ÿWPCO6 ‰¥²èÌxýæ³UäeÏ›y¹g£ê•Z«®Q¬b[ýrÞI$¿0ÉÕ K ˆRH ™l“ÿ¾¡›J¶—”ª…鸘fXÒ´œaÿ)»/º&¶mœÝ/^³@N1¥T1-?.9–rÝÛy«¬ºWqrP¿–S/ -¥|³¿Ž8{WŒ"}êˆòAùæ;2ŽƒØç*øjå`ïN–²r®¶Ý¯7§äíÅ#ƒF4™ÑnÛë##òFô˜ªÅ‡F.˜˜y"eÈ“6RœWJ®kÍùwêÚ¤ZôËhIp ׈¥úé£:¯]7½Þy‡Xp)>/cฆ%.­~Û+ 7k~¸H°O½êLÖ™ mm¸hŸøˆŽ±-¿žoòL¸8P«¦®‰‘[#+éÊa ¾™À²5 Ý ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€issue€of€undue€influence€will€be€discussed€in€a€separate€section.€€Appellant€has€€not€argued€that€Ms.€NixonÐ ° Ðwas€unable€to€perform€the€duties€of€financial€conservator.€€(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular ÍÝ ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔOne€of€the€warranty€deeds€transferred€interests€in€two€separate€tracts€of€land. ^Ý ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€living€will€provided€that€she€authorized€the€withholding€or€withdrawal€of€artificially€provided€food,€water,€Ð ° Ðor€nourishment€or€fluids.€€The€appellant€has€not€challenged€the€validity€of€this€document. õÝ ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔA€disabled€person€is€defined€as€ð ða€person€18€years€of€age€or€older€determined€by€the€court€to€be€in€need€ofÐ ° Ðpartial€or€full€supervision,€protection,€and€assistance€by€reason€of€mental€illness,€physical€illness€or€injury,€developmentalÐ tÄ Ðdisability€or€other€mental€or€physical€incapacity.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€34„11„101(7)€(1996). ¾Ý ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAppellantððs€petition€did€not€specifically€request€a€personal€conservator€or€someone€to€oversee€his€motherððsÐ ° Ðphysical€and€medical€well„being,€instead€he€requested€that€the€court€that€ð ðhe€be€conveyed€with€all€rights€to€manage€[Mrs.Ð tÄ ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs]€legal€and€financial€affairs.ðð€€However,€the€other€son€who€testified,€although€not€a€party,€stated€that€the€childrenÐ 8ˆ Ðwould€like€to€have€a€conservator€appointed€to€look€after€their€motherððs€medical€and€physical€Ô_ÔwellbeingÔ_Ô€even€if€the€trustÐ üL Ðremained€in€effect.€€The€power€of€attorney€signed€by€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€gives€decision€making€authority€for€medical€treatmentÐ À Ðto€Ms.€Nixon.€€Therefore,€even€if€Appellant€had€specifically€requested€that€a€conservator€be€appointed€to€protect€Mrs.Ð „Ô ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€physical€well„being,€the€analysis€would€be€the€same:€whether€the€power€of€attorney€is€valid. rÝ ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€codicil€stated€that€ð ðI€love€each€of€my€children,€and€the€children€of€my€late€son€.€.€.€but€it€is€my€request,Ð ° Ðand€I€hereby€direct,€that€my€entire€state€go€to€The€Bible€Hygiene€New€Direction€Training€Center€Trust.ðð ÌÝ ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€power€of€attorney€signed€by€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€gives€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€or€Ms.€Nixon€power€and€control€over€Mrs.Ð ° ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€property€as€well€as€power€to€provide€for€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€medical€needs.€€The€power€of€attorney€gives€herÐ tÄ Ðattorney,€the€power€to€ð ðemploy€and€compensate€medical€personnel€.€.€.€deemed€by€my€Attorney€needful€for€[Mrs.Ð 8ˆ ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs]€proper€care,ðð€and€the€power€to€ð ðauthorize€any€and€all€kinds€of€medical€procedures€and€treatment€.€.€.€to€obtainÐ üL Ðthe€use€of€medical€equipment€.€.€.€deemed€by€my€Attorney€needful€for€[Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs]€proper€care.ðð ùÝ ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSee,€e.g.,€In€re€Elamððs€Estateóó,€738€S.W.2d€169,€173€(Tenn.€1987);€òòKelly€v.€Allenóó,€558€S.W.2d€845,€848€(Tenn.Ð ° Ð1977);€òòRichmond€v.€Christianóó,€555€S.W.2d€105€(Tenn.€1977);€òòÔ_ÔTaliaferroÔ_Ôóó,€622€S.W.2d€at€835„36;€òòTurner€v.€Leathersóó,Ð tÄ Ð191€Tenn.€292,€232€S.W.2d€269€(1950);€òòFellóó,€2000€WL€546260;€òòIn€Re€Estate€of€Ô_ÔCarnahanÔ_Ôóó,€No.€M1999„00494„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„Ð 8ˆ ÐCV,€2000€WL€1701986,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€15,€2000)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed). 1Ý ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAppellant€has€not€alleged€that€Ms.€Nixon€is€incapable€of€performing€the€duties€of€financial€conservator€or€herÐ ° Ðduties€under€the€trust€or€the€power€of€attorney. /Ý ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€found,€ð ðThe€four€children€appear€to€have€great€concern€about€the€role€Ms.€Nixon€graduallyÐ ° Ðundertook€with€the€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€family.€€They€felt€that€she€was€trying€to€displace€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€and€to€assume€roles€thatÐ tÄ Ðshould€have€been€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs.€€As€stated€earlier,€Mrs.€Nixon€appears€to€be€acting€in€the€best€interest€of€both€Mrs.Ð 8ˆ ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€and€the€ministry.€€The€feelings€of€the€children,€although€understandable€from€the€standpoint€that€Mrs.€NixonÐ üL Ðlived€with€their€parents€for€years,€and€assumed€more€and€more€responsibility€as€to€the€ministry€and€the€farm,€is€notÐ À Ðsupported€by€the€testimony€of€numerous€witnesses€who€were€around€the€farm€and€close€to€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô.ðð  ¸Ý ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔA€power€of€attorney€would€create€such€a€confidential€relationship.€€However,€the€power€of€attorney€hereinÐ ° Ðwas€signed€at€the€same€time€as€the€other€documents€being€challenged.€€Therefore,€it€was€not€in€effect€at€the€time€that€theÐ tÄ Ðwill,€deeds€and€trust€documents€were€signed. :Ý ƒRÿ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€current€section€from€Corpus€Ô_ÔJurisÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔSecundumÔ_Ô€now€reads:Ð ° ÐÌà8  à.€.€.€[A]€mere€mental€weakness€falling€short€of€incapacity€to€appreciate€the€business€in€hand€will€notÐ 8ˆ Ðinvalidate€a€contract,€nor€will€mere€mental€weakness€or€unsoundness€to€some€degree,€in€absence€ofÐ üL Ðfraud€or€undue€influence.€€For€a€contract€to€be€valid€despite€the€alleged€lack€of€mental€capacity€of€oneÐ À Ðparty,€it€is€not€necessary€that€the€party€have€the€ability€to€make€a€reasoned€judgment€concerning€theÐ „Ô Ðagreement.€€Moreover,€no€degree€of€mental€weaknesses€short€of€an€entire€lack€of€understanding€willÐ H ˜ Ðvitiate€a€contract€in€the€absence€of€fraud€or€imposition.€Ð \Ð Ð  ÐÌ17A€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòContractsóó€ðð€141,€at€45€(1999)€(footnotes€omitted).€- ù-(|G2ÿ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€SÝ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôø…ò»»Ô d(|3‡$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€SÝ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‡$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€SÝ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€SÝ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼SÝ»»»ÔÑ8€aXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îVüSÝÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼SÝ»îîVü #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓNovember€8,€2000€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔÌò òÔ#†¼SÝ»XXaõ#ÔIN€RE:€RHODA€BELLE€HUDSON€ARMSTERÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Lawrence€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€9501„99€€€€€€Robert€L.€Holloway,€ChancellorÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2000„00776„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€October€25,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  Óà  àThis€appeal€involves€a€conservatorship€action€and€an€effort€to€set€aside€a€will€and€relatedÐ xÈ  Ðdocuments.€€Mrs.€Armster€executed€a€living€trust,€in€which€she€named€herself€as€the€beneficiaryÐ d´ Ðduring€her€life€time.€€She€also€executed€a€will,€which€devised€her€entire€estate€to€the€trust€and€namedÐ P  ÐThe€Ô‡XaXXXaÔBible€Hygiene€New€Direction€Training€CenterÔ#†XaXXXa!#ÔÔ#†¼SÝ»XXa\#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ€as€beneficiary€of€the€trust€upon€her€death.€Ð <Œ ÐAppellant,€a€child€of€Mrs.€Armster,€filed€suit€in€Chancery€Court€and€sought€to:€(1)€have€a€conservatorÐ (x Ðappointed€for€his€mother€to€manage€her€legal€and€financial€affairs;€(2)€have€the€trust€and€will€setÐ d Ðaside€on€the€basis€that€his€mother€did€not€have€sufficient€mental€capacity€to€execute€the€documents;Ð P Ðand€(3)€have€the€will€set€aside€because€it€was€obtained€as€a€result€of€undue€influence.€€The€trial€courtÐ ì< Ðdid€not€appoint€a€conservator€and€found€that€Mrs.€Armster€had€the€requisite€mental€capacity€toÐ Ø( Ðexecute€the€documents.€€Further,€the€court€found€that€the€will€was€valid€as€it€was€not€the€result€ofÐ Ä Ðundue€influence.€€We€affirm€the€decisions€of€the€trial€court.€€Ð ° ÐÓ¥ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtÐ ˆØ ÐAffirmed€and€Remandedó óÐ tÄ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼SÝ»àXa±#ÔÔ‡XaX.¼SÝÔPatricia€J.€Cottrell,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Cantrell,€P.J.,€M.S.,óóÐ L œ Ðand€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,€J.óó,€joined.Ð 8!ˆ  ÐÌTom€W.€Moore,€Jr.,€Columbia,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Robert€L.€Armster,€Jr.Ð #`" ÐÌJane€M.€Jennings,€Lawrenceburg,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Shirley€Nixon,€Trustee€and€The€BibleÐ è$8 $ ÐHygiene€New€Direction€Training€Center€Trust.Ð Ô%$!% ÐÓÚ ÓÌò òÔ#†¼SÝ»XXa #ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔOPINIONó óÐ ¬'ü"' ÐÌÔ‡XaXXXaÔÓ  Óà  àRhoda€Belle€Armster€is€the€appellantððs€78€year€old€mother.€€She€and€her€deceased€husband,Ð „)Ô$) ÐRobert€L.€Armster,€Sr.,€had€four€surviving€children.€€The€couple€was€drawn€to€health€andÐ p*À%* Ðevangelistic€work€and,€once€they€had€educated€their€children,€they€pursued€the€ministry€andÐ \+¬&+ Ðeventually€moved€to€Tennessee.€€Shirley€Nixon€joined€the€Armstersðð€ministry€in€1978€as€a€volunteerÐ H,˜', Ðand€became€significantly€more€involved€both€personally€and€professionally€with€the€Armsters€overÐ 4-„(-ý Ðthe€years.€€Ms.€Nixon€began€living€with€the€Armsters€in€1988.€€Some€of€the€Armster€childrenÐ ° Ðresented€her€involvement.׃"×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð œì ÐÌà  àIn€1990,€Mrs.€Armster€suffered€a€head€injury€in€an€auto€accident€which€caused€a€subduralÐ tÄ Ðhematoma.€€According€to€the€children,€Ms.€Nixonððs€role€in€the€household€grew€even€greater€afterÐ `° ÐMrs.€Armsterððs€injury.€€Ms.€Nixon€was€responsible€for€the€cooking€and€cleaning€of€the€house€andÐ L œ Ðgenerally€cared€for€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àThe€Armsters€bought€a€farm€in€Lawrence€County€in€1993€and€formed€the€Bible€Hygiene€NewÐ  ` ÐDirection€Training€Center,€where,€with€Ms.€Nixonððs€help,€they€sold€nutrition€supplements€and€gaveÐ ü L  Ðlectures€and€seminars.€€Ms.€Nixon€also€helped€with€management€of€€the€farm.€€Ô#†XaXXXa~ #ÔÔ‡XaXXXaÔÔ#†¼SÝ»XXa? #ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔIn€1998,€after€learningÐ è 8  Ðhe€had€cancer,€Mr.€Armster€met€with€an€attorney€and€arranged€for€the€preparation€of€severalÐ Ô$  Ðdocuments€for€Mrs.€Armster€and€himself.€€On€September€10,€1998,€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Armster€executedÐ À  Ðmultiple€documents.€€The€first€document€executed€created€a€trust,€The€Bible€Hygiene€New€DirectionÐ ¬ü  ÐTraining€Center€Trust€(ð ðThe€Bible€Hygiene€Trustðð€or€ð ðTrustðð),€which€was€funded€by€assetsÐ ˜è  Ðtransferred€to€it€by€the€Armsters€and€which€benefitted€the€grantors׃(×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€during€their€respective€lifetimes.€Ð „Ô  ÐThe€second€set€of€documents€executed€were€three€warranty€deeds€signed€by€both€Mr.€and€Mrs.Ð pÀ ÐArmster€which€transferred€their€interest€in€four׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€tracts€of€property€to€The€Bible€Hygiene€Trust.€€TheÐ \¬ Ðthird€document€executed€was€a€durable€power€of€attorney,€signed€by€Mrs.€Armster€that€gave€Mr.Ð H˜ ÐArmster,€and€in€the€event€of€his€inability,€Ms.€Nixon€power€of€attorney.Ô_Ô׃Œ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€€The€fourth€document€wasÐ 4„ Ða€living€will€signed€by€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô.׃(×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€fifth€document€executed€was€the€last€will€and€testamentÐ  p Ðof€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€which€devised€her€entire€estate€to€The€Bible€Hygiene€Trust.Ð  \ ÐÐ øH Ðà  àThe€document€that€established€The€Bible€Hygiene€Trust€stated€the€purpose€of€the€trust€wasÐ ° Ðð ðto€benefit€the€Grantor€throughout€the€remainder€of€the€Grantorððs€life,ðð€and€after€the€Grantorððs€deathÐ œì Ðto€provide€ð ðspiritual€and€physical€care€and€training€for€all€those€who€are€poor,€sick,€and/or€afflicted,Ð ˆØ Ðand€in€need€of€such€spiritual€and€physical€care€and€training,€and€who€submit€themselves€to€theÐ tÄ Ðprinciples,€health€code,€dress€code,€and€Sabbath€code€established€by€the€Bible€Hygiene€NewÐ `° ÐDirection€Training€Center€all€to€the€glory€of€God.ððÐ L œ ÐÌÒe°Òà ½ àThe€trust€document€named€Mr.€Armster€as€Trustee€and€gave€him€broad€authority€to€manageÐ $ t Ðand€distribute€the€income€and€assets.€€The€document€further€provided,€ð ðIn€the€event€of€the€death,Ð  ` Ðresignation,€or€inability€of€Robert€Armster,€Sr.€to€act€as€Trustee,€Shirley€Nixon€of€Lawrence€County,Ð ü L  ÐTennessee€is€hereby€named€Successor€Trustee€to€act€with€all€the€powers€and€discretion€given€hereinÐ è 8  Ðto€the€original€Trustee.ððÔ#†XaXXXa#ÔÔ‡XaXXXaÔÔ#†¼SÝ»XXaQ#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ€€The€document€named€several€other€individuals€to€act€in€Ms.€Nixonððs€steadÐ Ô$  Ðin€the€event€of€her€death€or€resignation,€none€of€whom€were€the€Armster€children.Ð À  ÐÌà ½ àOn€October€19,€1998,€Mrs.€Armster€executed€a€codicil€to€the€September€10,€1998,€will.€€€AfterÐ ˜è  Ðexpressing€her€love€for€each€of€her€children,€she€again€devised€her€entire€estate€to€The€Bible€HygieneÐ „Ô  ÐTrust.€€Her€lawyer€testified€that€it€was€his€practice€to€name€the€children€in€wills€affecting€their€rightsÐ pÀ Ðand€that€their€names€had€inadvertently€been€omitted€in€the€initial€will.Ð \¬ ÐÌà ½ àMr.€Armster,€Sr.,€died€in€March€1999.€€Several€weeks€later,€his€son,€Robert€Armster,€Jr.,Ð 4„ Ð(ð ðAppellantðð)€filed€the€underlying€action,€in€which€he€(1)€sought€a€temporary€restraining€order€whichÐ  p Ðwould€prohibit€Ms.€Nixon€from€acting€on€behalf€of€The€Bible€Hygiene€Trust;€(2)€requested€theÐ  \ Ðappointment€of€a€guardian€ad€litem€to€represent€Mrs.€Armster€in€these€proceedings€and€a€conservatorÐ øH Ðto€manage€her€financial€affairs;€and€(3)€sought€a€declaration€that€the€conveyances€by€Mrs.€ArmsterÐ ä4 Ðto€the€Trust€were€void.€€Attached€to€the€petition€was€an€unsworn€letter€from€Mrs.€Armsterððs€physicianÐ Ð  Ðstating€in€pertinent€part:€ð ðDear€Mrs.€Armster€has€had€a€subdural€hematoma€with€normal€pressureÐ ¼  Ðhydrocephalus€since€1990.€€I€have€known€her€since€August€of€1994,€and€she€has€been€incompetentÐ ¨ø Ðto€even€handle€her€activities€of€daily€living.€€She€has€progressively€deteriorated€since€that€time.ðð€Ð ”ä ÐAppellant€subsequently€amended€the€petition€to€allege€the€documents€executed€by€his€mother€wereÐ €Ð Ðthe€result€of€undue€influence€on€the€part€of€Mr.€Armster,€Sr.,€and€Ms.€Nixon.Ð l¼ ÐÌà ½ àThe€trial€court€granted€the€temporary€restraining€order€and€appointed€a€guardian€ad€litem,€whoÐ D!” Ðfiled€an€answer€on€Mrs.€Armsterððs€behalf,€which€admitted€that€she€was€disabled€due€to€her€mental€andÐ 0"€  Ðphysical€infirmities.€€The€guardian€ad€litem€stated€that€ð ðit€would€be€in€Rhoda€Armsterððs€best€interestÐ #l! Ðto€be€declared€incompetent€and€have€a€conservator€appointed€for€her.ðð€€At€the€courtððs€request,€theÐ $X" Ðguardian€ad€litem€visited€Mrs.€Armster€at€her€home,€a€double€wide€trailer€in€a€remote€area€of€theÐ ô$D # Ðcounty.€€He€stated€that€he€believed€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€was€well€taken€care€of€€by€Ms.€Nixon,€a€home€healthÐ à%0!$ Ðnurse,€and€another€family€friend.€€He€noted€that€ð ðMs.€Nixon€appears€to€have€genuine€concern€for€herÐ Ì&"% Ð[Mrs.€Armsterððs]€well€being.ðð€€He€also€stated,€ð ðI€have€not€changed€my€mind€as€to€whether€or€notÐ ¸'#& Ð[Mrs.]€Armster€needs€a€conservator€appointed.€€She€is€not€capable,€in€my€opinion,€of€looking€afterÐ ¤(ô#' Ðher€business,€and€needs€someone€to€look€after€her€person€as€well€as€her€business€affairs.ðð€€Further,Ð )à$( Ðhe€noted€that€ð ð[Mrs.]€Armster€seemed€to€be€more€than€adequately€taken€care€of€and€seemed€to€beÐ |*Ì%) Ðhappy€in€her€surroundings.ððÐ h+¸&* Їà ½ àAt€the€hearing€on€the€matter,€the€trial€court€heard€testimony€from€witnesses€who€were€presentÐ ° Ðat€the€time€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€signed€the€documents€in€question.€€These€witnesses€included€Mr.€Plant,Ð œì Ðthe€attorney€who€prepared€the€will€and€took€it€to€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€Ms.€Grooms,€the€attorney€who€tookÐ ˆØ Ðthe€codicil€to€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€and€observed€its€execution,€Ms.€Davenport€and€Ms.€Peters,€the€two€legalÐ tÄ Ðsecretaries€who€accompanied€Mr.€Plant€and€Ms.€Grooms€and€witnessed€or€notarized€the€documents,Ô#†XaXXXa/ #ÔÔ‡XaXXXaÔÔ#†¼SÝ»XXaq #ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔÐ `° Ðand€Ms.€Nixon.€The€trial€court€found:Ð L œ ÐÌà8 ½ àMr.€Plant,€Ms.€Davenport,€and€Ms.€Peters€testified€in€detail€about€the€execution€of€theÐ $ t Ðdocuments€on€September€10,€1998.€€Each€of€these€witnesses€appeared€very€credible.€Ð  ` ÐMr.€Plant€testified€that€he€went€over€the€documents€in€detail€with€Ms.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€thatÐ ü L  Ðhe€was€satisfied€that€she€knew€and€understood€the€documents,€that€they€carried€out€herÐ è 8  Ðdesires,€and€that€she€wanted€to€execute€the€documents.€€He€testified€that€he€would€notÐ Ô$  Ðhave€allowed€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€to€execute€the€documents€had€he€not€been€certain€that€sheÐ À  Ðunderstood€them.€€He€testified€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€answered€every€question€put€to€herÐ ¬ü  Ðsatisfactorily.€€Ms.€Davenport€and€Ms.€Peters€testified€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€appearedÐ ˜è  Ðcompetent€and€her€responses€were€appropriate€to€the€questions€put€to€her.Ð„Ô ½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà8 ½ àMs.€Grooms,€Ms.€Davenport,€and€Ms.€Peters€testified€about€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€executingÐ \¬ Ðthe€Codicil€on€October€19,€1998.€€Ms.€Grooms€testified€that€she€explained€theÐ H˜ Ðdocument€and€that€she€would€not€have€allowed€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€to€execute€the€documentÐ 4„ Ðhad€she€been€uncomfortable€concerning€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€capacity€to€execute€theÐ  p ÐCodicil.€€She€testified€satisfactorily€concerning€the€correction€of€the€name€Ô_ÔRodaÔ_Ô€toÐ  \ ÐRhoda€by€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô.€€Ms.€Davenport€and€Ms.€Peters€confirmed€Ms.€GroomsÐ øH Ðtestimony.Ðä4½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà ½ àAppellant€offered€deposition€testimony€of€Mrs.€Armsterððs€family€physician,€Dr.€NancyÐ ¼  ÐArmetta,€who€had€not€seen€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€for€a€year€prior€to€the€signing€of€the€documents.€€In€herÐ ¨ø Ðdeposition,€Dr.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_Ô€stated€that€when€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€was€her€patient€her€mental€condition€wasÐ ”ä Ðð ðslow,ðð€but€noted€that€sometimes€her€mind€was€clearer€than€others.€€The€doctor€admitted€that€withoutÐ €Ð Ðhaving€seen€Mrs.€Armster€on€the€day€the€documents€were€executed,€she€could€not€say€what€Mrs.Ð l¼ ÐArmsterððs€condition€was€then.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà ½ àIn€addition,€the€children€testified€to€their€observations€as€to€their€motherððs€mental€state€atÐ 0"€  Ðvarious€times€before€the€date€of€the€execution€of€the€documents€and€afterward.€€Appellant€testifiedÐ #l! Ðthat€his€motherððs€problems€began€primarily€with€her€last€automobile€accident€or,€more€specifically,€Ð $X" Ðwith€events€leading€up€to€a€hospitalization€in€1993.€€In€addition€to€being€unable€after€that€time€to€takeÐ ô$D # Ðcare€of€her€personal€and€care€needs,€he€testified€that€his€mother€was€mentally€incapable€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðunderstanding€the€nature€and€consequences€of€signing€documents€such€as€the€one€in€question.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà ½ àThe€trial€court€found€that€Mrs.€Armster€was€competent€when€she€executed€the€documents€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthat€neither€Mr.€Armster€nor€Ms.€Nixon€exercised€undue€influence.€€The€court€found€that€Dr.Ð )à$( Ðâ âArmettaððs€testimony€did€not€conflict€with€the€testimony€concerning€Mrs.€Armsterððs€competence€whenÐ |*Ì%) Ðshe€executed€the€documents.€€Further,€there€was€no€medical€testimony€presented€about€Mrs.€ArmsterððsÐ ° Ðcurrent€medical€condition.€€This€appeal€ensued.Ð œì Ðâ âÌà ½ àAppellant€argues€three€issues€in€his€appeal.€€First,€he€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€notÐ tÄ Ðappointing€a€conservator€for€Mrs.€Armster.€€Second,€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€not€holding€that€theÐ `° Ðwill€executed€on€September€10,€1998,€was€invalid€because€Mrs.€Armster€did€not€have€theÐ L œ Ðtestamentary€capacity€to€execute€a€will.€€In€his€third€argument,€Appellant€asserts€that€the€trial€courtÐ 8 ˆ Ðerred€in€finding€that€neither€Mr.€Armster€nor€Ms.€Nixon€unduly€influenced€Mrs.€Armster.€€Further,Ð $ t Ðthat€the€trial€court€erred€because€it€did€not€find€that€a€confidential€relationship€existed,€which€wouldÐ  ` Ðgive€rise€to€a€presumption€of€undue€influence.Ð ü L  ÐÌÔ#†XaXXXa¦0#Ôà@ÿ ÿ ÆàI.€Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaè0#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔThe€Appointment€of€a€ConservatorˆÐ Ô$  ÐÌà ½ àIn€his€petition,€Appellant€alleged€that€his€mother€was€disabled€due€to€both€physical€and€mentalÐ ¬ü  Ðinfirmities€and€asked€the€court€to€appoint€him€as€conservator€for€his€mother€with€all€rights€ð ðto€manageÐ ˜è  Ðher€legal€and€financial€affairs.ðð€€A€conservator€is€a€person€appointed€by€the€court€to€ð ðprovide€partialÐ „Ô  Ðor€full€supervision,€protection,€and€assistance€of€the€person€or€property€or€both€of€a€disabled€person.ðð€Ð pÀ ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€34„11„101€(1996).€€The€conservatorship€statutes€vest€the€trial€court€with€the€wideÐ \¬ Ðdiscretion€it€needs€to€ensure€that€persons€unable€to€take€care€of€themselves€or€their€affairs€are€properlyÐ H˜ Ðcared€for.€€òòState€ex€rel.€McCormick€v.€Bursonóó,€894€S.W.2d€739,€744„45€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994).€€Thus,Ð 4„ Ðthe€purpose€of€a€conservatorship€proceeding€is€to€determine€whether€a€person€is€disabled€such€thatÐ  p Ðshe€needs€a€court„appointed€fiduciary€to€supervise,€protect,€and€assist€her€person,€her€property,€orÐ  \ Ðboth.€€òòBell€v.€Icardóó,€986€S.W.2d€550,€557€(Tenn.€1999);€òòIn€re€Conservatorship€of€Claytonóó,€914Ð øH ÐS.W.2d€84,€90€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995)Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa0D#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ.Ð ä4 ÐÔ#†¼SÝ»XXaµI#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòòÌà ½ àóóAccordingly,€a€petitioner€in€a€conservatorship€action€must€prove€two€facts€by€clear€andÐ ¼  Ðconvincing€evidence€before€a€fiduciary€can€be€appointed:€(1)€that€the€person€for€whom€theÐ ¨ø Ðconservatorship€is€sought€ð ðis€fully€or€partially€disabledðð׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€(2)€Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa J#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔthat€ò òòòóóó óthe€person€ð ðis€in€need€ofÐ ”ä Ðassistance€from€the€court.ðð€€Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaØK#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€34„11„126€(1996)Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa|L#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ;€òòGray€v.€Zimmerleóó,€No.€01A01„Ð €Ð Ð9802„CH„00061,€1999€WL€23906,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€22,€1999)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð l¼ Ðapplication€filed)Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaãL#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòò;€Hendrix€v.€McGillóó,€No.€01A01„9709„PB„00536,€1998€WL€205268,€at€*2€(Tenn.Ð X ¨ ÐCt.€App.€Apr.€29,€1998)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);òò€Ô_ÔCrumleyÔ_Ô€v.€Perdueóó,€No.€01„A„01„Ð D!” Ð9704„CH00168,€1997€WL€691532,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€7,€1997)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð 0"€  Ðapplication€filed)Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaßM#ÔòòóóÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ.Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaªO#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ€€If€the€court€finds€that€appointment€of€a€conservator€is€warranted,€then€it€has€anÐ #l! Ðaffirmative€duty,€when€it€fashions€the€powers€removed€from€the€ward€and€given€to€the€conservator,Ð $X" Ðð ðto€ascertain€and€impose€the€least€restrictive€alternatives€upon€the€disabled€person€which€areÐ ô$D # Ðconsistent€with€adequate€protection€of€the€disabled€person€and€the€disabled€personððs€property.ðð€€Tenn.Ð à%0!$ ÐCode€Ann.€òòóóððÔ#†¼SÝ»XXaíO#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòò€óó34„11„127€(1996);€òòWalker€v.€Gravesóó,€174€Tenn.€336,€341,€125€S.W.2d€154,€156€(1941).€Ð Ì&"% ÐòòÐ ¸'#& Їà ½ àóóBecause€a€conservator€may€be€granted€full€or€partial€supervision€over€and€responsibility€forÐ ° Ðeither€the€person€or€the€property€of€the€conservatee,€or€both,€courts€distinguish€in€appropriate€casesÐ œì Ðbetween€personal€conservators€and€financial€conservators.€€òòCrumleyóó,€1997€WL€691532,€at€*3Ð ˆØ Ð(upholding€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€appoint€a€conservator€over€the€care€of€the€person€and€reversingÐ tÄ Ðthe€trial€courtððs€decision€to€appoint€a€financial€conservator).Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaR#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ€òòóó€€Proof€of€physical€disability€would€allowÐ `° Ðthe€court€to€appoint€a€conservator€over€the€care€of€the€potential€conservatee,€but€not€necessarily€hisÐ L œ Ðor€her€finances.€€òòSee€Gray,€óó1999€WL€23906,€at€*3.òòÔ#†¼SÝ»XXaU#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ€€óóIn€proceedings€to€appoint€a€financial€conservator,Ð 8 ˆ Ðthis€court€has€stated€that€even€when€a€person€ð ðcannot€take€care€of€himself€without€assistanceðð€due€toÐ $ t Ða€ð ðphysical€condition,ðð€the€result€is€not€necessarily€that€ð ðassistance€must€come€in€the€form€of€aÐ  ` Ðconservator€to€make€decisions€for€him.ðð€€òòIdóó.€€In€òòGrayóó,€the€court€held€that€someone€who€wasÐ ü L  Ðð ðsubstantially€in€possession€of€his€reasoning€facilities,€but€.€.€.€physically€impaired€as€a€result€of€[a]Ð è 8  Ðstrokeðð€was€not€in€need€of€a€conservator.€€òòId.óó€€Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaWV#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòòÐ Ô$  ÐÌóóà ½ àBecause€the€potential€conservatee€must€be€in€need€of€the€courtððs€assistance€as€a€prerequisiteÐ ¬ü  Ðto€appointment€of€a€conservator,€courts€have€refused€such€appointment€where€the€conservatee€and/orÐ ˜è  Ðher€property€is€already€being€adequately€cared€for.€€òòSee€Smith€v.€Smithóó,€55€Tenn.€App.€at€162,€397Ð „Ô  ÐS.W.2d€at€197„98€(potential€conservatee€had€chosen€to€live€with€one€child,€was€physically€well€caredÐ pÀ Ðfor€and€was€found€capable€ð ðwith€the€assistance€of€the€agent€or€agents€chosen€by€herðð€of€ð ðmanagingÐ \¬ Ðher€own€person€and€estate€without€the€intervention€of€a€conservatorðð).€€Where€the€potentialÐ H˜ Ðconservatee€has€made€decisions€for€care€of€herself€or€her€property€while€competent€to€do€so,€courtsÐ 4„ Ðmay€refuse€to€set€aside€those€arrangements€and€appoint€a€different€conservator.€€Ð  p ÐÌà ½ àThat€was€the€result€in€òòCrumley€v.€Perdueóó,€wherein€Mr.€Perdue€had€executed€a€durable€powerÐ øH Ðof€attorney€in€favor€of€Ms.€Green€to€handle€all€of€his€financial€affairs.€€òòCrumleyóó,€1997€WL€691532,Ð ä4 Ðat€*1.€€The€trial€court€disregarded€the€power€of€attorney€and€appointed€a€different€financialÐ Ð  Ðconservator.€€This€court€reversed€on€the€basis€that€the€petitioners€had€failed€to€establish€by€clear€andÐ ¼  Ðconvincing€evidence€that€the€potential€conservatee€needed€the€assistance€of€the€court€with€regard€toÐ ¨ø Ðhis€financial€affairs€because€ð ðthe€durable€power€of€attorney€granted€Ms.€Greene€full€authority€to€actÐ ”ä Ðon€Mr.€Perdueððs€behalf€with€respect€to€any€business€or€financial€matter.ðð€€òòId.€€Ô_ÔóóTherefore,Ô_Ô€in€order€toÐ €Ð Ðjustify€the€appointment€of€a€financial€conservator,€it€would€be€necessary€for€Ms.€Crumley€to€ð ðproduceÐ l¼ Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€court€should€not€permit€Ms.€Green€.€.€.€to€continue€as€Mr.Ð X ¨ ÐPerdueððs€attorney€in€fact.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€*3.€€The€court€held€the€petitioners€would€be€required€to€show€thatÐ D!” Ðthe€power€of€attorney€should€be€set€aside,€and€to€do€so€they€would€need€to€prove€that€(1)€Mr.€PerdueÐ 0"€  Ðwas€incompetent€at€the€time€he€executed€the€durable€power€of€attorney,€(2)€he€was€under€undueÐ #l! Ðinfluence€when€he€signed€it,€or€(3)€by€showing€that€Ms.€Greene€was€unable€to€perform€the€duties€ofÐ $X" Ðfinancial€conservator.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€òòIdóó.Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaY#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòòÐ ô$D # ÐÌà ½ àóóThe€trial€courtððs€decision€in€the€case€before€us€rests€on€the€same€principles€as€theòò€CrumleyóóÐ Ì&"% Ðdecision.€€If€Mrs.€Armsterððs€person€and€property€were€already€adequately€cared€for,€throughÐ ¸'#& Ðarrangements€she€made€when€competent€to€make€them,€she€was€not€in€need€of€assistance€from€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcourt,€and€the€request€to€appoint€a€conservator€was€properly€denied.€€At€the€trial,€counsel€for€the€trustÐ ° Ðmade€it€clear€that€the€appellees€did€not€contest€the€need€for€someone€to€care€for€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€butÐ œì Ðmaintained€that€arrangements€had€been€made€to€ensure€that€protection€and€care:€in€effect,€Mrs.Ð ˆØ ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€had€chosen€her€own€conservator.òòÐ tÄ ÐóóÌà ½ àWith€regard€to€Mrs.€Armsterððs€physical€care€and€living€arrangement,׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€trial€court€found€thatÐ L œ ÐMrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€lived€on€a€farm€in€a€remote€section€of€Lawrence€County,€which€she€and€her€husbandÐ 8 ˆ Ðhad€purchased€in€1993.€€She€was€cared€for€by€Ms.€Nixon,€who€had€lived€with€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô€sinceÐ $ t Ð1988,€as€well€as€a€home€health€aide.€€€Based€upon€the€testimony€of€several€witnesses,€the€trial€courtÐ  ` Ðfound€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€was€being€well€cared€for€and€that€ð ðMs.€Nixon€seems€to€deeply€care€aboutÐ ü L  Ðboth€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€and€the€ministry.ðð€òòÐ è 8  ÐÌà ½ àóóThe€evidence€supports€the€trial€courtððs€implicit€determination€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€is€not€in€needÐ À  Ðof€court€intervention€because€her€physical€well„being€is€adequately€cared€for€by€Ms.€Nixon.€€Mrs.Ð ¬ü  ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€has€allowed€and€even€directed,€by€the€power€of€attorney,€that€Ms.€Nixon€care€for€her.€€AÐ ˜è  Ðlongtime€friend€who€visited€with€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€before€the€trial€testified€to€the€good€and€tender€careÐ „Ô  Ðprovided€to€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€by€Ms.€Nixon.Ô#†¼SÝ»XXad#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ€Several€witnesses€testified€as€to€the€type€of€care€beingÐ pÀ Ðprovided€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€including€home€health€workers,€physical€therapy,€and€speech€therapy.€Ð \¬ ÐFurther,€the€guardian€ad€litem€appointed€by€the€trial€court€stated€that,€ð ðit€was€apparent€that€[Mrs.Ð H˜ ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô]€was€getting€adequate€care,€and€that€Ms.€Nixon€appears€to€have€genuine€concern€for€her€wellÐ 4„ Ðbeing.ðð€€Further,€that€ð ðÔ‡XaXXXaÔ[Mrs.]€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€seemed€to€be€.€.€.€happy€in€her€surroundings.ðð€Ô#†XaXXXaõo#Ô€Because€theÐ  p Ðpower€of€attorney€gives€Ms.€Nixon€authority€to€approve€medical€treatment,€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€future€wellÐ  \ Ðbeing€is€protected€from€any€future€incapacity.Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaÅm#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝԀРøH ÐÌà ½ àAlso€implicit€in€the€trial€courtððs€holdings€is€a€finding€that€Mrs.€Armster€was€not€in€need€ofÐ Ð  Ðcourt€assistance€to€protect€her€property€because€of€the€arrangements€she€had€made€in€1998.€€The€trialÐ ¼  Ðcourt€implicitly€determined€that€Mrs.€Armsterððs€finances€were,€in€fact,€adequately€cared€for€by€theÐ ¨ø Ðtrust€that€she€and€her€husband€established€and€by€the€power€of€attorney€that€Mrs.€Armster€gave€to€Ms.Ð ”ä ÐNixon.€€Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa¦q#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔThe€trust,€which€benefits€Mrs.€Armster€for€her€lifetime€and€then€benefits€a€mission€to€whichÐ €Ð Ðshe€and€her€husband€dedicated€their€lives,€adequately€protects€her€assets€and€financial€needs€€duringÐ l¼ Ðthe€duration€of€her€life.€€She€has€assigned€decision€making€responsibility€over€her€financial€affairs€toÐ X ¨ ÐMs.€Nixon€so€that€her€property€and€financial€well„being€are€protected€from€any€disability€on€Mrs.Ð D!” ÐArmsterððs€part.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà ½ àAppellant€seeks€to€set€aside€these€arrangements€made€by€his€mother€in€1998.€€To€do€so,€heÐ $X" Ðmust€demonstrate,€as€he€has€alleged,€that€the€dispositions€were€invalid€because€either€(1)€Mrs.Ð ô$D # ÐArmster€was€not€competent€to€execute€the€documents€and/or€(2)€she€was€unduly€influenced€intoÐ ° Ðsigning€them.׃!×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€òòÔ_ÔCrumleyÔ_Ôóó,€1997€WL€691532,€at€*6.€Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa÷s#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔThese€issues€were€the€primary€subject€of€the€trialÐ œì Ðcourtððs€findings€and€are€the€primary€subject€of€the€briefs€on€appeal.€€€€€€€Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaEx#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔÐ ˆØ ÐÔ#†¼SÝ»XXay#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòòóóÌà@ÆàII.€€Sufficient€Mental€CapacityˆÐ `° ÐÌà ½ àAppellant€argues€that€Mrs.€Armster€did€not€have€the€requisite€mental€capacity€to€execute€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðpower€of€attorney,€trust€agreement,€warranty€deeds€or€the€will,€all€of€which€were€executed€onÐ $ t ÐSeptember€10,€1998.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€trial€court€found€that€Mrs.€Armster€was€competent€to€execute€theÐ  ` Ðdocuments.€€We€review€that€finding€of€fact€òòde€novoóó€with€a€presumption€of€correctness,€and€we€willÐ ü L  Ðnot€disturb€it€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€it€or€until€it€is€based€on€an€error€of€law.€€Tenn.Ð è 8  ÐR.€App.€P.€13(d);€òòCoffman€v.€Washington€Co.€Beer€Bd.óó,€615€S.W.2d€675,€677€(Tenn.€1981);€òòTownÐ Ô$  Ðof€Bruceton€v€Arnoldóó,€818€S.W.2d€347,€349€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991);€òòBrewington€v.€Sandersóó,€No.€01A„Ð À  Ð01„9301„CV„00002,€1994€WL€189626,€at€*4€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€18,€1994)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.Ð ¬ü  Ð11€application€filed)Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaty#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ.Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa.~#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ€€Further,€the€trial€courtððs€finding€was€based€on€the€courtððs€determination€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðcredibility€of€the€witnesses€who€testified€and€was€made€after€hearing€all€of€the€testimony€presented.€Ð „Ô  ÐThe€trial€court€is€in€the€best€position€to€judge€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses€and€his€findings€of€factÐ pÀ Ðwill€not€be€disturbed€unless€there€is€a€preponderance€of€real€evidence€to€the€contrary.€€òòJackson€v.Ð \¬ ÐBohan,€óó861€S.W.2d€241,€246€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993);òò€Interstate€Fire€Ins.€Co.€v.€Kinbroughóó,€852Ð H˜ ÐS.W.2d€887,€892€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992);Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaq~#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòò€Tenn„Tex€Properties€v.€Browness„Electro,€Inc.óó,€778€S.W.2dÐ 4„ Ð423,€425„26€(Tenn.€1989);Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa5#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòò€Brown€v.€Weikóó,€725€S.W.2d€938,€946€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983)Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaå#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòòóó;Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaf‚#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔòò€Brewingtonóó,Ð  p Ð1994€WL€189626,€at€*4;€òòLovett€v.€Kitchenóó,€1989€WL€79142,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€18,€1989)€(noÐ  \ ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa¯‚#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ.€€Accordingly€this€court€gives€great€weight€to€findings€of€factÐ øH Ðthat€require€the€trial€court€to€resolve€ð ðconflicts€in€the€proof€and€to€decide€the€weight€to€be€givenÐ ä4 Ðwitnessðð€testimony.ððòò€€Brewingtonóó,€1994€WL€189626,€at€*4.Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaºƒ#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔÐ Ð  ÐÌà ½ àAppellant€asserts€that€the€mental€capacity€to€execute€a€legal€document€varies€according€to€theÐ ¨ø Ðdocument.€€He€asserts€that€the€standard€applicable€to€deeds,€for€example,€is€whether€the€grantor€hadÐ ”ä Ðintelligent€comprehension€of€the€act€being€performed€and€is€capable€of€transacting€business.€€WhileÐ €Ð Ðwe€do€not€specifically€disagree€with€the€proposition€that€different€standards€have€been€articulated€byÐ l¼ Ðthe€courts€of€this€State€for€testing€the€validity€of€executed€instruments,€we€think€such€fine€distinctions,Ð X ¨ Ðif€any,€are€not€useful€herein€as€far€as€practical€application€which€would€affect€the€outcomeÔ#†¼SÝ»XXa…#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ.Ð D!” ÐÌà ½ àThe€mental€capacity€required€to€execute€a€general€durable€power€of€attorney,€revocable€livingÐ #l! Ðtrust€and€warranty€deed€are€essentially€the€same€and€equate€to€the€mental€capacity€required€to€enterÐ $X" Ðinto€a€contract.€€òòSee€Lovettóó,€1989€WL€79142,€at€*1€(stating€that€the€mental€capacity€necessary€toÐ ô$D # Ðexecute€a€deed€and€a€power€of€attorney€ð ðmust€be€the€conscious,€voluntary€act€of€the€grantor€or€it€willÐ à%0!$ Ðbe€held€void;€likewise,€the€deed€will€be€declared€void€if€the€grantor€was€mentally€unbalanced,€had€noÐ Ì&"% Ðintelligent€comprehension€of€the€act€being€performed€òòand€óówas€incapable€of€transacting€at€the€time€ofÐ ° Ðthe€transferðð)€(emphasis€added);€òòsee€also€Golden€v.€Hoodóó,€No.€E1999„02443„COA„MR2„CV,€2000Ð œì ÐWL€122195,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€26,€2000)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa0ˆ#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ€(definingÐ ˆØ Ðlack€of€capacity€to€enter€a€contract€as€ð ða€lack€of€ððsufficient€mind€to€understand,€in€a€reasonableÐ tÄ Ðmanner,€the€nature,€extent,€character,€and€effect€of€an€act€or€transaction€in€which€he€is€engagedðððð);Ð `° ÐòòAustin€Wakeman€Scott€&€William€Franklin€Fratcher,€The€Law€of€Trustsóó€ðð€18,€at€243€(4thòòóóÐ L œ Ðed.€1987)€(stating€ð ðcourts€of€equity€have€laid€down€no€special€rules€as€to€capacity€to€create€a€trust,€butÐ 8 ˆ Ðmerely€follow€the€legal€rules€that€are€applicable€to€analogous€transactionsðð).€€€€Ð $ t ÐÔ#†¼SÝ»XXaEŒ#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔÌà ½ àThe€party€attempting€to€invalidate€a€contract€based€on€the€theory€of€mental€incapacity€bearsÐ ü L  Ðthe€burden€of€proof.€€òòKnight€v.€Lancasteróó,€988€S.W.2d€172,€177€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€To€set€asideÐ è 8  Ða€deed€or€a€contract,€the€proof€must€be€clear,€cogent,€and€convincing.€€òòGregory€v.€Gregoryóó,€No.Ð Ô$  Ð01A0119508CH00357,€1996€WL€47929,€at€*8€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Feb.€7,€1996);€òòsee€also€Myers€v.Ð À  ÐMyersóó,€891€S.W.2d€216,€219€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994).Ô#†¼SÝ»XXa#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔ€€When€discussing€the€capacity€necessary€toÐ ¬ü  Ðcontract,€the€òòKnightóó€court€stated:Ð ˜è  ÐÌà8 ½ àð ðTo€avoid€a€contract€it€is€insufficient€to€show€merely€that€the€person€was€of€unsoundÐ pÀ Ðmind€or€insane€when€it€was€made,€but€it€must€also€be€shown€that€this€unsoundness€orÐ \¬ Ðinsanity€was€of€such€a€character€that€he€had€no€reasonable€perception€or€understandingÐ H˜ Ðof€the€nature€or€terms€of€the€contract.Ð4„½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà8 ½ à€.€.€.€the€mental€incapacity€.€.€.€must€.€.€.€at€the€time€[of€the€making€of€the€contractÐ  \ Ðconstitute]€such€impairment€of€reasoning€powers€as€to€make€the€person€incapable€ofÐ øH Ðacting€rationally€in€the€transaction€involved,€or€such€mental€unsoundness€as€occasionsÐ ä4 Ðan€inability€to€comprehend€the€subject€of€the€contract€and€its€nature€and€probableÐ Ð  Ðconsequences€.€.€.€òòand€óóthere€must€be€an€entire€loss€of€a€personððs€understanding€asÐ ¼  Ðrespects€such€transaction.ððШø½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌòòIdóó.€at€178€(quoting€17€C.J.S.€òòContracts€óóðð€133(1)(e))€(emphasis€added);׃+×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€òòsee€also€Roberts€v.€Robertsóó,Ð €Ð Ð827€S.W.2d€788,€792€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991)€(adopting€and€quoting€at€length€the€same€standard).€Ð l¼ ÐÔ#†¼SÝ»XXad‘#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔFurther,€the€court€must€only€consider€the€mental€capacity€at€the€moment€of€execution€of€theÐ X ¨ Ðdocument.€€òòHarperóó€òòv.€Watkinsóó,€670€S.W.2d€611,€629€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983).Ð D!” ÐÐ 0"€  Ðà ½ àSimilarly,€to€have€testamentary€capacity€Ô#†¼SÝ»XXak—#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔa€person€must€be€able€to€comprehend€the€propertyÐ ° Ðbeing€disposed€of,€the€manner€of€its€distribution,€and€the€persons€receiving€the€property.€€òòMcCormackÐ œì Ðv.€Rileyóó,€576€S.W.2d€358,€361€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1978).€€In€cases€where€there€is€a€properly€attested€will,Ð ˆØ Ðthere€is€a€presumption€in€the€law€that€the€decedent€was€of€sound€mind€and€possessed€the€requisiteÐ tÄ Ðtestamentary€capacity€to€make€the€will.€€òòKeasler€v.€Estate€of€Keasleróó,€973€S.W.2d€213,€217€(Tenn.Ð `° ÐCt.€App.€1998).€€Further,€the€inquiry€must€center€on€the€decedentððs€mental€condition€at€the€time€ofÐ L œ Ðthe€execution€of€the€will€and€a€contestant€must€introduce€strong€evidence€to€establish€a€lack€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðtestamentary€capacity€at€the€time€of€the€execution€of€the€will.€€òòAmerican€Trust€&€Banking€Co.€v.Ð $ t ÐWilliamsóó,€32€Tenn.€App.€592,€603,€225€S.W.2d€79,€84€(1948).€€There€must€be€material,€substantialÐ  ` Ðand€relevant€evidence€to€show€a€lack€of€mental€capacity€at€the€time€of€execution.€€òòHammond€v.€UnionÐ ü L  ÐPlanters€Natððl€Bankóó,€189€Tenn.€93,€100,€222€S.W.2d€377,€380€(1949).€€This€court€has€stated€thatÐ è 8  Ðð ðtestamentary€capacity€requires€less€understanding€than€that€required€to€execute€a€contract.ðð€Ð Ô$  ÐòòBrewingtonóó,€1994€WL€189626,€at€*4€(citing€òòBruster€v.€Etheridgeóó,€48€Tenn.€App.€267,€287,€345Ð À  ÐS.W.2d€692,€701€(1960);€òòMelody€v.€Hamblinóó,€21€Tenn.€App.€687,€694„95,€115€S.W.2d€237,€242Ð ¬ü  Ð(1937)).Ô#†¼SÝ»XXaИ#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔÐ ˜è  ÐÔ#†¼SÝ»XXa‹Ÿ#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔÌÔ#†¼SÝ»XXaâŸ#ÔÔ‡XaX»¼SÝÔà ½ àThe€trial€court€herein€rested€its€decision€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€was€competent€to€execute€theÐ pÀ Ðchallenged€documents€on€the€basis€of€proof€of€capacity€on€the€date€of€execution.€€The€court€found€Ð \¬ Ðcredible€the€testimony€of€the€witnesses€who€were€present€at€the€execution.€€As€the€court€found,€Ô‡XaXXXaÔMr.Ð H˜ ÐPlant,€the€attorney€who€prepared€the€documents€€testified€that€he€went€over€the€documents€in€detailÐ 4„ Ðwith€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€that€he€was€satisfied€that€she€knew€and€understood€the€documents,€that€theyÐ  p Ðcarried€out€her€desires,€and€that€she€wanted€to€execute€the€documents.€€He€testified€he€had€practicedÐ  \ Ðlaw€for€twenty„five€years,€had€prepared€hundreds€of€wills,€and€that€he€would€not€have€allowed€Mrs.Ð øH ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€to€execute€the€documents€had€he€not€been€certain€that€she€understood€them.€€He€testified€thatÐ ä4 ÐMrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€answered€every€question€put€to€her€satisfactorily.€€About€the€later„signed€codicil,€Ms.Ð Ð  ÐGrooms,€an€attorney€with€Mr.€Plantððs€office,€testified€that€she€would€not€have€allowed€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_ÔÐ ¼  Ðto€execute€the€document€has€she€been€uncomfortable€concerning€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€capacity.€€Further,Ð ¨ø Ðshe€stated€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€had€corrected€her€spelling€of€her€name€on€the€document€from€Ô_ÔRodaÔ_Ô€toÐ ”ä ÐRhoda.€€Ô#†XaXXXaµ¡#ÔÔ#†¼SÝ»XXa% #ÔÐ €Ð ÐÌÔ€XaX»¼SÝÔà ½ àSpecifically,€Mr.€Plant€testified€that€he€explained€to€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€the€import€of€each€of€theÐ ~ Î Ðdocuments€and€what€would€happen€if€she€signed€them.€€He€was€convinced€it€was€her€desire€to€executeÐ j!º Ðthem.€€He€discussed€with€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€the€use€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô€were€making€of€their€property,€operationÐ V"¦  Ðof€the€center,€and€her€intention€that€Ô_ÔthatÔ_Ô€use€continue.€He€acknowledged€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€answersÐ B#’! Ðwere€slow€coming,€but€that€her€answers€had€all€been€satisfactory.€€He€discussed€with€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô€hisÐ .$~" Ðpreference€to€prepare€a€codicil€naming€the€children€in€order€to€clarify€their€intent€to€leave€their€estatesÐ %j # Ðto€the€trust€to€the€exclusion€of€the€children.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€He€was€satisfied€that€was€their€desire.Ð &V!$ ÐÌà ½ àMs.€Peters,€who€worked€in€Mr.€Plantððs€law€office€during€the€relevant€time€period,€but€noÐ Þ'.#& Ðlonger€worked€there,€testified€as€to€her€observations€of€the€execution€of€the€documents.€€She€statedÐ Ê($' Ðthat€Mr.€Plant€read€over€all€the€documents€with€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€and€went€over€each€of€them€thoroughly.€Ð ° ÐThe€attorney€asked€her€questions,€and€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€answered€correctly.€€As€he€was€explaining€theÐ œì Ðprovisions€of€the€documents,€he€stopped€and€asked€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€if€she€understood.€€She€generallyÐ ˆØ Ðanswered€yes.€€If€she€didnððt€understand€something,€Mr.€Plant€would€explain€it€to€her€until€she€did.€Ð tÄ ÐAlthough€the€witness€could€not€recall€every€question€asked,€she€did€remember€that€Mr.€Plant€askedÐ `° ÐMrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€her€name€and€asked€her€to€name€her€children,€and€she€did.€€He€asked€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€ifÐ L œ Ðshe€realized€she€was€giving€her€property€to€the€trust,€after€asking€her€to€name€her€children.€€Ms.€PetersÐ 8 ˆ Ðtestified€that€Mr.€Plant€explained€the€power€of€attorney€as€giving€the€right€to€sign€for€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_ÔÐ $ t Ðon€just€about€everything,€including€bank€accounts.Ð  ` ÐÌà ½ àThe€witness€described€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€as€alert€on€that€occasion€and€described€her€as€slow€inÐ è 8  Ðanswering.€€To€clarify,€she€stated:Ð Ô$  ÐÌà8 ½ àShe€was€just€really€sweet.€€Sheððs€quiet,€and€she€answers€slow,€but€she€seemed€fine.€Ð ¬ü  ÐSheððs€a€little€slow€as€far€as€answering,€but€when€she€answers€she€says€the€right€„€„€sheÐ ˜è  Ðgives€you€the€right€answer.€.€.€.€€She€just€seemed€like€that€she€thought€about€thingsÐ „Ô  Ðbefore€she€would€answer.€€ÐpÀ½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà ½ àThe€witness€also€explained€the€actual€process€by€which€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€signed€the€documents.€Ð H˜ ÐShe€was€in€her€wheelchair,€and€the€arms€of€the€chair€interfered€somewhat€with€the€movement€of€herÐ 4„ Ðarms.€€Someone€held€a€pillow€in€her€lap,€and€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€placed€the€documents€on€the€pillow.€€ð ðSheÐ  p Ðwrote€her€name€on€her€own.€€The€only€thing€that€anyone€did€was€hold€the€pillow€straight€for€her€toÐ  \ Ðwrite.€€No€one€held€her€hand€or€anything.ðð€€The€witness€commented€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€ð ðwas€laughingÐ øH Ðaboutðð€her€sometimes€including€her€maiden€name€ð ðbecause€she€thought€she€had€messed€up.ðð€€Ms.Ð ä4 ÐPeters€was€totally€satisfied€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€understood€the€documents€she€signed€and€understoodÐ Ð  Ðwhat€she€was€doing€by€that€action.Ð ¼  ÐÌà ½ àThe€other€law€office€employee,€Ms.€Davenport,€described€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€as€well„spoken€andÐ ”ä Ðkind.€€She€confirmed€that€Mr.€Plant€went€over€the€provisions€and€effect€of€the€documents€and€askedÐ €Ð Ðor€answered€questions.€€She€stated€that€when€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€was€asked€to€name€her€children,€sheÐ l¼ Ðnamed€four;€when€asked€if€there€werenððt€one€more€child,€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€replied€that€he€was€deceased.€Ð X ¨ ÐShe€also€recalled€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€commenting€on€her€writing,€stating€ð ðIððm€a€little€bit€shaky.€€I€used€toÐ D!” Ðwrite€so€well.€€Iððm€not€writing€very€well€today.ðð€€Ms.€Davenport€also€returned€with€Ms.€Grooms€forÐ 0"€  Ðthe€signing€of€the€codicil.€€She€testified€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€acknowledged€they€had€met€before€andÐ #l! Ðwelcomed€them€back.Ð $X" Ðà ½ àÌà ½ àMs.€Torres€testified€by€deposition.€€She€was€employed€for€about€two€years€by€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô,Ð à%0!$ Ðserving€as€a€home€health€aide€for€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€as€well€as€performing€household€tasks€and€some€workÐ Ì&"% Ðfor€the€center.€€She€was€working€for€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô€when€the€documents€were€executed,€but€left€shortlyÐ ¸'#& Ðthereafter.€€Her€testimony€was€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€while€sometimes€ð ðquite€foggy,ðð€had€ð ðclear€Ô_Ôday[sÔ_Ô].ðð€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐShe€characterized€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€mental€functioning€as€varying.€€For€example,€although€sometimesÐ )à$( ÐMrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€seem€confused€about€which€of€the€three€houses€on€the€farm€she€currently€lived€in€(sheÐ |*Ì%) Ðhad€at€one€time€or€another€lived€in€all€of€them),€this€type€of€confusion€was€ð ðon€and€off.€.€.€.€SometimesÐ h+¸&* Ðshe€would€have€it,€sometimes€she€wouldnððt.ðð€€Although€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€never€discussed€with€her€theÐ ° Ðdocuments€at€issue,€Ms.€Torres€did€not€consider€that€unusual,€stating€ð ðsheððs€not€a€person€to€initiateÐ œì Ðconversation.€€Only€when€asked€a€question€of€something€like€that,€but€she€wouldnððt€initiate.ðð€€WhenÐ ˆØ Ðasked€whether€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€would€have€understood€what€a€revocable€trust€was,€Ms.€Torres€replied,Ð tÄ Ðð ðNot€on€her€own.ðð€€When€asked€if€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€were€presented€with€a€deed€and€asked€to€sign€it,Ð `° Ðwould€she€have€understood€she€was€conveying€the€property,€Ms.€Torres€replied,€ð ðIf€that€was€explainedÐ L œ Ðto€her€she€would€have€known€that,€but€not€on€her€own.ððÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌà ½ àMs.€Bland,€who€had€been€a€friend€of€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€since€1947€also€testified.€€TheirÐ  ` Ðrelationship€began€when€they€were€prayer€partners.€€They€had€visited€each€other€at€times€over€theÐ ü L  Ðyears,€corresponded,€and€visited€by€telephone.€€Although€Ms.€Bland€had€not€visited€in€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_ÔððsÐ è 8  Ðhome€in€a€number€of€years,€she€came€to€see€her€and€stayed€with€her€a€while€before€the€trial.€€Ms.Ð Ô$  ÐBland€testified€that€although€she€had€not€seen€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€for€several€years,€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_ÔÐ À  Ðrecognized€her€immediately€when€she€walked€in,€calling€her€ð ðÔ_ÔK.B.Ô_Ôðð€as€she€always€had.€€ð ðThe€she€said,Ð ¬ü  ÐððItððs€about€time.ðð€€Then€she€talked€to€me€about€„€„€just€talked€to€me€like€she€always€did.ðð€€They€hadÐ ˜è  Ðprayed€together€over€this€visit,€and€Ms.€Bland€commented€on€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€vocabulary.€€Ms.€BlandÐ „Ô  Ðdescribed€their€activities€and€conversations€and€expressed€no€concern€about€€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€mentalÐ pÀ Ðfunctioning.€€She€was€complimentary€of€the€care€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€receives€from€Ms.€Nixon€and€friendsÐ \¬ Ðand€neighbors.Ð H˜ ÐÌà ½ àMr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€petition€for€appointment€of€a€conservator€was€accompanied€by€an€undated€letterÐ  p Ðfrom€Dr.€Nancy€A.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_Ô€which€stated€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€has€had€a€chronic€Ô_ÔsubduralÔ_Ô€hematomaÐ  \ Ðsince€1990.€€ð ðI€have€known€her€since€August€of€1994,€and€she€has€been€incompetent€to€even€handleÐ øH Ðher€activities€of€daily€living.€€She€has€progressively€deteriorated€since€that€time.ðð€€This€informationÐ ä4 Ðwas€explained€or€supplemented€by€the€deposition€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_Ô,€which€constituted€the€only€medicalÐ Ð  Ðevidence€regarding€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_Ô€€had€first€seen€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€in€August€of€1994.€€Dr.Ð ¼  ÐÔ_ÔArmettaÔ_Ôððs€records€indicate€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€suffered€from€a€Ô_ÔsubduralÔ_Ô€hematoma.€€Although€she€had€beenÐ ¨ø Ðtold€about€the€1990€accident€and€1993€hospitalization,€Dr.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_Ô€had€never€received€or€reviewedÐ ”ä Ðthe€past€medical€records.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_Ô€last€saw€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€in€September€of€1997,€a€year€prior€toÐ €Ð Ðthe€execution€of€the€documents.€€€Dr.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_Ôððs€primary€concern€was€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€physicalÐ l¼ Ðcondition,€and€she€never€gave€Mrs.€Armster€an€examination€of€her€mental€status.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_ÔÐ X ¨ Ðtestified:Ð D!” ÐÌà8 ½ à.€.€.€as€I€noted€on€the€initial€exam,€and€I€donððt€think€I€may€have€addressed€it€tooÐ #l! Ðspecifically€otherwise.€€Though€I€noted€throughout€my€dealings€with€Ms.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€thatÐ $X" Ðshe€had€certainly€a€decrease€in€mental€functioning€to€accompany€her€physical€loss;€andÐ ô$D # Ðshe€was€at€times€slow€„€„€usually€was€always€slow€to€respond€to€any€verbalÐ à%0!$ Ðquestioning.€€But€at€least€on€her€initial€visit€Iððd€say€she€was€slow€to€respond,€but€hadÐ Ì&"% Ðaccurate€responses,€and€I€noted€that€at€other€visits,€too.и'#&½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà ½ àDr.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_Ô€stated€that€she€did€not€ask€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€any€particular€questions€to€check€herÐ )à$( Ðmental€status.€€She€also€stated€that€there€were€times€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€would€have€to€be€prompted€byÐ |*Ì%) Ðher€husband€or€Ms.€Nixon€in€order€to€answer€questions,€such€as€those€regarding€her€history,€statingÐ h+¸&* Ðð ðshe€would€sometimes€remember€and€other€times€she€wouldnððt.ðð€€€She€also€affirmed€that€it€was€safeÐ ° Ðor€fair€to€say€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€mind€was€clearer€at€some€times€than€at€others.€€€Ð œì ÐÌà ½ àThe€trial€court€stated€in€its€findings€of€fact€that€ð ðThe€medical€testimony€of€Nancy€AnneÐ tÄ ÐArmetta€filed€by€the€Petitioners€does€not€conflict€with€the€testimony€concerning€Mrs.€ArmsterððsÐ `° Ðcompetency€on€the€date€she€executed€the€documents.ðð€€We€agree.€€Dr.€Armetta€testified€that€Mrs.Ð L œ ÐArmster€was€ð ðslow€to€respond€but€had€accurate€responses,ðð€which€is€totally€consistent€with€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðtestimony€given€by€those€who€witnessed€the€execution€of€the€documents.€€In€addition,€Dr.€Ô_ÔArmettaÔ_ÔððsÐ $ t Ðtestimony€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmisterÔ_Ô€was€clearer€on€some€days€than€others€was€also€consistent€with€theÐ  ` Ðtestimony€of€other€witnesses.€€Finally,€having€not€seen€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€since€September€of€1997,€theÐ ü L  Ðdoctor€had€no€actual€knowledge€of€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€capacity€on€or€around€the€days€the€documents€wereÐ è 8  Ðexecuted,€September€10€and€October€19,€1998.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà ½ àThe€four€children€of€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€testified.€€The€appellant€testified€that€his€mother€lacked€theÐ ¬ü  Ðcapacity€to€understand€the€documents€she€executed.€€He€attributed€the€beginning€of€her€mental€declineÐ ˜è  Ðto€the€accident€and€the€1993€hospitalization.€€Among€the€reasons€he€gave€for€his€conclusion€were€hisÐ „Ô  Ðmotherððs€statement€that€she€wanted€to€go€home€when€she€was€at€home,€the€fact€his€mother€no€longerÐ pÀ Ðtold€stories,€and€that€she€did€not€carry€on€any€conversations€in€depth.€€The€other€three€childrenÐ \¬ Ðexpressed€similar€concerns,€and€indicated€they€did€not€think€their€mother€had€recognized€them€whenÐ H˜ Ðthey€visited.€€One€stated€she€did€not€seem€to€know€it€was€her€birthday€ð ðbecause€[when]€we€had€saidÐ 4„ ÐHappy€Birthday,€she€was€kind€of€blank.ðð€€€The€childrenððs€visits€varied€in€frequency€and€durationÐ  p Ðamong€them.Ð  \ ÐÌà ½ àMuch€of€the€testimony€of€the€children€described€their€perceptions€of€the€role€Ms.€Nixon€hadÐ ä4 Ðassumed€with€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô,€their€parentsðð€relationship,€and€their€belief€that€their€mother€did€notÐ Ð  Ðtransact€business€and€had€not€been€involved€in€business€decision€making€for€a€long€time.€Ð ¼  ÐÌà ½ àThe€trial€court€found€that€Mrs.€Armster€did,€in€fact,€have€the€requisite€capacity€when€sheÐ ”ä Ðexecuted€the€documents€at€question.€€The€court€found€that€the€medical€evidence€did€not€contradict€theÐ €Ð Ðevidence€from€those€present€at€the€time€of€execution.€€òòóóTo€the€extent€there€was€any€conflictingÐ l¼ Ðtestimony€from€lay€witnesses€regarding€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€capacity€at€the€relevant€time€Ô_ÔperiorÔ_Ô,€the€trialÐ X ¨ Ðjudge€heard€all€the€witnesses€and€weighed€their€respective€testimony.€€We€cannot€say€that€theÐ D!” Ðevidence€presented€by€Appellant€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€findings.€€We€also€agree€thatÐ 0"€  ÐAppellant€failed€to€meet€the€burden€of€proof€necessary€to€set€aside€validly€executed€Ô_ÔinsrumentsÔ_Ô.Ð #l! ÐTherefore,€we€affirm€the€trial€court€on€this€issue.Ð $X" ÐÌà@…… ÆàIII.€€Undue€InfluenceˆÐ à%0!$ ÐÌà ½ àAppellant€claims€that€his€father,€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€Sr.,€and/or€Ms.€Nixon€asserted€undue€influenceÐ ¸'#& Ðover€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€in€the€execution€of€the€documents.€€Further,€he€alleges€that€a€confidentialÐ ¤(ô#' Ðrelationship€existed€between€Mrs.€Armster€and€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€and€that€this€relationship€gave€rise€to€aÐ )à$( Ðpresumption€of€undue€influence.€€The€trial€court€found€that€there€was€no€undue€influence€asserted€byÐ |*Ì%) Ðthese€parties€over€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô.Ð h+¸&* Їà ½ àUndue€influence€ð ðupon€a€testator€consists€in€substituting€the€will€of€the€person€exercising€itÐ ° Ðfor€that€of€the€testator.ðð€€1€òòJack€W.€Robinson,€Sr.€&€Jeff€Ô_ÔMobleyÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔPritchardÔ_Ô€on€the€Law€ofÐ œì ÐWills€and€the€Administration€of€Estatesóó€ðð€124,€at€203€Ô‡XaXXXaÔ(5th€ed.€1994)Ô#†XaXXXa é#Ô.€€The€essential€issue€onÐ ˆØ Ða€question€of€undue€influence€is€whether€ð ðthe€will€is€the€will€of€the€testator€or€that€of€another.ðð€€òòId.óóÐ tÄ Ðat€ðð€130,€at€210.€€ð ðA€valid€will€is€the€product€of€the€free€exercise€of€independent€judgment€by€a€personÐ `° Ðwho€has€the€mental€capacity€to€make€a€testamentary€disposition.ðð€€òòIn€re€Estate€of€Elam,óó€738€S.W.2dÐ L œ Ð169,€171€(Tenn.€1987).€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐòòóóÌà ½ àThus,€undue€influence€exists€where€the€free€agency€of€a€testator€is€destroyed€to€the€extent€thatÐ  ` Ðthe€will,€though€nominally€the€testatorððs€own,€is€in€reality€that€of€another.€€òòÔ_ÔTaliaferroÔ_Ô€v.€Greenóó,€622Ð ü L  ÐS.W.2d€829,€837€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1981),€òòoverruled€on€other€grounds€by€Ô_ÔMatlockÔ_Ô€v.€Simpson,óó€902Ð è 8  ÐS.W.2d€384,€386€(Tenn.€1995).€€€Any€conveyance€may€be€attacked€on€the€grounds€of€undue€influence.€Ð Ô$  ÐòòSeeóó€òòFell€v.€Ramboóó,€36€S.W.3d€837,€847€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€Ð À  ÐÌà ½ àAs€a€general€rule,€it€is€presumed€that€undue€influence€does€not€enter€into€the€making€of€a€will,Ð ˜è  Ðor€other€conveyance,€and€the€burden€of€proving€undue€influence€falls€upon€the€person€contesting€theÐ „Ô  Ðdocument.òò€€Hammondóó,€189€Tenn.€at€109,€222€S.W.2d€at€383„84.€€€Thus,€proof€of€due€execution€shiftsÐ pÀ Ðthe€burden€of€going€forward€to€the€contestants€to€prove€that€the€testator€was€unduly€influenced€inÐ \¬ Ðmaking€his€or€her€will.€€òòIn€re€Estate€of€Elam,óó€738€S.W.2d€at€171;€òòOwen€v.€Stanley,óó€739€S.W.2d€782,Ð H˜ Ð787€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1987),€òòoverruled€on€other€grounds€by€Ô_ÔMatlockÔ_Ô,óó€902€S.W.2d€at€386€n.10.Ð 4„ ÐÌà8 ½ àWhile€undue€influence€can€be€proved€either€by€direct€or€circumstantial€evidence,òò€seeÐ  \ ÐIn€re€Ô_ÔDepriestÔ_Ôððs€Estateóó,€733€S.W.2d€74,€78€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1986)€(direct€evidence);Ð øH ÐòòPatton€v.€Allisonóó,€26€Tenn.€(7€Humph.)€320,€333€(1846)€(circumstantial€evidence),€Ð ä4 Ðdirect€evidence€is€rarely€available.€òò€Ô_ÔHagerÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔHagerÔ_Ô,óó€17€Tenn.€App.€143,€161,€66Ð Ð  ÐS.W.2d€250,€260€(1933).€€Thus,€in€most€cases,€those€attacking€a€conveyance€or€willÐ ¼  Ðon€the€grounds€of€undue€influence€must€prove€the€existence€of€suspiciousÐ ¨ø Ðcircumstances€warranting€the€conclusion€that€the€person€allegedly€influenced€did€notÐ ”ä Ðact€freely€and€independently.ЀнР½Ð  ÐÌòòFell€v.€Ramboóó,€36€S.W.3d€at€847€(citations€omitted).Ð X ¨ ÐÌà ½ àThe€existence€of€a€confidential€relationship€is€one€of€the€ð ðsuspicious€circumstancesðð€mostÐ 0"€  Ðfrequently€relied€upon€to€show€undue€influence.òò€€Fellóó,€36€S.W.3d€at€847„48;òòóó€òòsee€also€In€re€ElamððsÐ #l! ÐEstateóó,€738€S.W.2d€at€173;€òòKelly€v.€Allenóó,€558€S.W.2d€845,€848€(Tenn.€1977);€òòÔ_ÔTaliaferroÔ_Ôóó,€622€S.W.2dÐ $X" Ðat€835„36.€€A€confidential€relationship€is€not€merely€one€of€mutual€trust€and€confidence,€but€oneÐ ô$D # Ðwhere€confidence€is€placed€by€one€in€the€other€and€the€recipient€of€that€confidence€is€the€dominantÐ à%0!$ Ðpersonality,€with€ability,€because€of€that€confidence,€to€influence€and€exercise€dominion€and€controlÐ Ì&"% Ðover€the€weaker€or€dominated€party.€€òòMitchell€v.€Smithóó,€779€S.W.2d€384,€389€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989).€Ð ¸'#& ÐIf€a€confidential€relationship€is€proved,€in€some€circumstances€a€presumption€of€undue€influenceÐ ¤(ô#' Ðarises.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8 ½ àThe€dominant€rule€in€Tennessee€and€elsewhere€is€that€the€existence€of€a€confidentialÐ ° Ðâ ârelationship,€followed€by€a€transaction€where€the€dominant€party€òòreceives€a€benefitÐ œì Ðfrom€the€other€partyóó,€a€presumption€of€undue€influence€arises,€that€may€be€rebuttedÐ ˆØ Ðonly€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€of€the€fairness€of€the€transaction.ÐtĽР½Ð  ÐÌòòÔ_ÔMatlockÔ_Ôóó,€902€S.W.2d€at€386€(emphasis€added).Ð L œ ÐÌà ½ àTennessee€courts€recognize€two€types€of€confidential€relationships€in€this€context.€€Proof€ofÐ $ t Ðthe€existence€of€a€ð ðlegal€confidential€relationshipðð€automatically€gives€rise€to€the€presumption€ofÐ  ` Ðinvalidity€of€the€transaction.€€òòÔ_ÔMatlockÔ_Ôóó,€902€S.W.2d€at€385.€€A€ð ðlegal€confidential€relationshipðð€is€one,Ð ü L  Ðsuch€as€conservator€and€ward,€to€which€the€law€imposes€fiduciary€responsibilities€or€ð ðprohibits€giftsÐ è 8  Ðor€dealing€between€the€parties.ððòò€Id.óó€at€385„86€(quoting€òòKellyóó,€558€S.W.2d€at€848).€€Where,€however,Ð Ô$  Ðthe€relationship€arises€from€ð ðfamily€or€other€relationships,ðð€proof€of€the€additional€elements€ofÐ À  Ðdominion€and€control€is€necessary€to€give€rise€to€the€presumption€of€undue€influence.€€òòÔ_ÔMatlockÔ_Ôóó,€902Ð ¬ü  ÐS.W.2d€at€385„86;€òòsee€also€Mitchellóó,€779€S.W.2d€at€384.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà ½ àThere€is€no€proof€in€the€record€that€a€ð ðlegal€confidential€relationshipðð€existed€between€Mrs.Ð pÀ ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€and€either€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€or€Ms.€Nixon€at€the€time€the€challenged€documents€were€executed.׃$×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р\¬ ÐFurther,€there€is€no€direct€proof€that€either€person€coerced€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€to€get€her€to€sign€theÐ H˜ Ðdocuments.€€Appellant€asserts€that€his€father€was€in€a€confidential€relationship€with€his€mother€andÐ 4„ Ðexercised€dominion€and€control€over€her€to€the€extent€that€her€free€agency€was€overcome.€€RegardlessÐ  p Ðof€whether€Appellant€was€able€to€show€some€control€by€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€over€the€preparation€andÐ  \ Ðexecution€of€the€documents€sufficient€to€prove€existence€of€a€confidential€relationship,€however,€heÐ øH Ðwas€still€unable€to€show€the€second€element€required€to€give€rise€to€the€presumption€of€undueÐ ä4 Ðinfluence:€a€benefit.€€òòÔ_ÔMatlockÔ_Ôóó,€902€S.W.2d€at€385.€Ð Ð  ÐÌà ½ àAs€stated€above,€a€benefit€must€be€received€by€the€dominant€party€to€a€confidentialÐ ¨ø Ðrelationship€in€order€to€give€rise€to€a€presumption€of€undue€influence.€€òòÔ_ÔMatlockÔ_Ôóó,€902€S.W.2d€at€386.€Ð ”ä ÐNeither€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€nor€Ms.€Nixon€obtained€a€benefit€from€the€will,€the€trust,€or€the€power€ofÐ €Ð Ðattorney.€€The€trust€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€created€benefitted€her€for€her€lifetime€and€then€named€Ô‡XaXXXaÔThe€BibleÐ l¼ ÐHygiene€New€Direction€Training€CenterÔ#†XaXXXa\#Ô€as€beneficiary.€The€Trust€was€the€beneficiary€of€her€will.€Ð X ¨ ÐMr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€and€Ms.€Nixon€received€no€benefit€under€this€will€except€to€see€the€continuation€of€theÐ D!” Ðcenter€and€mission€to€which€they,€as€well€as€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€dedicated€their€lives.€€This€is€not€the€typeÐ 0"€  Ðof€benefit€which€creates€a€presumption€of€undue€influence.׃ Ü×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð #l! ÐÐ $X" Ðà ½ àWithout€the€presumption,€Appellant€had€the€burden€of€proving€undue€influence€by€proof€ofÐ ° Ðsuspicious€circumstances.€€òòóóWhether€the€circumstances€relied€upon€by€the€person€challenging€theÐ œì Ðdocument€are€sufficient€to€invalidate€it€should€be€ð ðdecided€by€the€application€of€sound€principles€andÐ ˆØ Ðgood€sense€to€the€facts€of€each€case.ðð€€òòHalle€v.€Ô_ÔSummerfieldÔ_Ô,óó€199€Tenn.€445,€454,€287€S.W.2d€57,€61Ð tÄ Ð(1956).€€Once€the€challengers€present€sufficient€evidence€to€substantiate€their€undue€influence€claim,Ð `° Ðthe€proponents€of€the€document€must€present€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€challengedÐ L œ Ðtransaction€or€testamentary€disposition€was€fair.€òò€Ô_ÔMatlockÔ_Ô,óó€902€S.W.2d€at€386;€òòRichmond€v.€Christianóó,Ð 8 ˆ Ð555€S.W.2d€105,€107€(Tenn.€1977);€òòBills€v.€Lindsay,óó€909€S.W.2d€434,€440-41€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993).Ð $ t ÐÌà8 ½ àThe€range€of€inquiry€may€cover,€not€only€the€provisions€of€the€will€itself,€and€theÐ ü L  Ðcircumstances€surrounding€its€execution,€but€also€the€mental€condition€of€the€testator,Ð è 8  Ðthe€motive€and€opportunity€of€others€to€influence€him€unduly,€his€relations€withÐ Ô$  Ðpersons€benefitted€by€or€excluded€from€the€will,€and€the€acts€and€declarations€of€suchÐ À  Ðpersons.€€Although€none€of€these€matters€standing€alone€may€be€sufficient€to€establishÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€issues,€yet€taken€together€they€may€have€that€effect.€€òòÔ_ÔHagerÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔHagerÔ_Ôóó,€17€Tenn.Ð ˜è  ÐApp.€at€161,€66€S.W.2d€at€260.Ð„Ô ½Ð ½Ð  Ðà8 ½ àÐ ½Ð ½Ð  ÐòòMitchellóó,€779€S.W.2d€at€388.Ð \¬ ÐÌà ½ àOur€courts€have€recognized€suspicious€circumstances€supporting€a€finding€of€undue€influenceÐ 4„ Ðas€including€(1)€the€existence€of€a€confidential€relationship;€(2)€the€testatorððs€physical€or€mentalÐ  p Ðdeterioration;€(3)€the€beneficiaryððs€active€involvement€in€procuring€the€will;€(4)€secrecy€concerningÐ  \ Ðthe€willððs€existence;€(5)€the€testatorððs€advanced€age;€(6)€the€lack€of€independent€advice€in€preparingÐ øH Ðthe€will;€(7)€the€testatorððs€illiteracy€or€blindness;€(8)€the€unjust€or€unnatural€nature€of€the€willððs€terms;Ð ä4 Ð(9)€the€testator€being€in€an€emotionally€distraught€state;€(10)€discrepancies€between€the€will€and€theÐ Ð  Ðtestatorððs€expressed€intentions;€and€(11)€fraud€or€duress€directed€toward€the€testator.€€òòMitchellóó,€779Ð ¼  ÐS.W.2d€at€388òò€óó(citations€omitted)òòóó.€€As€stated€above,€undue€influence€can€be€proved€either€by€directÐ ¨ø Ðor€circumstantial€evidence.òò€€In€re€Ô_ÔDepriestÔ_Ôððs€Estateóó,€733€S.W.2d€74,€78„79€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1986).€Ð ”ä ÐHowever,€without€direct€evidence€of€undue€influence,€persons€contesting€a€will€must€prove€theÐ €Ð Ðexistence€of€more€than€one€suspicious€circumstance€in€order€to€succeed.€€òòIn€re€Estate€of€Ô_ÔCranorÔ_Ôóó,€No.Ð l¼ ÐM1997„00231„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WL€343787,€at€*8€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€4,€2000)€(no€Tenn.€R.Ð X ¨ ÐApp.€P.€11€application€filed)€(citing€òòHalle€v.€Ô_ÔSummerfieldÔ_Ôóó,€199€Tenn.€at€455,€287€S.W.2d€at€61).€€€Ð D!” ÐÌà ½ àThere€is€no€evidence€in€the€record€that€either€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€or€Ms.€Nixon€coerced€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_ÔÐ #l! Ðinto€signing€the€documents.€€To€the€contrary,€all€those€present€at€the€execution€testified€that€€Ms.Ð $X" ÐNixon,€although€present€in€the€room,€did€not€participate€in€any€way€in€the€discussion€or€execution€ofÐ ô$D # Ðthe€documents.€€The€witnesses€also€testified€to€the€loving€relationship€between€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,Ð à%0!$ Ðincluding€their€holding€hands€at€times€during€the€meeting.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€gave€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€noÐ Ì&"% Ðinstructions€during€the€discussion€and€execution.€€Mr.€Plant€explained€the€documents€to€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_ÔÐ ¸'#& Ðand€gave€her€the€opportunity€to€ask€questions€or€voice€objections.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà ½ àThe€purpose€of€the€codicil€was€to€recognize€and€express€affection€for€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ôðð€childrenÐ |*Ì%) Ðbut€to€reaffirm€the€disposition€of€her€estate€to€furtherance€of€the€ministry.€€In€other€words,€it€was€aÐ h+¸&* Ðdirect€indication€of€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€intent€not€to€leave€any€part€of€her€estate€to€her€children.€€Mr.€PlantÐ ° Ðwas€convinced€that€it€was€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€desire€to€leave€her€property€to€the€center,€not€to€herÐ œì Ðchildren.€€It€is€Appellantððs€contention€that€such€a€disposition€could€not€be€the€product€of€his€motherððsÐ ˆØ Ðfree€will€and€offers€as€evidence€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€procured€the€drafting€of€the€documents€in€questionÐ tÄ Ðand€that€ð ðperhaps€.€.€.€Elder€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€Ô_Ôrealiz[edÔ_Ô]€.€.€.€that€he€.€.€.€would€likely€predecease€his€wife€.€.€.Ð `° Ðand€came€up€with€a€plan€to€accomplish€his€will€.€.€.€.ððÐ L œ ÐÌà ½ àThe€children€testified€to€the€dominance€of€their€father€over€their€mother€throughout€their€longÐ $ t Ðmarriage€as€well€as€after€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ôððs€injury.€€However,€there€was€other€testimony€to€the€contrary.€Ð  ` ÐFriends€of€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô€discussed€their€devotion€to€each€other€and€their€commitment€to€theirÐ ü L  Ðmarriage.€The€children€testified€that€the€move€to€Tennessee€and€the€establishment€of€the€€€trainingÐ è 8  Ðcenter€was€their€fatherððs€dream,€but€not€their€motherððs,€and€that€she€wanted€to€stay€in€California€withÐ Ô$  Ðher€children.€€Again,€this€testimony€was€also€contradicted€by€others,€including€longtime€friends.€€InÐ À  Ðfact,€two€such€friends€testified€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€had€long€been€a€devoted€Christian,€dedicated€toÐ ¬ü  Ðprayer€and€regular€observances€in€family€life.€€Early€in€their€marriage,€she€had€prayed€for€herÐ ˜è  Ðhusbandððs€conversion€to€Christianity€and€welcomed€and€supported€his€later€dedication.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà ½ àThe€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€has€stated€that€ð ðit€is€not€influence€that€invalidates€a€conveyanceÐ \¬ Ðor€will€but€undue€influenceðð€and€a€person€ð ðhas€a€right€by€fair€argument€or€persuasion€to€induceÐ H˜ Ðanother€to€make€a€will€[or€sign€a€deed]€and€even€to€make€it€in€his€own€favor,ðð€provided€that€theÐ 4„ Ðinfluence€is€ð ðexerted€in€a€fair€and€reasonable€manner,€and€without€fraud€or€deception.ðð€€òòKellyóó,€558Ð  p ÐS.W.2d€at€847;€òòHarperóó,€670€S.W.2d€at€621.€€The€Supreme€Court€also€stated€that€the€influence€ð ðmustÐ  \ Ðgo€to€the€extent€of€depriving€the€testator€of€his€free€agency,€and€amount€to€moral€coercion€which€heÐ øH Ðis€unable€to€resist.ðð€€òòHalleóó,€199€Tenn.€at€454„55,€287€S.W.2d€at€61.€€€Ð ä4 ÐÌà ½ àThe€effect€of€undue€influence€is€that€the€influence€creates€a€disposition€contrary€to€theÐ ¼  Ðindependent€will€of€the€testator€or€grantor.€€òòÔ_ÔCrainÔ_Ô€v.€Brownóó,€823€S.W.2d€187,€194€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ¨ø Ð1991);òò€Ô_ÔPuckettÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔKridaÔ_Ôóó,€No.€01„A„01„9403„CV00100,€1994€WL€475863,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.Ð ”ä Ð2,€1994)€(Perm.€app.€remanded€Feb.€21,€1995).€Because€the€effect€of€undue€influence€creates€aÐ €Ð Ðdisposition€contrary€to€the€independent€will€of€the€testator€or€grantor,€courts€will€look€at€whether€theÐ l¼ Ðdisposition€is€unjust€or€unnatural€or€whether€it€differs€from€the€testatorððs€expressed€intentions.€Ð X ¨ ÐòòMitchellóó,€779€S.W.2d€at€388.€€A€case€relied€upon€by€Appellant,€òòRichmond€v.€Christianóó,€555€S.W.2dÐ D!” Ð105€(Tenn.€1977),€includes€examples€of€this€type€of€inquiry.€€In€òòRichmondóó,€an€elderly€woman,€whoÐ 0"€  Ðlived€with€one€of€her€children,€in€essence€revoked€an€earlier€division€of€her€estate€equally€among€herÐ #l! Ðthree€children€by€giving€by€deed€the€only€asset€she€owned€to€the€one€child,€reserving€no€life€estate€forÐ $X" Ðherself,€twenty€days€before€her€death.€€The€court€found€a€presumption€of€undue€influence€had€arisenÐ ô$D # Ðon€the€basis€of€several€circumstances,€including€the€fact€that€the€donorððs€gift€ð ðdenuded€her€of€all€herÐ à%0!$ Ðrealty,€thus€impoverishing€her.ðð€€In€addition,€the€court€stated,€ð ðLikewise€significant€is€the€fact€that,Ð Ì&"% Ðwithout€apparent€reason,€Mrs.€Christian€suddenly€changed€her€plan€to€make€an€equal€division€of€herÐ ¸'#& Ðreal€estate€among€her€three€children€and,€instead,€decided€to€make€a€wholesale€transfer€to€her€son.ðð€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐòòIdóó.€at€108.€€The€court€further€noted:Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8 ½ àWe€find€nothing€in€the€record€to€show€that€Mrs.€Christian€had€a€sudden,€dramaticÐ ° Ðâ âchange€in€feeling€toward€her€daughters€after€the€deeds€were€drafted€making€an€equalÐ œì Ðdivision€of€her€property€between€her€daughters€and€her€son.€€The€daughters€visitedÐ ˆØ Ðtheir€mother€regularly€during€her€illness€after€the€December,€1970,€hospitalization€andÐ tÄ Ðat€least€one€of€them,€Mrs.€Richmond,€visited€her€every€day.€€Mrs.€Terry€testified€thatÐ `° Ðher€mother€had€always€told€her€the€estate€would€be€equally€divided€among€theÐ L œ Ðchildren.€€The€daughters€were€not€informed€of€the€new€deed€conveying€the€entire€tractÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€the€defendant€until€after€the€death€of€their€mother.Ð$ t½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌòòIdóó.€at€109.€€Ð ü L  ÐÌà ½ àThere€is€no€evidence€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€had€made€any€previous€disposition€of€her€property€toÐ Ô$  Ðher€children€or€anyone€else€or€that€she€had€indicated€that€was€her€intent.€€To€the€contrary,€there€wasÐ À  Ðtestimony€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€stated€that€she€loved€her€children,€but€she€wanted€to€make€theÐ ¬ü  Ðdispositions€evidenced€by€the€documents.€€Additionally,€the€documents€executed€by€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€didÐ ˜è  Ðnot€pauperize€her;€instead,€they€provided€her€with€income€for€her€life.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà ½ àEssentially,€Appellantððs€argument€is€that,€although€his€father€intended€that€his€estate€go€to€theÐ \¬ Ðministry€and€center€he€had€established,€it€was€somehow€contrary€to€his€motherððs€independent€will€forÐ H˜ Ðher€to€similarly€give€her€estate€to€the€same€purpose€she€had€worked€for€and€thereby€disinherit€herÐ 4„ Ðchildren,€presumably€the€natural€objects€of€her€bounty.€€The€trial€court€made€the€following€findingsÐ  p Ðof€fact:Ð  \ ÐÌà8 ½ àMr.€and€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€were€married€for€58€years€and€had€five€children.€€One€childÐ ä4 Ðpredeceased€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€and€the€other€four€children€testified€at€this€trial.€€TheÐ Ð  ÐPetitioner,€Robert€L.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€Jr.€resides€in€Tennessee.€€The€other€three€children,Ð ¼  ÐÔ_ÔRhoenaÔ_Ô€B.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€Barbara€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€Butler€Ô_ÔanfÔ_Ô€Maurice€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€reside€in€California.€Ð ¨ø ÐEarly€in€the€marriage€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€started€a€ministry€either€with€his€wife€or€with€theÐ ”ä Ðsupport€of€his€wife.€Ð€Ð½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà8 ½ àMr.€and€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€provided€private€education€for€their€children.€All€of€the€childrenÐ X ¨ Ðappear€to€be€doing€well.€.€.€.€€None€of€the€children€followed€their€parents€into€theÐ D!” Ðministry.Ð0"€ ½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà8 ½ àÔ_ÔSheriÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔSakaiÔ_Ô,€a€friend€of€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô€for€approximately€25€years,€came€fromÐ $X" ÐCalifornia€to€testify€about€her€relationship€with€the€Ô_ÔArmstersÔ_Ô.€€She€testified€that€Mr.Ð ô$D # ÐÔ_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€had€told€her€that€they€had€provided€each€of€their€children€with€private€schoolÐ à%0!$ Ðeducations€and€that€he€now€wanted€to€strive€to€fulfill€his€dream€concerning€hisÐ Ì&"% Ðministry.€.€.€.€Ð¸'#&½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà8 ½ àBased€on€the€testimony€of€witnesses,€the€Court€does€not€find€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€executedÐ )à$( Ðthe€documents€under€undue€influence€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€or€Ms.€Nixon.€€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_ÔÐ |*Ì%) Ðhad€been€married€to€Mr.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€for€58€years,€she€had€worked€with€him€in€theÐ h+¸&* Ðministry€in€numerous€states€and€was€actively€involved€in€the€ministry.€€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_ÔÐ ° Ðappears€to€have€been€a€strong€person,€mother€and€wife.Мì½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà8 ½ àAlthough€the€deeds€in€question,€together€with€the€Living€Trust,€in€effect€disinherit€theÐ tÄ Ðfour€children,€they€allow€the€ministry,€which€was€so€fundamental€to€the€life€of€Mr.€andÐ `° ÐMrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€throughout€58€years€of€marriage,€to€continue.ÐL œ½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌà ½ àThe€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€these€findings€of€fact.€€Tenn€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€Ð $ t ÐTo€the€contrary,€the€evidence€supports€these€findings.€€The€evidence€presented€shows€that€the€creationÐ  ` Ðof€the€trust€was€the€fulfillment€of€the€desire€of€both€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Armster€that€their€work€€continueÐ ü L  Ðbeyond€their€lives.€€We€find€no€evidence€in€the€record€that€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€would€have€disposed€of€herÐ è 8  Ðassets€in€any€other€way.€€The€appellant€has€failed€to€meet€his€burden€to€prove€that€the€dispositionsÐ Ô$  Ðmade€by€Mrs.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô€were€the€product€of€undue€influence.€€Therefore,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððsÐ À  Ðdecision€on€that€issue.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà ½ àà  àà m àà Å àà  àV.€Frivolous€AppealÐ „Ô  ÐÌà ½ àFinally,€Appellees€maintain€that€the€very€ð ðnature€of€this€type€of€case€requires€that€anyÐ \¬ Ðjudgment€be€predicated€almost€entirely€upon€witness€testimony€and€the€Chancellorððs€evaluation€ofÐ H˜ Ðthose€witnessesðð€credibility€or€lack€thereof.ðð€€Further,€they€argue€that€no€witness€who€was€present€onÐ 4„ ÐSeptember€10,€1998,€testified€that€Mrs.€Armster€was€not€mentally€competent;€therefore,€there€was€noÐ  p Ðevidence€on€which€to€base€this€appeal.Ð  \ ÐÌà ½ àIt€is€well€settled€that€successful€parties€should€not€have€to€bear€the€cost€and€vexation€ofÐ ä4 Ðbaseless€appeals.€€òòJackson€v.€Adridgeóó,€6€S.W.3d€501,€504€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999)€(citing€òòDavis€v€GulfÐ Ð  ÐIns.€Groupóó,€546€S.W.2d€583,€586€(Tenn.€1977));€òòMcDonald€v.€Onohóó,€772€S.W.2d€913,€914€(Tenn.Ð ¼  ÐCt.€App.€1989).€€The€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€has€defined€an€appeal€as€frivolous:Ð ¨ø ÐÌà8 ½ àwhen€it€appears€to€any€reviewing€court€that€the€appeal€from€any€court€of€record€wasÐ €Ð Ðfrivolous€or€taken€solely€for€delay,€the€court€may,€either€upon€motion€of€a€party€or€ofÐ l¼ Ðits€own€motion,€award€just€damages€against€the€appellant,€which€may€include,€butÐ X ¨ Ðneed€not€be€limited€to,€costs,€interest€on€judgment,€and€expenses€incurred€by€theÐ D!” Ðappellee€as€a€result€of€the€appeal.€€Ð0"€ ½Ð ½Ð  ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€27„1„122€(1996).€€Further,€this€court€has€stated€that€appeal€is€considered€frivolousÐ $X" Ðif€there€is€no€reasonable€chance€of€success€or€is€devoid€of€merit.€€òòJackson,€óó6€S.W.3d€at€504.€€However,Ð ô$D # Ðan€award€of€damages€under€this€section€of€the€Tennessee€Code€is€discretionary.€€òòBanks€v.€St.€FrancisÐ à%0!$ ÐHospóó.,€697€S.W.2d€340,€343€(Tenn.€1985).€€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà ½ àWhile€Appellants€did€not€succeed€with€their€appeal,€we€do€not€perceive€that€they€appealedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsolely€to€cause€delay€or€for€some€other€improper€purpose.€€Genuine€disagreements€regarding€the€factsÐ )à$( Ðor€conclusions€to€be€drawn€form€the€facts€provide€a€sufficient€basis€for€an€appeal€and€provide€anÐ |*Ì%) Ðappropriate€basis€for€declining€to€award€frivolous€appeal€damages.òò€€Anderson€v.€Dan€Truck€Line,€Inc.óó,Ð h+¸&* Ð682€S.W.2d€900,€902€(Tenn.€1984);€òòLiberty€Mut.€Ins.€Co.€v.€Tayloróó,€590€S.W.2d€920,€922„23€(Tenn.Ð ° Ð1979).€€Accordingly,€we€decline€to€find€this€appeal€frivolous.Ð œì ÐÌà ½ àCosts€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellant,€Robert€L.€Ô_ÔArmsterÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€for€which€execution€mayÐ tÄ Ðissue€if€necessary.Ð `° ÐÌÌÌà ½ àà  àà m àà Å àà  àà u àà Í à___________________________________€Ð  ` Ðà ½ àà  àà m àà Å àà  àà u àà Í àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGEÐ ü L  Ð