HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-6575KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. - ?? CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant IN DIVORCE
NOTICE
You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the
following pages, you must take prompt action. You are warned that if you fail to do so, the
case may proceed without you and a decree of divorce or annulment may be entered against
you by the Court. A judgment may also be entered against you for any other claim or relief
requested in these papers by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights
important to you, including custody or visitation of your children.
When the ground for divorce is indignities or irretrievable breakdown of the marriage,
you may request marriage counseling. A list of marriage counselors is available in the Office of
the Prothonotary at the Cumberland County Court House, 1 Courthouse Square, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania 17013.
IF YOU DO NOT FILE A CLAIM FOR ALIMONY, DIVISION OF PROPERTY,
LAWYER'S FEES OR EXPENSES BEFORE A DIVORCE OR ANNULMENT IS
GRANTED, YOU MAY LOSE THE RIGHT TO CLAIM ANY OF THEM.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO
NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW.
THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A
LAWYER.
IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE
TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER
LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE:
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, PA 17013-3302
(717) 249-3166
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P.C.
By 00,
ttorneys for Plaintiff
THLEEN EEVINE WHITE, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. U F- 6 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant IN DIVORCE
COMPLAINT
COUNTI
DIVORCE
1. Plaintiff KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE is an adult individual, who resides at
1340 The Waterford, East Crestwood Drive, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
17011.
2. Defendant ROLAND ROBERTSON is an adult individual, who currently
resides at 10 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB 10 6EP, United Kingdom.
3. Plaintiff has been a bona fide resident in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for
at least six (6) months immediately previous to the filing of this Complaint.
4. The Plaintiff and Defendant were married on September 21, 1985, in Pittsburgh,
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
5. There have been no prior actions of divorce or for annulment between the
parties.
6. Neither Plaintiff nor Defendant is in the military services of the United States or
its allies within the provisions of the Soldiers' & Sailors' Civil Relief Act of the Congress of
LAW OFFICES II
SNELBAKER & 1940 and its amendments.
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
7. There were no children born of this marriage.
8. The marriage is irretrievably broken.
9. Plaintiff has been advised that counseling is available and that Defendant may
have the right to request that the court require the parties to participate in counseling.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Court to enter a decree of Divorce,
divorcing the Plaintiff from the bonds of matrimony heretofore existing.
COUNTII
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF MARITAL PROPERTY
10. Paragraphs 1 through 9 of this Complaint are incorporated herein by reference.
11. Plaintiff and Defendant have acquired property, both real and personal, during
their marriage.
12. The parties have acquired marital debt during their marriage.
13. Plaintiff and Defendant have not agreed to any equitable distribution of the
marital property and debts.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Court to enter an order of equitable
distribution of marital property and debts pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S. § 3502.
COUNT III
ALIMONY
14. Paragraphs 1 through 13 of this Complaint are incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
LAW OFMCES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
2
15. Plaintiff requires reasonable support and alimony to adequately maintain herself
in accordance with the standard of living established during the marriage.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court to order alimony pendente lite and alimony
as it deems just and reasonable pursuant to Sections 3702 and 3701 of the Pennsylvania
Divorce Code.
COUNT IV
COUNSEL FEES, COSTS AND EXPENSES
16. Paragraphs 1 through 15 of this Complaint are incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
17. Plaintiff has employed the firm of Snelbaker & Brenneman, P.C. as counsel in
this case.
18. Plaintiff anticipates substantial litigation expense.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests the Court to allow her reasonable counsel fees, costs
and expenses pursuant to Section 3702 of the Pennsylvania Divorce Code.
THEREFORE, Plaintiff requests your Honorable Court to:
(a) enter a decree of divorce, divorcing Plaintiff from the bonds of
matrimony heretofore existing between Plaintiff and the Defendant;
(b) order equitable distribution of marital property and debts;
(c) order Defendant to pay alimony pendente lite and alimony to Plaintiff in
such amounts as the Court deems just and reasonable;
(d) order Defendant to pay to Plaintiff her counsel fees, costs and expenses
as the Court deems just and reasonable; and
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
3
(e) order such other relief as the Court deems just and reasonable.
SNELBAKER, & BRENNEMAN, P.C.
By:
Ric and . Attorney I.D. # 06355
44 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
(717) 697-8528
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Date: November 6, 2008
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
4
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the foregoing Complaint in Divorce are true and
correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.
C.S. §4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Z? -&r
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE
Date: November G, 2008
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. o$- G 57 s CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant IN DIVORCE
AFFIDAVIT
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says:
1. I have been advised of the availability of marriage counseling and understand that I
may request that the court require that my spouse and I participate in counseling.
2. I understand that the court maintains a list of marriage counselors in the Office of the
Prothonotary, which list is available to me upon request.
3. Being so advised, I do NOT request that the court require my spouse and I
Participate in counseling prior to a divorce decree being handed down by the court.
I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.
§ 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: NO(). 4p 2008
41? -? AL
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
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COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
No: 08 - 6575 Civil Term
Civil Action - Law
Between
Plaintiff
Kathleen Eevine White, 1340 The Waterford, East Crestwood Drive, Camp Hill,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 17011.
And
Defendant
Roland Robertson, 10 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB 10 6EP, United
Kingdom
IN DIVORCE
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE
I, ALAN DAVIDSON, Sheriff Officer, 16 Queens Road, Aberdeen, do hereby
certify that,
1. Upon the Twelfth day of November Two Thousand and Eight years, I duly
served the Notice, Complaint and Affidavit.
2. upon the therein designed Roland Robertson, DEFENDANT by delivering
the same into his hands personally, at 10 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, Scotland,
AB 10 6EP, United Kingdom, before and in presence of Louise Carson, 16
Queens Road, Aberdeen, Witness to the premises and hereto with me
subscribing.
Witness
Sworn at (.Q..
Sheriff Officer
16 Queens Road,
Aberdeen
This oC a &,-/ day of November Two Thousand and Eight years
before me
NOTARY PUBLIC.
David Ramsay Landsman
Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace, 12-16 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1PS
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. Of- 6STS CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant : IN DIVORCE
NOTICE
You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the
following pages, you must take prompt action. You are warned that if you fail to do so, the
case may proceed without you and a decree of divorce or annulment may be entered against
you by the Court. A judgment may also be entered against you for any other claim or relief
requested in these papers by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights
important to you, including custody or visitation of your children.
When the ground for divorce is indignities or irretrievable breakdown of the marriage,
you may request marriage counseling. A list of marriage counselors is available in the Office of
the Prothonotary at the Cumberland County Court House, 1 Courthouse Square, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania 17013.
IF YOU DO NOT FILE A CLAIM FOR ALIMONY, DIVISION OF PROPERTY,
LAWYER'S FEES OR EXPENSES BEFORE A DIVORCE OR ANNULMENT IS
GRANTED, YOU MAY LOSE THE RIGHT TO CLAIM ANY OF THEM.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO
NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW.
THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A
LAWYER.
IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE
TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER
LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE:
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, PA 17013-3302
(717) 249-3166
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P.C.
By "- r,_ '_ -#-, .
rRUE COPY FROM RE es for Plaintiff
Tesftony whKAO, I herd into M rtty hard
thf I of slid COW A CMI S, PL
Of,
ProthOndluf
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant IN DIVORCE
COMPLAINT
COUNTI
DIVORCE
1. Plaintiff KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE is an adult individual, who resides at
1340 The Waterford, East Crestwood Drive, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
17011.
2. Defendant ROLAND ROBERTSON is an adult individual, who currently
resides at 10 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB 10 6EP, United Kingdom.
3. Plaintiff has been a bona fide resident in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for
at least six (6) months immediately previous to the filing of this Complaint.
4. The Plaintiff and Defendant were married on September 21, 198 5, in Pittsburgh,
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
5. There have been no prior actions of divorce or for annulment between the
parties.
6. Neither Plaintiff nor Defendant is in the military services of the United States or
its allies within the provisions of the Soldiers' & Sailors' Civil Relief Act of the Congress of
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER & 1940 and its amendments.
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
7. There were no children born of this marriage.
8. The marriage is irretrievably broken.
9. Plaintiff has been advised that counseling is available and that Defendant may
have the right to request that the court require the parties to participate in counseling.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Court to enter a decree of Divorce,
divorcing the Plaintiff from the bonds of matrimony heretofore existing.
COUNT II
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF MARITAL PROPERTY
10. Paragraphs 1 through 9 of this Complaint are incorporated herein by reference.
11. Plaintiff and Defendant have acquired property, both real and personal, during
their marriage.
12. The parties have acquired marital debt during their marriage.
13. Plaintiff and Defendant have not agreed to any equitable distribution of the
marital property and debts.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Court to enter an order of equitable
distribution of marital property and debts pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S. § 3502.
COUNT III
ALIMONY
14. Paragraphs 1 through 13 of this Complaint are incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
2
15. Plaintiff requires reasonable support and alimony to adequately maintain herself
in accordance with the standard of living established during the marriage.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court to order alimony pendente lite and alimony
as it deems just and reasonable pursuant to Sections 3702 and 3701 of the Pennsylvania
Divorce Code.
COUNT IV
COUNSEL FEES, COSTS AND EXPENSES
16. Paragraphs 1 through 15 of this Complaint are incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
17. Plaintiff has employed the firm of Snelbaker & Brenneman, P.C. as counsel in
this case.
18. Plaintiff anticipates substantial litigation expense.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests the Court to allow her reasonable counsel fees, costs
and expenses pursuant to Section 3702 of the Pennsylvania Divorce Code.
THEREFORE, Plaintiff requests your Honorable Court to:
(a) enter a decree of divorce, divorcing Plaintiff from the bonds of
matrimony heretofore existing between Plaintiff and the Defendant;
(b) order equitable distribution of marital property and debts;
(c) order Defendant to pay alimony pendente lite and alimony to Plaintiff in
such amounts as the Court deems just and reasonable;
(d) order Defendant to pay to Plaintiff her counsel fees, costs and expenses
as the Court deems just and reasonable; and
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
3
(e) order such other relief as the Court deems jujt and reasonable.
SNELBAKER, & BRENNEMAN, P.C.
By:
Ric and C. nelbaker, Esquire
Attorney I.D. # 06355
44 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
(717) 697-8528
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Date: November 6, 2008
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN. P.C.
4
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the foregoing Complaint in Divorce are true and
correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.
C.S. §4904 relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE
Date: November (, 2008
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff
V.
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
: IN DIVORCE
AFFIDAVIT
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says:
1. I have been advised of the availability of marriage counseling and understand that I
may request that the court require that my spouse and I participate in counseling.
2. I understand that the court maintains a list of marriage counselors in the Office of the
Prothonotary, which list is available to me upon request.
3. Being so advised, I do NOT request that the court require my spouse and I
participate in counseling prior to a divorce decree being handed down by the court.
I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.
§ 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: N o. '6, 2008
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE
LAW OFFICES
SNELSAKER &
BRENNEMAN. P.C.
Cj)
ro
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
V.
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
NOTICE TO PLEAD
TO: Kathleen Eevine White, Plaintiff
c/o Richard C. Snelbaker, Esquire
44 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
You are hereby notified to file a written response to the enclosed Petition for Special
Relief in the Nature of Preliminary Objections to Jurisdiction and Venue under Rule 1920.2 and
Objection to Venue under Rule 1920.6 within twenty (20) days from service hereof or a
judgment may be entered against you.
444L
C. Howett, Jr., quire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff )
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, )
Defendant )
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
MOTION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF IN THE NATURE OF
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE
UNDER RULE 1920.2 AND OBJECTION TO VENUE UNDER RULE 1920.6
AND NOW, comes Defendant, Roland Robertson, by and through his counsel, John C.
Howett, Jr., Esquire, and the law firm of Howett, Kissinger & Holst, P.C., who states the
following in support of the within Motion:
FIRST OBJECTION
OBJECTION UNDER RULE 1920.2 AND 23 PA C S A § 3104
Defendant, Roland Robertson, is an adult individual who resides at 10
Braemar Place, Aberdeen AB 10 6EP, Scotland, United Kingdom.
2. Plaintiff, Kathleen Eevine White, is an adult individual who purports to
reside at 1340 The Waterford, East Crestwood Drive, Camp Hill, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17011, but who is believed to reside at 119 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen, Scotland.
3. Defendant, Roland Robertson, was served with the above action on
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at his residence in Aberdeen, Scotland.
4. Pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1026(b) a defendant served out of the United States
has sixty (60) days from service of the complaint within which to plead.
5. Rule 1006(e) requires jurisdiction or venue to be raised by preliminary
objections, hence this pleading. Said Rule states "If a preliminary objection to venue is sustained
and there is a county of proper venue within the State, the action shall not be dismissed, but shall
be transferred to the appropriate Court of that county." Since there is no county of proper venue
"within the State" the action cannot be transferred to Scotland, but must be dismissed.
6. On December 9, 2008, Defendant herein initiated a Divorce
Complaint in Aberdeen, Scotland which was properly served on Plaintiff herein (Defendant in
the Scottish action) on December 12, 2008 by personal service. Attached hereto is a copy of the
Complaint marked as Exhibit "A" and the Proof of Service marked as Exhibit "B".
7. Plaintiff herein averred in the instant action that she was a resident
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a period of six (6) months preceding the date of the
Complaint.
8. Plaintiff herein was not a resident of the state of Pennsylvania for said six
(6) month period nor was she domiciled in Pennsylvania for said period as evidenced by the
following:
(a) Plaintiff and Defendant herein have resided in Aberdeen, Scotland
for over nine years, and Plaintiff's residence at 119 Blenheim Place is the marital residence of the
parties where she has continued to reside.
(b) Plaintiff and Defendant herein participated in a collaborative
divorce process with their respective counsel, Anne G. McTaggart for Roland Robertson and
Marion McDonald for Kathleen White as evidenced by the minutes of collaborative divorce
meetings held on June 24, 2008 and July 24, 2008, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit
"C". While no collaborative agreement had yet been signed, the minutes make it clear that she
was then a resident of Aberdeen, Scotland and planned on continuing to reside at least for the
immediate future in Aberdeen, Scotland.
(c) Attached as Exhibit "D" is an e-mail of October 7, 2008 from
Marion McDonald (Plaintiff's Scottish Solicitor) to Anne McTaggart (Defendant's Scottish
Solicitor) saying that she had spoken to Plaintiff "today" and that she and her client were both
available on November 11, 2008 for their next collaborative meeting (although Ms. McDonald
canceled that meeting on the morning of November 11, 2008). The e-mail went on to talk about
various times when Plaintiff would be available for Defendant to pick up books and other items
of personal property on October 10', October 13th and October 14`h. Moreover, the e-mail spoke
about Plaintiff intending to move some of her items that were in storage and relocate them into
her own home at 119 Blenheim Place, thereby reducing her future need for storage costs, all of
which indicate an intent to continue to reside at 119 Blenheim Place.
(d) Attached as Exhibit "E" is the telephone bill for 119 Blenheim
Place (in the name of Defendant, Roland Robertson, but for the telephone charges at Plaintiff's
residence) for the period of 11 August 2008 through 3 November 2008 showing that she
regularly made telephone calls from her residence throughout that entire period, including calls to
her attorney's office on 26 September 2008 (to number 408-482) which is Marion McDonald's
personal number) and four calls to that law firm from 7 October 2008 to 17 October 2008 (408-
408), which is the law firm's main number, the first of which on October 7, 2008, coincides with
Marion McDonald's e-mail to Anne McTaggart saying that she had, in fact, spoken to her client
"today" which is consistent with both the e-mail and the phone record.
9. On November 10, 2008 the day before the next scheduled collaborative
divorce meeting on November 11, 2008, Defendant saw Plaintiff in Aberdeen, Scotland.
10. Plaintiff was present in Aberdeen, Scotland on December 12, 2008, the
day she was personally served with the Scottish divorce pleading.
11. On the evening of December 17, 2008, Defendant spoke to Plaintiff by
telephone, having called her at her residence in Aberdeen.
12. 23 Pa.C.S.A. §3104 and Rule of Procedure 1920.2 provide that no spouse
can commence an action unless at least one of the parties has been a "bona fide resident in this
Commonwealth for a period of at least six (6) months immediately previous to the
commencement of the action."
WHEREFORE, Defendant herein prays this Honorable Court to dismiss the above-
captioned action in divorce.
SECOND OBJECTION
OBJECTION UNDER RULE 1920.6
13. Defendant herein incorporates by reference thereto paragraphs 1-11 above.
14. Rule 1920.6 states that if within ninety (90) days of the service of the
complaint a second action is "brought in another county" (and note that the Rules does not
restrict the county to being "within the State" as done Rule 1006(e)) and one of the counties is
the county in which the last "family domicile" was located and in which one of the parties
continue to reside, then the court of the county of the last family domicile shall determine which
action shall proceed and which action shall be stayed.
15. The last family domicile is 119 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen, Scotland.
16. Defendant herein continues to reside in said county.
17. Defendant herein commenced, within ninety (90) days of the service of the
Cumberland County proceeding, an action in the county in which Aberdeen, Scotland is located
(see Exhibit "A").
18. In the event that it would be argued that Rule 1920.6 should be interpreted
as applying only to a second action which is filed "within the State," even though said Rule does
not limit itself to such actions, the clear ose of the Rule, i.e., to avoid simultaneous actions
dealing with the same parties and the same issues, is best achieved by honoring the Rule in this
case.
WHEREFORE, if this Honorable Court does not dismiss the above-captioned action
pursuant to the first objection, Defendant herein requests in the alternative that this Court defer to
the Scottish Court under Rule 1920.6 allowing said Court to determine which action is to
proceed, and to stay the Pennsylvania action accordingly.
Date: 1?-! Z 3 ! L
v-
Respectfully submitted,
C,f
Jo . Howett, Jr., Esq ire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
VERIFICATION
I, Roland Robertson, hereby swear and affirm that the facts contained in the foregoing
Motion for Special Relief in the Nature of Preliminary Objections to
Jurisdiction and Venue Under Rule 1920.2 and objection to Venue Under Rule 1920.6
are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief and are made subject to
the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. §4904 relating to unswom falsification to authorities.
Date: 12/23/08 R-C, K. ?, "t,
ROLAND ROBERTSON
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff ) NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, ) CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant ) IN DIVORCE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire, counsel for Roland Robertson, Defendant in the above-
captioned action, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Petition for Special
Relief in the Nature of Preliminary Objections to Jurisdiction and Venue under Rule 1920.2 and
Objection to Venue under Rule 1920.6 was served upon Richard C. Snelbaker, Esquire, counsel
for Plaintiff, Kathleen Eevine White, by depositing same in the United States mail, first class, on
December 23, 2008, addressed as follows:
Richard C. Snelbaker, Esquire
44 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
Date:
t4'k,
J C. Howett, Jr., Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
{ g41 I ob
LAMPIAN HIGHLAND AND ISL ( -L RKS OFFICE
LODGED
AT ABERDEEN C-2 cc) £R-0
INITIAL WRIT 1 1'9-ftft 2008
r O e- C.
in causa 3
F _N
PROFESSOR ROLAND ROBERTSON residing at 10 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, AB10
6EP
against
PURSUER
Dr KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE or ROBERTSON, residing at 119 Blenheim Place,
Aberdeen, AB25 2DL
The Pursuer craves the Court;
DEFENDER
1. To divorce the Defender from the Pursuer on the grounds that the marriage has
broken down irretrievably as established by the parties' non-cohabitation for a period
in excess of 2 years.
2. To grant an order for the sale of the property situated at 119 Blenheim Place,
Aberdeen jointly owned by the parties and for that purpose to grant warrant to such
person as the Court shall think fit to dispose of the said subjects heritably and
irredeemably by public roup or by private bargain in such manner and under such
conditions as the Court shall direct; to ordain the Pursuer and the Defender to execute
and deliver to the purchaser of the said property such disposition and other deeds as
shall be necessary for constituting full right thereto; failing which to dispense with
such execution and delivery and to direct the Sheriff Clerk at Aberdeen to execute
such Disposition and all deeds all as adjusted at his/her sight as shall be necessary
and to find the Pursuer and Defender equally entitled to a share of the net proceeds
off sale or in such other proportions as the court shall think fit.
I?e r? I " aw-aw 2wD
3. To find the Defender liable in expenses. A I +tkL C®pi ik cJ\d U 30fMLnt .
h
CONDESCENDENCE
1. The parties are husband and wife having been married in Pittsburgh, Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania, USA on 21s` September 1985. There are no children of the
marriage. A relevant entry from the Register of Marriages will be produced herewith.
2. The parties have been habitually resident in Scotland for a period of not less than one
year immediately preceding the raising of this action and within the Sheriffdom of
Grampian Highlands and Islands at Aberdeen for a period of not less than 40 days
immediately preceding the raising of this action. The Pursuer is not aware of any
proceedings continuing in any other Court in Scotland or elsewhere in respect of the
marriage or capable of affecting its validity or subsistence other than an action of
divorce raised by the Defender against the Pursuer on 12`h November 2008 in the
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County Pennsylvania USA- (`the said action
of divorce'). The Defender raised said action claiming falsely that she has been a
bona fide resident in The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at 1340 The Waterford,
East Crestwood Drive, Camp Hill Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 17011 USA
for at least 6 months immediately previous to the filing of the said action of divorce.
During said period and since at least 2004 the Defender has resided at 119 Blenheim
Place, Aberdeen. In that period she met the Pursuer on a number of occasions and at
joint meetings with their respective lawyers to negotiate settlement of the financial
issues arising from their separation including discussion of possible aliment for the
Defender based upon her needs as resident at 119 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen.
3. The marriage has broken down irretrievably as established by the fact that the parties'
separated on 12`'' December 2004. They have not lived together since that date.
There is no prospect of reconciliation between the parties. The Pursuer seeks decree
of divorce.
4. The Pursuer seeks an order for the sale of the property jointly owned by the parties at
119 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen in terms of sections 8(2) and 14(2) (a) of The Family
Law (Scotland) Act 1985. In terms of said section the Pursuer is entitled to a fair
share of the parties' matrimonial property. 12`h December 2004 is the relevant for the
purposes of section 10(3) Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 being the date upon which
the parties separated. There being no other method of dividing the matrimonial
property between the parties the said property requires to be sold. Since the Pursuer
left the former matrimonial home on 12'h December 2004 he has maintained payment
of the joint mortgage in respect of the property with Skipton Building Society. Said
mortgage is on an interest only basis. The Pursuer is due to retire from his
employment with Aberdeen University in September 2009 and will be unable to meet
the mortgage payments thereafter. It is essential that in the present uncertain
economic situation that the house be placed upon the market for sale as soon as
possible.
PLEAS IN LAW
1. The marriage of the parties having broken down irretrievably as condescended
upon the Pursuer is entitled to decree of divorce as craved.
2. The order for sale of the property and division of the free proceeds of sale sought
in the Crave 2 being justified in terms of section 8(2) and 14 ( 2) (a ) of The
Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 and being reasonable having regard to the
resources of the parties should be granted as craved.
Ann G McTaggart
Solicitor
52-54 Albert Street
Aberdeen
AB25 1XS
Tel: 01224 593100
Fax: 01224 593200
Agent for Pursuer
Form F14
FORM OF WARRANT OF CITATION IN A FAMILY
ACTION
Court Reference: F841108
Case Type: Divorce
At: Aberdeen on the 09 December 2008
Grants Warrant to cite the Defender by serving upon him a copy of the Writ and
Warrant on a period of notice of 21 days and Ordains the Defender to lodge a
Notice of Intention to Defend with the Sheriff Clerk at Sheriff Clerk's Office, Castle
Street, Aberdeen, if he wishes to:-
a) Challenge the jurisdiction of the Court;
b) Oppose any claim made or order sought;
c) Make any claim or seek any order;
Aberdeen Sheriff Court Court Reference: F841108
2008. Certified that no Notice of Intention to
Defend in terms of Rule 33.34 of the Sheriff Court (Ordinary Cause Rules)
1993 lodged.
Sheriff Clerk Depute
for the Pursuer having
considered the evidence contained in the affidavits and the other documents
all as specified in the Schedule below and being satisfied that upon the
Insert any restrictions of crave evidence a motion for decree in terms of the crave of the Initial Writ'
may properly be made, moves the Court accordingly, and elects to charge the
inclusive fee of £
fixed by Statutory Instrument with £
of outlay in addition.
SCHEDULE
In respect whereof
I?
i
Solicitor
Pursuer's Agent
Rule 33.11(2)
FORM F16
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF CITATION IN FAMILY ACTION
CERTIFICATE OF CITATION
ABERDEEN, SEVENTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT
YEARS
I, GARY McLEAN, Sheriff Officer, hereby certify that upon the Twelfth day of December
Two Thousand and Eight years, I duly cited DR. KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE or
ROBERTSON, DEFENDER to answer the foregoing Writ and Warrant.
This I did by delivering a full just copy of the foregoing Writ and Warrant with Citation Form
F15 prefixed thereto together with Form F26 and Form F23, to the said DR KATHLEEN
EEVINE or WHITE, DEFENDER personally within her dwelling place at, 119 Blenheim
Place, Aberdeen, AB25 5DL in presence of Louise Mackland, Witness, hereto with me
subscribing.
Witness
16 Queens Road, Aberdeen
Sheriff Officer
16 Queens Road, Aberdeen
1476661SM
Rule 33.11(2)
FORM F16
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF CITATION IN FAMILY ACTION
CERTIFICATE OF CITATION
ABERDEEN, SEVENTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND
EIGHT YEARS.
I, GARY McLEAN, Sheriff Officer, hereby certify that upon the Ninth day of
December Two Thousand and Eight years, I duly cited Dr KATHLEEN EEVINE
WHITE or ROBERTSON, DEFENDER to answer the foregoing Writ and Warrant.
This I did by depositing a full just copy of the Writ and Warrant with Citation Form
F15 prefixed thereto together with Form F26and Form F23, for the said Dr
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE or ROBERTSON,
by means of the
letterbox in the most patent door of her dwelling place, at 119 Blenheim Place,
Aberdeen, AB25 2DL after making diligent enquiries and giving six several audible
and distinct knocks on the said door as use is, as I could not gain access thereto, nor
find anyone therein to receive the same, in presence of Gordon Mackie Witness,
hereto with me subscribing.
-*P1,
Witness
16 Queens Road, Aberdeen
Sheriff Officer
16 Queens Road, Aberdeen
147666/SM
SHERIFFDOM OF GRAMPIAN HIGHLAND AND ISLANDS
AT ABERDEEN
AFFIDAVIT OF GARY JAMES MCLEAN
in causa
PROFESSOR ROLAND ROBERTSON residing at 10 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, AB10
6EP
PURSUER
against
Dr KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE or ROBERTSON, residing at 119 Blenheim Place,
Aberdeen, AB25 2DL
DEFENDER
At Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom on the Seventeenth day of December 2008 , in the
presence of Rowena Marie McIntosh, Solicitor and Notary Public, 52-54 Albert Street,
Aberdeen, compeared GARY JAMES MCLEAN, Sheriff Officer having a place of
business at 16 Queens Road, Aberdeen, Scotland who being solemnly sworn depones as
follows:
1. I am aged 42 and employed as a Sheriff Officer by Scott & Company Sheriff Officers
16 Queens Road Aberdeen. I obtained my appointment as Sheriff Officer on 24
January 1991 and have been employed in that capacity on a full time basis since.
2. The function of a Sheriff Officer is to implement orders of the Sheriff Court and to
effect service of Court writs or applications. A Sheriff Officer obtains a commission
to execute citation and enforce court warrants. The commission is granted by the
Sheriff Principal in the areas the Sheriff Officer is to work.
Q
Notary Public Deponent
3. My firm is regularly instructed by McIntosh McTaggart Family Lawyers in
Aberdeen. On 90' December 2008 we received instructions in writing to effect service
of an Initial Writ for divorce in the above case upon the Defender Kathleen Eevine
White or Robertson at 119 Blenheim Place Aberdeen . The preferable method of
service was to be personal service . We were advised that she had been out of the
country since early November 2008 but was likely to be returning to Aberdeen
around 13`h December as my instructing agents had evidence that she could be flying
from Dyce Airport Aberdeen to Indonesia via Amsterdam on 14`h December 2008.
4. Under the law of Scotland service of an Initial Writ for divorce can competently be
served by recorded delivery post , personally upon the Defender or by `keyhole'
service Both personal and `keyhole' service have to be carried out by Sheriff
Officers. The latter method requires the Sheriff Officer to attend at the address of the
Defender and to make due enquiry as to whether the Defender resides at the property.
This is done by ascertaining if anyone is within the house by knocking on the door,
ringing the bell etc. If noone appears to be at home then the normal practice is to
check with neighbours at the property. Once satisfied that the Defender does reside at
the address a copy of the writ is posted into the letter box for the property. A Sheriff
Officer and witness are in attendance for this procedure. On 9`h December 2008 my
colleague Gordon Mackie and I attended at 119 Blenheim Place Aberdeen and having
made due enquiries of neighbours who advised that the Defender definitely lived at
the address but was often away from home travelling the world a copy of the writ was
posted into the house via the letter box. It was reported to McIntosh McTaggart that
service had been made and I attach a certified copy of the execution of service
docquetted and signed as relative to this affidavit.
e r wz6wl-
Notary Public Deponent
5. As our instructions were to still to attempt personal service on the Defender we
retained the papers and on Friday 12`h December my colleague Louise Mackland
received a telephone call from Anne McTaggart of McIntosh McTaggart to the effect
that the Defender was at the property at 119 Blenheim Place Aberdeen. My said
colleague and I attended at the address where I saw the Defender. She confirmed her
identity to us and we served the divorce initial writ upon her conform to the copy
certificate of citation attached and docquetted and signed by me as relative hereto.
When I left the property the Defender was telephoning her solicitors Ledingham
Chalmers Rose Street Aberdeen.
ALL OF WHICH IS THE TRUTH AS THE DEPONENT SHALL ANSWER
XZD _V' ........ ...... ...
Notary Public Deponent
FORM F16
Rule 33.11(2)
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF CITATION IN FAMILY ACTION
CERTIFICATE OF CITATION
ABERDEEN, SEVENTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND
EIGHT YEARS.
I, GARY McLEAN, Sheriff Officer, hereby certify that upon the Ninth day of
December Two Thousand and Eight years, I duly cited Dr KATHLEEN EEVINE
WHITE or ROBERTSON, DEFENDER to answer the foregoing Writ and Warrant.
This I did by depositing a full just copy of the Writ and Warrant with Citation Form
F15 prefixed thereto together with Form F26and Form F23, for the said Dr
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE or ROBERTSON, DEFENDER by means of the
letterbox in the most patent door of her dwelling place, at 119 Blenheim Place,
Aberdeen, AB25 2DL after making diligent enquiries and giving six several audible
and distinct knocks on the said door as use is, as I could not gain access thereto, nor
find anyone therein to receive the same, in presence of Gordon Mackie Witness,
hereto with me subscribing.
Witness Sheriff Officer
16 Queens Road, Aberdeen 16 Queens Road, Aberdeen
h Abu&ao Ir kD/-Abz-r. 2m
ef Wv, ku- (*rQ-CA VIOLA rv?-l
Ck D.'? 6?
147666/SM
f
Rule 33.11(2)
FORM F16
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF CITATION IN FAMILY ACTION
CERTIFICATE OF CITATION
ABERDEEN, SEVENTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT
YEARS
I, GARY McLEAN, Sheriff Officer, hereby certify that upon the Twelfth day of December
Two Thousand and Eight years, I duly cited DR. KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE or
ROBERTSON,
to answer the foregoing Writ and Warrant.
This I did by delivering a full just copy of the foregoing Writ and Warrant with Citation Form
F15 prefixed thereto together with Form F26 and Form F23, to the said DR KATHLEEN
EEVINE or WHITE,
personally within her dwelling place at, 119 Blenheim
Place, Aberdeen, AB25 5DL in presence of Louise Mackland, Witness, hereto with me
subscribing.
Witness
16 Queens Road, Aberdeen
h AW&-Q-A I R-- aJL?W?2WI
147666/SM
Sheriff Officer
16 Queens Road, Aberdeen
r*ro9\ \iD?A4m,?
e? Z??
SHERIFFDOM OF GRAMPIAN HIGHLAND AND ISLANDS
AT ABERDEEN
AFFIDAVIT OF LOUISE MACKLAND
in causa
PROFESSOR ROLAND ROBERTSON residing at 10 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, AB10
6EP
PURSUER
against
Dr KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE or ROBERTSON, residing at 119 Blenheim Place,
Aberdeen, AB25 2DL
At Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom on the Seventeenth day of December 2008 , in the
presence of Rowena Marie McIntosh, Solicitor and Notary Public, 52-54 Albert Street,
Aberdeen, compeared LOUISE MACKLAND, Sheriff Officer having a place of business at
16 Queens Road Aberdeen Scotland who being solemnly sworn depones as follows:
1. My full name is Louise Mackland. I am aged 26 and employed as a Sheriff Officer
by Scott & Company, Sheriff Officers, 16 Queens Road Aberdeen. I obtained my
appointment as Sheriff Officer on 20 March 2008 and have been employed in that
capacity on a full time basis since.
2. The function of a Sheriff Officer is to implement orders of the Sheriff Court and to
effect service of Court writs or applications. A Sheriff Officer obtains a commission
to execute citation and enforce court warrants. The commission is granted by the
Sheriff Principal in the area the Sheriff Officer is to work.
Notary Public Deponent
3. My firm is regularly instructed by McIntosh McTaggart Family Lawyers in
Aberdeen. On 9th December 2008 we received instructions in writing to effect service
of an Initial Writ for divorce in the above case upon the Defender Kathleen Eevine
White or Robertson at 119 Blenheim Place Aberdeen. The preferable method of
service was to be personal service. We were advised that she had been out of the
country since early November 2008 but was likely to be returning to Aberdeen
around 13th December as my instructing agents had evidence that she could be flying
from Dyce Airport Aberdeen to Indonesia via Amsterdam on 14th December 2008.
4. Under the law of Scotland service of an Initial Writ for divorce can competently be
served by recorded delivery post, personally upon the Defender or by `keyhole'
service. Both personal and `keyhole' service have to be carried out by Sheriff
Officers. The latter method requires the Sheriff Officer to attend at the address of the
Defender and to make due enquiry as to whether the Defender resides at the property.
This is done by ascertaining if anyone is within the house by knocking on the door,
ringing the bell etc. If no-one appears to be at home then the normal practice is to
check with neighbours at the property. Once satisfied that the Defender does reside at
the address a copy of the writ is posted into the letter box for the property. A Sheriff
Officer and witness are in attendance for this procedure. I was informed that keyhole
service had been carried out at the address at 119 Blenheim Place Aberdeen.
5. As our instructions were to still to attempt personal service on the Defender we
retained the papers. I was duty Sheriff Officer for out of hours work for the weekend
of 12-14th December 2008 and just after 5pm on Friday 12th December 2008 1
received a telephone call from Anne McTaggart of McIntosh McTaggart to the effect
that the Defender was at the property at 119 Blenheim Place Aberdeen. My colleague
Gary/
Notary Public Deponent
Gary McLean and I attended at that address where we saw the Defender Kathleen
White. She confirmed her identity to us and we served the divorce initial writ upon
her conform to the copy certificate of citation attached and docquetted and signed by
me as relative hereto. When we left the property the Defender was telephoning her
solicitors Ledingham Chalmers Rose Street Aberdeen about what had taken place.
ALL OF WHICH IS THE TRUTH AS THE DEPONENT SHALL ANSWER
TO GOD
Notary Public Deponent
Rule 33.11(2)
FORM F16
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF CITATION IN FAMILY ACTION
CERTIFICATE OF CITATION
ABERDEEN, SEVENTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT
YEARS
I, GARY McLEAN, Sheriff Officer, hereby certify that upon the Twelfth day of December
Two Thousand and Eight years, I duly cited DR. KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE or
ROBERTSON, DEFENDER to answer the foregoing Writ and Warrant.
This I did by delivering a full just copy of the foregoing Writ and Warrant with Citation Form
F 15 prefixed thereto together with Form F26 and Form F23, to the said DR KATHLEEN
EEVINE or WHITE, DEFENDER personally within her dwelling place at, 119 Blenheim
Place, Aberdeen, AB25 5DL in presence of Louise Mackland, Witness, hereto with me
subscribing.
Witness
16 Queens Road, Aberdeen
Sheriff Officer
16 Queens Road, Aberdeen
147666/SM
V
Minute Of First Collaborative
Four-Way Meeting
Between
Professor Roland Robertson &
Dr Kathleen E White
Held in the Offices of Ledingham Chalmers
52-54 Rose Street, Aberdeen
on 20 June 2008
In Attendance
Anne McTaggart, Professor Roland Robertson, Marion McDonald and Dr Kathleen E
White
1. Aims and Aspirations of the Collaborative Process
Anne stated that the aims and aspirations of both lawyers were to ensure, to the
best of their ability, that Roland and Kathleen's issues be resolved between
them on an amicable and open basis. They did not envisage there being the
requirement for litigation. They had both worked together successfully in both
the Collaborative Process and m the ordinary negotiating process by way of
joint meetings. They considered it far better for parties to resolve matters by
way of discussion rather than correspondence.
They wished to ensure that both Kathleen and Roland fully understood the
implications of the Collaborative Process. If either party felt they could not
meet the demands of the Collaborative Process they were still prepared to work
together with both Roland and Kathleen at round the table meetings as advising
lawyers to try to obtain resolution of the various issues arising out of their
separation.
Marion agreed with Anne's statement of their aims and aspirations.
Roland stated that he wished matters to be resolved on as amicable a basis as
possible and to discuss matters round the table. He was willing to be open and
forthright about all aspects of his financial position and recognised the need to
be open and honest throughout the process.
Kathleen stated that she wished it acknowledged that it was not her wish to
have been involved in any discussion regarding separation of herself and
Roland and that she was still open to reconciliation. She wished recognition of
the advantages that she felt that Roland had gained from their relationship both
personally and on an academic level. She wished clarification about her role
.? within the Robertson family regarding the children and grandchildren. She
wished to come out of the Collaborative Process having financial security for
herself and also feeling that she could be trusting of Roland again. She
considered that she might require the assistance of counselling. She understood
that in the American system of Collaborative Process counselling would be
available.
2
Anne and Marion acknowledged that the parties' statements of their aims and
aspirations had been helpful. Anne explained that while the American model of
the Collaborative Process did wholly involve counsellors the Scottish system as
yet did not do so but that would not be a bar to Kathleen obtaining counselling.
Marion would be able to put her in touch with someone who understood the
Collaborative Process in Scotland. It was acknowledged that the aim of the
Collaborative Process was to achieve financial stability for both parties where
that was possible. As neither Anne nor Marion had a full understanding of the
whole financial picture of Roland and Kathleen no guarantees could be given.
Roland stated that Kathleen had full access to the children and grandchildren.
He had done nothing to dissuade any of them from having contact with
Kathleen.
2. Discussion of Collaborative and Alternative Processes
Anne and Marion explained that the Collaborative Process involved a 4 way
process between the two solicitors and the 2 clients. All 4 participants required
to. be fully open and honest in their dealings with one another. That meant
Roland and Kathleen being wholly truthfid about their financial position and
answering any questions that were raised in relation to that. There was a
commitment not to raise contested litigation and that if the litigation did result
following a breakdown of the Collaborative Process then neither Collaborative
solicitor could continue to act for either party. All discussions had to be round
the table discussions. If there were difficult areas to be discussed then these
required to be aired in a calm and reasonable way.
Anne and Marion would where necessary meet together between the 4 way
meetings to plan the next meeting and/or discuss how the group might deal with
difficult issues which were anticipated to arise. In the Collaborative Process the
solicitors act as advising solicitors to their respective clients but also have to
consider fully the impact which any suggestions fora settlement might have on
the other party.
Kathleen and Roland would also require to consider each other in discussions
regarding settlement of issues and be prepared to make compromises to reach
agreement.
The alternative process which Marion and Anne were willing to engage with
Roland and Kathleen was the more straight forward form of solicitor/client
negotiations. This type of negotiation could still take place by way of joint
round the table meetings. One difference was that there was not the absolute
requirement for open discussion although full disclosure of assets would still be
expected. Neither solicitor would be required to consider the other party's
position and each would be seeking to achieve an outcome which was most
beneficial for her own client. If the negotiations broke down both solicitors
would still be in a position to continue to act for each parry if there was
litigation. The solicitors would however strive to avoid litigation and the
discussion process would still take place in a calm and as amicable environment
as possible.
Kathleen and Roland were asked to state if they felt that they were able to
accept the demands of the Collaborative Process. Roland indicated he was still
willing to do so and to be fully open and to make disclosure of assets.
Kathleen acknowledged that she too was willing to be open and honest.
3. Discussion of Collaborative Agreement and Signature of Same
The draft Collaborative Agreement was discussed clause by clause and
explanations given where required. Certain alterations were agreed to be made
in particular to Clause 6 which is to be amended in relation to family issues and
the 14 day period in Clause 9 is to be changed to 30 days. Kathleen raised
concern regarding payment of her legal costs. It was explained that normally
each party would meet their own legal costs but if Kathleen wished to have
Roland meet these costs then that could be an issue to be discussed in the
Collaborative Process . Roland stated that he would not be agreeable to meeting
Kathleen's legal costs. Both parties indicated they were willing to sign an
amended Agreement. Unfortunately there was insufficient time to have the
Agreement signed. Due to holiday periods for Anne, Marion and Roland the
earliest date that was identified to meet again was 24th July at which meeting
the final version of the Agreement would be checked and signed.
4. Interim Issues
Kathleen had brought Roland's computer and various items of mail to the
meeting and that was passed to him. Roland explained that he requires to
arrange a redirection of mail and required two original utility bills for Blenheim
Place to exhibit to the Post Office to effect that change. Kathleen stated that
she anticipated that two such bills would be in the mail which she had brought
for Roland.
Agreed that some method would require to be arranged to deal with both parties
having access to mail which was addressed to them jointly and that would be
discussed at the next meeting.
Roland advised Kathleen that she should contact Nancy Gilkes at the University
of Pittsburgh regarding the cancellation of their medical insurance through the
University. Kathleen stated that she was already aware of the issue as she has
been in touch herself with Nancy Gilkes. During discussion it emerged that it
was not entirely clear why the medical care should have ceased or altered. It
seemed that it was perhaps a mistaken assumption by Nancy Gilkes that neither
party was to be returning to Pittsburgh or perhaps it might be because Kathleen
and Roland had separated. At the time Kathleen and Roland left the University
of Pittsburgh to come to Scotland a special arrangement had been made with the
University Medical Care to provide insurance for them both. Neither were
entirely clear now as to what those arrangements were. Kathleen and Roland
are to find out what the terms of that agreement had been, why the medical
cover has ceased or altered and if there is any way of retrieving the situation.
Kathleen stated that she had considerable doubts as to whether it was possible
for the situation to be retrieved. Agreed that it was in both parties' interests to
try and have the situation retrieved. Roland is to endeavour to find the e-mail
which he initially sent to Nancy Gilkes.
5. Date of Neat Meeting
Provisionally set for 24"' July at IOam in the Offices of McIntosh McTaggart,
52-54 Albert Street, Aberdeen. Kathleen to confirm her availability to Marion
as soon as possible.
Minute of Collaborative Four-Way Meeting
between
Professor Roland Robertson & Dr Kathleen E White
Held in the offices of McIntosh McTaggart
52-54 Albert Street, Aberdeen
on
24"' July 2008
In Attendance
Anne McTaggart, Professor Roland Robertson, Marion McDonald and Dr Kathleen E White
1. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
2. Collaborative Agreement
The Collaborative Agreement was discussed again. A number of issues were raised:-
(i) Roland raised the issue of whether or not, within the framework of the
Collaborative Agreement, other solicitors could be consulted outwith the
process and in particular could Kathleen consult an alternative solicitor. For
example, could a solicitor in Pittsburgh be consulted. Discussion took place
about this Issue which raised a concern as to whether or not that advice
would be confidential which it would be on the basis of a solicitor outwith the
process would not be a party to the Agreement. Kathleen was concerned as
she would wish to be able to have available, should she require it,
independent advice on issues relating to the complex matters which related to
Pittsburgh. She might want to consult a qualified solicitor. It was discussed
that the principle of the Collaborative Agreement were that other experts
could be-consulted, but that was on the basis that advice would be discussed
in the four way meeting. This would mean that in the context of the American
issues, should they be raised, either Roland and Kathleen would jointly
instruct a solicitor, or a solicitor would be instructed in America with the advice
being fed back to the meeting. It was noted that this would cause a concern
for Kathleen in following the process. Marion referred to the clause in the
Agreement regarding solicitors being a reference to the solicitors who were in
the process - this was in connection with each party meeting privately with
their own collaborative solicitor. Kathleen would wish to meet privately with
her own American solicitor as well.
(ii) The issue of a confidentiality clause was also raised. Marion explained that
Kathleen had two particular concerns. One is that the address of the email
appeared to be that of Roland's partner, Judith. She was also concerned that
Judith should not be involved in any meetings which Roland would be entitled
to have separately with Anne - in other words, she would want a reassurance
from Roland that Judith would not attend those meetings with him. Roland
agreed to this. The second concern was that Kathleen had observed that
Roland had been collected from the last four way meeting by Judith and she
again wanted a reassurance that all matters contained within the process
would not be discussed with Judith. Again, Roland gave her that
G
reassurance. Roland indicated that Judith had come into Anne's office
previously but would not come any more. Anne volunteered the information
that she was the third person that Kathleen had observed in the car and that
she was simply receiving a lift back to her office. Roland explained that he
had already told Judith that any conversations they were to have ( if any)
about the case, once the Collaborative Agreement had been signed, would be
very limited.
(iii) Discussion also took place with regard to the costs as set out in the
Agreement. Kathleen had drafted what she would like to see by way of a
revised clause for the Collaborative Agreement and this was produced.
Discussion took place and it was agreed that a revised clause would be
included. The revised clause now read:-
"We agree that the question of which party/parties will bear what
proportion of the financial burden(s) for legal fees and other outlays
which have been incurred by agreement and are associated with this
Collaborative Law process is one of the subjects to be discussed and
decided within the framework of the process itself and will be
considered and agreed as part of the final financial settlement. In the
interim, each party will be responsible for paying directly the fees of
his/her own Collaborative Law solicitor, but each party will also be
expected to keep full documentation of those costs so that these may
be taken into account at the appropriate stage of the overall financial
negotiations."
This clause would replace the existing Clause 11.
However, because of the concern that Kathleen had over private
consultations with her American attorney, whom she explained was not only
her attorney but a long standing family friend, it was decided to adjourn the
meeting at this stage to consider whether or not it was appropriate for the
Agreement to be signed. Whilst private consultations with lawyers under the
process were agreed, it was on the basis that a collaborative lawyer, who was
a party to the Agreement, would then deal with matters collaboratively - the
difficulty was that other lawyers who were not part of the process would not
have the same commitment.
Adjournment.
Following the adjournment, Marion explained to Roland and Anne that it was felt that at this
stage Kathleen did not feel able to sign the Agreement and would require to consider further.
However, it was agreed to continue with the meeting in relation to some of the other interim
measures, although there was limited time available to discuss these in detail.
3. Interim Issues
It was agreed that in the meantime the status quo would remain and a further meeting
would be arranged but it was agreed that Kathleen would identify the various expenses
which they had incurred in moving to Aberdeen University to enable the University to
deal with the reclaiming of expenses. Kathleen would look for the receipts and Roland
would advise the University that this exercise was being done. Roland explained that
this now required to be done in anticipation of him no longer being employed with the
University longer term. Roland had provided a number of items of income and
expenditure to Anne which Anne would then prepare and communicate to Marion. Anne
3
advised that Roland had a concern at the moment in relation to his cash flow. As a
result of Kathleen continuing to draw £500 per month from the account this had resulted
in his having insufficient funds to meet rent and other payments. It was noted that
£1,500 was paid into one of the parties' joint accounts by Roland. This was a standing
order which covered various outgoings for the matrimonial home which included the
mortgage, Council Tax and certain other bills. There were bank cards for the joint
accounts but these were not used. Kathleen also took money out of the joint account on
a regular basis. Anne expressed a view that as there were now two households rather
than just the one it would be better and more clear cut if it was known what would be
paid for the matrimonial home at Blenheim Place. Discussion therefore took place on
the basis of what the Blenheim bills were.
Blenheim Bills
Mortgage Approx £800
Council Tax £174
Hydro Electric £40
Hydro Electric Gas £191
Telephone £50
Lawn care £12
Window washing £40
House & contents
Insurance £300 - £400 (this item was per annum)
Roland advised that it was originally £1,280 per month for Blenheim Place but that had
now been increased.
Roland's income was £4,122 total. He advised that occasionally he had money for
royalties, and teaching. He indicated that his additional income over the year would be
about £2,000. There were two sets of royalties. There were also some Director's fees
which he had previously received, but Roland advised that these had now been
cancelled. He explained that the various Director's fees, which he had previously
received and which had been raised by Kathleen were cancelled because of the change
of ownership of the journal from which these were paid.
It was noted that Kathleen had various stocks and shares in the US. Some had stopped
paying a dividend. She estimated that she probably had about £5,000 a year maximum
from these. Roland had a state pension which he estimated at £1,700.
There was also the rental income of the Pittsburgh house which was in joint names.
Kathleen explained that the rent was $2,200 a month but the costs were about $2,000.
The costs and the income were roughly equivalent. Pittsburgh account, from which the
mortgage would be paid, received income from stocks.
Discussion also took place about Roland's current property expenditure. It was as
follows:-
Share of rent (two thirds share) £460
Council Tax £100
Gas & Electricity £30 and £10
There was also a payment to joint credit cards of £1,170 for various items. These
outgoings totalled approximately £3,112. These cards are joint between Roland and
Kathleen.
r
4
Kathleen explained that the royalties income also went into a joint savings account. It is
a separate account to handle business income.
Kathleen transferred £500 a month out of the joint account for other expenditure as she
had done for some time. Roland had taken money out for Budapest expenses and
confirmed that eventually £2,000 would be going back into the joint account for this.
Roland explained that there was a difficulty in recovering costs in terms of the length of
time that it took. Kathleen brought to the meeting an outstanding bill for Heat Connection
of £512.18. She would see if this could be paid in instalments. She would arrange this.
Both parties would agree not to have extraordinary expenditure between this meeting
and the time of the next meeting, on the basis that the status quo would remain.
The date of Monday 8 September was proposed as a possible date to meet.
FW: Kathleen White/Roland Robertson DATE FOR NEXT MEETING AND
COLLECTION OF ITEMS FROM BLENHEIM PL AND STORAGE 1
Anne [Anne@McIntoshMeTaggart.com]
Sent: 07 October 2008 17:32
To: Robertson, Professor Roland
Importance: High
Roiana
See email from Marion McD below.
It is urgent to get back to them re the dates for your access to Blenheim PI and to the storage company .
Please can you confirm if you are agreeable or not to what is suggested. It does seem sensible enough to
me.
Kind regards
Anne G McTaggart
Family Law Specialist
52-54 Albert Street
Aberdeen
AB25 IXS
Tel • 01224 593100
Fax: 01224 593200
The contents of this message are confidential and fbr use by the addressee(s) only. It may also he
privileged. If'you are not the intended recipient please notify its immediately and delete the message
from your computer system entirely. You may not copy or forward this message, or use or disclose
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attachment are virus free or have not been corrupted in any other way. Thank you for your
cooperation.
If you wish more information about McIntosh McTaggart please click on our website
www_ rnchitoshmcta;gart -corn
From: Marion McDonald [mallto:Marion.McDonald@ledinghamchalmers.com]
Sot: 07 October 200816:26
To: Arne---_
Cc: (F81254).UVE@Icaberserverl0.iedinghamchalmers.com
Subject: Kathleen White/Roland Robertson [IWOV-UVE.FID81254]
Dear Anne,
I have sunken to Kathleen 1,fv and both Kathleen and I are available on 11th November - I
have pencilled into my calendar 10 am at the moment with the venue to be confirmed. Perhaps you would like the
meeting to take place at your office but please confirm.
In the meantime Kathleen has confirmed that if Roland would like to remove his books which he
wished and his other personal items - clothing etc - then Kathleen will be able to accommodate this on either
Friday 10 October, after 1 pm, or any time on Monday 13 October which appear to be dates that would fit in with
Roland's availability. In addition, she has explalhed that she could also be available over this coming week-end
https://mail.abdn.ac.uk/owa/?ae=Item&t =IPM.Note&id=RgAAAAAcAvD6XtthRgpq... 07/10/2008
although those dates were not mentioned by you. She will try and pack the personal items into bags or boxes for
him.
In addition, Kathleen would be agreeable for Roland removing certain items of furniture
which are his from Blenheim Place. She will have these ready to be uplifted as well. She is
happy for him to be accompanied by a male friend or colleague and/or professional movers to achieve this.
Kathleen points out that if Roland can relocate his items of furniture from Blenheim Place,
then when the issue of the belongings in storage is dealt with, Kathleen may be able to
remove some of her items from storage and relocate them meantime into Blenheim Place
which will have the additional benefit, hopefully, of reducing the on-going storage costs.
Kathleen is preparing a list of the items of furniture which could usefully be removed by
Roland from Blenheim Place and this wiH be sent to you before the end of the week.
Meantime, can you come back to Linda with regard to the dates as I will be out of the office
later.
As far as the storage is concerned, Kathleen has been in touch with the storage company.
As long as the small individual boxes, situated within the crates, are not
opened/unpacked/re-packed, they estimate that this operation could be accomplished in a
day. If that were to be the Case they estimate that the cost of assembling the five crates/unpacking
them/sorting the furniture etc and then re-packing them would be in the region of £175 to £250 plus VAT. This
would at least allow the larger items of furniture etc to be relocated into individual boxes. If Roland is agreeable to
incurring this cost, then Kathleen proposes that this can be scheduled either for Monday 13 October or Tuesday
14 October to make progress.
As indicated above, however, it would be helpful if Roland could first remove his belongings
from Blenheim Place so that some space would be free'd up for Kathleen to relocate items
from the storage boxes into Blenheim Place.
Kathleen has also prepared a list of the credit card numbers and this will be delivered
shortly and I will forward this on to you.
She has not, as yet, been able to trace the manifest for moving/storage but as soon as she
can we will also let you have this.
Can you revert, as a matter of urgency, in light of the timescale?
Without prejudice.
With kind regards,
Marion N McDonald
Partner
Ledingham Chalmers LLP, Sollcibors
Johnstone House 52-54 Rose Street Aberdeen A810 1HA (Registered Office) DX: A815 Aberdeen LP-39 Aberdeen-1
Tel: 01224 408408 Direct Dial; 01224 408482 Fax: 01224 408403
E-mail: marion.mcdonaidW dinghamchalmers.com www.ledingharnch3lmers.co{r
https://mail.abdn.ac.uk/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAAAeAvD6XtthRgpq... 07/10/2008
Bringing it all togett er Illl40915639
MR R ROBERTSON
Your account number 119 BLENHEIM PLACE
NS 19019412 ABERDEEN
Bill number AB25 2DL
Q039 32
Date
10 November 2008
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Date Your account number Bill ruimber' Your phone number
10 November 2008 NS 1901 9412 Q039 32 01224 634809
I It', "? a .
l+ you require a copy of your bill, or request calls to be itemised after the bill is produced, an
administration charge will be raised. You can view your bill and all your calls online for free at www,bt.cotn,
........... ...............................................
Bill totals ..-....................................................................
Cost of calls
.......................... ........ .............................. . .............................----.--.---..............
£ 27.45
.............. --................................. ...
Your benefits
efit f 1.60
Aisisasummaryofyourmain Mtotok
incbding VAT, %*ere applicably and .................
................. .. .......................
Rental charges
......................... ..................................... ........................................ ...........
£ 88.69
......................................................
n*ere to find information of each tatat Payment charges
................................................................. £ 4.50
......................................................
VAT £ 20.05
.................................................................
Totrrl now due ......................................................
f 139.09
Cost of calls
TAese mrors rake account afyour reduced can
rotas. Your five calls arc shown in the benefits
section.
This a your col detotl Seethe Phone
Baok or mwu ht comlPi dog for definitions
of type of cal
Ifyou have a complaint about premium rote
cols, please contact Phonepaypkis
Seepage 2 for details.
£ 27.45
TYPO ofcalr Totalnumber Total Total
Qf cto? ... .........duration ... _ .................. cost
Daytime 96 06:48:16 £ 21.500
Evening & Weekend
, 12
. 01:54:26 £ 2.290
io
To a mobile .
4
00:03:17
............
£ 0.680
0870 Numbers
......................................... 3
....................... 00:18:44
............................. £ 1.150
........
..
..
0845 Numbers
....... ........ -........... .............
5
.............. ....... .
00:11:07
....... ..........
.
.
. .
.
............
£ 0.500
Other calls
5 .
.
..
.....
00:23:45 ............ .............
.
£ 1.330
see below
see page 4
seepage 5
see page 5
Seepage 5
gills in next table
calls in next table
calls in next table
calls in next table
calk in next table
calk in next table
Date/petiod Destination Caled number Total number Todd Type of cal Total cost
of calk duration
11 Aug-12 Aug Aberdeen 01224 200416 2 00:04:29 Daytime 0.320
11 Aug-13 Aug Mobile Phone 07968 821444 2 00:01:06 Mobile 0.320
11 Aug-20 Oct Aberdeen 01224 821050 6 00:09:10 Daytime 0.780
11 Aug-23 Oct 0845 Numbers 08453 376330 3 00:06:23 0845 Number 0.290
13 Aug-3 Nov Aberdeen 01224 311356 24 01:43:01 Daytime 5.300
14 Aug-6 Oct Aberdeen 01224 321408 3 00:02:21 Daytime 0.310
18 Aug Aberdeen 01224 327777 1 00:00:42 Daytime 0.090
18 Aug Aberdeen 01224 582220 1 00:00:07 Daytime 0.090
18 Aug Aberdeen 01224 625577 1 00:00:31 Daytime 0.090
18 Aug-3 Nov Banchory 01330 820887 12 02:20:48 Daytime 5.760
19 Aug-24 Oct Aberdeen 01224 647096 4 00:03:10 Daytime 0.370
20 Aug Aberdeen 01224 323540 1 00:03:30 Daytime 0.190
20 Aug-30 Sep Aberdeen 01224 596954 3 00:01:49 Daytime 0.280-
20 Aug-31 Oct Aberdeen 01224 311356 10 01:50:04 Eve/Weekend 2.090
27 Aug Aberdeen 01224 353535 1 00:01:05 Eve/Weekend 0.080
24 Sep 0870 Numbers 08703 334873 1 00:03:48 0870 Number 0.260
24 Sep-3 Nov Aberdeen 01224 353535 3 00:05:35 Daytime 0.440
26 Sep Aberdeen 01224 408482 1 00:04:43 Daytime 0.230
2 Oct Aberdeen 01224 634631 1 00:01:08 Daytime 0.130
2 Oct Aberdeen 01224 637730 2 00:02:42 Daytime 0.260
2 Oct London 020 7724 9796 1 00:02:01 Daytime 0.170
6 Oct Aberdeen 01224 311213 1 00:03:35 Daytime 0.200
7 Oct Aberdeen 01224 208949 1 00:01:01 Daytime 0.130
7 Oct Aberdeen 01224 733852 1 00:00:51 Daytime, 0.100
7 Oct-17 Oct Aberdeen 01224 4084081rJ 4 00:17:27 Daytime 0.940
13 Oct Aberdeen 01224 584549 1 00:00:41 Daytime 0100
13 Oct Aberdeen 01224 632266 1 00:00:10 Daytime 0.100
13 Oct Mobile Phone 07825 518255 1 00:00:12 Mobile 0.170
15 Oct Banchory 01330 820887 1 00:03:17 Eve/Weekend 0.120
20 Oct Aberdeen 01224 865865 1 00:04:42 Daytime 0.230
21 Oct 23 Oct Aberdeen 01224 483137 3 00:09:47 Daytime 0.600
table continues on next page
Date Your account number Bill number Your phone number
10 November 2008 NS 19019412 Q03932 01224 634809
Cost of calls continued
Datoedod Destination CoNed number Total number Total Type of cad Total cost
ofco& duradan
23 Oct Aberdeen 01224 724789 1 00:00:51 Daytime 0100
23 Oct Glasgow 0141889 2272 1 00:05:31 Daytime 0.270
23 Oct 0845 Numbers 08450 899006 1 00:03:24 0845 Number 0.120
23 Oct 0845 Numbers 08450 899008 1 00:01:20 0845 Number 0.090
23 Oct 0870 Numbers 08702 429242 1 00:09:07 0870 Number 0.530
23 Oct 0870 Numbers 08705 074074 1 00:05:49 0870 Number 0.360
24 Oct Edinburgh 0131220 2655 2 00:24:36 Daytime 1.010
24 Oct-3 Nov Special Svice 0844 4930747 5 00:23:45 Other 1.330
27 Oct Alford (A) 01975 564558 1 00:00:37 Daytime 0.100
29 Oct Aberdeen 01224 641019 1 00:03:13 Daytime 0.200
30 Oct Aberdeen 01224 273429 1 00:05:47 Daytime 0.270
30 Oct Aberdeen 01224 633670 2 00:00:11 Daytime 0.200
30 Oct Aberdeen 01224 680473 1 00:08:31 Daytime 0.370
30 Oct Aberdeen 01224 707948 1 00:04:26 Daytime 0.230
30 Oct Aberdeen 01224 828808 1 00:04:47 Daytime 0.230
31 Oct Aberdeen 01224 640666 1 00:04:01 Daytime 0.230
31 Oct Aberdeen 01224 867121 1 00:07:10 Daytime 0.340
31 Oct Edinburgh 01312471000 1 00:07:00 Daytime 0.300
31 Oct Edinburgh 0131247 1279 1 00:00:08 Daytime 0.100
3 Nov Aberdeen 01224 625000 1 00:07:26 Daytime 0.340
3 Nov Mobile Phone 07712 238377 1 00:01:59 Mobile 0.190
Total 2Z45'0
-.-Your- enefits T ._?_ d?c is d from your bill _ _ _ ..
unumlted Weekend Plae Type of benefit Total number Total Total
7besoon the benefits ....... o cam ............ d'mrti°n-...........darnundbrn
you've receiued ........................................... ....... ....... ..............'fft
in addwan to year reduced cal raw Free calls 25 02:36:59 Free no further detail
......................................................................................................................
Friends & Family Auto Update - £ 1.600 see page 4
Friends & Family
Auto Update - f 1.600
Automatic 10% discount an cost of tails to
your top S numbers, inairding UK Number
Destination
QuaNfying period
Comb ?n
noft
miematlonal and UKmobilk numbers
01224 311356
Aberdeen
all ? beAft
20% discount an the Best%nd number
01224 408408
Aberdeen
ll 7.390 -0-739
nominated byyou.
To make changes to your Bestfnend 01224 821050
Aberdeen a
all
0.780
0.980 - 0.094
- 0
078
number; phone 0600 "T311 0131220 2655 Edinburgh all 1.010 .
-0
101
01330 820887 Banchory all 5.880 .
-0.588
BestFriend
01224 337070 Aberdeen all 0.000 0.000
Total -1.600
B ,
Date Your account number Bill number
10 November 2008 NS 1901 9412 Q03932
Rental charges
These are the charges foryour products
.,n<i RenzoJ. Rerftal s/ arges are
charged in advance.
Your phone number
01224 634809
£ 88.69
)ype of charge .........-.
Calling Plans . .A 30.00 sae page 5
_.... _.. 5
Broadband services 158.69 seePage
Calling Plans f 30.00
DoWprriod Description Quarterly charge Cost
1 Nov-31 Jan Charges in advance for Unlimited Weekend 30.00 30.00
Plan comprises
Line rental
Broadband services £ 58.69
DoWperiod D--O&n Quarterly charge cost
1 Nov-31 Jan Charges in advance for BT Broadband Option 2 58.69 58.69
Payment charges £ 4.50 ---_.??._----
ayment processing -
fee £ 4.50
This charge has been mode by
BT Paym.nt Scnoc= L V for
processing yourpayment
' Descrymco Cast
Payment processing fee
4.50
VAT
is not applicabie to this charge
VAT £ 20.05
This is the summary of your VAT. !f you require
a ?MNi
i VAT rate ex
Ch !9M a
V
A
*
?
T
mm
ce for VATrecovery
pM?O51?
17
5% -.i
..
...
.
.
-....,_... otal VAT
.. ........
please raNus flee an 080080D150. .
............................
0% .......... £ 114.54
.................... .............
..........
. £ 20.05
............ ,... .
£
4.50 £ 0.00
Total 1119.04 Tots/ f2Q0.5
Q
_ C> fi
3 rp _ .
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff ) NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, ) CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant ) IN DIVORCE
SPECIAL ENTRY OF APPEARANCE
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire, hereby enters his appearance specially and for the sole
purpose of objecting to jurisdiction and venue in the above-captioned matter.
Date: Z 2
Jo eHowett, Jr., Esq re
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P. O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant, Roland Robertson
m ,.i
? ?
C.
?i ? 1,?
a,y t'
,la.? .
_
^
'
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff )
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, )
Defendant )
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
MOTION TO REDACT ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
AND NOW, comes Defendant, Roland Robertson, by and through his counsel, Howett,
Kissinger & Holst, P.C., who hereby files the instant Motion to Redact Attorney Work Product
and in support thereof states as follows:
1. Movant is Roland Robertson, Defendant in the above-captioned divorce
action.
2. Respondent is Kathleen Eevine White, Plaintiff in the above-
captioned divorce action.
3. On December 23, 2008, Defendant's counsel filed a Motion for Special
Relief in the Nature of Preliminary Objections to Jurisdiction and Venue Under Rule 1920.2 and
Objection to Venue Under Rule 1920.6. This motion had five exhibits. Defendant's counsel's
Inter-Office Memorandum of December 8, 2008 was inadvertently attached to Exhibit "E" in
error by a staff person in Defendant's counsel's office.
4. As the December 8, 2008 Inter-Office Memorandum is highly confidential
and is protected attorney work product, it is imperative to Defendant and his counsel that this
memorandum be redacted from the Court record.
5. Counsel for Plaintiff informed Defendant's counsel that he intends to
return to Defendant's counsel the copy of the December 8, 2008 memorandum which was
attached to his copy of the Motion.
WHEREFORE, Defendant's counsel requests this Honorable Court order that the
December 8, 2008 Inter-Office Memorandum be redacted from the Court record.
Respectfully submitted,
Date: 4:
Jo C. Howett, Jr., Esquire
OWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff ) NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, ) CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant ) IN DIVORCE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire, counsel for Roland Robertson, Defendant in the
above-captioned action, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Motion to
Redact Attorney Work Product was served upon Richard C. Snelbaker, Esquire, counsel for
Plaintiff, Kathleen Eevine White, by depositing same in the United States mail, first class, on
December 29, 2008, addressed as follows:
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 West Main Street
P.O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
Date: f ?'a` b
E?
o C. Howett, Jr., Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
Iii
?? + i71
THLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff
V,
ROBERTSON,
Defendant
PRAECIPE TO ENTER APPEARANCE
THEPROTHONOTARY:
Please enter the appearance of Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire as attorney for Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
Eevine White in the above action.
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P. C.
BY:
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 W. Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-8528
December 29, 2008 Attorneys for Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER 8C
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, KEITH O. BRENNEMAN, ESQUIRE, hereby certify that I have, on the below date,
a true and correct copy of the foregoing Praecipe to be served upon the person and in the
indicated below:
FIRST CLASS MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS:
John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire
Howett, Kissinger & Hoist, P. C.
130 Walnut Street
P. O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P.C.
By. 1
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 W. Main Street
P. O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-8528
Attorneys for Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White
: December 29, 2008
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
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DEC ? ? tAe?
John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire NO JUDGE
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff }
}
V. )
}
ROLAND ROBERTSON, )
Defendant )
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 31' day of :kC4. ,4? , 200ZL, upon consideration
of Defendant's Motion to Redact Attorney Work Product, it is hereby ORDERED and
DECREED that said Motion is GRANTED. Accordingly, the Prothonotary's Office will take
the steps necessary to redact the December 8, 2008 Inter-Office Memorandum, which was
erroneously attached to the Motion for Special Relief in the Nature of Preliminary Objections to
Jurisdiction and Venue Under Rule 1920.2 and Objection to Venue Under Rule 1920.6, from the
record as such information is privileged attorney work product.
BY THE COURT:
>a
i
Its
f .t
THLEEN EEVINE WHITE, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
LAND ROBERTSON, CIVIL ACTION -LAW
Defendant IN DIVORCE -
RESPONSE TO MOTION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF
Plaintiff Kathleen E. White, by her attorneys, Snelbaker & Brenneman, P. C., submits
Response to Defendant's Motion For Special Relief as follows:
1. Admitted.
2. Denied. It is denied that Plaintiff "purports" to reside at 1340 The Waterford, East
Crestwood Drive, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. It is further denied that Plaintiff resides at 119
Blenheim Place, Aberdeen, Scotland. On the contrary, Plaintiffs domicile and residence is at
11340 The Waterford, East Crestwood Drive, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
3. Admitted with the qualification that Defendant was served with the Divorce
IComplaint on November 12, 2008 after the divorce action was initiated by Plaintiff on
ovember 6, 2008.
4.' Denied. Paragraph 4 contains an unwarranted conclusion of law to which no response
Iis required by this party.
5. Denied. Paragraph 5 of Defendant's Motion For Special Relief (the "Motion")
contains unwarranted conclusions of law to which no response is required by this party pursuant
Ito Pa.R.C.P. 1029(d). To the extent a response is required, it is denied that there is no county of
proper venue in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On the contrary, Cumberland County is
LAW oFMCES the proper venue for this action since Plaintiff has been a bona fide resident of the
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
th of Pennsylvania in Cumberland County for a period of six (6) months preceding
date of the filing of this divorce action. Accordingly, this action should not be dismissed.
6. Admitted with the qualification that the Divorce Complaint filed by the Defendant in
was filed more than one month after the initiation by Plaintiff of the divorce action in
Court.
7. Denied. It is denied that Plaintiff averred in this action that she was a resident of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a period of six months preceding the date of the Complaint.
On the contrary, Plaintiff averred in Paragraph 3 of the Divorce Complaint that she has been a
"bona fide" resident in the Commonwealth for the six months immediately previous to the filing
the Divorce Complaint.
8. Denied. It is denied that Plaintiff is neither a resident nor domiciled in Pennsylvania
the six month period prior to the filing of the Complaint. On the contrary, Plaintiff remains
was a bona fide resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the requisite time period
necessary properly to bring and maintain this divorce action. With respect to the allegations
contained in Paragraphs 8(a) through (d) of the Motion, Plaintiff responds as follows:
(a) Admitted in part; denied in part. Although it is admitted that Plaintiff and
Defendant commenced living in Scotland at the end of 1999, it is denied that
Plaintiffs residence or the marital residence for purposes of jurisdiction is at 119
Blenheim Place or that Plaintiff has continued to reside there. On the contrary,
Plaintiffs residence and domicile is in Pennsylvania, a location to which
whenever she was absent, she always had the intention of returning.
(b) Admitted in part; denied in part. It is admitted that the parties participated
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
in a collaborative divorce process, which process included their respective
2
counsel. It is further admitted that no collaborative agreement had been
signed. It is denied that either the June 24, 2008 or July 24, 2008 "minutes"
attached to the Motion as Exhibit C represents an accurate or complete record of
the meetings held for the reason that such minutes were not adopted by the parties
as such. In addition, Defendant's use of the minutes in this action is contrary to
the parties' and their counsels' express understanding that matters that took place
during the collaborative process were not to be used in any subsequent
proceeding. Further, Defendant's characterization of the meaning of the minutes
is denied. Plaintiff was not a resident of Aberdeen, Scotland during the
collaborative divorce process and had no intention of residing in Scotland in the
future. On the contrary, Plaintiffs periodic presence in Scotland in 2008 was for
purposes of attending legal meetings and negotiations and to address property
matters initiated and necessitated by the actions of Defendant. At no time did
Plaintiff abandon her Pennsylvania residence and domicile by her temporary
presence in Scotland. Further, Plaintiffs intention at all times has been and is to
remain in Pennsylvania permanently.
(c) Admitted in part; denied in part. It is admitted only that Exhibit D is an email
from Plaintiffs Scottish solicitor to Defendant's Scottish solicitor. Defendant's
characterization of the content of that email as somehow indicating that Plaintiff
intended to continue to reside at 119 Blenheim Place is denied. On the contrary,
Plaintiff never intended to reside in Scotland permanently and was periodically
present there for the purposes set forth in Paragraph 8(b) above, the averments of
LAW OFFICES
SNELSAKER &
BRENNEMAN. P.C.
which are incorporated by reference herein.
3
(d) Admitted in part; denied in part. Although it is admitted that Exhibit E to the
Motion is a telephone bill noting charges for telephone service provided to 119
Blenheim Place, it is denied that such telephone charges are evidence of Plaintiffs
"residence" for the reasons set forth in Paragraph 8(b) above, the averments of
which are incorporated by reference herein.
9. Denied. On November 10, 2008 Plaintiff was at her residence and domicile in
lvania. Accordingly, Defendant could not have seen Plaintiff in Aberdeen, Scotland.
10. Admitted, with the qualification that Plaintiff s presence in Scotland was for purposes
Hof addressing property issues created by Defendant.
11. It is admitted only that on or about December 17, 2008 Defendant spoke to Plaintiff
awhile Plaintiff was at the Aberdeen property. To the extent Defendant uses the word "residence"
for purposes of suggesting Plaintiff s lack of a residence and domicile in Pennsylvania, same is
I denied.
12. Admitted. By way of further response, Plaintiff has in fact and in law been a bona
fide resident in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a period of at least six (6) months
immediately previous to the commencement of this divorce action.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court to dismiss with prejudice Defendant's
Motion For Special Relief and direct Defendant to pay all attorney's fees and costs incurred by
I Plaintiff.
13. The averments of Paragraphs 1 through 12, above, are incorporated by reference
herein.
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
4
14. Paragraph 14 of Defendant's Motion contains a series of unwarranted conclusions of
to which no response is required by Plaintiff; therefore, same are deemed to be denied
to Pa.R.C.P. 1029(d).
15. Denied. It is denied that the last family domicile is 119 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen,
Scotland. On the contrary, Plaintiffs domicile is and has always been in Pennsylvania, while
's domicile has been recognized to likewise be outside of the United Kingdom.
ttached hereto and incorporated by reference herein as "Exhibit A" is a true and correct copy of
letter dated March 12, 2004 to Defendant from Ritson Smith confirming Defendant's domicile
ide of the United Kingdom.
16. Defendant fails to specify what county in which he claims to continue to reside;
, said allegation is denied.
17. Admitted in part; denied in part. It is admitted that Defendant commenced an action
divorce in Scotland within 90 days of the service of the Divorce Complaint in this action upon
him. It is denied, to the extent it is expressed or implied, that such action by Defendant in any
way relates to or is relevant with respect to Pa.R.C.P. 1920.6.
18. Denied. Paragraph 18 of Defendant's Motion contains a series of unwarranted
of law to which no response is required by Plaintiff; therefore, same are deemed to
denied pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1029(d).
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
5
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court to dismiss with prejudice Defendant's
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
For Special Relief and direct Defendant to pay all attorney's fees and costs incurred by
By
January 9, 2009
Snelbaker & Brenneman, P. C.
V11 I
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Kathleen E. White
6
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the foregoing Response to Motion for Special
Relief are true and correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the
penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. Section 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Kathleen E. White
Date: January 9, 2009
Our Ref L/AMP/Ft369lMK
12 March 2004
Mr R Robertson
119 Blenheim Place
ABERDEEN
AB25 2DL
Dear Mr Robertson
Domicile
16 Carden Place, Aberdeen AB 10 I TX
Tel: 01224 643311, pax: 01224 624359
DX AB 15
E-mail: admin@ritson-smith.com
I received a telephone call from the Inland Revenue and they have aonfmned that you are not UK.
domicile for tax purposes.
Tax Repayment
We have received an Inland Revemme repayment statement showing you are clue a tax repayment of
£548.40 for 200-3. However, we are unable to check whether this is correct as we did not prepare
your 2003 tax return.
2004
Please let us know whether you want us to act for you in the preparation of your 2004 tax return or
in any other matters
Yours sincerely
v
Alan MacPherson
Tax. Manager
EXHIBIT A
14001 r-..- r i -4t... r,.. u.6- ra...t r u........ xz:..rr a c....r ..w r.__, a at.. ate. W1
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, KEITH O. BRENNEMAN, ESQUIRE, hereby certify that I have, on the below date,
a true and correct copy of the foregoing Response to Motion For Special Relief to be
served upon the person and in the manner indicated below:
FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE PREPAID ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS:
John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire
Howett, Kissinger & Holst, P. C.
130 Walnut Street
P. O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P.C.
BY I
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 W. Main Street
P. O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-8528
Attorneys for Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White
Date: January 9, 2009
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
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KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plain iff
vs.
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Wednesday, ? une 10, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom Number 4, Cumberland County
Courthouse, Qarlisle, PA.
BY THE COURT,
"CTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE UNDER RULE 1920.2 AND
OBJECTION TO VENUE UNDER RULE 1920.6
ORDER
NOW, this Zo ` day of May, 2009, hearing on the within motion is set for
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL
IN DIVORCE
Keith O.
For the I
-100?n C. ]
For the I
Esquire
Jr., Esquire
Kevin A. Mess, J.
Am
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KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff
vs.
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL
IN DIVORCE
IN RE: MOTION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF IN THE NATURE OF PRELIMINARY
OBJECTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE
ORDER
AND NOW, this / if "' day of June, 2009, after hearing, the court being satisfied
that the plaintiff has been a resident of Pennsylvania for the six months preceding the filing of
her action and, moreover, that she is a domiciliary of Pennsylvania (and the court noting also that
the defendant has taken the position in the past that he is not domiciled for tax purposes in the
United Kingdom), the motion of the defendant for special relief in the nature of preliminary
objections to jurisdiction and venue is DENIED.
BY THE COURT,
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
For the Plaintiff
John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire
For the Defendant
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2099 Jur- 18 Pch 1: Ii
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff )
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, )
Defendant )
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OF INTERLOCUTORY ORDER
UNDER PA. R.A.P. 1311
AND NOW, comes Defendant, Roland Robertson, by and through his counsel, Howett,
Kissinger & Holst, P.C., who hereby files the instant Application for Amendment of
Interlocutory Order Under Pa. R.A.P. 1311(b), and in support thereof avers as follows:
The parties to this action are Husband and Wife, having married on
September 21, 1985.
2. From 1985 until 1999, the parties lived and worked in Pennsylvania, but
in 1999, they moved to Aberdeen, Scotland where they purchased a residence.
3. Due to marital discord, the parties separated on December 12, 2004,
but did not seek an immediate divorce.
4. From June until November of 2008, the parties undertook and participated
actively in collaborative divorce proceedings in Scotland.
On November 6, 2008, Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White (hereinafter
"Wife") filed for divorce in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
6. On December 23, 2008, Defendant Roland Robertson (hereinafter
"Husband") filed Preliminary Objections to Wife's divorce complaint, asserting that this
Honorable Court did not have subject matter jurisdiction over this case due to Wife's failure to
meet the six month residency requirement of the Divorce Code.
7. On June 18, 2009, this Court entered an Order denying Husband's
Preliminary Objections to Jurisdiction, a copy of said Order is attached hereto, and incorporated
by reference herein, as "Exhibit A".
8. An order sustaining subject matter jurisdiction is considered to be
interlocutory in nature. See H.R. and R.R. v. Department of Public Welfare, 676 A.2d 755 (Pa.
Cmwlth 1996).
9. Rule 1311(b) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure, as
promulgated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, provides that an appeal may be taken from
an interlocutory order by permission.
10. Said Rule permits an application to this Honorable Court seeking an
amendment to its June 18, 2009 order to add the words, as delineated in 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 702(b),
that the "Order involves a controlling question of law as to which there is substantial ground for
difference of opinion and that an immediate appeal from the Order may materially advance the
ultimate termination of the matter."
11. Husband believes and therefore avers that the decision of this Court
concerning Wife's satisfaction of the residency requirement prior to filing her divorce complaint
presents a mixed, and very close, question of law and fact.
12. Therefore, as more fully set forth in the supporting Memorandum of Law
filed contemporaneously herewith (and attached hereto as Exhibit `B"), Husband asserts that
Wife cannot be considered a bona fide resident of this Commonwealth due to her failure to
actually be present in the jurisdiction for the six months immediately preceding the filing of her
divorce action, and therefore, this case presents an issue upon which there is a substantial ground
for difference of opinion, which requires its certification for an immediate appeal to the Superior
Court.
WHEREFORE, Husband respectfully requests this Honorable Court to amend its Order
of June 18, 2009 by adding the requested language thereto in the form attached as a proposed
Order.
Date: '7
Respectfully submitted,
"-? c (Larv
Jo W. Howett, Jr., EsqIII
LST, P.C.
WETT, KISSINGER O
130 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
VERIFICATION
I, Roland Robertson, hereby swear and affirm that the facts contained in the foregoing
Application for Amr&ent of Interlocu y Cyder LYder Pa.R.A.P. 1311(b)
are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief and are made subject to
the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. §4904 relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
Date: 7/16/09 Ise" AL.,..
ROLAND ROBERTSON
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff
vs.
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL
: IN DIVORCE
IN RE: MOTION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF IN THE NATURE OF PRELIMINARY
OBJECTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE
ORDER
AND NOW, this / B 3' day of June, 2009, after hearing, the court being satisfied
that the plaintiff has been a resident of Pennsylvania for the six months preceding the filing of
her action and, moreover, that she is a domiciliary of Pennsylvania (and the court noting also that
the defendant has taken the position in the past that he is not domiciled for tax purposes in the
United Kingdom), the motion of the defendant for special relief in the nature of preliminary
objections to jurisdiction and venue is DENIED.
BY THE COURT,
Keith 0. Brenneman, Esquire
For the Plaintiff
John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire
For the Defendant
rlm
John C. Howett, Jr. Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
Judge Hess
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, }
Plaintiff )
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, )
Defendant )
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
DEFENDANT'S MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT
OF MOTION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF
1. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiff, Kathleen Eevine White (hereinafter referred to as "Wife"), and Defendant,
Roland Robertson (hereinafter referred to as "Husband"), were married on September 21, 1985 in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From the time of their marriage until 1999, the parties lived and
worked in the Pittsburgh area. Thereafter, the parties moved to Scotland where they resided for
the past nine (9) years. On or about December 12, 2004, the parties separated. Although the
parties made an unsuccessful attempt at reconciliation, they ultimately determined to divorce, and
collaborative divorce proceedings were initiated in Scotland. Both parties participated in this
process from June to November of 2008. In point of fact, a collaborative divorce meeting had
been scheduled for November 3, 2008, but on that very day, Wife abruptly canceled the meeting,
boarded a flight bound for Pennsylvania, and within a few days of her arrival in the
Commonwealth, filed for divorce in Cumberland County. Wife's actions manifest a bad faith
attempt to manipulate this Honorable Court by feigning residence in Pennsylvania simply
because she became disgruntled with the collaborative divorce process which she had previously,
and willingly, undertaken in the United Kingdom. In this memorandum, Husband argues that
Wife cannot be considered a bona fide resident of this Commonwealth, and that although this
Honorable Court concluded otherwise, a substantial ground for a difference of opinion exists as
to this issue such that an immediate appeal to the Superior Court would materially advance an
ultimate determination of the matter.
II. ISSUES PRESENTED (STATED AFFIRMATIVELY).
A. This Honorable Court should certify the issue presented by this
case to the Superior Court for an immediate, interlocutory appeal
because it presents a question of law as to which a substantial ground
for a difference of opinion exists, to wit, whether this Court erred by
concluding that Wife was a resident of Pennsylvania for the requisite
six. (6) months prior to the filing of her divorce complaint.
B. This Honorable Court should certify the issue presented by this case to the
Superior Court for an immediate, interlocutory appeal because such an
appeal would materially advance the ultimate termination of the matter.
III. DISCUSSION.
A. This Honorable Court should certify the issue presented by this
case to the Superior Court for an immediate, interlocutory appeal
because it presents a question of law as to which a substantial ground
for a difference of opinion exists, to wit, whether this Court erred by
concluding that Wife was a resident of Pennsylvania for the requisite
six (6) months prior to the filing of her divorce complaint.
Pursuant to the Divorce Code of Pennsylvania, this Commonwealth has subject matter
jurisdiction over a divorce proceeding, if and only if, the plaintiff was a "bona fide resident" of
Pennsylvania for at least six (6) months prior to the time when the action was filed. "Bona fide
2
residence" is defined as being actual residence coupled with the intention to remain there as a
"domiciliary," permanently or indefinitely. Zinn v. Zinn, 327 Pa.Super. 128, 475 A.2d 132
(1984), citing McKenna v. McKenna, 282 Pa.Super. 45, 422 A.2d 668 (1980).
In this context, "actual residence" requires physical presence in the jurisdiction. Watson v.
Watson, 243 Pa.Super. 23, 364 A.2d 431 (1976). "Domicile" is the principal establishment to
which, whenever absent, a person always has the intention of returning. Bell v. Bell, 326
Pa.Super. 237, 473 A.2d 1069 (1984). "Domiciliary intent" is determined by the facts and
circumstances of a particular case. Chidester v. Chidester, 163 Pa.Super. 194, 198, 60 A.2d 574,
576 (1948). "Mere absence from a domicile, however long continued, cannot effect a change of
domicile; there must be an animus to change the prior domicile for another." Zinn, supra
(emphasis added). "To accomplish a change of domicile there must be not only the animus to
change but the factum as well. There must be an actual transfer of bodily presence from one
place to the other." Bell, supra at 247-248, 473 A.2d at 1075 (emphasis in original). The proof
of a change in domicile does not depend on any one particular fact, but whether all of the facts
and circumstances viewed together as a whole tend to establish a new, fixed and permanent
residence. Commonwealth ex rel Saunders v. Saunders, 155 Pa.Super. 393, 396, 38 A.2d 730,
731 (1944).
In the instant matter, Husband contends that when the parties decided to move from
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Aberdeen, Scotland in 1999, Wife actively exhibited an "animus" to
change her domicile and that she never evidenced any intention to return to Pennsylvania.
Rather, Husband maintains that, for all that time, Wife considered herself to be a resident of
3
Scotland. Further, Husband asserts that but for the fact that the collaborative divorce process was
not progressing to her liking in the United Kingdom, Wife never would have thought to move
back to Pennsylvania despite the existence of some historical ties from her childhood to this
jurisdiction.
The evidence adduced at the hearing on this matter establishes that Husband and Wife left
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1999 with the notion that they were "severing their domiciliary
attachments" to Pennsylvania and were permanently relocating their domicile to the United
Kingdom. See Bell, supra at 1077. "After a domicile is acquired, continuance is presumed." Id.,
quoting McKenna v. McKenna, supra.
In support of this contention, Husband established the following facts: (1) that the parties
initially rented a home upon arrival in Scotland, but later determined in 2002, some 7 years ago,
to purchase the residence; (2) that Wife has always maintained and actively utilized her bank
account in Scotland; (3) that Wife maintained approximately six (6) credit card accounts billed to
the marital residence in Scotland; (4) that Wife owned, maintained and insured a vehicle in
Scotland; (5) that Wife had a cellular phone in Scotland (which was billed to the marital
residence in Scotland as recently as May of 2009); (6) that Wife is listed in the 2008/2009
telephone directory in Scotland; (7) that Wife was actively involved as an officer in an
organization known as the "American Women's Association" and participated regularly in the
planning and execution of its activities as recently as October of 2008; (8) that she had a doctor
and dentist in Scotland; and (9) that Wife represented herself as a resident of Scotland to receive
medical services. Wife did not, and cannot, refute these facts. Further, Wife did not and could
4
not show that she had any significant ties to this jurisdiction. In particular, Wife did not maintain
a bank account in Pennsylvania, nor that she had any doctors or memberships here, nor was she
even listed in a telephone directory in this Commonwealth.
Nevertheless, at the hearing, Wife attempted to argue that she had always possessed the
"domiciliary intent" to return to Pennsylvania such that it should now be considered her "bona
fide residence" for purposes of this divorce action. In support of this claim, Wife relied heavily
on the fact that she owns a condo in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania and that she maintains a
Pennsylvania driver's license. Importantly, however, the condo was not purchased by Wife, but
rather, was inherited by Wife and her brother upon their mother's death post-separation. Indeed,
it was only just recently that Wife bought out her brother's interest in the property, presumably in
order to bolster her otherwise weak claim, made solely for the purposes of this divorce action,
that she "resides" in Pennsylvania.
Moreover, in the past nine (9) years intervening between the parties'. move to Scotland
and the filing of the instant divorce action, Wife admitted that she would "vacation" in the U.S.
for a few weeks per year in order to visit with her mother in Pennsylvania and friends in
California. Furthermore, and most importantly, in the past six (6) months immediately prior to
filing her divorce complaint, Wife was physically present in Scotland more than half of that time.
A review of Wife's passport, phone bills, shopping receipts and her own testimony, all of which
were introduced at the hearing, unequivocally establishes this crucial fact.
In particular, these documents reveal that Wife left Scotland for the United States in late
April of 2008, went back and forth between Scotland and the U.S. several times over the
summer, but was nevertheless present for collaborative divorce meetings on June 24, 2008 and
July 24, 2008, and spent the bulk of August, September and October of 2008 in Aberdeen,
Scotland. Wife filed for divorce in the U.S. on November 6, 2008. Clearly then, Wife has not,
and cannot, show that in the past six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the instant
divorce action that she was a bona fide resident of Cumberland County because not only did she
lack the requisite domiciliary intent to return here permanently, but what is more, she lacked the
crucial element of continuous physical presence in this jurisdiction for the relevant period of
time.
In sum, although Wife has painted a very sympathetic self-portrait to this Honorable
Court, the operative legal facts from which Wife has attempted to disuade this Court still remain
as follows: (1) Wife did not intend to return to Pennsylvania prior to the unraveling of the
collaborate divorce process in the U.K. in November of 2008; and (2) Wife was not actually
present in Pennsylvania six (6) months prior to filing the subject action. Therefore, at the very
least, Husband argues that there is a substantial ground for difference of opinion as to the
controlling question of whether in the matter sub judice Wife has met the residency requirement
as set forth in the Divorce Code.
B. This Honorable Court should certify the issue presented by this case to the
Superior Court for an immediate, interlocutory appeal because such an
appeal would materially advance the ultimate termination of the matter.
The issue of whether Wife has met the Divorce Code's residency requirement bears
directly on whether this Honorable Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this divorce action.
If this issue were certified to the Superior Court for an immediate interlocutory appeal, and such
6
court were to determine, as Defendant argues herein, that Wife's lack of physical presence in the
Commonwealth for the entire six months immediately preceding the filing of the divorce action
in and of itself defeats Pennsylvania jurisdiction, such an appeal would, of necessity, "materially
advance the ultimate termination of the matter" as required by 42 Pa.C.S. Section 702(b) and
Pa.R.A.P. 1311. Therefore, this Honorable Court should amend its Order of June 18, 2009 to so
state.
IV. CONCLUSION.
Husband respectfully requests that this Honorable Court certify the issue of whether or
not Wife met the residency requirement delineated in the Divorce Code for an immediate appeal
to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania by entering an Order stating, pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S.
Section 702(b), that it is one in which there is a "substantial ground for difference of opinion, the
determination of which would materially advance the ultimate termination of this matter."
Respectfully submitted,
Date: 7 It b b
Howett, Jr., Esquir
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
7
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff )
V. }
ROLAND ROBERTSON, )
Defendant )
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire, counsel for Roland Robertson, Defendant in the above-
captioned action, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Defendant's
Memorandum of Law in Support Of Motion for Special Relief was served upon Keith O.
Brenneman, Esquire, counsel for Plaintiff, Kathleen Eevine White, by depositing same in the
United States mail, first class, on July 16, 2009, addressed as follows:
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 West Main Street
P.O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
Date: 7 /14 /0
L
J Howett, Jr., Esqui
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff )
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, )
Defendant )
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire, counsel for Roland Robertson, Defendant in the above-
captioned action, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of Application for Amendment of
Interlocutory Order Under Pa. R.A.P. 1311(b) was served upon Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire,
counsel for Plaintiff, Kathleen Eevine White, by depositing same in the United States mail, first
class, on July 16, 2009, addressed as follows:
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 West Main Street
P.O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
Date: 2th 4 A 4
,__j , g6mk' - -
John ett, Jr., Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
A LE E,OF 7-E
2CJ3 J UL U; N'I 2. 1
JUL 17 2009
John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire JUDGE HESS
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant Roland Robertson
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff )
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, )
Defendant )
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
RULE TO SHOW CAUSE
AND NOW, this day of , 2009, upon consideration of
Defendant's Application to Amend Order of Court of June 18, 2009, a Rule is hereby issued on
Plaintiff to show cause why said requested relief should not be granted. Said Rule is returnable
no later than 20 days from service.
BY THE COURT:
Kevin AlHess, J.
Distribution:
ohn C. Howett, Jr., Esquire, P.O. Box 810, Harrisburg, PA 17108, 717-234-2616
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire, P.O. Box 318, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6249 717-697-8528
FILED' to REV
OF ENE PRt?? -???TA
2009 JUL 21 Phi 1 t; 9
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff
V.
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT'S APPLICATION
FOR AMENDMENT OF INTERLOCUTORY ORDER
Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White, by her attorneys, Snelbaker & Brenneman, P. C.,
submits this Response to Defendant's Application For Amendment of Interlocutory Order
("Application") in accordance with the Rule issued July 20, 2009 by this Court as follows:
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted with the qualification that the move to Aberdeen Scotland was on a
temporary basis and the purchase of a residence took place as a matter of convenience only
almost three years after moving to Scotland, all of which was testified to by Plaintiff and
unrebutted by Defendant in the hearing held June 10 and continued to June 11, 2009 (the "June
hearing") in this matter.
3. Admitted in part; denied in part. It is admitted only that the parties first separated in
December, 2004, not for reasons of "marital discord" as characterized by Defendant, but due to
Defendant's extra-marital affair with another woman, which affair caused him voluntarily to
leave the home in Aberdeen. The parties later reconciled for a period of approximately five
weeks until Defendant left the Aberdeen home again to live with his mistress in early June of
2006.
4. Denied. Defendant's characterization of the parties "actively" participating in a
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN. P.C.
collaborative divorce process in Scotland over a five-month period is a gross exaggeration. Even
Defendant recognized in his Motion for Special Relief filed December 23, 2008 in this action
that the parties met only two times - June 24, 2008 and July 24, 2008 - as part of the
collaborative process. (See Defendant's Motion For Special Relief, Paragraph 8(b).) Although
the parties engaged in the collaborative process (with Plaintiff doing so upon recommendation of
her counsel) in an effort to address matters arising from Defendant's departure from the
marriage, no agreement was ever reached and indeed, no agreement ever signed to establish the
parameters of the collaborative process in the first instance. By way of further response,
Plaintiff, as testified by her in the June hearing, was in Pennsylvania a number of times during
ithe five-month period referred to by Defendant.
5. Admitted with the qualification that Defendant in response to the divorce complaint
filed by Plaintiff, filed for divorce in Scotland more than 30 days after Plaintiff filed for divorce
in Pennsylvania. The divorce action initiated in Scotland by Defendant was stayed by decision
of the Scottish Court on July 17, 2009. A copy of the decision of the court staying the action in
Scotland is attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein as "Exhibit A".
6. Admitted.
7. Admitted with the qualification that the June 18, 2009 Order was issued after a
hearing held June 10 and June 11, 2009 at which hearing Defendant participated by telephone
and presented no testimony whatever.
8. Admitted.
9. Admitted.
10. Admitted.
11. Admitted in part; denied in part. Although it is admitted only that Paragraph 11 of
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
Defendant's Application purports to set forth what Defendant believes, the substance of what he
June 18, 2009 presents very close questions of either law or fact for the reasons that follow:
believes is erroneous and therefore denied. Specifically, it is denied that this Court's decision on
2
a. The Court's Order of June 18, 2009 specifically notes that the Court after
hearing was satisfied the Plaintiff has been a resident of Pennsylvania for the
applicable six-month period and moreover, that Plaintiff is a domiciliary
of Pennsylvania. If this case presented "close questions", this Court would
not have specifically noted its satisfaction with its conclusions. Similarly, if this case
presented "close questions", the Court would have indicated in its Order pursuant to
Pa.R.A.P. 311(b)(2) that in fact the case presented a substantial issue of jurisdiction,
which the Court did not do.
b. No "close questions" of fact exist. Plaintiff gave extensive, unrebutted
testimony on numerous subjects relevant to the jurisdiction issue before this
Court.
Defendant identifies no "close questions" of law that exist in either his Application
or Brief. Indeed, Defendant makes no argument or assertion whatever as to how
the Court committed any error of law.
d. Defendant, although he made special arrangements with the Court to participate
in the June hearing by telephone, failed to testify and provided no explanation,
let alone a satisfactory explanation, why he was not offering his testimony.
Accordingly, the inference exists as a matter of law that his testimony would have
been unfavorable to him. See Dommes v. Zuroski, 38 A.2d 73 (Pa. 1944);
Edmonson v. McMillen, 112 A.2d 642 (Pa. 1955).
e. The bases of Defendant's Application for an immediate interlocutory appeal rest
entirely on Defendant's self-serving version of facts and Defendant's inference from
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
those facts, not upon the evidence and inferences provided by and favorable to
Plaintiff.
3
f. Without assigning any legal error to the Court in its decision, Defendant is in
essence contesting the exercise of the Court's discretion as the basis for his
Application.
g. Defendant sets forth no important issue of law in his Application or Brief.
h. Defendant does not claim there is an issue of first impression requiring particular
resolution by either this Court or an appellate court.
Defendant does not claim that the applicable law is unsettled.
Defendant identifies no controlling question of law as to which there is a
substantial ground for difference of opinion.
12. Denied. It is denied that Plaintiff cannot be considered a bona fide resident of the
for the reasons given and based upon the evidence presented at the June hearing.
the contrary, Plaintiff is a bona fide resident of the Commonwealth as found by this Court.
statement of facts and the conclusions reached by Defendant in his Memorandum of Law are
as being self-serving, contrary to the evidence presented at the June hearing and
ining statements of fact not of record. By way of further response, Defendant cites no legal
rity for the implied assertion that Plaintiff must be a resident in Pennsylvania during the
six-month period immediately prior to filing for divorce. For the reasons set forth above
particularly in Paragraph 11 herein, no issue is or has been presented upon which a
ial ground for difference of opinion exits. Defendant's opinion as to how the Court
have resolved the jurisdiction issue is irrelevant. Accordingly, there is no basis to grant
of an appeal to the Superior Court.
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
4
Plaintiff requests this Court to deny Defendant's Application.
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P.C.
V 0"
By:
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 W. Main Street
P. O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-8528
August 6, 2009 Attorneys for Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
F841/08 Prof Roland Robertson V Dr Kathleen Robertson
Aberdeen 17 July 2009 Sheriff Cusine
Act: A McTaggart
Alt: Clark
The Sheriff, on Defender's motion, Allows the 2"d and 3rd inventories of
productions for the Defender to be received at Bar and form No's 6/2 and 6/3 of
process respectively; Allows the Note of Authorities for the Defender to be
received at Bar and form No 15 of process; on Pursuer's motion, Allows the
inventory of productions for the Pursuer to be received at Bar and form No 5/3 of
process; having heard parties procurator's on the opposed motion for the
Defender No 8/1 of process, Grants the motion and thereafter Sists the cause to
await the outcome of proceedings in the United States; on the opposed verbal
motion for the Defender made at Bar, Finds the Pursuer liable to the Defender in
the expenses of the motion as taxed; Allows an account thereof to be given in
and Remits same when lodged to the Auditor of Court to tax and to report; on the
opposed verbal motion for the Defender, in respect of certifying the cause as
suitable for the use of Junior Counsel, Refuses same.
EXHIBIT A
Sheriff
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the foregoing Response to Application are true and
correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.
Section 4904 relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
Kathleen E. White
Date: August 6, 2009
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, KEITH O. BRENNEMAN, ESQUIRE, hereby certify that I have on the below date,
caused a true and correct copy of Plaintiff s Response to Defendant's to be served upon the
persons and in the manner indicated below:
FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE PREPAID, ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS:
John C. Howett, Jr., Esquire
Howett, Kissinger & Holst, P. C.
130 Walnut Street
P. O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
BY HAND DELIVERY
The Honorable Kevin A. Hess
Cumberland County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P. C.
44 W. Main Street
P. O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-8528
Attorneys for Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White
Date: August 6, 2009
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
6
2 0 0 3 LU - , ?I 1: 24
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff
v.
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant
Cz>r Y ??
y-
U 6? iti1 •? i i
IN 4HE COURT OF CO1kIMON PLEAS OF
AND CUT`Y, PENNSYLVANIA
LtN'
CU
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
IN DIVORCE
PETITION TO SCHEDULE ALIMONY PENDENTE LITE CONFERENCE
Petitioner Kathleen Eevine White, by her attorneys, Snelbaker & Brenneman, P. C.
submits this Petition and in support thereof states the following:
1. Plaintiff and Petitioner herein resides at 1340 The Waterford, East Crestwood Drive,
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
2. Defendant resides at 10 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, Scotland AB 10 6EP, United
Kingdom.
3. Petitioner and Defendant were married September 21, 1985.
4. Petitioner and Defendant live separate and apart.
5. Petitioner filed a Complaint in Divorce on November 6, 2008 docketed to the above
number seeking, inter alia, alimony pendent elite.
6. Petitioner has received no support from Defendant since prior to their separation.
7. No previous Order has been entered against Defendant in any action for support of
1 Petitioner.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner requests this matter be referred to the Domestic Relations
lOffice for the scheduling of an alimony pendente lite conference and that an order be entered
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
against Defendant for Petitioner's reasonable support and medical coverage.
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P.C.
&/L??
By.
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 W. Main Street
P. O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-8528
Attorneys for Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White
Date: 4P•Q/l- /Sr 2491v
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
2
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the foregoing Petition are true and correct. I
understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. Section
4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
-11;z? iA? Kathleen Eevine White
Date: Wg?/? 15-1 20f4
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
. .
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, KEITH O. BRENNEMAN, ESQUIRE, hereby certify that I have, on the below date,
I caused a true and correct copy of the foregoing Petition to be served upon the person and in the
manner indicated below:
FIRST CLASS MAIL. POSTAGE PREPAID ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS:
Darren J. Holst, Esquire
Howett, Kissinger & Holst, P. C.
130 Walnut Street
P. O. BOX 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
By:
2ol6
Date:
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P. C.
1// kl-??
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 W. Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-8528
Attorneys for Plaintiff/Petitioner
Kathleen Eevine White
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER SC
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
KATHLEEN E. WHITE, THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff/Petitioner CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS. CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
NO. 575 CIVIL TERM
ROLAND ROBERTSON, IN DIVORCE 4 5
Defendant/Respondent : ?r i - ,?
PACSES NO: 683111640 -r
ORDER OF COURT
c.rs
AND NOW, this 6th day of May, 2010, upon consideration of the Petition for Alimony Pendente Lite
and/or counsel fees, it is hereby directed that the parties and their respective counsel appear before R. J. Shadday on
June 15, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. for a conference, at 13 N. Hanover St., Carlisle, PA 17013, after which the conference
officer may recommend that an Order for Alimony Pendente Lite be entered.
YOU are further ordered to bring to the conference:
(1) a true copy of your most recent Federal Income Tax Return, including W-2's as filed
(2) your pay stubs for the preceding six (6) months
(3) the Income and Expense Statement attached to this order, completed as required by Rule 1910.1 IC
(4) verification of child care expenses
(5) proof of medical coverage which you may have, or may have available to you.
If you fail to appear for the conference or bring the required documents, the Court may issue a
warrant for your arrest.
Copies mailed to: Petitioner
Respondent
Keith O. Brenneman, Esq.
Darren J. Hoist, Esq.
Date of Order: May 6.2010
BY THE COURT,
N ut!?4 b -
M. L: Ebert, Jr., dge
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A LAWYER, WHO MAY ATTEND THE CONFERENCE AND
REPRESENT YOU. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR
TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU MAY GET LEGAL
HELP.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
2 LIBERTY AVE.
CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA 17013
(717) 249-3166 cc361
n
C? rv
O -_
J,
-T1
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSi V A TA
rr?,;
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff ) NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
V. ) CT f
ROLAND ROBERTSON, ) CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant ) IN DIVORCE
MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF DIVORCE MAST R
AND NOW, comes Defendant, Roland Robertson, by and through his counsel, Howett,
Kissinger & Holst, P.C., who hereby files the instant Motion for Appointment of Divorce Master
and moves the Court to appoint the master with respect to the following claims: divorce;
equitable distribution; alimony; and counsel fees, costs and expenses and in support thereof states
as follows:
Discovery is not complete as to the claims for which the appointment of a
master is requested; however, Defendant believes, and therefore avers, that all necessary
discovery can be completed within the next 30 to 60 days.
2. The non-moving party has appeared in this action by and through her
Attorney, Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire of Snelbaker & Brenneman, P.C., 44 West Main Street,
P.O. Box 318, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
3. The statutory ground for divorce is §3301: irretrievable breakdown.
4. The action is not contested with respect to divorce; however, the action is
contested with respect to the claims of equitable distribution, alimony and counsel fees, costs and
expenses.
The action does involve complex issues of law or fact, particularly, the
date of final separation.
M
6. A hearing on the matter is expected to take one (1) day.
7. Additional information, if any, relevant to the Motion: Defendant
respectfully requests the master schedule a pretrial conference.
Date:
Respectfully submitted,
Darren J. H st, Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant, Roland Robertson
VERIFICATION
I, Darren J. Holst, Esquire, hereby swear and affirm that the facts contained in the
foregoing Motion for Appointment of Divorce Master are true and correct to the best of my
knowledge, information, and belief based upon information provided by Defendant and from my
own first-hand knowledge and that said facts are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.
§4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Defendant is outside the jurisdiction of this court such that his verification cannot be
timely obtained.
Date:
Darren J. olst, Esquire
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff
V.
ROLAND ROBERTSON,
Defendant
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Darren J. Holst, Esquire, counsel for Roland Robertson, Defendant in the above-
captioned action, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Motion for
Appointment of Divorce Master was served upon Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire, counsel for
Kathleen Eevine White, Plaintiff, via hand delivery and by depositing same in the United States
mail, first class, on June 15, 2010 addressed as follows:
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN
44 West Main Street
P.O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
Date:
Darren J. olst, Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant, Roland Robertson
q
Darren J. Holst, Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C. JUN .j 6 2010
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant, Roland Robertson
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff ) NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
V. ) C-)
o
UT:
ROLAND ROBERTSON, ) CIVIL ACTION - LAW
S
rnr-
Defendant 7 :z _. m
IN DIVORCE ? `•, `-
Z
Z.
ORDER APPOINTMENT DIVORCE MASTER'
AND NOW, this 14-0 day of Y 2010, upon consid?tion
of Defendant's Motion for Appointment of Divorce Master, the Court hereby appoints E. Robert
Elicker, Esquire, as master with respect to the following claims: divorce; equitable distribution;
alimony; and counsel fees, costs and expenses.
BY THE COURT:
J.
'n Par
ame: Roland Robertson
ttorney Name: Darren J. Holst, Esq
Aoo?
Attorney Address: 130 Walnut Street
P.O. BOX 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Attorney Telephone Number: (717) 234-2616
Attorney E-mail: dholstnapaonline.com
Non-Moving Party
Name: Kathleen Eevine White
1 e ttorney Name: Keith O. Brenneman, Esq.
Attorney Address: 44 West Main Street
P.O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
Attorney Telephone Number: (717) 697-8528
L N
q
f
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSCi UAMA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE .> s--
Plaintiff ) NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM 7! fir'
V. 2__
ROLAND ROBERTSON, ) CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant ) IN DIVORCE
MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF DIVORCE MASTER
AND NOW, comes Defendant, Roland Robertson, by and through his counsel, Howett,
Kissinger & Holst, P.C., who hereby files the instant Motion for Appointment of Divorce Master
and moves the Court to appoint the master with respect to the following claims: divorce;
equitable distribution; alimony; and counsel fees, costs and expenses and in support thereof states
as follows:
Discovery is not complete as to the claims for which the appointment of a
master is requested; however, Defendant believes, and therefore avers, that all necessary
discovery can be completed within the next 30 to 60 days.
2. The non-moving party has appeared in this action by and through her
Attorney, Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire of Snelbaker & Brenneman, P.C., 44 West Main Street,
P.O. Box 318, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
3. The statutory ground for divorce is §3301: irretrievable breakdown.
4. The action is not contested with respect to divorce; however, the action is
contested with respect to the claims of equitable distribution, alimony and counsel fees, costs and
expenses.
5. The action does involve complex issues of law or fact, particularly, the
date of final separation.
.•
6. A hearing on the matter is expected to take one (1) day.
7. Additional information, if any, relevant to the Motion: Defendant
respectfully requests the master schedule a pretrial conference.
Respectfully submitted, l/
Date:
Darren J. H st, Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant, Roland Robertson
i
VERIFICATION
I, Darren J. Hoist, Esquire, hereby swear and affirm that the facts contained in the
foregoing Motion for Appointment of Divorce Master are true and correct to the best of my
knowledge, information, and belief based upon information provided by Defendant and from my
own first-hand knowledge and that said facts are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.
§4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Defendant is outside the jurisdiction of this court such that his verification cannot be
timely obtained.
Date: ??/
Darren J. olst, Esquire
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE,
Plaintiff ) NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, ) CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant ) IN DIVORCE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Darren J. Holst, Esquire, counsel for Roland Robertson, Defendant in the above-
captioned action, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Motion for
Appointment of Divorce Master was served upon Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire, counsel for
Kathleen Eevine White, Plaintiff, via hand delivery and by depositing same in the United States
mail, first class, on June 15, 2010 addressed as follows:
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN
44 West Main Street
P.O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0318
Date: - /
Darren J. 11651st, Esquire
HOWETT, KISSINGER & HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant, Roland Robertson
KATHLEEN E. WHITE, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff/Petitioner CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS. CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
ROLAND ROBERTSON, IN DIVORCE
Defendant/Respondent PACSES CASE: 683111640
n
c
d ?
rl C__ T
ORDER OF COURT x_ C=
AND NOW to wit, this 30th day of June, 2010, it is hereby Ordered that the ainf's
Petition for Alimony Pendente Lite is denied, without prejudice, pursuant to the Petitioner's
separate estate and sufficient assets to meet the needs of the pending divorce litigation.
This Order shall become final twenty (20) days after the mailing of the notices of the
entry of the Order to the parties unless either party files a written demand with the Domestic
Relations Section for a hearing de novo before the Court.
BY THE COURT:
M. L. Ebe t, Jr., J.
DRO: R.J. Shadday
xc: Petitioner
Respondent
Keith O. Brenneman, Esq..
Darren J. Holst, Esq..
Form OE-001
Service Type: M Worker: 21005
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM C-, r.? C.a
-
--V C
ROLAND ROBERTSON, CIVIL ACTION - LAW S:
Defendant IN DIVORCE =r- ^' "0 CJ
co '
PLAINTIFF'S PRETRIAL STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P. 1920.33(b)
TO: E. Robert Elicker, II, Divorce Master
Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White, by her attorneys, Snelbaker & Brenneman, P. C., submits
this Pretrial Statement at the direction of the Divorce Master as follows:
A. Background.
This divorce was initiated by Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White by Complaint filed
November 6, 2008. Plaintiffs Complaint raises counts for divorce on the basis that the parties'
marriage is irretrievably broken, equitable distribution, alimony, counsel fees, costs and
expenses.
In spite of being served with the divorce Complaint on November 12, 2008, Defendant
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BRENNEMAN, P.C.
initiated a divorce action in Aberdeen, Scotland on December 9, 2008 which resulted in a series
of hearings in 2009 at which the Plaintiff had either to appear herself or to be represented. On
December 23, 2008, Defendant filed a Petition For Special Relief objection to jurisdiction and
venue of the divorce action initiated by Plaintiff in Cumberland County. In response to the
Scottish divorce action against her, on May 6, 2009 the Plaintiff raised a Motion to Sist the
Defendant's divorce action in Aberdeen Sheriff's Court; arguments were presented and then all
proceedings continued, pending the outcome of the Defendant's Petition for Special Relief in
Cumberland County. After a hearing, Judge Kevin A. Hess denied Defendant's petition by Order
dated June 18, 2009, finding that Plaintiff was a resident and domiciliary of Pennsylvania. On
July 17, 2009 the case was called again in Aberdeen with an indefinite sist (stay) being granted,
pending resolution of the Plaintiff's divorce case in Pennsylvania.
Plaintiff was born October 23, 1947 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and is 63 years of age.
Defendant was born August 7, 1938 in Norwich, England and is 72 years of age. The parties
were married on September 21, 1985 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and have no children of their
marriage. Both parties were previously married and divorced.
Plaintiff has not been formally employed since March 1998, when she ended her
employment through the University of Pittsburgh, initially to attend to Defendant due to issues
e
associated with Defendant's health. The Defendant was likewise employed by the University of
Pittsburgh at this time and took a medical leave of absence in 1998, followed by accepting an
option for early retirement. In 1999, Defendant became Chair in Sociology in the Department of
Sociology, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Both parties subsequently moved to Scotland,
where Plaintiff assisted the Defendant with the Defendant's professional endeavors, including
collaborating with the Defendant in research and contracted publication projects. Defendant,
although now recently retired from the University of Aberdeen, is engaged with visiting
professorships and fellowships at various universities in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, and
remains actively involved in research, writing and other professional academic activities.
There is a dispute as to the date of the parties' separation. Defendant contends that the
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
parties separated in December, 2004. Plaintiff believes their separation was in April, 2008.
Although Defendant did leave the parties' house in Aberdeen in December, 2004 for purposes of
living with another woman, he returned in May 2006, when the parties continued to live as
husband and wife in all respects in an exclusive marital relationship until June 2006. Defendant
never mentioned an intention to be divorced or to obtain a divorce from Plaintiff and on the
contrary, his words and actions lead Plaintiff to believe it was Defendant's intention to remain
2
married. After June, 2006, the parties maintained personal, professional, economic, financial and
emotional ties and relationships with each other, all based upon conversations dealing with
Defendant's eventual return to their house in Aberdeen. It was not until April, 2008 when
Defendant instructed an attorney to communicate with Plaintiff on financial and other concerns
that the matter of the parties' marriage and their future as husband and wife was put into
question.
Based upon the above, an initial determination of separation will be required which in turn
will assist in providing guidance in valuing the marital portions of certain non-marital property
identified in the Pretrial Statement below.
B. Statement Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1920.33(b)
1. ASSETS.
A. Marital Assets.
1. Real Estate.
The parties 'ointl own the following real estate:
119 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen, Scotland
This residence was purchased in June, 2002 and is encumbered by a mortgage
held by Skipton Building Society. It has been listed by mutual agreement of the parties
for sale and as of January 25, 2011, an offer has been made in the amount of the listing
price of 295,000 GBP.1 A separate written agreement of the parties addresses the
disposition of funds upon sale.
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BRENNEMAN, P.C
'Although Plaintiff had offered to purchase the Aberdeen property for the listing price of $295,000 GBP, which
would have been at considerable financial benefit to the parties as opposed to sale to a third party, Defendant has
declined to approve the sale to Plaintiff.
3
6611 Kinsman Road, Pittsburgh
This residence was purchased by the parties on April 22, 1987. It has been utilized
as a rental property by tenants since the parties' move to Scotland. The property is
encumbered by a mortgage to PNC Bank (formerly National City Mortgage) in an
amount of $55882.60 as of December, 2009. Rents received have been used to pay the
mortgage, insurance and taxes. The property has been appraised by an appraiser
engaged by Plaintiff and has a fair market value of $375,000 as of July 28, 2010.
2. Household Goods, Furnishings and Miscellaneous Personal Property.
The issues concerning the parties' personal property, furnishings and
miscellaneous personal property are many and complicated. Although both parties
have responded to interrogatories concerning identity and location of various items of
personal property, neither believes the other has been accurate and complete in doing
so. Neither party has had any personal property appraised, although there are many
items of value, such as original art works, furniture, rugs and books.
The parties' personal property in Scotland is found in at least four locations: (1) in
storage at a rented storage facility of Team Relocations; (2) at Blenheim Place; (3) in
locations accessible to the Plaintiff; and (4) in the possession of or at other locations
accessible to Defendant.
In the summer and early autumn of 2008 Plaintiff cooperated with and assisted the
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SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
Defendant on a number of occasions in the Defendant's removing from the Blenheim
Place house nearly all his own personal property and certain agreed items of marital
property. At or about the same time in the summer of 2008 some property belonging to
the Plaintiff as well as a very small number of fragile items of marital property were
4
placed into safekeeping by the Plaintiff prior to her filing for divorce. Since December
2008 the Plaintiff has been unilaterally restricted by an Interdict contained within the
Defendant's Scottish Divorce Complaint from removing items from the Blenheim
Place house. In the period between November 2008 and August 2010 Defendant took
large quantities of marital and Plaintiffs own personal property of value from the home
at Blenheim Place at times when Plaintiff was out of the country. Due to Team
Relocations being owed storage charges, neither party is able to remove both the
marital and non-marital property at that location. The parties further have personal
property in storage in the basement of the Kinsman Road property in Pittsburgh.
Plaintiff reserves the right to have properly inventoried and appraised marital
personal property in Defendant's possession (or accessible to Defendant) or elsewhere
for purposes of equitable distribution, to request the return of property belonging solely
to the Plaintiff which is now in the Defendant's control, and/or to identify and request
the return of specific items or categories of items of marital property which she wishes
to constitute a portion of her share of the equitable distribution.
3. Intangible Personal Property.
A. Pension and Retirement Accounts
Both parties have retirement benefits that are marital and non-marital. Those
retirement benefits that are non-marital, having been acquired prior to marriage, but
which contain a marital property components due to increases in value during
marriage, are identified in I.B.2, infra., which addresses non-marital pension and
retirement assets. Those retirement and pension benefits that are marital are described
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SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
below.
5
Plaintiff became vested in a TIAA-CREF retirement benefit as a result of her
employment at the University of Pittsburgh during the parties' marriage. That
retirement account had a value on December, 2004 and March, 2008 of $147,935.13
and $179,612.50, respectively. As noted below, that account is being valued by an
expert engaged by Plaintiff.
Defendant has a USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme) pension that began
when he joined the University of Aberdeen in September 1999. That pension benefit is
being valued by an expert engaged by Plaintiff.
B. Bank Accounts.
The parties, jointly or separately, held or hold the following bank accounts.
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SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
The balances of the accounts at various times are noted in pages 12 through 14 of
Plaintiffs Response to Defendant's Interrogatories - First Set. In terms of equitable
distribution, specific amounts or balances can be established upon identification of a
date of separation.
Joint Bank Accounts in United States of America:
Dollar Bank, Pittsburgh, PA:
checking account (home equity
line on Kinsman Road property
paid off 5/2006; closed 5/2009)
Northwest Savings, Pittsburgh, PA
Citizens Bank:
checking and savings accounts
checking and savings accounts
Joint Bank Accounts in the United Kingdom:
HSBC, Norwich, England:
checking (2) and savings (2)
accounts
Bank Accounts in Plaintiffs name alone, in United States of America:
6
Northwest Savings, Pittsburgh, PA:
Susquehanna Valley FCU, Camp Hill, PA:
Orrstown Bank, Camp Hill, PA:
checking and savings accounts
checking (2) and savings (2)
accounts
checking and savings accounts
Bank Accounts in Plaintiff s name alone, in United Kingdom
HSBC, Norwich, England:
HSBC, offshore, St. Helier, Jersey:
checking (1) and savings (3)
accounts
checking and savings accounts
Bank Accounts in Defendant's name alone, in United Kingdom
Clydesdale Bank, Glasgow, Scotland:
4. Motor Vehicles
checking account and
possible savings and other
accounts
The parties own or have owned the following vehicles prior or subsequent to their
separation:
a. Vauxhall Vectra, 1996. This vehicle was purchased in 2000 and titled in
Defendant's name. It was disposed of after June 2006 by Defendant.
Defendant must account for its value at the time of disposition.
b. Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1976. Plaintiff was a co-owner of this vehicle as a
gift from her mother and as a co-owner, became full owner upon her mother's
death. This vehicle is inoperable, non-marital and has no known value.
c. Volkswagen Lupo, 2003. This vehicle was purchased by and in Plaintiffs
name in 2006 in the UK from Plaintiffs non-marital funds and is non-marital.
d. Hyundai Sonata, 2005. This vehicle was purchased after separation in 2009
in the US by Plaintiff with non-marital funds and is non-marital.
5. Life Insurance
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SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
z This account was identified in documents provided by Defendant in response to a request for production of
documents.
7
In addition to Defendant's TIAA-CREF retirement benefit, infra., Defendant as of
December 31, 2004 had maintained Plaintiff as beneficiary of a $50,000 TIAA-CREF
Term Life Policy and a $15,000 life insurance policy provided through the University
of Pittsburgh. These policies will need to be considered for purposes of ensuring
continued coverage for the benefit of Plaintiff.
6. Stock
Defendant had stock in his name in an academic journal called Theory, Culture and
Society, most or all of which he acquired during the parties' marriage. He sold the
stock sometime in or around 2007. Defendant: must account for the value of the stock
and its disposition or purposes of equitable distribution.
B. Non-Marital Assets.
1. Real Estate.
Plaintiff is unaware if Defendant owns any non-marital real estate. Plaintiff is the
owner of the following non-marital real estate:
260 Herr Street, Harrisburiz
Plaintiff acquired this property, which is improved with a residence, by
purchase in 1976 for $9,000. It is in poor condition. An expert has been retained to
determine its fair market value as of the date of the parties' marriage and upon
separation. Those appraisals, and others, will be completed upon establishment of a
date of separation.
1340 The Waterford
Plaintiff received title to this condominium unit as part of her distributed
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
inheritance from her mother's Estate by Decree awarding real estate dated November
26, 2006. An expert has been retained to determine its fair market value as of the date
8
of Plaintiff s ownership to the date of the parties' separation.
2. Pension and Retirement Accounts.
The parties have the following pension and/or retirement benefits:
Defendant:
a. TIAA-CREF. This retirement benefit arises due to Defendant's former
employment through the University of Pittsburgh. Defendant's account balance at time
of the parties' marriage was approximately $157,182.77. In December 2007, the
account had a value of $1,962.911.15. Plaintiff has engaged Conrad Siegel to value the
marital portion of this retirement benefit, Plaintiffs TIAA-CREF retirement benefit as
well as Defendant's interest in his university pension and Plaintiffs PSERS retirement
benefit.
b. Defendant is eligible to receive a State Pension in the UK. It is uncertain if
the Defendant is claiming and/or receiving that pension. That pension is also in the
process of being valued. Details on its value have not been provided by the Defendant.
c. Defendant receives United States Social Security.
Plaintiff:
a. As noted above, Plaintiff has a TIAA-CREFF retirement benefit due to her
former employment through the University of' Pittsburgh. That retirement benefit is
being valued.
b. Plaintiff participates in PSERS retirement system due to her prior
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SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
employment as a teacher at East Pennsboro School District. The marital portion of this
pension benefit is being valued.
9
c. It is understood by the Plaintiff that she is entitled to a small State Pension
in the UK based on her age and her marriage to a UK citizen. However, the Plaintiff
has encountered difficulty in ascertaining the value of this or in learning exactly how to
claim the pension without the explicit cooperation of the Defendant. It is believed the
Plaintiff may be able to claim back payments dating to her 60th birthday (October 23,
2007).
3. Investment Accounts, Stock and Inherited Property.
In November, 2008 the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County decreed
distribution in the Estate of Willa E. White, resulting in Plaintiff inheriting in cash, the
condominium at 1340 The Waterford and other property, assets then valued at
$1,020,980.36. All of these assets are non-marital.
In addition to the inheritance from her mother's Estate, Plaintiff had been gifted
and distributed funds as a beneficiary of the C.A. and Flo B. White Trust. Further,
Plaintiff received stock from her grandfather when she was a child. All of her inherited
non-marital estate totaled approximately $920,000 in 2010, excluding any value of
1340 The Waterford. Information concerning Plaintiffs inheritance and trust benefits
was provided to Defendant in answers to interrogatories, documents produced and
information and documents provided through the Domestic Relations Section.
II. IDENTIFICATION OF EXPERT WITNESSES.
Plaintiff identifies the following who may be called as expert witnesses in this matter:
A. Matt Barone, Barone and Sons Real Estate Appraisal and Consulting, with respect
to the value of the Kinsman Road property.
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
B. RSR Appraisers & Analysts, with respect to values necessary for the Herr Street
(Harrisburg) and 1340 The Waterford (Camp Hill) properties.
10
C. Conrad Siegel Actuaries, with respect to valuation of the TIAA-CREF retirement
benefits, PSERS retirement and Defendant's USS retirement benefit, and his UK State
Pension.
Plaintiff reserves the right to call expert witnesses necessary to establish the value of
personal property and to give an opinion or opinions on Plaintiffs loss of income and
employment opportunities given her move to Scotland and assistance to Defendant in furtherance
of his academic and professional career to her future financial detriment as well as the Plaintiff's
loss of actual and future earnings, royalties and professional employment opportunities due to
unfulfilled contractual obligations on the part of the Defendant or resulting from the Defendant's
actions.
III. IDENTIFICATION OF OTHER WITNESSES.
In addition to Defendant and Plaintiff, Plaintiff identifies no additional witnesses other than
possible experts identified above which she may call at time of the hearing. Plaintiff reserves the
right to identify and call other witnesses to address matters raised in Defendant's pretrial
statement and to authenticate any document or exhibit identified below or otherwise to be used in
the hearing of this matter.
IV. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
Plaintiff identifies the following exhibits she may utilize at the time of trial:
Current federal income tax returns of the parties and any UK tax returns filed by
Defendant.
2. Bank and retirement account statements for all accounts from date of separation
with respect to those accounts identified in this Pretrial Statement or any discovery
documents.
3. Personal property appraisals, inventories, receipts, photographs and related documents
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
as necessary.
4. Vehicle valuation documentation.
11
5. Loan documents and debt account statements.
6. All documents provided to Defendant in discovery.
7. All documents provided to Plaintiff in discovery.
8. Counsel fee invoices and listing and invoices of costs and expenses.
Plaintiff reserves the right to supplement her list of exhibits with current statements and
other documents to be made available prior to the hearing, including, but not limited to, the
various reports and valuations made reference to in this Pretrial Statement.
In accordance with a stipulation between the parties' counsel, documents are not being
attached to this Pretrial Statement due to the personal, sensitive and extensive financial
information such documents contain.
V. PLAINTIFF'S INCOME.
Plaintiffs income from all sources is set forth on her last federal income tax return (2009).
Plaintiff s 2010 federal income tax return when completed will be provided.
VI. PLAINTIFF'S EXPENSES.
Current expenses for Plaintiff will be provided in an income and expense statement.
VIII. COUNSEL FEES.
Plaintiff has raised a claim for counsel fees, costs and expenses. Invoices noting legal fees
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SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C
incurred will be provided. Those invoices will include attorney fees incurred by Plaintiff in
Scotland due to Defendant initiating the divorce action in Scotland after being served with the
divorce Complaint filed in this action in Cumberland County. Due to Defendant's actions in
Scotland, the Scottish court ordered that Defendant pay Plaintiffs court costs and counsel fees
associated with a matter heard by the court. Defendant has failed to pay those fees and they still
remain payable by Defendant. Finally, the costs to Plaintiff for expert services, travel to
participate in her cases in both Scotland and the United States will be provided.
12
VIII. TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY.
See B.I.A, above.
IX. MARITAL DEBT.
The parties' marital debt is identified on pages 15 through 18 of Plaintiffs response to
Defendant's Interrogatories - First Set. Certain debt associated with the Blenheim Place property
will be paid upon closing that property.
Among the parties' debt is a Note given by the parties to Plaintiffs mother, Willa E. White,
in June, 2003, securing payment of a $50,000 loan given for the parties to make a downpayment
on the Blenheim Place property. That Note was assigned by the Executor of the Estate of Willa
E. White to Plaintiff as part of Plaintiffs distributive share of the Estate. Defendant therefore
owes Plaintiff $25,000 plus accrued interest from June 2002 on that amount.
X. PROPOSED ECONOMIC RESOLUTION.
Plaintiff proposes that she receive 60% of the marital estate, that Defendant pay her
attorney's fees and expenses (both incurred in the United States and Scotland) and reimburse her
for the costs, including her experts' costs, of this action. Given that Plaintiff is unemployable due
to her forgoing her own career to care for and then to assist her husband in his professional
endeavors, the fact that Plaintiff will need health insurance coverage and in consideration of the
parties' marriage which exceeds 20 years, alimony of an indefinite duration is requested.
SNELBAKER & BRENNEMAN, P.C.
By:
LAW OFFICES
SNELIZI ER & ,... Date: January 28, 2011
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire
44 W. Main Street
P. O. Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-8528
Attorneys for Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White
13
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on this 28th day of January, 2011, I served a true and correct
copy of the forgoing Pretrial Statement by first-class mail or by hand delivery as
noted below upon:
E. Robert Elicker, II
Divorce Master
13 North Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(By hand delivery)
Darren J. Holst, Esquire
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(By regular mail)
Dated: January 28, 2011
Keith O. Brenneman
LAW OFFICES
SNELBAKER &
BRENNEMAN, P.C.
KATHLEEN REVINE WHITE, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
ROLAND ROBERTSON, : CIVIL ACTION -LAW
Defendant : IN DIVORCE
-v
PRAECIPE FOR WITHDRAW OF APPEARANCE .<7 CO rn
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Ica
TO THE PROTHONOTARY: zo
Please withdraw the appearance of Keith O. Brenneman, Esquire, 44 W. Main4, e >
PO Box 318, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 as counsel of record on behalf of Plaintiff, Kathleen
Eevine White in the above captioned action.
Respectfully submitted,
KEITH O. BRENNEMAN
DATE: r ?-
Keith O. Brenneman
44 W. Main Street
PO Box 318
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717)697-8528
PRAECIPE TO ENTER APPEARANCE
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Please enter my appearance to represent Plaintiff Kathleen Eevine White in the above
captioned action.
submitted,
DATE: //- // - / Z
Joann f 'on Clo
Attorney ID No.: 3
3820 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 737-5890
UGH,
90/£0 39dd H9n010 3NNdOI' Z68SL£LLTL 9Z:£0 ZTOZ/80/TO
4
L.
LN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff ) NO. 2008-6575 Civil Term
c�
V.
-n
ROLAND ROBERTSON, ) CIVIL ACTION-LAW -- `i
Defendant ) IN DIVORCEi r:;
=C:) r)`-f.
NO'T'ICE �,C= '
If you wish to deny any of the statements set forth in this Affidavit, you must file a
Counter-affidavit within twenty(20)days after this Affidavit has been served on you or the
statements will be admitted.
DEFENDANT'S AFFIDAVIT
UNDER 3� 3010 OF THE DIVORCE CODE
1. The parties to this action separated in or about December,2004 and have
continued to live separate and apart for a period of at least two (2) years.
2. The marriage is irretrievably broken.
3. I understand that I may lose rights concerning alimony, division of
property, lawyer's fees or expenses if I do not claim them before a divorce is granted.
I verify that the statements made in this Affidavit are true and correct. I understand that
false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904 relating to
unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: M44 lr V-O I�
Roland Robertson,Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, )
Plaintiff ) NO. 2008-6575 Civil Term
V. )
ROLAND ROBERTSON, ) CIVIL ACTION- LAW
Defendant ) IN DIVORCE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Darren J. Holst, Esquire, counsel for Roland Robertson, Defendant in the above-
captioned action, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Defendant's
Affidavit Under Section 3301(d) of the Divorce Code was served upon Joanne H. Clough,
Esquire, counsel for Kathleen Eevine White, Plaintiff, by depositing same.in the United States
mail, first class, on June 17, 2013, addressed as follows:
Joanne H. Clough, Esquire
3820 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4350
Date: 1
Darren J. H w'Esquire
HOWETT,KISSINGER &HOLST, P.C.
130 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 810
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Telephone: (717) 234-2616
Counsel for Defendant, Roland Robertson
KATHLEEN EEVINE WHITE, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v. : NO. 08-6575 CIVIL TERM
c-} '
ROLAND ROBERTSON, : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant : IN DIVORCE
u>
COUNTER-AFFIDAVIT UNDER& 3301(d) OF THE DIVORCE CODE
�CD '
I. Check either(a) or(b):
❑ (a) I do not oppose the entry of a divorce decree. '
(b) I oppose the entry of a divorce decree because:
❑ Check i, ii or both
❑ (i) The parties to this action have not lived separate and apart for a
period of at least two(2)years.
❑ (ii) The marriage is not irretrievably broken.
2. Check either(a) or(b):
❑ (a) I do not wish to make any claims for economic relief. I understand that I
may lose rights concerning alimony, division of property, lawyer's fees
or expenses if I do not claim them before a divorce is granted.
(b) I wish to claim economic relief which may include alimony, division of
property, lawyer's fees or expenses or other important rights.
I understand that in addition to checking(b) above, I must also file all of my economic claims
with the Prothonotary in writing and serve them on the other party. If I fail to do so before the date set
forth on the Notice of Intention to Request a Divorce Decree, the divorce decree may be entered without
further delay.
I verify that the statements made in this counter-affidavit are true and correct. I understand that
false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 relating to unsworn
falsification to authorities.
Dated: 041//3 �
NOTICE IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO OPPOSE THE ENTRY OF A DIVORCE DECREE AND YOU
DO NOT WISH TO MAKE ANY CLAIM FOR ECONOMIC RELIEF, YOU SHOULD NOT FILE
THIS COUNTER-AFFIDAVIT.