APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Tina Gray v. Glen Gray

M2002-01365-COA-R3-CV
The trial court granted the parties a divorce, classified the husband's auto salvage business as his separate property, and divided the property the parties had acquired during their marriage. On appeal, the wife contends that the trial court erred by not considering the auto salvage business to be marital property, and by ordering a property division that was inequitable as to her. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:J. S. Daniel
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 07/31/03
Rebecca Lew vs. Ira Lew

E2002-01811-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case, Ira Eugene Lew ("Husband") appeals the Trial Court's judgment declaring the parties divorced on the ground of irreconcilable differences, and approving and incorporating the parties' marital dissolution agreement ("MDA") in its order. Husband argues that the Court was without power to enter its judgment because he had withdrawn his consent and agreement to the MDA prior to the Court's entry of final judgment. The Trial Court found that Husband could not withdraw his consent to the MDA because, as a consequence of the unusual procedural posture of the this case, the parties had already executed, agreed to, and signed the MDA and presented it to the Trial Court, which approved it and incorporated it into a previous order. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White
Anderson County Court of Appeals 07/31/03
Cheryl Anderson v. Carmeletha Mason

M2002-01080-COA-R3-CV
Defendant/Appellant, Carmeletha Mason, appeals from a jury verdict and judgment against her in this wrongful death action. She was the owner of a vehicle driven by her daughter, which was involved in an accident resulting in the death of David Anderson, husband of the Plaintiff/Appellee, Cheryl Anderson. Appellant asserts that her vehicle was being operated without her permission and that she was not guilty of an act of negligent entrustment. She also asserts that the trial court erred in failing to direct a verdict in her favor. We affirm the action of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/29/03
Betty Jensen v. Tracy City

M2002-02019-COA-R3-CV
This is an action under the Governmental Tort Liability Act against Tracy City for an accident allegedly caused by the accumulation of gravel on a city street at the bottom of a steep hill. The Circuit Court of Grundy County granted the City summary judgment. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Buddy D. Perry
Grundy County Court of Appeals 07/29/03
State v. Delinquent Taxpayers

M2002-01656-COA-R3-CV
In this cause, a purchaser at tax sale appeals the order of the trial court voiding its prior default judgment against the delinquent taxpayer, and voiding the conveyance of that property to the purchaser. The delinquent tax notices, as well as the notice of sale, were issued to an unintelligible address, despite the presence of the taxpayer's proper address on the special warranty deed retained in the Metropolitan Government's Assessor's Office. Upon the government's motion, notice was then attempted by publication. After the trial court had entered the decree of sale and judgment affirming sale, and after expiration of the period for the exercise of the equitable right of redemption had otherwise lapsed, the delinquent taxpayer attempted to redeem the property. The tax sale purchaser, James Brown, contested the redemption. The trial court, considering the taxpayer's Motion to Void Tax Sale as a Rule 60.02 Motion to Set Aside a Default Judgment, voided the sale. For the reasons and under the authority cited herein we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/29/03
Geoffrey Gilmore v. Marsha Mangrum

M2002-02171-COA-R3-CV
This case involves an issue of change of primary residential custody of a minor child from one parent to another. Mother currently has primary residential custody. The child at issue was sexually molested by his step-brother at his Mother's residence. Father filed a petition requesting custody be changed from Mother to him. Although the trial judge found a material change of circumstances, he did not find a change of custody to be in the child's best interest and denied Father's Petition. We affirm the trial court's decision.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Thomas E. Gray
Sumner County Court of Appeals 07/29/03
Edward Risher v. Cherokee Buick-Pontiac-Oldsmobile-

E2002-1644-COA-R3-CV

Originating Judge:G. Richard Johnson
Washington County Court of Appeals 07/28/03
Alpha Sheriff v. Preferred Alternative Tennessee

M2002-01282-COA-R3-CV
This matter originated in the General Sessions Court of Davidson County. A judgment against the Appellant in the amount of fifteen hundred dollars ($1500.00) was awarded to the Appellee. An appeal was made to the Circuit Court of Davidson County and the matter tried de novo. The Circuit Court of Davidson County apparently applied theories founded in the law of negligence and also entered judgment against the Appellant in the amount of fifteen hundred ($1500.00) dollars . We find the learned trial judge erred in applying negligence theory to the facts of this case but nevertheless affirm the judgment of the trial court
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Lee
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/25/03
Carolyn Marie White v. Timothy Moody

M2002-01287-COA-R3-CV
After the first appeal and remand in this case, the trial judge rendered another judgment based on her review of the record without hearing additional proof. While we do not find error, we find our mandate was not clear as to what proceedings we envisioned on remand. Accordingly, we clarify our mandate and remand the matter to the trial court to conduct a full hearing on the best interests of the child which would include the taking of additional proof relevant to this issue.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Lee
Originating Judge:Carol A. Catalano
Robertson County Court of Appeals 07/25/03
In Re: Estate of Spencer Brown

M2002-00141-COA-R3-CV
This is a lawsuit filed by Don M. Brown ("Mr. Brown" or "the Appellant") against Allene Dunnagan ("Ms. Dunnagan" or "the Appellee") to set aside Spencer Brown's Last Will and Testament dated February 11, 2000. Mr. Spencer Brown died on February 21, 2000. Mr. Brown alleged that Ms. Dunnagan had used undue influence to get Spencer Brown to change his 1994 will. The Dickson County Circuit Court granted the Appellee's Motion for Directed Verdict and dismissed the Appellant's complaint. The Appellant appealed this decision. We reverse the decision of the trial court and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Chancellor W. Frank Brown, III
Originating Judge:Allen W. Wallace
Dickson County Court of Appeals 07/24/03
In Matter of: J.J.C./A.L.C./J.R.C. vs. Tabitha Stewart

W2001-01799-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal of a termination of parental rights. For the following reasons, we vacate the portion of the juvenile court's ruling finding Mother willfully failed to support her children and affirm all other findings of the court below, thus terminating Mother's parental rights.

Originating Judge:William A. Peeler
Tipton County Court of Appeals 07/24/03
Govindaswamy Nagarajan v. Michael E. Terry

M2001-01480-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute between a lawyer and his former client regarding unpaid fees. After the client sued the lawyer for malpractice in the Circuit Court for Davidson County, the lawyer counterclaimed for unpaid fees. The trial court granted the lawyer's summary judgment motion and dismissed the malpractice claims. Thereafter, the trial court conducted a bench trial on the lawyer's counterclaim and awarded the lawyer a $53,884.86 judgment. The former client asserts on this appeal that the trial court erred by denying his request for a continuance, granting a judgment by default on the question of liability, denying his request for a jury trial, and considering expert evidence regarding the reasonableness of the lawyer's fee without affording him the opportunity for cross-examination. We affirm the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Barbara N. Haynes
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/23/03
National Insurance v. Katherine Simpson

M2002-03109-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute regarding an exclusion from liability coverage in an automobile insurance policy for family members. Following a collision injuring its insured's half brother, the insurer filed suit in the Chancery Court for Rutherford County seeking a declaratory judgment that the exclusion applied to the half brother's claims against the insured. Following a bench trial, the trial court determined that the exclusion did apply to the half brother's claims. Both the insured and her half brother have appealed. We affirm the trial court's construction of the insurance policy.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 07/23/03
Mike Hall v. Clifford Houston

M2002-01371-COA-R3-CV
Defendant, Clifford Houston executed a lease and contract to purchase real property with the plaintiffs Connie and Mike Hall. Upon failure to pay the entire amount of the rent and allow an inspection, the plaintiffs filed a detainer warrant, which the general sessions court granted. The case was appealed to the circuit court where the judge affirmed the award of possession to the plaintiffs, and ordered the forfeiture of the initial deposit in the purchase agreement. Defendant, Houston, appealed the trial court's decision.We affirm the possession, the judgment for unpaid rent, reverse the deposit award and remand the case for determination of attorney's fees.
Authoring Judge: Judge Marietta M. Shipley
Originating Judge:Stella L. Hargrove
Maury County Court of Appeals 07/21/03
James P. Lea vs. Linda Gayle Lea

E2003-00041-COA-R3-CV
Husband asked Trial Court to terminate alimony obligation, and the amount of alimony was reduced. On appeal, we affirm, as modified.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Neil Thomas, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 07/18/03
Robert Riggs vs. James W. Greenlee

E2003-00071-COA-R3-CV
This is a legal malpractice suit by Robert Riggs against James W. Greenlee, who represented him in a criminal case. Mr. Riggs was convicted of a Class E felony, which carries a sentence range of one to two years. The Trial Court dismissed the case because Mr. Riggs, who it appears is still incarcerated, failed to appear when the case was set. We vacate and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young
Sevier County Court of Appeals 07/18/03
Jeanette Brooks v. Charles Brooks

E2002-02458-COA-R3-CV
This is a divorce case. The trial court granted Jeanette Sue Brooks ("Wife") a divorce from Charles Virgil Brooks ("Husband"), divided the parties' marital property and debts, and awarded alimony to Wife in the amount of $150 per month. Husband appeals the award of alimony and the division of the parties' debts. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Ben W. Hooper, II
Sevier County Court of Appeals 07/18/03
W2003-01002-COA-R3-PT

W2003-01002-COA-R3-PT
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Bob G. Gray
McNairy County Court of Appeals 07/14/03
Joe Craft v. Forklift Systems

M2002-00040-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from a judgment for Plaintiff in a breach of contract action. The trial court awarded judgment on equitable principles, without any findings as to whether or not the contract had been breached by Defendant. The judgment is reversed.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/14/03
W2003-00302-COA-R3-CV

W2003-00302-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Court of Appeals 07/14/03
Amy Smith v. Madeleine Fowler

M2002-01575-COA-R3-CV
Appellant, the defendant in fault, challenges the lower court's refusal to set aside default judgment. Appellant failed to file her answer timely in the trial court. Neither in the original Motion for Default nor in the response to the Motion to Set Aside did Plaintiff aver any prejudice to her other than delay. We reverse the default judgment and remand the case to the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:R.E. Lee Davies
Williamson County Court of Appeals 07/14/03
W2002-02857-COA-R3-CV

W2002-02857-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Joseph H. Walker, III
Tipton County Court of Appeals 07/14/03
Laney Brentwood Homes, Llc v. Earl Prechtel,

CH-00-1076-1

Originating Judge:Walter L. Evans
Shelby County Court of Appeals 07/14/03
Sally Nigro v. Vincent Nigro

M2002-00134-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case the husband appeals the grant of the divorce to the wife, the division of the marital property, the award of alimony to the wife, the trial court's failure to make the wife pay child support, and its failure to allow the husband to relocate out of the state with the son. For her part, the wife seeks a larger portion of the husband's retirement pay and the proceeds of the marital home. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Appeals 07/11/03
Crowder Construction v. Dwight Holland

M2002-01840-COA-R3-CV
The trial court determined that a construction contract between the parties had been modified orally and awarded judgment to plaintiff contractor. We affirm in part and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/10/03