ÿWPCn ý 0,D/½ [ì¹?t^k——ð2x틵6+!8I1„²W±"´Þµ[Ù#(®¨Ö:Bz_-du¶š8€ï¿­§ûÚ@o/(„xèö–4J’q¢ÕÞ~l¡¿*õªŠ Ë í{;+ÖPì3å¦mƒèÅÌ?NVI{ß0¼jˆ’6ß<àl(ÿ‹Ès†Œ½åžw?ÂI-'a¡¹ã‰@ÇOŒSÊV`°~^H~Zs_Nv?*Ö±^Ü"݇ މ)qê¦:_ðV„Ïç†9áýÉ ‡¦æºu…lW-1Ê—¹íj»åóÊÞ^´€¤f¢‰ø{¾l¼#ÚÞtiS~Ÿe-£«Zƒ”$öú´2ªÿó0Š1qm¼ö1™<½ ¤È—)Íï"ñ«t}.ÉTìë 4ä¬\ðf ×oØ6ÊÝûé[àë"oͯÇìoéöªñš¿k¬¥y+8”¬1hÖ§ÜØN£p…r»úDËcU¯q™a/>¼S6¦ª(Ժ㟔®Ëáí0ÌxÄħp)%SøZXPú–Õe¤ÁŸó‚ü¸©|˜þsS*s.Á6›I"„]#obê„WBNéÕæ¥HJå„yâçþpüw›H b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz Z‘ Æë Ʊ ÆwÆ= 0DNGíIIE6N88Û†aaiäbcccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc 0ëkkkk BVV 0¤s D3 D-J 0Kww ASÂÆ 0¤Û 0D A«Ã˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»½„—-s (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularš‚,-ê:i¢×+00 ˜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|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ PÝ ƒR±„$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôóò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMrs.€McCoy€had€four€living€children€at€the€time€of€her€death,€James,€John,€Ruth€and€Mary€Jane.€€EthelÐ ° ÐCarmical€and€Jesse€McCoy€are€the€heirs€of€Mrs.€McCoyððs€now€deceased€son,€James€McCoy.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ãÝ ƒR±„$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôóò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€parties€agreed€to€take€this€dispute€out€of€the€probate€proceedings.€€As€a€consequence,€the€trial€court€hereinÐ ° Ðhad€no€jurisdiction€to€remove€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€as€Co„Administratrix,€relief€which€had€been€sought€in€the€probate€matter,Ð tÄ Ðand€of€course€the€trial€court€did€not€address€that€request€for€relief.€€That€leaves€in€question€the€plaintiffsðð€attempt€to€sueÐ 8ˆ ÐMrs.€Kilpatrick€in€her€capacity€as€Co„Administratrix,€and€we€conclude€that€in€the€present€action€for€conversion€and€returnÐ üL Ðof€the€money€she€was€sued€only€individually.€€ DÝ ƒR±„$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôóò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€appellees€did€not€seek€the€recovery€of€the€$6,800€paid€out€of€the€account€for€Mrs.€McCoyððs€funeral,€asÐ ° Ðthis€amount€would€have€been€paid€from€Mrs.€McCoyððs€estate€anyway. ÑÝ ƒR±„$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôóò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Bates€and€Ms.€Clark€testified€that€they€did€not€really€understand€the€legal€significance€of€the€term€ð ðrightÐ ° Ðof€survivorship,ðð€however,€they€testified€that€they€understood€the€word€ð ðorðð€to€mean€that€if€one€of€the€persons€namedÐ tÄ Ðon€a€joint€account€dies€the€account€goes€to€the€survivor.  Ñ ° Ñ ÚÝ ƒR±„$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôóò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMrs.€Kilpatrick€made€an€offer€of€proof€regarding€her€recollection€of€the€conversation€between€herself,€herÐ ° Ðmother,€and€the€bank€teller€who€assisted€them€with€changing€the€signature€card.€€The€trial€court€excluded€this€testimonyÐ tÄ Ðunder€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€24„1„203,€the€Dead€Manððs€Statute,€based€on€Mrs.€Kilpatrickððs€status€as€Co„Administratrix€ofÐ 8ˆ Ðher€motherððs€estate.€€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€does€not€appeal€the€decision€of€the€trial€court€on€this€issue.€€Ms.€Cotton,€the€bankÐ üL Ðteller,€was€unable€to€testify€due€to€illness.- ù-(|G2±„$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C%»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôóò»»Ô d(|3‡u$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C%»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‡u$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C%»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C%»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼C%»»»ÔÑ8€¹XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€OYÑà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îPC%ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼C%»îîP#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€July€29,€2002Ð üL ÐÔ‡X¹X»¼C%ÔÌò òÔ#†¼C%»XX¹#ÔETHEL€Ô_ÔCARMICALÔ_Ô,€òòet€al.óó€v.€MARY€JANE€Ô_ÔKILPATRICKÔ_ÔÔ‡X¹X»¼C%Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Perry€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€4115€€€€€€Russ€Ô_ÔHeldmanÔ_Ô,€ChancellorÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2002„00346„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€December€23,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€trial€court€found€that€a€joint€bank€account€was€not€held€as€a€joint€tenancy€with€right€ofÐ xÈ  Ðsurvivorship€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703€and,€therefore,€was€part€of€the€decedentððs€estate€andÐ d´ Ðnot€the€separate€property€of€the€decedentððs€daughter.€€The€appellant,€the€daughter,€appeals€the€trialÐ P  Ðcourtððs€order€that€she€return€to€the€decedentððs€estate€the€amount€of€$27,662.20€and€also€appeals€theÐ <Œ Ðaward€of€attorneyððs€fees€in€the€amount€of€$4,500€to€the€appellees.€€Because€the€appellant€did€notÐ (x Ðprovide€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€overcome€the€statutory€presumption€against€a€joint€tenancyÐ d Ðwith€right€of€survivorship,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€regarding€the€account.€€Because€thereÐ P Ðis€not€a€statutory€or€contractual€basis€for€the€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€in€this€case,€we€reverse€theÐ ì< Ðaward€of€attorneyððs€fees.Ð Ø( ÐÓ&ÓÌò òTenn€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtÐ ° ÐAffirmed€in€Part,€Reversed€in€Part€and€Remandedó óÐ œì ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼C%»àX¹È#ÔÔ‡X¹X.¼C%ÔPatricia€J.€Cottrell,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Ô_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€M.S.,€óóÐ tÄ Ðand€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,€J.óó,€joined.Ð `° ÐÌMelanie€Ô_ÔTottyÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔCagleÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔCentervilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Mary€Jane€Ô_ÔKilpatrickÔ_Ô,€Individually,Ð 8!ˆ  Ðand€as€Co„Ô_ÔAdministratrixÔ_Ô€of€the€Estate€of€Ô_ÔLulaÔ_Ô€McCoy.Ð $"t! ÐÌDan€R.€Bradley,€Ô_ÔWaverlyÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€Ethel€Ô_ÔCarmicalÔ_Ô€and€Jesse€McCoy.Ð ü#L# ÐÓó ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼C%»XX¹" #ÔÔ‡X¹X»¼C%ÔÐ Ô%$!% ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼C%»XX¹³ #ÔÔ‡X¹X»¼C%ÔÓ  Óà@°°&ìàI.€€FactsÔ#†¼C%»XX¹#ÔÔ€X¹X»¼C%ԈР¬'ü"' ÐÌà  àThe€parties€in€this€lawsuit€dispute€the€ownership€of€a€bank€account€of€the€decedent,€Mrs.€Ô_ÔLulaÔ_ÔÐ „)Ô$) Ðâ âMcCoy.€€Mary€Jane€Ô_ÔKilpatrickÔ_Ô,€the€appellant,€is€the€adult€daughter€of€Mrs.€McCoy,€and€EthelÐ p*À%*ý9 ÐÔ_ÔCarmical€and€Jesse€McCoy,€the€appellees,€are€adult€grandchildren€of€the€decedent.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mrs.€McCoyÐ ° Ðâ âhad€a€bank€account€at€the€Bank€of€Perry€County€in€Lobelville,€Tennessee.€€Mrs.€McCoy€maintainedÐ œì Ðthe€bank€account€for€many€years,€having€shared€it€with€her€husband€as€a€joint€account€until€his€death.€Ð ˆØ ÐAfter€her€husbandððs€death,€the€bank€account€was€solely€in€Mrs.€McCoyððs€name€until€June€4,€1992.€Ð tÄ ÐOn€this€date,€Mrs.€McCoy€decided€to€add€the€name€of€her€daughter,€Mary€Jane€Kilpatrick,€to€theÐ `° Ðaccount,€and€the€bank€account€was€altered€to€show€that€the€account€was€in€the€names€of€ð ðLulaÐ L œ ÐMcCoy€or€Mary€Jane€Kilpatrick.ðð€€Both€Mrs.€McCoy€and€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€signed€the€signature€cardÐ 8 ˆ Ðcontaining€the€terms€of€the€banking€account.Ð $ t ÐÌà  àMrs.€Kilpatrick€testified€that€she€had€been€writing€checks€at€both€her€fatherððs€and€motherððsÐ ü L  Ðdirection€on€the€bank€account€since€the€1970ððs,€that€this€practice€had€continued€unabated€since€thatÐ è 8  Ðtime,€and€became€more€frequent€and€necessary€after€Mrs.€McCoy€suffered€a€stroke€in€May€of€1989.€Ð Ô$  ÐMs.€Johnnia€Clark,€the€head€cashier€of€the€Bank€of€Perry€County,€testified€that€the€bankððs€policy€isÐ À  Ðto€allow€adult€children€of€account€holders€to€write€checks€on€their€parentsðð€accounts€without€makingÐ ¬ü  Ðany€formal€changes€to€the€account.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àIt€is€undisputed€that€Mrs.€McCoy€and€her€daughter,€Mrs.€Kilpatrick,€enjoyed€a€very€closeÐ pÀ Ðrelationship.€€In€fact,€after€Mrs.€McCoyððs€stroke€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€stayed€with€her€mother€during€herÐ \¬ Ðentire€hospital€stay,€and€after€she€was€released€from€the€hospital,€took€her€into€her€own€home€andÐ H˜ Ðprovided€full„time€care€for€her€for€over€five€months.€€She€drove€her€mother€to€rehabilitation€therapyÐ 4„ Ðtwo€to€three€times€a€week€in€Nashville€and€Dickson,€managed€her€financial€affairs€and€ran€errandsÐ  p Ðincluding€picking€up€prescriptions,€taking€her€to€doctorððs€appointments€and€checking€in€on€herÐ  \ Ðseveral€times€a€day€after€Mrs.€McCoy€was€well€enough€to€resume€living€in€her€own€home.Ð øH ÐÌà  àMrs.€McCoy€made€virtually€a€full€recovery€and€lived€nearly€nine€years€after€her€stroke€untilÐ Ð  Ðher€death€on€April€14,€1998.€€Shortly€thereafter,€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€wrote€a€check€from€the€bank€accountÐ ¼  Ðin€the€amount€of€$6,800€for€Mrs.€McCoyððs€funeral.€€This€amount€was€paid€from€the€account,€leavingÐ ¨ø Ða€balance€of€$27,662.20.€€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€then€transferred€this€amount€into€a€separate€account€in€herÐ ”ä Ðname€at€the€bank,€where€the€full€amount€remains€intact€and€is€currently€drawing€interest.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àOn€September€18,€1998,€Ethel€Carmical€and€Jesse€McCoy,€the€appellees€in€the€present€case,Ð X ¨ Ðfiled€suit€against€Mrs.€Kilpatrick,€alleging€that€she€wrongfully€converted€funds€from€the€account€ofÐ D!” ÐMrs.€McCoy.€€The€original€petition€was€filed€as€part€of€the€probate€proceeding€of€the€decedent.€Ð 0"€  ÐAdditionally,€the€appellees€sought€the€removal€of€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€as€the€Co„Administratrix€of€theÐ #l! Ðestate€of€decedent.€€The€attorney€for€the€estate€moved€the€trial€court€to€dismiss€the€petition€for€lackÐ $X" Ðof€jurisdiction€and/or€failure€to€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€could€be€granted.€€A€consent€orderÐ ô$D # Ðwas€entered,€whereby€the€parties€agreed€the€Clerk€and€Master€would€issue€a€new€case€number€andÐ à%0!$ Ðseparate€case€file€for€the€petition€to€keep€it€separate€from€the€probate€proceedings.€€This€procedureÐ Ì&"% Ðwas€accomplished.Ð ¸'#& ÐÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà  àA€final€hearing€was€conducted€on€March€26,€2001,€whereupon€the€Chancellor€held€thatÐ ° Ðpursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703,€the€account€in€question€did€not€pass€to€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€andÐ œì Ðwas,€therefore,€an€asset€of€Mrs.€McCoyððs€estate.€€The€trial€court€accordingly€ordered€Mrs.€KilpatrickÐ ˆØ Ðto€return€the€$27,662.20.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Further,€after€considering€two€post€trial€briefs€filed€by€the€attorneys€ofÐ tÄ Ðrecord,€the€trial€court€ordered€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€to€pay€$4,500€of€the€appelleesðð€attorneyððs€fee.€€Mrs.Ð `° ÐKilpatrick€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€decision.Ð L œ ÐÌà@M M ìàII.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€45„2„703ˆÐ $ t ÐÌà  àAccording€to€the€signature€card,€Mary€Jane€Kilpatrickððs€name€was€added€to€her€motherððsÐ ü L  Ðbank€account€on€June€4,€1992,€after€the€effective€date€of€the€1989€amendment€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð è 8  Ððð€45„2„703.€€Thus,€the€provisions€of€that€revision€are€applicable€to€this€account.€€òòIn€re€Estate€ofÐ Ô$  ÐNicholsóó,€856€S.W.2d€397,€398€(Tenn.€1993);€òòIn€re€Verkstromóó,€No.€03A01„9808„CH„00267,€1999Ð À  ÐTenn.€App.€LEXIS€63,€at€*4€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€28,€1999)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€applicationÐ ¬ü  Ðfiled).Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àEssentially,€if€a€multi„party€account€clearly€states€that€a€right€of€survivorship€is€intended,€thenÐ pÀ Ðupon€the€death€of€one€of€the€account€holders€the€account€passes€directly€to€the€survivor(s)€and€is€notÐ \¬ Ðincluded€in€the€deceasedððs€estate.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703(f)(1);òò€see€also€In€re€Estate€ofÐ H˜ ÐNichols,€óó856€S.W.2d€at€400„401òò.óó€€On€the€other€hand,€if€the€account€does€not€clearly€provide€for€aÐ 4„ Ðright€of€survivorship€and€the€survivor€fails€to€carry€the€burden€of€proving€that€such€a€right€wasÐ  p Ðintended,€then€the€account€becomes€the€property€of€the€deceasedððs€estate€and€will€be€distributedÐ  \ Ðaccording€to€the€decedentððs€will,€or€in€the€case€of€an€intestate€decedent€through€intestacy€statutes€toÐ øH Ðthe€decedentððs€heirs.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€45„2„703(e)(2)€and€(f)(2).Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àIn€pertinent€part,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703(e)(4)€provides€that€in€accounts€described€inÐ ¼  Ððð€45„2„703(c)€(defining€multiple„party€accounts)€the€following€interests€are€established:Ð ¨ø ÐÌà8  à(4)€In€the€absence€of€any€specific€designation€in€accordance€with€subsection€(d),Ð €Ð Ðproperty€held€under€the€title,€tenancy€by€the€entireties,€carries€a€right€of€survivorship;Ð l¼ Ðò òproperty€held€under€the€title,€joint€tenancy,€carries€no€right€of€survivorshipÐ X ¨ Ðunless€a€contrary€intention€is€expressly€statedó ó.€€Any€other€person€to€whose€orderÐ D!” Ðthe€accounts€or€certificate€of€deposit€is€subject€shall€be€presumed€to€have€power€ofÐ 4"„  Ðattorney€with€respect€thereto€and€not€to€be€an€owner€thereof.€€Such€presumptions€mayÐ  #p! Ðbe€rebutted€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€presented€in€the€course€of€legal€orÐ  $\" Ðequitable€proceedings.€.€.€.Ðø$H #Ð Ð  ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703(e)(4)€(emphasis€added).€€Thus,€the€presence€or€absence€of€a€specificÐ Ð& "% Ðdesignation€is€critical.€€In€addition,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703(d)€provides€the€procedure€forÐ ¼' #& Ðmaking€such€a€designation€and€requires€that:Ð ¨(ø#' Їà8  à(d)(1)€When€opening€a€multiple„party€deposit€account,€or€amending€an€existingÐ ° Ðdeposit€account€so€as€to€create€a€multiple€party€deposit€account,€each€bank€shallÐ œì Ðutilize€account€documents€which€enable€the€depositor€to€designate€ownership€interestÐ ˆØ Ðtherein€in€terms€substantially€similar€to€the€following:ÐtÄÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(A)€Joint€tenants€with€right€of€survivorship;ÐL œÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(B)€Additional€authorized€signatory;€andÐ$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(C)€Such€other€deposit€designation€as€may€be€acceptable€to€the€bank.Ðü L Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(2)€Account€documents€which€enable€the€depositor€to€indicate€his€intent€of€theÐ Ô$  Ðownership€interest€in€any€multiple„party€deposit€account€may€include€any€of€theÐ À  Ðfollowing:Ьü Ð Ð  ÐÌà  à(A)€The€signature€card;Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  à(B)€The€deposit€agreement;Ð \¬ ÐÌà  à(C)€A€certificate€of€deposit;Ð 4„ ÐÌà  à(D)€A€document€confirming€purchase€of€a€certificate€of€deposit;€orÐ  \ ÐÌà8  à(E)€Such€other€document€provided€by€the€bank€or€deposit€institution€which€indicatesÐ ä4 Ðthe€intent€of€the€depositor.ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703(d).Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àPursuant€to€this€act,€the€Bank€of€Perry€County€had€Mrs.€McCoy€and€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€sign€aÐ €Ð Ðsignature€card€when€the€existing€bank€account,€in€Mrs.€McCoyððs€name,€was€amended€to€add€Mrs.Ð l¼ ÐKilpatrickððs€name.€€On€the€signature€card,€under€a€heading€that€read,€ð ðType€of€Account„personal,ððÐ X ¨ Ðseveral€categories€of€account€designations€are€found€with€boxes€for€the€depositor€to€check€to€indicateÐ D!” Ðthe€type€of€account€she€wished€to€create.€€One€box€is€located€next€to€the€words€ð ðjoint€„€withÐ 0"€  Ðsurvivorship,ðð€and€another€box€is€provided€if€the€depositor€wants€an€account€to€be€ð ðjoint€„€noÐ #l! Ðsurvivorship.ðð€€Unfortunately,€Mrs.€McCoy€failed€to€check€either€box€or€write€anything€on€theÐ $X" Ðsignature€card€that€would€have€expressly€indicated€her€intention€with€regard€to€Mrs.€KilpatrickððsÐ ô$D # Ðinterest€in€the€account.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àThe€failure€of€Mrs.€McCoy€to€indicate€that€her€intent€was€to€create€a€right€of€survivorship€byÐ ¸'#& Ðeither€checking€the€box€marked€ð ðjoint„with€survivorshipðð€or€by€expressly€stating€such€an€intent€inÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsome€other€fashion,€leaves€us€with€no€choice€but€to€apply€the€statutory€presumption€established€byÐ )à$( Ðthe€General€Assembly€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703(e)(4)€against€Mrs.€Kilpatrick.€€This€sectionÐ |*Ì%) Ðprovides€that€ð ð[I]n€the€absence€of€any€specific€designation€in€accordance€with€subsection€(d),€.€.€.Ð h+¸&* Ðproperty€held€under€the€title€joint€tenancy,€carries€no€right€of€survivorship€unless€a€contrary€intentionÐ ° Ðis€ò òexpressly€statedó ó.ðð€€(Emphasis€added).€€In€addition,€the€presumption€may€be€overcome€only€byÐ œì Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703(e)(4).Ð ŒÜ ÐÌà@!ìàIII.€€The€EvidenceˆÐ d´ ÐÌà  àMrs.€Kilpatrick€argues€that€Mrs.€McCoyððs€intent€may€be€gleaned€from:€(1)€the€stated€policyÐ < Œ Ðof€the€bank€personnel€in€using€the€word€ð ðorðð€between€the€names€on€the€account€to€indicate€right€ofÐ ( x Ðsurvivorship;€(2)€the€fact€that€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€had€long€been€able€to€sign€checks€for€her€mother€onÐ  d Ðthe€account€and,€thus,€there€was€no€practical€reason€to€change€the€name€of€the€account€to€give€Mrs.Ð  P  ÐKilpatrick€mere€check€signing€authority;€and€(3)€the€close€relationship€between€Mrs.€McCoy€and€herÐ ì <  Ðyoungest€daughter.€€The€statute,€however,€does€not€allow€circumstantial€evidence€of€intent€to€rebutÐ Ø(  Ðthe€presumption€against€a€right€of€survivorship.€€Instead,€it€requires€that€the€intent€to€create€a€rightÐ Ä  Ðof€survivorship€be€expressly€stated.Ð °  ÐÌà  àAccording€to€the€testimony€of€Mr.€John€Will€Bates,€the€president€of€the€bank€and€Ms.€Clark,Ð ˆØ  Ðthe€head€cashier,€the€policy€of€the€Bank€of€Perry€County€is€to€simply€use€the€word€ð ðorðð€between€theÐ tÄ Ðnames€on€a€joint€account€if€the€parties€want€the€account€to€have€a€right€of€survivorship,€and,Ð `° Ðalternatively,€if€the€parties€do€not€intend€a€right€of€survivorship€and€intend€only€to€give€one€partyÐ Lœ Ðcheck€signing€authority€or€power€of€attorney,€then€that€personððs€name€is€ð ðdesignated€on€the€card€thatÐ 8ˆ Ðit€was€signature€only;€and€it€wasnððt€added€.€.€.€€not€actually€added€to€the€account€itself.ðð€€Mr.€BatesÐ $t Ðand€Ms.€Clark€testified€that€this€is€the€current€practice€of€the€bank€and€was€the€practice€of€the€bankÐ ` Ðin€1992€when€Mrs.€McCoy€amended€the€account€to€add€Mrs.€Kilpatrickððs€name.€€They€also€testifiedÐ üL Ðthat€this€is€how€tellers€employed€at€the€bank,€including€Ms.€Dorothy€Cotton,€the€teller€who€assistedÐ è8 ÐMrs.€McCoy€and€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€on€June€4,€1992,€were€instructed€to€indicate€that€a€joint€account€hasÐ Ô$ Ðright€of€survivorship.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð À ÐÌà  àThe€testimony€of€Mr.€Bates€and€Ms.€Clark€regarding€the€bankððs€policy€in€using€the€word€ð ðorððÐ ˜è Ðto€indicate€right€of€survivorship€does€not€assist€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€in€overcoming€the€statutoryÐ „Ô Ðpresumption€against€such€a€right.€€That€is€because€the€bank€employeesðð€understanding€of€the€policyÐ pÀ Ðis€not€evidence€that€Mrs.€McCoy€expressly€stated€this€intent.€€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€has€presented€noÐ \ ¬ Ðevidence€that€Mrs.€McCoy€expressly€stated€an€intent€to€create€a€right€of€survivorship€by€adding€Mrs.Ð H!˜ ÐKilpatrickððs€name€to€her€account.׃Ü×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð 4"„  ÐÐ  #p! Ðà  àIn€òòIn€re€Verkstromóó,€1999€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€63,€this€court€did€not€find€a€right€of€survivorshipÐ ° Ðunder€facts€similar€to€those€in€the€present€case.€€In€that€case,€Ms.€Verkstrom€added€her€sisterððs€nameÐ œì Ðto€her€bank€account€so€that€the€account€was€titled€in€the€names€of€Mildred€M.€Verkstrom€or€EdnaÐ ˆØ ÐGodwin.€€òòIdóó.€at€*3.€€As€in€the€present€case,€Ms.€Verkstrom€did€not€mark€the€place€€on€the€signatureÐ tÄ Ðcard€that€would€have€indicated€that€the€account€was€to€be€held€as€joint€tenants€with€right€ofÐ `° Ðsurvivorship.€€òòIdóó.€€However,€on€the€back€of€the€signature€card€was€an€explanation€that€the€purposeÐ L œ Ðof€the€new€card€was€to€change€the€name€title,€saying€nothing€about€survivorship.€€òòIdóó.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àAt€trial€to€determine€ownership€of€the€bank€account€after€the€death€of€Ms.€Verkstrom,€Ms.Ð  ` ÐGodwin€attempted€to€rely€on€evidence€that€the€bank€had€ð ðclassified€the€account€in€its€records€as€aÐ ü L  Ðjoint€account€with€right€of€survivorshipðð€to€support€her€claim€that€her€sister€had€intended€for€theÐ è 8  Ðaccount€to€have€a€right€of€survivorship.€€òòIdóó.€at€*4.€€The€bank€teller€who€assisted€the€deceased€withÐ Ô$  Ðthe€signature€card€testified€that€ð ðshe€had€been€instructed€by€the€bank€to€only€put€both€names€in€theÐ À  Ðaccount€title€if€it€was€to€be€a€right€of€survivorship€account,ðð€but€was€unable€to€recall€the€deceasedððsÐ ¬ü  Ðactual€intent.€€òòIdóó.€at€*5.€€This€court€held€that€the€trial€court€properly€rejected€the€bankððs€treatment€ofÐ ˜è  Ðthe€account€as€controlling,€and€held€that€Ms.€Goodwin€failed€to€provide€the€clear€and€convincingÐ „Ô  Ðevidence€necessary€to€rebut€the€presumption€established€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703.€€òòIdóó.€at€*6.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àIn€the€present€case,€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€likewise€failed€to€offer€the€necessary€clear€and€convincingÐ H˜ Ðproof€of€her€motherððs€intent€to€create€a€right€of€survivorship.€€Thus,€she€failed€to€rebut€theÐ 4„ Ðpresumption€created€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€45„2„703.€€We€affirm€the€trial€court.Ð  p ÐÌà@Ãà ìàIV.€€Attorneyððs€FeesˆÐ øH ÐÌà  àMrs.€Kilpatrick€also€appeals€the€award€of€$4,500€in€attorneyððs€fees€to€the€appellees.€Ð Ð  ÐTennessee€follows€the€American€Rule€requiring€ð ðlitigants€to€pay€their€own€attorneyððs€fees€in€theÐ ¼  Ðabsence€of€a€statute€or€contractual€provision€otherwise.ðð€€òòState€v.€Brownóó€&€òòWilliamson€TobaccoÐ ¨ø ÐCorpóó.,€18€S.W.3d€186,€194€(Tenn.€2000);€òòJohn€Kohl€&€Co.€v.€Dearborn€&€Ewingóó,€977€S.W.2d€528,Ð ”ä Ð534€(Tenn.€1998).€€From€the€appelleesðð€post„trial€and€appellate€briefs€it€appears€that€they€argue€inÐ €Ð Ðsupport€of€an€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€on€two€bases:€(1)€on€a€finding€that€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€wrongfullyÐ l¼ Ðconverted€the€funds€from€her€motherððs€bank€account;€and,€alternatively,€(2)€by€proposing€that€theÐ X ¨ Ðcourt€view€this€case€as€analogous€to€a€will€construction€case.€€We€will€consider€each€argument€inÐ D!” Ðturn.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àConversion€is€the€appropriation€of€tangible€property€to€a€partyððs€own€use€in€exclusion€orÐ $X" Ðdefiance€of€the€ownerððs€rights.€€òòBarger€v.€Webbóó,€216€Tenn.€275,€278,€391€S.W.2d€664,€665€(1965);Ð ô$D # ÐòòLance€Prods.óó,€òòInc.€v.€Commerce€Union€Bankóó,€764€S.W.2d€207,€211€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€Ð à%0!$ ÐConversion€is€an€intentional€tort,€and€a€party€seeking€to€make€out€a€prima€facie€case€of€conversionÐ Ì&"% Ðmust€prove:€(1)€the€appropriation€of€anotherððs€property€to€oneððs€own€use€and€benefit;€(2)€by€theÐ ¸'#& Ðintentional€exercise€of€dominion€over€it;€and€(3)€in€defiance€of€the€true€ownerððs€rights.€€òòKinnard€v.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐShoneyððs,€Incóó.,€100€F.€Supp.2d€781,€797€(M.D.€Tenn.€2000);€òòMammoth€Cave€Prod.€Credit€Assððn€v.Ð )à$( ÐOldhamóó,€569€S.W.2d€833,€836€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1977).òòóó€€ð ð[T]o€be€liable,€the€defendant€need€only€haveÐ |*Ì%) Ðan€intent€to€exercise€dominion€and€control€over€the€property€that€is€in€fact€inconsistent€with€theÐ h+¸&* Ðplaintiffððs€rights,€and€do€so;€good€faith€is€generally€immaterial.ðð€€òòMammoth€Cave€Prod.€CreditÐ ° ÐAssððnóó.,€569€S.W.2d€at€836.Ð œì ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€the€money€was€wrongfully€converted€by€Mrs.€Kilpatrick.€Ð tÄ ÐRegardless€of€whether€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€is€liable€for€conversion,€such€a€finding€does€not€mean€that,Ð `° Ðas€a€tortfeasor,€she€is€liable€for€attorneyððs€fees.€€The€appellees€cite€the€general€rule€for€damages€inÐ L œ Ðan€action€for€conversion€stated€in€òòLance€Prods.óó,€764€S.W.2d€207,€in€support€of€the€award€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðattorneyððs€fees,€as€follows:Ð $ t ÐÌà8  àplaintiffððs€damages€in€an€action€for€conversion€are€measured€by€the€sum€necessaryÐ ü L  Ðto€compensate€him€for€all€actual€losses€or€injuries€sustained€as€a€natural€andÐ è 8  Ðproximate€result€of€the€defendantððs€wrong.ÐÔ$ Ð Ð  ÐÌòòLanceóó€òòProdsóó.,€764€S.W.2d€at€213.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àThe€appellees€argue€that€they€should€be€awarded€their€attorneyððs€fees€on€the€theory€that€suchÐ „Ô  Ðfees€are€ð ðactual€lossesðð€they€sustained€as€a€result€of€Mrs.€Kilpatrickððs€conversion€of€the€bankÐ pÀ Ðaccount.€€The€portion€of€the€òòLance€Prodsóó.€opinion€quoted€does€not€tell€the€whole€story,€however.€Ð \¬ ÐThe€discussion€of€damages€in€that€case€involved€the€sufficiency€of€pleading€and€proof€ofÐ H˜ Ðconsequential€damages€and€special€damages,€including€lost€profits,€injury€to€business,€damage€toÐ 4„ Ðreputation,€and€emotional€distress.€€The€issue€of€attorneyððs€fees€was€not€discussed,€and€apparentlyÐ  p Ðsuch€fees€were€not€requested.€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àDirectly€in€opposition€to€the€appelleesðð€argument€in€òòGlazer€v.€First€Am.€Natððl€Bankóó,€No.Ð ä4 Ð02A01„9308„CH„00185,€1995€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€348€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€25,€1995)€(later€reversedÐ Ð  Ðon€different€grounds€by€òòGlazer€v.€First€Am.€Natððl€Bankóó,€930€S.W.2d€546€(Tenn.€1996)),€this€courtÐ ¼  Ðspecifically€held€that€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€as€part€of€a€consequential€damageÐ ¨ø Ðaward€to€the€plaintiff€in€a€conversion€case€was€not€appropriate.€€The€court€stated€that:Ð ”ä ÐÌà8  àBecause€there€has€been€no€allegation€of€a€statutory€or€contractual€provision€forÐ l¼ Ðattorneyððs€fees€here,€we€find€that€the€trial€courtððs€inclusion€of€Plaintiffððs€attorneyððsÐ X ¨ Ðfees€in€its€award€of€damages€was€unwarranted.ÐD!”Ð Ð  ÐÌòòGlazeróó,€1995€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€348,€at€*15.€€This€conclusion€is€consistent€with€TennesseeððsÐ #l! Ðadherence€to€the€American€Rule.Ð $X" ÐÌà  àTennessee€courts€have€long€rejected€attempts€to€include€attorneyððs€fees€as€a€part€of€damages,Ð à%0!$ Ðð ðconcluding€that€an€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€as€part€of€the€prevailing€partyððs€damages€is€contrary€toÐ Ì&"% Ðpublic€policy.ðð€€òòJohn€Kohl€&€Co.€P.C.,€v.€Dearborn€&€Ewingóó,€977€S.W.2d€528,€534€(Tenn.€1998).€Ð ¸'#& ÐIn€òòJohn€Kohl€&€Coóó.€the€Supreme€Court€stated€it€was€not€persuaded€that€legal€malpractice€claims€Ð ¤(ô#' Ðshould€be€made€an€exception€to€the€rule€against€awarding€attorneyððs€fees€in€the€absence€of€anÐ )à$( Ðagreement€or€statute€and€held€that€attorneyððs€fees€in€legal€malpractice€suits,€ð ðas€in€other€litigation,ððÐ |*Ì%) Ðmay€not€be€awarded.€€òòIdóó.€€No€exception€has€been€made€for€attorneyððs€fees€in€conversion€cases,€either,Ð h+¸&* ÐÑOYÑâ âѰ°Ñâ âÑ  Ñand€we€find€no€basis€for€creating€one.€€Therefore,€the€appellees€cannot€recover€their€attorneyððs€feesÐ ° Ðfrom€Mrs.€Kilpatrick€based€on€a€finding€of€conversion.Ð œì ÐÌà  àWe€next€address€the€appelleesðð€argument€that€they€are€entitled€to€the€award€of€attorneyððs€feesÐ tÄ Ðbecause€this€case€is€analogous€to€a€will€construction€case.€€Appellees€cite€òòMarshall€v.€First€NationalÐ `° ÐBank€of€Lewisburgóó,€622€S.W.2d€558€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1981),€in€support€of€this€proposition.€€We€findÐ L œ Ðthat€the€appelleesðð€reliance€on€òòMarshallóó€is€misplaced.€€That€case€involved€a€request€for€attorneyððsÐ 8 ˆ Ðfees€for€the€plaintiff€life€income€beneficiary€who€had€successfully€sued€to€have€stock€dividends€paidÐ $ t Ðto€him€as€income€of€the€trust.€€The€beneficiary€argued€that€attorneyððs€fees€were€appropriate€becauseÐ  ` Ðthe€suit€ð ðtook€on€the€aspects€of€a€will€or€trust€instrument€construction€case.ðð€€This€court€rejected€thatÐ ü L  Ðargument€and€instead€held€that€while€ð ð[a]n€allowance€of€attorneyððs€fees€is€appropriate€where€theÐ è 8  Ðestate€cannot€be€administered€and€the€parties€are€at€a€loss€as€to€their€position€without€a€judicialÐ Ô$  Ðconstruction€of€the€will.€.€.€such€is€not€the€case€here;€the€construction€of€the€will€is€not€the€focal€pointÐ À  Ðof€this€suit.ðð€€òòIdóó.€622€S.W.2d€at€560.€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àJust€as€the€court€in€òòMarshallóó€declined€to€equate€a€will€construction€case€to€a€case€involvingÐ „Ô  Ða€dispute€over€payments€from€a€trust,€we€likewise€fail€to€find€that€the€present€dispute€over€ownershipÐ pÀ Ðof€a€bank€account€is€similar€enough€to€a€will€construction€case€to€warrant€an€award€of€attorneyððs€feesÐ \¬ Ðon€that€basis.€€The€òòMarshallóó€court€also€found€that€because€the€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€is€unusual,Ð H˜ Ðthe€plaintiff€has€the€obligation€of€specially€pleading€a€request€for€such€fees€as€an€item€of€specialÐ 4„ Ðdamages.€€òòIdóó.€at€561.€€No€such€specific€request€was€made€in€the€pleadings€herein,€either€against€Mrs.Ð  p ÐKilpatrick€personally€or€against€the€estate.€€€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àAlthough€not€clearly€argued€as€such,€we€think€the€appelleesðð€position€is€more€akin€to€a€claimÐ ä4 Ðto€attorneyððs€fees€under€the€ð ðcommon€fund€doctrine.ðð€€That€doctrine€is€an€exception€to€the€AmericanÐ Ð  ÐRule€and€provides€that€a€private€plaintiff€or€the€plaintiffððs€lawyer€whose€efforts€create,€discover,Ð ¼  Ðincrease,€or€preserve€a€fund€from€which€others€may€benefit€is€entitled€to€recover€the€costs€ofÐ ¨ø Ðlitigation,€including€attorneyððs€fees,€from€the€fund.€€òòRoberts€v.€Sandersóó,€No.€M1998„00957„COA„R3„Ð ”ä ÐCV,€2002€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€140,€at€*36,€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Feb.€22,€2002)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð €Ð Ðapplication€filed);€òòGilpin€v.€Burrageóó,€188€Tenn.€80,€89,€216€S.W.2d€€732,€736€(1948);€òòHobson€v.Ð l¼ ÐFirst€State€Bankóó,€801€S.W.2d€807,€809€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990).€€ð ðIt€is€an€equitable€vehicle€forÐ X ¨ Ðproviding€compensation€for€the€legal€work€done€to€create€the€fund€and€for€spreading€the€burden€ofÐ D!” Ðthe€litigation€expenses€among€those€who€have€benefitted€from€the€litigantððs€efforts.ðð€€òòRobertsóó,€2002Ð 0"€  ÐTenn.€App.€LEXIS€at€*€37.€Ð #l! ÐÌà  àThe€corpus€of€a€decedentððs€estate€can€constitute€a€common€fund,€and€the€common€fundÐ ô$D # Ðdoctrine€has€been€applied€in€a€case€with€facts€similar€to€this€one.€€In€òòIn€re€Estate€of€McCrary€v.Ð à%0!$ ÐMcCraryóó,€No.€87„128„II,€1987€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€2734,€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€June€9,€1987)€(no€Tenn.Ð Ì&"% ÐR.€App.€P.€11€application€filed),€six€of€the€eight€children€of€the€decedent€sued€to€recover€into€theÐ ¸'#& Ðdecedentððs€estate€the€funds€from€several€bank€accounts€claimed€as€personal€property€by€another€ofÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€decedentððs€children.€€The€defendant€son€claimed€the€accounts€had€passed€outside€the€estate€toÐ )à$( Ðhim€as€the€survivor€under€a€right€of€survivorship€he€alleged€arose€by€virtue€of€the€accounts€beingÐ |*Ì%) Ðjoint€accounts€held€by€the€decedent€and€himself.€€òòMcCraryóó,€1987€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€2734€at€*2.€Ð h+¸&* ÐThis€court€held€that€five€of€the€six€accounts€at€issue€were€the€property€of€the€estate€and€ordered€thoseÐ ° Ðfunds€returned€to€the€estate,€and€further€ordered€that€the€plaintiffs€were€entitled€to€recover€theirÐ œì Ðattorneyððs€fees€from€the€corpus€of€the€estate.€€òòIdóó.€at€*2„*5.€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àThe€common€fund€doctrine€is€based€on€the€concept€that€the€fees€will€be€paid€out€of€the€fund.€Ð `° ÐWe€find€no€authority€for€an€award€against€an€individual€defendant€based€upon€benefit€to€the€commonÐ L œ Ðfund€and€the€other€beneficiaries€of€that€fund.€€The€trial€courtððs€order€herein€requires€Mrs.€KilpatrickÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€pay€directly€to€the€plaintiffs€$4500€as€and€for€attorneyððs€fees€ð ðwhich€were€required€to€force€theÐ $ t ÐDefendant€to€return€the€funds€mentioned€above€to€the€estate.ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð  ` ÐòòóóÌà  àAccordingly,€we€must€reverse€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€to€the€appellees.Ð è 8  ÐÌà@‘‘#ìàV.€€ConclusionˆÐ À  ÐÌà  àFor€the€reasons€herein,€we€affirm€in€part,€reverse€in€part€and€remand€to€the€trial€court€forÐ ˜è  Ðfurther€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion€should€any€be€necessary.€€The€costs€of€appeal€areÐ „Ô  Ðtaxed€equally€against€the€appellant,€Mary€J.€Kilpatrick,€and€the€appellees,€Ethel€Carmical€and€JesseÐ pÀ ÐMcCoy,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð \¬ ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________________Ð  \ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGE