ÿWPC1& /ÖüB¹ýB19ö:Qü²ä/¸Ð0}wÌñß¿‹§,ùIoÕ:ª$-``xÑ5&»ðª£mðÂÆ®_Öè¡PÌ«)?•gÉ«]Á‘»Ëõ&Š&”+tCĪ85C®DkRûæ–n˜~ú=÷ˆ3XT¼ùÙp~tÓóV·`|ÚþOH y€—áP•UC.ɃE'‹Ð2êí&ù4…r+ü¥P‹‹@ÉpUý"Áô[g•wßn盼 `ã|‰hkiÃ"½d]Ñ{ßêwÓ#òGAj‘j- •·^]É5oŸUO}º%$×Z¨ž£_…#*´Xëcô0´¦gU¢¦‚áDO”ƒ›ül&(µEvÞÞ=Fœ¸Žå‡8ó<œE­z/„VrÝ»/ ê©u²_J<40\dxÃv#P2¹ xÖHš?0ßïÚ9õ³Úö‡<[ìb#Á\^  %) 0ˆ/ U!N· w 4 z Ò— i x mz z Æ‘ ÆW Æ Æã 0 D©NíííEïï0ññ0!!GQ‰˜Ï!!!Ìðð¼]~~1Ûš 榦½i i i b&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&! 0 ë.!.!.!.! B"" 0¤6" D3Ú" D- # 0K:#:# AS…#ÆØ# 0¤ž$ 0DB% A«†%˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0Wr+s »(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularXq+ ™±k1´Ÿ° ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó &Ý ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€property,€valued€at€approximately€$9,000,€included€two€recliners,€a€safe,€two€four„wheelers,€a€lawnmower,Ð 8 Ðlamps,€and€appliances.€€Mr.€Pate€also€retained€his€separate€property€which€included€a€1990€Ford€F150€truck€that€hisÐ üÄ Ðfather€had€given€to€him€for€his€birthday,€as€well€as€guns€and€a€collection€of€knives€he€had€inherited€from€his€father€andÐ Àˆ Ðbrother„in„law. LonnieHobbsBurlewBuerlewCrabtreeMcBee S.W.Umstote]vent]hisFulfordVarleyWaynesboroKinardMahaffeyDortch =Ý ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€Pate€identified€these€items€during€her€deposition.€€They€included:€the€title€to€the€Ford€Bronco€that€wasÐ 8 Ðalready€in€her€possession,€cooking€utensils,€a€blue€trailer,€a€canoe,€a€handmade€quilt,€a€book,€steak€knives€and€a€carvingÐ üÄ Ðset,€her€grandmotherððs€linen€tablecloth,€wine€glasses,€a€wooden€salad€bowl,€€a€picture,€a€four„wheeler,€a€riding€mower,Ð Àˆ Ða€leaf€blower,€and€a€weed€eater. Ý ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔBased€on€this€record,€we€cannot€determine€whether€the€trial€court€simply€overlooked€this€asset€or€decided€thatÐ 8 Ðit€was€Ms.€Ô_ÔPateððsÔ_Ô€separate€property.€€The€trial€court€would€have€been€wrong€in€either€case. ÅÝ ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFor€some€unexplained€reason,€the€letter€Mr.€Ô_ÔPateððsÔ_Ô€lawyer€tendered€to€the€trial€court€during€the€March€9,€1998Ð 8 Ðhearing€is€not€in€the€record.€€Neither€party€has€sought€to€add€this€letter€to€the€appellate€record.€€Accordingly,€we€areÐ üÄ Ðunable€to€review€it. ÂÝ ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAct€of€May€12,€1983,€ch.€414,€ðð€4,€1983€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€798,€800. ¸Ý ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔUnder€the€trial€Ô_ÔcourtððsÔ_Ô€award,€Ms.€Pate€received€$55,550€of€the€equity€in€the€marital€residence,€her€$3,675Ð 8 ÐIRA,€$18,000€in€personal€property€divided€prior€to€the€hearing,€and€$5,000€in€property€identified€on€Exhibit€10€to€herÐ üÄ Ðdeposition. SÝ ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔUnder€the€trial€Ô_ÔcourtððsÔ_Ô€award,€Mr.€Pate€received€$45,450€of€the€equity€in€the€marital€residence€and€$9,000Ð 8 Ðin€personal€property€divided€prior€to€the€hearing. 'Ý ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€property€included€two€computers,€a€fax€machine,€a€copying€machine,€a€transcriber,€a€paper€shredder,€anÐ 8 Ðoffice€chair,€and€other€office€equipment. Ý ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€property€included€jewelry,€a€camera,€a€vacuum€cleaner,€her€china€from€a€former€engagement,€a€piano,€aÐ 8 Ðtelevision,€stereo€equipment,€a€bedroom€suite,€lamps,€various€other€furnishings€and€kitchen€utensils,€and€a€1988€FordÐ üÄ ÐBronco.€€ ¹Ý ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€marital€estate€included€the€marital€residence€($101,000),€Ms.€Ô_ÔPateððsÔ_Ô€IRA€($3,675),€the€personal€propertyÐ 8 Ðdivided€prior€to€the€hearing€($27,000),€and€the€property€identified€on€Exhibit€10€to€Ms.€Ô_ÔPateððsÔ_Ô€deposition€($5,000). ³Ý ƒRs“$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€estimated€value€of€all€this€property€was€$18,000.- ù-(|G2s“$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Fu»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôú}ò»»Ô d(|3‰Y$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Fu»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‰Y$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Fu»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Fu»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑTRY,3Ø'LetterXà3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑÑ8°ÑÑÀ°ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼Fu»»»ÔÑ8€™XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îVôFuÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ 8 Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼Fu»îîVô|#ԈР^& ÐÓ  ÓMay€6,€1999€SessionÐ „L ÐÔ‡X™X»¼FuÔÌò òÔ#†¼Fu»XX™`#ÔLONNIE€GEORGE€PATE€v.€CYNTHIA€MARIE€PATEÔ‡X™X»¼FuÔó óÐ ‚J ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Wayne€CountyÐ ‚ J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€9887€€€€€€Jim€T.€Hamilton,€JudgeÐ n 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<1` AßÐ 2ú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M1998„00947„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€August€27,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ -õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€appeal€involves€the€dissolution€of€a€23„year€marriage.€€The€husband€first€filed€a€petition€forÐ È  Ðdivorce€in€the€Chancery€Court€for€Wayne€County€alleging€that€the€wife€was€chemically€dependentÐ ì´ Ðand€had€committed€adultery.€€The€wife€counterclaimed€for€divorce,€alleging€that€the€husband€hadÐ Ø  Ðabused€her€physically€and€psychologically€during€the€marriage.€€Following€a€bench€trial,€the€trialÐ ÄŒ Ðcourt€declared€the€parties€divorced€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b)€(Supp.€2000)Ð °x Ðand€divided€the€remaining€disputed€items€of€marital€property.€€On€this€appeal,€the€husband€assertsÐ œd Ð(1)€that€there€is€no€evidentiary€foundation€for€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€the€wife€had€sufferedÐ ˆP Ðphysical€and€psychological€abuse€throughout€the€marriage,€(2)€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€declaringÐ t< Ðthe€parties€divorced,€and€(3)€that€the€division€of€the€marital€estate€was€inequitable.€€We€haveÐ `( Ðconcluded€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€the€husbandÐ L Ðengaged€in€inappropriate€conduct€during€the€marriage€and,€therefore,€that€the€trial€court€did€not€errÐ 8 Ðby€declaring€the€parties€divorced.€€We€have€also€concluded€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€awarding€theÐ $ì Ðwife€more€than€an€equal€share€of€the€value€of€the€marital€residence€and€by€failing€to€award€theÐ Ø Ðhusband€an€equal€share€of€the€remaining€disputed€items€of€marital€property.€€Therefore,€we€modifyÐ üÄ Ðthe€division€of€the€marital€estate€accordingly.€Ð è° ÐÌÔ#†¼Fu»XX™Î#ÔÔ‡X™X»¼FuÔÓ Óò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€ModifiedÐ À ˆ  Ðand€Affirmedó óÐ ¬!t! ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼Fu»àX™ #ÔÔ‡X™X.¼FuÔWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòWilliam€B.€Cainóó€andÐ „#L# ÐòòPatricia€J.€Cottrell,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð p$8 $ ÐÌW.€Andrew€Yarbrough,€Waynesboro,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Lonnie€George€Pate.Ð H&"& ÐÌGeorge€G.€Gray,€Waynesboro,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Cynthia€Marie€Pate.Ð  (è#( ÐÓÅ ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Fu»XX™ô #ÔÔ‡X™X»¼FuÔÐ ø)À%* ÐÌò òI.ó óÐ Ð+˜', ÐÌÔ#†¼Fu»XX™Ó#ÔÓ  ÓÔ€X™X»¼FuÔà  àCynthia€Marie€Pate€and€Lonnie€George€Pate€were€married€in€1974€in€Florida.€€Ms.€Pate€wasÐ ¨-p). Ðtwenty„three€years€old€at€the€time,€and€Mr.€Pate€was€twenty„eight.€€Both€parties€had€been€marriedÐ ”.\*/ý Ðbefore.€€Mr.€Pate€had€two€daughters€from€his€previous€marriage,€but€the€parties€had€no€children€ofÐ 8 Ðtheir€own.€€After€the€parties€had€lived€in€St.€Augustine,€Florida€for€over€fifteen€years,€Mr.€PateððsÐ $ì Ðhealth€problems€prompted€them€to€move€to€Tennessee€and€to€build€a€house€on€property€given€toÐ Ø Ðthem€by€Mr.€Pateððs€parents.€€They€lived€in€a€rustic€farmhouse€while€their€house€was€being€built.€Ð üÄ ÐDuring€this€six„€to€seven„month€period,€both€parties€worked€on€the€house€and€did€not€seek€otherÐ è° Ðemployment.€€Once€the€house€was€completed,€Mr.€Pate€found€work€in€a€local€hardware€store,€andÐ Ôœ ÐMs.€Pate€opened€her€own€medical€transcription€and€secretarial€business.Ð À ˆ ÐÌà  àBoth€parties€regularly€consumed€alcohol€and€marijuana€throughout€the€marriage.€€On€severalÐ ˜ ` Ðoccasions€Mr.€Pate€stopped€smoking€marijuana€and€reduced€his€consumption€of€alcohol.€€During€oneÐ „ L  Ðof€three€periods€of€relative€abstinence,€Mr.€Pate€became€concerned€that€they€were€abusing€theseÐ p 8  Ðsubstances€and€even€shared€with€Ms.€Pateððs€mother€and€other€acquaintances€his€concerns€about€Ms.Ð \$  ÐPateððs€dependency.€€At€the€same€time,€Ms.€Pate€began€confiding€that€she€had€endured€physical€andÐ H  Ðpsychological€abuse€during€the€latter€part€of€the€marriage€and€that€she€had€been€involved€in€twoÐ 4ü  Ðextramarital€affairs.€€Ð  è  ÐÌà  àAll€this€came€to€a€head€in€April€1997€during€a€five„day€visit€by€Mr.€Pateððs€former€son„in„law,Ð øÀ Ðhis€granddaughter,€and€his€former€son„in„lawððs€current€wife.€€Mr.€Pate€did€not€use€marijuana€andÐ ä¬ Ðabuse€alcohol€during€this€visit,€but€Ms.€Pate€consumed€both€alcohol€and€marijuana€throughout€theРИ Ðentire€visit.€€Soon€after€the€guests€left,€Mr.€Pate€confronted€Ms.€Pate€about€her€substance€abuse.€€HeÐ ¼„ Ðretrieved€a€box€containing€Ms.€Pateððs€marijuana€from€its€usual€hiding€place€in€the€bathroom€and€setÐ ¨p Ðout€to€throw€it€into€a€stream€near€the€back€of€their€house.€€Ms.€Pate€followed€Mr.€Pate€and€attemptedÐ ”\ Ðto€stop€Mr.€Pate€from€throwing€$200€worth€of€marijuana€into€the€stream.€€Ms.€Pate€asserted€that€Mr.Ð €H ÐPate€pushed€her€into€the€stream€during€the€ensuing€altercation,€but€Mr.€Pate€asserted€that€Ms.€PateÐ l4 Ðfell€on€the€slippery€stones€in€the€creek.€€Ms.€Pate€was€slightly€injured.Ð X  ÐÌà  àFollowing€this€incident,€Ms.€Pate€moved€in€with€her€parents€who€lived€nearby.€€For€severalÐ 0ø Ðdays,€she€returned€to€the€partiesðð€house€while€Mr.€Pate€was€at€work€to€retrieve€her€belongings€andÐ ä Ðthe€equipment€she€needed€to€operate€her€business.€€Soon€thereafter,€Mr.€Pate€changed€the€locks€onÐ Ð Ðthe€doors€of€the€partiesðð€house€and,€in€April€1997,€filed€a€complaint€in€the€Chancery€Court€for€WayneÐ ô¼ ÐCounty€seeking€a€divorce€on€the€grounds€of€inappropriate€marital€conduct€and€irreconcilableРਠÐdifferences.€€Ms.€Pate€later€filed€a€counterclaim€seeking€a€divorce€on€the€same€grounds€and€assertingÐ Ì ” Ðthat€Mr.€Pate€had€physically€and€psychologically€abused€her€during€the€marriage.Ð ¸!€  ÐÌà  àThe€parties€had€divided€most€of€their€marital€property€by€the€time€the€case€came€on€for€trial.€Ð #X" ÐAccordingly,€the€trial€focused€chiefly€on€the€partiesðð€opposing€claims€of€inappropriate€maritalÐ |$D # Ðconduct€and€the€division€of€the€remainder€of€their€marital€estate.€€At€the€conclusion€of€the€hearing,Ð h%0!$ Ðthe€trial€court€directed€the€parties€to€submit€letters€detailing€their€proposed€classification€and€divisionÐ T&"% Ðof€the€remaining€martial€property.€€After€waiting€sixteen€days€for€the€partiesðð€letters,€the€trial€courtÐ @'#& Ðentered€an€order€on€January€28,€1998,€declaring€the€parties€divorced€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ,(ô#' Ððð€36„4„129(b)€and€awarding€Ms.€Pate€$55,550€of€the€equity€in€the€martial€home,€as€well€as€the€otherÐ )à$( Ðitems€of€personal€property€she€had€requested.Ð *Ì%) ÐÌâ âÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðà  àMr.€Pate€filed€a€timely€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€59.04€motion€taking€issue€with€the€evidentiary€basisÐ 8 Ðâ âfor€the€trial€courtððs€decisions€with€regard€to€the€divorce€and€the€division€of€the€remaining€items€ofÐ $ì Ðmarital€property.€€On€June€25,€1998,€the€trial€court€filed€an€order€denying€Mr.€Pateððs€request€for€post„Ð Ø Ðtrial€relief€concluding€that€ð ðthere€was€ample€evidence€of€mental€and€physical€abuse€during€theÐ üÄ Ðmarriage€from€the€testimony€of€the€wifeðð€and€that€ð ðboth€parties€were€at€fault€in€this€case.ðð€€Mr.€PateÐ è° Ðhas€appealed€and€now€takes€issue€both€with€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€declare€the€parties€divorcedÐ Ôœ Ðand€with€the€manner€in€which€the€trial€court€divided€the€partiesðð€remaining€marital€property.Ð À ˆ ÐÌà@……)ìàò òII.ó óˆÐ ˜ ` Ðà@ŸŸ ìàòòò òThe€Trial€Courtððs€Decision€to€Declare€the€Parties€Divorcedó óóóˆÐ „ L  ÐÌà  àMr.€Pate€challenges€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€declare€the€parties€divorced€on€two€fronts.€Ð \$  ÐFirst,€he€asserts€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€Ms.€PateÐ H  Ðð ðsuffered€physical€and€mental€abuse€throughout€this€marriage.ðð€€Second,€he€argues€that€the€trial€courtÐ 4ü  Ðerred€by€declaring€the€parties€divorced€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b)€and€that€he€should€haveÐ  è  Ðbeen€awarded€the€divorce.€€We€have€concluded€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€theÐ  Ô  Ðtrial€courtððs€conclusion€that€Mr.€Pate€engaged€in€inappropriate€conduct€during€the€marriage.€€FromÐ øÀ Ðthis€conclusion,€it€necessarily€follows€that€the€trial€court€did€not€err€by€concluding€that€both€partiesÐ ä¬ Ðwere€at€fault€and€declaring€them€divorced€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b).РИ ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ ¨p Ðà@ýýìàòòò òStandard€of€Review€of€the€Trial€Courtððs€Factual€Findingsó óóóˆÐ ”\ ÐÌà  àAppellate€courts€employ€the€familiar€standards€in€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)€to€review€a€trialÐ l4 Ðcourtððs€findings€of€fact€regarding€the€grounds€for€divorce.€€òòEarls€v.€Earlsóó,€42€S.W.3d€877,€911€(Tenn.Ð X  ÐCt.€App.€2000);€òòHobbs€v.€Hobbsóó,€987€S.W.2d€844,€846€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€This€standardÐ D  Ðrequires€us€to€defer€to€the€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact,€òòFell€v.€Ramboóó,€36€S.W.3d€837,€846€(Tenn.Ð 0ø ÐCt.€App.€2000),€and€to€presume€that€these€findings€are€correct€ð ðunless€the€preponderance€of€theÐ ä Ðevidence€is€otherwise.ðð€€This€presumption,€however,€does€not€come€into€play€when€the€trial€courtÐ Ð Ðhas€not€made€specific€findings€of€fact€on€a€particular€matter.€€òòBurlew€v.€Burlewóó,€40€S.W.3d€465,€470Ð ô¼ Ð(Tenn.€2001);€òòCrabtree€v.€Crabtreeóó,€16€S.W.3d€356,€360€(Tenn.€2000).€€Ð ਠÐÌà  àReviewing€findings€of€fact€under€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)€necessarily€requires€an€appellateÐ ¸!€  Ðcourt€to€weigh€the€evidence€to€determine€in€which€partyððs€favor€the€aggregate€weight€of€the€evidenceÐ ¤"l! Ðfalls.€€The€prevailing€party€is€the€one€in€whose€favor€the€evidentiary€scale€tips,€no€matter€howÐ #X" Ðslightly.€€òòMcBee€v.€Bowmanóó,€89€Tenn.€132,€140,€14€S.W.€481,€483€(1890).€€Accordingly,€theÐ |$D # Ðpresumption€of€correctness€in€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)€requires€us€to€leave€a€trial€courtððs€finding€ofÐ h%0!$ Ðfact€undisturbed€unless€we€determine€that€the€aggregate€weight€of€the€evidence€demonstrates€that€aÐ T&"% Ðfactual€finding€other€than€the€one€found€by€the€trial€court€is€more€probably€true.€€òòRealty€Shop,€Inc.Ð @'#& Ðv.€RR€Westminster€Holding,€Inc.óó,€7€S.W.3d€581,€596€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999).Ð ,(ô#' ÐÌà  àOur€review€of€a€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact€is€constrained€by€the€practical€recognition€thatÐ *Ì%) Ðthe€trial€judge,€as€the€trier„of„fact,€has€a€better€opportunity€to€observe€the€manner€and€demeanor€ofÐ ð*¸&* Ðall€the€witnesses€when€they€testify.€€òòWhitaker€v.€Whitakeróó,€957€S.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð Ü+¤'+ Ð1997);€òòLindsey€v.€Lindseyóó,€930€S.W.2d€553,€556€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€Accordingly,€we€give€greatÐ È,(, Ðweight€to€a€trial€courtððs€factual€findings€when€they€rest€on€the€trial€courtððs€determination€of€theÐ 8 Ðcredibility€of€the€witnesses.€€òòRandolph€v.€Randolphóó,€937€S.W.2d€815,€819€(Tenn.€1996);€òòHobbs€v.Ð $ì ÐHobbsóó,€987€S.W.2d€at€847;€òòUmstot€v.€Umstotóó,€968€S.W.2d€819,€825€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€€Ð Ø ÐÌà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ è° Ðà@4 4 ìàòòò òMr.€Pateððs€Conduct€During€the€Marriageó óóóˆÐ Ôœ Ðà  à€Ð À ˆ Ðà  àMs.€Pate€testified€extensively€regarding€Mr.€Pateððs€physical€and€psychological€abuse€duringÐ ¬ t Ðthe€marriage.€€She€recounted€two€occasions€in€Florida€when€he€choked€her,€as€well€as€a€similarÐ ˜ ` Ðincident€in€1991.€€She€also€described€how€Mr.€Pate€pushed€her€in€the€stream€during€theirÐ „ L  Ðconfrontation€over€the€marijuana€and€produced€medical€evidence€substantiating€her€injuries€duringÐ p 8  Ðthat€incident.€€In€addition€to€these€descriptions€of€physical€abuse,€Ms.€Pate€recounted€how€Mr.€PateÐ \$  Ðrepeatedly€called€her€ð ðfatðð€and€ð ðdisgustingðð€and€how,€on€occasion,€he€told€her€that€he€hated€her€andÐ H  Ðthat€he€wished€she€were€dead.€€Mr.€Pate€vigorously€denied€that€he€had€ever€mistreated€Ms.€Pate€eitherÐ 4ü  Ðphysically€or€psychologically.Ð  è  ÐÌà  àUpon€hearing€this€evidence,€the€trial€court€announced€that€the€evidence€of€fault€was€ð ð[e]ven„Ð øÀ ÐSteven€right€now.ðð€€Thereafter,€the€court€filed€an€order€finding€that€Ms.€Pate€ð ðsuffered€physical€andÐ ä¬ Ðmental€abuse€throughout€this€marriage.ðð€€In€response€to€Mr.€Pateððs€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€59.04€motion,РИ Ðthe€trial€court€reiterated€that€ð ðthere€was€ample€evidence€of€mental€and€physical€abuse€during€theÐ ¼„ Ðmarriage€from€the€testimony€of€the€wife.ðð€€The€trial€court€then€made€an€express€credibilityÐ ¨p Ðdetermination€by€adding€that€ð ð[t]his€Court€chooses€who€to€believe€and€who€not€to€believe.ðð€€Thus,Ð ”\ Ðfor€the€purpose€of€this€appeal,€we€must€conclude€that€the€trial€court€chose€to€believe€Ms.€PateððsÐ €H Ðversion€of€events€rather€than€Mr.€Pateððs.Ð l4 ÐÌà  àTennesseeððs€courts€are€reluctant€to€grant€a€divorce€based€on€uncorroborated€testimony€whenÐ D  Ðcorroborating€evidence€is€reasonably€available.€€òòFarrar€v.€Farraróó,€553€S.W.2d€741,€744€(Tenn.Ð 0ø Ð1977);€òòBowman€v.€Bowmanóó,€836€S.W.2d€563,€566€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€However,€the€preferenceÐ ä Ðfor€corroborating€evidence€is€only€a€general€rule€of€policy,€òòDukes€v.€Dukesóó,€528€S.W.2d€43,€46Ð Ð Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1975),€rather€than€an€inflexible€standard€because€the€courts€recognize€thatÐ ô¼ Ðcircumstances€can€arise€that€make€providing€corroborating€evidence€difficult€if€not€impossible.€Ð ਠÐòòFulford€v.€Fulfordóó,€156€Tenn.€640,€642,€4€S.W.2d€350,€350„51€(1928).Ð Ì ” ÐÌà  àThe€public€is€generally€not€privy€to€the€private€indignities€couples€in€a€dysfunctional€marriageÐ ¤"l! Ðvisit€on€each€other.€€Whether€because€of€a€desire€for€privacy€or€shame€or€fear,€parties€do€notÐ #X" Ðcustomarily€or€lightly€share€intimate€conjugal€details€with€others.€€Accordingly,€this€case€is€not€theÐ |$D # Ðfirst€time€that€a€trial€court€has€been€faced€with€conflicting€testimony€from€divorcing€parties€regardingÐ h%0!$ Ðtheir€private€dealings.€€When€this€circumstance€arises,€trial€courts€may€base€their€factual€findings€onÐ T&"% Ðtheir€own€determination€of€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses.€€òòBush€v.€Bushóó,€684€S.W.2d€89,€94€(Tenn.Ð @'#& ÐCt.€App.€1984);€òòDukes€v.€Dukesóó,€528€S.W.2d€at€45.Ð ,(ô#' ÐÌà  àIn€this€case,€the€trial€court€clearly€did€not€believe€Mr.€Pateððs€adamant€protestations€that€heÐ *Ì%) Ðhad€never€physically€or€psychologically€mistreated€Ms.€Pate€during€their€twenty„three€year€marriage.€Ð ð*¸&* ÐThe€court€accredited€Ms.€Pateððs€testimony€that€Mr.€Pate€had€choked€her€on€several€occasions,€hadÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðpushed€her€in€the€creek€during€their€confrontation€over€her€marijuana,€and€had€verbally€abused€her.€Ð È,(, ÐWe€have€no€objective€basis€to€second„guess€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€Ms.€Pateððs€testimonyÐ 8 Ðwas€more€believable€than€Mr.€Pateððs€and,€therefore,€accord€great€weight€to€the€trial€courtððs€findingÐ $ì Ðthat€Mr.€Pate€physically€and€psychologically€mistreated€Ms.€Pate€during€the€marriage.Ð Ø ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òC.ó óˆÐ è° Ðà@N N ìàòòò òThe€Decision€to€Declare€the€Parties€DivorcedˆÐ Ôœ ÐÌóóó óà  àMr.€Pate€also€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€declaring€the€parties€divorced€pursuant€toÐ ¬ t ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b).€€In€addition€to€arguing€that€there€is€no€credible€evidence€of€fault€onÐ ˜ ` Ðhis€part,€Mr.€Pate€appears€to€argue€that€he€is€entitled€to€the€divorce€because€Ms.€Pateððs€conduct€wasÐ „ L  Ðworse€than€his€and€because€his€proof€of€her€fault€is€stronger€than€Ms.€Pateððs€proof€regarding€his€fault.€Ð p 8  ÐThese€arguments€reflect€a€misunderstanding€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b).Ð \$  ÐÌà  àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b)€permits€a€trial€court€to€declare€the€parties€divorced€not€onlyÐ 4ü  Ðwhen€both€parties€have€proved€that€they€have€grounds€for€divorce,€but€also€when€only€one€party€hasÐ  è  Ðproved€grounds€for€divorce.€€By€its€own€terms,€the€statute€empowers€a€court€to€ð ðgrant€a€divorce€toÐ  Ô  Ðthe€party€who€was€less€at€fault€or,€if€either€or€both€parties€are€entitled€to€a€divorce,€declare€the€partiesÐ øÀ Ðdivorced,€rather€than€awarding€a€divorce€to€either€party€alone.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b)€doesÐ ä¬ Ðnot€require€the€trial€court€to€weigh€the€relative€degrees€of€fault€or€to€grant€the€divorce€to€the€partyРИ Ðwho,€in€the€courtððs€mind,€is€less€at€fault.€€òòWilson€v.€Wilsonóó,€987€S.W.2d€555,€558€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ¼„ Ð1998)€(declaring€the€parties€divorced€despite€a€finding€that€the€wife€was€more€at€fault);€òòVarley€v.Ð ¨p ÐVarleyóó,€934€S.W.2d€659,€665€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996)€(holding€that€the€trial€court€is€not€required€toÐ ”\ Ðmake€written€findings€regarding€the€relative€degrees€of€fault).Ð €H ÐÌà  àThere€is€no€question€of€Ms.€Pateððs€inappropriate€marital€conduct€in€this€case.€€Her€admittedÐ X  Ðadultery€and€the€evidence€of€her€abuse€of€alcohol€and€marijuana€provide€an€ample€basis€forÐ D  Ðconcluding€that€her€conduct€contributed€to€the€disintegration€of€the€partiesðð€marriage.€€By€the€sameÐ 0ø Ðtoken,€however,€Mr.€Pateððs€conduct,€as€the€trial€court€found€it,€also€contributed€to€the€disintegrationÐ ä Ðof€the€partiesðð€marriage.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b)€does€not€require€the€trial€court€or€this€courtÐ Ð Ðto€decide€which€of€these€two€parties€is€most€at€fault.€€In€light€of€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€ð ðbothÐ ô¼ Ðparties€were€at€fault€in€this€case,ðð€we€find€no€error€in€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€declare€themРਠÐdivorced€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b).Ð Ì ” ÐÌà@^^(ìàò òIII.ó óˆÐ ¤"l! Ðà@â â ìàòòò òThe€Division€of€the€Marital€Propertyó óóóˆÐ #X" ÐÌà  àMr.€Pate€also€takes€issue€with€the€manner€in€which€the€trial€court€divided€the€marital€propertyÐ h%0!$ Ðthat€the€partiesðð€themselves€had€not€already€divided€by€the€time€of€the€divorce€hearing.€€Specifically,Ð T&"% Ðhe€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€(1)€dividing€the€disputed€marital€estate€before€receiving€theÐ @'#& Ðpartiesðð€proposed€divisions,€(2)€basing€its€division€of€the€property€on€fault,€(3)€overlooking€Ms.Ð ,(ô#' ÐPateððs€individual€retirement€account,€and€(4)€dividing€the€marital€estate€inequitably.€€We€haveÐ )à$( Ðdetermined€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€classify€and€divide€Ms.€Pateððs€individual€retirementÐ *Ì%) Ðaccount€as€marital€property€and€by€failing€to€equally€divide€the€remaining€items€of€disputed€maritalÐ ð*¸&* Ðproperty.Ð Ü+¤'+ ÐÐ È,(, Ðà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ 8 ÐÌà  àThe€parties€accumulated€a€modest€amount€of€real€and€personal€property€during€their€23„yearÐ Ø Ðmarriage.€€Their€single€most€valuable€asset€was€the€house€they€constructed€on€seventy€acres€ofÐ üÄ Ðproperty€given€to€them€by€Mr.€Pateððs€parents.€€The€stipulated€value€of€the€house€and€property€at€theÐ è° Ðtime€of€trial€was€$101,000.€€Both€parties€had€individual€retirement€accounts€and€life€insuranceÐ Ôœ Ðpolicies;€however,€they€had€liquidated€most€of€these€assets€to€defray€the€costs€of€their€move€fromÐ À ˆ ÐFlorida€to€Tennessee€and€the€construction€of€their€house.€€At€the€time€of€trial,€Ms.€Pate€hadÐ ¬ t Ðapproximately€$3,675€remaining€in€an€individual€retirement€account€established€while€she€wasÐ ˜ ` Ðworking€for€Blue€Cross€Blue€Shield€in€Florida.€€The€parties€also€owned€a€$15,000€certificate€ofÐ „ L  Ðdeposit,€a€small€savings€account,€and€various€items€of€personal€property.Ð p 8  ÐÌà  à€By€the€time€of€trial,€the€parties€had€divided€their€personal€property€and€spent€most€of€theirÐ H  Ðliquid€assets.€€Ms.€Pate€had€retrieved€her€business€equipment€and€furnishings׃&×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€other€items€ofÐ 4ü  Ðpersonal€property׃'×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€from€the€partiesðð€house.׃+,×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mr.€Pate€retained€the€items€remaining€in€the€home.׃¸×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€TheÐ  è  Ðonly€items€remaining€to€be€divided€were€the€marital€residence,€Ms.€Pateððs€$3,675€individualÐ  Ô  Ðretirement€account,€and€several€other€items€of€personalty.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Noting€that€Ms.€Pate€had€incurredÐ øÀ Ð$33,500€in€indebtedness€to€purchase€a€house€after€the€partiesðð€separation,€the€trial€court€awarded€herÐ ä¬ Ð$55,550€of€the€equity€in€the€partiesðð€marital€residence€and€other€items€of€personal€property€sheРИ Ðrequested€during€her€deposition.€€The€trial€court€never€addressed€Ms.€Pateððs€individual€retirementÐ ¼„ Ðaccount.Ð ¨p ÐÌà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ €H ÐÌà  àMr.€Pate€first€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€entered€the€order€on€January€28,€1998,Ð X  Ðdividing€the€disputed€items€of€marital€property€because€he€had€not€yet€submitted€the€letter€containingÐ D  Ðâ âthe€proposed€division€of€property€requested€by€the€trial€court€at€the€conclusion€of€the€January€12,Ð 0ø Ð1998€hearing.€€He€asserts€that€the€trial€court€did€not€have€sufficient€evidence€to€divide€the€disputedÐ 8 Ðitems€of€marital€property€without€this€letter.€€We€respectfully€disagree.Ð $ì Ðâ âÌà  àAfter€both€parties€had€concluded€their€cases€at€the€January€12,€1998€hearing,€the€lawyerÐ üÄ Ðrepresenting€Mr.€Pate€told€the€trial€court€that€he€had€overlooked€submitting€a€list€of€the€partiesððÐ è° Ðproperty€and€Mr.€Pateððs€estimation€of€the€value€of€this€property.€€The€lawyer€representing€Ms.€PateÐ Ôœ Ðtook€issue€with€the€list€stating€that€it€included€separate€as€well€as€marital€property€and€indicated€thatÐ À ˆ Ðhe€desired€to€put€on€additional€evidence€if€Mr.€Pateððs€list€was€introduced.€€With€the€case€in€thisÐ ¬ t Ðposture,€the€trial€court€directed€the€partiesðð€lawyers€to€ð ðjust€write€me€a€letter€and€put€in€there€whatÐ ˜ ` Ðyou€think€the€personalty€that€is€left€is,€what€pieces€are€separate€property,€if€any,€what€are€maritalÐ „ L  Ðassets,€and€tell€both€your€clients€not€to€dispose€of€anything€while€the€court€has€this€underÐ p 8  Ðadvisement.ðð€€After€waiting€for€sixteen€days€without€receiving€the€requested€letters,€the€trial€courtÐ \$  Ðfiled€an€order€on€January€28,€1998,€declaring€the€partiesðð€divorced€and€undertaking€to€divide€theirÐ H  Ðremaining€marital€property.Ð 4ü  ÐÌà  àOn€February€25,€1998,€Mr.€Pate€filed€a€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€59.04€motion,€asserting€that€theÐ  Ô  Ðevidence€did€not€support€the€division€of€the€disputed€property€in€the€January€28,€1998€order€andÐ øÀ Ðrequesting€that€the€trial€court€reduce€Ms.€Pateððs€share€of€the€equity€in€the€marital€residence€fromÐ ä¬ Ð$55,550€to€$50,500.€€When€this€motion€was€heard€on€March€9,€1998,€neither€party€had€filed€the€letterРИ Ðrequested€by€the€trial€court.€€During€the€hearing,€Mr.€Pateððs€lawyer€stated€that€he€had€not€filed€hisÐ ¼„ Ðletter€because€he€was€waiting€to€review€his€adversaryððs€letter.€€For€his€part,€Ms.€Pateððs€lawyer€statedÐ ¨p Ðthat€he€had€not€filed€his€letter€because€he€was€waiting€to€discuss€the€division€of€the€property€with€Mr.Ð ”\ ÐPateððs€lawyer€when€Mr.€Pateððs€lawyerððs€schedule€was€ð ðnot€so€busy.ððÐ €H ÐÌà  àWe€gather€from€the€transcript€of€the€March€9,€1998€hearing€that€Mr.€Pateððs€lawyer€tenderedÐ X  Ðhis€letter€to€the€court€during€the€hearing.€€The€trial€court€stated€that€ð ðI€donððt€know€that€Iððll€give€it€anyÐ D  Ðcredence€because€it€never€was€filed,€but€Iððll€look€at€it.ðð€€The€trial€court€added€that€it€would€ð ðtake€intoÐ 0ø Ðconsideration€thatððs€his€[Mr.€Pateððs]€evaluation€not€any€sort€of€appraisals.ðð€When€the€trial€court€filedÐ ä Ðits€June€25,€1998€order€denying€Mr.€Pateððs€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€59.04€motion,€we€presume€that€it€hadÐ Ð Ðconsidered€the€substance€of€the€letter€tendered€by€Mr.€Pateððs€lawyer€during€the€March€9,€1998Ð ô¼ Ðhearing€but€that€the€letter€did€not€affect€the€trial€courtððs€decision.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×РਠÐÌà  àMr.€Pateððs€concern€over€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€decide€that€case€without€waiting€for€hisÐ ¸!€  Ðlawyer€to€file€a€post„trial€letter€is€unconvincing€for€two€reasons.€€First,€neither€lawyer€presented€aÐ ¤"l! Ðpersuasive€explanation€for€his€delay€in€filing€the€letter€in€a€more€timely€manner.€€Second,€hisÐ #X" Ðassertion€that€the€trial€court€lacked€sufficient€evidence€for€equitably€dividing€the€disputed€items€ofÐ |$D # Ðmarital€property€is€not€supported€by€the€record.€€Both€parties€had€agreed€during€the€trial€about€theÐ h%0!$ Ðvalue€of€the€marital€residence€and€how€they€acquired€it.€€They€had€also€agreed€about€how€they€hadÐ T&"% Ðdivided€up€most€of€their€personal€property€prior€to€the€hearing.€€In€addition,€both€parties€hadÐ @'#& Ðpresented€testimony€regarding€their€checking€account,€their€certificate€of€deposit,€their€life€insuranceÐ ,(ô#' Ðpolicies,€their€individual€retirement€accounts,€and€retirement€accounts,€as€well€as€their€work€history,Ð )à$( Ðtheir€educational€level,€their€earning€capacity,€and€other€factors€relevant€to€the€division€of€maritalÐ 8 Ðproperty.€€They€had€also€tendered€documents€relating€to€Ms.€Pateððs€individual€retirement€account,Ð $ì Ðthe€warranty€deed€for€their€property,€itemized€lists€of€property€indicating€how€the€property€wasÐ Ø Ðacquired,€and€Ms.€Pateððs€post„separation€indebtedness€to€the€Bank€of€Waynesboro.€€While€the€trialÐ üÄ Ðcourt€would€have€been€well„advised€to€set€a€deadline€for€these€letters,€we€conclude€that€the€trial€courtÐ è° Ðdid€not€commit€reversible€error€by€electing€to€divide€the€disputed€items€of€marital€propertyÐ Ôœ Ðapproximately€two€weeks€following€the€bench€trial€without€continuing€to€wait€for€the€parties€toÐ À ˆ Ðsubmit€the€letters€it€had€requested.Ð ¬ t ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òC.ó óˆÐ „ L  ÐÌà  àMr.€Pate€also€takes€the€trial€court€to€task€for€overlooking€Ms.€Pateððs€retirement€accountÐ \$  Ðvalued€at€approximately€$3,675.€€He€asserts€that€this€retirement€account€should€have€been€includedÐ H  Ðin€the€marital€estate€because€Ms.€Pate€earned€the€funds€that€were€deposited€into€the€account€duringÐ 4ü  Ðthe€marriage.€€We€agree€that€this€account€was€marital€property€and€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€failingÐ  è  Ðto€specifically€include€this€account€in€its€division€of€the€disputed€items€of€marital€property.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р Ô  ÐAccordingly,€we€will€treat€this€account€as€marital€property€when€we€address€Mr.€Pateððs€argument€thatÐ øÀ Ðthe€net€effect€of€the€trial€courtððs€division€of€the€disputed€items€of€marital€property€was€inequitable.Ð ä¬ ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òD.ó óˆÐ ¼„ ÐÌà  àIn€his€third€attack€on€the€trial€courtððs€division€of€the€disputed€items€of€marital€property,€Mr.Ð ”\ ÐPate€argues€that€the€trial€court€allowed€considerations€of€fault€to€color€his€decision€about€how€theÐ €H Ðpartiesðð€remaining€property€should€be€divided.€€He€bases€this€argument€on€the€trial€courtððs€statementsÐ l4 Ðin€its€January€28,€1998€and€June€25,€1998€orders€that€Ms.€Pate€had€been€ð ðforced€to€leave€the€maritalÐ X  Ðhome€and€incur€an€indebtedness€by€purchasing€a€home€in€Iron€City,€Tennessee.ðð€€On€the€face€ofÐ D  Ðthings,€it€is€difficult€to€perceive€how€this€statement,€by€itself,€reflects€the€trial€courtððs€considerationÐ 0ø Ðof€fault€any€more€than€it€reflects€the€trial€courtððs€recognition€of€the€economic€circumstances€of€theÐ ä Ðparties€at€the€time€of€the€divorce€hearing.Ð Ð ÐÌà  àEighteen€years€ago,€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€held€that€the€courts€should€not€considerРਠÐthe€partiesðð€fault€when€they€are€dividing€the€partiesðð€marital€propertyòò.€€Fisher€v.€Fisheróó,€648€S.W.2dÐ Ì ” Ð244,€246„47€(Tenn.€1983).€€Less€than€two€months€later,€the€Tennessee€General€Assembly€amendedÐ ¸!€  Ðthe€statute€governing€the€division€of€marital€property€to€remove€fault€as€one€of€the€factors€to€considerÐ ¤"l! Ðwhen€dividing€a€martial€estate.׃!×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Accordingly,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(a)(1)€(Supp.€2000)Ð #X" Ðspecifically€directs€the€courts€to€ð ðequitably€divide,€distribute€or€assign€the€marital€property€betweenÐ |$D # Ðthe€parties€without€regard€to€marital€fault.ððÐ h%0!$ ÐÌâ âÐ @'#& Ðà  àTrial€courts,€for€the€most€part,€appear€to€have€followed€the€dictates€of€the€òòFisher€v.€FisherÐ 8 Ðâ âóódecision€and€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(a)(1).€€A€division€of€a€marital€estate€must€be€equitable,Ð $ì Ðbut€depending€on€the€circumstances,€an€equitable€division€is€not€necessarily€an€equal€one.€€òòCohenÐ Ø Ðv.€Cohenóó,€937€S.W.2d€823,€832€(Tenn.€1996);€òòManis€v.€Manisóó,€___€S.W.3d€___,€___,€2001€WLÐ üÄ Ð60616,€at€*9€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001);€òòKing€v.€Kingóó,€986€S.W.2d€216,€219€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€Ð è° ÐAccordingly,€a€trial€courtððs€decision€not€to€award€divorcing€parties€equal€shares€of€the€marital€estateÐ Ôœ Ðdoes€not€necessarily€reflect€that€the€trial€court€considered€fault€when€it€divided€the€marital€property.€Ð À ˆ ÐòòFord€v.€Fordóó,€952€S.W.2d€824,€826„27€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996)€(holding€that€the€fact€that€the€trialÐ ¬ t Ðcourt€awarded€69%€of€the€net€marital€estate€to€the€wife€does€not€reflect€that€the€trial€court€took€theÐ ˜ ` Ðhusbandððs€fault€into€consideration).Ð „ L  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€explicitly€stated€in€its€order€denying€Mr.€Pateððs€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€59.04€motionÐ \$  Ðthat€it€ð ðdecided€to€distribute€the€marital€property€based€on€the€evidence€presented€at€the€trial€andÐ H  Ðnothing€else.ðð€€Its€observation€that€Ms.€Pate€was€forced€to€incur€indebtedness€by€purchasing€a€homeÐ 4ü  Ðin€Iron€City,€if€anything,€is€consistent€with€the€factors€that€may€be€considered€in€connection€with€theÐ  è  Ðdivision€of€marital€property.€€Accordingly,€we€have€determined€that€Mr.€Pate€has€not€demonstratedÐ  Ô  Ðthat€the€trial€courtððs€division€of€the€disputed€items€of€personal€property€was€based€on€impermissibleÐ øÀ Ðconsiderations.Ð ä¬ ÐÌà@)ìàò òE.ˆÐ ¼„ ÐÌó óà  àAs€a€final€matter,€Mr.€Pate€argues€that€the€manner€in€which€the€trial€court€divided€theÐ ”\ Ðdisputed€items€of€marital€property€was€inequitable.€€He€asserts€that€the€trial€courtððs€decision€is€flawedÐ €H Ðbecause€(1)€the€trial€court€awarded€Ms.€Pate€all€the€personal€property€listed€on€Exhibit€10€of€herÐ l4 Ðdeposition€even€though€this€property€was€still€in€his€possession,€(2)€the€trial€court€failed€toÐ X  Ðspecifically€address€Ms.€Pateððs€individual€retirement€account,€and€(3)€the€trial€court€awarded€Ms.Ð D  ÐPate€more€than€one„half€of€the€equity€in€the€partiesðð€marital€home.€€Based€on€the€facts€of€this€case,Ð 0ø Ðwe€find€Mr.€Pateððs€arguments€to€be€well„taken.€€€€Ð ä ÐÌà  àWe€have€already€concluded€in€Section€III(C)€of€this€opinion€that€the€trial€court€erred€byÐ ô¼ Ðfailing€to€include€Ms.€Pateððs€individual€retirement€account€in€its€division€of€the€marital€property.€€WeРਠÐwill€consider€it€now€because€this€asset€clearly€qualifies€as€marital€property€in€that€it€comes€fromÐ Ì ” Ðincome€Ms.€Pate€earned€during€the€marriage.€€An€equitable€division€of€marital€property€does€notÐ ¸!€  Ðrequire€that€each€person€receive€a€share€of€every€piece€of€property€that€is€determined€to€be€maritalÐ ¤"l! Ðproperty.€€òòKing€v.€Kingóó,€986€S.W.2d€at€219;€òòBrown€v.€Brownóó,€913€S.W.2d€163,€168€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð #X" Ð1994).€€This€account€is€currently€in€Ms.€Pateððs€name,€and€withdrawing€these€funds€at€this€time€wouldÐ |$D # Ðresult€in€adverse€tax€consequences€and€a€penalty€for€early€withdrawal.€€Accordingly,€we€haveÐ h%0!$ Ðdetermined€that€Ms.€Pate€should€be€awarded€the€$3,675€remaining€in€her€individual€retirementÐ T&"% Ðaccount.Ð @'#& ÐÌà  àThe€testimony€regarding€the€items€identified€on€Exhibit€10€of€Ms.€Pateððs€deposition€is€notÐ )à$( Ðas€one„sided€as€it€is€portrayed€by€Mr.€Pate.€€Many€of€these€items,€such€as€the€blue€trailer,€were€notÐ *Ì%) Ðnecessarily€gifts€to€Mr.€Pate€alone.€€The€record€indicates€that€both€Mr.€Pateððs€and€Ms.€Pateððs€parentsÐ ð*¸&* Ðgave€the€parties€real€and€personal€property€during€the€marriage.€€The€gifts€were€to€both€parties,€ratherÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðthan€to€one€party€or€the€other,€and€they€were€intended€to€benefit€both€parties.€€Accordingly,€there€isÐ È,(, Ðample€evidence€in€the€record€to€support€the€implicit€determination€by€the€trial€court€that€these€itemsÐ 8 Ðwere€marital€property€and,€therefore,€subject€to€division.€€A€number€of€the€items€identified€on€thisÐ $ì Ðexhibit€formerly€belonged€to€members€of€Ms.€Pateððs€family,€and€thus€the€trial€court€did€not€err€byÐ Ø Ðawarding€these€items€to€Ms.€Pate.Ð üÄ ÐÌà  àAs€best€we€can€reconstruct€this€record,€the€partiesðð€marital€estate,€including€the€personalÐ Ôœ Ðproperty€they€divided€before€the€divorce€hearing,€was€valued€at€$136,675.׃(×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€As€a€result€of€the€trialÐ À ˆ Ðcourtððs€division€of€this€property,€Ms.€Pate€received€property€worth€$82,225׃#×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€or€60%€of€the€totalÐ ¬ t Ðvalue€of€the€marital€estate,€and€Mr.€Pate€received€property€worth€$54,450׃$,×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€or€40%€of€the€total€valueÐ ˜ ` Ðof€the€marital€estate.€€Mr.€Pate€argues€that€this€net€result€is€inequitable.Ð „ L  ÐÌà  àDividing€marital€property€is€not€a€mechanical€process€based€on€some€formula.€€Rather,€it€isÐ \$  Ða€deliberate€process€guided€by€a€thoughtful€consideration€of€the€factors€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„Ð H  Ð121(c)€(Supp.€2000).€€Trial€judges€have€wide€latitude€in€arriving€at€an€equitable€division€of€maritalÐ 4ü  Ðproperty,€òòFisher€v.€Fisheróó,€648€S.W.2d€at€246;€òòBrown€v.€Brownóó,€913€S.W.2d€at€168,€and€appellateÐ  è  Ðcourts€give€considerable€weight€to€a€trial€courtððs€decision€with€regard€to€marital€property.€€òòGoodmanÐ  Ô  Ðv.€Goodmanóó,€8€S.W.3d€289,€298€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);€òòKinard€v.€Kinardóó,€986€S.W.2d€220,€230„31Ð øÀ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998);€òòWilson€v.€Mooreóó,€929€S.W.2d€367,€372€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€Thus,Ð ä¬ Ðappellate€courts€will€ordinarily€defer€to€a€trial€courtððs€division€of€marital€property€unless€it€isРИ Ðinconsistent€with€the€factors€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(c),€or€it€is€not€supported€by€aÐ ¼„ Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence.€€òòBrown€v.€Brownóó,€913€S.W.2d€at€168;€òòMahaffey€v.€Mahaffeyóó,€775Ð ¨p ÐS.W.2d€618,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989).Ð ”\ ÐÌà  àAs€a€starting€point,€ownership€of€marital€property€should€be€presumed€to€be€equal€untilÐ l4 Ðproven€otherwise.€€òòDortch€v.€Dortchóó,€No.€M1999„02053„COA„R3„CV,€2001€WL€799752,€at€*€3Ð X  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€17,€2001);€òòKelly€v.€Kellyóó,€679€S.W.2d€458,€462€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984)òò;Ð D  ÐSalisbury€v.€Salisburyóó,€657€S.W.2d€761,€770€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983).€€The€trial€court€provided€littleÐ 0ø Ðinsight€in€this€case€concerning€the€basis€for€his€conclusion€that€a€60%„40%€split€was€more€equitableÐ ä Ðthan€dividing€the€marital€estate€equally.€€We€can€only€surmise€that€its€decision€was,€in€large€part,Ð Ð Ðmotivated€by€Mr.€Pateððs€post„separation€housing€expenses.€€While€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121(c)(8)Ð ô¼ Ðcertainly€permits€the€trial€court€to€take€these€expenses€into€consideration,€we€have€concluded€thatРਠÐthe€record€does€not€support€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€award€Ms.€Pate€more€than€50%€of€the€equityÐ Ì ” Ðin€the€partiesðð€residence€and€to€decline€to€offset€the€award€to€Ms.€Pate€by€the€one„half€of€the€valueÐ ¸!€  Ðof€the€property€listed€on€Exhibit€10€of€her€deposition€and€one„half€of€the€value€of€her€individualÐ ¤"l! Ðretirement€account.€€Ð #X" ÐÐ |$D # Ðà  àBased€on€the€evidence€regarding€the€length€of€the€marriage,€Ms.€Pateððs€monetary€and€non„Ð 8 Ðmonetary€contributions€to€the€family€and€to€the€acquisition€of€the€partiesðð€marital€estate,€as€well€asÐ $ì Ðthe€partiesðð€health€and€earning€capacity,€we€have€concluded€(1)€that€Ms.€Pate€did€not€provide€the€trialÐ Ø Ðcourt€with€a€sufficient€basis€for€awarding€her€more€than€one„half€of€the€value€of€the€partiesðð€residenceÐ üÄ Ðand€(2)€that€the€trial€court€should€have€made€an€additional€award€to€Mr.€Pate€to€offset€one„half€of€theÐ è° Ðvalue€of€the€personal€property€listed€on€Exhibit€10€of€Ms.€Pateððs€deposition€and€one„half€of€the€valueÐ Ôœ Ðof€Ms.€Pateððs€individual€retirement€account€that€was€awarded€to€Ms.€Pate.Ð À ˆ ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€we€have€determined€that€the€trial€courtððs€award€to€Ms.€Pate€of€$55,550€of€theÐ ˜ ` Ðequity€in€the€partiesðð€residence€should€first€be€reduced€by€$5,505€to€equalize€the€distribution€of€theÐ „ L  Ðequity€in€the€partiesðð€residence.€€Then,€the€award€should€be€reduced€by€$1,837.50€representing€one„Ð p 8  Ðhalf€of€the€value€of€Ms.€Pateððs€individual€retirement€account.€€Finally,€the€trial€court€should€haveÐ \$  Ðreduced€that€award€by€$2,500€representing€one„half€the€value€of€the€personal€property€contained€inÐ H  ÐExhibit€10.€€Accordingly,€the€$55,550€award€to€Ms.€Pate€in€the€trial€courtððs€January€28,€1998€orderÐ 4ü  Ðis€reduced€to€$45,707.50.€€As€a€result€of€these€modifications,€Ms.€Pate€will€receive€$72,382.50€orÐ  è  Ð53%€of€the€marital€estate,€and€Mr.€Pate€will€receive€$64,292.50€or€47%€of€the€marital€estate.Ð  Ô  ÐÌà@dd)ìàò òIV.ó óˆÐ ä¬ ÐÌà  àIn€summary,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€declare€the€parties€divorced€in€accordanceÐ ¼„ Ðwith€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b),€as€well€as€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€award€Ms.€Pate€herÐ ¨p Ðindividual€retirement€account€and€the€personal€property€identified€on€Exhibit€10€of€her€deposition.€Ð ”\ ÐHowever,€we€modify€the€judgment€awarding€Ms.€Pate€$55,550€from€the€equity€in€the€maritalÐ €H Ðresidence€by€reducing€it€to€$45,707.50.€€We€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€for€further€proceedingsÐ l4 Ðconsistent€with€this€opinion,€and€we€tax€the€costs€in€equal€proportions€to€Lonnie€Pate€and€his€suretyÐ X  Ðand€to€Cynthia€Pate€for€which€execution,€if€necessary,€may€issue.Ð D  ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_____________________________€Ð ô¼ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEРਠÐà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h à