Court Opinion

ID: 1079868
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 20:35:59.117343+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:01:44.511433
License: Public Domain

WILLIAM JEFFREY TARKINGTON,      )
                                 )      Davidson Circuit
    Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant/ )      No. 96D-1512
    Appellant,                   )
                                 )
VS.                              )
                                 )      Appeal No.
REBECCA JUANITA TARKINGTON, )           01A01-9706-CV-00270
                                 )
    Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff/
    Appellee.
                                 )
                                 )                   FILED
                                              February 6, 1998
             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
                  MIDDLE SECTION AT NASHVILLE
                                              Cecil W. Crowson
                                            Appellate Court Clerk
         APPEAL FROM CIRCUIT COURT OF DAVIDSON COUNTY
                    AT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

                HONORABLE MURIEL ROBINSON, JUDGE

CAROL L. SOLOMAN, #6649
Washington Square, Suite 400
214 Second Avenue, North
Nashville, TN 37201
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF/COUNTER-DEFENDANT/APPELLANT

JACK NORMAN, JR., #2702
213 Third Avenue, North
Nashville, TN 37201
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT/COUNTER-PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE

                    AFFIRMED AND REMANDED.

                              HENRY F. TODD
                              PRESIDING JUDGE, MIDDLE SECTION

CONCUR:
BEN H. CANTRELL, JUDGE
WILLIAM C. KOCH, JR., JUDGE
WILLIAM JEFFREY TARKINGTON,      )
                                 )                    Davidson Circuit
    Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant/ )                    No. 96D-1512
    Appellant,                   )
                                 )
VS.                              )
                                 )                    Appeal No.
REBECCA JUANITA TARKINGTON, )                         01A01-9706-CV-00270
                                 )
    Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff/ )
    Appellee.                    )

                                     OPINION

       The husband, William Jeffrey Tarkington, has appealed from a judgment of the Trial

Court finding him and his wife, Rebecca Juanita Tarkington, guilty of inappropriate marital

conduct and declaring them to be divorced pursuant to TCA § 36-4-129.

       Husband’s first two issues are:

               I.     Whether the Trial Court abused its discretion in
               awarding custody of the two minor children to the mother
               where the credible proof showed that the father was the
               comparatively better-fit custodian.

               II.     Whether the Trial Court erred in excluding the
               mother’s medical records from an alcohol treatment center
               where the mother had executed a medical release for such
               records and where the information sought to be introduced
               impacted directly upon the mother’s fitness as custodial
               parent.

       Since the first two issues relate to the fitness of each party to have custody and control

of the children, they will be discussed together.

       Prior to the entry of the final decree of divorce, the Trial Court entered an order stating:

                       (1)     The pendente lite custody of the parties’ two
               minor sons shall be vested jointly in both parties, however,
               the primary physical possession of the children shall be with
               the wife who shall reside with the children at the parties’
               River Rouge home in Nashville, Tennessee. The husband
               shall vacate the premises on or before Sunday, June 23, 1996,
               and wife shall retain exclusive possession of the premises
               pending further orders of the Court.

                                             -2-
The same order contained detailed provisions for times of visitation.

        After a non jury trial, the Trial Court entered a “Final Decree” which required payment

of child support and alimony, but did not make any further provision for custody. For purposes

of this appeal, it must be presumed that the above quoted “pendente lite” custody order remains

in effect.

        The determination of custody of children is within the sound discretion of the Trial Judge

who saw and heard the parties and witnesses in person. Such determination is entitled to great

weight and will not normally be disturbed on appeal. Rogero v. Pitt, Tenn. 1988, 759 S.W.2d
109; Bah v. Bah, Tenn. App. 1983, 668 S.W.2d 663. The critical factor in such determination

must be the welfare and best interests of the child or children involved. Lentz v. Lentz, Tenn.

1986, 717 S.W.2d 876; Holloway v. Bradley, 190 Tenn. App. 565, 230 S.W.2d 1003 (1950);

Bevins v. Bevins, 53 Tenn. App. 403, 383 S.W.2d 403 (1964).

        Findings of fact by the Trial Judge bearing upon the award of custody are reviewed de

novo on appeal with a presumption of correctness unless the evidence preponderates otherwise.

Nichols v. Nichols, Tenn. App. 1990, 792 S.W.2d 713. The exercise of discretion as to child

custody will not be disturbed on appeal except upon a clear showing of an erroneous exercise

of discretion. Harwell v. Harwell, Tenn. App. 1980, 612 S.W.2d 182; Grant v. Grant, 39 Tenn.

App. 539, 286 S.W.2d 349.

        The “comparative fitness doctrine” is recognized in Tennessee. Bah v. Bah, supra,

Edwards v. Edwards, Tenn. App. 1973, 501 S.W.2d 283.

        The husband points out that he testified at length about his affection for and attention to

the children and that the wife did not express her feelings toward the children. It has been well

                                               -3-
said that “behavior speaks louder than words.” The Trial Court doubtless considered the various

incidents described in the testimony more than the verbal professions of affection.

         The answer of the wife admits that, on occasions, she consumed too much alcohol, but

does not admit or deny that she is an “alcoholic.”

         The husband relies upon the “admission” of the wife that she is an alcoholic, but does not

discuss his own excessive drinking and resultant behavior.

         The husband concedes that the younger son is autistic and insists that this son “improves”

during his visitation with the father; but the husband gives no basis for comparison of the child’s

behavior, nor is there any professional evidence that it is for the best interest of the child to be

in the principal custody of the father.

         The father relies upon the testimony of one of the children that he would rather be with

the father. However, the child’s reasons for his preference do not particularly relate to his

welfare.

         It was proper for the Trial Court to consider the advisability of keeping the children

together rather than separating them. This is especially true because of the disability of the older

child.

         Unquestionably, prior to their separation, both parties were guilty of conduct which they

now regret. Unquestionably, their conduct, especially in the presence of the children, underwent

some improvement while the case was pending. The conduct of neither party has been ideal even

while the case was pending. Wisdom directs caution as to reliance upon temporary reform. The

parties should demonstrate their fitness by consistent excellent care of the children over an

extended period, before seeking a revision of the “pendente lite” order of custody.

                                                -4-
       Husband also complains of the exclusion of medical records of the wife which, it is

insisted, were material to the custodial fitness of the mother. It is argued that said record, would

contain the notes of doctors as to statements made to them by the wife regarding her misuse of

alcohol and drugs and resultant behavior. The mother had authorized the release of such records

despite TCA § 63-11-213 (the psychological examination privilege). It does not appear that the

medical record was actually tendered and preserved in the record, which is better practice. It

does appear that counsel stated the substance of the medical record, which is permissible.

       From a consideration of what is in this record, this Court is unable to hold that the

exclusion of the record or the summary of its contents “more probably than not affected the

judgment or would result in prejudice to the judicial process,” as provided by TRAP Rule 36(b).

Rule 6(a)(1), (2) and (3) states:

        Rule 6. Briefs. - (a) Written argument in regard to each issue on appeal shall contain:

                       1.       A statement by the appellant of the alleged
                erroneous action of the trial court which raises the issue and
                a statement by the appellee of any action of the trial court
                which is relied upon to correct the alleged error, with citation
                to the record where the erroneous or corrective action is
                recorded.

                        2.       A statement showing how such alleged error
                was seasonably called to the attention of the trial judge with
                citation to that part of the record where appellant’s challenge
                of the alleged error is recorded.

                       3.      A statement reciting wherein appellant was
                prejudiced by such alleged error, with citations to the record
                showing where the resultant prejudice is recorded.

        An offer of proof by narration of its substance by counsel may be sufficient, but better

practice is to present the actual evidence so that the effect of the alleged error may be corrected

on appeal. Farmers-Peoples Banks v. Clemmer, Tenn. 1975, 519 S.W.2d 801, 804. Whether

narrative or documentary, the offer of proof should have been accepted.

        No grounds of reversal are found in the first two issues.

                                                -5-
       The husband’s third, and last issue is:

               III.    Whether the Trial Court abused its discretion in
               awarding the wife alimony in futuro where the parties’
               earning capacities are not appreciably different and where the
               wife is not precluded from economic rehabilitation.

       The husband admits that his gross income is $24,900.00 per year or $2,075.00 per month.

He insists that, in the past, the wife earned $16,000.00 per year, but concedes that, at the time

of trial, she was earning only about $11,000.00 per year for 10 months with summers off.

       Husband cites the legislative policy favoring rehabilitative alimony. TCA § 36-5-101(d).

So long as the two children are in the principal custody of the wife, it is not unreasonable for her

to retain her present employment with the public schools which enables her to care for the

children when they are not in school. This is especially important because of the disability of

one of the children.

        Husband argues finally that he is unable to pay the amounts ordered by the Trial Court.

The husband admitted a net “take home pay” of $1,700.00 per month. The child support of

$535.00 per month and alimony of $511.00 per month amount to $1,035.00 per month, leaving

$665.00 of husband’s “take home pay.”

        The wife testified to her need of $2,382.94 per month. Her $11,000.00, 10-month pay

amounts to $1,100.00 per month leaving $1,282.94 needed from the husband. The $1,035.00

to be received from the husband leaves a $153.00 shortage. It is seen that both parties will be

required to do some economizing to “make ends meet.”

        This Court cannot say that the evidence preponderates against the findings of the Trial

Judge or that she erroneously exercised her discretion in fixing alimony. TRAP Rule 13(d);

Harwell v. Harwell, Tenn. App. 1980, 612 S.W.2d 182.

                                                 -6-
       The judgment of the Trial Court is affirmed. Costs of this appeal are assessed against the

appellant, William Jeffrey Tarkington and his surety. The cause is remanded to the Trial Court

for further necessary proceedings.

                          AFFIRMED AND REMANDED.

                                              HENRY F. TODD
                                              PRESIDING JUDGE, MIDDLE SECTION

CONCUR:

BEN H. CANTRELL, JUDGE

WILLIAM C. KOCH, JR., JUDGE

                                              -7-