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DennisJ._Sossaman_,Memphis,ForAppellant,MichaelW._Trippett_  ThomasE.Hansom,GregoryS.Gallagher,Memphis,ForAppellee,ShirleyA._Trippett_ t  OPINION #(AX(XR#(XRX(A L  #(AX(XRY #(XRX(A    Defendantappellant,MichaelW.Trippett(hereinafterHusband),appealstheorderofthe $"t! trialcourtconstruingaMaritalDissolutionAgreement( MDA)incorporatedinaFinalDecreeof #`" Divorce.Husbandandplaintiffappellee,ShirleyA.Trippett(hereinafterWife),weredivorcedby #L# finaldecreeenteredAugust17,1994.Primarycustodyofthepartiestwochildren,Christopher $8 $ MichaelTrippett,bornFebruary27,1981,andMatthewWilliamTrippett,bornNovember16,1983, %$!% wasawardedtoWife. &"&   TheMaritalDissolutionAgreementrecitesthatitprovidesforthedistributionofallofthe (#( propertyofthepartiesand makesfull,adequate,fair,equitable,andsufficientprovisionsfromeach )$) astotheother.Theagreementalsorecitesthat,whiletheagreementmaybeincorporatedintothe p*%* FinalDecreeofDivorce, thoseprovisionsofthisagreementthatarecontractualinnaturewillnot \+&+ mergeintoaFinalDecreeofDivorcebutwillremainbindingontheparties. H,',    4-(-   Theagreementfurtherprovides,aspertinenttotheissuesbeforethisCourt:  8  8`   4.Alimony.Eachofthepartieswaivesalimonypaymentofany  natureorkindbeyondconsiderationsetforthinthisAgreementwhich t mayfortaxpurposesbeidentifiedas alimonyin_solido_,andthus ` herebyrelinquishforeverallrightswhicheitherpartymayhavewith L  respecttoalimony.8 ` x` x    (x3   `    *0 h 0h(#h(#*0(#(#0p(#(#* `p(#p(# 8  8`   12.ChildSupport.HusbandshallpaytoWifethesumofSeven  8  HundredSeventyFiveDollars($775.00)permonthasandforchild $  supportoftheminorchildrenoftheparties,withsuchpaymentstobe   dueandpayablebimonthly,commencingwiththefirstdayofthe   monthfollowingtheexecutionofthisAgreement.Husbandagrees   toprovidetoWifenotlaterthanAugust15thofeachyear,acopyof   HusbandsFederalincometaxreturn,includingW2and1099 p incomestatementsforthepreviousyearandchildsupportshall \ thereafterbeestablishedandbaseduponthegrossand/ornetincome H ofHusbandassetforthinthechildsupportguidelinesforapplicable 4 dependentsthenineffectwithintheStateofTennessee.The  p obligationofHusbandtopaychildsupportshallcontinueuntilthe  \ childrenreachtheageof(18)eighteenyearsorgraduatefromhigh H school,whichevershalllastoccur.4` x` x 8  8`   13.PurchaseofMaritalInterest.Thepartiesacknowledgethat   duringthecourseofthismarriagethattheyhaveacquiredand  operated_Trippett_ԀInsuranceAgencyfromwhichHusbandderiveshis  principalincome.Thepartiesfurtherrecognizethatitisintheir  mutualbestinterestthatHusbandassumeownershipandcontinue l operationofsaidinsuranceagencyandtheythereforewishtomake X  provisionforthepurchasebyHusbandofallright,titleandinterest D! ofWifeinandtotheassets,includingbutnotlimitedtogoodwill 0"  andrighttodeferredcommissionsinsaidinsuranceagency. #l! Accordingly,thepartiesagreethatHusbandshallinitiallypaytoWife $X" thesumofnotlessthanFourHundredTwentyFiveDollars $D # ($425.00)permonthasandforaninstallmentpaymentuponthe %0!$ purchasebyHusbandoftheaforesaidinterestofWifein_Trippett_ &"% InsuranceAgencywithsuchpaymenttocommenceonthefirstday '#& ofthemonthfollowingtheexecutionofthisAgreementandto (#' continueuninterruptedforaperiodoften(10)yearsthereafter.Such )$( paymentshallbepaidconcurrentwithbutnotconsideredapartofthe |*%) childsupportheretoforeagreeduponbetweentheparties.h+&*` x` x Ї8  8`    IfatanytimeHusbandsobligationtopaychildsupportshall  reducebelowthesumof$775.00permonth.Husbandspaymentto  Wifeforthepurchaseofhermaritalinterestin_Trippett_ԀAgencyshall  increasebyanamountsuchthatHusbandstotalobligationtoWife t shallbethesumof$1,2000.00permonthandshallcontinueforthe ` balanceoftheten(10)yearperiodofpaymentssetforthherein.L ` x` x 8  8`    Upontheeighteenthbirthdayorgraduationfromhighschool $ t oftheyoungestchild,whichevershalllastoccur,Husbands  ` obligationtopaychildsupport,assetforthherein,shallterminate,  L  andHusbandshallthereafterpaytoWifethesumof$1,2000.00per  8  monthinsatisfactionofhisobligationsunderparagraphthirteen(13) $  andforthebalanceoftheten(10)yearperiodofpaymentssetforth   therein. ` x` x   OnSeptember21,1999,thetrialcourtenteredanordermodifyingthefinaldecreeby   orderingjointcustodyofthechildrenanddesignatingHusbandastheprimarycustodianeffective p asofJanuary15,1999.TheorderestablishedsupportpaymentstobemadebyWifeandthenstated: \ 8  8`   ItsatisfactorilyappearingtotheCourtthatanyandallpaymentsof 4 childsupportfromShirleyA._Trippett_Ԁ_Marcum_ԀtoMichaelW.  p _Trippett_Ԁshouldbeheldinabeyanceuntilsuchtimethataspecific  \ OrderisenteredsettingoutthemonthlyobligationsofMichaelW. H _Trippett_ԀtoShirleyA._Trippett_Ԁ_Marcum_Ԁforthepurchaseofhermarital 4 interestin_Trippett_ԀInsuranceAgency.Thus,itsatisfactorily   appearingtotheCourtthatanyandallchildsupportpaymentsfrom   ShirleyA._Trippett_Ԁ_Marcum_ԀtoMichaelW._Trippett_Ԁaswellasany  andallmonthlypaymentsforMichaelW._Trippett_ԀtoShirleyA.  _Trippett_Ԁ_Marcum_Ԁforthepurchaseofhermaritalinterestin_Trippett_  InsuranceAgencyshouldbeheldinabeyanceuntilfurtherOrdersof l thisCourt.X ` x` x 8  8`    Further,itsatisfactorilyappearingtotheCourtthattheamount 0"  ofthemonthlyobligationofMichaelW._Trippett_ԀtoShirleyA. #l! _Trippett_Ԁ_Marcum_Ԁforhermaritalinterestin_Trippett_ԀInsuranceAgency $X" remainstobedeterminedbythisCourtpursuanttothetermsofthe $D # MaritalDissolutionAgreement.%0!$` x` x    (xx     Also,onSeptember21,1999,thetrialcourtenteredan OrderInterpretingMarital '#& DissolutionAgreement.Theorderinpertinentpartprovides: (#' 8  8`   [_T]he_ԀHusbandsmonthlypaymentstotheWifeassetoutand |*%) describedinParagraph13oftheMaritalDissolutionAgreement h+&* beginningonPage8andcontinuingtoPage9andcontinuedoverone  (1)additionalpageisherebyconstruedtobeadivisionofmarital  property,specificallytheHusbandspurchaseoftheWifesmarital  interestinthebusinessknownandreferredtoas_Trippett_ԀInsurance t Agency.Inaddition,itistheinterpretationofthisHonorableCourt ` thatsincetheHusband/Defendantsobligationtopaychildsupport L  wasreducedbelowthesumofSevenHundredSeventyFiveDollars 8  ($775.00)permonthinJanuaryof1999,thathismonthlyobligation $ t totheWife/Plaintiffforherinterestin_Trippett_ԀInsuranceAgencydid  ` increasefromthesumofFourHundredTwentyFiveDollars  L  ($425.00)permonthassetoutintheMaritalDissolutionAgreement  8  tothesumofOneThousandTwoHundredDollars($1,200.00)per $  monthwiththepaymentsofOneThousandTwoHundredDollars   ($1,2000.00)tobegininJanuaryof1999. ` x` x    (xx     `      Husbandhasappealed,andthesoleissueforreviewiswhetherthetrialcourterredinits   interpretationoftheMaritalDissolutionAgreement. p   HusbandassertsthatthepaymentsprovidedforinParagraph13oftheMDAarepayments H of alimonyinfuturooralimony,theamountofwhichisnotcalculableonthedatethedecreewas 4 entered. See _T.C.A._ԀX XX(XR#(XRX XX6#XRXX(XRԀ365101(a)(2)(B)(Supp.1999).Therefore,Husbandargues,becauseWife  p hasremarried,thepaymentsshouldceasepursuanttotheprovisionsof_T.C.A._Ԁ#(XRXXXR6#X XX(XR#(XRX XX7#XRXX(XRԀ365101(a)(2)(B).  \ Husbandsassertionisflawed,becauseitispremisedentirelyuponanattempttocatagorizehis H paymentobligationasalimonyinfuturoasopposedtoalimonyin_solido_.Wecertainlyagreewith 4 Husbandthatthepaymentsarenotalimonyin_solido_,butwemustdisagreewithHusbandthatthe   paymentsarealimonyinfuturo.Thenatureofthepaymentsistobedeterminedfroman   interpretationoftheMaritalDissolutionAgreement.    Theinterpretationofawrittenagreementisamatteroflawandnotoffact,therefore,our  reviewisdenovoontherecordwithnopresumptionofcorrectnessinthetrialcourtsconclusions l oflaw. SeeGrayv.EstateofGray ,993S.W.2d59(Tenn.Ct.App.1998).In Gray ,thisCourtsaid: X  #(XRXXXR:8# X(XX(XR8  8`    Amaritaldissolutionagreementisessentiallyacontract 0"  betweenahusbandandwifeincontemplationofdivorceproceedings. #j!  SeeTownerv.Towner ,858S.W.2d888(Tenn.1993). Aproperty $T" settlementagreementbetweenahusbandandwifeiswithinthe $> # categoryofcontractsandistobelookeduponandenforcedasan %(!$ agreement,andistobeconstruedasothercontractsasrespectsits &"% interpretation,itsmeaningandeffect. Brucev.Bruce ,801S.W.2d '"& 102,105(Tenn.App.1990)(quoting Mathewsv.Mathews ,24Tenn. (#' App.580,593,148S.W.2d3,1112(1940)).#(XRXX X(<#XRXX(XR)$(` x` x  Id. at63. V+&*  B,'+   In _Bradson_ԀMercantile,Inc.v._Crabtree_ ,1S.W.3d648(Tenn.Ct.App.1999),thisCourt  discussedtherulesfortheinterpretationofcontracts:  #(XRXXXR@# X(XX(XR8  8`   Thecardinalruleintheconstructionofcontractsistoascertainthe t intentoftheparties. Westv._Laminite_ԀPlasticsMfg.Co. ,674S.W.2d ^ 310(Tenn.App.1984).Ifthecontractisplainandunambiguous,the H  meaningthereofisaquestionoflaw,anditistheCourtsfunctionto 2  interpretthecontractaswrittenaccordingtoitsplainterms. Pettyv.  l Sloan ,197Tenn.630,277S.W.2d355(1955).Thelanguageused  V inacontractmustbetakenandunderstoodinitsplain,ordinary,and  @  popularsense. BobPearsallMotors,Inc.v.RegalChrysler  *  Plymouth,Inc. ,521S.W.2d578(Tenn.1975).Inconstruing   contracts,thewordsexpressingthepartiesintentionsshouldbegiven   theusual,natural,andordinarymeaning. _Ballard_Ԁv.NorthAmerican   Life&_Cas_.Co., 667S.W.2d79(Tenn.App.1983).Ifthelanguage   ofawritteninstrumentisunambiguous,theCourtmustinterpretitas l  writtenratherthanaccordingtotheunexpressedintentionofoneof V theparties. Suttonv.FirstNat.Bankof_Crossville_, 620S.W.2d526 @ (Tenn.App.1981).Courtscannotmakecontractsforpartiesbutcan *z onlyenforcethecontractwhichthepartiesthemselveshavemade. d  _McKee_Ԁv.ContinentalIns.Co. ,191Tenn.413,234S.W.2d830,22 N ALR2d980(1951).#(XRXX X(A#XRXX(XR8` x` x  Id. at652.    Allprovisionsofacontractshouldbeconstruedasinharmonywitheachotherifsuch  constructioncanbereasonablymadesoastoavoidrepugnancybetweenthevariousprovisionsof  asinglecontract. SeeBankofCommerce&TrustCo.v.Northwestern_Natl_ԀLifeIns.Co. ,160 n Tenn.551,26S.W.2d135,68_A.L.R._Ԁ1380(1930); _Rainey_Ԁv._Stansell_ ,836S.W.2d117(Tenn.Ct. Z App.1992). F   Withtheaboverulesinmind,wereviewtheMaritalDissolutionAgreement.InParagraph !n 13,thepartiesacknowledge thatduringthecourseofthemarriagethat they haveacquiredand  "Z  operated_Trippett_ԀInsuranceAgency.(Emphasisadded.)Thus,thepartiesrecognizethattheagency "F! ismaritalproperty.Paragraph13specificallyprovidesfor thepurchasebyHusbandofallright, #2" titleandinterestofWifeinandtotheassets,includingbutnotlimitedtogoodwillandrightto $ # deferredcommissionsinsaidinsuranceagency.Thereupon,theMDAprovidesforthepayment % !$ of$425.00permonthasaninstallmentpaymenttobepaidconcurrentwithbutnotasapartofthe &!% childsupportpreviouslysetoutintheagreementas$775.00permonth. '"&   Notably,theinitialpaymentof$775.00permonthchildsupportandthe$425.00installment j)$( paymentforthepurchaseofHusbandsinterestintheinsuranceagencyequals$1,200.00.The V*%) continuationofParagraph13specificallyprovidesthat,intheeventthatthechildsupportobligation B+&* reducesbelowthe$775.00permonth,HusbandsinstallmentpaymentforWifesinterestinthe .,~'+ agencyshallincreasebyanamounttomakeatotalobligationof$1,200.00permonthforthebalance  ofthetenyearperiod.Paragraph13alsoclearlyprovidesthatwhenthechildsupportobligationis  totallyextinguishedbythetermsoftheagreement,theinstallmentpaymentsshallbe$1,200.00per  monthforthebalanceofthetenyearperiod. t   We,likethetrialcourt,findnoambiguityintheprovisionsoftheMaritalDissolution L  Agreement.Thepartiesmadeanagreementastothepurchaseofthemaritalassets,whichis 8  countenancedby_T.C.A._Ԁ#(XRXXXRRI#X XX(XR#(XRX XXT#XRXX(XRԀ364121(g)(1)(1996).Underthetermsofthatagreement,theyrecognize $ t thatWife,inrelinquishinghermaritalinterestintheinsuranceagency,shouldhave$1,200.00per  ` monthfortenyears,butthat,whileanobligationforchildsupportexisted,theinstallmentpayment  L  ofthatmaritalinterestintheagencywouldbereducedaccordingly.Husbandassertsthatthe  8  paymentsunderParagraph13cannotbeadistributionofanasset, becausetheplaintiffwouldask $  thatyoumodifytheamountofmoneybeingpaidfrom$425.00permonthto$1,200.00permonth.   WemustdisagreewithHusbandschoiceofwords.Wedonotseetheinterpretationofthe   agreementbythetrialcourtandbythisCourtasamodificationoftheagreement,becausethe   agreementprovidesfortheinterpretationmadebybothcourts.Thiswasacontractforthepurchase   ofamaritalinterest,andWifeisentitledtobepaidaccordingtotheclearandplainlanguageofthe p agreementforpayment. \   ThesituationbeforetheCourtinthiscaseisnotunlikethatfacingourSupremeCourtin 4  Townerv.Towner ,858S.W.2d888(Tenn.1993).In Towner, thepartiesenteredintoaproperty  p dissolutionagreement.Thealimonysectionoftheagreementprovided:  \ 8  8`   Thehusbandshallpaytothewife,beginningAugust1,1989,as 4 _spousal_Ԁsupport,andshallcontinuepayingtothewifeintheevent   thereisadivorce,$387.30permonth.The_spousal_Ԁsupport/alimony   isspecificallyinconsiderationofthewifewaivinganyrighttothe  husbandsmilitaryretirementandthereforeshallcontinueforthe  lifetimeofthehusband.` x` x  Id. at889. X    Afterthewifesremarriage,thehusbanddiscontinuedthemonthlypayment,andthewife 0"  filedamotionforcontempt.Thehusbandalsofiledamotiontoterminatehisobligationformonthly #l! paymentspursuantto_T.C.A._Ԁ#(XRXXXR@U#X XX(XR#(XRX XXN_#XRXX(XRԀ365101(a)(3)(Supp.1992).Thetrialcourtdidnotbaseitsdecision $X" onthestatute,butheldthattheprovisionthatthehusbandpay$387.30permonthuntilhisdeathin $D # considerationofherwaiveroftheclaimagainsthislifetimemilitarypensionwasunconscionable %0!$ andreducedthemonthlypaymentto$234.24.Thehusbandappealedandassertedthatthepayments &"% constitutedalimonyinfuturoandthatitshouldhavebeenterminatedpursuanttotheprovisionsof '#& thecitedstatute.Although,theCourtofAppealsfoundthatthetrialcourtwaswithoutauthorityto (#' modifythefinaldecreeastopropertydivision#(XRXXXR_#XRXX(XR#AXXR #XRXA,itaffirmedthetrialcourtonitsreductionofthe )$( installmentpayment.#(XRXXXRb#XRXX(XR#AXXRb#XRXA |*%)  h+&*   TheSupremeCourtstatedthatthefirstissueforresolutioniswhetherthemonthlypayment  provisionofthedecreeissubjecttomodification. Seeid. TheCourtnoted,thatpursuantto _Penland_  v._Penland_ ,521S.W.2d222(Tenn.1975),onlythatportionofapropertysettlementagreement   dealingwiththelegaldutyofchildsupport,oralimonyoverwhichthecourthascontinuing t statutorypowertomodify,losesitscontractualnaturewhenmergedintoadecreefordivorce. Id.  ` at224(citationsomitted). Towner ,858S.W.2dat890. L    TheCourtthennotedthatthedeterminativeissueiswhethertheprovisionintheagreement $ t retaineditscontractualnatureasadivisionofmaritalpropertyorlostitscontractualnaturebecause  ` itisinrealityalimonyinfuturowhichthecourthasthecontinuingstatutorypowertomodify.The  L  Courtdeterminedthatthepaymentstothewifewere,ineffect,adistributionofherportionofthe  8  militaryretirementbenefitsanddiscussedseveralCourtofAppealscasesfindingthatvariousforms $  offutureandperiodicpaymentsaremaritalproperty.In Towner ,theCourtreachedtheconclusion    thatthepaymentsconstituteanintegralpartofanagreementforthedivisionofmaritalproperty   whichisnotsubjecttomodificationbythecourt. Id .at892.     Thissituationissimilartothecaseatbar.Clearly,theagreementprovidesforthepurchase p ofWifesinterestinthemaritalpropertyand,therefore,constitutesadivisionofmaritalproperty \ whichisnotsubjecttomodification.Thecontractualnatureoftheprovisionwasnotlostandshould H beenforcedaswritten. 4   Accordingly,theorderofthetrialcourtconstruingtheagreementisaffirmed,andthecase  \ isremandedtothetrialcourtforsuchfurtherproceedingsasmaybenecessary.Costsoftheappeal H areassessedagainsttheappellant,MichaelW._Trippett_,andhissurety.#(XRXXXRc##(AX(XRc#(XRX(A 4    `     h   __________________________________________     `     h   W.FRANKCRAWFORD,PRESIDINGJUDGE,W.S.