ROBERT S. BARNEY, Judge.
In this consolidated appeal, Sleepy Hollow Ranch, LLC, the Estate of Buenos ("Jim") C. Blunk ("the Estate"), and the "[Jim] & Mary M. Blunk Living Trust, dtd 8-18-03" ("the Trust") (collectively "Appellants") appeal from the trial court's "AMENDED JUDGMENT."
Viewing the record in the light most favorable to the trial court's judgment, Schroeder v. Proctor, 280 S.W.3d 724, 726 (Mo.App.2009), the record reveals Jim was Ms. Robinson's uncle. Jim and Ms. Robinson were close in the 1950's but did not have much contact again until the late 1990's.
Jim rented a safety deposit box jointly with Ms. Robinson to which only they had access and the bank records reveal the box was only accessed by Ms. Robinson. Around the same time Jim opened a joint checking account with Ms. Robinson into which he deposited $50,000.00 from his account in Arizona. While Jim was away in Arizona, he instructed Ms. Robinson to pay his bills and other expenses from this account and she did so. During this period of time, Jim stayed at the Mark Twain house "off and on" with Ms. Robinson taking care of the property and the animals when he was away.
On May 2, 2004, Jim entered into a written option to buy the second piece of property at issue in this lawsuit which is referred to in the record as the Homeplace. The Homeplace had previously been in the family for a number of years and Jim's brother, Oren Blunk ("Oren"), had previously owned it.
In 1976, Oren's son and his wife, Respondents Blunk, moved into a home on the 77.5 acre Homeplace. Respondents Blunk never received title to the property as it passed upon Oren's death to Tessie Lombard ("Tessie"), sister to Oren and Jim. Respondents Blunk continued living on the Homeplace despite certain issues that had arisen with Tessie, and they remained on the property even after it was deeded by Tessie on October 3, 1998, to the College. On November 17, 1998, the College notified Respondents Blunk that they needed to lease or rent the property or the College would be forced to explore "other options." After several years of negotiations, Jim apparently intervened in the situation and signed a five year lease on the Homeplace with the College.
In April of 2005, Jim moved the majority of his belongings from Arizona to the Mark Twain house and began residing there full-time. On May 6, 2005, Jim then executed his option to purchase with the
Also in 2005, Jim became involved with a woman from Arkansas, Shirley Peglar ("Shirley"), and the two went on several extended vacations prior to purchasing a home together in Arkansas at some point in time that year. After returning from a cruise and a trip to Arizona with Shirley in the beginning of January of 2006, Jim became concerned that Shirley would "attach herself" to his assets. As a result, he phoned Ms. Robinson or Mrs. Howard in late January and asked them to aid in his return to Missouri. The record shows that when Jim returned from Arkansas, he "was not in good shape." He was dehydrated, had poor balance, and his diagnosed prostate cancer was taking its toll on his overall health; however, his mental acuity was apparently intact. Ms. Robinson and Mrs. Howard then took certain steps, purportedly at Jim's request, to "protect" his assets from Shirley, whom they believed had been taking advantage of Jim. Ms. Robinson and Mrs. Howard cancelled his credit cards, changed his checking account information, and removed items from the safety deposit box.
On February 15, 2006, Mrs. Howard drove Jim to the office of his attorney, Russ Schenewerk ("Mr. Schenewerk"), and informed Mr. Schenewerk that Jim wanted to deed the Homeplace and the Mark Twain house to Ms. Robinson. After speaking with Jim and deciding that such an action was not what Jim truly desired, Mr. Schenewerk declined to prepare the deeds although he noted Jim appeared mentally competent on that day.
Two days later Jim received the results of medical tests that had been performed earlier in the week. He was told on February 17, 2006, that he had "widespread bony metastisis consistent with ... history of prostate [cancer]" and was advised that he needed to look into hospice care. On February 21, 2006, Ms. Robinson took Jim to see attorney George Scott ("Mr. Scott") about deeding the Homeplace and the Mark Twain house to Ms. Robinson. Mr. Scott interviewed Jim; found him to be mentally competent; determined he desired to execute the aforementioned deeds; and prepared the deeds in accordance with Jim's request. The deeds were then executed
On March 8, 2006, just weeks after having conveyed both the Homeplace and the Mark Twain house to Ms. Robinson, Jim executed a new will that included a lengthy amendment to the Trust; appointed Mr. Mallow and Ms. Harms as successor co-trustees; declared that he had been "under the influence of certain family members and individuals" that "may have unduly influenced [him]" such that he desired to "revoke and/or modify" the Trust; and specifically set forth that Ms. Robinson "shall NOT receive any property and/or assets [or] cash, of any nature whatsoever, at any time and under any circumstances" from the Trust or the Estate. Jim continued to reside in Arizona until his death on May 10, 2006. This litigation was thereafter initiated.
The trial in these matters was held on January 5 and 6, 2010. At the close of all the evidence the trial court took the matter under advisement. On June 21, 2010, the trial court entered its lengthy "AMENDED JUDGMENT."
In part pertinent to our review, the amended judgment found Appellants failed to meet their burden of proving the deeds at issue should be set aside for undue influence or lack of capacity. However, the trial court determined Appellants were entitled to a judgment against Ms. Robinson for "possession of the 1969 Volkswagon and the 1979 Ford Pickup, and monetary damages in the total amount of... $102,500.00[ ] for conversion of the gold and the ... 1972 pickup." It also denied Ms. Robinson's claims against Respondents Blunk because Respondents Blunk owned the Homeplace by adverse possession such that the conveyance of the Homeplace from Tessie to College of the Ozarks to Jim was void. The appeals by Appellants and Ms. Robinson followed.
We shall first address Appellants' points relied on. In Appellants' Points I and II, they maintain the trial court erred in "refusing to set aside the deeds to [Ms.] Robinson to the Mark Twain [house] and the Homeplace" on the basis of undue influence in that such a determination was an erroneous application of the law and
On appeal of an equitable action to set aside a deed, the trial court's judgment will be sustained unless there is no substantial evidence to support it, it is against the weight of the evidence, it erroneously declares the law, or it erroneously applies the law. Landers v. Sgouros, 224 S.W.3d 651, 655 (Mo.App.2007). "`When reviewing a court-tried case, we view all evidence and inferences in the light most favorable to the judgment and disregard all contrary evidence and inferences.'" Id. (quoting Ortmann v. Dace Homes, Inc., 86 S.W.3d 86, 88 (Mo.App.2002)). "We defer to the trial court's determinations as to the credibility of witnesses." Id. "`The trial court's judgment is presumed valid and the burden is on the appellant to demonstrate its incorrectness.'" Bowles v. All Counties Inv. Corp., 46 S.W.3d 636, 638 (Mo.App. 2001) (quoting Schaefer v. Rivers, 965 S.W.2d 954, 956 (Mo.App.1998)).
Appellants' first two points relied on are governed by the following principles:
Landers, 224 S.W.3d at 660 (internal citations and quotations omitted). Yet, "[a] confidential relationship alone ... is not enough to raise a presumption of undue influence." Tobias v. Korman, 141 S.W.3d 468, 475 (Mo.App.2004). "The `presumption' is raised when there is a confidential relationship, a deed favoring the one acting in the fiduciary capacity, and some evidence `from which the Court can infer undue influence[.]'" Duvall v. Brenizer, 818 S.W.2d 332, 335 (Mo.App.1991) (quoting Davis v. Pitti, 472 S.W.2d 382, 387-89 (Mo.1971)). "The burden is on the plaintiff to prove undue influence." Ruestman v. Ruestman, 111 S.W.3d 464, 478 (Mo.App. 2003). "Once established, the presumption makes a prima facie case of undue influence, effectively shifting the burden to the fiduciary to rebut." In re Estate of Hock, 322 S.W.3d 574, 579 (Mo.App.2010).
In the present matter, Appellants did not meet their burden of proving a presumption
Second, the deeds at issue from Jim to Ms. Robinson for the Homeplace and the Mark Twain house were clearly to benefit Ms. Robinson such that the second prong of the presumption of undue influence test is met.
However, it is the third prong of the test where this Court feels Appellants fell short of meeting their burden of proof. The third prong requires "some evidence `from which the Court can infer undue influence[.]'" Duvall, 818 S.W.2d at 335 (quoting Davis, 472 S.W.2d at 387-89). Further, there must be facts and circumstances tending to show that undue influence was an active factor in the transaction. Tobias, 141 S.W.3d at 475. It is not undue influence for the beneficiary to exercise influence as long as it was not so coercive or importunate as to deprive the benefactor of his or her free agency. Id. "`The test is whether the grantor's free agency and voluntary action were thwarted.'" Houston v. Crider, 317 S.W.3d 178, 183 (Mo.App.2010) (quoting Pike v. Pike, 609 S.W.2d 397, 402 (Mo. banc 1980)).
Here, by all accounts, Jim was an intelligent man and a successful businessman. In 2003, years before any issues relating to undue influence arose, Jim asked Ms. Robinson to move to Missouri to live with him in the Mark Twain house. There was no evidence that Ms. Robinson was paid for helping Jim once she resided with him nor was there evidence that she paid him any type of room and board. Also, in the two years that followed, Jim maintained his home in Phoenix and traveled extensively, all the while Ms. Robinson cared for his affairs and property in Missouri. As his health declined, Ms. Robinson provided medical aid to Jim and became engaged in his medical concerns. Jim's medical records in the days prior to the signing of the deeds indicate Ms. Robinson was doing a great deal of work to properly care for him. She continued throughout this time to manage his finances and to have access to his bank account and the safety deposit
Further, there was testimony from Mr. Scott that he felt that on the day Jim executed the deeds it was his desire to deed his property to Ms. Robinson and both Mr. Scott and his paralegal testified to Jim's mental acuity on that day.
This Court, of course, does not ignore the testimony of Mr. Mallow, Ms. Rahas, Ms. Harms and others that Jim was less than happy in Ms. Robinson's care; however, it can be discerned that the trial court gave little weight to that testimony and we "defer to the trial court's determinations as to the credibility of witnesses." Landers, 224 S.W.3d at 655. As noted by the trial court, while it is certainly understandable that Appellants might have a basis for suspicions relating to Ms. Robinson, those suspicions do not create an inference of undue influence in this matter. Based on the foregoing, we cannot say Jim's free agency or his ability to engage in voluntary action was thwarted by Ms. Robinson. Pike, 609 S.W.2d at 402. Points I and II are denied.
Taking their points out of order for the sake of clarity and the ease of analysis, we turn now to Appellants' fourth and fifth points relied on. In their fourth point relied on Appellants assert the trial court erred in finding Respondents Blunk owned the Homeplace by virtue of adverse possession. They maintain such a ruling was a misapplication of the law in that the trial court failed "to recognize and apply the principle that stronger evidence of adverse possession is required in the presence of a family relationship...." Appellants argue Joe's telephone conversations with Tessie, "which related to her potential use of the Homeplace and the legitimacy of Joe's son, did not constitute notice to her of [Respondents Blunks'] claim to own her property by adverse possession." As an alternative to Point IV, Appellants assert in Point V that the trial court erred in the adverse possession ruling in that the "evidence does not support the judgment" because "once Jim ... intervened, [the College] told Joe ... that he and Donna could live on the Homeplace for as long as they desired, and thus their possession was permissive, not hostile."
In reviewing court tried claims regarding adverse possession, "[w]e will affirm the trial court's judgment unless it is unsupported by substantial evidence, [is] against the weight of the evidence, or it erroneously declares or applies the law." Reynolds v. Brill, 302 S.W.3d 716, 718 (Mo.App.2010). "[T]he credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony is a matter for the trial court." Buckner v. Castro, 306 S.W.3d 655, 664 (Mo.App.2010).
The record reflects Respondents Blunk moved onto the Homeplace in 1976 and at that time it was owned by Joe's father,
At some point in time in 1990 and again in 1991, Joe had separate telephone conversations with Tessie that are of note. According to Joe, during the first conversation, Tessie told him "she wanted [him] to move from the property," and Joe replied that he "was going to stay where [he] was at." Joe stated he told her he was not going to move because he "was born on the place" and he "felt like it was" his property. During the second conversation, Tessie asked him to move from the property because she "had concerns about the property going to [Respondents Blunks'] son because she believed that [their son] was really not [Joe's] son."
The record further shows that Respondents Blunk cut and sold hay off the Homeplace property; granted easements to utility companies to access the land; cut and sold timber on the property; posted "no trespassing" signs throughout the perimeter of most of the property; ran cattle on the property; leased the greater portion of the property to various individuals on which to run cattle; gave permission for people, including other family members, to reside on the property; and allowed people to fish on the property for a fee all without consulting with Tessie. Respondents Blunk paid all utilities on the home; paid to have a new well drilled; paid for all upkeep and maintenance to the fencing and buildings until they were too old to continue maintaining the fencing; and paid for all maintenance to the property itself such as brush hogging without obtaining payment or permission from Tessie. Tessie and Respondents Blunk had an amicable relationship during most of this time until at least 1990 when Joe told Tessie he was not moving out, and later when Jim and Joe had a falling out over some business dealings.
"`To establish title by adverse possession, one must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that possession was: (1) hostile and under a claim of right; (2) actual; (3) open and notorious; (4) exclusive; and (5) continuous for a period of ten years.'" Harris Land Dev., L.L.C. v. Fields, 139 S.W.3d 275, 277 (Mo.App. 2004) (quoting Weaver v. Helm, 941 S.W.2d 801, 804 (Mo.App.1997)). "`Failure to establish one element of adverse possession will defeat the claim.'" Id. (quoting Conaway v. Fauller, 972 S.W.2d 442, 444 (Mo.App. 1998)). "The ten year period to confer title by adverse possession need not occur immediately prior [to] the suit." Watson v. Mense, 298 S.W.3d 521, 526 (Mo.2009). "`Adverse possession presents mixed questions of law and facts, and the principles or elements to prove such a case are considered with the view that every property may be unique and each case must be decided in light of its own unique circumstances.'" Harris, 139 S.W.3d at 278 (quoting Weaver, 941 S.W.2d at 804-05). "`The acts which establish possession vary from case to case and the nature of the area in question and the surrounding property.'" Id. (quoting Weaver, 941 S.W.2d at 805). "The party claiming ownership by adverse possession has the burden of proving his claim by a
With that being said, there is a greater standard of proof required when the parties involved in an adverse possession claim are family members:
Tallent v. Barrett, 598 S.W.2d 602, 606 (Mo.App.1980); see Poe v. Mitchener, 275 S.W.3d 375, 380 (Mo.App.2009).
Here, when Respondents Blunk moved onto the Homeplace in 1976, at a time when the property was still owned by Joe's father, their possession was clearly permissive. However, as the trial court found, between that time and whenever their relationship with Tessie soured, the possession became hostile to the property owner, Tessie. It is settled law that "[p]ossession is hostile if it is antagonistic to the claims of all others" and the claimant "must occupy the land with the intent to possess it as [their] own." Cooper v. Carns, 263 S.W.3d 729, 733 (Mo.App.2008). Further, "[t]he claimant's occupancy must be in defiance of, rather than in subordination to, the rights of others" and "[i]ntent may be inferred from [their] acts of dominion over the land." Id. Notably, "[t]he claimant need not intend to take away something that belongs to another or be indifferent as to the facts of the legal title;" rather, "[i]t is the intent to possess rather than the intent to take from the true owner that governs." Id. (emphasis added, internal citations omitted); see Charlton v. Crocker, 665 S.W.2d 56, 61 (Mo.App.1984). Based on the foregoing facts it is clear that, at least by 1990, Respondents Blunk intended to possess the Homeplace as their own and their possession was hostile to the then-owner, Tessie. Respondents Blunk were openly in possession of the property, treated it as if it were their own, utilized its natural properties throughout the 77.5 acres to make money for themselves, maintained it as if they were the record owners and resided there exclusively. Donna testified that Tessie told them as early as 1985 that they needed to move from the property and Joe testified those conversations occurred in 1990 and 1991. At least by 1990 their possession was transformed from permissive to hostile in that they remained on the Homeplace in defiance of Tessie's property rights. Thereafter, Tessie did not visit the Homeplace again and transferred her property rights to the College in 1998 without taking any action to evict Respondents Blunk.
From 1998 until January of 2003 when Jim signed a lease on the Homeplace with the College, Respondents Blunk continued to reside on the Homeplace with the College's knowledge. During this period of time, the College took no action against them other than sending a letter several months after the property conveyance from Tessie containing what the trial court described as a thinly veiled threat to either
An appellate court defers to the trial court when there is conflicting evidence. Poe, 275 S.W.3d at 381. Despite conflicts in the evidence, based on the record before this Court, there is sufficient clear, cogent and convincing evidence to support the trial court's determination that Respondents Blunks' adverse possession of the Homeplace was hostile, under a claim of right, actual, open, notorious, exclusive and continuous for a term of ten years. The trial court did not err in quieting fee simple title in Respondents Blunk.
In their third point relied on Appellants assert the trial court erred in refusing to set aside the deed granting Ms. Robinson the Homeplace in that such a determination was against the weight of the evidence. In support of this assertion, Appellants argue there was "documentary evidence reflect[ing] an intention that [the College] convey the property to an artificial entity, `Sleepy Hollow Ranch,' not to Jim ... personally;" that the deed from the College to the artificial entity therefore conveyed nothing such that title remained with the College; and that the Estate, therefore, owns title to the Homeplace by virtue of its later quit claim deed from the College.
Based on our determination in Points IV and V, above, relating to the fact that Respondents Blunk owned the Homeplace by adverse possession, Appellants' asserted error that the deed from the College to Sleepy Hollow Ranch was void has been mooted. Point III is denied.
We now turn to Ms. Robinson's cross-appeal in this matter.
Conversion is a tort against the right of possession, whereas replevin is a possessory action to obtain property that is in the defendant's possession. Lafayette v. Courtney, 189 S.W.3d 207, 210 (Mo.App. 2006). "The measure of damages for the conversion of personal property is the fair market value at the time and place of the conversion." Mackey v. Goslee, 244 S.W.3d 261, 264 (Mo.App.2008). Furthermore, a trial court is "entitled to believe all, part, or none of any witness's testimony." Hugenel v. Estate of Keller, 867 S.W.2d 298, 302 (Mo.App.1993). Here, Ms. Harms, Jim's neighbor in Arizona, testified that in 2004 Jim and his sister traveled to Twin Falls, Idaho, and he returned with "$100,000 in gold coins," which he put away in his safety deposit box at the Chase Bank in Phoenix. She also stated Jim stored the gold "in a little bitty box that said used machine parts" on the outside. She related that in 2005 "[w]hen Jim was moving to Missouri, he had gone to the bank.... He picked up the gold [from the bank]. It was packed away in the truck... to be transported [to Missouri]." Jim later told her in April of 2006 that he had placed the box of gold coins into his safety deposit box in Missouri. On cross-examination, she admitted she had not physically seen the gold coins but that Jim and Ms. Rahas said Jim had $100,000.00 in coins. Ms. Harms also related that she was told a box labeled "machine parts" contained $100,000.00 worth of gold coins.
Ms. Robinson testified she was aware of a small, heavy box with "the words machine parts written on it" that was in the safety deposit box at Stone County Bank to which she and Jim both had joint access. She related she did not "know that [Jim] ever mentioned [that the box contained gold] particularly to [her]." She stated Jim had her place the box in the safety deposit box along with other "packages." She testified that Jim never accessed the safety deposit box after the account was opened and records from the bank revealed that only Ms. Robinson had ever accessed the box. Ms. Robinson also related she "believe[d]" she had "removed the little box [she] described as saying machine parts and given it back to Jim..." although she was not positive when that was. Ms. Robinson also testified that when she emptied the safety deposit box the small "machine parts" box was no longer located there.
Here, viewing the evidence "in accordance with the result reached[,]" Hugenel, 867 S.W.2d at 302, we cannot say the trial court erred when it determined that the Estate was "entitled to possession of the gold and that [Ms.] Robinson has or had possession of the gold and that she has withheld possession of the gold from the Estate and that her withholding of the same was wrongful." The award of $100,000.00 on Appellants' conversion claim was within the range of values testified to at trial, Theilen v. Theilen, 847 S.W.2d 116, 118-19 (Mo.App.1992), and the trial court was in a better position to view the credibility of the parties than this Court. Additionally, deference must be given to the trial court's resolution of conflicting evidence. Coffman v. Powell, 929 S.W.2d 309, 312 (Mo.App.1996). We are bolstered in our determination to affirm by
Further, Ms. Harms testified that she was told by both Jim and Ms. Rahas that Jim had $100,000.00 in gold coins and that it was placed in a small box marked "machine parts." The box ultimately made its way into the joint safety deposit box of Jim and Ms. Robinson. The bank records show Ms. Robinson was the only person to access the safety deposit box and that she did so on four occasions: July 5, 2005, the day the box was rented; October 13, 2005; January 24, 2006, shortly after Jim returned from Arkansas; and March 27, 2008, the day she closed the box. While Ms. Robinson contends she removed the small box and gave it to Jim at some undetermined time, the trial court apparently believed otherwise. As previously related, "[i]n a court-tried case, the judge has the sole responsibility of determining the credibility of witnesses and whether the court will accept or reject the testimony, in part or in whole." Green Valley Seed, Inc. v. Plenge, 72 S.W.3d 601, 603 (Mo.App.2002). There is substantial evidence supporting the trial court's determination that there was $100,000.00 in gold coins in the safety deposit box and that Ms. Robinson had converted the gold coins to her own use, supporting an award of damages for $100,000.00. Ms. Robinson's Points I and II are denied.
In her third point relied on Ms. Robinson maintains the trial court erred in finding judgment in favor of Appellants in the amount of $2,500.00 "in monetary damages for the 1972 pickup because there was no evidence as to the value of said pickup."
Ms. Harms testified that in February of 2006 she saw Jim's 1972 Ford pickup parked at the Mark Twain house and that Ms. Robinson was in possession of the vehicle. She stated she had no idea what had happened to that vehicle since that time. A certificate of title for such a truck in the name of the Trust was entered into evidence at trial. Ms. Robinson denied ever seeing the truck "[u]nless it was the big truck with the flatbed on it" which at some point "somebody from Arkansas ... took it." When shown a photograph of a truck matching that description in the garage of the Mark Twain house, she did not "recall" ever seeing that vehicle or ever having possession of that vehicle. She noted "[t]here was one [truck] bought to work on the farm, but it was a GMC.... I never — I don't pay attention to things like that." There was no other testimony relating to this truck or its value presented to the trial court.
While the trial court's judgment states that "the bank records show[ ] the amounts paid for the various vehicles ... that [Appellants] claim is being wrongfully withheld by [Ms.] Robinson from the Estate," our review of the copious bank records shows no evidence relating to what Jim or the Estate paid for this vehicle and there is no testamentary or other evidence relating to its value. "The burden of proof of damages rests with the plaintiff." Boyd v. Lollar, 985 S.W.2d 403, 405 (Mo.App. 1999). "The trial court was required to determine the fair market value of the converted property at the time of the conversion or within a reasonable time of the conversion." Mackey, 244 S.W.3d at 265. Here, Appellants presented no evidence relating to the value of the 1972 pickup such that there was no evidence upon which the trial court could base its valuation
In her fourth point relied on Ms. Robinson asserts the trial court erred in finding Respondents Blunk were entitled to fee simple ownership of the Homeplace based on adverse possession. She maintains there was insufficient evidence to prove all five required elements of an adverse possession claim. Having already addressed this issue in Appellants' Points IV and V above, we need not address it again. The trial court did not err in finding Respondents Blunk owned the Homeplace by adverse possession. Reynolds, 302 S.W.3d at 718. Ms. Robinson's Point IV is denied.
All other points of trial court error not otherwise addressed herein are denied. That portion of the judgment awarding Appellants $2,500.00 from Ms. Robinson as monetary damages for her possession of the 1972 pickup is reversed and remanded for further proceedings. In all other respects the judgment is affirmed.
BATES, J. and FRANCIS, P.J., Concur.