Turnbo v. Turnbo ( 1996 )

JOE LARRY TURNBO, )
) Wayne Chancery
Plaintiff/Appellant, ) No. 8490
)
VS. )
) Appeal No.
BRENDA JANE (THOMPSON) TURNBO,) 01A01-9307-CH-00314
)
Defendant/Appellee. )
FILED
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
MIDDLE SECTION AT NASHVILLE December 11, 1996
Cecil W. Crowson
APPEAL FROM THE CHANCERY COURT OF WAYNE COUNTY, TENNESSEEClerk
Appellate Court
AT WAYNESBORO
HONORABLE JIM T. HAMILTON, JUDGE
MICHAEL W. BINKLEY
150 Second Avenue, N.
Suite 300
Nashville, Tennessee 37219
ATTORNEY ON APPEAL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLANT
DENNIS PLUNK
404 W. Main Street
Savannah, Tennessee 38372
ATTORNEY AT TRIAL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLANT
CLAUDIA S. JACK
Jack & Jack, Attorneys
22 Public Square
Columbia, Tennessee 38402-0827
ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLEE
THOMAS W. HARDIN
102 W. 7th Street
Columbia, Tennessee 38402
ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLEE
MODIFIED, AFFIRMED AND REMANDED.
HENRY F. TODD, PRESIDING JUDGE
CONCUR:
SAMUEL L. LEWIS, JUDGE
WILLIAM C. KOCH, JR., JUDGE
JOE LARRY TURNBO, )
) Wayne Chancery
Plaintiff/Appellant, ) No. 8490
)
VS. )
) Appeal No.
BRENDA JANE (THOMPSON) TURNBO,) 01A01-9307-CH-00314
)
Defendant/Appellee. )
OPINION
The husband appealed from a judgment granting to the wife an absolute divorce,
alimony in futuro, and division of marital property. The husband also complains of the refusal of
the Trial Judge to recuse himself because of alleged improprieties.
After briefing and oral argument, this Court determined that the record was inadequate to
resolve the recusal issue and remanded for a full airing of the facts supporting the charges of
impropriety and whether any improper conduct affected the judgment.
The procedure on remand did not result in a full airing of the issues stated in the remand
or a record from which said issues might be justly resolved by this Court.
The supplemental brief of the husband complains of various rulings of the Trial Judge
regarding discovery in preparation for the evidentiary hearing on remand. However, during the
second argument before this Court, counsel for the husband conceded that the discovery related
only to recusal and would have produced no evidence relevant to the correctness of the judgment
rendered by the Trial Court. Moreover, counsel for both parties agreed that all evidence relevant
to the merits of the appeal is present in the record.
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Since this cause was heard by the Trial Judge without a jury, his findings of fact and law
are reviewed by this Court de novo upon the record T.R.A.P. Rule 13(d). N.C.N.B. Union
Carbide Corporation v. Huddleston, Tenn. 1993, 854 S.W.2d 87; National Bank v. Thrailkill,
Tenn. App. 1993, 856 S.W.2d 150.
Since the record is adequate for review de novo and decision by this Court upon the
merits of the case, this Court has determined to forego a resolution of the issues of impropriety
and leave them for resolution by tribunals specially charged with that responsibility. This
procedure was proposed during oral argument and no objection was voiced by counsel.
Upon a de novo review by this Court, the judgment of this Court upon the merits will
cure any prejudice which might have resulted from any errors or improprieties which may have
occurred in the Trial Court proceedings.
The husband presents an issue as to the division of marital property. The Trial Court
awarded the wife property valued by the husband at $60,150 and cash of $185,000, making a
total of $245,150. Husband has filed a statement of marital property in compliance with Rule 15
of the Rules of this Court which is appended to this opinion as Exhibit A. The wife has not filed
a counter-statement, but does discuss certain controverted items, particularly the husband’s
business, Turnbow Express. The husband valued his business at minus $151,803. His
accountant stated its book value was $337,000 and that it had an annual income of $402,000.
The husband had submitted a financial statement to a bank stating the value of the business as
$500,000. The finding of the Trial Court that the business was worth $305,330 was clearly
within the scope of the evidence on the subject and is approved by this Court. By this finding,
the husband’s 1/3 interest in the business was worth $101,777.
According to values stated by husband on his Rule 15 Table, of the assets other than the
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business, $68,078 was assigned to the wife, and $61,532 was assigned to the husband. This
division is approximately equal, slightly favoring the wife.
The $101,777 interest of the husband in the business (stated above) was not so evenly
divided, for the Trial Court awarded the wife $185,000 cash “to equalize the division of the
marital estate.” This Court finds that a cash payment of $50,000 to the wife would accomplish
an approximately equal division of the marital estate. The judgment of the Trial Court will be so
modified.
The husband argues that debts should be considered in division of the estate, but most of
the debts cited are debts of the business or his lien indebtedness against other assets which
reduced their value used as stated on the Rule 15 Table. Moreover, the gross disparity between
the income of the husband and wife is justification for placing the debt-paying burden on the
husband.
Husband argues that the marital estate was accumulated through his efforts, but it was
accumulated during the marriage when the wife was caring for home and children which justifies
her interest in the accumulation. T.C.A. § 36-4-121(c).
The husband’s third, and last issue complains of the award of $1,500 per month alimony
in futuro.
The wife testified:
Q. Ms. Turnbo, I’ve handed you a copy of your affidavit
of income and expenses. To the best of your knowledge is this
a true and accurate reflection of what your income and expenses
is at the current time?
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A. Yes, ma’am.
Q. Do you feel that you are operating on enough
income now?
A. No.
Q. Does this income and expense affidavit reflect
what you have been forced to live with since the separation
in 1989?
A. Yes.
Q. And is this statement of assets and liabilities correct
to the best of your knowledge?
A. Yes.
Q. Ms. Turnbo, realizing that you have reflected your
current status on this income and expenses, what do you think
it would take for you to live on right now if you were able to
pick out a figure that would allow you to live comfortably as
you did before the separation? What amount do you think?
A. Two thousand.
Q. A month?
A. Uh-huh.
There was no cross examination regarding or rebuttal of this testimony except her
admission of $240 per month wages and $500 per month child support. She was not asked what
she would need to maintain herself and child, hence the child support is not a suitable credit
against the stated $2,000 need. The $240 per month earnings might be a proper credit against the
$2,000 need. If so, the proven monthly need of the wife is $1,760.
The wife’s Sworn Statement of Income and Expenses indicates a lesser need than $1,760
per month, but the wife explained that, during the divorce proceedings she was obliged to live on
a much lower standard than previously.
The husband insists that his income is inadequate to pay the required alimony, but his
stated salary from his business is not his only income, and his extensive spending for luxuries
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belies his plea of poverty.
The amount of alimony rests within the sound discretion of the Trial Court which will not
be disturbed on appeal in the absence of a clear showing of erroneous exercise of that discretion.
Abney v. Abney, 61 Tenn. App. 531, 456 S.W.2d 364 (1970); Crouch v. Crouch, 53 Tenn. App.
594, 385 S.W.2d 288 (1970).
The judgment of the Trial Court is modified to reduce the cash payment to the wife to
$50,000. As modified, the judgment of the Trial Court is affirmed. Costs of this appeal are
taxed against the husband. The cause is remanded to the Trial Court for appropriate further
proceedings.
MODIFIED, AFFIRMED AND REMANDED.
__________________________________
HENRY F. TODD, PRESIDING JUDGE
CONCUR:
______________________________
SAMUEL L. LEWIS, JUDGE
______________________________
WILLIAM C. KOCH, JR., JUDGE
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