ÿWPCo6 iÆ#Å:¿Ch¦Ûÿ/—ÿL  RÍÛÅ-ÇèC,‘(jÚÁŸâqÓrs$˜æe{(bÉTƒÁi,{…i†‚St­/ð:¢Vz_­¯KX…)¯Ó,úZšù†Rc_¶ñ«îDÊØX¦¸–Al¦\—”qyo}b ëÿW¤Ì°$ùdõ8˜öd³r'3d_¥Ö9OXµØFÜo‰sL#x0CÒíç“X\„JfÔž¨vŠ;óʙĺKÝé?iæZó2TÈ}¡G†7úTã+4ÄC^ø°=‡)ãNýwf¾Á¬^¼Ÿ¼™,F'íg ;]Û=bþ¶{ZN5í  £ÐþÎ^CØI ®`oHfq\Evi—½N •‘OÊW!ÈËi]eL™!Ï·×V·Kw§aâdÆëºCüää›ËDõ^¶ú‡ôëÅÜÙœ|~ä:Ö)Á޲¡ÿ:qÒ‰ TøþÝ_aíPÏPÁÓC¬87 …z«¡õ”™º¾¢h%¤®1ýŸ‰‡ú~¤òÜþ Ï ò \¡£¯ ÿ,t)`È•q“A²©ZT´I_J“Äïå-¹}'úŒµo¥H;&’Lpz.úõ±Òs<"i”é]Ñ1ì@`ƒªBÌë½Ky9ßb#Á\^  %) 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz z Æ‘ ÆW Æ Æã º©Ncpe´ÕE‰ 1u‹ 72 0c2 0w••¶  {ÂÂ=U\ 0T± 0„! 0B‰!¿Ë!Ë!Ë! 0ŸŠ' 0Ÿ)()()()()(bÈ(È(È(È(È(È(¯Ð(Ð(Ð(Ð({** B-ú0 0 C'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1 0 ëj1j1j1j1 BU2U2 0¤r2 D53 D-K3 0Kx3x3 ASÃ3Æ4 0¤Ü4 0D€5 A«Ä5˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0¹†b+s »(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular8n_+am FilesГ¯ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 SolomanGenescoDarden NESGanzevoort NuttIntlAabakusBrundige S.W.PrewettUckeleJewettFoltz N.E.UpchurchMcNeilWeakleySatorJanesCochran pseudodementiaLampley fÝ ƒRòÍ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔChanging€a€beneficiary€on€a€life€insurance€contract€affects€an€amendment€to€the€existing€contract€and€is€itselfÐ H Ðthe€making€of€a€new€contract.€€òòMoore€v.€New€York€Life€Ins.€Co.óó,€146€S.E.2d€492,€498€(N.C.€1966).€€Accordingly,Ð  Ä Ðchanging€a€beneficiary€requires€the€same€mental€capacity€as€executing€a€valid€contract.€€òòUnion€Natððl€Bank€v.€Mayberryóó,РЈ Ð533€P.2d€1303,€1307€(Kan.€1975);€òòLynn€v.€Magnessóó,€62€A.2d€604,€607€(Md.€1949);€Lee€R.€Russ€&€Thomas€F.€Segalla,Ð ”L ÐòòCouch€on€Insurance€óóðð€60:70€(3d€ed.€CD„ROM€2001).€€By€the€same€token,€a€power€of€attorney€establishes€an€agencyÐ X Ðrelationship€by€agreement.€€Thus,€to€have€an€agency€relationship€under€a€power€of€attorney,€the€principal€must€have€theÐ Ô Ðcapacity€to€contract.€€òòTesta€v.€Robertsóó,€542€N.E.2d€654,€658€(Ohio€Ct.€App.€1988);€òòIn€re€Thamesóó,€544€S.E.2d€854,€856„Ð à˜ Ð57€(S.C.€2001). ªÝ ƒRòÍ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòRoberts€v.€Robertsóó,€827€S.W.2d€at€792.3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(Oé;$µµà0  àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#à ¬Ý ƒRòÍ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòForman€v.€Brownóó,€944€P.2d€559,€562€(Colo.€Ct.€App.€1996);€òòJuliani€v.€Julianióó,€531€N.Y.S.2d€322,€325€(App.Ð H ÐDiv.€1988);€òòDrewry€v.€Drewryóó,€383€S.E.2d€12,€16€(Va.€Ct.€App.€1980);€òòDiPietro€v.€DiPietroóó,€460€N.E.2d€657,€664€(OhioÐ  Ä ÐCt.€App.€1983). qÝ ƒRòÍ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòHanks€v.€McNeil€Coal€Corp.óó,€168€P.2d€256,€260€(Colo.€1946);€òòStreet€v.€Waddellóó,€3€S.W.3d€504,€505„06€(Tenn.Ð H ÐCt.€App.€1999)€(holding€that€evidence€of€dementia€alone€does€not€prove€lack€of€testamentary€capacity).€€ Ý ƒRòÍ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔDr.€Daisey€B.€Sator€was€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€attending€physician€from€May€1994€to€June€1999.€€Dr.€Cynthia€JanesÐ H Ðis€a€consulting€psychiatrist€who€briefly€interviewed€Ms.€Rawlings€on€three€occasions€between€May€and€October€1998.€Ð  Ä ÐDr.€Michele€Cochran€is€also€a€consulting€psychiatrist€who€briefly€interviewed€Ms.€Rawlings€on€two€occasions€in€MarchРЈ Ð1999. KÝ ƒRòÍ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€case€does€not€require€us€to€determine€whether€an€undue€influence€claim€must€comply€with€the€particularityÐ H Ðrequirements€in€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€9.02.€€While€other€courts€have€held€that€undue€influence€claims€need€not€be€plead€withÐ  Ä Ðparticularity,€òòGosa€v.€Willisóó,€341€So.2d€699,€701€(Ala.€1977);€òòNelson€v.€Covingtonóó,€519€A.2d€177,€179€(D.C.€1986);РЈ ÐòòSkelton€v.€Skeltonóó,€308€S.E.2d€838,€841€n.2€(Ga.€1983),€we€are€addressing€a€more€fundamental€issue€here.€€We€mustÐ ”L Ðdecide€whether€Mr.€Rawlingsððs€amended€complaint€contains€any€language€at€all€that€can€be€fairly€construed€as€an€undueÐ X Ðinfluence€claim.€€<ŒŒÿÿ:Body Text InÑ  ÑÓ X ÓÓ  ÓÓ5+ ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ %#5ÓÓÓÓ€ÓÔ‡XXXÔÓ  ÓÔ‡ôôôÔÓ  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓÓÑ  ÑÓÓ<$$ÿÿ:Footnote TexÑ  ÑÔ‡ôôôÔÑ  ÑÔ‡ôôôÔ<ÿÿ:Footnote Refòòóó µÝ ƒRòÍ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Rawlings€did€not€appear€to€be€overly€concerned€about€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€mental€competency€between€AugustÐ H Ð1998€and€February€1999.€€He€must€have€thought€she€was€competent€enough€to€negotiate€the€terms€of€their€maritalÐ  Ä Ðdissolution€agreement€because€he€permitted€his€lawyer€to€talk€with€her€about€the€matter.€€In€a€February€22,€1999€letterРЈ ÐMr.€Rawlingsððs€lawyer€informed€Mr.€Holt€that€he€had€spoken€to€Ms.€Rawlings€ð ða€couple€of€weeks€ago.ðð€€He€alsoÐ ”L Ðrequested€Mr.€Holt€to€approve€a€marital€dissolution€agreement€that€vested€the€marital€homeplace€in€Mr.€Rawlings€ratherÐ X Ðthan€selling€the€property€and€dividing€the€proceeds.€€The€reasons€given€for€not€dividing€this€asset€equally€were:Ð Ô Ðð ðConsidering€Mrs.€Rawlingsðð€[sic]€condition,€it€makes€little€sense€to€require€that€the€property€be€sold€and€the€proceedsÐ à˜ Ðdivided.€€Any€proceeds€received€by€Mrs.€Rawlings€would€necessarily€go€to€the€government€for€her€support.€€Accordingly,Ð ¤\ Ðit€just€makes€sense€to€vest€that€property€together€with€the€household€goods€in€Mr.€Rawlings.€€Of€course,€any€personalÐ h  Ðeffects€which€Mrs.€Rawlings€might€want€should€be€distributed€to€her€and€to€members€of€her€family.ðð<+ ÿÿ:Outline001_1ÓÓÓÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓÓÓÓ<+ ÿÿ:Outline001_2ÓÓÓÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓÓÓÓ- ù- ¥Ý ƒRòÍ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€15.02;€òòBVT€Lebanon€Shopping€Ctr.€v.€Wal„Martóó,€48€S.W.3d€132,€135€n.2€(Tenn.€2001);€òòInÐ H Ðre€Adoption€of€E.N.R.óó,€42€S.W.3d€26,€30€n.1€(Tenn.€2001);€òòZack€Cheek€Builders,€Inc.€v.€McLeodóó,€597€S.W.2d€888,€890„Ð  Ä Ð91€(Tenn.€1980).€€ qÝ ƒRòÍ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWe€would€reach€the€same€result€if€we€addressed€the€substance€of€the€trial€courtððs€undue€influenceÐ H Ðdetermination.€€Even€if€Mr.€Rawlings€succeeded€in€shifting€the€burden€of€going€forward€to€Mr.€Holt,€we€find€that€theÐ  Ä Ðrecord€contains€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€decision€to€change€the€beneficiary€of€her€lifeРЈ Ðinsurance€policy€was€entirely€her€own.€€òòMatlock€v.€Simpsonóó,€902€S.W.2d€384,€386€(Tenn.€1995)€(holding€that€theÐ ”L Ðpresumption€of€undue€influence€may€be€rebutted€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€of€the€fairness€of€the€transaction).€Ð X ÐMs.€Rawlingsððs€decision€came€approximately€three€months€after€Mr.€Rawlings€told€her€that€he€wanted€a€divorce€afterÐ Ô Ðfifty„two€years€of€marriage.€€The€only€person€Ms.€Rawlings€could€turn€to€for€help€was€her€only€surviving€blood€relative,Ð à˜ ÐMr.€Holt.€€Mr.€Holt€agreed€to€assist€her.€€Accordingly,€it€not€remarkable€that€Ms.€Rawlings,€facing€the€grim€prospect€ofÐ ¤\ Ðbeing€left€alone€in€a€nursing€home€for€the€rest€of€her€days,€decided€to€transfer€her€remaining€assets€to€her€brother€whoÐ h  Ðhad€agreed€to€help€her€in€her€most€desperate€hour.€€This€is€especially€the€case€in€light€of€Mr.€Rawlingsððs€efforts€toÐ , ä  Ðconvince€Ms.€Rawlings€to€give€him€the€marital€home€rather€than€selling€the€home€and€using€half€of€the€proceeds€for€herÐ ð ¨  Ðmedical€care.)Hairline d(ÿÿ$òòÚ  ÚÚ  Úóó(|G2òÍ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€XE»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôä}ò»»Ô d(|3 X$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€XE»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3 X$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€XE»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€XE»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑTRY,3Ø'LetterXà3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑÑH°ÑÑH°ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼XE»»»ÔÑ8€™XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î\ôXEÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ H Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼XE»îî\ô|#ԈРn& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€August€2,€2001Ð ”L ÐÔ‡X™X»¼XEÔÌò òÔ#†¼XE»XX™n#ÔARTHUR€L.€RAWLINGS,€JR.€v.€THE€JOHN€HANCOCK€MUTUALÐ ’J ÐLIFE€INS.€CO.,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X™X»¼XEÔó óÐ ¦^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ¦ ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€99C„2393€€€€€€Carol€Soloman,€JudgeÐ ’ J ÐÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<i ` AßÐ j "  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2000„03191„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€November€2,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ e  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<<` AßÐ =õ  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€appeal€involves€a€dispute€between€a€decedentððs€estranged€husband€and€brother€over€theÐ 8ð  Ðproceeds€of€a€$12,000€life€insurance€policy.€€When€he€discovered€that€his€deceased€wife€hadÐ $Ü Ðremoved€him€as€the€beneficiary€of€her€policy,€the€husband€filed€suit€in€the€Circuit€Court€for€DavidsonÐ È ÐCounty€seeking€to€invalidate€the€change€of€beneficiary€form.€€Following€a€bench€trial,€the€trial€courtÐ ü´ Ðfound€that€the€decedent€lacked€the€capacity€to€change€the€beneficiary€on€her€life€insurance€policy€andÐ è  Ðthat€the€decedentððs€brother€had€procured€the€change€through€undue€influence.€€Accordingly,€the€trialÐ ÔŒ Ðcourt€awarded€the€decedentððs€husband€the€proceeds€of€her€life€insurance€policy€as€well€as€$350€thatÐ Àx Ðhis€brother„in„law€had€removed€from€a€joint€account€using€a€power€of€attorney€he€obtained€from€theÐ ¬d Ðdecedent.€€We€have€determined€that€the€evidence€does€not€support€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€thatÐ ˜P Ðthe€decedent€lacked€capacity€to€change€the€beneficiary€of€her€life€insurance€policy€and€that€theÐ „< Ðdecedentððs€husband€never€asserted€an€undue€influence€claim€in€the€trial€court.€€Accordingly,€weÐ p( Ðreverse€the€judgment€and€remand€the€case€with€directions€to€award€the€proceeds€of€the€life€insuranceÐ \ Ðpolicy€to€the€decedentððs€brother.€Ð H ÐÌÔ#†¼XE»XX™#ÔÔ‡X™X»¼XEÔò òà@::ìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€ˆÐ  Ø Ðà@Ãà ìàReversed€and€Remandedó óˆÐ  Ä ÐÌòòÔ#†¼XE»àX™_ #ÔÔ€X™X.¼XEÔWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòWilliam€B.€Cainóó€andÐ ä œ! ÐòòPatricia€J.€Cottrell,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð Ð!ˆ" ÐÌAlan€C.€Housholder,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenor€appellant,€Darden€Holt.Ð ¨#` $ ÐÌLarry€L.€Roberts€and€Audrey€Lee€Anderson,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Arthur€L.Ð €%8"& ÐRawlings,€Jr.Ð l&$#' ÐÌò òà@66'ìàOPINIONó óˆÐ D(ü$) ÐÌà@¬¬)ìàò òI.ó óˆÐ *Ô&+ ÐÌà  àArthur€Rawlings€and€Eleanor€Rawlings€were€married€in€February€1946.€€Throughout€mostÐ ô+¬(- Ðof€their€marriage,€Mr.€Rawlings€worked€for€Genesco,€and€Ms.€Rawlings€worked€for€the€NashvilleÐ à,˜). Ðâ âElectric€Service.€€This€dispute€revolves€around€a€$12,000€life€insurance€policy€Ms.€RawlingsÐ Ì-„*/ý Ðobtained€in€1961€through€her€employer.€€She€originally€named€Mr.€Rawlings€as€the€sole€beneficiaryÐ H Ðof€this€policy.Ð 4ì Ðâ âÌà  àMs.€Rawlings€was€an€alcoholic€and€struggled€with€her€addiction€throughout€her€adult€life.€Ð  Ä ÐShe€was€finally€forced€to€retire€from€the€Nashville€Electric€Service,€and€in€1984€she€broke€her€hipÐ ø° Ðwhile€inebriated.€€Diagnostic€x„rays€of€this€injury€revealed€twenty„seven€other€fractures€fromÐ äœ Ðprevious€falls.€€Ms.€Rawlings€did€not€recover€from€this€injury;€she€was€discharged€from€the€hospitalРЈ Ðto€the€first€of€several€nursing€homes€where€she€spent€the€rest€of€her€life.€Ð ¼ t ÐÌà  àOne€year€later,€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€mother€died.€€With€Ms.€Rawlings€confined€to€a€nursing€home,Ð ” L  ÐMr.€Rawlings€served€as€the€executor€of€his€mother„in„lawððs€will.€€During€the€probate€proceeding,Ð € 8  Ða€dispute€arose€with€Darden€Holt,€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€brother€who€lived€in€Texas.€€Mr.€Holt€eventuallyÐ l $  Ðsuccessfully€contested€the€will.€€This€dispute€left€Ms.€Rawlings€quite€angry€with€Mr.€Holt.€€WhileÐ X  ÐMs.€Rawlings€and€Mr.€Holt€continued€to€communicate,€their€relationship€became€strained.€Ms.Ð Dü  ÐRawlings€disinherited€Mr.€Holt€in€her€1988€will€specifically€because€of€the€will€contest.€€Thereafter,Ð 0è  ÐMs.€Rawlings€and€Mr.€Holt€reconciled,€and€Mr.€Holt€visited€his€sister€two€or€three€times€a€yearÐ Ô  Ðbetween€1988€and€1998.Ð À ÐÌà  àMs.€Rawlings€was€admitted€to€the€Bordeaux€Hospital€in€May€1994.€€Mr.€Rawlings€continuedÐ à˜ Ðto€visit€her€there€three€to€four€times€per€week€except€when€the€weather€limited€his€ability€to€travel.€Ð Ì„ ÐMs.€Rawlingsððs€mental€acuity€began€to€slip€as€the€years€went€on,€and€in€November€1997€she€wasÐ ¸p Ðdiagnosed€with€senile€dementia€and€depression.€€She€went€through€periods€of€confusion,€and€she€wasÐ ¤\ Ðuncommunicative€much€of€the€time.€€By€August€1998,€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€world€consisted€only€of€herÐ H Ðroom€at€the€Bordeaux€Hospital.€€Her€severe€arthritis€restricted€her€mobility.€€She€was€unable€to€getÐ |4 Ðout€of€bed,€turn€over,€or€bathe€and€groom€herself€without€assistance.€€She€was€on€occasion€able€toÐ h  Ðfeed€herself,€but€usually€she€required€assistance€for€this€activity€as€well.Ð T  ÐÌà  àIn€August€1998,€Mr.€Rawlings€told€Ms.€Rawlings€that€he€wanted€a€divorce.€€This€news€upsetÐ ,ä ÐMs.€Rawlings.€€During€one€of€Mr.€Holtððs€visits€in€October€1998,€Ms.€Rawlings€told€him€about€Mr.Ð Ð ÐRawlingsððs€plans€to€divorce€her€and€asked€for€his€help.€€Mr.€Holt€agreed€to€help€and€began€visitingÐ ¼ Ðhis€sister€more€frequently.€€In€November€1998,€Ms.€Rawlings,€with€her€brotherððs€assistance,€tookÐ ð¨ Ðseveral€steps€to€separate€herself€from€Mr.€Rawlings.€€On€November€9,€1998,€she€told€the€nursingÐ Ü” Ðstaff€that€she€desired€legal€assistance€in€the€divorce€proceeding€and€that€she€desired€to€change€theÐ È €  Ðaddress€where€her€social€security€checks€were€being€delivered.€€On€November€11,€1998,€Ms.Ð ´!l! ÐRawlings€gave€Mr.€Holt€her€power€of€attorney.€€The€following€day,€Mr.€Holt€used€the€power€ofÐ  "X" Ðattorney€to€change€the€address€where€her€pension€checks€were€being€sent,€and€Ms.€Rawlings€signedÐ Œ#D # Ða€change€of€beneficiary€form€naming€Mr.€Holt€as€the€beneficiary€on€her€life€insurance€policy.€Ð x$0!$ ÐFinally,€on€November€23,€1998,€Ms.€Rawlings€executed€a€new€will€naming€Mr.€Holt€as€her€executorÐ d%"% Ðand€the€sole€beneficiary€of€her€estate.€€Thereafter,€Mr.€Holt€returned€to€his€home€in€Texas,€but€notÐ P&#& Ðbefore€making€arrangements€to€forward€all€of€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€mail€to€him€and€using€the€power€ofÐ <'ô#' Ðattorney€to€withdraw€$350€from€a€joint€account€Ms.€Rawlings€maintained€with€Mr.€Rawlings.Ð ((à$( ÐÌà  àMr.€Rawlings€continued€to€visit€Ms.€Rawlings€even€after€he€told€her€he€wanted€a€divorce.€Ð *¸&* ÐEventually,€they€agreed€to€an€uncontested€divorce,€but€Ms.€Rawlings€insisted€that€Mr.€Holt€reviewÐ ì*¤'+ Ðand€approve€the€marital€dissolution€agreement.€€Mr.€Rawlings€had€not€filed€for€divorce€by€the€timeÐ Ø+(, ÐMs.€Rawlings€died€on€July€20,€1999.€€Soon€after€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€death,€Mr.€Rawlings€contacted€theÐ Ä,|)- ÐJohn€Hancock€Life€Insurance€Company€to€obtain€the€proceeds€of€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€life€insuranceÐ H Ðpolicy.€€Only€then€did€he€learn€that€he€was€no€longer€the€named€beneficiary€of€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€lifeÐ 4ì Ðinsurance€policy.Ð  Ø ÐÌà  àIn€August€1999,€Mr.€Rawlings€filed€suit€in€the€Circuit€Court€for€Davidson€County€against€theÐ ø° ÐJohn€Hancock€Life€Insurance€Company€and€the€Nashville€Electric€Service€seeking€the€$12,000Ð äœ Ðproceeds€from€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€life€insurance€policy€on€two€grounds€ð!ð€that€Ms.€Rawlings€was€notРЈ Ðcompetent€in€November€1998€to€change€the€beneficiary€on€her€life€insurance€policy€and€that€theÐ ¼ t Ðchange€had€been€procured€by€fraud.€€Mr.€Holt€intervened€in€the€suit€to€defend€his€sisterððs€action.€€AllÐ ¨ ` Ðparties€other€than€Messrs.€Rawlings€and€Holt€were€dismissed€after€the€death€benefits€from€theÐ ” L  Ðinsurance€policy€were€paid€into€court.€€Following€a€bench€trial,€the€trial€court€determined€that€Ms.Ð € 8  ÐRawlings€lacked€the€mental€capacity€in€November€1998€to€change€the€beneficiary€on€her€lifeÐ l $  Ðinsurance€policy€or€to€execute€a€power€of€attorney€and€that€Mr.€Holt€had€exerted€undue€influenceÐ X  Ðover€her€to€obtain€these€two€documents.€€Accordingly,€on€November€30,€2000,€the€trial€court€filedÐ Dü  Ða€memorandum€and€order€awarding€the€$12,000€death€benefit€to€Mr.€Rawlings€and€directing€Mr.Ð 0è  ÐHolt€to€return€the€$350€he€had€removed€from€the€Rawlingsðð€joint€account€in€November€1998.€€TheÐ Ô  Ðtrial€court€also€awarded€Mr.€Rawlings€$1,557.50€in€discretionary€costs.€€Mr.€Holt€has€appealed.Ð À ÐÌà@……)ìàò òII.ó óˆÐ à˜ Ðà@hhìàòòò òThe€Standard€of€Reviewó óóóˆÐ Ì„ ÐÌà  àWe€turn€first€to€the€proper€standards€of€review€for€the€issues€presented€in€this€appeal.€Ð ¤\ ÐBecause€this€is€an€appeal€from€a€decision€made€by€the€trial€court€itself€following€a€bench€trial,€theÐ H Ðnow€familiar€standard€in€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)€governs€our€review.€€This€rule€contains€differentÐ |4 Ðstandards€for€reviewing€a€trial€courtððs€decisions€regarding€factual€questions€and€legal€questions.Ð h  ÐÌà  àWith€regard€to€a€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact,€we€will€review€the€record€de€novo€and€willÐ @ø Ðpresume€that€the€findings€of€fact€are€correct€ð ðunless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.ðð€Ð ,ä ÐWe€will€also€give€great€weight€to€a€trial€courtððs€factual€findings€that€rest€on€determinations€ofÐ Ð Ðcredibility.€€òòIn€re€Estate€of€Waltonóó,€950€S.W.2d€956,€959€(Tenn.€1997);€òòB€&€G€Constr.,€Inc.€v.€Polkóó,Ð ¼ Ð37€S.W.3d€462,€465€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€However,€if€the€trial€judge€has€not€made€a€specificÐ ð¨ Ðfinding€of€fact€on€a€particular€matter,€we€review€the€record€to€determine€where€the€preponderanceÐ Ü” Ðof€the€evidence€lies€without€employing€a€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòGanzevoort€v.€Russellóó,€949Ð È €  ÐS.W.2d€293,€296€(Tenn.€1997).Ð ´!l! ÐÌà  àTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)ððs€presumption€of€correctness€requires€appellate€courts€to€defer€to€aÐ Œ#D # Ðtrial€courtððs€findings€of€fact.€€òòFell€v.€Ramboóó,€36€S.W.3d€837,€846€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000);€òòTaylor€v.Ð x$0!$ ÐTrans€Aero€Corp.óó,€924€S.W.2d€109,€112€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€Because€of€the€presumption,€anÐ d%"% Ðappellate€court€is€bound€to€leave€a€trial€courtððs€finding€of€fact€undisturbed€unless€it€determines€thatÐ P&#& Ðthe€aggregate€weight€of€the€evidence€demonstrates€that€a€finding€of€fact€other€than€the€one€found€byÐ <'ô#' Ðthe€trial€court€is€more€probably€true.€€òòEstate€of€Haynes€v.€Bradenóó,€835€S.W.2d€19,€20€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ((à$( Ð1992)€(holding€that€an€appellate€court€is€bound€to€respect€a€trial€courtððs€findings€if€it€cannotÐ )Ì%) Ðdetermine€that€the€evidence€preponderates€otherwise).€€Thus,€for€the€evidence€to€preponderate€againstÐ *¸&* Ða€trial€courtððs€finding€of€fact,€it€must€support€another€finding€of€fact€with€greater€convincing€effect.Ð ì*¤'+ Ðâ âÐ Ø+(, Ðà  àThe€presumption€of€correctness€in€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)€applies€only€to€findings€of€fact,€notÐ H Ðâ âto€conclusions€of€law.€€Accordingly,€appellate€courts€review€a€trial€courtððs€resolution€of€legal€issuesÐ 4ì Ðwithout€a€presumption€of€correctness€and€reach€their€own€independent€conclusions€regarding€theseÐ  Ø Ðissues.€€òòJohnson€v.€Johnsonóó,€37€S.W.3d€892,€894€(Tenn.€2001);€òòNutt€v.€Champion€Intððl€Corp.óó,€980Ð  Ä ÐS.W.2d€365,€367€(Tenn.€1998);€òò€Hicks€v.€Coxóó,€978€S.W.2d€544,€547€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998)òò;Ð ø° ÐMcCormick€v.€Aabakus,€Inc.óó,€___€S.W.3d€___,€___,€2000€WL€1473915,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Sp.€WorkersÐ äœ ÐComp.€Panel€2000)òòóó.€Ð Ј ÐÌà@^^(ìàò òIII.ó óˆÐ ¨ ` Ðà@Ñ Ñ ìàòòò òMs.€Rawlingsððs€Mental€Capacityó óóóˆÐ ” L  ÐÌà  àMr.€Holt€first€asserts€that€the€evidence€does€not€support€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€Ms.Ð l $  ÐRawlings€lacked€the€mental€capacity€in€November€1998€to€give€him€her€general€power€of€attorneyÐ X  Ðor€to€execute€a€form€to€change€the€beneficiary€of€her€life€insurance€policy.€€He€asserts€that€Mr.Ð Dü  ÐRawlings€failed€to€present€evidence€establishing€that€in€November€1998,€Ms.€Rawlings€lacked€theÐ 0è  Ðability€to€understand€the€nature€and€probable€consequences€of€her€actions.€€We€agree.Ð Ô  ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ ô¬ ÐÌà  àThe€question€of€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€mental€capacity€depends€upon€the€nature€of€the€activities€inÐ Ì„ Ðwhich€she€was€engaged.€€Transactions€at€issue€in€this€case€are€(1)€her€execution€of€a€general€powerÐ ¸p Ðof€attorney€on€November€11,€1998€and€(2)€her€execution€of€a€change€of€beneficiary€form€onÐ ¤\ ÐNovember€12,€1998.€€Because€both€of€these€transactions€are€essentially€contractual€in€nature,׃×Ý ƒ;ÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€weÐ H Ðwill€employ€the€standards€commonly€used€to€determine€whether€a€person€possesses€mental€capacityÐ |4 Ðto€contract.Ð h  ÐÌà  àThe€degree€of€mental€capacity€required€to€enter€into€a€contract€is€a€question€of€law.€Ð @ø ÐòòNashville,€Chattanooga€&€St.€Louis€R.R.€v.€Brundigeóó,€114€Tenn.€31,€34,€84€S.W.€805,€805€(1905).€Ð ,ä ÐCompetency€to€contract€does€not€require€an€ability€to€act€with€judgment€and€discretionòò.€€In€re€Ellisóó,Ð Ð Ð822€S.W.2d€602,€607€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€All€that€is€required€is€that€the€contracting€partyÐ ¼ Ðreasonably€knew€and€understood€the€nature,€extent,€character,€and€effect€of€the€transaction.€€òòMaysÐ ð¨ Ðv.€Prewettóó,€98€Tenn.€474,€478,€40€S.W.€483,€484„85€(1897);€òòIn€re€Estate€of€Holmesóó,€No.€02A01„Ð Ü” Ð9707„PB„00158,€1998€WL€134333,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€26,€1998)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð È €  Ðapplication€filed);€òòRoberts€v.€Robertsóó,€827€S.W.2d€788,€791„92€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€Thus,€personsÐ ´!l! Ðwill€be€excused€from€their€contractual€obligations€on€the€ground€of€incompetency€only€when€(1)€theyÐ  "X" Ðare€unable€to€understand€in€a€reasonable€manner€the€nature€and€consequences€of€the€transaction€orÐ Œ#D # Ð(2)€when€they€are€unable€to€act€in€a€reasonable€manner€in€relation€to€the€transaction,€and€the€otherÐ x$0!$ Ðparty€has€reason€to€know€of€their€condition.€€Restatement€(Second)€of€Contracts€ðð€15(1)€(1981).Ð d%"% Їà  àAll€adults€are€presumed€to€be€competent€enough€to€enter€into€contracts.€€òòUckele€v.€Jewettóó,€642Ð H ÐA.2d€119,€122€(D.C.€1994);€òòFoltz€v.€Wertóó,€2€N.E.€950,€953€(Ind.€1885).€€Accordingly,€personsÐ 4ì Ðseeking€to€invalidate€a€contract€for€mental€incapacity€have€the€burden€of€proving€that€one€or€both€ofÐ  Ø Ðthe€contracting€parties€were€mentally€incompetent€when€the€contract€was€formed.€€òòKnight€v.Ð  Ä ÐLancasteróó,€988€S.W.2d€172,€177„78€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998);€òòWilliamson€v.€Upchurchóó,€768€S.W.2dÐ ø° Ð265,€269€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€€It€is€not€enough€to€prove€that€a€person€was€depressed׃×Ý ƒ;ÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€or€had€senileÐ äœ Ðdementia.׃Ü×Ý ƒ;ÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€To€prove€mental€incapacity,€the€person€with€the€burden€of€proof€must€establish,€in€lightРЈ Ðof€all€the€surrounding€facts€and€circumstances,׃,×Ý ƒ;ÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€that€the€cognitive€impairment€or€disease€renderedÐ ¼ t Ðthe€contracting€party€incompetent€to€engage€in€the€transaction€at€issue€according€to€the€standards€setÐ ¨ ` Ðforth€above.€€òòButler€v.€Harrisonóó,€578€A.2d€1098,€1101€(D.C.€1990);€òòWeakley€v.€Weakleyóó,€198€S.W.2dÐ ” L  Ð699,€702„03€(Mo.€1947);€òòsee€also€Woods€v.€Mutual€of€Omahaóó,€No.€02A01„9510„CV„00218,€1996Ð € 8  ÐWL€578489,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€9,€1996),€òòperm.€app.€denied€óó(Tenn.€1997)€(rejecting€anÐ l $  Ðaffidavit€that€did€not€address€the€partyððs€competency€regarding€the€specific€contract€at€issue).Ð X  ÐÌà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ 0è  ÐÌà  àMr.€Rawlingsððs€evidence€regarding€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€mental€capacity€in€mid„November€1998Ð À Ðconsisted€of€six€witnesses.€€Mr.€Rawlings,€his€sister,€and€his€lawyerððs€secretary€testified€at€trial.€Mr.Ð ô¬ ÐRawlings€also€presented€the€depositions€of€three€physicians€who€had€some€contact€with€Ms.Ð à˜ ÐRawlings€at€Bordeaux€Hospital.€€The€testimony€of€these€witnesses€does€little€to€substantiate€Mr.Ð Ì„ ÐRawlingsððs€claim€that€Ms.€Rawlings€lacked€the€mental€capacity€to€execute€a€power€of€attorney€or€aÐ ¸p Ðchange€of€beneficiary€form.Ð ¤\ ÐÌà  àWe€turn€first€to€the€testimony€of€the€three€physicians.׃ ¸×Ý ƒ;ÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€All€of€them€agree€that€Ms.€RawlingsÐ |4 Ðwas€depressed€and€that€she€had€been€prescribed€the€antidepressant€Prozac€to€address€this€condition.€Ð h  ÐDr.€Sator€testified€that€Ms.€Rawlings€was€taking€the€smallest€possible€dose€of€Prozac€in€NovemberÐ T  Ð1998€and€that€this€medication€did€not€impair€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€competence.Ð @ø ÐÌà  àDrs.€Janes€and€Cochran€also€diagnosed€Ms.€Rawlings€with€dementia.€€While€they€explainedÐ Ð Ðthe€nature€of€this€condition,€neither€of€them€were€able€to€state€how€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€dementia€wouldÐ ¼ Ðhave€affected€her€mental€capacity€in€mid„November€1998.€€Dr.€Cochran€candidly€stated€that€sheÐ ð¨ Ðknew€nothing€about€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€condition€in€November€1998€and€speculated€that€Ms.€RawlingsÐ Ü” Ðmight€have€had€pseudodementia,€a€condition€brought€on€by€depression€that€resolves€itself€as€theÐ È €  Ðdepression€clears.€€Dr.€Janes€also€observed€that€dementia€and€competency€are€ð ðsomewhat€differentÐ ´!l! Ðthingsðð€and€that€she€could€not€offer€an€opinion€regarding€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€competency€in€mid„Ð H ÐNovember€1998.€€Dr.€Sator,€the€physician€with€the€most€sustained€medical€relationship€with€Ms.Ð 4ì ÐRawlings,€stated€unequivocally€that€Ms.€Rawlings€was€competent€in€November€1998.Ð  Ø ÐÌà  àMr.€Rawlingsððs€remaining€evidence€is€as€unpersuasive€as€his€medical€evidence.€€PeggyÐ ø° ÐHowell,€a€secretary€employed€by€Mr.€Rawlingsððs€lawyer,€testified€that€she€had€not€seen€Ms.Ð äœ ÐRawlings€since€February€1988€when€she€witnessed€Ms.€Rawlings€sign€her€will.€€Mr.€RawlingsððsРЈ Ðsister€testified€that€Ms.€Rawlings€became€ð ða€little€confusedðð€approximately€eighteen€months€beforeÐ ¼ t Ðshe€died€and€that€Ms.€Rawlings€ð ðnever€really€talked€too€much.ðð€€Mr.€Rawlings€observed€that€Ms.Ð ¨ ` ÐRawlings€began€going€ð ðin€and€outðð€in€1997€and€that€she€became€less€communicative.Ð ” L  ÐÌà  àThe€record€is€not€devoid€of€evidence€establishing€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€competency€in€mid„Ð l $  ÐNovember€1998.€€In€addition€to€Dr.€Satorððs€testimony,€David€Lampley,€the€hospitalððs€Advocacy€RiskÐ X  ÐManagement€Director,€testified€he€was€present€on€November€17,€1998,€when€Ms.€Rawlings€signedÐ Dü  Ðher€durable€power€of€attorney€for€health€care€and€that€at€that€time,€Ms.€Rawlings€was€oriented€toÐ 0è  Ðð ðperson,€time,€place,€and€situationðð€and€that€she€was€ð ðaware€of€what€she€was€doing.ðð€€The€personsÐ Ô  Ðwho€witnessed€Ms.€Rawlings€execute€her€will€on€November€23,€1998,€executed€an€affidavit€attachedÐ À Ðto€the€will€stating€that€Ms.€Rawlings€ð ðdeclared€to€them€that€.€.€.€[the€will]€was€her€Last€Will€andÐ ô¬ ÐTestament,ðð€that€ð ðshe€wanted€each€of€us€to€sign€it€as€a€witness,ðð€and€that€she€was€ð ðof€sound€mindððÐ à˜ Ðat€the€time.׃%×Ý ƒ;ÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð Ì„ ÐÌà  àAfter€reviewing€the€evidence€surrounding€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€circumstances€in€mid„NovemberÐ ¤\ Ð1998,€we€have€concluded€that€Mr.€Rawlings€failed€to€prove€that€Ms.€Rawlings€did€not€reasonablyÐ H Ðunderstand€the€nature€and€consequences€of€the€transactions€she€engaged€in€on€November€11€and€12,Ð |4 Ð1998.€€Nor€has€he€proved€that€Ms.€Rawlings€was€unable€to€act€in€a€reasonable€manner€with€regardÐ h  Ðto€these€transactions.€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððsÐ T  Ðconclusion€that€Ms.€Rawlings€lacked€the€mental€capacity€to€execute€her€durable€power€of€attorneyÐ @ø Ðor€the€change€of€beneficiary€form.€€It€therefore€follows€that€the€trial€courtððs€findings€regarding€Ms.Ð ,ä ÐRawlingsððs€competency€are€reversed.Ð Ð ÐÌà@dd)ìàò òIV.ó óˆÐ ð¨ Ðà@³³ìàòòò òMr.€Holtððs€Undue€Influenceó óóóˆÐ Ü” ÐÌà  àMr.€Holt€also€takes€issue€with€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€his€sister€ð ðdid€not€have€theÐ ´!l! Ðcapacity€to€resist€the€pressure€and€undue€influence€that€her€brother€placed€on€her.ðð€€First,€he€arguesÐ  "X" Ðthat€the€trial€court€erred€by€basing€its€decision€on€undue€influence€grounds€because€Mr.€RawlingsÐ Œ#D # Ðhad€neither€pled€nor€proved€an€undue€influence€claim.€€Second,€he€asserts€that,€even€if€Mr.€RawlingsÐ H Ðhad€properly€claimed€undue€influence,€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððsÐ 4ì Ðconclusion.€€We€agree€with€Mr.€Holtððs€argument€that€Mr.€Rawlingsððs€amended€complaint€does€notÐ  Ø Ðcontain€a€claim€that€he€had€exerted€undue€influence€to€obtain€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€power€of€attorney€orÐ  Ä Ðher€signature€on€the€change€of€beneficiary€form.Ð ø° ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ Ј ÐÌà  àMr.€Rawlingsððs€theory€about€the€change€of€beneficiary€form€is€found€in€one€paragraph€of€hisÐ ¨ ` Ðoriginal€complaint.€€Before€he€became€aware€of€the€circumstances€surrounding€Ms.€RawlingsððsÐ ” L  Ðexecution€of€the€change€of€beneficiary€form,€he€alleged€that€Ð € 8  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àsaid€beneficiary€was€fraudulently€changed€without€Mrs.€RawlingsÐ X  Ð[sic]€consent€and/or€permission,€when€Mrs.€Rawlings€wasÐ Dü  Ðincompetent,€and/or€with€a€forged€power€of€attorney€executed€byÐ 0è  Ðsomeone€other€than€Mrs.€Rawlings€or€while€she€was€incompetent.ÐÔ ` x` x ÐÌThereafter,€Mr.€Holt€filed€an€intervening€complaint€setting€out€how€Ms.€Rawlings€had€executed€theÐ ô¬ Ðchange€of€beneficiary€form.€€In€his€response€to€Mr.€Holtððs€intervening€complaint,€Mr.€RawlingsÐ à˜ Ðalleged€that€Mr.€Holt€ð ðbegan€to€operate€in€his€sisterððs€behalf€through€an€attorney,€based€upon€a€forgedÐ Ì„ Ðpower€of€attorney,€to€obtain€property€to€which€he€had€no€legal€right,€including€the€insurance€proceedsÐ ¸p Ðin€question€in€the€instant€case.ðð€€Ð ¤\ ÐÌà  àAs€the€litigation€continued,€Mr.€Rawlings€filed€two€amended€and€substituted€complaints.€Ð |4 ÐRather€than€including€a€specific€undue€influence€allegation€in€these€complaints,€he€left€theÐ h  Ðallegations€in€his€original€complaint€unchanged.€€Thus,€this€case€went€to€trial€based€Mr.€RawlingsððsÐ T  Ðclaims€that€€the€beneficiary€of€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€life€insurance€policy€had€been€ð ðfraudulently€changedððÐ @ø Ðeither€because€Ms.€Rawlings€was€incompetent€or€because€the€change€was€accomplished€ð ðwith€aÐ ,ä Ðforged€power€of€attorney€executed€by€someone€other€than€Mrs.€Rawlings.ðð€€Ð Ð ÐÌà  àThe€bulk€of€the€evidence€introduced€at€trial€related€to€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€competence.€€TheÐ ð¨ Ðtranscript€contains€no€specific€mention€of€undue€influence,€although€Mr.€Holt€was€examined€andÐ Ü” Ðcross„examined€about€the€circumstances€surrounding€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€execution€of€her€power€ofÐ È €  Ðattorney€and€the€change€of€beneficiary€form.€€The€first€direct€reference€to€ð ðundue€influenceðð€appearsÐ ´!l! Ðin€the€trial€courtððs€memorandum€and€order.€€After€concluding€that€Ms.€Rawlings€lacked€the€mentalÐ  "X" Ðcapacity€to€execute€the€power€of€attorney€and€the€change€of€beneficiary€form,€the€trial€court€added:€Ð Œ#D # Ðð ðFurther€this€court€finds€that€Mrs.€Rawlingððs€[sic]€mental€health€had€deteriorated€to€such€a€point€thatÐ x$0!$ Ðshe€was€severely€depressed€and€she€was€easily€manipulated.€€Essentially,€she€did€not€have€theÐ d%"% Ðcapacity€to€resist€the€pressure€and€undue€influence€that€her€brother€placed€upon€her.ððÐ P&#& ÐÌà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ ((à$( ÐÌà  àThe€pleadings€required€by€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€provide€the€vehicle€forÐ *¸&* Ðidentifying€and€refining€the€matters€at€issue€in€a€lawsuit.€€They€provide€the€parties€and€the€trial€courtÐ ì*¤'+ Ðwith€notice€of€the€claims€and€defenses€involved€in€the€case.€€òòPoster€v.€Andrewsóó,€182€Tenn.€671,€677,Ð Ø+(, Ð189€S.W.2d€580,€582€(1943);€òòHammett€v.€Vogue,€Inc.óó,€179€Tenn.€284,€290,€165€S.W.2d€577,€579Ð Ä,|)- Ð(1942).€€Thus,€even€under€todayððs€relaxed€rules€of€pleading,€it€is€necessary€to€include€enough€factsÐ H Ðin€a€complaint€to€articulate€a€claim€for€relief.€€òòJasper€Engine€&€Transmission€Exchange€v.€Millsóó,€911Ð 4ì ÐS.W.2d€719,€720€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).Ð  Ø ÐÌà  àThe€failure€to€assert€a€claim€or€defense€in€a€timely€manner€is€deemed€a€waiver€of€the€rightÐ ø° Ðto€rely€on€the€claim€or€defense€later€in€the€proceeding.€€òòCastelli€v.€Lienóó,€910€S.W.2d€420,€429€(Tenn.Ð äœ ÐCt.€App.€1995).€€Thus,€unless€the€unpled€claim€has€been€tried€by€consent€in€the€trial€court,׃4×Ý ƒ;ÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€it€cannotРЈ Ðprovide€a€basis€for€a€judgment€in€favor€of€the€claimant.€€òòFidelity„Phenix€Fire€Ins.€Co.€v.€Jacksonóó,€181Ð ¼ t ÐTenn.€453,€463,€181€S.W.2d€625,€629€(1944);€òòRoddy€v.€Volunteer€Med.€Clinic,€Inc.óó,€926€S.W.2d€572,Ð ¨ ` Ð576„77€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996);€òòJohn€J.€Heirigs€Constr.€Co.€v.€Exide€Corp.óó,€709€S.W.2d€604,€607Ð ” L  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1986).€€Similarly,€an€unpled€claim€cannot€be€asserted€for€the€first€time€on€appeal.€Ð € 8  ÐòòSimpson€v.€Frontier€Cmty.€Credit€Unionóó,€810€S.W.2d€147,€153€(Tenn.€1991);€òòDavis€v.€TennesseeÐ l $  ÐDepððt€of€Employment€Sec.óó,€23€S.W.3d€304,€310€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);òò€Cobble€v.€McCameyóó,€790Ð X  ÐS.W.2d€279,€283€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989).Ð Dü  ÐÌà  àThe€courts€should€avoid€construing€pleadings€in€any€artificially€technical€sense.€€Thus,€theyÐ Ô  Ðshould€give€the€language€of€a€pleading€its€fair€and€natural€construction,€òòFarmers€State€Bank€v.€Jonesóó,Ð À Ð34€Tenn.€App.€57,€69,€232€S.W.2d€658,€663€(1950),€and€they€should€give€effect€to€the€substance€ofÐ ô¬ Ða€pleading€rather€than€its€form.€€òòFann€v.€City€of€Fairviewóó,€905€S.W.2d€167,€175€n.14€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð à˜ Ð1994);€òòBrown€v.€City€of€Manchesteróó,€722€S.W.2d€394,€397€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1986).€€However,€theÐ Ì„ Ðcourts€must€stop€short€of€reading€a€claim€into€a€pleading€where€none€exists.€€òòDonaldson€v.Ð ¸p ÐDonaldsonóó,€557€S.W.2d€60,€62€(Tenn.€1997);€òòRampy€v.€IPI€Acrylics,€Inc.óó,€898€S.W.2d€196,€198Ð ¤\ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1994).Ð H ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òC.ó óˆÐ h  ÐÌà  àThe€pivotal€issue€with€regard€to€the€trial€courtððs€undue€influence€conclusion€is€whether€Mr.Ð @ø ÐRawlingsððs€amended€complaint€includes€an€undue€influence€claim.€€If€this€claim€exists,€it€can€onlyÐ ,ä Ðbe€embodied€in€the€allegations€that€the€ð ðbeneficiary€was€fraudulently€changed€without€Mrs.Ð Ð ÐRawlingsðð€[sic]€consentðð€or€that€the€beneficiary€was€changed€ð ðwith€a€forged€power€of€attorneyÐ ¼ Ðexecuted€by€someone€other€than€Mrs.€Rawlings.ðð€€We€conclude€that€these€allegations€do€not€makeÐ ð¨ Ðout€an€undue€influence€claim.׃!Ü×Ý ƒ;ÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð Ü” ÐÌà  àFraud€and€undue€influence€are€two€conceptually€different€theories.€€òòNelson€v.€Covingtonóó,€519Ð ´!l! ÐA.2d€at€179;€Joseph€Warren,€òòFraud,€Undue€Influence,€and€Mistake€in€Willsóó,€41€Harv.€L.€Rev.€309,Ð  "X" Ð326„27€(1928).€€The€basic€ingredient€of€a€fraud€claim€is€deception.€€Fraud€is€a€trick€or€artifice€orÐ Œ#D # Ðother€use€of€false€information€that€induces€a€person€to€dispose€of€his€or€her€property€in€a€way€he€orÐ H Ðshe€would€not€otherwise€have€done€but€for€the€fraud.€€1€William€J.€Bowe€&€Douglas€H.€Parker,€òòPageÐ 4ì Ðon€the€Law€of€Wills€óóðð€14.3,€at€695€(1960).€€Fraud€does€not€override€a€personððs€free€agency€or€freeÐ  Ø Ðwill.€€It€induces€a€person€to€exercise€his€or€her€free€will€mistakenly€based€on€false€information.€Ð  Ä ÐòòUnion€Planters€Natððl€Bank€v.€Inmanóó,€588€S.W.2d€757,€761„62€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1979).Ð ø° ÐÌà  àUndue€influence,€on€the€other€hand,€consists€of€exerting€enough€influence€or€pressure€toРЈ Ðbreak€down€a€personððs€will€power€and€to€overcome€a€personððs€free€agency€or€free€will€so€that€theÐ ¼ t Ðperson€is€unable€to€keep€from€doing€what€he€or€she€would€not€otherwise€have€done.€€òòBills€v.€Lindsayóó,Ð ¨ ` Ð909€S.W.2d€434,€440€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993);€òòHollis€v.€Thomasóó,€42€Tenn.€App.€407,€423,€303€S.W.2dÐ ” L  Ð751,€758€(1957).€€Simply€attempting€to€influence€another€personððs€decision€regarding€the€dispositionÐ € 8  Ðof€his€or€her€property€in€not€undue€influence.€€òòKelly€v.€Allenóó,€558€S.W.2d€845,€847€(Tenn.€1977);Ð l $  ÐòòKeasler€v.€Estate€of€Keasleróó,€973€S.W.2d€213,€219€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997);€òòParham€v.€Walkeróó,€568Ð X  ÐS.W.2d€622,€624€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1978).€€To€amount€to€undue€influence,€the€persuasion€or€influenceÐ Dü  Ðmust€cause€a€person€to€act€contrary€to€his€or€her€duty€and€inclination.€€òòHager€v.€Hageróó,€13€Tenn.Ð 0è  ÐApp.€23,€30€(1930).Ð Ô  ÐÌà  àMr.€Rawlingsððs€amended€complaint€articulates€claims€based€on€lack€of€mental€capacity€andÐ ô¬ Ðfraud.€€It€alleges€that€the€beneficiary€of€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€life€insurance€was€changed€at€a€time€whenÐ à˜ Ðshe€was€incompetent€and€that€the€beneficiary€of€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€life€insurance€policy€was€changedÐ Ì„ Ðwithout€her€consent€using€a€forged€power€of€attorney€executed€by€someone€other€than€Ms.€Rawlings.€Ð ¸p ÐHowever,€even€giving€the€complaint€a€most€liberal€reading,€it€does€not€allege€that€Mr.€Holt€exertedÐ ¤\ Ðsuch€undue€influence€over€Ms.€Rawlings€that€he€was€able€to€induce€her€to€dispose€of€the€proceedsÐ H Ðof€her€life€insurance€policy€in€a€way€that€she€would€not€otherwise€have€done.€€Accordingly,€weÐ |4 Ðconclude€that€Mr.€Rawlingsððs€amended€complaint€does€not€contain€an€undue€influence€claim.Ð h  ÐÌà  àWe€also€conclude€that€the€parties€did€not€try€an€undue€influence€claim€by€consent.€€TheÐ @ø Ðtranscript€fails€to€reflect€that€ð ðundue€influenceðð€was€ever€mentioned€during€the€trial€itself.€€There€isÐ ,ä Ðlikewise€no€indication€that€Mr.€Rawlings€moved€to€conform€the€pleadings€to€the€proof€in€accordanceÐ Ð Ðwith€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€15.02.€€In€the€absence€of€an€undue€influence€claim€in€Mr.€Rawlingsððs€amendedÐ ¼ Ðcomplaint€or€any€proof€regarding€undue€influence€at€trial,€the€trial€court€erred€by€basing€its€decision,Ð ð¨ Ðeven€in€part,€upon€its€conclusion€that€Mr.€Holt€unduly€influenced€Ms.€Rawlings€to€change€theÐ Ü” Ðbeneficiary€of€her€life€insurance€policy.׃8×Ý ƒ;ÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð È €  ÐÌÐ  "X" Ðà@‹‹)ìàò òV.ó óˆÐ H ÐÌà  àWe€reverse€the€judgment€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€for€the€entry€of€an€orderÐ  Ø Ðawarding€the€proceeds€of€Ms.€Rawlingsððs€life€insurance€policy€to€Mr.€Holt.€€Because€Mr.€RawlingsÐ  Ä Ðis€no€longer€the€prevailing€party,€we€vacate€the€portion€of€the€order€awarding€him€discretionary€costsÐ ø° Ðunder€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€54.04(2).€€We€also€tax€the€costs€of€this€appeal€to€Arthur€L.€Rawlings,€Jr.€forÐ äœ Ðwhich€execution,€if€necessary,€may€issue.РЈ ÐÌÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà  à_____________________________€Ð” L p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGE