{ "id": 11916192, "name": "ELIZABETH ELSIE UPCHURCH v. JAMES ELMON UPCHURCH AND JAMES E. UPCHURCH, JR.", "name_abbreviation": "Upchurch v. Upchurch", "decision_date": "1996-04-02", "docket_number": "No. COA95-643", "first_page": "172", "last_page": "177", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "122 N.C. App. 172" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "63 ALR3d 373", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 3d", "weight": 3, "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "134 S.E.2d 154", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1964, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "155" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "261 N.C. 169", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8572484 ], "year": 1964, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "171" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/261/0169-01" ] }, { "cite": "346 S.E.2d 237", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "240", "parenthetical": "heirs of deceased spouse necessary parties to equitable distribution proceeding" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "82 N.C. App. 423", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8359074 ], "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "426", "parenthetical": "heirs of deceased spouse necessary parties to equitable distribution proceeding" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/82/0423-01" ] }, { "cite": "63 A.L.R.3d 373", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 3d", "year": 1975, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "160 S.E.2d 313", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1968, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "316" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "273 N.C. 481", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8575660 ], "year": 1968, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "485" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/273/0481-01" ] }, { "cite": "290 S.E.2d 653", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "658" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "305 N.C. 446", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8571060 ], "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "452" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/305/0446-01" ] }, { "cite": "148 S.E.2d 856", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "860" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "267 N.C. 714", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8560555 ], "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "719" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/267/0714-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 S.E.2d 873", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "882" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "276 N.C. 198", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8560788 ], "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "211" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/276/0198-01" ] }, { "cite": "373 S.E.2d 423", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "424-25", "parenthetical": "quoting Wilson v. Development Co., 276 N.C. 198, 211, 171 S.E.2d 873, 882 (1970)" }, { "page": "425" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "323 N.C. 461", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2563456 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "464", "parenthetical": "quoting Wilson v. Development Co., 276 N.C. 198, 211, 171 S.E.2d 873, 882 (1970)" }, { "page": "465" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/323/0461-01" ] }, { "cite": "286 S.E.2d 779", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "783" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "305 N.C. 41", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8565990 ], "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "46" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/305/0041-01" ] }, { "cite": "514 A.2d 901", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "case_ids": [ 655367 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "904" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/pa-super/356/0365-01" ] }, { "cite": "585 S.W.2d 270", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 9932540 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "274" }, { "page": "274" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/sw2d/585/0270-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 527, "char_count": 9748, "ocr_confidence": 0.742, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.5362637435953705e-07, "percentile": 0.9240743379247207 }, "sha256": "2453b0cfbc4a68f3de4059df62750e88f4c702cd4e2de2c90720eb0bed04ecb9", "simhash": "1:9acdd52f7618f5f2", "word_count": 1603 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:39:52.508825+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges LEWIS and SMITH concur." ], "parties": [ "ELIZABETH ELSIE UPCHURCH v. JAMES ELMON UPCHURCH AND JAMES E. UPCHURCH, JR." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "GREENE, Judge.\nJames Elmon Upchurch, Sr. (Husband) and James E. Upchurch, Jr. (Son) (collectively defendants) appeal an equitable distribution order entered 7 February 1995 pursuant to an action filed by Elizabeth Elsie Upchurch (Wife) for equitable distribution.\nThe complaint seeking equitable distribution names both Husband and Son as party defendants and in pertinent part alleges that the ownership of certain municipal bonds and notes is \u201cintertwined between\u201d Husband and Son and that Son \u201cis a necessary party.\u201d The complaint prayed, among other things, that the trial court enter an order \u201cdetermining which [of these intertwined] assets, or portion of such assets . . . are marital property.\u201d Husband and Son filed an answer denying the allegations of the complaint.\nAfter hearing evidence offered by all the parties, the trial court noted its \u201cdifficulty ascertaining the assets of [Husband], and the mingling of [Husband\u2019s] assets with those of [Son] and possibly of Jack Upchurch.\u201d The trial court found as a fact that \u201cthere is a significant possibility\u201d that some of the transactions of Husband were \u201ca sham.\u201d The trial court then concluded, after \u201cgiving the benefit of [the] doubt\u201d to Wife, that the following items of personal property were either entirely or partially marital property: (1) the municipal bonds titled in the Son\u2019s name; (2) the note executed by Paul McGhee and Brenda Vaughan to Husband and Son; (3) the note executed by Marlene Harmon to Husband \u201cor\u201d Jack A. Upchurch; (4) the note executed by John Houk to Husband and Son; and (5) the note executed by Phillip Arnold to Husband \u201cor\u201d Son. The trial court then valued and distributed these and other marital assets.\nThe issues are (I) whether property titled in the name of a person other than the parties to the marriage can be \u201cmarital property\u201d within the meaning of section 50-20; (II) if so, whether the titled or legal owner of those properties is a necessary party to the equitable distribution proceeding; and (III) whether the findings in this case support the conclusion that the bonds and notes titled in the names of third parties are marital properties.\nI\nOur equitable distribution statute provides that the trial court is to classify, value and distribute the \u201cmarital property.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 50-20 (1995). Marital property is defined as \u201call real and personal property acquired by either spouse or both spouses during the course of the marriage and before the date of separation of the parties, and presently owned\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 50-20(b)(l) (emphasis added). Property \u201cacquired\u201d is property received or gained \u201cin whatever manner,\u201d legal or equitable. Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 41 (4th ed. 1968). Property is \u201cowned\u201d if a person has either legal or equitable title. Id. at 1259. Thus, both legal and equitable interest in real and personal property are subject to distribution under section 50-20. See Ravenscroft v. Ravenscroft, 585 S.W.2d 270, 274 (Mo. App. 1979); see also Wolf v. Wolf 514 A.2d 901, 904 (Pa. 1986).\nIn North Carolina an equitable interest in property can be established in several situations, namely express, resulting and constructive trusts. James A. Webster, Jr., Webster\u2019s Real Estate Law in North Carolina \u00a7 28-1, at 1083 (Patrick K. Hetrick & James B. McLaughlin, Jr. eds., 4th ed. 1994) [hereinafter Webster\u2019s]. An express trust is one \u201ccreated by contract, express or implied.\u201d Id. A resulting trust is one \u201carising from the presumed intent of the parties at the time title is taken by one party under facts and circumstances showing that the beneficial interest in the real [or personal] property is in another.\u201d Id.; see Mims v. Mims, 305 N.C. 41, 46, 286 S.E.2d 779, 783 (1982). \u201cA constructive trust is a duty... imposed by courts of equity to prevent the unjust enrichment of the holder of title to . . . property which such holder acquired through fraud, breach of duty or some other circumstance making it inequitable for him to retain it.\u201d Roper v. Edwards, 323 N.C. 461, 464, 373 S.E.2d 423, 424-25 (1988) (quoting Wilson v. Development Co., 276 N.C. 198, 211, 171 S.E.2d 873, 882 (1970)). It is not necessary to show fraud in order to establish a constructive trust. Roper, 323 N.C. at 465, 373 S.E.2d at 425. Such a trust will arise by operation of law against one who \u201cin any way against equity and good conscience\u201d holds legal title to property which he should not. Id. The burden is on the party wishing to establish a trust to show its existence by \u201cclear, strong and convincing\u201d evidence. Webster\u2019s \u00a7 28-5, at 1095; Electric Co. v. Construction Co., 267 N.C. 714, 719, 148 S.E.2d 856, 860 (1966); see George G. Bogart and George T. Bogart, The law of Trusts and Trustees \u00a7 472, at 44 (2d ed. revised 1978). The determination of whether a trust arises on the evidence requires application of legal principles and is therefore a conclusion of law. See Quick v. Quick, 305 N.C. 446, 452, 290 S.E.2d 653, 658 (1982).\nII\n\u201cWhen a person is so vitally interested in the controversy that a valid judgment cannot be rendered in the action completely and finally determining the controversy without his presence, such person is a necessary party to the action.\u201d Strickland v. Hughes, 273 N.C. 481, 485, 160 S.E.2d 313, 316 (1968); see N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 19(b) (1990). It thus follows that when a third party holds legal title to property which is claimed to be marital property, that third party is a necessary party to the equitable distribution proceeding, with their participation limited to the issue of the ownership of that property. Ravenscroft, 585 S.W.2d at 274; see generally Frank D. Wagner, Annotation, Propriety of Consideration of, and Disposition as to, Third Persons\u2019 Property Claims in Divorce Litigation, 63 A.L.R.3d 373 (1975); see Swindell v. Lewis, 82 N.C. App. 423, 426, 346 S.E.2d 237, 240 (1986) (heirs of deceased spouse necessary parties to equitable distribution proceeding). Otherwise the trial court would not have jurisdiction to enter an order affecting the title to that property. See Lucas v. Felder, 261 N.C. 169, 171, 134 S.E.2d 154, 155 (1964).\nIII\nIn this case, the conclusions of the trial court are silent on whether Wife met her burden of showing a trust for the benefit of the marital estate with regard to the various bonds and notes. Even if such a conclusion is implied, the findings do not reflect that a trust was established by clear and convincing evidence. Indeed, the findings suggest that although the trial court believed there was only a \u201cpossibility\u201d that a trust existed for the marital estate, it proceeded to resolve any doubts in the evidence in favor of Wife. This was error and requires that the conclusion that the bonds and notes are marital property be reversed and remanded. On remand, the trial court shall reconsider the evidence, with respect to the bonds and notes, in light of this opinion and enter a new equitable distribution order.\nWe do observe that one of the notes distributed by the trial court was executed for the benefit of Husband \u201cor\u201d Jack A. Upchurch. To the extent of Jack A. Upchurch\u2019s interest in this note, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 25-3-110(d) (1995) (where instrument is payable to persons alternatively, it is payable to any of them), the trial court is without jurisdiction to adjudicate that interest because he is not a party to this action.\nWe have reviewed the other assignments of error raised by Husband and Son and overrule them.\nAffirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.\nJudges LEWIS and SMITH concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "GREENE, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Harriss, Embree & Marion, P.L.L.C., by Joseph W. Marion, for plaintiff-appellee.", "E.G. Harris for defendant-appellant James Elmon Upchurch, Sr", "Browne, Flebotte, Wilson & Horn, P.L.L.C., by Daniel R. Flebotte, for defendant-appellant James E. Upchurch, Jr." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "ELIZABETH ELSIE UPCHURCH v. JAMES ELMON UPCHURCH AND JAMES E. UPCHURCH, JR.\nNo. COA95-643\n(Filed 2 April 1996)\n1. Divorce and Separation \u00a7 119 (NCI4th)\u2014 property titled in third persons \u2014 marital property\nProperty titled in the name of a person other than the parties to the marriage can be \u201cmarital property\u201d within the meaning of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 50-20, since both legal and equitable interests in real and personal property are subject to distribution under that statute, and an equitable interest in property can be established in express, resulting, and constructive trusts.\nAm Jur 2d, Divorce and Separation \u00a7\u00a7 878-880, 896.\nPropriety of consideration of, and disposition as to, third persons\u2019 property claims in divorce litigation. 63 ALR3d 373.\n2. Divorce and Separation \u00a7 172 (NCI4th)\u2014 equitable distribution \u2014 third party as necessary party\nWhen a third party holds legal title to property which is claimed to be marital property, that third party is a necessary party to the equitable distribution proceeding, with the participation of such party being limited to the issue of the ownership of that property.\nAm Jur 2d, Divorce and Separation \u00a7\u00a7 878-880, 896.\nPropriety of consideration of, and disposition as to, third persons\u2019 property claims in divorce litigation. 63 ALR3d 373.\n3. Divorce and Separation \u00a7 119 (NCI4th)\u2014 bonds and notes titled in names of third parties \u2014 marital property \u2014 insufficiency of findings to support conclusion\nThe findings of the trial court were insufficient to support its conclusion that bonds and notes titled either partly or wholly in the names of third parties were marital properties.\nAm Jur 2d, Divorce and Separation \u00a7\u00a7 878-880, 896.\nPropriety of consideration of, and disposition as to, third persons\u2019 property claims in divorce litigation. 63 ALR3d 373.\nAppeal by defendants from order entered 7 February 1995 in Durham County District Court by Judge Richard G. Chaney. Heard in the Court of Appeals 28 February 1996.\nHarriss, Embree & Marion, P.L.L.C., by Joseph W. Marion, for plaintiff-appellee.\nE.G. Harris for defendant-appellant James Elmon Upchurch, Sr\nBrowne, Flebotte, Wilson & Horn, P.L.L.C., by Daniel R. Flebotte, for defendant-appellant James E. Upchurch, Jr." }, "file_name": "0172-01", "first_page_order": 208, "last_page_order": 213 }