ÿWPC­ E‚˜{«‡"#f ºB¤è@›âà0rµ z‘¬¸'ŠD)²b )ÿ|x—b6ýL—M«V“ðëÆ&‘o“‹tòÁîW‡• ¸õCRͳ¿âÍcĬÛ¢‚}±‰/yéë^/hu_]<;9CÿÉþoÓ;O gcñ¡˜RÉÁ×»O×.)_äâØÇk]2: 4 PÇ@!H ®ߪSæ4­œ°³F‚ÌJäAiœÞÑ+¶û´75Öç> ü0ÔëWv$»±3Ó•.”é#ÛGÐúñ´Í<³ß3Ôüb[↗Bÿºþb_g Ì°õ“+À·æüßg“ݘ@ñMÆÈTPÃu-#’ôÃ5‘^x\¹Lx£%ˆ«Sýñn\ëâ—Ä|ä{Ô¥«¥&0BmU;“s‘L8yÂ@[’„9Ì7{Å•ÈùL@`S}ÕŸŠ|³ê˜?b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz UN‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1 0D÷N;=&EEk 1‡m 72ô 1u& 72› 0%cÍ 1‡0 72· 1‡é 72pppppppppppppppb¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢ 0몪ªª B•• 0¤² D3V D-‰ 0K¶¶ ASÆT 0¤ 0D¾ A«˜HP LaserJet 4050 SeriÈÈÈÈÈÈÈÈ0»o˜ +â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularÑuV)ê:i¢Ø+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|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÈhH  Z‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó  Ý ƒRçD$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€X X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€represented€the€money€of€the€decedent€deposited€into€the€account€of€Gordon€Ray€Potts,Ð ° ÐJr.€together€with€expenses€and€attorney€fees.€€(5hCEKQW]cioAutoList11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(EhCEKQW]cioAutoList21.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.(UhCEKQW]cioAutoList31.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.- ù-(|G2çD$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€_µ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€XéX»»Ô d(|3‡Ž$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€_µ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‡Ž$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€_µ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€K…»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼K…»»»ÔÑ8€ XXdì»»d8Ñà@¦ ¦ ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@””$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEˆÐ  Ðà@ ìàSubmitted€on€Briefs€June€26,€2001ˆÐ Ô$ ÐÔ‡X X»¼K…ÔÌò òÔ#†¼K…»XX «#ÔÓ  ÓPEARL€LYNELL€POTTS,€Individually€And€Executor€of€the€Estate€ofÐ Ò" ÐGordon€Ray€Potts,€Sr.,€Deceased,€v.€MARY€POTTS€MAYFORTH€andÐ æ 6 ÐGORDON€RAY€POTTS,€JR.,€and€CONNECTICUT€GENERAL€LIFEÐ ú J ÐINSURANCE€COMPANY€v.€ALICE€ELIZABETH€NELSONòòóóÔ‡X X»¼K…Ôó óÐ  ^ ÐÓñÓÌà@  ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Carter€CountyˆÐ ^  Ðà@a a ìàNo.€24432€€€€€€Hon.€G.€Richard€Johnson,€ChancellorˆÐ úJ  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àFILED€AUGUST€9,€2001€Ð Ò"  Ðà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` A߈Ð ¾  ÐÌà@ÏÏìàNo.€Ô_ÔE2000„03116„COA„R3„CVÔ_ԈР¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á Ðó óÌÌThe€Trial€Court€entered€a€Default€Judgment€against€Ô_ÔPottsÔ_Ô€pursuant€to€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€37.02€and€thenÐ xÈ Ðsummary€judgment€for€plaintiffs.€€On€appeal€by€defendants,€we€affirm€the€Judgment€of€the€TrialÐ d´ ÐCourt.Ð P  ÐÌÔ#†¼K…»XX #ÔÔ‡X X»¼K…Ôò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmed.ó óÐ (x ÐÌòòHerschel€Pickens€FranksÔ#†¼K…»àX ö#ÔÔ‡X X.¼K…Ô,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€whichòò€Ô#†¼K…»àX ¼#ÔÔ‡X X.¼K…ÔCharles€D.€Susano,Ð P ÐJr.,€J.,óó€andòò€D.€Michael€Swiney,Ô#†¼K…»àX 7#ÔÔ‡X X.¼K…Ô€J.óó,€joined.Ð ì< ÐÌMary€E.€Potts€Mayforth,€Kensington,€MD.,€òòpro€se.óóÐ Ä ÐÌGordon€R.€Potts,€Jr.,€Forsythe,€MO.,€òòpro€se.óóÐ œ ì ÐÌKathryn€J.€Dugger„Edwards,€Elizabethton,€TN.,€for€Appellee,€Pearl€Lynell€Potts.Ð t"Ä! ÐÌReginald€E.€Keaton,€Knoxville,€TN.,€for€Appellee,€Connecticut€General€Life€Insurance.Ð L$œ# ÐÌÌÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼K…»XX Å#ÔÔ‡X X»¼K…ԈРü'L#' ÐòòÌóóÔ#†¼K…»XX ± #ÔÔ‡X X»¼K…ÔÔ‡ X XXX Ôà0  àà0` (#(#àÐ ` (#` (# Ðà  àà ` àThe€appellants,€Mary€Potts€Mayforth€and€Gordon€R.€Potts,€Jr.,€have€raised€myriadÐ À*&* Ðissues€on€appeal,€most€of€which€are€without€merit€on€their€face€or€were€not€raised€below.€€WeÐ ¬+ü&+ Ðconclude€the€following€issues€are€properly€before€this€Court:Ð ˜,è', ÐÐ „-Ô(-ý  Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à1..€à0¸ ` (#` (#àDid€the€Trial€Court€err€in€denying€and€dismissing€Defendants€Pottsðð€andÐ ° ÐMayforthððs€Motion€for€Sanctions?Ðœì¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.€€à0¸ ` (#` (#àDid€the€Trial€Court€abuse€its€discretion€in€entering€a€Default€JudgmentÐ tÄ Ðagainst€Defendant€Gordon€R.€Potts,€Jr.€as€a€sanction€in€accordance€withÐ `° ÐTennessee€Rule€of€Civil€Procedure€37.02?ÐL œ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌÓ€ (5h83ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àà0 ` àÝ‚3£ŸÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝDid€the€Trial€Court€properly€grant€Plaintiffððs€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment?݃3£ŸäÝŒÐ$ t¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àà0 ` àÝ‚3£×ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú4Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝDid€the€Trial€Court€properly€tax€court€costs€to€the€Defendants€Potts€andÐ ü L  ÐMayforth?݃3£×ÝŒÐè 8 ¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÔ#†X XX X / #ÔÔ‡ X XXX ÔÔ#† ¼K…»X X  #ÔÔ‡ X X» ¼K…Ôà  àà ` àBy€way€of€background,€the€Plaintiff/Executor€for€the€Estate€of€Gordon€R.€Potts€Sr.,Ð À  Ðfiled€this€action€against€Gordon€Potts,€Jr.,€and€Mary€Potts€Mayforth€and€Cigna€Group€Universal€LifeÐ ¬ü  ÐInsurance€Company,€alleging€that€the€deceased€did€not€have€the€mental€capacity€to€make€a€changeÐ ˜è  Ðof€his€beneficiary€in€his€life€insurance€policy,€and€that€by€fraud,€duress€or€undue€influence,Ð „Ô  Ðdefendants€had€caused€the€deceased€to€withdraw€money€from€his€account€and€give€to€them.Ð pÀ Ðà  àÌà  àà ` àThe€Defendant€Insurance€Company€removed€the€case€to€Federal€Court,€and€when€theÐ H˜ ÐFederal€Judge€directed€the€parties€to€brief€the€issue€of€jurisdiction,€the€parties€agreed€to€send€the€caseÐ 4„ Ðback€to€State€Court.€€This€was€accomplished€by€an€Agreed€Order€remanding€the€case€to€theÐ  p ÐTennessee€Chancery€Court.€€During€discovery,€plaintiff€learned€that€the€request€for€change€inÐ  \ Ðbeneficiary€form€had€not€been€signed€by€the€deceased,€and€Plaintiff€then€filed€a€Motion€for€SummaryÐ øH ÐJudgment€as€to€her€claim€for€the€insurance€proceeds€under€the€policy.€€The€Insurance€Company€thenÐ ä4 Ðfiled€a€Motion€for€an€Order€enforcing€a€Settlement€Agreement€and€Allowing€the€Deposit€ofÐ Ð  ÐInsurance€Proceeds€and€a€Discharge€from€Liability.€€The€Motion€was€based€on€an€agreed€order€whichÐ ¼  Ðhad€been€entered€in€federal€court,€remanding€the€case€to€the€state€court,€which€stated:Ð ¨ø Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÐ ` x` x Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à.€.€.€the€parties€having€further€agreed€that€once€the€case€is€remanded€to€state€court€theÐ €Ð Ðdefendant,€Connecticut€General€Life€Insurance€Company,€shall€be€allowed€to€depositÐ l¼ Ðthe€insurance€proceeds€with€the€Court€and€will€then€be€allowed€to€be€dismissed€fromÐ X ¨ Ðthe€lawsuit.ÐD!”` (#` (# ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€defendants€objected€to€the€Motion€on€the€grounds€that€they€were€unaware€thatÐ #l! Ðthe€Change€of€Beneficiary€form€was€unsigned€at€the€time€the€Federal€Courtððs€Order€was€entered.Ð $X" ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€response,€the€Court€determined€that€because€the€issue€was€whether€the€consentÐ à%0!$ Ðorder€entered€in€the€United€States€District€Court€should€be€enforced€or€overturned,€all€claimsÐ Ì&"% Ðpertaining€to€the€life€insurance€policy€issued€by€the€Insurance€Company€should€be€bifurcated€fromÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€remaining€issues€and€should€be€removed€back€to€the€United€States€District€Court.€Ð ¤(ô#' Ðà  àÌà  àà ` àThe€United€States€District€Court€entered€an€Order€on€the€insurance€matter,€stating€thatÐ |*Ì%) Ðit€had€not€approved€any€purported€settlement€which€the€agreed€Order€specifically€stated€was€to€occurÐ h+¸&* Ðð ðonce€the€case€is€remanded€to€state€court.ðð€€The€USDC€further€found€that€there€had€been€noÐ ° Ðcompliance€with€Title€28€ðð€1446€which€provides€the€proper€procedure€for€removal.€€Accordingly,Ð œì Ðthe€Court€found€that€it€had€no€jurisdiction€to€enforce€the€purported€settlement€and€again€remandedÐ ˆØ Ðthe€case€to€State€Court.€€Ð tÄ Ðà  àÌà  àà ` àPlaintiff€filed€a€Motion€for€Sanctions€against€Defendant€Gordon€Potts,€Jr.,€pursuantÐ L œ Ðto€Tennessee€Rule€of€Civil€Procedure€37.02,€alleging€that€Potts€had€repeatedly€failed€to€comply€withÐ 8 ˆ Ðdiscovery€requests€and€had€lied€in€answering€interrogatories€regarding€questions€about€his€fatherððsÐ $ t Ðmoney.€€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àà ` àPotts€filed€a€request€for€a€jury€trial€on€the€Motion€for€Sanctions,€and€Ô#† ¼K…»X X Œ#ÔÔ‡ X X» ¼K…ÔÔ#†X XX X J#ÔÔ‡ X XXX Ôhe€and€MayforthÐ è 8  Ðfiled€a€request€for€a€jury€trial€on€their€motion€for€sanctions€against€the€plaintiff,€her€attorney€and€theirÐ Ô$  Ðformer€attorney.€The€Insurance€Company€filed€another€motion€for€enforcement€of€the€settlementÐ À  Ðagreement,€requesting€that€the€court€allow€it€deposit€the€insurance€proceeds€with€the€court€and€beÐ ¬ü  Ðdischarged€from€liability.€€Ð ˜è  Ðà  àÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Court€then€conducted€a€hearing€on€the€numerous€motions€before€it,€andÐ pÀ Ðgranted€the€Insurance€Companyððs€motion€to€enforce€the€settlement€agreement,€by€Order€datedÐ \¬ ÐNovember€20,€2000.€€The€Insurance€Company€was€allowed€to€deposit€the€insurance€proceeds€withÐ H˜ Ðthe€Court€and€was€discharged€from€all€liability.€€The€Court€then€made€the€following€rulings€on€theÐ 4„ Ðremaining€issues:Ð  p ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.€à0¸ ` (#` (#àThe€motion€of€Gordon€Ray€Potts€Jr.€to€be€heard€via€telephonic€conference€isÐ øH Ðrespectfully€denied.Ðä4¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌÓ€ (Eh88ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£ó'ÝÔ2EhÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝThe€motion€of€Gordon€Ray€Potts€Jr.€for€a€jury€trial€on€the€motion€forÐ ¼  Ðsanctions€is€respectfully€denied.݃3£ó'@(݌Шø¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£`)ÝÔ2EhÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝThe€motion€for€continuance€of€the€jury€trial€date€of€November€29th€and€30thÐ €Ð Ðis€hereby€respectfully€denied.݃3£`)­)ÝŒÐl¼¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£Ð*ÝÔ2EhÔÚ  Ú4Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝThe€motion€of€Plaintiff€to€prohibit€Mary€Potts€Mayforth€from€representingÐ D!” Ðher€brother,€Gordon€Ray€Potts€Jr.€is€hereby€granted.݃3£Ð*+ÝŒÐ0"€ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÐ ` (#` (# ÐÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£Š,ÝÔ2EhÔÚ  Ú5Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝThe€motion€for€Summary€Judgment€filed€by€Defendant€Mary€Potts€MayforthÐ $X" Ðis€withdrawn.€Ýƒ3£Š,×,ÝŒÐô$D #¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£å-ÝÔ2EhÔÚ  Ú6Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝAll€motions€for€sanctions€filed€by€Mary€Potts€Mayforth€and€Gordon€Ray€PottsÐ Ì&"% ÐJr.€against€Plaintiff€Pearl€Lynell€Potts€and€attorney€Kathryn€J.€Dugger€areÐ ¸'#& Ðhereby€denied€and€the€same€are€dismissed.݃3£å-2.݌Ф(ô#'¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£À/ÝÔ2EhÔÚ  Ú7Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝThe€motion€for€Sanctions€against€Gordon€Ray€Potts€Jr.€is€hereby€granted€andÐ |*Ì%) ÐPlaintiff€is€awarded€a€Default€Judgment€against€Gordon€Ray€Potts€Jr.,€.€.€.€inÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€sum€of€$36,652.88׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€not€paid.݃3£À/ 0݌а¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£ 2ÝÔ2EhÔÚ  Ú8Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝThe€motion€of€Mary€Potts€Mayforth€is€granted€and€Plaintiff€is€prohibitedÐ ˆØ Ðfrom€hearing€the€Motion€on€Summary€Judgment€on€November€27,€2000.݃3£ 2V2ÝŒÐtĸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àà ` àPlaintiff€then€filed€a€Motion€to€Reconsider,€stating€that€the€summary€judgment€motionÐ L œ Ðwith€regard€to€the€life€insurance€proceeds€was€originally€filed€with€the€Court€in€April€of€2000,€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðwas€continued€for€discovery€and€then€rendered€moot€because€of€the€removal€to€United€States€DistrictÐ $ t ÐCourt.€€She€maintained€that€it€was€impossible€for€her€to€have€her€Motion€for€Summary€JudgmentÐ  ` Ðheard€in€state€court€until€the€District€Judgeððs€Order€from€federal€court€was€entered.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àà ` àA€hearing€was€held€on€November€22,€2000,€before€the€Chancellor,€and€the€CourtÐ Ô$  Ðfound€that€plaintiffððs€Motion€to€Reconsider€was€well€taken€in€that€the€Life€Insurance€portion€of€theÐ À  Ðcase€was€remanded€to€Federal€Court€on€July€19,€2000€and€returned€to€State€Court€on€October€30,Ð ¬ü  Ð2000,€thus€creating€a€time€conflict€with€the€Courtððs€Scheduling€Order.€€The€Court€went€on€toÐ ˜è  Ðconsider€the€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment,€but€neither€Defendant€was€present€for€that€hearing.€Ð „Ô  ÐThe€Court€noted€that€ð ðPlaintiffððs€motion€for€Summary€Judgment€was€filed€on€April€7,€2000€andÐ pÀ Ðdefendants€were€give€proper€notice€of€hearing.ðð€€The€Court€then€found€the€material€facts€not€to€beÐ \¬ Ðin€dispute,€and€plaintiff€was€entitled€to€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law,€and€awarded€the€life€insuranceÐ H˜ Ðproceeds€to€plaintiff.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€first€addressed€defendantððs€Motion€for€Sanctions,€which€was€dismissed€by€theÐ  \ ÐTrial€Court.€€At€the€hearing,€defendants€were€unable€to€produce€any€evidence,€but€Mayforth€simplyÐ øH Ðstated€ð ðthis€is€a€malicious€prosecution€case€and€we€intend€to€file€further€sanctions€upon€retaining€anÐ ä4 Ðattorneyðð€and€that€ð ðthe€claims€that€[Plaintiff]€made€in€her€Complaint€were€unfounded€and€that€sheÐ Ð  Ðdid€not€make€due€diligence€in€investigating€the€claims€before€she€filed€them€and€that€it€has€causedÐ ¼  Ðboth€financial€and€emotional€distress€to€both€of€the€Defendants.ðð€òòò òóóó óTennessee€Rule€of€Civil€ProcedureÐ ¨ø Ð11.02€prohibits€a€party€from€submitting€to€the€court€a€pleading,€motion€or€other€papers€for€theÐ ”ä Ðpurpose€of€harassment€or€delay,€and€from€advancing€frivolous€claims€or€defenses.€€Moreover,€itÐ €Ð Ðprovides€that€all€allegations€shall€have€evidentiary€support€or€are€specifically€so€identified€or€likelyÐ l¼ Ðto€have€evidentiary€support,€after€a€reasonable€opportunity€for€further€investigation€or€discovery.€€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€crux€of€defendantsðð€complaint€regarding€the€Plaintiffððs€conduct€is€€that€PlaintiffÐ 0"€  Ðdid€not€sufficiently€investigate€before€filing€her€complaint.€€At€the€time€plaintiff€filed€her€complaint,Ð #l! Ðshe€did€not€have€access€to€the€change€of€beneficiary€form,€so€she€could€not€have€known€that€it€wasÐ $X" Ðunsigned.€€Upon€discovery€that€it€was€not€signed,€plaintiff€filed€a€summary€judgment€motion€againstÐ ô$D # Ðthe€Insurance€Company.€€There€is€no€evidence,€as€the€Chancellor€found,€that€the€Plaintiff€or€herÐ à%0!$ Ðattorney€acted€in€bad€faith€or€with€an€intent€to€harass€the€defendants.€€We€affirm€the€Trial€Court€onÐ Ì&"% Ðthis€issue.Ð ¸'#& ÐÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà  àà ` àDefendant€Potts€complains€that€he€was€not€granted€due€process€with€regard€to€theÐ ° Ðhearing€on€the€Motion€for€Sanctions.€€However,€the€record€shows€that€the€defendant€had€sufficientÐ œì Ðnotice€of€the€hearing.€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àà ` àDespite€this€notice€(and€the€Courtððs€accommodation€of€defendantððs€request€for€aÐ `° Ðcontinuance),€defendant€Potts€failed€to€appear€at€the€hearing€to€offer€any€evidence€in€his€defense.€Ð L œ ÐHis€sister,€Mary€Mayforth€attempted€to€represent€him€by€filing€and€signing€a€response€to€the€MotionÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€Sanctions.€The€Court€properly€found€that€she€would€not€be€allowed€to€represent€her€brother.€€TheÐ $ t Ðcase€of€òòShahrdar€v.€Global€Housing,€Inc.óó,€983€S.W.2d€230€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998)€explains€theÐ  ` Ðpropriety€of€granting€a€default€judgment€as€a€sanction€against€a€party€who€fails€to€comply€withÐ ü L  Ðdiscovery€orders.€€€à ¸ àÐ è 8  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÐ ` x` x Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àRule€37.02(C)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€provides€that€a€trial€courtÐ À  Ðfaced€with€a€party€who€fails€to€obey€an€order€to€provide€discovery€may€render€aÐ ¬ü  Ðjudgment€by€default€against€the€disobedient€party.€òòóó€Although€this€sanction€is€extreme,Ð ˜è  Ðit€is€appropriate€ð ðwhere€there€has€been€a€clear€record€of€delay€or€contumaciousÐ „Ô  Ðconduct.ðð€€When€a€trial€court€exercises€its€discretion€in€rendering€a€default€judgmentÐ pÀ Ðas€a€sanction,€its€decision€will€be€disturbed€only€upon€a€finding€of€abuse€of€thatÐ \¬ Ðdiscretion.€€ÐH˜` (#` (# ÐÌÓŒZÓ983€S.W.2d€at€236€(internal€citations€omitted).Ð  p ÐÓãHÓà  àà ` àUpon€review€of€this€extensive€record,€it€is€apparent€that€defendant€Pottsðð€conduct€inÐ øH Ðthe€case€was€uncooperative€at€best.€€The€Court€found€that€Potts€had€ð ðengaged€in€a€course€of€conductÐ ä4 Ðthat€is€designed€to€totally€frustrate€this€trial€from€going€forward.ðð€€The€Court€further€found€that€theÐ Ð  Ðuncontradicted€evidence€establishes€that€Potts€ð ðhas€committed€perjury,€has€lied€under€oath,€in€hisÐ ¼  Ðinterrogatories€about€these€various€checks€.€.€.ðð€€This€conduct€by€the€defendant€rises€to€such€a€levelÐ ¨ø Ðof€contemptuous€behavior,€that€the€Trial€Court€acted€within€its€discretion€in€entering€a€defaultÐ ”ä Ðjudgment€as€sanctions€for€his€misconduct.€€Ð €Ð Ðà  àÌà  àà ` àOf€course,€a€default€judgment€ð ðwill€not€authorize€a€decree€in€favor€of€the€plaintiff,Ð X ¨ Ðunless€the€complaint€shows€a€ground€for€relief€against€the€defendant.ðð€€òòShahrdaróó,€983€S.W.2d€at€236„Ð D!” Ð237.€€Plaintiffððs€averred€that€Potts€by€fraud€or€deceit,€did€steal€money€belonging€to€the€deceased.€Ð 0"€  ÐDefendant€Potts€failed€to€produce€his€bank€records€from€South€Padre€Bank€and€failed€to€answerÐ #l! Ðtruthfully€the€interrogatories€pertaining€the€missing€money€from€the€deceased.€€The€bank€recordsÐ $X" Ðfrom€South€Padre€Bank€showed€deposits€into€the€defendantððs€accounts€for€the€exact€sums€of€moneyÐ ô$D # Ðmissing€from€the€decedent.€€These€records,€along€with€the€evasive€and€deceitful€conduct€of€theÐ à%0!$ ÐDefendant€during€discovery,€establishes€the€basis€for€plaintiffððs€claim€for€relief€against€him.€€Ð Ì&"% Ðà  àÌà  àà ` àDefendant€Potts€argues€that€the€Court€erred€in€denying€him€the€right€to€a€jury€trial€onÐ ¤(ô#' Ðhis€Motion€for€Sanctions€entered€and€relies€upon€T.C.A.€21„1„103€for€his€alleged€right€to€a€jury€trial.€Ð )à$( ÐAn€exception€to€a€jury€trial€in€this€State,€is€that€one€is€not€entitled€to€a€jury€in€a€contemptÐ |*Ì%) Ðproceedings.€€òò€See€Pass€v.€Stateóó,€184€S.W.2d€1€(Tenn.€1945);€òòWeinstein€v.€Heimbergóó,€490€S.W.2dÐ h+¸&* Ð692€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1972).€€The€sanctions€requested€by€plaintiff€were€pursuant€to€Rule€37.02€forÐ ° Ðfailure€of€a€party€to€obey€an€order€of€the€Court.€€Rule€37.02€allows€a€court€to€treat€this€disobedienceÐ œì Ðof€a€court€order€as€contempt.€€Accordingly,€the€defendant€was€not€entitled€to€a€jury€trial.€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àà ` àDefendants€insist€they€did€not€have€proper€notice€that€the€summary€judgment€MotionÐ `° Ðwould€be€heard.€€While€the€defendants€did€not€have€notice€that€the€Motion€would€be€heard€onÐ L œ ÐNovember€27,€2000,€it€having€previously€been€ruled€that€it€would€not€be€heard€then,€they€did€haveÐ 8 ˆ Ðnotice€that€the€Court€was€going€to€reconsider€its€prior€ruling€at€that€time.€€They€also€had€ample€timeÐ $ t Ðto€respond€to€plaintiffsðð€April€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment€by€submitting€evidence€that€wouldÐ  ` Ðestablish€that€summary€judgment€was€improper.€€Because€of€the€sufficient€opportunity€to€show€whyÐ ü L  Ðsummary€judgment€might€be€inappropriate,€the€defendants€were€not€prejudiced€by€the€CourtððsÐ è 8  Ðdecision€to€rule€on€the€Motion€at€the€November€hearing.€€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àà ` àAs€to€the€merits€of€the€summary€judgment,€the€Trial€Court€found€the€following€factsÐ ¬ü  Ðto€be€established€and€not€disputed:Ð ˜è  ÐÌØ! !ØÓ€ (Uh88ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£¤XÝÔ2UhÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝOn€October€9,€1995,€the€deceased,€Gordon€R.€Potts€Sr.€named€as€primaryÐ pÀ Ðbeneficiary€his€wife,€Pearl€Lynell€Potts€on€the€life€insurance€policy€issued€byÐ \¬ ÐDefendant€Connecticut€General€Life€Insurance€Company.݃3£¤XñXÝŒÐH˜¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£ŠZÝÔ2UhÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝA€subsequent€change€of€beneficiary€form€was€submitted€to€ConnecticutÐ  p ÐGeneral€Life€Insurance€Company€on€July€23,€1999.€€The€change€ofÐ  \ Ðbeneficiary€form€was€not€signed,€nor€dated€by€the€owner€decedent,€GordonÐ øH ÐR.€Potts€Sr.€Ýƒ3£ŠZ×ZÝŒÐä4¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÝ‚3£“\ÝÔ2UhÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝConnecticut€General€Life€Insurance€Company€policy€provisions€required€theÐ ¼  Ðfollowing€to€change€a€beneficiary.€€ð ðEach€Owner€may€change€the€BeneficiaryÐ ¨ø Ðat€any€time,€unless€the€Beneficiary€designation€is€irrevocable.€€The€changeÐ ”ä Ðmust€be€made€on€a€form€satisfactory€to€CG€and€signed€by€the€Owner.€€NoÐ €Ð Ðchange€of€Beneficiary€will€take€effect€until€this€form€is€received€by€CG.€€ThenÐ l¼ Ðthis€form€is€received,€the€change€will€take€effect€as€of€the€date€of€the€form.€Ð X ¨ ÐIf€the€Insured€dies€before€the€form€is€received,€CG€will€not€be€liable€for€anyÐ D!” Ðpayment€that€was€made€before€receipt€of€the€form.݃3£“\à\ÝŒÐ0"€ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àà ` àBased€on€these€facts,€the€Trial€Court€determined€that€as€a€matter€of€law,€the€attemptedÐ $X" Ðchange€of€beneficiary€was€ineffective€as€it€was€not€signed.€€The€Court€further€found€that€the€changeÐ ô$D # Ðof€beneficiary€form€òòdid€not€substantially€complyóó€with€the€requirements€for€a€change€of€beneficiaryÐ à%0!$ Ðas€required€by€the€Insurance€Company.€€The€Court€found€that€there€had€been€no€response€to€each€setÐ Ì&"% Ðof€facts€set€forth€by€the€plaintiff€in€accordance€with€Rule€56€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€CivilÐ ¸'#& ÐProcedure.Ð ¤(ô#' Ðà  àÌà  àà ` àThe€Chancellor€correctly€found€that€there€had€been€no€substantial€compliance€withÐ |*Ì%) Ðthe€policy€requirements€in€this€case.€€The€form€requesting€change€of€beneficiary€was€not€signed€byÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€insured,€nor€was€it€dated.€€By€filling€out€a€portion€of€the€form€and€submitting€to€the€insuranceÐ ° Ðcompany,€the€insured€did€not€do€all€that€he€could€to€comply€with€the€requirements€of€the€policy.€Ð œì ÐBecause€the€form€was€not€signed,€as€required,€we€hold€that€there€was€not€substantial€compliance€withÐ ˆØ Ðthe€requirements€of€the€policy.€€òòSee€Sun€Life€Assurance€Co.€of€Canada€v.€Hicksóó,€844€S.W.2d€652Ð tÄ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992).€€We€affirm€the€Trial€Courtððs€grant€of€a€summary€judgment.Ð `° ÐÌà  àà ` àFinally,€defendants€argument€that€the€Court€erred€in€assessing€costs€against€them€isÐ 8 ˆ Ðwithout€merit.€€òòSee€óóTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð20„12„101.€€Ð $ t Ðò òó óà  àà0 ` àÐ ` (#` (# Ðà  àà ` àWe€affirm€the€Judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€and€remand,€with€the€cost€of€this€appealÐ ü L  Ðassessed€jointly€against€the€defendants€Gordon€R.€Potts,€Jr.,€and€Mary€Potts€Mayforth.Ð è 8  ÐÌÌÔ#†X XX X ž"#ÔÔ#†¼K…»XX \"#ÔÔ‡X X»¼K…ÔÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_________________________Ð „Ô  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àòòHerschel€Pickens€Franks,€J.Ð pÀ Ðóó