ÿWPCœ ŸŒšÑPµ·Ô OØÕUÁW¯ý¸VØö× Mv2d&¼ë9ÅmS<¯ïïg$+íÖ2RÁ•ãNÔëv½+aÑXù¼á‡ä ¾™§vê0©ÎŽ®Jã¹¥Ûn%¡âÍРâ³L.¾èßʤ‘zJ¦²öŠ` Yû“ÿ;ÜQ&UÖ@ÖŸ“¿áŠ&LUàÖ䓳^ï1wÏ0é1Fqvšò.´]ï WÝóî„·5ü_ƒÐ°£Sã7.Ô¶iËE'Õÿ͆løÃÜ¿¸›Ôj#Þ‘’-]¥WœÊ,ÍUÏ_]МXØÇÝ]¿Ô!ÈÇœúü%šò:šèì.zEõ~}¿Q¦¦®&¡Ú÷ŸYWeú(*­#»O¢æã­*Ýñî­XSý\éw$pzK©Wƽï·uŒ8ÍU©±?Hp¤Š8³'¨kå²m qe·O.ÒxGªyx †¿<Duó’×»l§¸Ù§…i$!bÜ>Z“îG¨La£tç4Œ 87øŠ•¢èEÖjæ Qñ|bfŒ·z }µ`˜BRKýµ“í(aÖ›¡i`Ý5ÿïûÄäãcIp¶ßކ¥@ñ©EfpPêâfö·¥mßgYtO;x'€Ìçö ÖÞ\ùw¾4b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz ‘ Ƨ Æm Æ3 Æù ù N¿ 0DÁ4E9;;UNCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCb‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ 0ë™™™™ B„„ 0¤¡ D3E D-x 0K¥¥ ASðÆC 0¤  0D­ A«ñ˜HP LaserJet 8000 Series PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0»Nh()â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularûr')´À¤ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ñ ° ÑLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó *Ý ƒRž$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÅ ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Trial€Court€also€commented€on€personal€factors€involving€Husbandððs€status€as€a€ð ðcombat€woundedÐ ° ÐVietnam€War€decorated€veteran.€.€.€.€ððòòóó (ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular- ù-(|G2ž$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Fì»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô(@ò»»Ô d(|3$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Fì»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Fì»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Xt»»d dÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼|ú»»»ÔÑ8€.¤XXdê»»d 8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€ OYÑà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îgË|úÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼|ú»îîgË#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAugust€2000€SessionÔ‡X:FX»¼|úÔÐ üL ÐÌÌò òÔ#†¼|ú»XX:Fì#ÔDIANA€€LYNN€€Ô_ÔSTINNETTÔ_Ô€€€v.€€JACK€€Ô_ÔSTINNETTÔ_ÔÔ‡X:FX»¼|úÔó óÐ æ 6 ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Knox€CountyÐ æ 6 Ðà@@øøìàNo.€69991€€€€€€Hon.€Bill€Ô_ÔSwannÔ_Ô,€JudgeÐ Ò " ÐÌFILED€SEPTEMBER€7,€2000Ð ªú  Ðà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<•` AßÐ –æ  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2000„001210„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CVÐ ‘á  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<h` Aßó óÐ i¹  ÐÌÓ  ÓÌThis€is€an€appeal€in€a€divorce€caseÔ#†¼|ú»XX:F²#ÔÔ‡X:FX»¼|úÔ€of€the€Trial€Courtððs€denial€of€Wifeððs€Motion€seeking€post„Ð P  Ðjudgment€interest.€€Ô#†¼|ú»XX:FS#ÔÔ‡X:FX»¼|úÔThe€Judgment€was€satisfied€three€years€and€four€months€after€it€was€entered.€€TheÐ <Œ ÐMotion€for€post„judgment€interest€was€filed€three€months€after€the€Judgment€was€paid.€€Ô#†¼|ú»XX:Fÿ#ÔÔ‡X:FX»¼|úÔThe€TrialÐ (x ÐCourt€denied€post„judgment€interest€on€two€grounds.€€The€first€was€the€Trial€Courtððs€finding€of€anÐ d Ðaccord€and€satisfaction€resulting€from€Husbandððs€payment€of€the€judgment€without€interest.€€TheÐ P ÐTrial€Court€also€held€it€would€be€unconscionable€and€inequitable€for€Husband€to€pay€post„judgmentÐ ì< Ðinterest.€€The€Trial€Court€then€exercised€its€discretion€to€deny€post„judgment€interest.€€Wife€arguesÐ Ø( Ðthat€the€Trial€Court€can€not€deny€post€judgment€interest€for€equitable€reasons,€that€Husband€failedÐ Ä Ðto€prove€an€accord€and€satisfaction,€and€that€the€accord€and€satisfaction€affirmative€defense€may€notÐ ° Ðbe€raised€for€the€first€time€during€legal€argument,€cannot€be€established€without€proof,€and€is€waivedÐ œì Ðif€not€pleaded.€€We€hold€the€Trial€Court€erred,Ô#†¼|ú»XX:Fþ#ÔÔ‡X:FX»¼|úÔ€reverse€the€Judgment€of€the€Trial€Court,€and€remandÐ ˆØ Ðthe€case€for€further€proceedings.€€To€avoid€the€appearance€of€impropriety€or€lack€of€impartiality,€theÐ tÄ ÐTrial€Judge€is€to€recuse€himself€from€those€further€proceedings.Ð `° ÐÔ#†¼|ú»XX:FÛ #ÔÔ‡X:FX»¼|úÔÌÌò òÓ  ÓTenn.€R.€App.€R.€3;€Judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€Reversed;€Case€Remandedó óÐ $"t! ÐÓZ ÓÌÌòòÔ#†¼|ú»àX:F6 #ÔÔ‡X:FX.¼|úÔD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Ô_ÔGoddardÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,óóÐ è$8 $ Ðand€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Ô%$!% ÐÌWilliam€C.€Ô_ÔCreminsÔ_Ô,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Diana€Lynn€Ô_ÔStinnettÔ_Ô.Ð ¬'ü"' ÐÌDavid€L.€Ô_ÔValoneÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔScarlettÔ_Ô€A.€Ô_ÔBeattyÔ_Ô,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Jack€Ô_ÔStinnettÔ_Ô.€Ð „)Ô$) ÐÌò òà@66'ìàOPINIONó óÔ#†¼|ú»XX:Fý #ԈР\+¬&+ ÐÌà@ÛÛ%ìàÔ‡X:FX»¼|úÔòòò òBackgroundÔ#†¼|ú»XX:F=#Ôó óóóˆÐ Z-ª(-ý ÐÑ OYÑâ  âѰ°Ñâ  âÑ  ÑÔ_ÔÌÔ_Ôà  àà ` àÔ€X:FX»¼|úÔDianne€Stinnett€(Wife)€filed€a€divorce€complaint€against€Jack€Stinnett€(Husband)€onÐ Â ÐAugust€14,€1995.€€A€Marital€Dissolution€Agreement€(MDA)€was€filed€on€October€3,€1995€and€wasÐ ®þ Ðincorporated€into€the€Final€Judgment€of€Divorce€entered€on€November€8,€1995.€€The€MDA€provides,Ð šê Ðin€part:Ð †Ö ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€marital€residence€has€a€mortgage€which€Husband€shall€pay€andÐ ^ ® Ðhold€Wife€harmless€therefrom.€€That€residence€has€a€fair€market€valueÐ J š Ðof€One€Hundred€Forty€Thousand€Dollars€($140,000.00).€€As€aÐ 6 † Ðdivision€of€marital€property,€Husband€shall€pay€Wife€SeventyÐ " r  ÐThousand€Dollars€($70,000)€at€or€before€executing€this€agreement.€Ð ^  ÐWife€shall€quit€claim€any€interest€she€has€in€the€marital€residence€toÐ úJ  ÐHusband€in€exchange€for€half€of€said€fair€market€value.€€Ðæ6 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€marital€residence€and€the€contents€not€otherwise€addressed€hereinÐ ¾  Ðshall€be€awarded€to€Husband€and€Wife€waives€any€interest€she€hasÐ ªú  Ðtherein.€€As€an€additional€division€of€marital€property,€Husband€shallÐ –æ Ðpay€Wife€One€Thousand€Dollars€($1,000.00)€on€the€first€of€October,Ð ‚Ò Ð1995,€and€a€like€sum€on€the€first€of€ten€(10)€consecutive€monthsÐ n¾ Ðthereafter€until€Eleven€Thousand€Dollars€($11,000.00)€is€paid€toÐ Zª ÐWife.ÐF–` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àFrom€the€Wifeððs€filing€of€the€divorce€Complaint€until€after€the€Final€Judgment€ofÐ n ÐDivorce€was€entered,€Husband€was€not€represented€by€counsel.€€He€then€obtained€counsel€and€filedÐ  Z Ða€Motion,€on€March€21,€1996,€asking€the€Trial€Court€to€set€aside€the€divorce€Judgment.€€In€thatÐ öF ÐMotion,€Husband€claims€that€his€mental€state€due€to€post„traumatic€stress€disorder€resulting€from€hisÐ â2 Ðservice€to€his€country€and€his€Vietnam€War€combat„related€illness€was€such€that€he€did€not€knowÐ Î Ðwhether€or€not€he€signed€the€MDA,€and€that€if€he€did€sign€it,€he€was€not€competent€to€do€so.Ð º  Ѐ€Ð ¦ö Ðà  àà ` àAfter€a€hearing€on€Husbandððs€Motion€on€November€9th€and€10th,€1998,€the€TrialÐ ’â ÐCourt€entered€an€Order€on€November€30,€1998€overruling€Husbandððs€Motion.€€Wife€then€filed€aÐ ~ Î Ðmotion€styled€ð ðPlaintiffððs€Motions€Per€Rules€11€&/or€68,€and€Per€numbered€Paragraph€V€of€theÐ j!º ÐMDAðð€asking€that€she€be€awarded€her€attorney€fees€and€litigation€expenses.€€Wife€averred€that€herÐ V"¦  Ðdefense€against€Husbandððs€Motion€to€set€aside€the€Final€Judgment€of€Divorce€required€extensiveÐ B#’! Ðdiscovery€and€the€services€of€a€private€investigator€and€a€psychological€expert.€€Further,€she€statedÐ .$~" Ðthat€Husband€had€breached€the€MDA€by€Ð %j # ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àamong€other€things,€failing€and€refusing€to€tender€the€PlaintiffÐ ò&B"% ÐSeventy€Thousand€Dollars€($70,000),€a€sum€equal€to€half€the€value€ofÐ Þ'.#& Ðthe€marital€residence,€and€failing€and€refusing€to€make€the€eleven€(11)Ð Ê($' Ðconsecutive€monthly€payments€of€One€Thousand€Dollars€($1,000.00)Ð ¶)%( Ðâ âdue€her€per€that€agreement.€€His€subsequent€contention€that€he€wasÐ ¢*ò%) Ðincompetent€to€contract€strikes€at€the€very€heart€of€the€agreement,€isÐ ° Ða€renunciation€of€the€agreement,€and€is€another€breach€in€itself.Мì` x` x Ðâ âÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Court€heard€Wifeððs€Motion€on€January€5,€1999,€and€entered€an€Order€onÐ tÄ ÐFebruary€8,€1999,€which€states,€in€part:Ð `° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€Court€further€noting€that€.€.€.€the€hearing€of€this€cause€was€not€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€enforcement€of€the€Marital€Dissolution€Agreement€but€was€for€theÐ $ t Ðdetermination€of€whether€or€not€the€Marital€Dissolution€AgreementÐ  ` Ðwas€a€valid€one€based€upon€the€mental€condition€of€the€defendant.€€Ðü L ` x` x ÐÌThe€Trial€Court€denied€Wifeððs€request€for€attorney€fees€and€granted€her€request€for€discretionaryÐ Ô$  Ðcosts€of€€$2,596.35€for€court€reporterððs€expense€and€private€investigator.€€All€other€discretionaryÐ À  Ðcosts€were€denied.€€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€March€19,€1999,€Husband€paid€Wife€the€$81,000€she€was€awarded€in€the€divorceÐ „Ô  ÐJudgment.€€On€June€14,€1999,€Wife€filed€a€Motion€asking€the€Trial€Court€ð ðto€hold€the€attached€deedsÐ pÀ Ðuntil€Defendant€pays€the€judgment€sums€he€is€Ordered€to€pay€her,€with€judicial€interest.€Ð \¬ ÐAlternatively,€he€(sic)€moves€this€Honorable€Court€to€allow€the€property€to€be€sold€to€satisfy€theÐ H˜ Ðjudgment€with€interest.ðð€€The€Trial€Court€heard€arguments€of€counsel€on€the€Motion€on€June€14,Ð 4„ Ð1999,€but€did€not€take€proof.€€The€Trial€Court€then€entered€an€Order€on€July€13,€1999,€whichÐ  p Ðprovides,€in€part:Ð  \ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€Court€having€heard€the€statements€of€counsel€and€arguments€ofÐ ä4 Ðapplicable€case€law€and€T.C.A.€Section€47„14„121,€the€CourtÐ Ð  Ðindicated€that€it€never€intended€that€the€defendant€pay€any€interest€onÐ ¼  Ðthe€$81,000.00€.€.€.€.€[O]n€or€about€March€19,€1999,€the€Court€findsÐ ¨ø Ðdefendant€paid€said€sum€to€plaintiff.€€In€itððs€(sic)€discretion,€pursuantÐ ”ä Ðto€T.C.A.€Section€36„4„121,€the€Court€indicated€that€no€interest€wouldÐ €Ð Ðbe€due€and€owing€from€the€date€of€the€Final€Judgment€of€DivorceÐ l¼ Ðuntil€February€8,€1999€when€the€last€Order€was€entered.€€The€CourtÐ X ¨ Ðfurther€indicated€that€although€interest€could€accrue€from€February€8,Ð D!” Ð1999€until€March€19,€1999€when€the€funds€were€paid€by€theÐ 0"€  Ðdefendant€to€the€plaintiff,€without€interest,€the€Court€finds€that€theÐ #l! Ðactions€of€the€parties€without€benefit€of€counsel€is€an€accord€andÐ $X" Ðsatisfaction€as€plaintiff€accepted€$81,000.00€without€the€demand€forÐ ô$D # Ðinterest.€€As€such,€that€waives€her€rights€to€interest.€€An€accord€andÐ à%0!$ Ðsatisfaction€of€said€debt€is€found.ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌBased€upon€those€findings,€the€Trial€Court€ordered:Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€That€the€defendant€will€not€be€required€to€pay€interest€on€theÐ |*Ì%) Ð$81,000.00€based€upon€the€Court€exercising€itððs€(sic)€discretion€fromÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€November€5,€1995€entry€of€the€Final€Judgment€of€Divorce€untilÐ ° Ðthe€last€Order€was€entered€on€February€8,€1999.€€It€was€not€the€intentÐ œì Ðof€the€Court€that€interest€be€paid,€based€on€the€discretion€given€theÐ ˆØ ÐCourt€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€Section€36„4„121.€€The€Court€rules€thatÐ tÄ Ðinterest€could€accumulate€from€February€8,€1999€until€March€19,Ð `° Ð1999€when€the€$81,000.00€was€paid€but€finds€that€an€accord€andÐ L œ Ðsatisfaction€occurred€solely€because€the€plaintiff€has€accepted€saidÐ 8 ˆ Ðfunds€without€interest€and€thus,€no€interest€will€flow.Ð$ t` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àWife€then€filed€a€Rule€59€Motion€on€August€10,€1999,€correctly€asserting€that€ð ðthisÐ ü L  Ðwas€an€irreconcilable€differences€divorce€.€.€.€premised€upon€a€Marital€Dissolution€Agreement.€€Thus,Ð è 8  Ðthe€Court€never€formed€nor€expressed€any€intent€whatsoever€regarding€interest.ðð€€The€Motion€soughtÐ Ô$  Ðð ðan€alteration€of€the€judgment€to€include€a€determination€of€interest€due€Plaintiff,ðð€and€wasÐ À  Ðaccompanied€by€Wifeððs€Affidavit,€in€which€she€stated€that€Husband€paid€her€$81,000.00€on€MarchÐ ¬ü  Ð19,€1999,€and:€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àthere€was€no€discussion€nor€understanding€between€us€about€interestÐ pÀ Ðdue€on€said€sum;€The€first€I€heard€of€an€agreement€to€accept€said€sumÐ \¬ Ðwithout€interest€was€when€my€lawyer€indicated€to€me€thatÐ H˜ ÐDefendantððs€lawyer€argued€to€the€trial€court€that€one€had€been€reachedÐ 4„ Ðwhen€said€payment€was€made.€€There€was€no€such€agreement.Ð p` x` x ÐÌOn€September€21,€1999,€the€Trial€Court€heard€Wifeððs€Rule€59€Motion,€and€on€October€15,€1999€Ð øH Ðentered€an€Order€on€the€Motion€amending€its€July€13,€1999€order€and€finding:Ð ä4 ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€Although€appellate€courts€may€require€interest€upon€judgments€perÐ ¼  Ðcase€law€and€T.C.A.€Section€47„14„121,€the€Court€refuses€to€do€soÐ ¨ø Ðdue€to€the€unique€circumstances€of€Defendantððs€condition€whichÐ ”ä Ðwould€become€utterly€unconscionable€if€interest€were€required;׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀ЀÐ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à4.€€To€correct€the€July€13,€1999,€Order€entered€in€this€action€regardingÐ l¼ Ðwhy€interest€is€not€allowed,€the€Court€amends€it€to€hold€it€did€notÐ X ¨ Ðintend€to€express€an€intent€regarding€whether€interest€applied€to€theÐ D!” Ðjudgment€sums€awarded€when€the€partiesðð€marital€dissolutionÐ 0"€  Ðagreement€was€incorporated€into€a€final€decree€of€divorce.€€(An€MDAÐ #l! Ðis€a€document€of€the€parties,€not€the€Court.)€€The€Courtððs€denial€ofÐ $X" Ðinterest€is€based€upon€equitable€considerations€as€herein€expressedÐ ô$D # Ðand€the€actions€of€the€parties€indicating€accord€and€satisfaction.Ðà%0!$` x` x Ðà  àà ` àÌà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionˆÐ ¸'#& Ðó óóóÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà  àà ` àWife€appeals,€and€raises€the€following€issues:Ð ° ÐÌà8  à1.€€à8` Ð Ð àAt€issue€is€whether€trial€courts€have€discretion€to€deny€interest€uponÐ ˆØ Ðjudgments€because€of€equitable€considerations.ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌà8  à2.à8` Ð Ð àAt€issue€is€whether€a€stipulation,€that€a€judgment€creditor€accepted€aÐ L œ Ðjudgment€sum,€establishes€an€accord€and€satisfaction€waiving€anyÐ 8 ˆ Ðinterest€due€thereupon.Ð$ t` x` x ÐÌà8  à3.à8` Ð Ð àAt€issue€is€whether€the€affirmative€defense€of€accord€and€satisfactionÐ ü L  Ðmay€be€established€by€defense€counsel€first€raising€the€defense€duringÐ è 8  Ðoral€arguments€at€a€post€trial€motion€seeking€judgment€interest,€andÐ Ô$  Ðif€so,€whether€that€defense€was€established.ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àOur€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðcorrectness€of€the€findings€of€fact€of€the€Trial€Court,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€isÐ „Ô  Ðotherwise.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);òò€Alexander€v.€€Inman,€óó974€S.W.2d€689,€692€(Tenn.€1998).€€TheÐ pÀ ÐTrial€Courtððs€conclusions€of€law€are€subject€to€a€òòde€novoóó€review€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€Ð \¬ ÐòòGanzevoort€v.€Russell,€óó949€S.W.2d€293€(Tenn.€1997).€€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àà ` àWifeððs€first€issue€„€whether€trial€courts€have€discretion€to€deny€interest€uponÐ  p Ðjudgments€because€of€equitable€considerations€„€is€purely€a€question€of€law.€€We€review€the€decisionÐ  \ Ðof€the€Trial€Court€to€exercise€it€discretion€based€upon€equitable€considerations€òòde€novoóó€with€noÐ øH Ðpresumption€of€correctness.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„14„121€provides€that€ð ð[i]nterest€on€judgments,€includingÐ ¼  Ðdecrees,€òòshallóó€be€computed€at€an€effective€rate€of€ten€percent€(10%)€per€annum,€except€as€may€beÐ ¨ø Ðotherwise€provided€or€permitted€by€statute.€.€.€.ðð€(emphasis€added).€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„14„122Ð ”ä Ðprovides€that€ð ð[i]nterest€òòshallóó€be€computed€on€òòeveryóó€judgment€from€the€day€on€which€the€jury€or€theÐ €Ð Ðcourt,€sitting€without€a€jury,€returned€the€verdict€without€regard€to€a€motion€for€a€new€trial.ððÐ l¼ Ð(emphasis€added).€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121,€relied€on€by€the€Trial€Court,€provides€broadÐ X ¨ Ðdiscretion€for€a€trial€court€in€making€an€equitable€division€and€distribution€of€marital€property€in€allÐ D!” Ðactions€for€divorce€or€separate€support€and€maintenance.€€In€this€case,€the€Trial€Court€attempted€to€Ð 0"€  Ðavail€itself€of€the€broad€discretion€provided€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„121€to€disregard€the€statutoryÐ #l! Ðdirectives€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€47„14„121€and€122.€€It€is€the€Legislature€which€has€determined€thatÐ $X" Ðpost„judgment€interest€is€mandatory,€and€neither€the€Trial€Court€nor€this€Court€is€free€to€ignore€thisÐ ô$D # Ðlegitimate€statutorily€created€mandate.€€€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àà ` àWhile€not€necessary€to€our€holding,€we€do€note€that€while€the€record€is€not€clear,€itÐ ¸'#& Ðappears€from€Wifeððs€appellate€brief€that€Husband€had€possession€of€both€the€marital€home€and€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ð$81,000.00€for€the€three€years€and€four€months€between€the€date€of€judgment€and€HusbandððsÐ )à$( Ðpayment€of€the€$81,000.00.€€A€party€who€enjoys€the€use€of€funds€after€a€judgment€is€renderedÐ |*Ì%) Ðrequiring€him€to€pay€over€those€funds€to€another€should€pay€interest€on€those€funds.€€The€post„Ð h+¸&* Ðjudgment€interest€statute€is€mandatory.€€òòBedwell€v.€Bedwell,€óó774€S.W.2d€€953,€956€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ° Ð1989);€òòPertew€v.€Pertew,€óóNo.€03A01„9711„CH„00505,€1999€WL€486917,€at€*10€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€JulyÐ œì Ð13,€1999).€€€€Husband€cites€no€authority€which€permits€the€Trial€Court€to€disregard€that€statute,€andÐ ˆØ Ðwe€find€none.€€We€hold€€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€denying€post„judgment€interest€based€upon€equitableÐ tÄ Ðconsiderations.Ð `° ÐÌà  àà ` àHusband€next€argues€that,€despite€the€mandatory€language€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€ððÐ 8 ˆ Ð47„14„121,€122,€Ð $ t ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àcertain€language€contained€in€the€contract€drafted€by€[Wifeððs]Ð ü L  Ðattorney€could€be€interpreted€to€mean€that€the€parties€waived€theirÐ è 8  Ðright€to€collect€interest€because€it€was€not€defined€as€an€obligation€inÐ Ô$  Ðsaid€contract.€€Specifically,€the€Marital€Dissolution€contract€containedÐ À  Ðno€language€that€the€parties€had€agreed€on€interest€to€be€paid€and€toÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€contrary€specifically€stated€that€they€in€fact€had€ð ðòòwaivedóó€andÐ ˜è  Ðòòhereby€waivesóó€his€or€her€rights€to€the€extent€not€already€pursuedðð€andÐ „Ô  Ðthat€after€ð ðhonest€negotiations,€the€parties€have€reached€an€agreementÐ pÀ Ðto€òòdefine€the€property€rights€and€obligations€respecting€eachóó€other.ðð€Ð\¬` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(Emphasis€added€by€Husband€in€appellate€brief.)€ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌWe€find€this€argument€unpersuasive€as€well.€€The€Trial€Court€plainly€stated€the€basis€of€its€decisionÐ  p Ðto€deny€post„judgment€interest.€€The€decision€was€predicated€not€on€any€alleged€waiver€of€post„Ð  \ Ðjudgment€interest€in€the€MDA,€but€rather€on€a€judicial€determination€ð ðthat€it€is€unconscionable€andÐ øH Ðinequitable€for€interest€to€be€required€.€.€.€due€to€the€unique€circumstances€of€Defendantððs€conditionÐ ä4 Ð.€.€.€.ðð€€Wife,€in€obtaining€a€judgment€for€$81,000.00,€had€ð ð.€.€.€already€pursued€.€.€.ðð€her€rights€createdÐ Ð  Ðby€the€entry€of€that€judgment,€including€the€right€to€post„judgment€interest.€€Husbandððs€strainedÐ ¼  Ðconstruction€of€the€MDA€is€not€supported€by€the€language€of€the€MDA€itself.€€Nothing€in€the€MDA€Ð ¨ø Ðcreates€a€waiver€by€Wife€of€her€right€to€post„judgment€interest.Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àà ` àHusband€argues€for€the€first€time€on€appeal€that€Wife€did€not€establish€that€she€hadÐ l¼ Ðfully€performed€her€own€obligation€under€the€MDA€to€provide€Husband€a€quit€claim€deed€inÐ X ¨ Ðexchange€for€the€payment€of€$70,000€to€her.€€Since€Husband€did€not€raise€this€issue€or€defense€in€theÐ D!” ÐTrial€Court,€€ð ð.€.€.€it€will€not€be€entertained€on€appeal€.€.€.€.ðð€€òòLawrence€v.€Staffordóó,€655€S.W.2d€927,Ð 0"€  Ð929€(Tenn.€1983).Ð #l! ÐÌà  àà ` àHusband€argues€on€the€second€and€third€issues€that€his€payment€of€$81,000€to€WifeÐ ô$D # Ðon€March€19,€1999,€and€Wifeððs€€delivery€to€him,€at€some€point€in€time,€of€the€quit€claim€deed,Ð à%0!$ Ðconstituted€an€accord€and€satisfaction€satisfying€all€obligations€between€the€parties,€including€anyÐ Ì&"% Ðobligation€on€his€part€to€pay€post„judgment€interest.€€Husband€made€this€argument€to€the€Trial€CourtÐ ¸'#& Ðon€July€13,€1999,€and€the€Trial€Court€found:Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAt€the€hearing€[of€July€13,€1999],€counsel€for€Defendant€announcedÐ |*Ì%) Ðan€accord€and€satisfaction€had€been€effected€by€the€acceptance€of€theÐ h+¸&* Ðcashierððs€check.€€Counsel€for€Plaintiff€objected,€asserting€that€anÐ ° Ðaccord€and€satisfaction€is€an€affirmative€defense€which€DefendantððsÐ œì Ðcounsel€could€not€raise€orally€and€without€proof.€€The€Court€held€thatÐ ˆØ Ðdefense€was€established€by€Mrs.€Stinnett€accepting€and€cashing€theÐ tÄ Ðaforesaid€check€tendered€by€Mr.€Stinnett;€her€negotiation€of€the€realÐ `° Ðproperty€deed€to€the€husband;€and€the€conduct€of€the€parties€in€itsÐ L œ Ðentirety.Ð8 ˆ` x` x ÐÌWhether€there€has€been€an€accord€and€satisfaction€is€a€question€of€fact€to€be€determined€by€the€trierÐ  ` Ðof€fact.€€òòLindsey€v.€Lindsey,€óó930€S.W.2d€553,€557€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€As€this€Court€has€recentlyÐ ü L  Ðexplained:Ð è 8  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àOnce€the€existence€of€a€contract€has€been€proven,€the€defendant€inÐ À  Ðbreach€who€asserts€the€defense€of€accord€and€satisfaction€bears€theÐ ¬ü  Ðburden€of€proof€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€that€theÐ ˜è  Ðcontracting€plaintiff€agreed€to€accept€lesser€payment€rendered€inÐ „Ô  Ðsatisfaction€of€the€original€performance€or€payment€for€which€theÐ pÀ Ðparties€contracted.€€Ð\¬` x` x Ðà@uu$ìà*€€€*€€€*€€€ˆÐ H˜ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTo€constitute€a€valid€accord€and€satisfaction€it€is€also€essential€thatÐ 4„ Ðwhat€is€given€or€agreed€to€be€performed€shall€be€offered€as€aÐ  p Ðsatisfaction€and€extinction€of€the€original€demand;€that€the€debtorÐ  \ Ðshall€intend€it€as€a€satisfaction€of€such€obligation,€and€that€suchÐ øH Ðintention€shall€be€made€known€to€the€creditor€in€some€unmistakableÐ ä4 Ðmanner.€€It€is€equally€essential€that€the€creditor€shall€have€accepted€itÐ Ð  Ðwith€the€intention€that€it€should€operate€as€a€satisfaction.€€Both€theÐ ¼  Ðgiving€and€the€acceptance€in€satisfaction€are€essential€elements,€andÐ ¨ø Ðif€they€be€lacking€there€can€be€no€accord€and€satisfaction.€€TheÐ ”ä Ðintention€of€the€parties,€which€is€of€course€controlling,€must€beÐ €Ð Ðdetermined€from€all€the€circumstances€attending€the€transaction.Ðl¼` x` x Ѐ€òò€Ð X ¨ ÐWard€v.€Wilkinson,€óóNo.€01A01„9803„CH„00151,€1999€WL€221843,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€April€19,Ð D!” Ð1999).€€While€here€we€are€dealing€with€an€alleged€accord€and€satisfaction€of€a€judgment€rather€thanÐ 0"€  Ða€contractual€debt,€the€reasoning€in€òòWardóó€still€applies.€€Since€proof€of€the€intent€of€the€parties€isÐ #l! Ðrequired€on€the€issue€of€accord€and€satisfaction,€we€cannot€determine€the€merits€of€HusbandððsÐ $X" Ðargument€that€an€accord€and€satisfaction€occurred,€and€neither€could€the€Trial€Court,€without€aÐ ô$D # Ðhearing€to€obtain€evidence€relevant€to€accord€and€satisfaction.€€Although€the€Trial€Court€stated€thatÐ à%0!$ Ðð ðthe€conduct€of€the€parties€in€its€entiretyðð€showed€an€accord€and€satisfaction,€it€appears€that€theÐ Ì&"% Ðpurported€accord€and€satisfaction€occurred€on€March€19,€1999,€after€which€no€evidentiary€hearingÐ ¸'#& Ðwas€held.€€The€only€hearing€after€March€19,€1999,€was€for€arguments€of€counsel.€€At€that€hearing,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðcounsel€for€Husband€ð ðannouncedðð€that€an€accord€and€satisfaction€had€occurred,€but€put€on€no€proof.€Ð )à$( ÐWithout€proof,€the€Trial€Court€could€not€find€an€accord€and€satisfaction,€and€neither€can€this€Court.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àà ` àIn€summary,€we€hold€that€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€denying€statutory€post„judgmentÐ ° Ðinterest€for€equitable€reasons€in€contravention€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€ðð€47„14„121€and€122€whichÐ œì Ðmandate€such€interest.€€We€find€that€Husband€has€failed€to€prove€an€accord€and€satisfaction€of€WifeððsÐ ˆØ Ðstatutory€right€to€post„judgment€interest.€€We€further€find€that€the€Trial€Court€has€not€had€the€benefitÐ tÄ Ðof€an€evidentiary€hearing€on€the€issue€of€accord€and€satisfaction,€and€that€such€a€hearing€is€requiredÐ `° Ðfor€the€resolution€of€that€issue.€€Accordingly,€we€remand€the€case€to€the€Trial€Court€to€hold€anÐ L œ Ðevidentiary€hearing€to€determine€whether€or€not€an€accord€and€satisfaction€between€these€partiesÐ 8 ˆ Ðoccurred.€€If€the€Trial€Court€determines€after€the€evidentiary€hearing€that€a€valid€accord€andÐ $ t Ðsatisfaction€€exists€between€Husband€and€Wife,€Wife€will€be€entitled€to€no€post„judgment€interest.€Ð  ` ÐHowever,€if€the€Trial€Court€determines€that€no€valid€accord€and€satisfaction€exists,€the€Trial€CourtÐ ü L  Ðshall€€determine€the€amount€of€post„judgment€interest€due€Wife.€€The€MDA€provided€for€HusbandÐ è 8  Ðto€pay€Wife€the€$70,000.00€at€or€before€executing€the€MDA.€€The€Final€Judgment€of€DivorceÐ Ô$  Ðadopted€and€incorporated€the€MDA.€€Therefore,€if€no€valid€accord€and€satisfaction€exists,€Wife€isÐ À  Ðdue€post„judgment€interest€on€the€$70,000.00€from€the€date€of€the€judgment€up€to€the€date€ofÐ ¬ü  ÐHusbandððs€payment€of€the€$81,000.00.€€The€MDA,€as€incorporated€by€the€Final€Judgment€ofÐ ˜è  ÐDivorce,€required€the€$11,000.00€to€be€paid€in€eleven€installments€of€$1,000.00€each.€€Therefore,€ifÐ „Ô  Ðno€valid€accord€and€satisfaction€exists,€Wifeððs€post„judgment€interest€on€the€$11,000.00€must€beÐ pÀ Ðcalculated€from€the€dates€when€Wife€was€to€receive€each€of€the€$1,000.00€payments€up€to€the€dateÐ \¬ Ðof€Husbandððs€payment€of€the€$81,000.00.€€€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àà ` àWhile€we€are€confident€that€the€Trial€Judge€would€rule€impartially,€we€have€concernsÐ  p Ðabout€the€appearance€of€impropriety€or€lack€of€impartiality,€given€the€Trial€Judgeððs€comments.€Ð  \ ÐSpecifically,€we€are€concerned€about€the€Trial€Judgeððs€comments€that,€while€the€law€may€requireÐ øH Ðpost„judgment€interest€be€awarded€Wife,€he€refuses€to€do€so€ð ð.€.€.€due€to€the€unique€circumstancesÐ ä4 Ðof€Defendantððs€condition€.€.€.€.ðð€€Wifeððs€rights€under€the€post„judgment€statutes€cannot€be€destroyedÐ Ð  Ðby€the€Trial€Judge€because€of€Husbandððs€condition.€€For€these€reasons,€to€avoid€the€appearance€ofÐ ¼  Ðimpropriety€or€lack€of€impartiality,€the€Trial€Judge€is€directed€to€recuse€himself€on€the€remand€of€thisÐ ¨ø Ðmatter.Ð ”ä ÐÌà@  %ìàò òòòConclusionˆÐ l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` àó óóóThe€Judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€is€reversed€and€this€case€is€remanded€to€the€TrialÐ D!” ÐCourt€for€further€proceedings€in€accordance€with€the€Opinion€of€this€Court.€€To€avoid€the€appearanceÐ 0"€  Ðof€impropriety€or€lack€of€impartiality,€the€Trial€Judge€is€directed€to€recuse€himself€on€the€remand€ofÐ #l! Ðthis€case.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€Appellee,€Jack€Stinnett.Ð $X" ÐÌà8  àÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌÌÌÌÌÐ h+¸&* Ї̀€€€€€€€€à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à€€___________________________________€Ð œì Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€JUDGE