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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-08 (4)- i _ ~ .}r George B. Faller, Jr., Esquire I.D. No. 49813 ~f~fi~ .~t)~ 16 Pty 4~ ~ 6 No V. Otto, III, Esquire LD. No. 27763 r, ERi~ ~~ MARTSO:N DEARDORFF WILLIAMS OTTO GILROY & FALLER ~ ~.} ,. ,,,-, ~,,, i T MARTSON LAW OFFICES ~~ ~ ~' ` ,, 31,E { 10 East High Street Carlisle, P.A 17013 (717) 243-3341 Attorneys :for the Estate IN RE ESTATE OF IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ROBERT M. MUMMA :CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Deceased N0.21-86-398 ORPHAN'S COURT DIVISION RESPONSE OF BARBARA McK. MUMMA AND LISA M. MORGAN TO FURTHER MOTION OF ROBERT M. MUMMA, II FOR JURY TRIAL PURSUANT TO ORPHANS' COURT ORDER OF OCTOBER 3 2007 AI\f D NOW, comes Lisa Mumma Morgan and Barbara McK. Mumma , Executrices of the Estate of Robert M. Mumma and Trustees under his will, respond as follows to the Motion of Robert M. Mumma, II: 1. Admitted. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that Mr. Mumma, II is currently acting pro se in that no counsel has entered an appearance on his behalf. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan understand, however, that Mr. Mumma, II is being assisted by counsel with respect to these matters. 2. Denied. To the contrary, a disclaimer was filed in this matter on or about January 6, 1987, whereby the Petitioner disclaimed any interest in the above-captioned Estate. The Court has not issued a final ruling on the effect of that disclaimer, as indicated in the Auditor's letter of September 26, 2005. By way of further response, Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan incorporate by reference their Response to Petition to Orphans' Court Division for the Entry of the Date of the Deemed Denial of Exceptions Under Pennsylvania Orphans' Court Rules 7.1(f) and New Matter. 3. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth or falsity of this averment. They demand strict proof. Y~~ 4. Denied. To the contrary, see the averments of Paragraph 2 above, which are incorporated herein by reference. 5. Admitted. 6. Admitted. 7. Admitted that Robert M. Mumma, II, filed a Motion to Recuse the Auditor and to appoint a new Auditor on or about January 31, 2005. 8. Admitted. By way of further response, the transcript of the March 11, 2005, hearing is in writing and speaks for itself. 9. Admitted. 10. Admitted. 11. Admitted. By way of further response, with respect to the nature of the "substantial dispute," Mr. Mumma, II alleged only that he "believes that the Estate has inventoried assets that were never owned by his father and therefore should not have become part of his estate." Neither in that document nor in the instant Motion has Mr. Mumma, II, provided an explanation of the asset(s) as to which he claims a dispute as to title, or of the grounds for his allegations in that regard, or the manner in which any such "dispute" is material to any proceedings before the Auditor. 12. Admitted. 13. Denied as stated. On May 19, 2005, Robert M. Mumma, II, filed a Notice of Appeal 1:o appeal Orders "entered in this matter on April 25, 2005, and Apri129, 2005." By way of Further response, the Superior Court later determined that Robert M. Mumma, II, appealed the Order of Apri121, 2005, which was docketed on Apri125, 2005, holding that, "the Order denying appellant's request for a jury trial at this juncture of the proceeding was proper." 14. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that this paragraph accurately quotes a portion of the July 15, 2005, Opinion. That Opinion is in writing and speaks for itself, and Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny all characterizations thereof. 15. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that this paragraph accurately quotes a portion of the March 6, 2007, Memorandum Opinion and Order. Thee Memorandum Opinion and Order is in writing and speaks for itself, and Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny all characterizations thereof. 16. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that Judge Olen has referred the issues raised in various motions or petitions filed in the case to the Auditor for purposes of a recommended order and/or interim report. Those Orders are in writing and speak for themselves, and Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny all characterizations thereof and all remaining allegations of this paragraph. 17. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that Judge Oler presided over a proceeding on October 3, 2007. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny that the proceeding was a "hearing." On the contrary, the October 3, 2007, proceeding was a Status Conference at which Judge Oler issued a comprehensive Order setting deadlines for completion of various aspects of these proceedings. 18. Admitted. 19. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit the Auditor's last "interim report" was dated December 30, 2005. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny all remaining allegations of this paragraph as argumentative and not requiring a response. 20. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that the last pre-hearing conference held by the Auditor occurred on October 19, 2006. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny the remaining allegations of this paragraph as argumentative and not requiring a response. 21. Admitted in part; denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that the Auditor made several attempts by letters in January and February, 2008 to schedule a pre-hearing; conference. However, the Auditor's letter of February 11, 2008, indicates that it is Mr. Muumma, II, who advised he was not available for apre-hearing conference that was originally scheduled, and agreed to by counsel, for February 29, 2008. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny the remaining allegations of this paragraph as argumentative and not requiring a response. 22. Denied. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of this paragraph, which therefore are deemed to be denied. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan are not aware of any actions the Auditor has taken since February, 2008 to schedule apre-hearing conference in this case-. 23. Admitted. 24. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that Judge Oler has issued Orders referring issues to the Auditor for purposes of a recommended order and/or interim report, and that the Auditor has not issued any recommended orders or interim reports since at least January, 2008. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny the remaining allegations of this paragraph as argumentative and not requiring a response. They also deny any implication that the Court set forth deadlines or time periods for the Auditor to decide any matters that have been referred to him. 25. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that this paragraph correctly paraphrases a portion of the July 15, 2005, Opinion, and that no hearings have been held specifically with respect to the jury trial issue. The July 15, 2005, Opinion and the pleadings, motions and transcripts of proceedings in this case are in writing and speak for themselves, and Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny all characterizations thereof. See also response to paragraph 11. 26. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that this paragraph correctly quotes a portion of the March 6, 2007, memorandum opinion and that no hearings have been held specifically with respect to the jury trial issue. All remaining allegations of this paragraph are denied. The July 15, 2005, Opinion and the pleadings, motions and transcripts of proceedings in this case are in writing and speak for themselves, and Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan deny all characterizations thereof. See also response to paragraph 11. 27. Denied. No response to this paragraph is necessary, and Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan therefore deny its allegations. 28. Denied. No response to this paragraph is necessary, and Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan therefore deny its allegations. By way of further response, Msr. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan incorporate by reference all prior statements, motions and briefing on the subject of 1VIr. Mumma, II's request for a jury trial as to any issues pending before the Court or the Auditor. 29. Admitted in part, denied in part. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan admit that Mr. Mumma, II did not seek concurrence of counsel prior to filing the instant motion. Mrs. Mumma acid Mrs. Morgan deny the remaining allegations of this paragraph. 30. Admitted. Judge Oler has previously decided Motions and Petitions filed in these procf;edings. WHEREFORE, Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan respectfully request that Mr. Mumma, II's Further Motion for Jury Trial Pursuant to Orphans' Court Order of October 3, 2007, be denied. MARTSkk1 LAW, By ~ , V~ .. George .Faller, Jr., Esc I.D. No. 49813 No V. Otto, III, Esquire I.D. No. 27763 Ten East High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-3341 Date: July 16, 2008 Attorneys for Barbara McK. Mumma & Lisa M. Morgan F:~PoLES~Clients\Mumma 5844.1 (estate) 8747 (Kim)\5844.1.Muttuna Estate\5844-1.398.certservice CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, Tricia D. Eckenroad, an authorized agent of Martson Law Offices, hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Response of Barbara Mck. Mumma and Lisa M. Morgan to Further Motion of Robert M. Mumma, II for Jury Trial Pursuant to Orphans' Court Order of October 3, 2007, was served this date by depositing same in the Post Office at Carlisle, PA, first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: Mr. Robert M. Mumma, II Box 58 Bowmansdale, PA 17008 Mr. Robert M. Mumma, II 6880 S.E. Harbor Circle Stuart, FL 34996-1968 Mr. Robert M. Mumma, II 840 Market Street Suite 164 Lemoyne, PA 17043 Ralph A. Jacobs, Esquire JACOBS & SINGER, LLC 1515 Market Street Suite 705 Philadelphia, PA 19102 (Attorney for Barbara Mann Mumma) Brady L. Green, Esquire MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP 1701 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-2921 (Attorney for Estate and Executrixes) Taylor P. Andrews, Esquire ANDREWS & JOHNSON 78 West Pomfret Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (Court-Appointed Auditor) y MARTSON LAW OFFICI<S Tricyia D. Ecl~nroa 10 East High tree Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-3341 Dated: July 16, 2008