Opinion ID: 1860448
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: did the trial court err in awarding the appellee a $20,000.00 monetary interest against the appellant's business?

Text: On appeal this Court will not reverse a Chancery Court's findings, be they of ultimate fact or of evidentiary fact, where there is substantial evidence supporting those findings. Cooper v. Crabb, 587 So.2d 236, 239 (Miss. 1991), citing Mullins v. Ratcliff, 515 So.2d 1183, 1189 (Miss. 1987); Norris v. Norris, 498 So.2d 809, 814 (Miss. 1986); Gilchrist Machinery Co., Inc. v. Ross, 493 So.2d 1288, 1292 (Miss. 1986). Unless the Chancellor's determination of fact is manifestly wrong, this Court will uphold his decision. Cheeks v. Herrington, 523 So.2d 1033, 1035 (Miss. 1988), citing Dillon v. Dillon, 498 So.2d 328, 329 (Miss. 1986); Dubois v. Dubois, 275 So.2d 100 (Miss. 1973). The chancellor found that Mike Dunn Auto Sales owed Danne twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) for the money and labor she had supplied. Danne did substantially help in creating Michael's successful business. When Michael started his business in 1984 Danne helped set up files and the telephone list, working approximately ten to fifteen hours a week in the first months and then five or six hours a week until the birth of the couple's second child in 1986. All the while Danne continued working full time at Singing River. Danne also testified that she contributed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) which she borrowed through her credit union and which has since been repaid through payroll deductions. Although Michael did not recall this he did not dispute it either. The automobile Danne owned at the time the couple were married was sold and the proceeds, which Danne claimed were six or seven thousand dollars while Michael claimed were three thousand dollars, were put into the business, according to Danne. Again, Michael does not recall what was done with the proceeds. The chancellor specifically mentioned a thirty-five hundred dollar ($3,500.00) credit union account going toward the business, which, as Michael correctly pointed out in his brief, actually went into the home. However, due to financing arrangements subsequently obtained, this amount along with Danne's more than twenty thousand dollars plus her labor on the house ultimately helped Michael's business too. Danne has clearly contributed to Mike Dunn Auto Sales, both directly and indirectly. Had Danne invested her time and money in something other than Mike Dunn Auto Sales, she would have cash in hand today. Instead, Michael has Mike Dunn Auto Sales and she has nothing to show for her investment. The chancellor's finding that Mike Dunn Auto Sales owes Danne $20,000.00 is supported by the record and will not be disturbed.