ESTATE OF DEVON PEARL BURNETT V BOBBIE ELIZA BURNETT (Authored Opinion)

Annotate this Case

Download PDF

STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS In re Estate of DEVON PEARL BURNETT. DEVON PEARL BURNETT, by and through her Guardians, JOSEPH BUXBAUM and BERYL ELLEN NILES and her conservator and personal representative, BERYL ELLEN NILES, FOR PUBLICATION April 16, 2013 9:05 a.m. Petitioner-Appellee, v No. 309640 Washtenaw Circuit Court Family Division LC No. 11-001382-DO BOBBIE ELIZA BURNETT, Respondent-Appellant. Before: MURRAY, P.J., and MARKEY and WHITBECK, JJ. MURRAY, P.J. I. INTRODUCTION The United States Constitution created a federal government of limited, enumerated powers, and reserved1 to the states all powers not specifically granted to the federal government. 1 Because the states held all the power prior to creation of the Constitution, and it was the states that consented to the establishment of a federal government for certain limited purposes, the states retained, as opposed to being granted, all powers not expressly given to the federal government. See Chisholm v Georgia, 2 US (2 Dall) 419, 435; 1 L Ed 440 (1793) ( Every state in the union in every instance where its sovereignty has not been delegated to the United States, I consider to be as completely sovereign, as the United States are in respect to the powers surrendered. The United States are sovereign as to all the powers of government actually surrendered. Each state in the union is sovereign as to all the powers reserved. It must necessarily be so, because the United States have no claim to any authority but such as the states have surrendered to them[.] ) and United States v Lopez, 514 US 549, 584; 115 S Ct 1624; 131 L Ed 2d 626 (1995) (THOMAS, J. concurring). -1- See US Const, art I, § 8; US Const, Am X. As eloquently stated by the principal architect of the Constitution when arguing for its ratification by the states, [t]he powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs; concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State. Madison, The Federalist (New York: The Heritage Press, 1945), No. 45, p 311. In the exercise of its reserved powers, Michigan has always regulated the marriage relationship.2 This case involves both the definition of marriage established by the people through a direct vote as set forth in our state constitution (Const 1963, art 1, § 25), as well as by the people s representatives as contained in statute (MCL 551.1). These laws (and others) prohibit recognition of a contract of marriage entered into by two individuals of the same sex. Here, defendant who had a sex change operation subsequent to the parties marriage argues that under these provisions a Michigan court had no jurisdiction to grant a divorce to the plaintiff because defendant is also now a female. For the reasons that follow, we hold that the circuit court had jurisdiction to enter the divorce judgment, and we therefore affirm. II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS Plaintiff and defendant were married in Ann Arbor, Michigan on August 30, 1984. In the late 1980s, plaintiff and defendant moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they lived together until September 2005. During that month defendant drove plaintiff to Michigan for an extended visit with her daughter, Beryl Ellen Niles. Plaintiff never returned to Philadelphia, and never lived again with defendant. The underlying divorce action was initiated by plaintiff s children, Niles and her brother Joseph Buxbaum, who also served as plaintiff s guardians.3 Plaintiff was 79 years old and suffering from dementia when the complaint was filed on her behalf. Defendant responded to the complaint and filed a motion for summary disposition, arguing that guardians and conservators lack authority to file a complaint for divorce on behalf of an incapacitated ward. The trial court denied defendant s motion from the bench, concluding that under Michigan case law guardians and conservators have authority to file a complaint for divorce. Defendant subsequently filed a second motion for summary disposition, this time arguing that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to grant a divorce. The basis for defendant s argument was that defendant, who was born a man, underwent gender reassignment surgery to become a woman in November 2003. As a result, defendant argued, the parties were no longer married because Michigan law only recognized marriage as the union between one man and one woman. And, defendant argued, because the parties were not married the trial court had no 2 The marriage relationship, there can be no doubt, has always been exclusively within the power of the states to define and regulate. See Andrews v Andrews, 188 US 14, 32; 23 S Ct 237; 47 L Ed 366 (1903) abrogated on other grounds Sherrer v Sherrer, 334 US 343, 353; 68 S Ct 1087; 92 L Ed 1429 (1947); Trustees of Dartmouth College v Woodward, 17 US (4 Wheat) 518, 600-601; 4 L Ed 629 (1819). 3 Niles was also appointed plaintiff s conservator. -2- jurisdiction to grant a divorce. Defendant further argued that granting a divorce would be an implicit recognition of marriage between individuals of the same gender, which is prohibited under the Michigan Constitution. The trial court denied defendant s motion, concluding that the parties entered into a valid marriage contract, not a same-sex marriage contract, and that it had the ability to dissolve a marriage that was lawfully entered into in this state. Soon thereafter the court entered a final judgment of divorce, from which defendant now appeals.4 III. ANALYSIS Defendant raises two issues. First, can a guardian or conservator file a complaint for divorce on behalf of the spouse over whom the guardianship or conservatorship is placed? Second, if the complaint was properly filed, did the circuit court have jurisdiction to enter a judgment of divorce between married persons purportedly of the same sex? We address these issues in that order below, and ultimately decide both questions affirmatively. A. POWER TO FILE A DIVORCE COMPLAINT Defendant s first dispositive motion, which the trial court denied, challenged the ability of a guardian or conservator to file a complaint for divorce on behalf of an incompetent spouse. This Court reviews de novo a trial court s decision on a motion for summary disposition, Driver v Naini, 490 Mich 239, 246; 802 NW2d 311 (2011), and reviews issues of statutory and court rule interpretation under the same de novo standard, Bint v Doe, 274 Mich App 232, 234; 732 NW2d 156 (2007). In Houghton v Keller, 256 Mich App 336, 338; 662 NW2d 854 (2003), we addressed this precise issue and concluded that a guardian can bring an action for divorce on behalf of an incompetent spouse. Defendant acknowledges Houghton but argues that Houghton is either erroneous or otherwise not conclusive on the merits of the issue presented in this case. Specifically, defendant notes that Houghton cited to Smith v Smith, 125 Mich App 164; 335 NW2d 657 (1983), which in turn relied on the General Court Rules. Because the General Court Rules have been replaced by the Michigan Court Rules, defendant argues, Houghton cannot control the outcome of this case under the Michigan Court Rules. For at least two reasons, this argument is without merit. First, Houghton did not solely rely on Smith, as the Court specifically considered the language contained in two Michigan court rules, MCR 3.202(A) and MCR 2.201(E). See Houghton, 256 Mich App at 338. Second, 4 Plaintiff died during the pendency of this appeal. Niles, as personal representative of plaintiff s estate, substituted for plaintiff as appellee in this appeal. Burnett v Burnett, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered January 2, 2013 (Docket No. 309640). Because plaintiff died after the judgment was entered and an appeal was pending, the case is not moot. See McCormick v McCormick, 221 Mich App 672, 678-679; 562 NW2d 504 (1997). -3- although the Smith Court relied on GCR 1963, 722.25 for its holding, the Houghton Court properly concluded that several rules within subchapter 3.200 requires the same result reached in Smith. Subchapter 3.200 is titled Domestic Relations Actions, and MCR 3.201 provides that subchapter 3.200 applies to actions for divorce, separate maintenance, and the annulment of a marriage. MCR 3.202(A) provides: Except as provided in subrule (B), minors and incompetent persons may sue and be sued as provided in MCR 2.201. MCR 2.201(E) pertains to minors and incompetent persons and provides in relevant part as follows: (1) Representation. (a) If a minor or incompetent person has a conservator, actions may be brought and must be defended by the conservator on behalf of the minor or incompetent person. (b) If a minor or incompetent person does not have a conservator to represent the person as plaintiff, the court shall appoint a competent and responsible person to appear as next friend on his or her behalf, and the next friend is responsible for the costs of the action. (c) If the minor or incompetent person does not have a conservator to represent the person as defendant, the action may not proceed until the court appoints a guardian ad litem . . . . Thus, contrary to defendant s argument, the current court rules specifically allow a guardian or conservator to bring an action for divorce on behalf of a mentally incompetent spouse. See Houghton, 256 Mich App at 338 ( We agree with the reasoning in Smith and conclude that, on the basis of MCR 3.202(A) and MCR 2.201(E), a guardian can bring an action for divorce on behalf of an incompetent spouse. ). Defendant also argues that MCR 3.202(A) conflicts with MCL 552.11, which provides that [a]n action for a divorce may be brought by a wife or a husband, and in all cases the respondent may answer the bill without oath or affirmation. Defendant argues that because MCL 552.11 only references a wife and a husband bringing an action for divorce, no one else can do so, even when acting on behalf of one spouse. A similar argument was rejected in Houghton, 256 Mich App at 338-339: Defendant appears to be suggesting that if the Legislature intended to provide for actions by a guardian, the Legislature would have expressly provided 5 GCR 1963, 722.2 provided: Actions for divorce and separate maintenance by or against incompetent persons shall be brought as provided in sub-rule 201.5. Smith, 125 Mich App at 166, quoting GCR 1963, 722.2. GCR 1963, 201.5(1) provided: Whenever an infant or incompetent person has a guardian of his estate, actions may be brought and shall be defended by such guardian in behalf of the infant or incompetent person. Id., quoting GCR 1963, 201.5(1). -4- for this in MCL 552.6. However, the converse argument can be made that, had the Legislature intended to prohibit actions by guardians on behalf of a spouse, it would have expressly said so in the language of MCL 552.6. Nothing in the language of MCL 552.6 expressly prohibits guardians from filing a complaint for divorce on behalf of a party to the marriage. Defendant has not shown how the language in MCR 3.202(A), providing in relevant part that incompetent persons may sue and be sued as provided in MCR 2.201, changes the statutory requirements for divorce. Defendant further argues that MCR 3.202(A) is unconstitutional because it is in conflict with the statutory requirements of MCL 552.6. However, as noted above, the court rule does not change the statutory provisions pertaining to divorce and, therefore, the premise of defendant s argument fails. The above reasoning is equally applicable to this case. Had the Legislature intended to prohibit an action by a guardian on behalf of a spouse, it could have expressly said so in the language of MCL 552.11.6 Nothing within the language of MCL 552.11 expressly prohibits a guardian or conservator from filing a complaint for divorce on behalf of an incompetent spouse. Consequently, we reject defendant s argument on this issue. B. JURISDICTION TO ENTER A DIVORCE Turning now to the second issue raised by defendant, we must decide whether the trial court properly denied defendant s second motion for summary disposition, which challenged the trial court s authority to enter a divorce judgment. As we have already noted, this Court reviews de novo a trial court s decision on a motion for summary disposition. Driver, 490 Mich at 246. To the extent this Court s review requires consideration of subject-matter jurisdiction, our review is also de novo. Pontiac Food Ctr v Dep t of Community Health, 282 Mich App 331, 335; 766 NW2d 42 (2009). Issues of constitutional interpretation are likewise reviewed de novo. Mich Dep t of Transp v Tomkins, 481 Mich 184, 190; 749 NW2d 716 (2008). At issue is the meaning of Article 1, § 25 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963. In interpreting constitutional provisions, the primary duty of the judiciary is to ascertain the purpose and intent of the provision at issue. Adair v State, 486 Mich 468, 477; 785 NW2d 119 (2010). In doing so, courts apply the rule of common understanding the interpretation given the provision should be the sense most obvious to the common understanding and one that reasonable minds, the great mass of the people themselves, would give it. Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). Words should be given their common and most obvious meaning, and consideration of dictionary definitions utilized at the time of passage for undefined 6 Defendant s policy argument, that allowing guardians to file for divorce on behalf of an incompetent spouse who never filed for divorce while competent could lead to divorces brought by family members (acting as guardians or conservators) merely for financial gain, is an interesting one. But, those arguments are properly made to the legislature or the Supreme Court (in its rule-making function), not this Court. -5- terms can be appropriate. Nat l Pride at Work, Inc v Governor, 481 Mich 56, 67, 69, 73, 75; 748 NW2d 524 (2008). There is no dispute that a same-sex marriage is not recognized in Michigan. The constitutional amendment defining marriage approved by Michigan voters in 2004, and which is set forth in Const 1963, art 1, § 25, provides: To secure and preserve the benefits of marriage for our society and for future generations of children, the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose. (Emphasis supplied.) Based on this language, the marriage amendment provides that the only agreement recognized as a marriage is one made between a man and a woman. Consistent with the marriage amendment, MCL 551.1 renders invalid a marriage that is contracted between individuals of the same sex: Marriage is inherently a unique relationship between a man and a woman. As a matter of public policy, this state has a special interest in encouraging, supporting, and protecting that unique relationship in order to promote, among other goals, the stability and welfare of society and its children. A marriage contracted between individuals of the same sex is invalid in this state.7 [Emphasis supplied and footnote added.] Consequently, the constitution and statutes of Michigan preclude the recognition or validity of a marriage contracted between two persons of the same sex. Or, as stated by our Supreme Court in Nat l Pride, 481 Mich at 76-77, the marriage amendment specifically states that the only agreement that can be recognized as a marriage . . . is the union of one man and one woman. More specifically, the Court held: However, the marriage amendment specifically states that the only agreement that can be recognized as a marriage or similar union is the union of one man and one woman. Only means the single one . . . of the kind; lone; sole[.] Random House Webster s College Dictionary (1991). Therefore, a single agreement can be recognized within the state of Michigan as a marriage or similar union, and that single agreement is the union of one man and one woman. A domestic partnership does not constitute such a recognizable agreement.8 [Nat l Pride, 481 Mich at 76-77.] [Emphasis supplied and footnote added.] 7 As the Nat l Pride Court recognized, there are several other statutes that spell out what does, or does not, constitute a marriage in Michigan. Nat l Pride, 481 Mich at 72 n 9. MCL 551.2, for example, provides: So far as its validity in law is concerned, marriage is a civil contract between a man and a woman, to which the consent of parties capable in law of contracting is essential. 8 The marriage amendment s focus on the agreement to marry is consistent with Michigan law, which has always required (amongst other formalities) a contract between the marrying parties. See Roszel v Roszel, 73 Mich 133, 137; 40 NW 858 (1888); MCL 552.35. The amendment also confirmed what was long-standing Michigan law, i.e., that [t]o constitute a perfect union, the -6- There is no dispute that when the parties entered into their marriage contract defendant was a man and plaintiff was a woman. Thus, the marriage contract was valid and enforceable under Michigan law at the time it was entered. And although defendant underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2003, that does not impact the undisputed fact that when the marriage contract was entered into, plaintiff was a woman and defendant was a man. Therefore, by granting a divorce from a marriage that was contracted into in this state between a man and a woman, the trial court did not act contrary to Michigan law. We likewise reject defendant s argument that his alleged post-operative status somehow magically dissolved what was otherwise a valid marriage. Although, as we have pointed out, a valid marriage requires contractual assent between the parties, that is not all that is required. Indeed, it has long been true that a marriage is comprised of more than a civil contract. In Kuntz v Kuntz, 244 Mich 78, 81; 221 NW 285 (1928), the Supreme Court held: Marriage is more than a civil contract. Rights are acquired and obligations assumed which the parties themselves may not annul. They are bound thereby unless the courts, acting under legislative authority, shall terminate the relation by a decree of divorce. Our statutes also make clear that there are only certain limited circumstances whereby a Michigan marriage can be annulled, and the circumstances presented by this case do not fall within those narrow circumstances. See MCL 552.1, 552.2, 552.3, 552.35, and Rodenhiser v Duenas, 296 Mich App 268, 279-281; 818 NW2d 465 (2012). Once validly entered into, one spouse s actions cannot unilaterally result in the legal dissolution of the marriage without court involvement. The circuit court had jurisdiction to enter a judgment of divorce for a marriage validly entered into between one man and one woman in Michigan.9 contracting parties should be two persons of the opposite sexes[.] In re Fitzgibbons Estate, 162 Mich 416, 420; 127 NW 313 (1910) (quotation marks and citation omitted). 9 Though our holding puts to rest defendant s challenge to the circuit court s jurisdiction, we point out that the constitution and relevant statutes explicitly state that only a marriage agreement between one man and one woman is recognized by Michigan law. Under the most obvious and commonly understood meaning of the words man and woman, a postoperative male-to-female transsexual is not a woman. Random House Webster s College Dictionary (2001) defines man as an adult male person[.] Male, in turn, is defined as a person bearing an X and Y chromosome pair in the cell nuclei and normally having a penis, scrotum, and testicles and developing hair on the face at adolescence and an organism of the sex or sexual phase that normally produces a sperm cell or male gamete. Id. Woman is defined as an adult female person, and female is defined as a person of the sex whose cell nuclei contain two X chromosomes and who is normally able to conceive and bear young or any organism of the sex of sexual phase that normally produces egg cells. Id. Based on these definitions, it would appear that defendant is not a woman under the marriage amendment and marriage statutes because he still has an X and Y chromosome pair and cannot and never could bear children. We note that other jurisdictions have reached this conclusion, see Kantaras v Kantaras, 884 So2d 155 (Fl App, 2004) and In re Estate of Gardiner, 273 Kan 191, 214; 42 P3d 120 (2002), but we need not do so here. -7- Affirmed. No costs, a question of public importance at issue. MCR 7.219(A). /s/ Christopher M. Murray /s/ Jane E. Markey /s/ William C. Whitbeck -8-

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.