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March 4, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Download PDF Add Note

R.N. v. E.B.

Ohio Court of Appeals

• Citations: 2026 Ohio 725
• Docket Number: 31378

• Judges: Flagg Lanzinger

• Opinion

• Authorities (6)

• Cited By (0)

• Summaries (0)

• Similar Cases (5.7K)

• PDF

Syllabus

frozen embryos, law of the case, potential life, remand instructions, final appealable order

Combined Opinion

                        by [Judith Ann Lanzinger](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8112/judith-ann-lanzinger/)

[Cite as R.N. v. E.B., 2026-Ohio-725.]

STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF SUMMIT )

R.N. C.A. No. 31378

Appellant/Cross-Appellee

v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
E.B. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF SUMMIT, OHIO
Appellee/Cross-Appellant CASE No. DR-2019-01-0077

DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY

Dated: March 4, 2026

FLAGG LANZINGER, Judge.

{¶1} R.N. (“Husband”) appeals from the judgment of the Summit County Court of

Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. E.B. (“Wife”) cross-appeals from the same

judgment. For the following reasons, this Court affirms in part, reverses in part, and remands the

matter for further proceedings.

I.

{¶2} This appeal and cross-appeal are before this Court after we previously reversed the

trial court’s decision and remanded the matter for further proceedings in E.B. v. R.N., 2024-Ohio-

1455 (9th Dist.) (the “First Appeal”). This Court will begin with a recitation of the facts and

procedural history relevant to this appeal.

{¶3} The underlying matter involves the disposition of 14 frozen embryos Husband and

Wife created with their genetic material during their marriage. E.B. at ¶ 2. After less than three

years of marriage, Husband filed for divorce in 2019. Id. at ¶ 3. The parties reached an agreement
2

on all matters in the divorce proceedings except the disposition of the frozen embryos. Id. at ¶ 4.

As this Court previously explained, “Wife wanted the frozen embryos awarded to her so that she

could use them to become pregnant and Husband was adamant that he wanted to be disentangled

from Wife and wanted the frozen embryos to be donated to another couple to be used to achieve a

pregnancy.” Id. at ¶ 5.

{¶4} The trial court ultimately concluded that the frozen embryos were marital property

subject to distribution. Id. at ¶ 5. Despite concluding that the frozen embryos were marital

property, the trial court then circumvented the principles of property division and ordered the

parties to give the frozen embryos to the fertility clinic for donation to another couple—who lacked

any ownership interest in them—to use to achieve a pregnancy. Id.; id. at ¶ 28 (Flagg Lanzinger,

J., concurring).

{¶5} Wife appealed the trial court’s judgment. Id. at ¶ 7. Wife argued, in part, that the

trial court erred by categorizing the embryos as marital property and not balancing the interests of

the parties. Id. at ¶ 7. In sustaining Wife’s assignment of error, this Court explained that frozen

embryos are not marital property subject to a distribution in a divorce proceeding, but rather “life

in one of its earliest stages of development . . . .” Id. at ¶ 10. We noted “the express public policy

of the State of Ohio, which is to prefer the preservation and continuation of life whenever

constitutionally permissible.” Id. at ¶ 11. This Court explained that “until there is statutory

guidance to further direct this Court, we determine that these matters should each be considered

upon their unique facts taking into account the fact that the frozen embryos are not property . . . .”

Id. at ¶ 15.

{¶6} After reviewing the circumstances of the case and the parties’ respective positions

on the matter, we “determine[d] Wife should have the opportunity to utilize the frozen embryos to
3

attempt to achieve pregnancy[,]” and that “[t]his result honor[ed] the parties’ wishes that the frozen

embryos be used to achieve a pregnancy.” Id. at ¶ 20. Consequently, this Court held that the trial

court abused its discretion in concluding otherwise. Id. at ¶ 21. This Court further held:

because Wife’s chances of successfully achieving pregnancy with those frozen
embryos will only decrease with the passage of time given her advancing age, we
conclude it is not in the interests of justice to delay the matter longer by first
remanding the matter to the trial court for it reconsider the whole issue.
Nonetheless, Husband should still have a say in what role, if any, he will play in
the child’s life should Wife’s pregnancy be successful. Wife expressed during the
hearing that she would abide by Husband’s wishes.

Id. at ¶ 21. This Court explained that Husband’s “wishes are largely rooted in wanting to both be

disentangled from Wife and having no knowledge of what ultimately becomes of the frozen

embryos, and therefore no responsibility or guilt associated with that decision.” Id. at ¶ 18. This

Court directed that, “[u]pon remand, Husband should be given the opportunity to set forth those

wishes with respect to the potential offspring, and those wishes should be incorporated into the

amended decree.” Id. at ¶ 21. In conclusion, this Court held that “[t]he order of this Court is that

Wife is entitled to the use of all fourteen of the embryos for implantation if she so chooses.” Id.

at ¶ 23.

{¶7} On remand, the parties filed briefs containing proposed amendments to the divorce

decree in light of this Court’s decision in the First Appeal. Husband proposed that the trial court

incorporate the following into an amended divorce decree, which he asserted was consistent with

this Court’s remand instructions:

1. [Wife] shall be permitted to utilize the embryos issued in this matter for
   implantation in herself only. [Wife] shall provide this order to the fertility clinic,
   permitting her to only implant the embryos in herself. The embryos shall not be
   used for any other purpose.

2. If a child is born due to the implantation of the embryos issued in this matter,
   the following shall apply:
   4

a. [Wife] shall not disclose [Husband’s] identity to the child at any time.

b. [Wife] shall not contact [Husband] for any reason or at any time.

c. [Wife] shall not place [Husband’s] name on any forms, birth certificates, or
disclose [Husband] to any individual or entity as the biological father.

d. [Husband] shall have no parental rights regarding any child born from the
embryos.

e. [Husband] shall have no financial responsibility for the child, including
child support, payment of medical expenses, health insurance, or any other
financial responsibility regarding a child born from the embryos.

f. [Husband] shall be treated as an anonymous donor with no legal rights or
responsibilities associated with a child born from the embryos.

1. Any child born from the embryos shall have no statutory rights or common (sic.)
   rights to any benefits related to financial support, inheritance or any other rights
   granted under the laws of Ohio or any other state relating to [Husband].

2. [Wife] shall represent to any child born from the embryos or any other individual
   that the children were conceived by way of an anonymous donor.

{¶8} In response, Wife argued that this Court’s decision in the First Appeal did not

restrict her use of the embryos to implantation in herself only. Wife argued that this Court’s

decision gave her complete discretion regarding the use of the embryos to achieve pregnancy,

including the use of a surrogate, if medically necessary. Wife otherwise agreed with Husband’s

proposed amendments to the divorce decree.

{¶9} The trial court issued an order titled “Proposed Amended Decree Regarding

Embryos Only[.]” In its order, the trial court concluded that Wife could use the embryos for

implantation in herself only. The trial court reasoned that this Court’s decision in the First Appeal

focused on Wife using the embryos to achieve pregnancy herself and did not indicate that Wife

was permitted to use the embryos to achieve pregnancy through surrogacy.
5

{¶10} Regarding Husband’s wishes, the trial court concluded that “[w]ishes a, b, c, d and

I [referred to as “a,” “b,” “d,” and “4” in Husband’s brief on remand]1 appear lawful and therefor[e]

enforceable.” Regarding “h” (referred to as “3” in Husband’s brief on remand), the trial court

determined that it had no jurisdiction over inheritance. The trial court then determined that the

remainder of Husband’s wishes were contrary to law and unenforceable. The trial court concluded

that, “[b]y setting forth [Husband’s] wishes above, the parties shall not conclude that they are

orders of this Court, but simply [Husband’s] wishes.”

{¶11} Husband has appealed the trial court’s order, and Wife has cross-appealed. This

Court will consider Wife’s cross-appeal first, followed by Husband’s appeal.

WIFE’S ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY IMPOSING
RESTRICTIONS ON THE WIFE’S USE OF THE 14 FROZEN EMBRYOS
THAT VIOLATE THIS COURT’S REMAND INSTRUCTIONS IN [THE
FIRST APPEAL].

{¶12} In her assignment of error, Wife argues that the trial court abused its discretion

when it imposed restrictions on her use of the frozen embryos that violated this Court’s remand

instructions from the First Appeal. For the following reasons, this Court sustains Wife’s

assignment of error.

{¶13} “The doctrine of the law of the case limits the ability of a trial court to rule in a way

that is inconsistent with a decision of a reviewing court in the same case . . . .” Williams v. Kisling,

Nestico & Redick, LLC, 2025-Ohio-1050, ¶ 7 (9th Dist.). As the Ohio Supreme Court has

explained, “the doctrine provides that the decision of a reviewing court in a case remains the law

of that case on the legal questions involved for all subsequent proceedings in the case at both the

1
Wish “c” in the trial court’s order stated: “[Husband] shall not contact [Wife] for any
reason at any time[.]”
6

trial and reviewing levels.” Nolan v. Nolan, 11 Ohio St.3d 1, 3 (1984). “The doctrine ‘functions

to compel trial courts to follow the mandates of reviewing courts’ so that trial courts are without

authority to extend or vary from a mandate given by a superior court.” Williams at ¶ 7, quoting

Nolan at 3. “Absent extraordinary circumstances, such as an intervening decision by the Supreme

Court, an inferior court has no discretion to disregard the mandate of a superior court in a prior

appeal in the same case.” Nolan at syllabus. “Consequently, it is reversible error for a trial court

to fail to perform a task ordered on remand.” Williams at ¶ 7, citing State ex rel. AWMS Water

Solutions, L.L.C. v. Mertz, 2024-Ohio-200, ¶ 20.

{¶14} In the First Appeal, this Court determined that “Wife should have the opportunity

to utilize the frozen embryos to attempt to achieve pregnancy[,]” and ordered that “Wife is entitled

to the use of all fourteen of the embryos for implantation if she so chooses.” E.B., 2024-Ohio-

1455, at ¶ 20, 23. (9th Dist.). On remand, the trial court concluded that this Court “granted all the

embryos to [Wife] for the sole purpose of implantation in herself to achieve pregnancy.”

(Emphasis added.) The trial court reasoned that this Court’s decision focused on Wife’s use of the

embryos for implantation in herself to achieve pregnancy, and did not address Wife’s use of the

embryos in a surrogate if Wife was unable to become pregnant herself.

{¶15} Despite the trial court’s conclusions, nothing in this Court’s decision in the First

Appeal restricted Wife’s use of the embryos to implantation in herself only. This Court focused

on the nature of frozen embryos as “life in one of its earliest stages of development[,]” and the

public policy of the State of Ohio “to prefer the preservation and continuation of life whenever

constitutionally permissible.” Id. at ¶ 10, 11. This Court also focused on the parties’ wishes,

which was for the frozen embryos to be used to achieve pregnancy. Id. at ¶ 16. This Court
7

concluded that awarding the frozen embryos to Wife “to achieve pregnancy . . . honor[ed] the

parties’ wishes that the frozen embryos be used to achieve a pregnancy.” Id. at ¶ 20.

{¶16} Although this Court’s decision discussed Wife’s desire to use the frozen embryos

for implantation in herself, it did not restrict Wife from using a surrogate to achieve pregnancy.

When this Court remanded the matter to the trial court, it sustained Wife’s assignment of error and

remanded the matter only for Husband to set forth his wishes with respect to the potential offspring

and have the wishes incorporated into the decree. See E.B., 2024-Ohio-1455, at ¶ 21-22 (9th Dist.).

On remand, the trial court was limited to implementing what this Court ordered. See Williams,

2025-Ohio-1050, at ¶ 7 (9th Dist.). The trial court exceeded its authority in addressing the issue

of surrogacy. See id. Thus, the trial court’s conclusion in this regard varied from this Court’s

mandate. See id., citing Nolan, 11 Ohio St.3d at 3 (“trial courts are without authority to extend or

vary from a mandate given by a superior court.”). Consequently, the trial court committed

reversible error. See Williams at ¶ 7. Wife’s assignment of error is sustained.

HUSBAND’S ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED AN ERROR BY FAILING TO ISSUE
A FINAL, APPEALABLE ORDER.

{¶17} In his first assignment of error, Husband argues that the trial court erred by failing

to issue a final, appealable order. Specifically, Husband asserts that the trial court failed to issue

a final, appealable order because it: (1) labeled its order a “proposed” amended decree; and (2)

failed to adopt Husband’s wishes as an order of the court. For the following reasons, this Court

overrules Husband’s first assignment of error.

{¶18} As this Court has stated:

“The Ohio Constitution limits an appellate court’s jurisdiction to the review of final
judgments of lower courts.” . . . “Accordingly, this Court has jurisdiction to review
8

only final and appealable orders.” . . . “A divorce decree, which leaves issues
unresolved, is not a final order.”

Poulos v. Poulos, 2024-Ohio-1769, ¶ 5 (9th Dist.).

{¶19} Husband’s argument that the trial court failed to issue a final, appealable order

because it labeled its order a “proposed” amended decree lacks merit. Courts have explained that

“[t]he mislabeling of the order does not void its otherwise finality . . . .” State v. Shamaly, 2007-

Ohio-3409, ¶ 8 (8th Dist.); State v. Yeaples, 2009-Ohio-184, ¶ 15 (3d Dist.) (same); Gauthier v.

Gauthier, 2019-Ohio-4208, ¶ 72 (12th Dist.) (same). Husband asserts that it “can be assumed”

that the trial court’s mislabeling of the amended decree “occurred as an unintended error.” Wife

agrees, characterizing the trial court’s use of the word “proposed” as an “inadvertent mistake[.]”

Thus, the parties agree that the trial court inadvertently mislabeled its order a “proposed” amended

decree. This mislabeling did not affect the finality of the trial court’s judgment. Shamaly at ¶ 8.

Nonetheless, Husband requests that this Court remand the matter to allow the trial court to “rectify

the mislabeling of the entry.” While Husband’s argument as to the finality of the trial court’s order

in this regard lacks merit, this Court remands the matter with instructions for the trial court to

correct the labeling of the amended decree.

{¶20} Husband’s argument that the trial court failed to issue a final, appealable order

because it failed to adopt Husband’s wishes as an order of the court also lacks merit. Husband

cites this Court’s decision Crandall v. Crandall for the proposition that, if a trial court’s judgment

entry leaves issues unresolved or is otherwise indefinite, then it does not constitute a final,

appealable order. 2021-Ohio-3276, ¶ 4 (9th Dist.). Despite citing this case law, Husband does not

explain how the trial court’s order in this case left issues unresolved or was otherwise indefinite.

Instead, Husband summarily concludes that the “trial court failed to provide finality in this matter

based upon the trial court’s refusal to incorporate [his] wishes as a final order.” The trial court’s
9

“refusal” to incorporate Husband’s wishes into its order relates to the merits of the trial court’s

decision, not its finality. Thus, Husband’s argument lacks merit.

{¶21} For the foregoing reasons, Husband’s first assignment of error is overruled.

HUSBAND’S ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED AN ERROR BY FAILING TO
FOLLOW THE SPECIFIC REMAND INSTRUCTIONS OF THIS COURT
AND FAILING TO MAKE THE WISHES OF HUSBAND AS AN ORDER
OF THIS COURT.

{¶22} In his second assignment of error, Husband argues that the trial court erred by

failing to follow this Court’s remand instructions from the First Appeal. For the following reasons,

this Court overrules Husband’s second assignment of error.

{¶23} The law set forth in this Court’s resolution of Wife’s assignment of error regarding

a trial court’s authority on remand applies to this assignment of error. Briefly, we reiterate “that

trial courts are without authority to extend or vary from a mandate given by a superior court.”

Williams, 2025-Ohio-1050, at ¶ 7 (9th Dist.), citing Nolan, 11 Ohio St.3d at 3. “Consequently, it

is reversible error for a trial court to fail to perform a task ordered on remand.” Williams at ¶ 7,

citing Mertz, 2024-Ohio-200, at ¶ 20.

{¶24} As explained above, this Court’s remand instructions from the First Appeal directed

that, “[u]pon remand, Husband should be given the opportunity to set forth [his] wishes with

respect to the potential offspring, and those wishes should be incorporated into the amended

decree.” E.B., 2024-Ohio-1455, at ¶ 21 (9th Dist.). In doing so, this Court noted that “Wife

expressed during the hearing that she would abide by Husband’s wishes.” Id.

{¶25} On remand, the parties filed briefs regarding the disposition of the frozen embryos

with the trial court. Wife agreed with the wishes Husband set forth in his brief, except with his

wish that Wife’s use of the frozen embryos be limited to implantation in herself only. The trial
10

court then issued an order wherein it determined that some of Husband’s wishes were lawful and

legally enforceable, but others were not. In reaching this conclusion, the trial court reasoned that

it “assume[d] that the Appellate Court at all times intended that the wishes of Husband to be

enforced by [the trial court] would be lawful and enforceable.”

{¶26} On appeal, Husband does not challenge the trial court’s determination that some of

his wishes were contrary to law and unenforceable. Instead, he simply argues that the trial court

violated this Court’s remand instructions by not incorporating all of his of his wishes into the

amended decree as an order of the court.

{¶27} Husband’s argument lacks merit. While it is true that a trial court has no discretion

to disregard the mandate of a superior court, the trial court in this case did not disregard our remand

instructions. See Nolan, 11 Ohio St.3d at syllabus. Consistent with this Court’s remand

instructions, the trial court allowed Husband to submit a brief wherein he expressed his wishes

with respect to the potential offspring. See E.B., 2024-Ohio-1455, at ¶ 21 (9th Dist.). Nothing in

this Court’s opinion required the trial court to make those wishes an order of the trial court. The

trial court then determined that some of Husband’s wishes were legally enforceable, and

incorporated them into the amended decree. The trial court’s actions were consistent with this

Court’s mandate, which did not require the trial court to incorporate all of Husband’s wishes into

an amended decree, regardless of their legality or enforceability. As noted, Husband has not

challenged the trial court’s determination that some of his wishes were contrary to law and

unenforceable. Thus, this Court cannot say Husband has established that the trial court erred by

not incorporating all of his wishes into the amended decree. See State v. Mastice, 2007-Ohio-

4107, ¶ 7 (9th Dist.) (“An appellant has the burden of demonstrating error on appeal.”).
11

{¶28} To the extent Husband argues that the trial court erred by indicating: “[b]y setting

forth [Husband’s] wishes above, the parties shall not conclude that they are orders of this Court,

but simply [Husband’s] wishes[,]” his argument lacks merit. The trial court began its order by

stating: “it is hereby ORDERED by the Court that the Judgment Entry, Decree of Divorce

previously entered . . . be amended and superseded that portion of the decree that addresses the

embryos” as follows. The trial court then determined, in part, that some of Husband’s wishes

regarding the frozen embryos were lawful and enforceable. The trial court concluded its order

with “IT IS SO ORDERED.” Thus, regardless of the trial court’s language indicating it was simply

setting forth Husband’s wishes, the trial court’s order incorporated some of Husband’s wishes into

the amended decree, which was consistent with this Court’s remand instructions. See E.B. at ¶ 21.

Husband’s argument, therefore, lacks merit.

{¶29} In light of the foregoing, Husband’s second assignment of error is overruled.

III.

{¶30} Husband’s assignments of error are overruled. Wife’s assignment of error is

sustained. The judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations

Division, is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and the cause is remanded for further proceedings

consistent with this decision.

Judgment affirmed in part,
reversed in part,
and cause remanded.

There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
12

We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common

Pleas, County of Summit, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy

of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.

Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of

judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period

for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to

mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the

docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.

Costs taxed equally to both parties.

JILL FLAGG LANZINGER
FOR THE COURT

CARR, P. J.
CONCURRING IN JUDGMENT ONLY.

{¶31} I agree that the trial court’s judgment should be affirmed in part and reversed in

part. However, my analysis of the issues varies from that of the lead opinion.

{¶32} This Court only remanded the matter for Husband to set forth his wishes with

respect to the potential offspring and for those wishes to be incorporated into the amended decree.

See E.B. v. R.N., 2024-Ohio-1455, ¶ 21-22 (9th Dist.). The trial court lacked the authority to do

anything aside from implement what this Court ordered. See Williams v. Kisling, Nestico &

Redick, LLC, 2025-Ohio-1050, ¶ 7 (9th Dist.). Given the foregoing, the trial court exceeded its

authority in addressing the issue of surrogacy, and I would reverse on this basis alone. See id.
13

{¶33} Finally, with respect to Husband’s appeal, I would overrule the Husband’s second

assignment of error on the basis that this Court’s prior appeal allowed Husband to set forth his

wishes and the trial court was to incorporate those wishes into the amended decree. E.B., 2024-

Ohio-1455, at ¶ 21. Nothing in this Court’s opinion required the trial court to make those wishes

an order of the trial court. Thus, Husband failed to demonstrate the trial court erred.

HENSAL, J.
CONCURRING IN JUDGMENT ONLY IN PART, AND DISSENTING IN PART.

{¶34} The trial court’s judgment is consistent with the lead opinion in E.B. v. R.N., 2024-

Ohio-1455 (9th Dist.). I agree that the trial court’s judgment is a final appealable order. I would

also overrule the remaining assignments of error asserted in the appeal and the cross-appeal and

affirm.

APPEARANCES:

ADAM MORRIS, Attorney at Law, for Appellant/Cross-Appellee.

ERIC ZAGRANS, Attorney at Law, for Appellee/Cross-Appellant.