James Morton Burris v. Lisa Estes Burris ( 2010 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
March 10, 2010 Session
JAMES MORTON BURRIS v. LISA ESTES BURRIS
Direct Appeal from the Chancery Court for Rutherford County
No. 06-0346DR Royce Taylor, Judge
No. M2009-00498-COA-R3-CV - Filed April 7, 2010
This is a divorce case ending a twenty-one year marriage. Following a three day trial, the
trial court entered a parenting plan naming Appellee/Father as the primary residential
parent, granting Father decision making authority, and providing Appellant/Mother with
visitation. The trial court also entered judgment against Mother for retroactive child support
since the parties separation and for marital debts that had been paid by the Father during the
separation. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3. Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed
J. S TEVEN S TAFFORD, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which A LAN E. H IGHERS, P.J.,
W.S., and D AVID R. F ARMER. J., joined.
Andrew M. Cate, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Lisa Estes Burris.
Darrell L. Scarlett, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for the appellee, James Morton Burris.
OPINION
This is the second divorce action between the Appellee, James Morton Burris (“Mr.
Burris”) and Appellant, Lisa Estes Burris (“Mrs. Burris”). In 2003, Mrs. Burris filed a
complaint for divorce which was dismissed in 2005 when the parties reconciled. Both prior
to and subsequent to the reconciliation, Mrs. Burris engaged in inappropriate conduct which
eventually resulted in Mrs. Burris admittedly engaging in prostitution in at least three
different states. On March 1, 2006, Mrs. Burris was arrested for prostitution in Nashville,
Tennessee, following an investigation by authorities. Following her arrest, the parties marital
home was searched pursuant to a search warrant and evidence of her activities was found on
the family computer and on Mrs. Burris’ personal laptop. Based on the search of the home,
the authorities also concluded that the nude photographs that appeared on Mrs. Burris’
website advertising her services had been taken throughout the marital home.
This action began when Mr. Burris filed a complaint for divorce against Mrs. Burris,
on March 6, 2006, alleging inappropriate marital conduct and adultery. The parties were
married for approximately twenty-one years. There are three minor children as a result of
the marriage. Mrs. Burris filed an answer and counter-complaint on March 9, 2006, denying
inappropriate conduct on her part, denying that she was guilty of adultery, and asserting the
ground of irreconcilable differences. The trial court appointed a Special Master to hear all
interim matters on March 9, 2006.
Prior to filing his complaint for divorce, Mr. Burris obtained a restraining order on
March 2, 2006, restraining Mrs. Burris from coming about him or the children. A hearing
was held on the continuation of the restraining order on March 13, 2006, before the Special
Master. The Special Master issued a report ordering that the minor children be immediately
enrolled in counseling, that Mrs. Burris have supervised visitation one day per week for four
hours, that the supervision be paid for by husband and allowing him to seek reimbursement,
that temporarily Mrs. Burris would pay no child support, and that Mrs. Burris cannot attend
the children’s ball games or take the oldest child out of state. The Special Master also
ordered that a hearing be reset for thirty days and that at the next hearing the children’s
counselor shall present her opinions. The trial court entered an order adopting the findings
of the Special Master on April 6, 2006.
Prior to the final hearing, there were extensive motions made by both parties and
orders entered. The majority of these motions related to Mrs. Burris’ visitation with the
children. The parties also dealt with the sale of the marital home, which was eventually
ordered to be auctioned off; Mrs. Burris’ car, which she was granted title to; and the division
of personal property.
A final hearing was held on February 26 and 27, 2008, and October 15, 2008.
Following the presentation of proof, the trial court issued its ruling from the bench. In ruling
the trial court stated that he was adopting Mr. Burris’ proposed parenting plan which
provided that Mrs. Burris would have unsupervised visitation every other weekend and that
Mr. Burris would be the primary residential parent. By adopting Mr. Burris’ proposed
parenting plan, the trial court also granted Mr. Burris all major decision making authority
regarding the children. The trial court specifically noted that visitation would not be
increased until Mrs. Burris completed a psychosexual evaluation, finding that Mrs. Burris
had an ongoing problem that started in 2003, which had exacerbated and expanded since.
The trial court specifically found that neither the publicity nor the investigation surrounding
Mrs. Burris’ prostitution and arrest was due to the fault of Mr. Burris. The trial court found
that Mrs. Burris showed a lack of remorse when she was arrested and did not indicate that
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there was anything wrong with her prostitution. The trial court ordered Mrs. Burris to pay
Mr. Burris retroactive child support from the date of the filing of the complaint, including
her share of medical expenses. The trial court found that the total amount of retroactive child
support due was $18,882, and entered a judgment against Mrs. Burris in that amount. The
trial court also ordered that Mrs. Burris reimburse Mr. Burris for the money he paid towards
her life insurance and car insurance premiums. He further ordered that she reimburse Mr.
Burris for one-half of the amount he paid by garnishment on a judgment held by her parents
against both parties. The trial court found that this totaled $4,148. However, the trial court
reduced this amount by $1,600 after finding that Mr. Burris maintained $3,200 in a Roth IRA
which he bankrupted. Accordingly, the trial court entered a judgment against Mrs. Burris for
$2,548. This resulted in a total judgment of $21,430 against Mrs. Burris. An order and
permanent parenting plan were entered reflecting these decisions on December 11, 2008.
Mrs. Burris filed a motion to alter or amend on January 9, 2009, requesting that the
trial court reopen the proof. The trial court entered an order on February 13, 2009, denying
Mrs. Burris’ motion. Mrs. Burris timely filed a notice of appeal on March 3, 2009. On
appeal, Mrs. Burris raises the following issues, as we restate them:
1. Whether the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s findings and conclusions
with regard to establishing a permanent parenting plan?
2. Whether the trial court erred in awarding Mr. Burris a judgment against Mrs. Burris
for retroactive child support and a portion of the marital expenses he paid?
Since this case was tried by the court sitting without a jury, we review the case de
novo upon the record with a presumption of correctness of the findings of fact by the trial
court. Unless the evidence preponderates against the findings, we must affirm, absent error
of law. See Tenn. R. App. P. 13(d). Furthermore, when the resolution of the issues in a case
depends upon the truthfulness of witnesses, the trial judge who has the opportunity to observe
the manner and demeanor of the witnesses while testifying is in a far better position than this
Court to decide those issues. See McCaleb v. Saturn Corp., 910 S.W.2d 412, 415
(Tenn.1995); Whitaker v. Whitaker, 957 S.W.2d 834, 837 (Tenn.Ct.App.1997). “If the trial
court’s factual determinations are based on its assessment of witness credibility, this Court
will not reevaluate that assessment absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.”
Heffington v. Heffington, No. M2009-00434-COA-R3-CV, 2010 WL 623629 (Tenn. Ct.
App. Feb. 19, 2010).
Parenting Plan
In any action for absolute divorce involving a minor child, the trial court must
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incorporate into its final decree a permanent parenting plan. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404(a).
A permanent parenting plan is defined as a “written plan for the parenting and best interests
of the child, including the allocation of parenting responsibilities and the establishment of
a residential schedule, as well as an award of child support....” Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-
402(3)(2000). In making its decision regarding entry of a permanent parenting plan, the trial
court should consider the factors set out at Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404(b) (2005).1 While
1
Those factors are:
(1) The parent's ability to instruct, inspire, and encourage the child to
prepare for a life of service, and to compete successfully in the society that
the child faces as an adult;
(2) The relative strength, nature, and stability of the child's relationship
with each parent, including whether a parent has taken greater
responsibility for performing parenting responsibilities relating to the daily
needs of the child;
(3) The willingness and ability of each of the parents to facilitate and
encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the
child and the other parent, consistent with the best interests of the child;
(4) Willful refusal to attend a court-ordered parent education seminar may
be considered by the court as evidence of that parent's lack of good faith in
these proceedings;
(5) The disposition of each parent to provide the child with food, clothing,
medical care, education and other necessary care;
(6) The degree to which a parent has been the primary caregiver, defined
as the parent who has taken the greater responsibility for performing
parental responsibilities;
(7) The love, affection, and emotional ties existing between each parent and
the child;
(8) The emotional needs and developmental level of the child;
(9) The character and physical and emotional fitness of each parent as it
relates to each parent's ability to parent or the welfare of the child;
(10) The child's interaction and interrelationships with siblings and with
significant adults, as well as the child's involvement with the child's
physical surroundings, school, or other significant activities;
(continued...)
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the trial court is obligated to consider all of the relevant factors in reaching its decision, it is
not required to list in its opinions or orders each of those factors, nor its conclusion as to how
a factor affected the overall determination. Coley v. Coley, M2007-00655-COA-R3-CV,
2008 WL 5206297, *6 (Tenn. Ct. App. December 12, 2008).
Decisions on parenting arrangements are some of the most important decisions a trial
court will make. It is well settled that, in matters of support, child custody, visitation and
related issues, trial courts are given broad discretion; consequently, appellate courts are
reluctant to second-guess a trial court's determinations regarding these important domestic
matters. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-101(a)(1) (2005); Parker v. Parker, 986 S.W.2d 557, 563
(Tenn.1999); Hoalcraft v. Smithson, 19 S.W.3d 822, 827 (Tenn. Ct. App.1999). It is not the
role of this Court to tweak a parenting plan in hopes of achieving what we deem a more
reasonable result. A trial court’s decision will not be overturned absent an abuse of
discretion. Eldridge v. Eldridge, 42 S.W.3d 82, 85 (Tenn. 2001). A trial court abuses its
discretion when it has applied an incorrect legal standard or has reached a decision which is
against logic or reasoning that caused an injustice to the party complaining. Id.
Mrs. Burris submits that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding
that the parenting plan entered by the trial court is in the best interests of the children. She
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(...continued)
(11) The importance of continuity in the child's life and the length of time
the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment;
(12) Evidence of physical or emotional abuse to the child, to the other
parent or to any other person;
(13) The character and behavior of any other person who resides in or
frequents the home of a parent and such person's interactions with the child;
(14) The reasonable preference of the child if twelve (12) years of age or
older. The court may hear the preference of a younger child upon request.
The preference of older children should normally be given greater weight
than those of younger children;
(15) Each parent's employment schedule, and the court may make
accommodations consistent with those schedules; and
(16) Any other factors deemed relevant by the court.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404 (2005).
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requests that we reverse the trial court and enter her proposed parenting plan which
designates her as the primary residential parent and awards Mr. Burris 120 days of parenting
time a year. After reviewing the record, we disagree with Mrs. Burris’ contention and
decline to reverse the order of the trial court.
Following three days of hearings, the trial court adopted the parenting plan proposed
and filed with the trial court prior to the hearing, by Mr. Burris. Under this plan, Mr. Burris
was designated as the primary residential parent and awarded decision making authority.
Mrs. Burris was granted unsupervised visitation every other weekend. The parties would
alternate holidays and Mrs. Burris was awarded three days with the children around
Christmas. At the conclusion of the trial, Mr. Burris requested that the trial court order
supervised visitation. The trial court denied this request.
The trial court did not specifically state his findings on each factor in Tennessee Code
Annotated §36-6-404 or how those findings affected his overall determination. However,
the trial court is not required to do so. Coley, 2008 WL 5206297 at *6. The trial court did
make specific factual findings in explaining his decision. Specifically, the trial court found
that Mrs. Burris had an ongoing problem that began in 2003 which problem exacerbated and
expanded, resulting in her prostitution conviction. The trial court held that based on this
problem it would not expand visitation until Mrs. Burris submitted to a psychosexual
evaluation. The trial court specifically found that the publicity related to Mrs. Burris’ arrest
was not the fault of Mr. Burris, nor could the criminal investigation be attributed to him.
Further, the trial court found that Mrs. Burris showed no remorse for her actions upon being
arrested, nor did she indicate she believed there was anything wrong with her actions.
After reviewing the record, we do not find that the evidence preponderates against the
trial court’s findings. Mrs. Burris admitted at trial that she engaged in prostitution in at least
three different states. She argued at trial that she was not blaming anyone else nor making
excuses, yet at trial and on appeal, she contends that she was forced into prostitution to raise
funds for a retainer fee. Mrs. Burris admitted at trial that she never thought about the
possibility of exposing the children to a disease due to her prostitution, nor did she think
about the possible effect on the children if she was caught. Moreover, Mrs. Burris admitted
that at times she would hire a babysitter to watch the children so that she could meet her
clients. Mrs. Burris also allowed another woman, also engaged in prostitution, to come into
the family home, and to have dinner with her and the children. The detective that
investigated Mrs. Burris’ prostitution testified that she showed no remorse when she was
arrested nor did she indicate that she felt she had done anything wrong. The detective further
testified, contrary to Mrs. Burris’ assertions, that his investigation into Mrs. Burris began
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prior to being contacted by Mr. Burris and that Mr. Burris played no role in the criminal
investigation. Moreover, the detective testified that he and his fellow officers were able to
conclude that the nude photographs of Mrs. Burris found online had been taken in various
places throughout the parties’ home.
As to which parent was the primary care giver of the children, the record reflects a “he
said- she said” situation. Mrs. Burris submits that prior to her arrest, she was the party taking
care of the children, feeding, bathing, clothing them, participating in school activities, and
helping with homework, while Mr. Burris was working. She contends she attended most of
the children’s sporting events. Mr. Burris submits the opposite, that he was the party taking
care of the children while Mrs. Burris stayed up all hours of the night engaging in online
chats and phone sex with other men. He further submits that Mrs. Burris attended only a few
of the children’s sporting events. Mrs. Burris presented the testimony of her niece, sister, a
friend from church, and a college friend to support her contention that she was a good, loving
mother. Mr. Burris presented the testimony of a current neighbor, who explained that she
and Mr. Burris help each other with taking their respective children to school and that she
is willing to help Mr. Burris in the future. Mr. Burris also presented testimony of a former
neighbor who testified that he found the youngest child, who was approximately two and a
half years old at the time, wandering around a construction site unsupervised in 2003. The
neighbor testified that when he took the child home, Mrs. Burris was at home and that she
did not say thank you for returning the child. Unfortunately, the majority of the trial was
spent with both sides attempting to paint the other parent in the worst possible light. Mr.
Burris focused on Mrs. Burris’ prostitution and other questionable activities. Mrs. Burris
argued that her husband emotionally, verbally and financially abused her and that he had at
some point in his life viewed pornography and visited strip clubs. Mrs. Burris even had her
niece and sister testify to support her allegations. Based on the trial court’s finding that Mrs.
Burris has an ongoing problem that began in 2003, the trial court appears to have credited
Mr. Burris’ testimony over Mrs. Burris and her family. The evidence does not preponderate
against the trial court’s findings.
The record reflects that for approximately two and a half years prior to the trial court’s
decision, the children had been with Mrs. Burris for at most two days a week. During the
majority of this time, visitation was supervised. Further, during this time Mr. Burris was
solely responsible for providing for and meeting the needs of the children, and making
decisions on their behalf. During this time the children have been confronted with publicity
relating to their mother’s arrest. The children have not surprisingly been affected by the
events they have been forced to endure, but fortunately seem to have adjusted. It is obvious
from Mother’s statements and actions that she has some continuing issues she needs to
address, which could affect her ability to parent the children.
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Mrs. Burris argues that the trial court erred in considering allegations that she engaged
in phone sex while in bed with the child, that she engaged in inappropriate conversations
online with other men, failed to supervise the children, and other similar allegations, as
Father admitted that these acts all occurred prior to the parties’ reconciliation in 2005. We
find no merit to Mrs. Burris’ argument. While Mr. Burris may be prohibited from asserting
conduct that occurred prior to the reconciliation as a ground for divorce in this action, the
trial court may still consider such conduct in order to make a determination as to the best
interests of the children. This Court has no doubt that both parents love their children. They
apparently have three well behaved, talented children, who through no fault or action of their
own have been placed in a precarious and an extremely unfortunate situation. We hope that
in the future both parents can put their problems with each other aside, and instead focus on
the best interests of the children. However, based on the evidence presented, we cannot say
that it preponderates against the trial court’s factual findings, nor can we find that the trial
court abused its discretion. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s adoption of Mr. Burris’
proposed parenting plan.2
Judgments
Mrs. Burris also contends that the trial court erred in awarding Mr. Burris a judgment
against her for retroactive child support and for a portion of the marital expenses. Because
an award of child support and a division of marital debt involve different standards, we will
address each separately.
Child Support
In the final decree, the trial court entered a judgment against Mrs. Burris for
retroactive child support back to the date of the filing of the complaint. The trial court found
that Mrs. Burris owed $16,275 in retroactive child support and $2,607 for her share of the
children’s medical expenses, for a total judgment for retroactive child support of $18,882.
The trial court held that Mrs. Burris owed child support from March 13, 2006 through the
date of the trial or thirty-one months of child support. Further, the trial court found that Mrs.
Burris had an earning capacity of $2,500 a month or $30,000 a year, and that Mr. Burris had
an earning capacity of $6,064.83 a month or $72,777.96 a year. Using these incomes and
applying the child support guidelines, the trial court found that Mrs. Burris owed $525 a
2
We note that at oral arguments, the parties indicated that there had been some modification to this
plan since entry of the order and a subsequent appeal of that modification. There is no indication of
modification in the record and therefore we reviewed the parenting plan as it stands in the record. There is
a separate appeal pending in this same action.
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month in child support. Mrs. Burris does not dispute the trial court’s finding on either of the
parties’ income or the finding that based on these incomes she owes $525 a month in child
support.
Mrs. Burris contends that pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-5-101(e)(1)(A),
the trial court should have deviated from the guidelines as application of the guidelines is
“unjust or inappropriate in order to provide for the best interest of the child or children or the
equity between the parties, under the circumstances of this case.” She bases her assertion
in part on the report of the Special Master which was adopted by the trial court on April 6,
2006, holding that “[t]emporarily mother shall pay no child support.” Setting child support
and determining whether a deviation should apply rests within the discretion of the trial court
and will not be overturned unless an abuse of discretion is shown. State ex rel. Vaughn v.
Kaatrude, 21 S.W.3d 244, 248 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2000).
We cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion in declining to deviate from
the guidelines. First, the order she cites was entered as a result of the hearing held on March
13, 2006, on the temporary restraining order. It was not a hearing to determine temporary
support. Second, and more importantly, the order provides that Mrs. Burris will not pay child
support temporarily. It does not make a finding that she does not owe any child support.
Each parent has a duty to support their children until each child reaches the age of eighteen.
Tenn. Code. Ann. § 36-4-102(a)(2). Further, the trial court has the authority to enter a
judgment retroactively awarding child support from the date of the parties separation. Tenn.
Code. Ann. § 36-5-101(e) (2005). Mrs. Burris admits that she did not pay anything towards
the support of the children during the pendency of the divorce. In this case, the trial court
declined to find that justice or equity required a deviation and ordered that Mrs. Burris pay
child support based on the evidence presented as to her earning capacity. Finding that the
trial court did not abuse its discretion, we affirm the trial court’s judgment to Mr. Burris for
retroactive child support.
Marital Expenses
Mrs. Burris’ final contention is that the trial court erred in entering a judgment against
her for marital expenses paid by Mr. Burris during the pendency of the divorce. At the
conclusion of the hearings, the trial court held that Mrs. Burris owed her husband for the
money he paid during the pendency of the divorce for her car insurance and her life insurance
premiums. The trial court also held that Mr. Burris was entitled to one-half of the amount
that Mrs. Burris’ parents garnished from his paycheck in executing a judgment they held
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against both Mr. Burris and Mrs. Burris. The trial court found that this totaled $4,148.
However, the trial court reduced this amount by $1,600, finding that prior to his bankruptcy,
Mr. Burris had a Roth IRA in the amount of $3,200. Accordingly, the trial court entered
judgment against Mrs. Burris in the amount of $2,548.
Dividing a marital estate is not a mechanical process; the goal is to fashion an
equitable division considering the non-exclusive factors set forth in Tennessee Code
Annotated § 36-4-121(c). Trial courts have “wide latitude in fashioning an equitable division
of marital property.” Altman v. Altman, 181 S.W.3d 676, 683 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005). The
division of marital property is rooted in equity, and a division of marital property is not
rendered inequitable merely because it is not precisely equal, Cohen v. Cohen, 937 S.W.2d
823, 832 (Tenn. 1996); Ellis v. Ellis, 748 S.W.2d 424, 427 (Tenn. 1988) or because each
party does not receive a share or portion of each marital asset. Cohen, 937 S.W.2d at 833
(citing Brown v. Brown, 913 S.W2d 163, 168 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1994)). We will defer to the
trial court’s division of the marital estate unless it is inconsistent with the factors in Tenn.
Code Ann. § 36-4-121(c) or not supported by a preponderance of the evidence. Woods v.
Woods, No. M2002-01736-COA-RS-CV, 2005 WL 1651787, * 4(Tenn. Ct. App. July 12,
2005).
In her brief, Mrs. Burris disingenuously argues that the trial court erred in entering a
judgment against her because Mr. Burris was able to walk away from the debts on the marital
home after filing bankruptcy. Mrs. Burris would have this Court believe that not only is she
liable to Mr. Burris on this judgment, but that she was left solely responsible for debts
relating to the marital home in excess of $271,000. This is not an accurate depiction of her
situation. First, in her brief, Mrs. Burris fails to explain that she was not liable on either
mortgage that was held on the parties home. Mrs. Burris admitted to this at trial. Moreover,
Mrs. Burris fails to mention that the home was actually auctioned off in foreclosure. At the
point of foreclosure, Mrs. Burris could have walked away from the debt on the marital home.
Instead, her parents bought the home, in which she is now living and she is allegedly paying
her parents back. At trial, Mrs. Burris admitted to this as well. Therefore, any liability Mrs.
Burris has based on the marital home stems solely from her own actions and decisions, and
in no way relates to Mr. Burris or the marital estate.
At trial, there was very little proof presented as to the marital property and debts.
Prior to trial, the parties divided the personal property. According to the order entered on
January 24, 2007, the personal property of the parties was divided equally. Also, prior to
trial, Mrs. Burris was awarded her car. The only other marital asset mentioned at trial was
a Roth IRA with a balance of $3,200 that Mr. Burris held prior to his bankruptcy. The trial
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court divided the value of the Roth IRA in half by reducing the judgment against Mrs. Burris
by $1,600. The debts the trial court held Mrs. Burris responsible for were marital debts. The
car insurance and life insurance premium were debts paid by Mr. Burris on behalf of Mrs.
Burris prior to entry of the final decree. There is no evidence in the record that these debts
were discharged in Mr. Burris’ bankruptcy. Also, during the pendency of the divorce, Mrs.
Burris’ parents executed a judgment that they held against both parties by garnishing Mr.
Burris’ paycheck. This judgment was a marital debt, of which a portion was paid by Mr.
Burris. The trial court divided the portion paid in half and held that Mrs. Burris was liable
for her half of the amount paid. The trial court essentially divided the marital estate,
including the debts and assets, in half. We do not find that the trial court’s division of marital
property resulting in a judgment against Mrs. Burris preponderates against the evidence.
Accordingly, we affirm the entry of the judgment against Mrs. Burris.
Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court. Both Mr. Burris
and Mrs. Burris request attorney fees for this appeal. Using our discretion, we decline to
award attorney fees to either party. Costs of this appeal are assessed against the Appellant,
Lisa Estes Burris, and her surety.
J. STEVEN STAFFORD, J.
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