APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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W2002-02166-COA-R3-CV

W2002-02166-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Donn Southern
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/15/03
Frankie Maples vs. Frank Maples

E2003-00722-COA-R3-CV
Husband, for the second time, seeks a reduction in his alimony obligation, claiming that his bona fide retirement coincided with a substantial decrease in income. The trial court modified the obligation by reducing it to $919.50 monthly. Wife receives $752.00 from social security. Her reasonable expenses were found to be $2176.00. Husband appeals, insisting that the reduction is insufficient. Wife presents for review the issue of whether any reduction was justified. We reinstate the initial award, finding that Husband, as in the prior appeal, continued his pattern of conduct in restructuring his assets to award his obligation.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Bill Swann
Knox County Court of Appeals 10/15/03
Sun Splash Painting v. Homestead Village

M2002-00853-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a challenge to the trial court's refusal to award attorney's fees pursuant to the Prompt Pay Act, and to the court's denial of prejudgment interest. We affirm the trial court in all respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/15/03
Combustion Federal Credit Union vs. John Farmer

E2003-00107-COA-R3-CV
A judgment was rendered against Mr. Farmer in 1992. It remained unpaid, and the judgment creditor's petition for revival was granted. Mr. Farmer appeals, claiming that he never signed the note which formed the basis of the 1992 action. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:W. Neil Thomas, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 10/15/03
Clemmye Mullenix Berger v. Brenda O'Brien,

W2002-00227-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/15/03
Ronnie Johnson vs. Mark R. White

E2002-02815-COA-R3-CV
These three cases were consolidated for trial. Each Respondent agreed to an Order of Protection sought by their kinsman, who was married to the daughter of Mark V. White, the sister of Mark R. White and niece of Michael Scott Webb. The throes of the divorce action between the Petitioner and his wife, Jennifer White Johnson, precipitated a purported assault on the Petitioner by the Respondents which resulted in criminal charges in addition to an order of protection. Thereafter, the Petitioner and his wife attended the Fourth Circuit Court for a hearing, and the Respondents upon instructions of their attorney in the criminal case also attended, and followed the Petitioner "about the courthouse" placing him in fear. They were cited for criminal contempt, found guilty, and sentenced to ten days confinement, with five days suspended. Each appeals, complaining that the evidence of criminal contempt is insufficient. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Bill Swann
Knox County Court of Appeals 10/15/03
Russell A. Siegfried v. The Grand Krewe of Sphinx,

CH-00-0307-3

Originating Judge:D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/14/03
Eddie Belcher vs. State

E2003-00642-COA-R3-CV
This claim against the State of Tennessee arises out of a two-vehicle accident. Eddie W. Belcher was driving to church with his wife, Sara O. Belcher, when their vehicle struck the rear of a vehicle driven by Eric Wilson . The Belchers, who sustained severe injuries as a result of this accident, filed a claim against the State, alleging that a dangerous condition existed on the portion of the interstate where the accident occurred and that the section of the interstate was negligently designed and maintained. The Claims Commission determined that the State was negligent in its design of that stretch of interstate, but held that its negligence was not the proximate cause of the Belchers' injuries. The Belchers appeal, arguing that the Claims Commission erred in the second of these two determinations. By way of a separate issue, the State contends that the Belchers' claim is barred by the four-year statute of repose. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Robert A. Fellman
Court of Appeals 10/14/03
Rena Thompson vs. Charles Hensley

E2003-00456-COA-R3-CV
Rena Thompson ("Plaintiff") filed this lawsuit claiming her grandson, Charles Hensley, and his wife, Karen Hensley (collectively "Defendants"), breached an oral contract. Specifically, Plaintiff claims she conveyed her house and real property to Defendants in exchange for their oral promise to take care of her and allow her to remain living in the house with them. Plaintiff suffered a stroke and went to live with her son, Perrian Hensley ("Plaintiff's son" or "her son"). After living with her son for approximately one year, Plaintiff wanted to return to her house. When she was not allowed to return to her house, Plaintiff sued Defendants for specific performance. The Trial Court found there was no contract. Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Jerri S. Bryant
Monroe County Court of Appeals 10/14/03
W2003-00334-COA-R3-CV

W2003-00334-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:George H. Brown
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/14/03
Pache Industries vs. Wallace Hardware

E2003-01483-COA-R3-CV
Pache Industries, LLC ("Plaintiff") sued Wallace Hardware Co., Inc. ("Defendant") for unpaid invoices. Defendant was served with the summons and complaint, but did not answer within thirty days. Plaintiff filed a motion for default judgment. After being served with the motion for default judgment, Defendant hired an attorney, filed an answer to the complaint, and filed responses to discovery requests. The Trial Court granted Plaintiff a default judgment. Defendant filed a motion to set aside the default judgment. The Trial Court denied the motion. Defendant appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Kindall T. Lawson
Hamblen County Court of Appeals 10/14/03
W2003-00001-COA-R3-CV

W2003-00001-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Daniel L. Smith
Hardin County Court of Appeals 10/14/03
Nancy Gail (Paulk) Doran v. Oather Paul Doran

W2003-00170-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Steve Beal
Hardin County Court of Appeals 10/14/03
Brian & Candy Chadwick v. Chad Spence

W2003-00931-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Kay S. Robilio
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/14/03
W2003-00640-COA-R3-CV

W2003-00640-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Dewey C. Whitenton
McNairy County Court of Appeals 10/10/03
The Estate of Alonzo Donald Tucker, Deceased v. Lee M.

W2003-00912-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Lee Moore
Dyer County Court of Appeals 10/10/03
W2003-01783-COA-R3-CV

W2003-01783-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Clayburn L. Peeples
Haywood County Court of Appeals 10/10/03
Dale Supply Company, v. York International Corp, et al.

M2002-01408-COA-R3-CV

The sole determinative issue on appeal is whether an agreement which mandates arbitration in the event of claims or disputes "arising out of or relating in any way to the relationship of the parties or this Agreement, or the breach thereof," requires arbitration of tort claims including acts arising after the parties' contractual relationship ended. We hold that arbitration of claims of tortious interference with contracts or business relations is required under the terms of the parties' agreement and reverse the judgment of the trial court.

 

Authoring Judge: Judge Russ Heldman
Originating Judge:Judge Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/09/03
Ambrose Associates, v. W. Austin Musselman, Jr.

M2002-02780-COA-R3-CV

Action to collect rent owed by surety was dismissed by the Trial Court. On appeal, we affirm.

 

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Chancellor Carol L. McCoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/02/03
William Jeffrey Tarkington v. Rebecca Juanita Tarkington

M2002-01914-COA-R3-CV

This appeal arises from the Father's post-divorce petition to set child support and to terminate previously ordered alimony in futuro. From an adverse decision of the trial court denying child support and termination of the alimony obligation, Father appeals. We affirm the portions of the trial court's ruling regarding alimony and reverse the award of attorney's fees and denial of support.

Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/02/03
Beverly Wilson v. Thomas Wilson

M2002-02286-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from an order of the trial court distributing 25% of the increase in value of the husband's business to the wife as marital property. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Steven A. Cassety
Jackson County Court of Appeals 09/30/03
Jodell Dunkin v. David Dunkin

M2002-01899-COA-R3-CV
This is a post-divorce dispute concerning the custody of Kaylea Jodell Dunkin ("the child") (DOB: July 1, 1994), the child of these litigants. The non-custodial parent, David H. Dunkin ("Father"), filed a petition seeking to enjoin the child's mother, Jodell L. Dunkin ("Mother"), from relocating with the child to Montana. Following a hearing, the trial court found that there was no reasonable purpose for the proposed move and that the relocation would not be in the best interest of the child. The trial court then denied Mother's request to relocate. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 09/30/03
In Re: Martha Blanks Maxwell

M2002-01654-COA-R3-CV
The niece of an elderly woman who suffered a stroke, followed by memory loss and confusion, petitioned the court to be appointed as her aunt's conservator. The trial court granted the petition as well as the conservator's plan to have her aunt moved to an assisted living environment. There, the woman's condition improved, and the guardian ad litem moved the court to consider whether it was advisable to revoke the conservatorship and allow her to return to her own home. After a hearing, the court terminated the conservatorship. The former conservator appeals, and we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Charles D. Haston, Sr.
Warren County Court of Appeals 09/25/03
Denicia Wills v. Russell Wills

M2002-02167-COA-R3-CV
This case involves an appeal from an order of the trial court modifying the father's child support obligation and denying the father's request for change of custody. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:C. L. Rogers
Sumner County Court of Appeals 09/25/03
Armand Salvatore vs. Baron Corp.

E2002-01978-COA-R3-CV
Following the termination of his employment, Armand M. Salvatore sued two corporations and six limited partnerships, as well as Miles E. Cullom, Jr., who was a stockholder, director, and president of the corporations, and who was also a limited partner in each of the limited partnerships, for salary, fees, and commissions allegedly due him under the terms of a written employment agreement. He also sued the defendant Cullom for statutory treble damages in tort for interference with his employment contract. Following a bench trial, the court below held that Salvatore, at the time of his termination, was employed under a renewed one-year employment contract. Pursuant to this holding, the trial court awarded him the remainder of his base salary for the second year of his employment. Salvatore appeals, contending that the trial court erred when it failed to award him salary for two additional years, fees, commissions, and treble damages. The defendants, on the other hand, claim that Salvatore is not entitled to the salary awarded to him by the trial court. We modify the trial court's judgment to increase Salvatore's award by $20,500. As modified, the judgment is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Daryl R. Fansler
Knox County Court of Appeals 09/23/03