassess witness credibility on appeal and we are constrained to consider only the evidence most favorable to the judgment along with all reasonable inferences drawn in favor of the judgment. In other words, the trial court chose to believe Theresa for whatever reason and,...