ÿWPCT, 1RG"¢ùy °­2ó„ÖøŠ6àK­?—„ø³02kºèMq^IÐ.ØŠ+©T‘]lN°­/4ñÙvëÞh˜©Èdbæs|.iξZjk™Z1ç§úš ÿ{àˆOÎYÒk ­µïÆD²-†“o‡4oðÝ\E[úkNƒU(úÙ™î½Q`—àžoÇБ߲”y-Z ¡µÝ:kë±+áhjÉT?&šäɇ]ð¶¬àêØQZLš”݉gJê‚8RAäûhŠž´JÓÃù‡_Ïœygdº¨bÐ|?²2ˆ/ñH­'žÈn‡¼íRì|T-þ-½Ešò#r Ò=_hšÇAó¡Á®Æ ª²A3Ÿh) íŸ¥Îb-ž¶—=(Ët¬ºbãTìöúƒóéžHeâTº5ÿ¤æðÐFˆÑÁˆ¸ˆœ%'ç /,fxØó>OiLž,ªŠì¤Ó’ÐZ–GM°ŒÇZ—àÃ×/óh.W¼ÉðiÞuPÇÎD•â(–íÙ×q¤lQR_JµÞÁ¡Ëx"Ìz¬—za¤!.÷``¬žbg { ÆBj\‡e­­BéÇÆ µPðÒC”+;FWQE¾Þ²¹$5yëÕ*õ«Y7?6'-ÄI„úb#Á\^  %) 0ˆ/ U'N· w 4 z Ò— i x mz À‘ ÆQÆÆÝÆ£ 0 DiN­­¯EÀàÂ¢Žª©8váwW!W!W!W!W!W!W!ZÎ"Î"Î"Î"Î"Î"Î"Î"Î"Î"Î"b('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('('(' 0 0'0'0'0' B:(:( 0¤W( D5û( D-0) 0K])]) AS¨)Æû) 0¤Á* 0De+ A«©+˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0dxv) »(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular-vn)bk1èØÌ ˜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.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ ¶Ý ƒR$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôáÍò»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÍòòôáÍÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔOliver€Wendell€Holmes€distinguished€between€what€the€contracting€parties€said€and€what€they€intended€whenÐ ° Ðhe€wrote€that€ð ðthe€making€of€a€contract€depends€not€on€the€agreement€of€two€minds€in€one€intention,€but€on€the€agreementÐ tÄ Ðof€two€sets€of€external€signs€ð!ð€not€on€the€parties€having€òòmeantóó€the€same€thing€but€on€their€having€òòsaidóó€the€same€Ô_Ôthing.ððÔ_ԀР8ˆ ÐOliver€W.€Holmes,€òòThe€Path€of€Lawóó,€10€Harv.€L.€Rev.€457,€464€(1897).€Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó Ý ƒR$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôáÍò»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÍòòôáÍÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€addition€to€her€complaint€over€payment€for€the€car,€Ms.€Ô_ÔAllmanÔ_Ô€sought€to€force€Mr.€Allman€to€provideÐ ° Ðverification€that€he€had€named€her€as€a€beneficiary€under€a€life€insurance€policy€as€required€by€the€final€divorce€decree.€Ð tÄ ÐWe€discuss€this€provision€òòóóin€Section€II€of€this€opinion. ÖÝ ƒR$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôáÍò»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÍòòôáÍÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€record€on€appeal€contains€no€evidence€of€the€facts€in€this€case€other€than€the€marital€dissolution€agreementÐ ° Ðitself,€which€is€incorporated€into€the€divorce€decree,€and€Ms.€Ô_ÔAllmanððsÔ_Ô€September€8,€1997€verified€petition€for€civilÐ tÄ Ðcontempt.€€Pleadings€and€statements€of€counsel,€which€is€all€this€record€contains,€are€not€evidence.€€òòOutpatientÐ 8ˆ ÐDiagnostic€Ctr.€v.€Christianóó,€No.€01A01„9510„CV„00467,€1997€WL€210842€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€30,€1997)€(NoÐ üL ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€€Generally€speaking,€the€ð ðfactsðð€in€a€case€are€occurrences€and€events€that€happenÐ À Ðin€the€world€outside€the€courtroom,€which€must€be€proved€through€the€introduction€of€competent€evidence.€€StipulationsÐ „Ô Ðby€the€parties€regarding€events€that€occurred€outside€of€court€ð ðcan€be€interpreted€as€a€statement€of€underlying€Ô_Ôfacts.ððÔ_ԀРH ˜ ÐòòMast€Ô_ÔAdverÔ_Ô.€&€Ô_ÔPublððg.,Ô_Ô€Inc.€v.€Moyersóó,€865€S.W.2d€900,€902€(Tenn.€1993).€€Stipulations€are€not€evidence,€òòóóbut€they€haveÐ  \ Ðthe€effect€of€making€it€unnecessary€to€prove€the€agreed„to€facts€with€evidence.€€òòIn€re€Ordinance€of€Annexation€No.€1977„Ð Ð  Ð4óó,€249€S.E.2d€698,€706€(N.C.€1978).€€Rather€than€remand€this€case€without€deciding€it€because€of€the€lack€of€evidence,Ð ” ä  Ðwe€will€treat€the€relevant€facts€as€stipulated.  „Ý ƒR$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôáÍò»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÍòòôáÍÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔA€contractual€obligation€is€discharged€once€an€executory€contract€has€been€fully€performed.€€RestatementÐ ° Ð(Second)€of€Contracts€ðð€235(1)€(1981);€5A€Arthur€L.€Corbin,€òòCorbin€on€Contractsóó€ðð€1230€(1964). ŸÝ ƒR$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôáÍò»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÍòòôáÍÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€a€similar€circumstance,€the€Mississippi€Supreme€Court€determined€that€a€Ô_ÔhusbandððsÔ_Ô€obligation€to€continueÐ ° Ðmaking€payments€on€an€automobile€awarded€to€the€wife€came€to€an€end€when€his€insurance€company€paid€off€the€loanÐ tÄ Ðafter€the€automobile€was€destroyed.€€òòCooper€v.€Keyesóó,€510€So.€2d€518,€519€(Miss.€1987).€€The€fact€that€the€husband,Ð 8ˆ Ðrather€than€the€wife,€had€insured€the€automobile€in€this€case€does€not€provide€a€basis€for€distinguishing€the€case€from€theÐ üL Ðone€before€us€because€we€have€determined€that€the€Ô_ÔAllmansððÔ_Ô€marital€dissolution€agreement€allocated€the€risk€of€loss€toÐ À ÐMs.€Allman.€€€ lÝ ƒR$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôáÍò»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÍòòôáÍÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€his€response€to€Ms.€Ô_ÔAllmanððsÔ_Ô€contempt€petition,€Mr.€Ô_ÔAllmanÔ_Ô€conceded€that€he€ð ðregrets€his€[two„year]Ð ° Ðtardiness.ðð mÝ ƒR$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôáÍò»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÍòòôáÍÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€held€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔAllmanÔ_Ô€was€not€in€contempt€of€court,€and€Ms.€Ô_ÔAllmanÔ_Ô€has€not€attempted€to€appealÐ ° Ðthis€decision. PÝ ƒR$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôáÍò»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÍòòôáÍÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔOnly€persons€with€an€insurable€interest€in€property€may€obtain€casualty€coverage€on€the€property.€€òòIn€reÐ ° ÐTriangle€Door€&€Truss€Co.óó,€41€B.R.€164,€169€(Bankr.€E.D.€Tenn.€1984).€€A€person€has€an€insurable€interest€in€propertyÐ tÄ Ðif€he€or€she€derives€benefit€from€its€existence€or€if€he€or€she€would€suffer€loss€from€its€destruction.€€òòBaird€v.€Fidelity„Ð 8ˆ ÐPhenix€Fire€Ins.€Co.óó,€178€Tenn.€653,€667,€162€S.W.2d€384,€390€(1942);€òòOliver€v.€Johnsonóó,€692€S.W.2d€855,€857€(Tenn.Ð üL ÐCt.€App.€1985).€€Following€the€entry€of€the€order€amending€the€final€divorce€decree,€Ms.€Allman€was€the€only€personÐ À Ðwith€an€insurable€interest€in€the€automobile.€€After€turning€over€the€automobile€to€Ms.€Allman,€€Mr.€Allman€derived€noÐ „Ô Ðbenefit€from€the€automobile€and€would€not€have€suffered€direct€loss€had€it€been€destroyed.Ð H ˜ Ð- ù-(›G2$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Rõ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ€ôáÍò»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÍòòôáÍÔ d(|3G“$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Rõ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3G“$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Rõ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Rõ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑH°ÑÔ€¼Rõ»»»ÔÑ8€‰XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îY„RõÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼Rõ»îîY„#ÔÔ‡îY„RõԈРÖ& Ðà@™ ™ ìàÔ#†¼Rõ»îîY„´#ÔAssigned€on€Briefs€April€29,€1998Ô‡îY„RõԈРüL ÐÔ#†¼Rõ»îîY„?#ÔÔ‡X‰X»¼RõÔÌò òÔ#†¼Rõ»XX‰—#ÔÓ  ÓBOBBIE€JO€ALLMAN€(SHORT)€v.€HOUSTON€ALLMAN,€JR.Ô‡X‰X»¼RõÔó óÐ úJ ÐÓÝÓÌà@\ \ ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Sumner€CountyˆÐ ú J Ðà@Q Q ìàNo.€14628„C€€€€€€Thomas€Goodall,€JudgeˆÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` A߈Ð ªú  ÐÌà@? ? ìàNo.€M1997„00251„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€November€22,€2000ˆÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌThis€appeal€involves€a€dispute€over€the€interpretation€of€a€provision€in€the€marital€dissolutionÐ xÈ  Ðagreement€giving€the€wife€an€automobile€but€requiring€the€husband€to€continue€making€the€carÐ d´ Ðpayments.€€After€the€automobile€was€totally€destroyed€in€a€one„vehicle€accident,€the€wifeððs€insuranceÐ P  Ðcompany€paid€the€balance€remaining€on€the€car€loan.€€After€the€husband€refused€to€pay€the€wife€anÐ <Œ Ðamount€equal€to€the€balance€of€the€car€loan,€the€wife€filed€a€petition€in€the€Circuit€Court€for€SumnerÐ (x ÐCounty€seeking€to€hold€him€in€contempt.€€Following€a€bench€trial,€the€trial€judge€ordered€the€husbandÐ d Ðto€pay€the€wife€$7,644.22€representing€the€balance€of€the€loan€when€the€automobile€was€destroyed,Ð P Ðas€well€as€$1,355€for€her€legal€expenses.€€We€have€determined€that€the€marital€dissolution€agreementÐ ì< Ðallocated€the€risk€of€loss€of€the€automobile€to€the€wife€and,€therefore,€reverse€the€$7,644.22Ð Ø( Ðjudgment.€€We€have€also€determined€that€the€$1,355€judgment€must€be€vacated€and€that€the€caseÐ Ä Ðshould€be€remanded€for€further€proceedings.Ð ° ÐÌò òà@±±ìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Reversedó óˆÐ ˆØ ÐÌòòÔ#†¼Rõ»àX‰#ÔÔ‡X‰X.¼RõÔWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,€óóJ.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHenry€F.€Todd,€P.J.,€M.S.,óóÐ `° Ðand€òòWilliam€B.€Cain,€J.óó,€joined.Ð L œ ÐÌBrenda€Miller€Stiles,€Hendersonville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Houston€Allman,€Jr.Ð $"t! ÐÌMichael€W.€Edwards,€Hendersonville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Bobbie€Jo€Allman€(Short).Ð ü#L# ÐÌÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Rõ»XX‰Ð #ԈРÀ&"& ÐÔ€X‰X»¼RõÔÌÌà  àHouston€Allman,€Jr.€and€Bobbie€Jo€Allman€were€married€in€December€1988€in€SumnerÐ „)Ô$) ÐCounty.€€They€had€no€children€and,€within€several€years,€their€marriage€fell€apart.€€Ms.€AllmanÐ p*À%* Ðâ âeventually€retained€a€lawyer€and€filed€a€complaint€in€the€Circuit€Court€for€€Sumner€County€seekingÐ \+¬&+ý¾ Ðan€irreconcilable€differences€divorce.€€The€record,€such€as€it€is,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€does€not€show€definitively€whetherÐ ° Ðâ âMr.€Allman€retained€counsel€at€this€juncture.€€The€parties€were€apparently€able€to€agree€on€how€theyÐ œì Ðwanted€to€disentangle€their€affairs€and,€in€September€1995,€they€signed€a€marital€dissolutionÐ ˆØ Ðagreement€drafted€by€Ms.€Allmanððs€lawyer.€€The€trial€court€approved€this€agreement€andÐ tÄ Ðincorporated€it€into€the€final€divorce€decree€that€was€filed€on€October€17,€1995.Ð `° ÐÌà  àAs€part€of€the€division€of€the€property,€the€parties€originally€agreed€that€Mr.€Allman€wouldÐ 8 ˆ Ðtake€the€partiesðð€1994€Volvo€along€with€the€responsibility€to€pay€the€related€car€loan€from€JAX€NavyÐ $ t ÐCredit€Union.€€They€also€agreed€that€Mr.€Allman€would€purchase€Ms.€Allman€a€new€automobileÐ  ` Ðsimilar€to€a€Chevrolet€Camero€or€a€Pontiac€TransAm€for€not€more€than€$20,000.€€The€parties€hadÐ ü L  Ðsecond€thoughts€about€this€agreement€two€weeks€after€the€entry€of€the€final€divorce€decree.€€BecauseÐ è 8  ÐMr.€Allman€was€furnished€an€automobile€by€his€employer,€the€parties€agreed€that€Ms.€Allman€shouldÐ Ô$  Ðreceive€the€1994€Volvo€instead€of€a€new€car.€€Thus,€on€October€30,€1995,€the€trial€court€entered€anÐ À  Ðð ðamendedðð€final€divorce€decree€providing:Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€WIFE€shall€receive€all€right,€title€and€interest€in€and€to€theÐ „Ô  Ð1994€Volvo,€.€.€.€and€the€HUSBAND€agrees€that€he€shall€assume,€payÐ pÀ Ðand€hold€the€WIFE€harmless€for€the€encumbrance€thereon€to€JAXÐ \¬ ÐNavy€Credit€Union.ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€WIFE€agrees€to€maintain€and€keep€current€a€policy€ofÐ  p Ðliability€and€collision€insurance€on€this€motor€vehicle.Ð \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€HUSBAND€further€agrees€to€do€no€act€that€would€changeÐ ä4 Ðor€modify€the€payroll€deduction€to€JAX€Navy€Credit€Union€or€extendÐ Ð  Ðthe€credit€on€this€motor€vehicle.€€The€vehicle€will€be€paid€off€at€theÐ ¼  Ðcurrent€rate€and€schedule€and€at€the€expiration€of€the€paymentÐ ¨ø Ðschedule,€the€HUSBAND€will€execute€any€and€all€documentsÐ ”ä Ðnecessary€to€transfer€all€right,€title€and€interest€in€and€to€the€Volvo€toÐ €Ð Ðthe€WIFE.Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌFollowing€the€entry€of€the€amended€decree,€Mr.€Allman€turned€over€the€automobile€to€Ms.€Allman,Ð D!” Ðand€she€obtained€insurance€on€the€automobile€from€Tennessee€Farmers€Mutual€Insurance€Company.Ð 0"€  ÐÐ #l! Ðà  àMs.€Allman€was€involved€in€a€one„vehicle€accident€during€the€early€morning€hours€ofÐ ° ÐSunday,€June€29,€1997.€€The€accident€totally€destroyed€the€Volvo€and€injured€Ms.€Allman€and€herÐ œì Ðmale€passenger.€€Tennessee€Farmers€determined€that€the€Volvo€was€a€total€loss€and€that€it€was€worthÐ ˆØ Ð$20,727€at€the€time€of€the€accident.€€Thereafter,€Tennessee€Farmers€paid€the€loss€with€two€checksÐ tÄ Ðð!ð€one€for€$7,644.22€to€both€Ms.€Allman€and€JAX€Navy€Credit€Union€and€one€for€$13,082.28€to€Ms.Ð `° ÐAllman€alone.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àAbout€the€time€that€Tennessee€Farmers€was€paying€the€claim,€Ms.€Allman€wrote€Mr.€AllmanÐ $ t Ða€letter€instructing€him€to€pay€her€$7,644.22€ð ð[s]ince€my€insurance€will€have€to€payoff€the€volvo.ðð€Ð  ` ÐMr.€Allman€saw€things€differently.€€He€decided€that€he€had€no€obligation€to€continue€making€carÐ ü L  Ðpayments€to€either€Ms.€Allman€or€anyone€else€after€JAX€Navy€Credit€Union€received€TennesseeÐ è 8  ÐFarmersððs€check€and€released€its€lien€on€the€car.€€Looking€to€the€language€of€the€amended€finalÐ Ô$  Ðdivorce€decree,€Mr.€Allman€reminded€Ms.€Allman€that€he€had€done€ð ðno€act€that€would€change€orÐ À  Ðmodify€[his]€payroll€deduction€to€JAX€Navy€Credit€Union€or€extend€the€creditðð€on€the€Volvo.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àIn€September€1997,€Ms.€Allman€filed€a€contempt€petition€against€Mr.€Allman€in€the€CircuitÐ „Ô  ÐCourt€for€Sumner€County.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€She€alleged€that€the€divorce€decree€required€him€to€pay€off€the€car€loan,Ð pÀ Ðand€that€ð ðhe€[was]€not€paying€any€further€money€under€the€terms€of€the€Final€Decree€of€Divorce.ðð€Ð \¬ ÐMr.€Allman€responded€by€asserting€that€he€had€done€nothing€to€interfere€with€the€payroll€deductionÐ H˜ Ðfor€the€car€payments€placed€against€him€in€the€final€decree€and€that€the€payments€to€the€credit€unionÐ 4„ Ðstopped€on€their€own€after€Tennessee€Farmers€paid€the€credit€union€what€was€owed€on€theÐ  p Ðautomobile.Ð  \ ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€took€up€Ms.€Allmanððs€contempt€petition€on€October€29,€1997.€€Neither€partyÐ ä4 Ðpresented€any€evidence€during€this€hearing.€€After€reviewing€the€contents€of€the€court€file,€the€trialÐ Ð  Ðcourt€entered€an€order€on€November€6,€1997,€declining€to€find€Mr.€Allman€in€contempt.€Ð ¼  ÐNonetheless,€the€trial€court€found€(1)€that€the€outstanding€balance€on€the€car€loan€when€the€wreckÐ ¨ø Ðoccurred€was€$7,644.22€and€(2)€that€the€amended€final€divorce€decree€required€Mr.€Allman€to€payÐ ”ä Ðoff€the€car€loan.€€Accordingly,€the€trial€court€directed€Mr.€Allman€to€pay€Ms.€Allman€$7,644.22.€€TheÐ €Ð Ðtrial€court€also€ordered€Mr.€Allman€to€pay€Ms.€Allman€$1,355€for€her€legal€expenses€pursuant€to€aÐ l¼ Ðprovision€in€the€marital€dissolution€agreement€requiring€the€breaching€party€to€be€responsible€for€theÐ X ¨ Ðother€partyððs€€legal€expenses.€€Mr.€Allman€has€appealed.Ð D!” ÐÌà@¬¬)ìàò òI.ó óˆÐ #l! Ðà@ðð ìàòòò òThe€Marital€Dissolution€Agreementððs€Allocation€of€the€Risk€of€Lossó óóóˆÐ $X" ÐÌà  àIt€is€important€at€the€outset€to€define€what€this€appeal€is€about.€€It€does€not€concern€theÐ à%0!$ Ðpartiesðð€financial€circumstances€because,€despite€Ms.€Allmanððs€argument,€we€are€not€dealing€withÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€enforcement€or€modification€of€an€alimony€award.€€Nor€does€it€concern€the€correctness€orÐ ¸'#& Ðâ âequitableness€of€the€division€of€the€partiesðð€separate€and€marital€property.€€Likewise,€it€does€notÐ ¤(ô#' Ðconcern€whether€Mr.€Allman€was€in€contempt€of€court.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€chief€issue€before€us€involves€theÐ ° Ðâ âproper€construction€of€paragraph€eight€of€the€marital€dissolution€€agreement€as€amended€by€theÐ œì Ðamended€final€decree€of€divorce.€€We€must€decide€whether€the€amended€version€of€paragraph€eightÐ ˆØ Ðrequires€Mr.€Allman€to€make€a€cash€payment€to€Ms.€Allman€equal€to€the€amount€paid€by€Ms.Ð tÄ ÐAllmanððs€insurance€company€€to€discharge€the€remaining€indebtedness€on€the€car.€€Ð `° ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àThe€Allmans,€like€many€divorcing€parties,€decided€to€negotiate€the€financial€terms€of€theirÐ  ` Ðdivorce€themselves€rather€than€leaving€these€decisions€to€the€courts.€€They€memorialized€theirÐ ü L  Ðagreement€in€the€marital€dissolution€agreement€that€was€eventually€approved€by€the€trial€court.€€AsÐ è 8  Ðwe€recently€pointed€out,€this€marital€dissolution€agreement€is€essentially€a€contract€between€aÐ Ô$  Ðhusband€and€wife€in€contemplation€of€divorce€proceedings€that€will€be€construed€and€enforced€asÐ À  Ðother€contracts€are.€€òòGray€v.€Estate€of€Grayóó,€993€S.W.2d€59,€63€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àWhen€contracting€parties€have€reduced€their€agreements€to€writing,€their€rights€andÐ „Ô  Ðobligations€will€be€governed€by€the€terms€of€their€written€contract.€€òòCookeville€Gynecology€&Ð pÀ ÐObstetrics,€P.C.€v.€Southeastern€Data€Sys.,€Inc.óó,€884€S.W.2d€458,€461€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994).€€TheÐ \¬ Ðcourts€must€take€a€position€of€neutrality€with€regard€to€the€parties,€òòHillsboro€Plaza€Enters.€v.€Moonóó,Ð H˜ Ð860€S.W.2d€45,€47€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993),€and€must€not€concern€themselves€with€the€wisdom€or€follyÐ 4„ Ðof€the€contracts.€€òòChapman€Drug€Co.€v.€Chapmanóó,€207€Tenn.€502,€516,€341€S.W.2d€392,€398€(1960);Ð  p ÐòòBrooks€v.€Networks€of€Chattanooga,€Inc.óó,€946€S.W.2d€321,€324€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€Thus,€theÐ  \ Ðcourts€must€enforce€the€partiesðð€agreement€according€to€its€plain€terms,€òòBob€Pearsall€Motors,€Inc.Ð øH Ðv.€Regal€Chrysler„Plymouth,€Inc.óó,€521€S.W.2d€578,€580€(Tenn.€1975),€and€must€be€careful€not€toÐ ä4 Ðrewrite€an€agreement€under€the€guise€of€construing€it.òò€€Duvier€v.€Duvieróó,€No.€01A01„9311„CH„Ð Ð  Ð00050,€1995€WL€422465,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€19,€1995)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€applicationÐ ¼  Ðfiled).Ð ¨ø Ѐ€Ð ”ä Ðà  àThe€language€in€a€marital€dissolution€agreement€is€of€central€importance.€€Unlike€theÐ €Ð Ðdocuments€thrust€before€the€courts€in€other€types€of€contract€disputes,€marital€dissolution€agreementsÐ l¼ Ðare€neither€pre„printed€form€documents€nor€the€common€boilerplate€forced€on€consumers€of€goodsÐ X ¨ Ðand€services€at€the€point€of€sale.€€For€the€most€part,€they€come€closer€to€being€contracts€in€the€classicÐ D!” Ðsense€ð!ð€specific€language€hammered€out€at€close€range€by€negotiating€parties€with€keenly€feltÐ 0"€  Ðcompeting€interests.€€Divorcing€parties€who€decide€to€use€marital€dissolution€agreements€want€theirÐ #l! Ðagreements€to€say€what€each€party€is€expected€to€do€now€and€in€the€future,€and€thus€both€partiesÐ $X" Ðcontribute€or€insist€on€particular€language€to€achieve€that€end.€€Thus,€the€courts€must€focus€on€theÐ ô$D # Ðwords€chosen€by€the€parties€rather€than€the€partiesðð€separate€and€subjective€intentions.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð à%0!$ Їà@)ìàò òòòB.ˆÐ ° Ðà@ ìàThe€Allmansðð€Allocation€of€the€Risk€of€Lossó óóóˆÐ œì ÐÌà  àMarital€dissolution€agreements,€like€other€contracts€that€contemplate€performance€over€time,Ð tÄ Ðshould€take€the€risk€of€loss€into€consideration.€€The€parties€are€free€to€allocate€this€risk€as€they€seeÐ `° Ðfit.€€òòWilson€v.€Tennessee€Farmers€Mut.€Ins.€Co.óó,€219€Tenn.€560,€566,€411€S.W.2d€699,€702€(1966);Ð L œ ÐòòBrown€Bros.,€Inc.€v.€Metropolitan€Govððtóó,€877€S.W.2d€745,€749€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993).€€ReflectingÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€reality€among€rational€persons,€the€risk€of€loss€will€generally€be€assigned€to€the€party€having€theÐ $ t Ðgreater€interest€in€the€property€at€issue.€€That€party,€acting€out€of€self„interest,€will€be€more€likely€toÐ  ` Ðtake€precautions,€and€to€bear€the€cost€of€those€precautions,€to€safeguard€the€property.€€For€the€courts,Ð ü L  Ðenforcing€risk€allocation€bargains€means€that€the€parties€will€be€made€to€bear€those€losses€that€theyÐ è 8  Ðhave€consented€to€bear€either€by€the€terms€or€structure€of€their€agreement.€€When€the€parties€haveÐ Ô$  Ðexplicitly€allocated€the€risk€of€loss€in€their€contract,€the€courtððs€only€task€is€to€give€effect€to€theÐ À  Ðpartiesðð€agreement.€€òòNorthern€Ind.€Pub.€Serv.€Co.€v.€Carbon€County€Coal€Co.óó,€799€F.2d€265,€278Ð ¬ü  Ð(7th€Cir.€1986).€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€Allmansðð€marital€dissolution€agreement€did€not€explicitly€set€out€which€party€bore€theÐ pÀ Ðrisk€of€loss€regarding€the€1994€Volvo.€€However,€the€structure€of€the€agreement€strongly€suggestsÐ \¬ Ðthat€the€parties€envisioned€that€Ms.€Allman€would€assume€the€risk€of€loss.€€Two€facets€of€paragraphÐ H˜ Ðeight,€as€embodied€in€the€amended€final€decree,€point€to€this€conclusion.€€First,€Ms.€Allman€receivedÐ 4„ Ðsole€and€exclusive€possession€of€the€automobile.€€When€Mr.€Allman€divested€himself€of€all€right€andÐ  p Ðinterest€in€the€automobile,€it€became€Ms.€Allmanððs€exclusive€property.€€Second,€Ms.€Allman€was€theÐ  \ Ðperson€required€to€insure€the€automobile.€€As€a€general€matter,€persons€obtain€insurance€for€propertyÐ øH Ðonly€when€they€bear€the€risk€of€its€loss.׃#×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Thus,€we€conclude€that€the€parties€allocated€the€risk€of€theÐ ä4 Ðautomobileððs€loss€to€Ms.€Allman.€€Ð Ð  ÐÌòòóóà@‹‹)ìàò òC.ó óˆÐ ¨ø Ðà@;;ìàòòò òThe€Effect€of€the€Destruction€of€the€Automobile€on€Mr.€Allmanððs€Obligation€ˆÐ ”ä Ðà@ç ç ìàto€Make€the€Remaining€Car€Paymentsó óóóˆÐ €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€marital€dissolution€agreement€obligated€Mr.€Allman€to€assume€the€sole€responsibilityÐ X ¨ Ðfor€making€the€car€payments€until€the€loan€to€JAX€Navy€Credit€Union€was€paid€off€and€to€hold€Ms.Ð D!” ÐAllman€harmless€for€this€debt.€€This€portion€of€the€marital€dissolution€agreement€remained€executoryÐ 0"€  Ðâ âuntil€the€car€loan€was€repaid€in€full€and€the€lien€released.€€However,€once€the€loan€was€fully€paid€andÐ #l! Ðthe€lien€released,€Mr.€Allmanððs€obligation€imposed€by€amended€paragraph€eight€of€the€maritalÐ ° Ðdissolution€agreement€was€discharged.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àExcept€in€circumstances€where€a€contractual€duty€is€personal€and€thus€non„delegable,€a€thirdÐ tÄ Ðparty€may€perform€a€contracting€partyððs€duties€and€thereby€discharge€the€contracting€partyððsÐ `° Ðobligations.€€òòSee€generallyóó€òòDatapoint€Corp.€v.€Lee€Way€Motor€Freight,€Inc.óó,€572€F.2d€1128,€1131Ð L œ Ð(5th€Cir.€1978).€€Accordingly,€if€a€third€party€undertakes€to€pay€the€debt€of€another,€and€the€creditorÐ 8 ˆ Ðaccepts€that€payment,€the€third€partyððs€performance€discharges€the€original€debtorððs€obligation€to€payÐ $ t Ðthe€debt.€€òòTolland€v.€Listaóó,€134€A.2d€601,€603€(N.J.€Super.€Ct.€App.€Div.€1957).Ð  ` ÐÌà  àThe€amended€version€of€paragraph€eight€of€the€marital€dissolution€agreement€contains€theÐ è 8  Ðfollowing€three€straightforward€provisions:€€(1)€that€Ms.€Allman€will€receive€ð ðall€right,€title€andÐ Ô$  Ðinterestðð€in€the€automobile€,€(2)€that€Ms.€Allman€will€be€responsible€for€insuring€the€automobile,€andÐ À  Ð(3)€that€Mr.€Allman€will€be€responsible€for€repaying€the€credit€union€loan€used€to€purchase€theÐ ¬ü  Ðautomobile.€€Mr.€Allman€complied€with€his€obligations€by€turning€over€the€automobile€to€Ms.Ð ˜è  ÐAllman€and€by€making€the€required€payments€to€the€credit€union€until€the€automobile€was€destroyed.€Ð „Ô  ÐWhen€Ms.€Allman€wrecked€the€automobile,€Tennessee€Farmers€paid€off€all€the€remaining€debt.€Ð pÀ ÐOnce€the€loan€was€fully€paid,€Mr.€Allmanððs€obligations€were€discharged€because€there€was€nothingÐ \¬ Ðleft€for€him€to€do.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€amended€version€of€paragraph€eight€did€not€require€Mr.€Allman€to€pay€Ms.Ð H˜ ÐAllman€a€sum€equal€to€the€outstanding€balance€on€the€credit€union€loan€if€she€destroyed€theÐ 4„ Ðautomobile€before€the€loan€was€repaid.€€Accordingly,€we€conclude€that€Mr.€Allmanððs€obligation€toÐ  p Ðpay€the€car€loan€was€discharged€when€Tennessee€Farmers€paid€off€the€car€loan€after€the€automobileÐ  \ Ðwas€destroyed.Ð øH ÐÌà@……)ìàò òII.ó óˆÐ Ð  Ðà@Ú Ú ìàòòò òThe€Award€of€Ms.€Allmanððs€Legal€Expensesó óóóˆÐ ¼  ÐÌà  àMr.€Allman€also€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€requiring€him€to€reimburse€Ms.€AllmanÐ ”ä Ðfor€the€legal€expenses€she€incurred€while€pursuing€the€contempt€petition€against€him.€€He€insists€thatÐ €Ð Ðhe€should€not€be€required€to€pay€these€fees€because€he€was€not€in€contempt.€€Even€though€the€trialÐ l¼ Ðcourt€did€not€hold€Mr.€Allman€in€contempt,€Mr.€Allman€is€obligated€to€pay€at€least€part€of€these€feesÐ X ¨ Ðbecause€he€breached€the€portion€of€the€marital€dissolution€agreement€that€required€him€to€provideÐ D!” ÐMs.€Allman€verification€that€he€had€named€her€as€beneficiary€on€his€employer„provided€lifeÐ 0"€  Ðinsurance€policy.Ð #l! Ðâ âÐ $X" Ðà  àLitigants€in€Tennessee,€like€litigants€in€most€states,€must€pay€their€own€attorneyððs€fees€unlessÐ ° Ðâ âa€contract,€statute,€or€other€recognized€equitable€principle€permits€them€to€seek€payment€from€theirÐ œì Ðadversaries.€€òòState€ex€rel.€Orr€v.€Thomasóó,€585€S.W.2d€606,€607€(Tenn.€1979);€òòMorrow€v.€Bobbittóó,€943Ð ˆØ ÐS.W.2d€384,€392€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€The€parties€in€this€case€included€just€such€a€provision€inÐ tÄ Ðtheir€marital€dissolution€agreement.€€Paragraph€sixteen€states€succinctly€that€ð ð[t]he€breaching€partyÐ `° Ðof€any€terms€of€this€Agreement€shall€be€responsible€for€payment€of€any€attorneyððs€fees.ððÐ L œ ÐÌà  àMs.€Allmanððs€contempt€petition€alleged€that€Mr.€Allman€had€breached€two€provisions€of€theÐ $ t Ðmarital€dissolution€agreement€ð!ð€amended€paragraph€eight€relating€to€the€payment€of€the€loan€on€theÐ  ` Ðautomobile€and€paragraph€six€requiring€Mr.€Allman€to€provide€verification€that€he€had€named€Ms.Ð ü L  ÐAllman€as€the€beneficiary€of€his€employer„provided€life€insurance.€€While€Mr.€Allman€did€not€breachÐ è 8  Ðparagraph€eight,€the€record€indicates€that€he€did€not€provide€Ms.€Allman€with€the€verificationÐ Ô$  Ðrequired€by€paragraph€six€until€after€she€sued€him€to€get€it.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Accordingly,€we€find€that€Mr.€AllmanÐ À  Ðbreached€paragraph€six€of€the€marital€dissolution€agreement€and,€therefore,€that€Ms.€Allman€isÐ ¬ü  Ðentitled€to€payment€for€the€portion€of€her€legal€expenses€reasonably€related€to€her€claim€that€Mr.Ð ˜è  ÐAllman€had€breached€paragraph€six.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àThe€time€records€submitted€by€Ms.€Allmanððs€lawyer€indicate€that€Ms.€Allman€incurred€atÐ \¬ Ðleast€some€legal€expense€that€can€be€separately€attributable€to€enforcing€paragraph€six.€€However,Ð H˜ Ðthe€appellate€record€is€not€complete€enough€to€enable€this€court€to€determine€the€amount€of€thisÐ 4„ Ðaward.€€Accordingly,€on€remand,€the€trial€court€shall€take€proof€and€thereafter€award€Ms.€Allman€theÐ  p Ðattorneyððs€fees€she€incurred€because€of€Mr.€Allmanððs€breach€of€paragraph€six€of€the€maritalÐ  \ Ðdissolution€agreement.Ð øH ÐÌà@^^(ìàò òIII.ó óˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àWe€reverse€the€portion€of€the€judgment€awarding€Ms.€Allman€$7,644.22€for€breach€of€theÐ ¨ø Ðamended€version€of€paragraph€eight€of€the€marital€dissolution€agreement.€€We€also€vacate€theÐ ”ä Ðjudgment€awarding€Ms.€Allman€$1,355€for€her€legal€expenses€and€remand€that€issue€to€the€trial€courtÐ €Ð Ðfor€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€We€tax€the€costs€of€this€appeal€to€Bobbie€JoÐ l¼ ÐAllman€Short€for€which€execution,€if€necessary,€may€issue.Ð X ¨ ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à______________________________Ð $X" Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGE€