APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Ronnie Cox vs. Amy Cox

E2002-02034-COA-R3-CV
Ronnie R. Cox ("Husband") and Amy R. Cox ("Wife") were divorced in 1993. At that time, the parties had two minor children. They subsequently had another child. In 1998, the parties entered into an agreed order that provided for joint physical and legal custody with each parent having equal time with the children. The agreed order also required Husband to pay $200 per month to Wife for child-care expenses. In 2002, Husband filed a Petition for Modification seeking to be relieved of the $200 per month obligation because Wife's income had increased substantially and was equal to, or greater than, Husband's. The Trial Court found, inter alia, the $200 payments were contractual in nature and denied the Petition for Modification. Husband appeals. We reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Steven C. Douglas
Cumberland County Court of Appeals 02/10/03
Denise Ashworth vs. Greene County

E2002-00500-COA-R3-CV
Denise Ashworth, the proprietress of a bed and breakfast in Greene County, filed a declaratory judgment action challenging the constitutionality of a hotel/motel privilege tax authorized by private act of the General Assembly ("the Act") and approved by the Greene County Commission. Among other relief, she seeks the return of approximately $3,000 in taxes collected by her from patrons and paid by her under protest to Greene County. While her suit was pending, the trial court permitted an individual who had stayed one night at a local motel to intervene in this case. The gravamen of his complaint was the same as that of Ashworth's. The trial court granted the defendants summary judgment as to Ashworth's claim, finding that she was not the taxpayer under the Act and, consequently, did not have standing to pursue her claim. As to the intervenor's claim, the trial court held that the Act was unconstitutional and ordered that he be refunded the sum of $1.61, the amount of the tax that he had paid under protest, plus interest. Only Ashworth appeals. She contends that the traditional concept of standing should be broadened to permit her to pursue her claim. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II
Greene County Court of Appeals 02/10/03
Steven Means v. David Ashby

M2002-00285-COA-R3-CV
Current custodian of Minor Child petitioned the court for termination of parental rights of both parents. Petitioners are the brother and sister-in-law of Minor Child's mother. The parents of the Minor Child are divorced. Mother had no contact with Minor Child for over a year prior to the Petition, and Father has had no contact for approximately five years. We find that any failure to visit by the parents and failure to support by the Mother was not willful and affirm the trial court in dismissing the Petition to Terminate their parental rights. However, the trial court's custody determination is vacated, and that issue is remanded for further consideration.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 02/10/03
Maury County v. Board of Equalization

M2002-00501-COA-R3-CV
Following a de novo hearing pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 67-5-1511(b), the Chancery Court of Davidson County upheld the final decision of the Assessment Appeals Commission of the Tennessee State Board of Equalization in a determination that property owned by Maury Regional Hospital and located in Marshall County, Tennessee was subject to ad valorem taxation by Marshall County. Maury Regional Hospital appeals the decision of the Chancellor. The decision of the trial court is reversed, and the Marshall County property known as Marshall Medical Center is held to be exempt from ad valorem taxation.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Maury County Court of Appeals 02/10/03
Gary Buck v. John Scalf

M2002-00620-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from an order of the trial court granting a motion for summary judgment in favor of Hartford Underwriter's Insurance Company on the ground that plaintiff's uninsured motorist claim against Hartford is barred by the one-year statute of limitations. We reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand.
Authoring Judge: Chancellor Vernon Neal
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz
Davidson County Court of Appeals 02/10/03
Brenda Buchanan vs. Berkley Buchanan

E2002-00915-COA-R3-CV
This is a divorce case. Both parties sought a divorce. Brenda Watson Buchanan ("Wife") was granted an absolute divorce from Berkley Ottie Buchanan ("Husband") on the ground of inappropriate marital conduct. In its judgment, the trial court decreed, among other things, that Wife was to be paid alimony in the amount of $750 per month for 24 months; costs of $579.70; and attorney's fees of $1,850. Husband appeals contending that the trial court erred in making all of these decrees. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:James L. Weatherford
Knox County Court of Appeals 02/10/03
Donna Mancuso-Bertone v. Michael E. Braswell

M2002-00025-COA-R3-CV

The mother of a fourteen year old male child appeals the action of the trial judge in denying her Petition for a change of custody. The trial court found that no material change of circumstances had been established by the evidence that would justify change of custody. We affirm the action of the trial court.

 

Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge Clara W. Byrd
Wilson County Court of Appeals 02/06/03
In Re: Estate of Adam James Burress

E2002-00320-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves several issues regarding the disposition of certain assets of and relating to the estate of Adam James Burress ("Decedent"), who died intestate in a one-car accident on March 5, 2001. The Trial Court imposed an equitable lien on the insurance proceeds of an automobile collision policy in favor of Eva Burress, the Decedent's grandmother, in the amount which the Court found she loaned to Decedent in order to purchase the automobile, which was totally destroyed in the accident. The Appellant, Sue Michelle Burress ("Widow"), Decedent's wife, argues on appeal that the Trial Court erred in failing to award her the insurance proceeds, and in ruling that payment of the funeral expenses should take precedence over the spousal support allowances and all other claims. The Appellees, Roy and Eva Burress, Decedent's grandparents, and Jeff and Linda Burress, Decedent's parents, have appealed the Court's ruling that the mobile home in which Decedent and Widow lived prior to their separation was not permanently affixed to the grandparents' land and thus was the Widow's personal property. We modify the judgment so as to provide that the Widow's statutory year's support allowance is exempt from claim against the estate for reimbursement of funeral expenses. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court in all other respects.

Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Judge James L. Cotton, Jr.
Scott County Court of Appeals 02/04/03
Arthur Stigall v. Bronson M. Lyle, et al.

M2001-00803-COA-R3-CV

The plaintiff filed this action in the Chancery Court of Houston County seeking to quiet title to a parcel of property located there. The court granted the defendants' Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.02 motion to dismiss the plaintiff's complaint, and imposed sanctions pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 11. Although the appellant raises legitimate issues as to the grounds cited for dismissing the complaint, we nevertheless affirm, finding that the complaint conclusively shows that the plaintiff has no colorable title to the subject property.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Judge Leonard W. Martin
Houston County Court of Appeals 02/04/03
Bobby Bobbitt, et al., v. Dorothy B. Shell, Commissioner, et al.

M2002-00512-COA-R3-CV

Appellants, state employees, were subjects of a Reduction In Force ("RIF") and appeal the order of the chancery court dismissing their petition for review of the Commissioner of Personnel's decision that their respective positions were correctly resolved in the RIF.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Chancellor Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 02/04/03
Joe H. Parks v. George Eslinger, et al.

M1999-02027-COA-R3-CV

This second appeal in this dispute involves the trial court's modifications of a special master's report regarding the liabilities of the parties after the dissolution of their partnership. The special master reported that one partner, Mr. Eslinger, owed the other partner, Mr. Parks, $10,051.30. Mr. Parks objected, and the trial court modified the special master's report, awarding Mr. Parks an additional $45,427.04, and ordered that Mr. Eslinger pay the costs of the special master. Mr. Eslinger now appeals the trial court's modifications and award of costs. Because the record does not support the trial court's modifications, we reverse and reinstate the master's findings as amended. We modify the award of the costs of the special master.

Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor Jim T. Hamilton
Maury County Court of Appeals 02/04/03
Boyd Stinson, et al., v. Brenda Sue Bobo

M2001-02704-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves a conflict between neighbors over whether the Stinsons have a right to use a dirt lane that runs across the edge of Mrs. Bobo's property and connects the Stinsons' property to a county road. The trial court found a prescriptive easement was proved. Mrs. Bobo appeals that judgment to this court on two grounds: (1) that the Stinsons failed to show exclusive use of the easement during the prescriptive period; and (2) that there was no acquiescence to the Stinsons' claim of right to use the easement by the prior owners of what is now Mrs. Bobo's property during the prescriptive period. We affirm the trial court's judgment.

 

Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor R.E. Lee Davies
Williamson County Court of Appeals 02/04/03
In the Matter of: R.L.H., A Child under Eighteen (18) Years of Age, State of Tennessee Department of Children's Services, v. Darlene Medley Hall

M2002-01179-COA-R3-JV

Department of Children’s Services filed petition to terminate parental rights of mother of abused, dependent and neglected minor child. Department’s termination petition was based on allegations of abandonment, mother’s failure to substantially comply with a permanency plan, the removal of the child for at least six months with little likelihood that the conditions causing removal would be remedied, and the best interests of the child. Juvenile Court granted petition terminating mother’s parental rights. Mother appeals. For the following reasons, we affirm.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3; Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Juvenile Court Affirmed and Remanded
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Floyd Don Davis
Franklin County Court of Appeals 02/03/03
Mortgage Management, Inc., v. Eller Media Company

E2001-3099-COA-R3-CV

Mortgage Management Inc. (“Mortgage Management”) sued Eller Media Company (“Eller”) claiming ownership of two billboards located on land purchased by Mortgage Management. Mortgage Management filed a motion for partial summary judgment and submitted proof showing it had purchased the land upon which the billboards were located at a foreclosure sale in 1993. Eller responded to the motion for partial summary judgment by claiming it was the owner of the billboards and submitting proof in support of its position. The Trial Court granted Mortgage Management’s motion for partial summary judgment and, after a trial on damages, awarded Mortgage Management a judgment in the amount of $149,721.14. We hold there is a genuine issue of material fact with regard to who owns the billboards. Therefore, we vacate the judgment and remand this case to the Trial Court. Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Vacated; Case Remanded
 

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Chancellor Howell N. Peoples
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 02/03/03
Newell Smith v. Brenda Smith

M2001-02231-COA-R3-CV
Wife filed petition for civil contempt against former Husband for failure to pay alimony as set forth in the Martial Dissolution Agreement and final decree. Husband responded, arguing that he did not have the ability to pay the alimony as agreed. The trial court found Husband in willful contempt of the previous order of the court due to his failure to pay the first two alimony installments and ordered Husband incarcerated if he did not appeal or make those payments within thirty days. Because the trial court found that Husband did not have the ability to pay at the time of the contempt hearing, we vacate the order incarcerating Husband if he does not pay.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Charles K. Smith
Wilson County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
Richard Manson v. Anthony Gross

M2000-03206-COA-R3-CV
This appeal concerns Western Surety Company's liability on a bond it executed with Anthony Goss. The trial court entered judgment against Western Surety Company on the bond. This Court affirms the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
Marcus Lewis v. Dept of Correction

M2002-00608-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
Naomi Hausler v. Discounts R. Us

M2002-01465-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff, pro se, appeals the action of the trial court in denying her Petition in the Nature of a Petition to Vacate a Void Judgment and Collateral Attack. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:John D. Wootten, Jr.
Smith County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
Dwight James v. State

M2002-01557-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves Dwight James' unsuccessful attempt to qualify as a candidate for Hickman County Road Superintendent and be placed on the August, 2002, election ballot. The trial court granted the Tennessee Highway Officials Certification Board's summary judgment motion, finding that the Board had not acted arbitrarily, capriciously or illegally in not certifying Mr. James as qualified to run for the office of County Road Superintendent. We have determined that the appeal is moot.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
Sylvester Young v. Nashville & Davidson County

M2000-02455-COA-R3-CV
A prisoner allegedly slipped and fell on a wet floor in the Davidson County Jail, injuring his back. He brought suit against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for deprivation of civil rights and negligence. The Chancery Court dismissed his civil rights claim on a Rule 12.02(6) motion, and transferred the negligence claim to Circuit Court. After a bench trial, the Circuit Court dismissed the negligence claim. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
Marcus Lewis v. Dept of Correction

M2002-00608-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
Vincent D. Carson (Cason) v. Richard M. Gilleland

M2002-01082-COA-R3-CV
This personal injury action by an undercover law enforcement officer resulted in judgment against appellant and two co-defendants. Appellant is an inmate with the Department of Corrections and after filing a pro se answer to the complaint took no further action in defense and more than two years after his answer was filed the case was heard in his absence and resulted in a judgment for $5,000,000.00. Plaintiff appeals and we affirm the action of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:John D. Wootten, Jr.
Wilson County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
William Waters v. Dept. of Correction

M2002-00917-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
Joe Mitchell v. CCA

M2002-00371-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Robert L. Jones
Wayne County Court of Appeals 01/31/03
10-99-034-C

10-99-034-C

Originating Judge:A. Andrew Jackson
Dickson County Court of Appeals 01/31/03