ÿWPCº* …# VUNa %¯ 0 Nµ 0 Í bÐ w@Ø 4 , ; m= 0DT 0J˜ 0Tâ 0^6 0h” 0rü 0|n 0†ê 0p 1u 0duÙ†á D3gU">š 0@ØB)DCA AM„U*Ñ-ûr(YšójƒTííA.w0 v~§!vÓ%# Bø( AO)Æd) 0D** D/n* B*˜HP LaserJet 4Si/4SiMX PS 600dpiPSCRIPTÈÚØÚÚØÈÚ0nLHÎ'í€"  Z 6Times New Roman Regular¼(&öy$¡¡Ó  ÓÙñÓ Ù(}(2^$¤¤Ý ƒöy!ÝÓ  ÓÙñÓ ÙÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X¥XX¼¼Ôà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó- ù- D !"D#E$%Ó€/DÒ 3|x/ ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó2 ÿÿ0Indent1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô2" ÿÿ0Indent2à0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2, ÿÿ0Indent3à0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô26 ÿÿ0Indent4à0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2@ ÿÿ0Indent5à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2J ÿÿ0Indent6à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2T ÿÿ0Indent7à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2^ ÿÿ0Indent8à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô ÿÿ?AGMSYaioIndent0I.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)P ÿÿ8Mac DefaultMac DefaultÓ ` °šXÓcurtis v. curtis - opinion Í 9 ' IB011C20IB011C2 .   WWWW'ÿÿdxd< Œ 9p`(&Times New Roman("ÿÿ$££Ò  ÒÒ  Ò% Line 7 d....7Border 1dd€-/Cþÿ << Gÿÿ< Œ 9p`(Arial #Ý ƒ!ÝÑ  ÑÑ#€d#ÑÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ€1ÔÔ€1ÔÓ  Óò òÔ YYY ÔFILEDÔ€1XÔÌÌJuly€16,€1997ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔ  Ôó ó hÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€,XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€courts€cannot€grant€a€divorce€based€on€irreconcilable€differences€if€the€grounds€forÏdivorce€are€contested€or€denied,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„103(e)€(1996),€or€if€the€parties€haveÏfailed€to€make€ð ðadequate€and€sufficient€provision€by€written€agreement€.€.€.€for€the€equitableÏsettlement€of€any€property€rights€between€the€parties.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„103(b).Ì OÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€,XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€net€value€of€the€marital€estate€is€the€value€of€the€marital€property€less€the€maritalÏdebts.Ì †Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€,XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€Curtis€testified€that€the€fair€market€value€of€the€house€on€Delaware€Avenue€wasÏ$55,000,€while€Mr.€Curtis€stated€that€the€house€was€worth€$75,000.€Ì `Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€,XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Curtis€valued€Garyððs€Golf€Course€at€$1,413,€while€Ms.€Curtis€asserted€that€theÏinterest€was€worth€$15,000.Ì JÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€,XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Curtis€valued€Star€Electric€at€$4,324,€while€Ms.€Curtis€valued€the€company€atÏ$70,000.€Ì ãÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€,XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€determined€that€Ms.€Curtis€should€receive€the€house€on€DelawareÏAvenue,€the€house€on€Ward€Avenue,€and€two€of€the€three€lots€on€Ô_ÔChapmansboroÔ_Ô€Road€inÏÔ_ÔCheathamÔ_Ô€County.Ì øÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€,XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€awarded€Mr.€Curtis€one€of€the€lots€on€Ô_ÔChapmansboroÔ_Ô€Road,€the€nineÏacres€of€undeveloped€property€in€Ô_ÔCheathamÔ_Ô€County,€Mr.€Curtisððs€interest€in€Garyððs€GolfÏCourse,€and€Star€Electric.Ì mÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€,XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€award€is€essentially€similar€to€Mr.€Curtisððs€modified€Ô_ÔpendenteÔ_Ô€lite€supportÏobligation.ÌPtPtHHÚ(ÿáÿâùFG(üHHÚ(d'hStyl{WP}01•ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ãà Ãà Ãà Ãà ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÐ ÐÐHHÐÐ  ÐÐ2ÐÐÿÿ¸æ$ÿÐÐHHÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ  ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÑÑÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÑ € ÑÑ<Px–ÈÑÒÒÒ443!#4ÒÒ$ *$ÒÒ$*$ÒÒ ÿKK ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÓ.,ÓÓÓÓ6ÓÓ ÓßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÒ  h HD: Geneva ÒÒ  h HD: Geneva Ò d€-‚ƒCþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó„„'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ!ÝÔ . ÔÔ€,ÔÔ€,¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÑ Ü ÑÒ  ÒÒ ° ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ€ÑÑ7€Ï ¼¼ddÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÑ  Ñ›Þ ÞÌà@ àÔ€,„Ôò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÌà@ àMIDDLE€SECTION€AT€NASHVILLE̜ـ€ÙßR€02/A1-j|ïK` ç `€€@ÿRߛ̜Ô€,¼ÔÌÌ›Ìó óGARY€œLeROY€CURTIS,›à àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àPlaintiff/Counter„Defendant/à à)Ìà àAppellant,à àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àDavidson€CircuitÌà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àNo.€93D„2870ÌVS.à àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àAppeal€No.Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à à01A01„9508„CV„00385ÌJANE€WELTHA€(WILLIAMS)à à)ÌCURTIS,à àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àDefendant/Counter„Plaintiff/à à)Ìà àAppellee.à àà àà àà à)Ì̛̜Ìà@ àAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CIRCUIT€COURT€FOR€DAVIDSON€COUNTYÌà@ àAT€NASHVILLE,€TENNESSEEÌÌà@ àTHE€HONORABLE€MURIEL€ROBINSON,€JUDGEÌ̛̜ÌòòFor€Gary€œLeRoy›€Curtisóó:à àà àà àà àòòFor€Jane€Weltha€(Williams)ÏCurtisóó:ÌÌR.€Eddie€Davidsonà àà àà àà àJack€Norman,€Jr.ÌNashville,€Tennesseeà àà àà àà àNashville,€TennesseeÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àThomas€F.€BloomÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àNashville,€TennesseeÌÌœÌÌ›ÌÌà@ àœÔ€,„Ôò òAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDó ó›ÌÌÔ€,¼ÔÌÌÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,ÏJUDGEÇÑ ° ÑÑ „ ÑӀӜԀ,„ÔÌ›à@ àò òòòO€P€I€N€I€O€Nóóó óÌÔ€,¼ÔÌà àThis€appeal€involves€the€dissolution€of€a€marriage€of€two€persons€whoÏlived€together€as€husband€and€wife€for€over€thirty€years€but€who€were€legallyÏmarried€for€only€ten€years.€€Following€a€bench€trial,€the€Fourth€Circuit€CourtÏfor€Davidson€County€granted€the€wife€œa›€divorce,€divided€the€marital€estate,Ïand€directed€the€husband€to€pay€the€wife€long„term€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support€and€defrayÏthe€wifeððs€legal€expenses€in€the€divorce€proceeding.€On€this€appeal,€theÏhusband€asserts€that€the€trial€court€should€not€have€dismissed€his€complaint€forÏdivorce,€that€the€wife€was€not€entitled€to€long„term€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support,€that€theÏtrial€courtððs€division€of€the€marital€estate€was€inequitable,€and€that€the€wifeÏwas€not€entitled€to€recover€her€legal€expenses€in€the€divorce€litigation.€€WeÏaffirm€the€final€judgment.ÌÌà@ àò òI.ó óÌÌà àGary€œLeRoy›€Curtis€met€Jane€Ô_ÔWelthaÔ_Ô€Curtis€in€1960€at€a€dance€hall€inÏEast€Nashville.€€Mr.€Curtis€was€nineteen€years€old€and€had€completed€theÏseventh€grade.€€Ms.€Curtis€was€a€24„year„old€high€school€graduate€who€wasÏmarried€with€two€children.€€They€began€living€together€in€1961,€and€theirÏonly€child€was€born€in€July€1962.€€Ms.€Curtis€œeventually›€divorced€œher›€firstÏhusband€in€June€1969.€€The€parties€considered€themselves€to€be€married€andÏheld€themselves€out€to€the€public€as€husband€and€wife€from€the€very€beginningÏof€their€relationship,€even€though€they€œwere€not›€legally€married.€€Their€sonððsÏbirth€certificate€indicated€that€they€were€married,€and€they€filed€joint€taxÏreturns€as€if€they€were€married.€€Mr.€Curtis€and€Ms.€Curtis€œeventually›Ïmarried€in€Las€Vegas€in€August€1981.ÌÌà àBoth€parties€were€employed€during€most€of€their€time€together.€€Mr.ÏCurtis,€an€electrician€by€trade,€worked€for€various€employers€until€he€wentÏinto€business€for€himself€in€1979€or€1980.€€He€closed€his€first€two€businessesÏbecause€of€problems€with€the€Internal€Revenue€Service€over€his€employeesððÏwithholding€taxes€but€later€started€Star€Electric€Company,€a€businessÏemploying€three€electricians,€including€Mr.€Curtis€and€his€son.€€In€1990,€Mr.ÏCurtis€œbuilt›€a€nine„hole€golf€course€and€driving€range€on€œleased›€property€inÏAshland€City.€€Even€though€the€golf€course€has€not€been€profitable,€Mr.€CurtisÏviews€it€as€a€source€of€retirement€employment€and€income.€€For€her€part,€Ms.ÏCurtis€worked€at€Aladdin€Industries,€Inc.€and€May€Hosiery€Mills.€€Later,€sheÏstarted€her€own€cleaning€business€called€the€Finishing€Touch€CleaningÏCompany€and€also€kept€the€books€for€Mr.€Curtisððs€businesses.€€As€a€result€ofÏtheir€joint€efforts,€the€parties€accumulated€a€modest€marital€estate€consistingÏprimarily€of€various€parcels€of€real€property€in€East€Nashville€and€Ô_ÔCheathamÔ_ÔÏœCounty.›ÌÌà àThe€parties€separated€in€February€1992€when€Mr.€Curtis€moved€into€aÏtrailer€on€a€lot€that€the€parties€owned€in€Ô_ÔCheathamÔ_Ô€County.€€Mr.€Curtis€filedÏfor€divorce€in€August€1993,€and€Ms.€Curtis€responded€with€a€counterclaim€forÏdivorce.€€In€August€1994,€the€trial€court€directed€Mr.€Curtis€to€pay€Ms.€CurtisÏ$1,700€per€month€in€Ô_ÔpendenteÔ_Ô€lite€support€and€to€be€responsible€for€theÏmortgage€payments€on€the€Ô_ÔhomeplaceÔ_Ô€where€Ms.€Curtis€was€still€living€and€onÏanother€piece€of€rental€property€in€East€Nashville.ÌÌà àThe€trial€court€modified€its€Ô_ÔpendenteÔ_Ô€lite€support€order€three€monthsÏlater€to€clarify€the€allocation€of€the€responsibility€for€the€partiesðð€major€debts.€ÏThe€trial€court€specifically€determined€that€Ms.€Curtis€should€be€responsibleÍfor€paying€the€first€mortgage€on€the€Ô_ÔhomeplaceÔ_Ô€and€another€note€to€a€familyÏacquaintance.€€The€trial€court€also€determined€that€Mr.€œCurtisððs›€monthlyÏsupport€obligation€should€be€decreased€to€$1,176.68€per€month€in€JanuaryÏ1995€when€the€note€to€the€family€acquaintance€would€be€paid€off.ÌÌà àThe€trial€court€heard€the€evidence€on€March€15,€1995.€€On€April€19,Ï1995,€the€trial€court€entered€a€final€decree€dismissing€Mr.€Curtisððs€divorceÏcomplaint€and€granting€Ms.€Curtis€a€divorce€on€the€ground€of€inappropriateÏmarital€conduct.€€The€trial€court€also€directed€Mr.€Curtis€to€pay€Ms.€CurtisÏ$1,176.64€per€month€in€long€term€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support.€€The€trial€court€alsoÏdivided€the€marital€property€which€consisted€of€the€partiesðð€real€estateÏholdings€and€Mr.€Curtisððs€business€and€directed€Mr.€Curtis€to€pay€$7,945.00€toÏdefray€Ms.€Curtisððs€legal€expenses.̛̜Ìà@ àò òII.Ìà@ àòòThe€Dismissal€of€Mr.€Curtisððs€Divorce€Complaintóóó óÌÌà àThe€threshold€issue€for€our€consideration€relates€to€the€trial€courtððsÏdismissal€of€Mr.€Curtisððs€complaint€for€divorce€at€the€close€of€his€proof.€€Mr.ÏCurtis€asserts€that€he€proved€grounds€for€divorce€because€Ms.€Curtis€hadÏð ðcaused€or€contributed€to€a€financial€quagmire€which€permeated€the€partiesððÏmarital€relationship.ðð€€We€have€determined€that€the€trial€court€correctlyÏdetermined€that€Mr.€Curtisððs€proof€did€not€substantiate€his€claim€ofÏinappropriate€marital€conduct.ÌÌà àMr.€Curtis€initially€sought€a€divorce€because€of€irreconcilableÏdifferences€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„101(11)€(1996)€or,€in€theÍalternative,€because€of€inappropriate€marital€conduct€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ïðð€36„4„102(a)(1)€(1996).€€Ms.€Curtis€contested€Mr.€œCurtisððs›€irreconcilableÏdifferences€œclaim.€€After›€the€parties€were€unable€to€agree€on€the€division€ofÏtheir€marital€propertyœ× ƒ3 ××  ×›,€the€case€went€to€trial€on€Mr.€Curtisððs€request€for€aÏdivorce€on€the€ground€of€inappropriate€marital€conduct€and€Ms.€CurtisððsÏrequest€either€for€a€divorce€from€bed€and€board€or€a€divorce€on€the€ground€ofÏinappropriate€marital€conduct.ÌÌà àMr.€Curtisððs€proof€with€regard€to€his€grounds€for€divorce€related€solelyÏto€Ms.€Curtisððs€skills,€or€lack€of€skills,€as€a€bookkeeper.€€He€asserted€that€herÏinability€to€document€and€keep€track€of€the€withholding€taxes€for€hisÏemployees€precipitated€serious€problems€with€the€Internal€Revenue€ServiceÏand€that€these€problems€eventually€caused€him€to€close€his€first€two€businesses.€ÏAt€the€close€of€Mr.€Curtisððs€proof,€the€trial€court€granted€Ms.€Curtisððs€motionÏfor€a€ð ðdirected€verdictðð€on€the€ground€that€he€had€failed€to€substantiateÏgrounds€for€divorce.€€ÌÌà àWe€will€treat€Ms.€Curtisððs€motion€as€a€motion€for€involuntary€dismissalÏunder€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€41.02(2)€since€motions€for€a€directed€verdict€have€noÏplace€in€Ô_ÔnonjuryÔ_Ô€trials.€€òòCity€of€Columbia€v.€Ô_ÔC.F.W.Ô_Ô€Constr.€Co.,óó€557€S.W.2dÏ734,€740€(Tenn.€œ1977).›€€Unlike€a€motion€for€directed€verdict,€a€Tenn.€R.€Civ.ÏP.€41.02(2)€motion€requires€the€trial€court€simply€to€weigh€and€evaluate€theÏplaintiffððs€Ô_ÔevidenceÔ_Ô€in€the€same€way€it€would€review€the€evidence€at€the€closeÏof€all€the€proof€and€to€grant€the€motion€if€the€plaintiff€has€failed€to€make€out€aÏprima€facie€case.€€òòSmith€v.€Ô_ÔInmanÔ_Ô€Realty€Co.,óó€846€S.W.2d€819,€œ823„24›€(Tenn.ÍCt.€App.€1992).€€Our€task€on€appeal€is€to€review€the€trial€courtððs€decision€toÏgrant€the€motion€using€the€familiar€standard€of€review€in€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.Ï13(d).ÌÌà àThe€grounds€for€divorce€are€controlled€by€statute.€€òòPerrin€v.€Perrin,óóÏ201€Tenn.€354,€œ367,›€299€S.W.2d€19,€œ24›€(1957);€òòClothier€v.€Clothier,óó€œ33›€Tenn.ÏApp.€532,€œ538,›€232€S.W.2d€363,€œ366›€(1950).€€The€divorce€ground€ofÏð ðinappropriate€marital€conductðð€authorized€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„102(a)(1)€(1996)€is€synonymous€with€ð ðcruel€and€inhuman€treatmentðð€andÏð ðconduct€towards€the€spouse€Ìas€renders€cohabitation€unsafe€and€improper.ðð€€The€type€of€conductÏwarranting€a€divorce€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„102(a)(1)€includesÏconduct€that€willfully€and€persistently€causes€unnecessary€suffering.€€òòSeeóóÏòòÔ_ÔBaberÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔBaberÔ_Ô,óó€205€Tenn.€681,€œ682„683,›€330€S.W.2d€307,€308€(1959);€W.ÏWalton€Ô_ÔGarrettÔ_Ô,€òòDivorce,€Alimony€and€Child€Custodyóó€ðð€6„3(1)€(1996).€€ÌÌà àWhile€the€evidence€calls€into€question€Ms.€Curtisððs€ability€as€aÏbookkeeper,€it€does€not€substantiate€Mr.€Curtisððs€claim€that€her€shortcomingsÏas€a€bookkeeper€amounted€to€a€willful€and€persistent€effort€on€her€part€toÏcause€him€unnecessary€suffering.€€The€record€contains€no€evidence€that€Ms.ÏCurtis€purposely€made€errors€in€the€calculation€and€payment€of€Mr.€CurtisððsÏemployeesðð€withholding€taxes€in€order€to€inflict€suffering€on€Mr.€Curtis.€€OnÏthe€other€hand,€the€record€contains€evidence€of€Mr.€Curtisððs€indifference€andÏinfidelity.€€Accordingly,€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trialÏcourtððs€conclusions€that€Ms.€Curtis€had€substantiated€her€claim€ofÏinappropriate€marital€conduct,€while€Mr.€Curtis€had€not.̛̜à@ àò òIII.Ìà@ àòòThe€Division€of€the€Marital€Property€and€Debtóóó óÌÌà àWe€turn€next€to€the€manner€in€which€the€trial€court€divided€the€partiesððÏmarital€property€and€allocated€the€marital€debt.€€Mr.€Curtis€asserts€that€theÏtrial€courtððs€disposition€of€these€matters€was€inequitable€because€it€œdid›€œnot€give›Ïappropriate€weight€to€the€reasons€for€part€of€the€debt€and€to€his€contributionsÏto€the€preservation€of€property€Ms.€Curtis€inherited€during€the€marriage.€€WeÏhave€determined€that€the€manner€in€which€the€trial€court€divided€the€maritalÏproperty€and€allocated€the€marital€debt€is€essentially€equitable.ÌÌà@ àò òA.ó óÌÌà àMost€of€the€capital€assets€acquired€by€the€parties€while€they€livedÏtogether€as€husband€and€wife€consisted€œof›€interests€in€real€property.€€TheyÏpurchased€their€home€on€Delaware€Avenue€in€East€Nashville€in€1978€or€1979.€ÏTheir€evidence€at€trial€placed€a€value€on€this€property€of€between€$55,000€andÏ$75,000.€€There€is€an€$18,000€first€mortgage€on€the€house,€as€well€as€aÏ$27,000€second€mortgage€securing€the€loan€required€to€satisfy€an€InternalÏRevenue€Service€claim.ÌÌà àThe€parties€purchased€two€lots€on€Ô_ÔChapmansboroÔ_Ô€Road€in€Ô_ÔCheathamÔ_ÔÏCounty€in€1980€for€$8,000.€€Some€time€later,€they€purchased€a€third€lotÏadjacent€to€their€other€two€lots€for€$14,000.€€There€are€two€trailers€on€theseÏlots,€and€Mr.€Curtis€is€presently€living€in€the€trailer€located€on€the€œthird€lot.›€ÏThe€parties€value€the€first€two€lots€and€trailer€at€between€$6,600€and€$10,000Ïand€the€value€of€the€third€lot€with€trailer€at€between€$14,000€and€$17,300.ÌÌà àIn€œ1981›€Mr.€Curtis€and€his€brother„in„law€purchased€ten€acres€ofÏundeveloped€property€in€Ô_ÔCheathamÔ_Ô€County.€€After€Mr.€Curtisððs€œbrother„in„law›Ïdied,€Ms.€Curtis€acquired€the€interests€œof€four€of€the›€brother„in„lawððsÏœchildren.€€At›€the€time€of€œthe€trial,›€the€parties€owned€nine€acres€of€theÏproperty.€€They€placed€a€value€on€this€property€of€between€$4,500€andÏ$10,000.ÌÌà àIn€1990,€Mr.€œCurtis›€constructed€a€nine„hole€golf€course€and€drivingÏrange€on€œleased›€property€in€Ô_ÔCheathamÔ_Ô€County.€€The€enterprise€has€yet€to€earnÏa€profit,€but€Mr.€Curtis€anticipates€that€the€golf€course€will€provide€him€withÏincome€and€constructive€activity€after€he€retires€from€his€electrical€business.€ÏThe€parties€valued€Mr.€Curtisððs€interest€in€the€golf€course,€includingÏequipment€and€personal€property,€at€between€$1,413€and€$15,000.€€ÌÌÌÌà àFinally,€Ms.€Curtis€and€her€sister€inherited€a€house€on€Ward€Avenue€inÏEast€Nashville€following€their€motherððs€death.€€Ms.€Curtis€bought€out€herÏsisterððs€interest€using€$8,000€made€available€by€Mr.€Curtis€after€her€sisterÏthreatened€to€have€the€property€sold.€€The€house€was€used€as€rental€propertyÏduring€the€marriage€and€is€in€need€of€repair.€€The€parties€placed€a€value€onÏthe€house€of€between€$25,000€and€$30,300.€€Ms.€Curtisððs€son€from€her€firstÏmarriage€is€currently€living€in€the€house€rent€free.ÌÌà àThe€partiesðð€evidence€of€the€value€of€their€property€varies€widely.€€Mr.ÏCurtis€asserted€at€trial€that€the€net€value× ƒ4 ××  ×€of€the€marital€estate€is€$94,637,Íwhile€Ms.€Curtis€valued€the€marital€estate€at€$153,800.€€This€difference€is€dueÏto€the€partiesðð€contradictory€testimony€concerning€the€fair€market€value€of€theÏhouse€on€Delaware€Avenue,œ× ƒ5 ××  ×›€the€value€of€Mr.€Curtisððs€interest€in€Garyððs€GolfÏCourse,œ× ƒ6 ××  ×›€and€the€value€of€Mr.€Curtisððs€interest€in€Star€Electric.× ƒ7 ××  ×€€The€trialÏcourt€determined€that€Ms.€Curtis€should€receive€property€valued€betweenÏ$95,300€and€$106,600Ô_Ô× ƒ8 ××  ×Ô_Ô€and€that€Mr.€Curtis€should€receive€€property€worthÏbetween€$33,037€and€$103,500.Ô_Ô× ƒ9 ××  ×Ô_Ô€€The€trial€court€also€directed€Ms.€Curtis€toÏbe€responsible€for€the€first€mortgage€on€the€Delaware€Avenue€house€andÏdetermined€that€Mr.€Curtis€should€be€responsible€for€the€second€mortgage€onÏthe€property.ÌœÌÌÌÌ›Ìà@ àò òB.ó óÌÌà àTrial€courts€have€broad€discretion€in€dividing€œmarital›€property€and€inÏallocating€œmarital›€debt.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(a)€(1991);€òòFisher€v.ÏFisheróó,€œ648€S.W.2d€244,›€246€(Tenn.€1983)€œ(division›€of€marital€property);ÏòòÔ_ÔCutsingerÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔCutsingerÔ_Ô,óó€917€S.W.2d€238,€243€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995)€(holdingÏthat€marital€debts€should€be€apportioned€in€the€same€way€that€marital€propertyÏis€divided);€òòÔ_ÔYaffeeÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔYaffeeÔ_Ô,óó€Shelby€Law€No.€16,€1989€WL€76310,€at€*2Ï(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€12,€1989),€òòperm.€app.€deniedóó€(Tenn.€Oct.€2,€1989)Ï(holding€that€trial€œcourts›€have€discretion€œto›€apportion€the€marital€debt).€ÏAccordingly,€appellate€courts€ordinarily€defer€to€the€trial€courtððs€decisions€inÏthese€matters€unless€they€are€inconsistent€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(c)Ïor€are€unsupported€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€€òòBrown€v.€Brown,óóÏ913€S.W.2d€163,€168€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994);€òòÔ_ÔMahaffeyÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔMahaffeyÔ_Ô,óó€775ÏS.W.2d€618,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989).ÌÌà àThe€trial€courtððs€goal€in€every€divorce€case€is€to€divide€the€partiesððÏmarital€estate€in€a€just€and€equitable€manner.€€The€division€of€the€estate€is€notÏrendered€inequitable€simply€because€it€is€not€mathematically€equal,€òòCohen€v.ÏCohen,óó€937€S.W.2d€823,€832€(Tenn.€1996);€òòEllis€v.€Ellis,óó€748€S.W.2d€424,Ï427€(Tenn.€1988),€or€because€each€party€did€not€receive€a€share€of€every€itemÏof€marital€property.€€òòBrown€v.€Brown,óó€913€S.W.2d€at€168.€€Marital€debtsÏshould,€where€possible,€follow€their€associated€assets,€òòÔ_ÔMondelliÔ_Ô€v.€Howard,Ïóó780€S.W.2d€769,€773€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989),€and€should€be€apportioned€byÏconsidering€the€reason€for€the€debt,€the€party€who€benefitted€from€the€debt,Ïand€the€party€better€able€to€assume€the€debt.€€òòÔ_ÔMahaffeyÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔMahaffeyÔ_Ô,óó€775ÏS.W.2d€at€624.€€In€the€final€analysis,€the€justness€of€a€particular€division€of€theÏmarital€property€and€allocation€of€marital€debt€depends€on€its€final€results.€ÏòòSee€Thompson€v.€Thompson,óó€797€S.W.2d€599,€604€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990).€ÌÌà@ àò òC.ó óÌÌà àMr.€Curtis€takes€issue€with€three€aspects€of€the€trial€courtððs€division€ofÏthe€marital€estate.€First,€he€argues€that€he€should€not€œbe›€responsible€for€theÏ$27,000€second€mortgage€on€the€Delaware€Avenue€property€because€this€debtÏwas€incurred€to€satisfy€tax€problems€caused€by€Ms.€Curtisððs€bookkeepingÏerrors.€€Second,€he€complains€that€the€trial€court€did€not€recognize€that€theÏparties€used€$8,000€of€marital€funds€to€buy€out€Ms.€Curtisððs€sisterððs€interest€inÏthe€Ward€Avenue€œproperty.›€€Third,€he€insists€that€it€would€have€been€ð ðmoreÏequitableðð€to€award€him€all€œthree›€lots€on€Ô_ÔChapmansboroÔ_Ô€Road€in€Ô_ÔCheathamÔ_ÔÏCounty.ÌÌà àThe€trial€court€did€not€err€by€requiring€Mr.€Curtis€to€be€responsible€forÏthe€$27,000€second€mortgage€on€the€Delaware€Avenue€œproperty.›€€This€debtÏarose€out€of€Mr.€Curtisððs€business€and€œwas€incurred›€for€business€purposes.€ÏThe€debt€was€not€due€to€any€intentional€waste€or€dissipation€of€assets€by€Ms.ÏCurtis.€€Since€Mr.€Curtis€received€the€business€and€is€better€able€to€assume€thisÏdebt,€the€trial€court€had€adequate€basis€to€require€him€to€be€responsible€for€it.€€ÌÌà àThis€record€provides€no€basis€for€us€to€conclude€that€the€trial€courtððsÏdivision€of€the€marital€estate€did€not€take€into€consideration€the€use€of€maritalÏfunds€to€preserve€Ms.€Curtisððs€interest€in€the€Ward€Avenue€œproperty›€or€theÏoverall€fairness€of€œthe›€division€of€property.€€The€evidence€concerning€theÏvalue€of€the€property€varied€significantly,€and€œboth›€œparties›€provided€the€trialÏcourt€with€no€valuation€evidence€other€than€their€own€subjective€opinions.€ÏThe€record€contains€some€basis€for€concluding€that€Mr.€Curtisððs€estimate€ofÏthe€value€of€Star€Electric€is€low€and€that€Ms.€Curtisððs€estimate€of€the€value€ofÏGaryððs€œGolf›€œCourse›€is€high.€€With€these€adjustments,€it€appears€that€theÍdivision€of€the€net€marital€estate€was€essentially€equal€and,€accordingly,€wasÏequitable€under€the€circumstances€of€this€case.ÌÌà@ àò òIV.€ó óÌà@ àòòò òThe€Long„Term€Ô_ÔSpousalÔ_Ô€Support€Awardó óóóÌÌà àMr.€Curtis€also€takes€issue€with€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€require€himÏto€pay€long„term€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support€in€the€amount€of€$1,176.64€per€month€untilÏMs.€Curtisððs€death€œor›€remarriage.€€While€he€concedes€that€Ms.€Curtis€mayÏneed€support€because€she€is€in€a€more€debilitated€condition,€he€argues€that€theÏtrial€court€considered€only€Ms.€œCurtisððs›€need€without€considering€his€ability€toÏpay.€€The€record€contains€no€basis€for€determining€that€the€trial€court€failed€toÏconsider€the€applicable€factors€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„101(d)(1)€(1996)Ïwhen€it€set€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support€in€this€case.ÌÌà àDecisions€concerning€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support€depend€on€the€unique€facts€of€eachÏcase€and€require€a€thoughtful€balancing€of€many€factors,€including€thoseÏidentified€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„101(d)(1).€€òòHawkins€v.€Hawkins,óó€883ÏS.W.2d€622,€625€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994);€òòÔ_ÔLoydÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔLoydÔ_Ô,óó€860€S.W.2d€409,€412Ï(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993).€€The€trial€courts€have€broad€discretion€in€determiningÏwhether€to€award€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support,€as€well€as€the€nature,€duration,€and€amountÏof€the€œsupport.€€òòWilson›€v.€Moore,óó€929€S.W.2d€œ367,›€372€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ïœ1996).€€As›€a€general€matter,€the€appellate€courts€are€disinclined€to€alter€a€trialÏcourtððs€decision€regarding€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support€unless€the€evidence€does€notÏsupport€it€or€it€is€inconsistent€with€the€policies€embodied€in€the€applicableÏstatutes.€€òòBrown€v.€Brown,€óó913€S.W.2d€at€169;€òòÔ_ÔGilliamÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔGilliamÔ_Ô,óó€776ÏS.W.2d€81,€86€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).ÌÌà àÔ_ÔSpousalÔ_Ô€support€decisions€are€not€intended€to€be€punitive.€€òòBrown€v.ÏBrown,óó€913€S.W.2d€at€169;€òòÔ_ÔMcClungÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔMcClungÔ_Ôóó,€29€Tenn.€App.€580,€584,Ï198€S.W.2d€820,€822€(1946).€They€are€intended€to€assist€the€economicallyÏdisadvantaged€spouse€to€become€as€self„sufficient€as€possible,€and,€whenÏeconomical€rehabilitation€is€not€feasible,€to€mitigate€to€the€greatest€extentÏpracticable,€the€harsh€economic€realities€of€divorce.€€òòBrown€v.€Brown,óó€913ÏS.W.2d€at€169.€€The€most€common€factors€influencing€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€supportÏdecisions€continue€to€be€the€need€of€the€spouse€seeking€support€and€the€abilityÏof€the€Ô_ÔobligorÔ_Ô€spouse€to€pay.€€òòÔ_ÔCrainÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔCrainÔ_Ô,óó€925€S.W.2d€232,€234€(Tenn.€Ct.ÏApp.€1996);€òòHawkins€v.€Hawkins,óó€883€S.W.2d€at€625.ÌÌà àMr.€Curtis€made€it€clear€œboth€before›€and€during€the€trial€that€œhe›€wishedÏto€avoid€paying€any€type€of€support€to€Ms.€œCurtis.€€At›€one€œpoint,€he›€evenÏoffered€to€give€œher€practically›€all€the€marital€œproperty›€in€return€for€not€beingÏrequired€to€pay€her€Ô_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support.€€The€trial€court€did€not€adopt€thisÏproposal.€€While€Mr.€Curtis€now€states€that€he€is€willing€to€pay€temporaryÏsupport€for€a€reasonable€period,€he€asserts€that€requiring€him€to€continue€toÏpay€Ms.€Curtis€$1,176.64€per€monthÔ_Ô× ƒ: ××  ×Ô_Ô€until€her€death€or€remarriage€is€unfairÏbecause€he€is€unable€to€pay€it€and€because€the€trial€court€has€also€required€himÏto€be€responsible€for€the€Southern€Financial€debt.ÌÌà àMr.€Curtis€is€currently€fifty„six€years€old€and€has€no€physical€or€mentalÏimpairments€that€impede€his€Ô_ÔabilityÔ_Ô€to€work.€€He€has€operated€his€ownÏelectrical€business€for€over€fifteen€years.€€Despite€his€limited€formalÏeducation,€the€trial€court€specifically€found€that€he€was€an€ð ðastuteÏbusinessman.ðð€€Despite€the€income€reported€on€his€1994€tax€returns,€Mr.ÍCurtis€testified€that€he€ð ðalways€made€real€good€moneyðð€and€that€in€some€yearsÏhe€earned€$45,000€to€$50,000€after€taxes.€€Ms.€Curtis,€on€the€other€hand,€isÏsomewhat€impaired€because€of€her€back€injury€and€has€limited€employmentÏskills.ÌÌà àBased€on€the€evidence€with€regard€to€the€length€of€the€marriage,€the€ageÏand€health€of€the€parties,€and€the€partiesðð€respective€abilities€to€earn€incomeÏand€to€acquire€capital€assets,€we€cannot€say€that€the€trial€court€erred€byÏdetermining€that€Mr.€Curtis€could€pay€$1,176.64€per€month€in€long„termÏÔ_ÔspousalÔ_Ô€support.€€This€award€remains€within€the€trial€courtððs€jurisdiction;Ïaccordingly,€Mr.€Curtis€will€always€have€the€prerogative€to€request€anÏadjustment€in€his€support€obligation€should€his€ability€to€earn€income€or€Ms.ÏCurtisððs€needs€change€materially.̛̜à@ àò òV.ó óÌà@ àòòò òThe€Award€for€Attorneyððs€Feesó óóóÌÌà àMr.€Curtis€insists€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€requiring€him€to€payÏ$7,945€of€Ms.€Curtisððs€legal€expenses€at€trial.€€At€the€same€time,€Ms.€CurtisÏasserts€that€Mr.€Curtis€should€be€required€to€defray€her€legal€expenses€for€thisÏappeal.€€We€have€determined€that€the€trial€court€did€not€err€in€awarding€Ms.ÏCurtis€her€legal€expenses€at€trial;€however,€we€have€determined€that€sheÏshould€be€responsible€for€her€own€attorneyððs€fees€on€appeal.ÌÌà àThe€courts€consider€an€award€for€legal€expenses€in€a€divorce€proceedingÏas€an€additional€support€award.€€òòÔ_ÔGilliamÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔGilliamÔ_Ô,óó€776€S.W.2d€at€86;ÏòòÔ_ÔRaskindÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔRaskindÔ_Ô,€óó45€Tenn.€App.€583,€601,€325€S.W.2d€617,€625€(1959).€ÏThese€awards€are€appropriate€when€an€economically€disadvantaged€spouseÍlacks€funds€to€pay€his€or€her€legal€expenses.€€òòÔ_ÔHarwellÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔHarwellÔ_Ô,óó€612€S.W.2dÏ182,€185€(Tenn.€œCt.€App.›€1980),€but€are€œinappropriate›€when€the€spouseÏrequesting€the€award€is€able€to€pay€his€or€her€own€lawyer€either€fromÏearnings€or€from€the€assets€received€as€a€result€of€the€divorce.€€òòÔ_ÔInmanÔ_Ô€v.ÏÔ_ÔInmanÔ_Ô,óó€811€S.W.2d€870,€874€(Tenn.€1991);€òòÔ_ÔMcCartyÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔMcCartyÔ_Ô,óó€863€S.W.2dÏ716,€722€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992).ÌÌà àMs.€Curtis€is€currently€sixty€years€old.€€She€will€require€the€modestÏproperty€awarded€her€as€a€result€of€the€divorce€to€support€her€when€she€is€noÏlonger€able€to€work.€€Her€work€future€is€somewhat€clouded€because€of€herÏback€injury,€and€accordingly,€we€do€not€find€that€the€trial€court€erred€inÏawarding€her€an€additional€$7,945€to€Ô_ÔdefrayÔ_Ô€her€legal€expenses.€€However,€weÏhave€determined€that€Mr.€Curtis€should€not€be€required€to€pay€more€thanÏ$7,945€for€Ms.€Curtisððs€legal€representation€in€this€case.€€Accordingly,€weÏdeny€Ms.€Curtisððs€request€for€an€additional€award€to€defray€her€legal€expensesÏon€this€appeal.€€ÌœÌ›à@ àò òVI.€ó óÌà@ àòòò òMs.€Curtisððs€Request€for€a€Frivolous€Appealó óóóÌÌà àAs€a€final€matter,€Ms.€Curtis€œhas›€requested€this€court€to€award€herÏdamages€for€a€frivolous€appeal€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€27„1„122€(1980).€ÏAppeals€are€considered€frivolous€for€the€purpose€of€awarding€damages€if€theyÏare€devoid€of€merit€or€if€they€have€little€prospect€that€they€would€ever€beÏsuccessful.€€òòCombustion€Ô_ÔEngððgÔ_Ô,€Inc.€v.€Kennedy,óó€562€S.W.2d€202,€œ205›€(Tenn.Ï1978);€òòIndustrial€Dev.€Bd.€of€Ô_ÔTullahomaÔ_Ô€v.€Hancock,óó€901€S.W.2d€382,€385Ï(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€While€being€partially€successful€on€appeal€places€aÏcase€beyond€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€27„1„122,€òòseeóó€òòÔ_ÔPittmanÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔLascoÔ_Ô€Indus.,€Inc.,óóÍ908€S.W.2d€932,€937€(Tenn.€1995),€being€unsuccessful€does€not€necessarilyÏindicate€that€an€appeal€is€frivolous.€€ÌÌà àWe€must€always€balance€the€right€to€seek€appellate€review€of€a€trialÏcourtððs€decision€with€the€concern€over€the€waste€of€resources€and€delay€causedÏby€appeals€brought€for€strategic€reasons€not€relating€to€the€merits€of€the€issuesÏinvolved€in€the€case.€€While€Mr.€Curtis€has€not€œbeen€successful›€on€this€appeal,Ïœwe›€have€determined€that€his€issues€are€genuine€and€that€he€did€not€pursue€thisÏappeal€for€the€purpose€of€delay.€€Accordingly,€we€deny€Ms.€Curtisððs€requestÏfor€damages€for€a€frivolous€appeal.ÌÌà@ àò òVII.ó óÌÌà àWe€affirm€the€judgment€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€forÏwhatever€further€proceedings€may€be€required.€€We€tax€the€costs€of€thisÏappeal€to€Gary€Ô_ÔLeRoyÔ_Ô€Curtis€and€his€surety€for€which€execution,€if€necessary,Ïmay€issue.ÌÌÌÌÓÓà àà àà àà àà àà àà à____________________________Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àà àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,ÏJUDGEÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌ________________________________ÌHENRY€F.€TODD,€P.J.,€M.S.€ÌÌÌ________________________________ÌSAMUEL€L.€LEWIS,€JUDGE€œ›