ÿWPC>( ö½â­Š‡-(Í!5X4…if”óõìú\îkž$-íΉ-•³ëþËÎníùx¿æÁË÷ÜÖ¡œ\¦6¶Ø×CIL%)|A•Cb¨Î[;qªíÚÿº[Ø¤Žø®ôíº¬SÊü="ái…ÏŽÍÙõú9MÌ„É tÀää™E_÷…–®Êß¹ L0qø¶Û2!p†§hª¡º,x(y‘þj#¦S’ÖöbðôÈ5äÍÙUVÇ ¡3q¬AŒ°™åÍlÁèέ°9•À!‡9)îÑJ °…=šév½®C§ϟǨÜkc®šz4ÇlZÔ'7œZHNxeš¼G¿yiýñ}…¬l—S>) z~ª2Wã!§Øjá,W@¸`Å>E•ÜuÇ?æF B ÐnÖtKì; Vü0ÑŒõÓdö_ÐÖ§Sq+Æ0 í…i~­hÍ#-v£L­gý=Iý?‚”C–„„’ЏÛ(4s¼Ç|$Bê³o!NßPÏT®x‹6×ð³åÊá6ÁÆ—ðm‘À¤Ö˜A ø4"Q¢KÄõv„‰M’–›éwEuSÖûDùR.Q–Pƒ…Œ\~ŸËÎ錠O½X† òÊ< ƒ:i‹Ë˜²h#Á° 0 Dq %µ 0ˆ» UNC ‘ ¶“ zIÒÃUN•^ ãwï4óÆÆÍÆ“ÆYN.õ01%EVVVVVVX mZQqÂUÊ>‡]]þäääääòâââââbÔ"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô"Ô" 0 ëÜ"Ü"Ü"Ü" B Ç#Ç# 0¤ä# D3ˆ$ D-»$ 0Kè$è$ AS3%Ɔ% 0¤L& 0Dð& A«4'4'4'4'4' B5ß' B*(˜HP LaserJet 4 Plus,ð,,,,,ð0(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó»(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular øÝ ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWhen€the€parties€first€arrived€in€Tennessee€from€Michigan,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMcKeeÔ_Ô€bought€a€home€inÐ ° Ðthe€Cross€Creek€subdivision€with€the€proceeds€from€the€sale€of€his€condominium€in€Michigan€andÐ  ð Ðother€investments.€€While€only€Mr.€Ô_ÔMcKeeÔ_Ôððs€name€was€on€the€deed,€Ms.€Ô_ÔMcKeeÔ_Ô€contributed€ð ðsweatÐ à Ðequityðð€by€working€to€improve€the€house.€€Accordingly,€when€Mr.€Ô_ÔMcKeeÔ_Ô€sold€the€property€in€1992,Ð €Ð Ðthe€equity€in€the€house€was€marital€property. ¬Ý ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€apparently€intended€to€reimburse€Mr.€Ô_ÔMcKeeÔ_Ô€for€the€initial€investment€of€hisÐ ° Ðseparate€funds€to€acquire€the€property€and€to€build€the€house.€€As€we€have€already€pointed€out,€theÐ  ð Ðproceeds€of€the€sale€of€the€Cross€Creek€property€were€not€necessarily€Mr.€Ô_ÔMcKeeÔ_Ôððs€separate€propertyÐ à Ðbecause€they€include€marital€property€„€the€appreciation€in€the€value€of€the€Cross€Creek€propertyÐ €Ð Ðduring€the€marriage. ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular@oê(â Y~u( ü˜  œLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 53|x ëÝ ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFor€example,€Ms.€Ô_ÔMcKeeÔ_Ô€states€that€her€clothing€expenses€are€$600€per€month. 'Ý ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔBased€on€his€length€of€service€with€General€Motors,€Ô_ÔMr.McKeeÔ_Ô€was€entitled€to€pensionÐ ° Ðpayments€of€$4,199.40€per€month. ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ GÝ ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€McKeeððs€net€worth€eight€months€after€the€parties€married€was€$398,640.€€Ms.€McKeeÐ ° Ðhad€debts€in€excess€of€$13,000€at€the€time€of€the€marriage.€€Mr.€McKee€paid€off€these€debts.  KÝ ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIt€is€irrelevant€whether€these€rights€are€vested.€€òòSee€Cohen€v.€Cohenóó,òòÔ‡ Xô* XXX¹«ÔÔ#†X¹«X X Xô*Í#Ôóó€937€S.W.2d€at€830€.Ô‡ Xô* XXX¹«Ôòòóó 4Ý ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€courtððs€calculation€of€the€marital€portion€of€Mr.€McKeeððs€GM€retirement€plan€wasÐ ° Ðbased€on€the€multiplication€of€the€present€value€of€the€retirement€by€the€ð ðmarital€coverture.ðð€€ThisÐ  ð Ðð ðmarital€covertureðð€is€a€fraction€with€the€numerator€being€the€total€length€of€the€marriage€and€the€Ð à Ðdenominator€being€the€total€time€Mr.€McKee€contributed€to€the€plan. }Ý ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔEven€though€the€June€5,€1997€judgment€states€that€Ms.€McKee€was€awarded€35%€of€theÐ ° Ðmarital€property,€the€value€of€the€property€Ms.€McKee€actually€received€amounted€to€37%€of€theÐ  ð Ðidentified€and€valued€marital€estate. ôÝ ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€McKee€offered€proof€that€if€Mr.€McKee€broke€service€with€his€employer€at€the€end€ofÐ ° Ð1987,€and€retired€at€65,€his€monthly€benefit€from€the€GM€retirement€plan€would€be€$1,390.€Ð  ð ÐHowever,€we€do€not€know,€and€do€not€presume€to€speculate€on,€the€present€value€of€this€benefit€atÐ à Ðthe€time€of€the€partiesðð€marriage. èÝ ƒR¥B$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹«X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€$395,282€increase€includes:€the€$236,000€equity€in€the€North€Carolina€property€that€theÐ ° Ðtrial€court€erroneously€classified€as€Mr.€McKeeððs€separate€property,€the€$11,960€increase€in€the€valueÐ  ð Ðof€the€Quick€&€Reilly€IRA€that€the€trial€court€erroneously€classified€as€Mr.€McKeeððs€separateÐ à Ðproperty,€and€$147,322€representing€the€difference€between€the€increase€in€value€during€the€marriageÐ €Ð Ðof€Mr.€McKeeððs€GM€401k€account€and€the€amount€of€Mr.€McKeeððs€contributions€and€accrualsÐ pÀ Ðthereon€during€the€marriage.- ù-(|G2¥B$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¦»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€X »X»»Ô d(|3A $££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¦»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3A $¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¦»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK1Large Dashed d&ÿÿ0 d dÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€®Œ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼®Œ»»»ÔÑ8€¹«XXdð»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îóÿ®ŒÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÔ#†¼®Œ»îîóÿ #ԈР° Ðà@kk$ìàÔ‡îóÿ®ŒÔAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼®Œ»îîóÿš#ԈРÜ, ÐÔ‡X¹«X»¼®ŒÔÌò òÔ#†¼®Œ»XX¹«þ#ÔÓ  ÓPETER€GREGG€McKEE€v.€PENNY€MARIE€PEARSALL€McKEEó óÐ øH ÐÓDÓÌÔ€X¹«X»¼®ŒÔà@3 3 ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Maury€CountyˆÐ ( x Ðà@À À ìàNo.€96„493€€€€€€Jim€T.€Hamilton,€ChancellorˆÐ  h ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<ç ` A߈Ð è 8  ÐÌà@· · ìàNo.€M1997„00204„COA„R3„CV€„€Decided€May€23,€2000ˆÐ ç7  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Æ` AßÐ Ç  Ðó óÌThis€appeal€involves€the€financial€aspects€of€a€marriage€that€lasted€less€than€ten€years.€€Both€partiesÐ Æ  Ðsought€a€divorce€and€vigorously€joined€issue€over€the€classification€of€their€property,€the€divisionÐ ¶ Ðof€the€marital€estate,€and€the€wifeððs€demands€for€spousal€support€and€attorneyððs€fees.€€Following€aÐ ¦ö Ðbench€trial,€the€Chancery€Court€for€Maury€County€declared€the€parties€divorced.€€The€trial€court€alsoÐ –æ Ðawarded€the€parties€their€separate€property,€distributed€37%€of€the€marital€estate€to€the€wife,€andÐ †Ö Ðdeclined€to€award€the€wife€spousal€support.€€On€this€appeal,€the€wife€takes€issue€with€the€trial€courtððsÐ vÆ Ðclassification€and€division€of€the€property€and€its€refusal€to€award€her€either€spousal€support€orÐ f¶ Ðattorneyððs€fees.€€While€the€trial€court€erred€in€the€classification€of€the€marital€property,€we€haveÐ V¦ Ðdetermined€that€its€division€of€the€marital€estate,€once€corrected,€is€equitable.€€We€have€alsoÐ F– Ðdetermined€that€the€trial€court€should€have€granted€the€wife€short„term€spousal€support€but€properlyÐ 6† Ðdenied€her€request€for€attorneyððs€fees.Ð &v ÐÌà@ìì*ìàˆÌò òà@--ìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Modified€ˆÐ öF Ðà@¨¨$ìàand€Affirmedó óˆÐ æ6 ÐÌòòKoch,€óóJ.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòTodd,€P.J.,€M.S.,óó€and€òòCantrell,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Æ  ÐÌRobert€L.€Holloway,€Jr.,€Columbia,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Penny€Marie€Pearsall€McKee.Ð ¦"ö! ÐÌThomas€W.€Hardin€and€Darren€J.€Scoggins,€Columbia,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Peter€GreggÐ †$Ö# ÐMcKee.Ð v%Æ $ ÐÌà@55'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ V'¦"& ÐÌà  àPeter€Gregg€McKee€and€Penny€Marie€Pearsall€McKee€were€married€in€Michigan€in€JulyÐ 6)†$( Ð1987.€€Mr.€McKee€was€fifty€years€old€and€had€been€married€once€before.€€Ms.€McKee€was€thirty„Ð &*v%) Ðeight€and€had€already€been€married€twice.€€The€parties€had€no€children€together,€although€bothÐ +f&* Ðparties€had€adult€children€from€their€earlier€marriages.€€Both€parties€had€college€degrees.€€Mr.€McKeeÐ ,V'+ Ðwas€an€engineer€who€had€worked€for€General€Motors€in€Michigan€since€1963,€and€Ms.€McKee€hadÐ ö,F(, Ðworked€as€a€teacher€and€as€an€administrative€assistant€with€Pepsi€Cola.€€Mr.€McKeeððs€annual€incomeÐ æ-6)-ý Ðat€the€time€of€the€divorce€was€approximately€$146,000.€€Ms.€McKee€earned€approximately€$23,000Ð ° Ðper€year€when€she€was€last€employed€full„time€outside€the€home.€€€Mr.€McKeeððs€net€worth€at€theÐ  ð Ðtime€of€the€marriage€was€approximately€$390,000;€while€Ms.€McKee€had€a€negative€net€worth.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€ByÐ à Ðthe€time€of€the€divorce,€the€partiesðð€combined€net€worth€was€approximately€$1.6€million.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€parties€moved€to€Tennessee€in€1998€when€Mr.€McKee€transferred€to€the€SaturnÐ ` ° ÐCorporation€in€Spring€Hill.€€Ms.€McKee€did€not€seek€full„time€employment€following€the€move€toÐ P   ÐTennessee.€€She€asserted€at€trial€that€Mr.€McKee€discouraged€her€from€seeking€work€outside€theÐ @  Ðhome.€€Mr.€McKee,€however,€testified€that€Ms.€McKee€declined€to€pursue€any€employmentÐ 0 € Ðopportunities€or€to€return€to€school€because€she€did€not€wish€to€be€away€from€her€pet€dogs€for€moreÐ  p  Ðthan€four€hours€a€day.€€At€one€point,€Ms.€McKee€attempted€to€sell€her€homemade€wall€hangings€butÐ `  Ðthis€venture€was€not€successful.€€She€also€took€work€cleaning€houses€on€a€part„time€basis.Ð P  ÐÌà  àThe€marriage€began€to€deteriorate€in€the€early€1990's,€and€the€parties€began€to€sleep€inÐ à0  Ðseparate€rooms.€€Mr.€McKee€testified€that€Ms.€McKee€was€dissatisfied€with€the€physical€aspects€ofÐ Ð  Ðthe€partiesðð€relationship€but€declined€to€seek€help€from€a€marriage€counselor.€€He€also€stated€that€Ms.Ð À ÐMcKee€assaulted€him€on€two€occasions€and€that€she€displayed€more€affection€for€the€family€dogsÐ ° Ðthan€for€him.€€By€September€1995,€the€parties€had€separated€and€were€living€in€separate€homes.€€Ms.Ð  ð ÐMcKee€eventually€had€two€sexual€affairs€with€other€men€during€the€partiesðð€separation.Ð à ÐÌà  àIn€August€1996,€Mr.€McKee€filed€suit€for€divorce€in€the€Chancery€Court€for€Maury€CountyÐ pÀ Ðalleging€irreconcilable€differences.€€He€amended€his€complaint€six€months€later€to€add€the€groundÐ `° Ðof€inappropriate€marital€conduct.€€€Ms.€McKee€responded€to€the€complaint€in€February€1997.€€WhileÐ P  Ðadmitting€that€the€parties€had€irreconcilable€differences,€she€denied€inappropriate€marital€conductÐ @ Ðand€counterclaimed€for€divorce€both€on€irreconcilable€differences€and€on€inappropriate€maritalÐ 0€ Ðconduct.€€The€trial€court€conducted€a€bench€trial€in€May€1997.€€By€the€time€of€trial,€Ms.€McKee€hadÐ  p Ðmoved€to€Cashiers,€North€Carolina€where€she€worked€as€an€administrative€assistant€at€the€ChatoogaÐ ` ÐClub€earning€approximately€$1,200€per€month.€€The€trial€court€filed€its€judgment€on€June€5,€1997.€Ð P ÐThe€judgment€(a)€declared€the€parties€divorced€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b)Ð ð@ Ð(Supp.€1999),€(b)€awarded€the€parties€their€separate€property,€(c)€valued€the€marital€estate€atÐ à0 Ð$687,890€and€awarded€Ms.€McKee€37%€of€the€marital€property,׃"p×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€(d)€granted€each€party€custody€ofÐ Ð  Ðtwo€of€the€partiesðð€four€dogs,€(e)€denied€Ms.€McKeeððs€request€for€spousal€support,€and€(f)€directedÐ À! Ðthe€parties€to€be€responsible€for€their€own€attorneyððs€fees.€€Ms.€McKee€has€appealed€from€thisÐ °"  Ðjudgment.Ð  #ð! ÐÐ $à" Ðà@¬¬)ìàÔ_Ôò òI.ó óÔ_ԈР° Ðà@Ò Ò ìàòòò òClassification€and€Division€of€the€Propertyó óóóˆÐ  ð ÐÌà  àMs.€McKee€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€its€classification€of€their€marital€property€andÐ €Ð Ðin€the€manner€in€which€it€divided€the€marital€property.€€As€we€will€detail€below,€we€have€determinedÐ pÀ Ðthat€the€trial€court€misclassified€as€marital€property€(1)€the€husbandððs€interest€in€the€partiesðð€NorthÐ ` ° ÐCarolina€house,€(2)€portions€of€an€IRA€in€Mr.€McKeeððs€name,€and€(3)€portions€of€the€value€of€Mr.Ð P   ÐMcKeeððs€General€Motors€401k€account.€€We€have€also€determined€that€the€evidence€supports€theÐ @  Ðtrial€courtððs€conclusion€that€awarding€Ms.€McKee€37€%€of€the€marital€property€is€equitable.Ð 0 € ÐAccordingly,€we€find€that€Ms.€McKee€is€entitled€to€receive€37%€of€the€revised€value€of€the€maritalÐ  p  Ðestate.Ð `  ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ ð@  Ðà@w w ìàò òClassification€of€the€Separate€Propertyó óˆÐ à0  ÐÌà  àIn€divorce€proceedings,€separate€property€is€not€part€of€the€marital€estate€subject€to€divisionÐ À Ðunder€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121€(1996).€€òòSee€Cutsinger€v.€Cutsingeróó,€917€S.W.2d€238,€241€(Tenn.Ð ° ÐCt.€App.€1995).€€Accordingly,€when€it€comes€to€dividing€a€divorcing€coupleððs€property,€the€firstÐ  ð Ðorder€of€business€is€to€identify€and€distribute€the€separate€property,€if€any,€to€each€party.€€òòSeeÐ à ÐAnderton€v.€Andertonóó,€988€S.W.2d€675,€679€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àSeparate€property€includes€(1)€property€owned€by€a€spouse€before€marriage,€(2)€propertyÐ `° Ðacquired€in€exchange€for€property€acquired€before€marriage,€(3)€income€from€and€appreciation€ofÐ P  Ðproperty€owned€by€a€spouse€before€marriage,€and€(4)€property€acquired€by€a€spouse€at€any€time€byÐ @ Ðgift,€bequest,€devise,€or€descent.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(b)(2).€€If€either€spouse€makes€aÐ 0€ Ðgift€of€separate€property€to€the€marital€estate,€the€property€is€transmuted€into€marital€property.€€òòSeeÐ  p ÐMcClellan€v.€McClellanóó,€873€S.W.2d€350,€351€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993);€òòBatson€v.€Batsonóó,€769€S.W.2dÐ ` Ð849,€858€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€€A€presumption€of€transmutation€arises€when€a€party€uses€separateÐ P Ðfunds€to€purchase€property€but€places€the€property€in€the€names€of€both€spouses.€€òòSee€Wright„MillerÐ ð@ Ðv.€Milleróó,€984€S.W.2d€936,€941€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998);€òòBarnhill€v.€Barnhillóó,€826€S.W.2d€443,€452Ð à0 Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€This€presumption€can€be€rebutted€with€ð ðevidence€of€circumstances€orÐ Ð  Ðcommunications€clearly€indicating€an€intent€that€the€property€remain€separate.ðð€€òòMcClellan€v.Ð À! ÐMcClellanóó,€873€S.W.2d€at€351.€€òòSee€also€Batson€v.€Batsonóó,€769€S.W.2d€at€858.€€Ð °"  ÐÌà  àRegardless€of€the€partiesðð€intent,€income€from€separate€property€or€an€increase€in€the€valueÐ $à" Ðof€separate€property€during€the€marriage€becomes€marital€property€if€the€non„owner€spouse€makesÐ €%Ð # Ða€substantial€contribution€to€the€preservation€and€appreciation€of€the€separate€property.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.Ð p&À!$ ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(b)(1)(B);€òòCohen€v.€Cohenóó,€937€S.W.2d€823,€832€(Tenn.€1996);€òòHarrison€v.Ð `'°"% Ðâ âHarrisonóó,€912€S.W.2d€124,€126€(Tenn.€1995).€€Marital€property€also€includes€the€value€of€ð ðpension,Ð P( #& Ðretirement€or€other€fringe€benefit€rights׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€accrued€during€the€period€of€the€marriage,ðð€òòóóTenn.€CodeÐ ° Ðâ âAnn.€ðð€36„4„121(b)(1)(B),€regardless€of€the€non„owning€spouseððs€contributions€during€the€marriage.€Ð  ð ÐòòSee€Cohen€v.€Cohenóó,òòóó€937€S.W.2d€at€830;òò€Kendrick€v.€Kendrickóó,òòóó€902€S.W.2d€918,€926€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð à ÐApp.€1994);€òòCollins€v.€Willisóó,€No.€01A01-9808-CH-00433,€1999€WL€298261,òòóó€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð €Ð ÐMay€13,€1999)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€€Accordingly,€we€have€held€that€maritalÐ pÀ Ðproperty€includes€any€increase€during€the€marriage€in€the€value€of€retirement€or€pension€rights,Ð ` ° Ðwhether€through€passive€growth€or€through€either€partyððs€direct€or€indirect€contribution.òò€€See€UmstotÐ P   Ðv.€Umstotóó,€968€S.W.2d€819,€822€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997);òò€Mayfield€v.€Mayfieldóó,€No.€01A01-€9611-Ð @  ÐCV-00501,€1997€WL€210826,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€April€30€1997)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð 0 € Ðapplication€filed);€òòFranklin€v.€Franklinóó,€No.€03A01-9410-CV-00364,€1995€WL€371573,€at€*2€(Tenn.Ð  p  ÐCt.€App.€June€21,€1995)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).Ð `  ÐÌà  àClassifying€property€as€separate€or€marital€is€a€question€of€fact.€€òòSee€Cutsinger€v.€Cutsingeróó,Ð ð@  Ð917€S.W.2d€at€241;€òòSherrill€v.€Sherrillóó,€831€S.W.2d€293,€295€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992).€€Thus,€a€trialÐ à0  Ðcourt's€classification€decisions€are€entitled€to€great€weight€on€appeal.€€òòSee€Wilson€v.€Mooreóó,€929Ð Ð  ÐS.W.2d€367,€372€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€These€decisions€will€be€presumed€to€be€correct€unless€theÐ À Ðevidence€preponderates€otherwise,€òòsee€Hardin€v.€Hardinóó,€689€S.W.2d€152,€154€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ° Ð1983),€or€unless€they€are€based€on€an€error€of€law.€€òòSee€Mahaffey€v.€Mahaffeyóó,€775€S.W.2d€at€622.Ð  ð ÐÌà@¡¡)ìàò ò1.ó óˆÐ €Ð Ðà@ÓÓ"ìàò òThe€Real€Propertyó óˆÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àNeither€party€disputes€the€trial€courtððs€classification€of€the€equity€in€the€partiesðð€home€on€OakÐ P  ÐValley€Drive€in€Spring€Hill€as€marital€property.€€However,€Ms.€McKee€asserts€that€the€court€erredÐ @ Ðby€classifying€as€separate€property€$236,000€of€the€equity€in€the€North€Carolina€property.€€We€agree.Ð 0€ ÐÌà  àThe€parties€purchased€a€1.22„acre€lot€in€North€Carolina€in€March€1990.€€The€title€to€theÐ ` Ðproperty€was€placed€in€their€joint€names.€€They€later€built€a€house€on€the€property€using€$40,000€ofÐ P ÐMr.€McKeeððs€money€and€$195,000€of€the€proceeds€of€the€sale€of€the€their€home€in€the€Cross€CreekÐ ð@ Ðsubdivision€in€Franklin,€Tennessee.׃€×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Both€parties€put€many€hours€of€work€into€supervising€andÐ à0 Ðcompleting€the€construction€of€this€house.€€Mr.€McKee€testified€at€trial€that€he€did€not€consider€theÐ Ð  ÐNorth€Carolina€property€as€marital€property€because€he€used€what€he€believed€were€separate€assetsÐ À! Ðto€purchase€the€property€and€to€finance€the€construction.€€Nevertheless,€he€did€not€communicate€toÐ °"  ÐMs.€McKee€his€intention€to€keep€this€property€as€his€separate€property.€€By€the€time€of€the€hearing,Ð  #ð! Ðthe€equity€in€the€property€amounted€to€$500,000.€The€trial€court€concluded€that€$236,000€of€thisÐ ° Ðequity€was€Mr.€McKeeððs€separate€property׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€that€the€remaining€$264,000€was€marital€property.Ð  ð ÐÌà  àWhen€Mr.€McKee€purchased€the€North€Carolina€property,€he€caused€both€his€and€Ms.Ð €Ð ÐMcKeeððs€name€to€be€put€on€the€deed.€€This€act€gave€rise€to€the€presumption€that€Mr.€McKee€intendedÐ pÀ Ðto€make€a€gift€to€the€marital€estate.€€Mr.€McKee€now€attempts€to€rebut€this€presumption€with€onlyÐ ` ° Ðhis€own€testimony€that€he€used€his€separate€property€to€acquire€and€build€the€house€and€that€he€didÐ P   Ðnot€intend€to€treat€the€North€Carolina€property€as€marital€property.€€As€far€as€this€record€shows,€Mr.Ð @  ÐMcKee€never€expressed€to€Ms.€McKee€his€intention€to€maintain€this€property€as€his€separateÐ 0 € Ðproperty,€and€the€record€contains€no€evidence€of€other€circumstances€clearly€indicating€Mr.€McKeeððsÐ  p  Ðintention€to€keep€this€property€separate.€€Accordingly,€we€hold€that€the€entire€equity€in€the€NorthÐ `  ÐCarolina€property€is€marital€property.Ð P  ÐÌà@¡¡)ìàò ò2.ó óˆÐ à0  Ðà@÷ ÷ ìàò òThe€Investment€and€Retirement€Accountsó óˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àMs.€McKee€also€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€treat€as€marital€property€anyÐ ° Ðaccrual€during€the€marriage€of€Mr.€McKeeððs€otherwise€separate€retirement„related€accounts.€€WeÐ  ð Ðagree€and€hold€that€the€increase€in€value€of€Mr.€McKeeððs€Quick€&€Reilly€IRA€and€GM€401k€accountÐ à Ðduring€the€marriage€is€marital€property.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àMr.€McKee€had€five€investment€and€retirement€accounts€at€the€time€of€the€divorce€hearing.€Ð `° ÐThe€first€account€was€an€investment€account€with€Delaware€Service€Company€valued€at€$22,092€thatÐ P  ÐMr.€McKee€opened€before€marrying€Ms.€McKee€(ð ðDelaware€Service€accountðð).€€The€second€was€anÐ @ ÐIRA€Mr.€McKee€established€before€the€marriage€using€a€combination€of€several€pre„maritalÐ 0€ Ðinvestments.€€(ð ðQuick€&€Reilly€IRAðð).€This€IRA€was€worth€$13,260€when€the€parties€wed€and€wasÐ  p Ðvalued€at€$25,220€at€the€time€of€trial€€Mr.€McKee€made€no€contributions€to€either€the€DelawareÐ ` ÐService€account€or€the€Quick€&€Reilly€IRA€during€his€marriage€to€Ms.€McKee.€€The€third€accountÐ P Ðwas€the€401k€account€Mr.€McKee€started€when€he€went€to€work€for€General€Motors€in€1963€(ð ðGMÐ ð@ Ð401k€accountðð).€This€account€was€worth€$77,594€when€the€parties€married€and€$291,538€at€the€timeÐ à0 Ðof€trial.€€Mr.€McKee€also€estimated€that€his€contributions€to€the€GM€401k€account€during€theÐ Ð  Ðmarriage€and€the€accruals€thereon€amounted€to€$66,662.€€The€fourth€account€was€Mr.€McKeeððsÐ À! Ðâ âGeneral€Motors€retirement€plan€(ð ðGM€retirement€planðð).€€Based€upon€an€analysis€performed€by€aÐ °"  Ðprofessional€appraiser,€the€present€value€of€the€GM€retirement€plan€was€$608,427.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€fifth€accountÐ ° Ðâ âwas€Mr.€McKeeððs€401k€account€with€Saturn€Corporation€(ð ðSaturn€401k€accountðð)€valued€at€$91,468.Ð  ð ÐÌà  àThe€parties€agreed€that€the€entire€value€of€Mr.€McKeeððs€Saturn€401k€account€was€maritalÐ €Ð Ðproperty.€€The€trial€court€found€that€the€Delaware€Service€account€and€the€Quick€&€Reilly€IRA€wereÐ pÀ ÐMr.€McKeeððs€separate€property.€€The€court€classified€the€$66,662€in€contributions€Mr.€McKee€madeÐ ` ° Ðto€his€GM€401k€account€during€the€marriage€as€marital€property€and€the€$224,916€balance€as€Mr.Ð P   ÐMcKeeððs€separate€property.€€The€court€also€determined€that€$430,627€of€the€present€value€of€Mr.Ð @  ÐMcKeeððs€GM€retirement€plan€was€Mr.€McKeeððs€separate€property€and€that€the€remaining€$177,800Ð 0 € Ðwas€marital€property.׃!p×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð  p  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€courtððs€analysis€regarding€Mr.€McKeeððs€Quick€&€Reilly€IRA€and€GM€401k€accountÐ P  Ðis€flawed€because€the€court€overlooked€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(b)(1)(B)€which€provides€thatÐ ð@  Ðthe€value€of€ð ðpension,€retirement€or€other€fringe€benefit€rights€accrued€during€the€period€of€theÐ à0  Ðmarriageðð€is€marital€property€òòóóregardless€of€the€non„owning€spouseððs€contributions€during€theÐ Ð  Ðmarriage.€€Accordingly,€the€$11,960€increase€in€the€value€of€Mr.€McKeeððs€Quick€&€Reilly€IRAÐ À Ðduring€the€marriage€should€have€been€included€in€the€marital€estate.€€By€the€same€token,€the€full€Ð ° Ð$213,944€increase€in€the€value€of€Mr.€McKeeððs€GM€401k€account€during€the€marriage€should€haveÐ  ð Ðbeen€included€in€the€marital€estate.Ð à ÐÌà  àWe€do€not€take€issue€with€the€trial€courtððs€classification€of€the€remaining€accounts.€€TheÐ pÀ Ðrecord€contains€no€evidence€of€the€value€of€the€GM€retirement€plan€at€the€time€the€parties€married,׃$ø×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð `° Ðand€Ms.€McKee€does€not€contest€the€trial€courtððs€valuation€on€appeal.€€Based€on€the€record,€weÐ P  Ðcannot€say€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€its€calculation€of€the€marital€portion€of€the€GM€retirement€plan.€Ð @ ÐBoth€parties€agree€that€the€Saturn€401k€account€is€marital€property.€€The€Delaware€Service€accountÐ 0€ Ðis€not€a€retirement,€pension,€or€other€fringe€benefit.€€It€is€an€investment€account€set€up€by€Mr.€McKeeÐ  p Ðbefore€the€marriage.€€Neither€party€contributed€to€the€account€financially,€or€in€any€other€wayÐ ` Ðcontributed€to€its€preservation€or€appreciation.€€The€Delaware€Service€account€remains€Mr.€McKeeððsÐ P Ðseparate€property.Ð ð@ Їà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ ° Ðà@ìàò òDivision€of€the€Marital€Estateó óˆÐ  ð ÐÌà  àThe€trial€courtððs€goal€in€a€divorce€case€is€to€divide€the€marital€property€in€an€essentiallyÐ €Ð Ðequitable€manner.€€A€division€is€not€rendered€inequitable€simply€because€it€is€not€precisely€equal,Ð pÀ Ðòòsee€Cohen€v.€Cohenóó,€937€S.W.2d€at€832;€òòEllis€v.€Ellisóó,€748€S.W.2d€424,€427€(Tenn.€1988),€or€becauseÐ ` ° Ðeach€party€did€not€receive€a€share€of€every€piece€of€marital€property.€€òòSeeóó€òòBrown€v.€Brownóó,€913Ð P   ÐS.W.2d€163,€168€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994).€€Ð @  ÐÌà  àDividing€a€marital€estate€is€not€a€mechanical€process€but,€rather,€is€guided€by€considering€theÐ  p  Ðfactors€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-4-121(c).€€Trial€judges€have€wide€latitude€in€fashioning€an€equitableÐ `  Ðdivision€of€marital€property,€òòsee€Fisher€v.€Fisheróó,€648€S.W.2d€244,€246€(Tenn.€1983);€òòBrown€v.Ð P  ÐBrownóó,€913€S.W.2d€at€168.€€Appellate€courts€accord€great€weight€to€a€trial€judge's€division€of€maritalÐ ð@  Ðproperty.€€òòSee€Wilson€v.€Mooreóó,€929€S.W.2d€at€372;€òòEdwards€v.€Edwardsóó,€501€S.W.2d€283,€288Ð à0  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1973).€€€We€ordinarily€defer€to€the€trial€judge's€decision€unless€it€is€inconsistent€withÐ Ð  Ðthe€factors€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-4-121(c),€or€is€not€supported€by€a€preponderance€of€theÐ À Ðevidence.€€See€òòBrown€v.€Brownóó,€913€S.W.2d€at€168;€òòMahaffey€v.€Mahaffeyóó,€775€S.W.2d€at€622;Ð ° ÐòòHardin€v.€Hardinóó,€689€S.W.2d€at€154.Ð  ð ÐÌà  àOur€revisions€to€the€classification€of€the€separate€and€marital€property€have€increased€the€sizeÐ €Ð Ðof€the€marital€estate€from€$687,890€to€$1,083,172.׃)×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€trial€court€effectively€awarded€Ms.€McKeeÐ pÀ Ð37%€of€the€marital€estate€in€the€June€5,€1997€judgment.€€Ms.€McKee€came€into€the€marriage€with€aÐ `° Ðnegative€net€worth.€€During€the€ten„year€marriage,€she€did€not€earn€a€substantial€income€but€didÐ P  Ðcontribute€as€a€homemaker€and€by€helping€improve€the€partiesðð€real€property.€€By€the€same€token,Ð @ ÐMr.€McKee€also€helped€around€the€home€and€took€many€of€his€meals€outside€the€home.€€The€partiesÐ 0€ Ðhad€no€children€to€add€to€Ms.€McKeeððs€responsibilities.€€Accordingly,€after€considering€all€theÐ  p Ðfactors€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(c),€we€have€concluded€that€the€evidence€does€notÐ ` Ðpreponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€award€Ms.€McKee€37%€of€the€marital€estate.Ð P ÐÌÌÌÌÌâ âÐ  #ð! Ðà  àThe€following€table€summarizes€our€modifications€to€the€trial€courtððs€classification€ofÐ ° Ðâ âproperty€and€division€of€the€marital€estate.Ð  ð ÐÌÔ‡&´­ %XX¹«ÔÓ?+° ,XƒXä V2 x¤(#X°œX?Ó€€€€€à0  àà0` (#(#àà0ä ` (#` (#àHusbandà0Vä (#ä (#àMaritalà02V(#V(#àWifeà0 2(#2(#àà0x (# (#àà0¤x(#x(#àHusbandЀФ(#¤(# Ðà  àà ` àà ä àSeparateà0 V àPropertyà02V(#V(#àMaritalà0 2(#2(#àà0x (# (#àà0¤x(#x(#àMaritalÐ\¬¤(#¤(# ÐAssetà  àà ` àà ä àPropertyà0 V àEquityà02V(#V(#àPropertyà0 2(#2(#àà0x (# (#àà ¤ àPropertyÐ8 ˆx(#x(# ÐßA€V) °°xddE° xAßÐ  d ÐÌReal€Estate:Ð ÿ O ÐÌÓi4°,XƒXä <V2ô x¤ü!(#X° ,XƒXä V2 x¤(#XiÓ€€Oak€Valley€Dr.à0 ä àà0ä (#ä (#àà0<(#(#àà V àà‘'à50,000ˆà02<(#<(#àà‘úú3ôà18,500ˆà0 2(#2(#àà0x (# (#àà ¤ àà‘  Bü!à31,500ˆÐ·  x(#x(# Ѐ€N.€C.€Propertyà0 ä àà0ä (#ä (#àà0<(#(#àà V àà‘ÂÂ&à500,000ˆà 2 àà‘žž2ôà185,000ˆà0 <(#<(#àà0x (# (#àà ¤ àà‘¦¦Aü!à315,000ˆÐ“ ã x(#x(# ÐÌßA€f) °°xdE°JxAßÐ K›  ÐÌRetirement€&€InvestmentÐ 6†  ÐÌ€€Delaware€Serv.€Co.à0 ä àà  àà‘B B <à22,092ˆÐî> ä (#ä (# Ѐ€Quick€&€Reilly€IRAà0 ä àà  àà‘B B <à13,260ˆà0Vä (#ä (#àà‘'à11,960ˆà02V(#V(#àà0ô2(#2(#àà0 ô(#ô(#àà x àà ¤ àà‘  Bü!à11,960ˆÐÊ (# (# Ѐ€GM€401kà0 ` àà0ä ` (#` (#àà  àà‘B B <à77,594ˆà0Vä (#ä (#àà‘ÂÂ&à213,944ˆà02V(#V(#àà‘ôô9ôàˆà  àà x àà0¤2(#2(#àà‘¦¦Aü!à213,944ˆÐ¦ö¤(#¤(# Ѐ€GM€Retirement€Planà0 ä àà  àà‘æ æ <à430,627ˆà0Vä (#ä (#àà‘ÂÂ&à177,800ˆà02V(#V(#àà0ô2(#2(#àà  àà x àà ¤ àà‘¦¦Aü!à177,800ˆÐ‚Òô(#ô(# Ѐ€Saturn€401kà0 ` àà0ä ` (#` (#àà  àà0<ä (#ä (#àà0V<(#<(#àà‘ÂÂ%à€€91,468ˆà02V(#V(#àà0ô2(#2(#à€€à  àà x àà ¤ àà‘  Bü!à91,468ˆÐ^®ô(#ô(# ÐÌßA€f) °°xdE°xAßÐ f ÐÌVehicles:Ð Q ÐÌ€€1979€Corvetteà ` àà0 ä àà  àà‘<< <àˆà V àà‘zz(à7,000ˆà02ä (#ä (#àà0ô2(#2(#àà  àà0xô(#ô(#àà0¤x(#x(#àà‘^ ^ Cü!à7,000ˆÐ¹ ¤(#¤(# Ѐ€1978€Jeepà0 ` àà0ä ` (#` (#àà  àà0<ä (#ä (#àà V àà‘zz(à3,000ˆà02<(#<(#àà0ô2(#2(#àà  àà0xô(#ô(#àà0¤x(#x(#àà‘^ ^ Cü!à3,000ˆÐ•å¤(#¤(# Ѐ€1996€Tahoeà0 ` àà0ä ` (#` (#àà  àà0<ä (#ä (#àà V àà‘'à28,000ˆà02<(#<(#àà‘úú3ôà28,000ˆÐqÁ2(#2(# ÐßA€V) °°xdE°LxAßÐ M ÐÌADJUSTMENTà ä àà  àà‘<< <àˆà V àà‘-àˆà 2 àà‘žž2ôà169,274ˆà0  àà x àà ¤ àà‘**?ü!à(169,274)ˆÐ8ˆ  (# (# Ѐ€€Ð d! ÐßA€g) °°xdE°ï0xAßÐ ð@" ÐÌTOTAL:à0 ` àà0ä ` (#` (#àà  àà‘æ æ <à543,573ˆà V àà‘88$à1,083,172ˆà02ä (#ä (#àà‘žž2ôà400,774ˆà0 2(#2(#àà0x (# (#àà ¤ àà‘¦¦Aü!à682,398Ô#†X¹«X %&´­[`#ÔÔ‡ŠŸŠ ˆXX¹«ÔˆÐûK$x(#x(# ÐÔ#†X¹«X ˆŠŸŠ´p#ÔÌÌà  àA€word€about€the€adjustment€depicted€in€the€table€is€in€order.€€We€have€decided€not€to€awardÐ ·"' ÐMs.€McKee€37%€of€Mr.€McKeeððs€401k€and€retirement€plans€to€avoid€the€negative€consequences€ofÐ §#÷( Ðpremature€withdrawals€from€these€accounts.€€Instead,€we€have€determined€that€it€would€beÐ —$ç) Ðappropriate€to€increase€her€cash€award€by€$169,274€and€to€correspondingly€decrease€Mr.€McKeeððsÐ ‡%× * Ðaward.€€This€adjustment€represents€the€additional€funds€required€to€increase€the€value€of€Ms.Ð w&Ç!+ ÐMcKeeððs€share€of€the€marital€estate€to€37%,€taking€into€consideration€the€marital€property€the€trialÐ g'·", Ðcourt€already€awarded€to€her.€€The€funds€for€the€adjustment€need€not€come€directly€from€Mr.Ð W(§#- ÐMcKeeððs€retirement€accounts.€€Mr.€McKee€may,€if€he€chooses,€pay€Ms.€McKee€the€$169,274€in€aÐ G)—$. Ðlump€sum€or€in€monthly€installments€of€Ô_Ô$1,411Ô_Ô€over€ten€years€from€the€date€of€entry€of€the€mandateÐ 7*‡%/ Ðâ âin€this€case.€€These€payments€shall€be€considered€as€part€of€the€division€of€marital€property,€not€asÐ '+w&0 Ðspousal€support.€€Mr.€McKee€should€be€able€to€afford€these€monthly€payments€because€in€post„taxÐ ° Ðincome€in€1996€was€$8,200€per€month.Ð  ð Ðâ âÌà@……)ìàÔ_Ôò òII.ó óÔ_ԈР€Ð Ðà@ää#ìàòòò òSpousal€Supportó óóóˆÐ pÀ Ðà  àÌà  àMs.€McKee€also€insists€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€award€her€spousal€support.€€SheÐ P   Ðargues€that€Mr.€McKee€should€be€required€to€continue€to€support€her€because€he€is€financially€ableÐ @  Ðto€do€so.€While€this€may€very€well€be€the€case,€entitlement€to€spousal€support€is€also€based€on€need.€Ð 0 € ÐIn€light€of€the€sparse€evidence€of€Ms.€McKeeððs€need€for€additional€support€over€and€above€what€sheÐ  p  Ðwill€be€receiving€in€the€modified€division€of€the€marital€property,€we€have€concluded€that€she€isÐ `  Ðentitled€to€receive€short„term€spousal€support€in€the€amount€of€$750€per€month€for€two€years.€Ð P  ÐÌà  àThere€are€no€hard€and€fast€rules€for€spousal€support€decisions.€€òòSee€Crain€v.€Crainóó,€925Ð à0  ÐS.W.2d€232,€233€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996);€òòStone€v.€Stoneóó,€56€Tenn.€App.€607,€615-16,€409€S.W.2dÐ Ð  Ð388,€392-93€(1966).€€Trial€courts€have€broad€discretion€to€determine€whether€spousal€support€isÐ À Ðneeded€and,€if€so,€its€nature,€amount,€and€duration.€€òòSee€Garfinkel€v.€Garfinkelóó,€945€S.W.2d€744,€748Ð ° Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996);€òòJones€v.€Jonesóó,€784€S.W.2d€349,€352€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989).€€AppellateÐ  ð Ðcourts€are€generally€disinclined€to€second-guess€a€trial€court's€spousal€support€decision€unless€it€isÐ à Ðnot€supported€by€the€evidence€or€is€contrary€to€the€public€policies€reflected€in€the€applicable€statutes.€Ð €Ð ÐòòSee€Brown€v.€Brownóó,€913€S.W.2d€at€169;€òòIngram€v.€Ingramóó,€721€S.W.2d€262,€264€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð pÀ Ð1986).Ð `° ÐÌà  àSpousal€support€decisions€hinge€on€the€unique€facts€of€the€case€and€require€a€carefulÐ @ Ðbalancing€of€the€factors€in€Tenn.€Code€€Ann.€ðð€36-5-101(d)(1).€€òòSee€Hawkins€v.€Hawkinsóó,€883Ð 0€ ÐS.W.2d€622,€625€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994);€òòLoyd€v.€Loydóó,€860€S.W.2d€409,€412€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993).€Ð  p ÐIn€virtually€every€case,€the€two€most€important€factors€are€the€demonstrated€need€of€theÐ ` Ðdisadvantaged€spouse€and€the€obligor€spouse's€ability€to€pay.€€òòSee€Varley€v.€Varleyóó,€934€S.W.2d€659,Ð P Ð668€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996);€òòCrain€v.€Crainóó,€925€S.W.2d€at€234.€€Even€though€fault€is€a€relevantÐ ð@ Ðconsideration€when€setting€spousal€support,€òòseeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-5-101(d)(1)(K),€spousalÐ à0 Ðsupport€decisions€are€not€intended€to€be€punitive.€€òòSee€Duncan€v.€Duncanóó,€686€S.W.2d€568,€571Ð Ð  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984);€òòMcClung€v.€McClungóó,€29€Tenn.€App.€580,€584,€198€S.W.2d€820,€822€(1946).Ð À! ÐÌà  àThe€purpose€of€spousal€support€is€to€aid€the€financially€disadvantaged€spouse€to€become€andÐ  #ð! Ðremain€self-sufficient€and,€when€economic€rehabilitation€is€not€feasible,€to€mitigate€the€harshÐ $à" Ðeconomic€realities€of€divorce.€€òòSee€Shackleford€v.€Shacklefordóó,€611€S.W.2d€598,€601€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð €%Ð # Ð1980).€€While€divorced€couples€often€lack€sufficient€income€or€assets€to€enable€both€of€them€to€retainÐ p&À!$ Ðtheir€pre-divorce€standard€of€living,€òòsee€Brown€v.€Brownóó,€913€S.W.2d€at€169-70,€the€obligor€spouseÐ `'°"% Ðmay€be€able€to€provide€some€"closing€in€money"€to€enable€the€disadvantaged€spouse€to€approach€hisÐ P( #& Ðor€her€former€financial€condition.€€òòSee€Aaron€v.€Aaronóó,€€909€S.W.2d€408,€411€(Tenn.€1995).Ð @)$' ÐÌà  àAt€the€time€of€trial,€Ms.€McKee€was€forty„five€years€old€and€in€good€health.€€She€has€aÐ  +p&) Ðcollege€degree€and€work€experience€as€a€school€teacher€and€as€an€administrative€assistant.€€SheÐ ,`'* Ðworked€as€an€administrative€assistant€for€a€club€in€North€Carolina€where€she€earned€approximatelyÐ ° Ð$1,182€per€month€„€less€than€what€she€earned€when€she€worked€full„time€in€Michigan.€€As€a€resultÐ  ð Ðof€our€modifications€in€the€division€of€the€marital€estate,€Ms.€McKee€will€receive€over€$400,000€inÐ à Ðproperty.€€She€also€precipitated€the€divorce€by€her€decreasing€interest€in€and€satisfaction€with€theÐ €Ð Ðmarriage.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àMs.€McKee€asserted€at€trial€that€she€needs€$3,963€per€month€to€support€herself.€€While€theÐ P   Ðtrial€court€made€explicit€findings€concerning€Ms.€McKeeððs€statement€of€monthly€expenses,€we€findÐ @  Ðthem€too€generous.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€If€she€seeks€no€other€employment€and€if€Mr.€McKee€elects€to€pay€the€monetaryÐ 0 € Ðadjustment€we€have€made€in€the€division€of€marital€property,€Ms.€McKee€will€have€approximatelyÐ  p  Ð$2,685€per€month€in€disposable€income.€€After€considering€all€the€factors€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„Ð `  Ð5„101(d)(1),€we€have€concluded€that€Mr.€McKee€should€pay€Ms.€McKee€$750€per€month€in€short„Ð P  Ðterm€spousal€support€for€two€years€from€the€date€of€entry€of€the€mandate€in€this€case.€€This€supportÐ ð@  Ðis€not€rehabilitative€support€and€is€thus€not€subject€to€modification.Ð à0  ÐÌà@^^(ìàò òIII.ó óˆÐ À Ðà@Ù Ù ìàò òòòAdditional€Award€for€Legal€Expensesóóó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àMs.€McKee€also€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€award€her€additional€funds€toÐ à Ðdefray€her€legal€expenses.€€Awards€for€legal€expenses€in€divorce€proceedings€are€treated€as€awardsÐ €Ð Ðfor€additional€support.€€òòSee€Smith€v.€Smithóó,€912€S.W.2d€at€161;€òòGilliam€v.€Gilliamóó,€776€S.W.2d€81,Ð pÀ Ð86€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€€The€decision€to€award€attorney's€fees€lies€within€the€sound€discretion€ofÐ `° Ðthe€trial€judge,€òòsee€Aaron€v.€Aaronóó,€909€S.W.2d€at€411;€òòBrown€v.€Brownóó,€913€S.W.2d€at€170,€and€thisÐ P  Ðcourt€will€not€interfere€with€the€trial€judge's€decision€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€it.€Ð @ ÐòòSee€Batson€v.€Batsonóó,€769€S.W.2d€at€862.€€A€party€is€entitled€to€attorney's€fees€when€he€or€she€lacksÐ 0€ Ðsufficient€funds€to€pay€his€or€her€legal€expenses€or€would€find€it€necessary€to€deplete€other€assets€toÐ  p Ðdo€so.€€òòSee€Brown€v.€Brownóó,€913€S.W.2d€at€170;€òòKincaid€v.€Kincaidóó,€912€S.W.2d€140,€144€(Tenn.Ð ` ÐCt.€App.€1995).Ð P ÐÌà  àMs.€McKee€should€be€responsible€for€her€own€legal€expenses.€€She€has€received€sufficientÐ à0 Ðfunds€through€the€division€of€the€marital€estate€and€the€award€of€temporary€spousal€support€to€payÐ Ð  Ðher€lawyers€without€diminishing€the€capacity€of€her€assets€to€provide€additional€long€term€income.€Ð À! ÐAccordingly,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€denial€of€Ms.€McKeeððs€request€for€attorneyððs€fees.Ð °"  Ðà  àà ` àà ä àà  àà‘<< <àˆà V àà‘-àˆà 2 àà‘ôô9ôàˆà  àà x àÌà@dd)ìàÔ_Ôò òIV.ó óÔ_ԈР$à" ÐÌà  àWe€affirm€the€judgment€as€modified€herein€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€forÐ p&À!$ Ðwhatever€further€proceedings€may€be€required.€€We€tax€the€costs€of€this€appeal€in€equal€proportionsÐ `'°"% Ðto€Penny€Marie€Pearsall€McKee€and€her€surety€and€to€Peter€Gregg€McKee€for€which€execution,€ifÐ P( #& Ðnecessary,€may€issue.