ÿWPC–  Ù U?ûb-»ø‰“©ä;Û¿ýN´ßꪃ(c-»´^<%ÄcnÀÁ¤õ{ÿ„V3Ä¡ü;“‚'å©“ÆDþ¶‰¼GK=ÿÚ!Ýó1™-R9÷T •”¦væ—{»T†KOÕ‘«O©¡‚aÍ!YR#/Fã€æ\bÜë#*ò¦MgX Oqg3ÝÍ5hbj˜· m}ôi2F˜¨9èFÂÓ~HìZ@f3>îm÷?w/‚Ó¹¥žˆð(bÔ)peô‚ÆB½~AÏ-(ÂDJ×ÂbSMaUo¤V‡éŠÊú`K½ãƒ)I`[mñ}{¾¨¥gæòwÉj®4B ½'¼ö¦êÞØÅ…u畈ޓ¿Ÿ1Ã,&*ÊKvlŠK3=ù…Vm=ôû2%“ˆÀŒÃŒ¿Ïçÿ‡›¢ã…΋Ìi>òò 8Ð5u#,.&x»2^ñ¯ø©bXðÃ4ô8´JJ-¨Á˜¶} ¤—66Þf1¬Œ®FCSÛ«g@‰Tþ²ÿÂã¾)ÙŽ;6izF˜r×8«ÜêE IggÜT£·é™nÅ‹5.Ê5ÆÜÔÃD‹ì­(×ÁìÓŠqÅ«5™£§£‡ Œ 8Ø–#i•úœìÞ @ëçBˆ½Ça͓ϫWib#É\ %% UN+ 0ˆy U N ^ O 0D[ zŸ Ò ¨ë (“ƒ»w>ÆBÆÆÎÆ”4ZNn‰pSùELN]r mttttttttttttttttttttb‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹ 0ë““““ B~~ 0¤› D3? D-r 0KŸŸ ASêÆ= 0¤ 0D§ A«ë˜HP LaserJet 4250 PCL 6ÈÈÈÈ0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular¢€œ3  (#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt žÝ ƒR·Ø$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõ¹ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Judge€Clement€was€appointed€to€the€Tennessee€Court€of€Appeals€in€September€of€2003€by€Governor€PhilÐ ° ÐBredesen.€€Tennessee€Administrative€Office€of€the€Courts,€http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/geninfo/Bio/Appeals/Biotca.htmÐ tÄ Ð(last€visited€Oct.€24,€2005).€€ Ý ƒR·Ø$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõ¹ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Apparently,€Mrs.€Allen€was€anticipating€a€settlement€from€a€lawsuit€against€this€company€for€complicationsÐ ° Ðrelated€to€her€breast€implants.€ yÝ ƒR·Ø$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõ¹ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€There€is€no€indication€in€the€record€before€this€Court€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔNicholsÔ_Ô€suffered€from€any€disability€whichÐ ° Ðwould€toll€the€running€of€the€statute€of€limitations€applicable€to€her€will€contest€action.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5=€M3ê:i¢Ø+00 Ý ƒR·Ø$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõ¹ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€precursor€to€section€32„4„108€of€the€Tennessee€Code€contained€a€seven€(7)€year€statute€of€limitations.€Ð ° ÐIn€1985,€the€legislature€changed€the€limitations€period€to€two€(2)€years.€€ò òòòSeeóóó ó€1985€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€ch.€228,€ðð€2. IÝ ƒR·Ø$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõ¹ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€By€the€time€the€probate€court€entered€the€order,€Judge€Randy€Kennedy€had€been€appointed€to€fill€the€vacancyÐ ° Ðcreated€when€Judge€Clement€was€elevated€to€the€Tennessee€Court€of€Appeals.3|x Ý ƒR·Ø$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõ¹ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Section€29„14„105€of€the€Tennessee€Code€provides€as€follows:Ð ° ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àAny€person€interested€as€or€through€an€executor,€administrator,€trustee,Ð 8ˆ Ðguardian,€or€other€fiduciary,€creditor,€devisee,€legatee,€heir,€next€of€kin,€or€cestuiÐ üL Ðque€trust,€in€the€administration€of€a€trust,€or€of€the€estate€of€a€decedent,€an€infant,Ð À Ðlunatic,€or€insolvent€may€have€a€declaration€of€rights€or€legal€relations€in€respectÐ „Ô Ðthereto€to:Ð H ˜ ÐÌà ¸ à.€.€.€.€Ð Ð  ÐÌà ¸ à(3)€€determine€any€question€arising€in€the€administration€of€the€estate€orÐ X ¨  Ðtrust,€including€questions€of€construction€of€wills€and€other€writings.Ð  l  ÐÓ °ÑÓÓ °ßÓÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„105(3)€(2003).Ð ¤ô  ÐÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-(|G2·Ø$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Oq»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõ¹ò»»Ô d(|3‚$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Oq»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‚$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Oq»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Oq»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼Oq»»»ÔÑ8€}XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îNxOqÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼Oq»îîNx #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAUGUST€15,€2005€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X}X»¼OqÔÌò òÔ#†¼Oq»XX}ô#ÔVICKI€LYNN€Ô_ÔGASSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔNICHOLSÔ_Ôòòóó€v.€LYNN€ALLEN€SCHUBERT,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X}X»¼OqÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Probate€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNos.€03„3892„I€&€02P„1470€€€€€€Randy€Kennedy,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2004„02567„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV„€Filed€December€28,€Ô_Ô2005Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X}XXX}ÔThe€wife€died€in€1998,€and€her€holographic€will€was€admitted€to€probate€and€the€estate€closed.€€InÐ xÈ  Ð2002,€the€husband€died,€and€his€formally€executed€will€was€admitted€to€probate.€€Thereafter,€hisÐ d´ Ðexecutrix€determined€that€a€question€existed€concerning€the€ownership€interest€in€the€maritalÐ P  Ðresidence€held€by€the€husband€at€his€death.€€As€a€result,€the€executrix€filed€a€declaratory€judgmentÐ <Œ Ðaction€in€the€probate€court€to€construe€the€wifeððs€holographic€will.€€At€trial,€the€wifeððs€daughter€byÐ (x Ða€previous€marriage€attempted€to€prove€that€the€wifeððs€holographic€will€was€a€forgery.€€The€trial€courtÐ d Ðdetermined€that€the€daughterððs€proof€was€not€credible,€and€the€court€ruled€that€the€wifeððs€holographicÐ P Ðwill€vested€fee€simple€title€of€the€marital€residence€in€the€husband€following€her€death.€€The€wifeððsÐ ì< Ðdaughter€filed€a€motion€for€a€new€trial.€€While€the€motion€was€pending,€the€daughter€filed€an€actionÐ Ø( Ðin€the€chancery€court€against€the€husbandððs€children€from€a€previous€marriage€asserting,€in€essence,Ð Ä Ðthe€same€allegations€she€raised€in€the€probate€court€action.€€The€probate€court€subsequently€deniedÐ ° Ðthe€daughterððs€motion€for€a€new€trial.€€In€turn,€the€chancery€court€transferred€the€complaint€to€theÐ œì Ðprobate€court,€and€the€probate€court€entered€an€order€dismissing€the€complaint.€€The€daughter€filedÐ ˆØ Ðan€appeal€to€this€Court€raising€numerous€issues€related€to€the€declaratory€judgment€action€and€theÐ tÄ Ðcompliant€filed€in€chancery€court.€€As€for€the€declaratory€judgment€action,€we€are€withoutÐ `° Ðjurisdiction€to€entertain€issues€related€to€that€case€since€the€daughter€failed€to€file€a€timely€appeal.€Ð L œ ÐAs€for€the€complaint€the€daughter€filed€in€chancery€court,€we€find€that€it€is,€in€essence,€an€action€toÐ 8!ˆ  Ðcontest€the€validity€of€the€holographic€will€of€her€mother.€€As€such,€it€is€barred€by€the€applicableÐ $"t! Ðstatute€of€limitations.€€Therefore,€the€probate€court€was€correct€in€dismissing€the€complaint.€Ð #`" ÐMoreover,€we€remand€this€case€to€the€trial€court€for€the€entry€of€an€award€of€damages€to€theÐ ü#L# ÐAppellees€for€the€Appellantððs€filing€of€a€frivolous€appeal.Ð è$8 $ ÐÔ#†X}XXX}#ÔÔ#†¼Oq»XX}¼#ÔÔ‡X}X»¼OqÔÌÓÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Probate€Court€Affirmed€andÐ ¬'ü"' ÐRemandedó óÐ ˜(è#( ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼Oq»àX}G#ÔÔ‡X}X.¼OqÔAlan€E.€Ô_ÔHighersÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€Ô_ÔW.S.Ô_Ô,óóÐ p*À%* Ðand€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð \+¬&+ ÐÌDennis€L.€Tomlin,€Ô_ÔHendersonvilleÔ_Ô,€TN,€for€AppellantÐ 4-„(-ý ÐÔ_Ô‡Andra€J.€Hedrick;€Jennifer€Orr€Locklin,€Nashville,€TN,€for€AppelleesÐ ° ÐÓÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Oq»XX}5#ÔÔ‡X}X»¼OqÔÐ ˆØ ÐÌòòÔ#†¼Oq»àX}…#ÔÔ‡X}X.¼OqÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡X}XàX}Ôà@¬¬)ìàI.ˆÐ `° Ðà@G G ìàFactual€Background€and€Procedural€HistoryóóˆÐ L œ ÐÌÌó óà  àEdsel€R.€Allen,€Sr.€(ð ðMr.€Allenðð)€and€Enola€Marie€Allen€(ð ðMrs.€Allenðð)€were€married€in€JulyÐ  ` Ðof€1977.€€The€couple€never€had€any€children€of€their€marriage.€€However,€Mr.€Allen€had€two€childrenÐ ü L  Ðfrom€a€previous€marriage,€Edsel€R.€Allen,€Jr.€and€Lynn€Allen€Schubert€(ð ðMs.€Schubertðð€or,Ð è 8  Ðcollectively€with€Edsel€R.€Allen,€Jr.,€ð ðMr.€Allenððs€Childrenðð),€and€Mrs.€Allen€had€two€children€fromÐ Ô$  Ða€previous€marriage,€Anthony€Langley€and€Vicki€Nichols€(ð ðMs.€Nicholsðð€or,€collectively€withÐ À  ÐAnthony€Langley,€ð ðMrs.€Allenððs€Childrenðð).€€€In€November€of€1977,€Mr.€Allen€and€Mrs.€AllenÐ ¬ü  Ðpurchased€a€home€located€on€Gaylemore€Drive€in€Goodlettsville,€Tennessee€(hereinafter€theÐ ˜è  Ðð ðGoodlettsville€Propertyðð)€as€tenants€by€the€entirety.€€In€1990,€Mr.€Allen€executed€a€quitclaim€deedÐ „Ô  Ðconveying€his€interest€in€the€Goodlettsville€Property€to€Mrs.€Allen.€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àMrs.€Allen€died€in€June€of€1998.€€€It€was€originally€believed€that€Mrs.€Allen€died€intestate.€Ð H˜ ÐShortly€after€her€death,€Judge€Frank€Clement,€Jr.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€of€the€Probate€Court€of€Davidson€County€issuedÐ 4„ Ðan€order€providing€as€follows:Ð  p ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓIt€appearing€to€the€court€.€.€.€that€the€decedent€left€no€will;€thatÐ øH Ðpetitioner€is€the€husband€of€the€decedent€and€is€the€person€entitled€toÐ ä4 Ðserve€as€administrator;€òòthat€decedent€owned€no€real€property€at€herÐ Ð  Ðdeath€óóand€personal€property€in€the€approximate€amount€ofÐ ¼  Ð$50,000.00,€which€is€subject€to€a€court€supervised€administration€byÐ ¨ø Ðthis€Court€.€.€.€.Ð ”ä Ðà ¸ àIT€IS,€THEREFORE,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED€andÐ €Ð ÐDECREED€by€the€Court€that€the€clerk€be€directed€to€issue€letters€ofÐ l¼ Ðadministration€to€Edsel€Ray€Allen€.€.€.€.Ð X ¨ ÐÌÓ °eÓÓ °WÓ(emphasis€added).€€Not€long€after€the€probate€court€entered€the€order,€Mr.€Allen€filed€a€petitionÐ 0"€  Ðproviding,€in€relevant€part,€as€follows:Ð #l! ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àRecently€petitioner€visited€a€friend€who€presented€him€with€aÐ ô$D # Ðdocument€dated€February€14,€1997,€which€appears€to€be€in€theÐ à%0!$ Ðhandwriting€of€Enola€Marie€Allen.€€It€bears€her€signature€and€theÐ Ì&"% Ðsignature€of€[two€witnesses].Ð ¸'#& Їà ¸ à.€.€.€.€Ð ° ÐÌà ¸ àPREMISES€CONSIDERED,€petitioner€prays:Ð ˆØ Ðà ¸ à1.à0  àThat€the€document€dated€February€14,€1997,€bearing€ÐtÄxx Ðthe€signature€of€Enola€Marie€Allen€and€[the€two€witnesses]€beÐ `° Ðadmitted€to€probate€as€the€Last€Will€and€Testament€of€Enola€MarieÐ L œ ÐAllen.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌÓ ° ÓÓ °ÓSpecifically,€the€handwritten€document€stated,€in€relevant€part,€that€ð ðI€Enola€Marie€Allen€in€soundÐ  ` Ðmind€request€that€my€Husband€Edsel€R.€Allen€.€.€.€to€get€my€Dow€Corning€monies׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€or€estate€he€is€theÐ ü L  Ðone€that€has€put€up€with€and€taken€care€of€me€when€no€one€else€would.ðð€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àIn€light€of€this€new€document,€the€probate€court€entered€an€order€on€April€14,€1999€findingÐ À  Ðas€follows:Ð ¬ü  ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Ó[I]t€appearing€to€the€Court€.€.€.€that€said€paper€was€written€in€theÐ „Ô  Ðlifetime€of€the€deceased€and€signed€by€the€witnesses€in€the€presenceÐ pÀ Ðand€at€the€request€of€the€deceased€and€in€the€presence€of€each€otherÐ \¬ Ðand€as€attesting€witnesses€thereto,€and€that€said€instrument€wasÐ H˜ Ðexecuted€by€the€deceased€who€was€at€the€time€of€sound€mind€andÐ 4„ Ðdisposing€memory€.€.€.€.Ð  p Ðà ¸ àIT€IS,€FURTHER,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED€and€DECREEDÐ  \ Ðby€the€Court€that€said€instrument€is€the€true€and€Last€Will€andÐ øH ÐTestament€of€the€deceased,€and€the€Clerk€of€this€Court€is€herebyÐ ä4 Ðdirected€to€file€and€record€the€same,€and€that€the€said€Edsel€RayÐ Ð  ÐAllen,€who€was€heretofore€appointed€administrator€of€the€estate€isÐ ¼  Ðappointed€Administrator,€c.t.a.€to€serve€and€no€additional€bond€shallÐ ¨ø Ðbe€required.Ð ”ä ÐÌÓ °s"ÓÓ °e"ÓMr.€Allen€subsequently€submitted€an€ð ðEstate€Inventoryðð€listing€all€of€Mrs.€Allenððs€personal€propertyÐ l¼ Ðvalued€at€$29,000,€but€the€inventory€did€not€reveal€any€real€property€owned€by€Mrs.€Allen€at€herÐ X ¨ Ðdeath.€€In€any€event,€Mrs.€Allenððs€estate€was€eventually€closed,€and€her€personal€property€wasÐ D!” Ðdistributed.€€However,€the€Goodlettsville€Property€remained€titled€in€Mrs.€Allenððs€name€followingÐ 0"€  Ðthe€probate€of€her€holographic€will.€€Mr.€Allen€continued€to€live€at€the€Goodlettsville€Property€payingÐ #l! Ðdouble€the€mortgage€payment€each€month,€paying€the€property€taxes,€and€paying€for€the€maintenanceÐ $X" Ðexpenses€on€the€property.€€Ms.€Nichols€began€residing€at€the€Goodlettsville€Property€with€Mr.€AllenÐ ô$D # Ðin€January€of€2002€following€her€release€from€prison.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àOn€August€22,€2002,€Mr.€Allen€died€a€resident€of€Davidson€County,€Tennessee.€€Mr.€AllenÐ ¸'#& Ðleft€a€formally€executed€ð ðLast€Will€and€Testamentðð€which€purported€to€name€Ms.€Schubert€as€hisÐ ¤(ô#' Ðexecutrix€and€to€devise€to€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€any€real€property€he€owned€at€his€death.€€ShortlyÐ ° Ðafter€Mr.€Allenððs€death,€Ms.€Schubert€filed€a€ð ðPetition€to€Probate€Will€and€for€Letters€TestamentaryððÐ œì Ðin€the€Probate€Court€of€Davidson€County€wherein€she€stated€that,€ð ð[a]t€the€time€of€death,€theÐ ˆØ Ðdeceased€owned€no€real€property.ðð€€Ms.€Schubert€subsequently€filed€a€motion€seeking€to€have€theÐ tÄ Ðprobate€court€construe€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€will.€€Therein,€Ms.€Schubert€noted€that€the€probateÐ `° Ðcourt€did€not€dispose€of€the€Goodlettsville€Property€when€it€probated€Mrs.€Allenððs€estate.€Ð L œ ÐSpecifically,€she€asked€the€probate€court€to€determine€if€Mr.€Allen€owned€the€Goodlettsville€PropertyÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€fee€simple€at€his€death€or€if€he€merely€held€an€interest€in€the€property€along€with€other€persons.€Ð $ t ÐÌÌà  àThe€probate€court€subsequently€ruled€that€a€motion€to€construe€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€willÐ è 8  Ðwas€not€the€proper€pleading€and€that€Ms.€Schubert€needed€to€file€a€complaint.€€In€turn,€Mr.€AllenððsÐ Ô$  ÐChildren€filed€a€declaratory€judgment€action,€pursuant€to€section€29„14„105(3)€of€the€TennesseeÐ À  ÐCode,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€against€Mrs.€Allenððs€estate€and€Mrs.€Allenððs€Children€seeking€construction€of€Mrs.€AllenððsÐ ¬ü  Ðholographic€will€to€ascertain€the€ownership€interests€in€the€Goodlettsville€Property.€€On€SeptemberÐ ˜è  Ð23,€2003,€Judge€Clement€conducted€a€hearing€on€the€declaratory€judgment€complaint€filed€by€Mr.Ð „Ô  ÐAllenððs€Children.€€No€court€reporter€attended€the€trial,€and€we€have€no€statement€of€the€evidenceÐ pÀ Ðfiled€on€appeal€summarizing€the€evidence€presented€below.€€At€the€hearing,€Ms.€Nichols€apparentlyÐ \¬ Ðattempted€to€prove€that€the€document€admitted€to€probate€as€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€will€was€aÐ H˜ Ðforged€instrument.€€Ms.€Nichols€presented€her€own€testimony€and€that€of€Lois€Marlene€Sloan€(ð ðMs.Ð 4„ ÐSloanðð),€one€of€the€witnesses€to€the€holographic€will,€in€an€effort€to€prove€the€document€was€aÐ  p Ðforgery.€€According€to€Ms.€Nichols,€Mrs.€Allen€kept€her€ð ðreal€willðð€behind€a€clock€at€theÐ  \ ÐGoodlettsville€Property.€€The€ð ðreal€willðð€was€never€produced€at€trial.€€On€October€6,€2003,€JudgeÐ øH ÐClement€entered€an€order€finding€as€follows:Ð ä4 ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Ó2.à0 ¸ àThe€holographic€will€of€Enola€Marie€Allen€was€properly€Ð¼ ¸ x¸ x Ðadmitted€to€probate€by€this€Court€.€.€.€as€the€Last€Will€and€TestamentÐ ¨ø Ðof€Enola€Marie€Allen;€.€.€.€and€the€time€period€in€which€any€interestedÐ ”ä Ðparty€could€contest€such€will€has€expired.Ð €Ð Ð3.à0 ¸ àUnder€the€holographic€will€.€.€.€òòMs.€Allen€intended€to€devise€Ð°¸ x¸ x Ðand€bequeath,€and€did€devise€and€bequeath,€her€entire€estate,Ð œì Ðincluding€the€óó[òòGoodlettsville€Propertyóó],€òòto€her€husband,€Edsel€R.Ð ˆØ ÐAllen,€Sr.€óó€The€Courtððs€determination€as€to€the€intention€of€Ms.€AllenÐ tÄ Ðis€based€on€an€examination€of€the€four€corners€of€Ms.€Allenððs€will,€theÐ `° Ðwords€used€by€Ms.€Allen€in€her€will,€particularly€the€word€ð ðestate,ððÐ L œ Ðand€the€terms€of€endearment€used€by€Ms.€Allen€in€her€will€relative€toÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€care€that€Ms.€Allen€received€from€her€husband.€€In€making€suchÐ $ t Ðdetermination,€the€Court€also€relied€on€the€legal€presumption€againstÐ  ` Ðintestacy.Ð ü L  Ð4.à0 ¸ àAt€the€death€of€Edsel€R.€Allen,€Sr.,€all€right,€title,€and€interest€Ðè 8 ¸ x¸ x Ðowned€by€Edsel€R.€Allen,€Sr.€passed€under€his€Last€Will€andÐ Ô$  ÐTestament,€which€has€been€duly€admitted€to€probate€by€this€Court€.Ð À  Ð.€.€,€to€[Mr.€Allenððs€Children].Ð ¬ü  ÐÌÓ °¿5ÓÓ °±5Ó(emphasis€added).€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àOn€October€22,€2003,€Ms.€Nichols€filed€a€ð ðMotion€for€New€Trialðð€in€the€probate€court.€Ð \¬ ÐTherein€she€argued€that€the€court€erred€in€admitting€Mrs.€Allenððs€will€into€probate€because€it€was€aÐ H˜ Ðforgery.€€Ms.€Nichols€asserted€that€she€had€newly€discovered€evidence€of€the€alleged€forgery.€€InÐ 4„ Ðsupport€of€her€motion,€Ms.€Nichols€submitted€her€own€affidavit€which,€in€essence,€recounted€herÐ  p Ðtestimony€at€trial.€€She€pointed€to€the€fact€that,€since€she€was€incarcerated€in€1999,€she€was€unableÐ  \ Ðto€contest€the€allegedly€forged€holographic€will€until€her€release€from€prison.€€Ms.€Nichols€alsoÐ øH Ðrecounted€in€her€motion€the€testimony€of€Ms.€Sloan€offered€at€trial.€€In€addition€to€her€own€affidavit,Ð ä4 ÐMs.€Nichols€submitted€the€affidavit€of€Rebecca€Swift€(ð ðMs.€Swiftðð),€Mrs.€Allenððs€sister,€stating€thatÐ Ð  Ðthe€handwriting€on€the€holographic€will€was€not€that€of€her€sister.€€Ms.€Swift€indicated€that€she€hadÐ ¼  Ðobtained€certain€writings€of€her€sister€which€could€be€used€to€prove€the€holographic€will€was€aÐ ¨ø Ðforgery.€€When€Ms.€Nichols€filed€her€ð ðMotion€for€New€Trial,ðð€Judge€Mary€Ashley€Nichols€wasÐ ”ä Ðsitting€as€a€substitute€probate€court€judge€until€the€vacancy€created€by€Judge€Clementððs€appointmentÐ €Ð Ðto€the€Tennessee€Court€of€Appeals€could€be€filled.€€Judge€Nichols,€being€unfamiliar€with€theÐ l¼ Ðparticulars€of€the€case,€continued€the€hearing€on€the€motion.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àOn€October€27,€2003,€counsel€for€Ms.€Nichols€sent€ð ðpost„judgment€interrogatoriesðð€toÐ 0"€  Ðcounsel€for€Mr.€Allenððs€Children.€€In€the€interrogatories,€counsel€for€Ms.€Nichols€sought€informationÐ #l! Ðregarding,€among€other€things,€the€facts€surrounding€the€location€of€the€holographic€will€when€it€wasÐ $X" Ðdiscovered,€who€discovered€it,€the€individual€who€presented€it€to€Mr.€Allen,€who€traced€Mrs.€AllenððsÐ ô$D # Ðsignature€on€the€probated€holographic€will,€and€who€destroyed€Mrs.€Allenððs€personal€papers.€€Ð à%0!$ ÐCounsel€for€Ms.€Nichols€also€sent€a€letter€to€counsel€for€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€stating€that€he€ð ðneed[s]Ð Ì&"% Ðto€know€the€identity€of€the€man€who€allegedly€gave€the€alleged€Will€to€Mr.€Allen€so€I€can€find€outÐ ¸'#& Ðwho€printed€the€alleged€Will.ðð€€€Enclosed€in€the€letter€was€a€request€that€Mr.€Allenððs€ChildrenÐ ¤(ô#' Ðð ðproduce€all€documents€or€Wills€you,€your€agents,€representatives€or€Attorneys€have€which€areÐ )à$( Ðdifferent€than€the€one€filed€for€probate.ðð€€Counsel€for€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€responded€to€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðdiscovery€requests€by€sending€a€letter€to€counsel€for€Ms.€Nichols€stating€that€they€would€ð ðnot€beÐ h+¸&* Ðanswering€the€Interrogatories€as€they€are€untimely€and€are€wholly€unwarranted€at€this€time€as€thisÐ ° Ðmatter€is€no€longer€in€front€of€the€Court€due€to€the€judgment€in€favor€of€my€clients.ðð€Ð œì ÐÌà  àWhile€Ms.€Nicholsððs€motion€for€a€new€trial€was€pending€in€the€probate€court,€she€filed€aÐ tÄ Ðcomplaint€against€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€in€the€Chancery€Court€of€Davidson€County€on€December€31,Ð `° Ð2003€asserting,€in€essence,€the€same€legal€arguments€raised€in€her€motion€for€a€new€trial€filed€in€theÐ L œ Ðprobate€court.€€In€support€of€her€complaint,€Ms.€Nichols€submitted€the€affidavit€of€a€potentialÐ 8 ˆ Ðhandwriting€expert€stating€that€the€holographic€will€was€not€in€the€handwriting€of€Mrs.€Allen.€Ms.Ð $ t ÐNichols€asked€the€chancery€court€to€award€her€damages€and€to€set€aside€the€orders€of€the€probateÐ  ` Ðcourt.€€Thereafter,€counsel€for€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€sent€a€ð ðRule€11€Notice€Letterðð€to€counsel€for€Ms.Ð ü L  ÐNichols€asking€Ms.€Nichols€to€either€provide€support€for€the€allegations€in€her€complaint€or€dismissÐ è 8  Ðthe€complaint.€€Counsel€for€Ms.€Nichols€submitted€a€letter€in€response€asserting€the€he€complied€withÐ Ô$  ÐRule€11€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure.€€€On€February€10,€2004,€counsel€for€Mr.€AllenððsÐ À  ÐChildren€sent€a€letter€to€Judge€Clement,€a€judge€on€the€Tennessee€Court€of€Appeals€at€the€time,Ð ¬ü  Ðasserting€that,€since€no€transcript€of€the€trial€of€the€declaratory€judgment€action€filed€by€Mr.€AllenððsÐ ˜è  ÐChildren€existed,€all€of€the€attorneys€were€requesting€that€Judge€Clement€hear€Ms.€Nicholsððs€motionÐ „Ô  Ðfor€a€new€trial€as€a€special€judge€pursuant€to€section€17„2„109€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€Ð pÀ ÐÌÌà  àOn€February€19,€2004,€Judge€Clement€entered€an€order€addressing€Ms.€Nicholsððs€ð ðMotionÐ 4„ Ðfor€New€Trial,ðð€providing€as€follows:Ð  p ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓSince€the€undersigned€presided€over€the€trial€at€issue,€it€is€incumbentÐ øH Ðupon€the€undersigned€to€rule€upon€the€Motion€For€New€Trial.€€TheÐ ä4 ÐDavidson€County€Local€Rules€of€Court€permit€the€Court€to€waive€oralÐ Ð  Ðarguments.€€Finding€oral€arguments€would€be€of€no€benefit,€the€CourtÐ ¼  Ðelects€to€rule€on€the€motion€without€oral€arguments.Ð ¨ø Ðà ¸ àThe€issue€is€basically€a€question€of€whether€the€allegations€ofÐ ”ä Ðforgery€and€fraud€alleged€by€Ms.€Nichols,€which€were€raisedÐ €Ð Ðpreviously€and€testimony€for€which€was€presented€at€the€trial€at€issue,Ð l¼ Ðjustifies€granting€a€new€trial€pursuant€to€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€60.02.Ð X ¨ Ðà ¸ àFollowing€the€trial,€the€Court€made€numerous€findingsÐ D!” Ðincluding€without€limitation€that€the€proof€was€insufficient€toÐ 0"€  Ðsubstantiate€the€allegations€of€forgery€or€fraud.€€Particularly,€òòtheÐ #l! ÐCourt€found€that€the€testimony€of€Ms.€Nichols€and€Lois€MarleneÐ $X" ÐSloan,€who€were€the€principal€witnesses€providing€testimonyÐ ô$D # Ðconcerning€the€allegations€of€forgery€or€fraud,€to€be€less€thanÐ à%0!$ Ðcredible€and€wholly€inadequate€to€substantiate€the€allegations€ofÐ Ì&"% Ðforgery€or€fraudóó.€€The€Court€has€reviewed€the€Motion€For€a€NewÐ ¸'#& ÐTrial,€the€affidavits€in€support€thereof€and€find€them€insufficient€toÐ ¤(ô#' Ðjustify€granting€a€new€trial.€€Ð )à$( Ðà ¸ àAfter€consideration€of€all€relevant€factors,€and€recalling€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðpertinent€testimony€presented€at€trial,€the€Court€finds€that€the€movantsÐ h+¸&* Ðhad€more€than€ample€opportunity€to€present€their€case€on€SeptemberÐ ° Ð23,€2003,€the€evidence€presented€at€the€trial€was€wholly€insufficientÐ œì Ðto€sustain€the€allegations€of€forgery€or€fraud,€and€the€grounds€set€forthÐ ˆØ Ðin€the€motion€and€the€facts€set€forth€in€the€affidavits€in€support€thereofÐ tÄ Ðfail€to€convince€the€Court€that€the€trial€should€be€set€aside€or€a€newÐ `° Ðtrial€should€be€granted.€€The€movants€simply€want€a€second€bite€at€theÐ L œ Ðapple€but€have€failed€to€provide€a€justification€for€another€bite.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌÓ °,PÓÓ °PÓ(emphasis€added).€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àThereafter,€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€filed€a€motion€in€the€chancery€court€seeking€Rule€11Ð è 8  Ðsanctions€against€Ms.€Nichols€and€her€counsel€asserting€that€the€complaint€filed€in€chancery€courtÐ Ô$  Ðwas€ð ðfactually€frivolous€and/or€presented€for€an€improper€purpose.ðð€€€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€also€filedÐ À  Ða€motion€seeking€to€have€the€complaint€dismissed€pursuant€to€Rule€12.02(6)€of€the€Tennessee€RulesÐ ¬ü  Ðof€Civil€Procedure€for€failure€to€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€could€be€granted.€Ms.€NicholsÐ ˜è  Ðsubsequently€filed€a€motion€in€the€probate€court€seeking€to€amend€her€motion€for€a€new€trial,€despiteÐ „Ô  Ðthe€fact€that€Judge€Clement€had€already€issued€an€order€denying€the€motion.€€In€any€event,€theÐ pÀ Ðchancery€court€entered€an€order€transferring€Ms.€Nicholsððs€complaint€to€the€probate€court€pursuantÐ \¬ Ðto€the€agreement€of€the€judges€of€the€probate€and€chancery€courts.€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àOnce€the€case€was€returned€to€the€probate€court,€counsel€for€Ms.€Nichols€filed€a€response€toÐ  p Ðthe€motion€for€Rule€11€sanctions€filed€by€Mr.€Allenððs€Children,€wherein€he€asserted€that€it€wasÐ  \ Ðpermissible€to€file€the€complaint€in€chancery€court€seeking€to€set€aside€the€probate€courtððs€orders.€Ð øH ÐMs.€Nichols€also€filed€an€amended€complaint€in€the€probate€court€alleging€that€Mrs.€Allen€wrote€aÐ ä4 Ðholographic€will€(the€ð ðreal€willðð)€leaving€her€entire€estate€to€Ms.€Nichols,€she€saw€the€ð ðreal€willððÐ Ð  Ðbehind€the€clock€at€the€Goodlettsville€Property€and€read€the€will,€and€recounted€her€prior€argumentsÐ ¼  Ðthat€the€will€submitted€to€probate€was€a€forgery€and€that€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€had€engaged€in€fraudÐ ¨ø Ðby€probating€the€will.€€€In€response€to€the€amended€complaint,€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€filed€a€motionÐ ”ä Ðto€dismiss€the€amended€complaint€pursuant€to€Rule€12.02(6)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€CivilÐ €Ð ÐProcedure.€€On€October€8,€2004,€the€probate€court€entered€an€order׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€granting€the€motion€to€dismissÐ l¼ Ðfiled€by€Mr.€Allenððs€Children,€stating:Ð X ¨ ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ à1.à0  àThe€facts€and€causes€of€action€alleged€in€the€Ð0"€ xx ÐPlaintiffððs€ð ðAmended€and€Substituted€Complaintðð€have€beenÐ #l! Ðpreviously€heard€and€adjudicated€by€this€Court.€€When€this€CourtÐ $X" Ðissued€its€previous€Order€.€.€.€denying€the€Plaintiffððs€ð ðMotion€for€NewÐ ô$D # ÐTrial,ðð€the€Plaintiff€could€have€elected€to€appeal€the€Courtððs€ruling.€Ð à%0!$ ÐHowever,€the€Plaintiff€chose€not€to€appeal€the€Courtððs€ruling€but,Ð Ì&"% Ðinstead,€filed€a€second€lawsuit€.€.€.€in€the€Chancery€Court€(which€wasÐ ¸'#& Ðsubsequently€transferred€to€this€Court)€in€an€attempt€to€re„litigate€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðmatters€previously€adjudicated€by€this€Court.€€As€the€matters€at€issueÐ ° Ðare€substantially€identical€to€those€previously€adjudicated€by€theÐ œì ÐCourt,€the€Court€finds€that€the€relief€sought€by€the€Plaintiff€is€barredÐ ˆØ Ðunder€the€legal€doctrine€of€collateral€estoppel.Ð tÄ Ðà ¸ à2.à0  àThe€handwritten€last€will€and€testament€of€Enola€Ð`°xx ÐMarie€Allen,€dated€February€14,€1997,€was€admitted€to€probate€byÐ L œ Ðthis€Court€on€April€14,€1999,€at€which€time€the€Plaintiff€admittedlyÐ 8 ˆ Ðreceived€notice€of€same€and€a€copy€of€said€last€will€and€testament.€Ð $ t ÐòòTennessee€Code€Annotated€Section€32„4„108€imposes€a€two€yearÐ  ` Ðstatute€of€limitations€on€the€bringing€of€will€contests€which,€withÐ ü L  Ðrespect€to€the€last€will€and€testament€of€Enola€Marie€Allen,€expiredÐ è 8  Ðon€April€14,€2001óó.€€To€the€extent€that€the€Plaintiffððs€ð ðAmended€andÐ Ô$  ÐSubstituted€Complaintðð€is€an€attempt€to€contest€the€last€will€andÐ À  Ðtestament€of€Enola€Marie€Allen,€òòsuch€attempt€is€untimely€and€barredÐ ¬ü  Ðas€the€applicable€statute€of€limitations€has€expiredóó.Ð ˜è  ÐÌÓ °scÓÓ °cÓ(emphasis€added).€€€In€response€to€the€order€dismissing€her€complaint,€Ms.€Nichols€filed€an€appealÐ pÀ Ðto€this€Court.Ð \¬ ÐÌÓ  Óò òòòII.Ð 4„ ÐDiscussionóóó óÐ  p ÐÌÓ  Óà  àOn€appeal,€Ms.€Nichols€has€raised€nineteen€(19)€separate€issues€to€contest€various€aspectsÐ øH Ðof€the€aforementioned€procedural€history€of€this€case.€€Many€of€the€issues€raised€by€Ms.€NicholsÐ ä4 Ðaddress€the€propriety€of€certain€actions€taken€by€Judge€Clement€in€adjudicating€the€declaratoryÐ Ð  Ðjudgment€action€filed€by€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€in€the€probate€court€to€construe€Mrs.€AllenððsÐ ¼  Ðholographic€will.€€The€remainder€of€the€issues€raised€by€Ms.€Nichols€on€appeal€address€theÐ ¨ø Ðdisposition€of€the€complaint€she€filed€in€the€chancery€court€following€the€resolution€of€theÐ ”ä Ðdeclaratory€judgment€action.€€We€find€each€of€the€issues€raised€by€Ms.€Nichols€on€appeal€to€beÐ €Ð Ðwithout€merit.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àRegarding€the€jurisdiction€of€the€courts€of€this€state€to€hear€probate€matters,€the€legislatureÐ D!” Ðenacted€the€following€statute:Ð 0"€  ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àòòIn€all€counties€where€not€otherwise€specifically€provided€byÐ $X" Ðpublic,€private,€special€or€local€actsóó,€all€jurisdiction€relating€to€theÐ ô$D # Ðprobate€of€wills€and€the€administration€of€estates€of€every€nature€.€.€.Ð à%0!$ Ðis€hereby€vested€in€the€chancery€court€of€the€respective€counties.€TheÐ Ì&"% Ðchancery€court€in€such€counties€shall€have€exclusive€jurisdiction€overÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€probate€of€wills€and€the€administration€of€estates€of€every€natureÐ ¤(ô#' Ð.€.€.€.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) ÐÓ °ÓpÓÓ °ÅpÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„16„201(a)€(2003)€(emphasis€added).€€ð ðExpressly€excluded€from€theÐ ° Ðâ âapplication€of€the€[statute]€conferring€probate€jurisdiction€on€the€chancery€court€are€counties€havingÐ œì Ðprobate€courts€otherwise€provided€by€general€law,€or€special,€local,€or€private€acts.ðð€€1€Jack€W.Ð ˆØ ÐRobinson,€Sr.€and€Jeff€Mobley,òò€Pritchard€on€the€Law€of€Wills€and€Administration€of€Estates€óóðð€39,Ð tÄ Ðat€65€(5th€ed.òòóó€1994).€€In€1963,€the€Tennessee€General€Assembly€created,€by€private€act,€the€ProbateÐ `° ÐCourt€of€Davidson€County.€€1963€Tenn.€Priv.€ch.€124,€ðð€1.€€Thus,€the€Probate€Court€of€DavidsonÐ L œ ÐCounty€properly€had€jurisdiction€over€the€probate€of€Mr.€Allenððs€and€Mrs.€Allenððs€estates.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àWe€first€address€our€ability€to€entertain€issues€raised€by€Ms.€Nichols€relating€to€theÐ  ` Ðdeclaratory€judgment€action€filed€by€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€in€the€probate€court€to€construe€Mrs.Ð ü L  ÐAllenððs€holographic€will.€€Shortly€after€Mr.€Allenððs€ð ðLast€Will€and€Testamentðð€was€admitted€intoÐ è 8  Ðprobate,€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€filed€a€declaratory€judgment€action€in€the€probate€court€to€construeÐ Ô$  Ðthe€meaning€of€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€will.€€Judge€Clement€held€a€hearing€on€the€declaratoryÐ À  Ðjudgment€action€on€September€23,€2003,€and€he€issued€an€order€in€favor€of€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€onÐ ¬ü  ÐOctober€6,€2003.€€Ms.€Nichols€filed€her€ð ðMotion€for€New€Trialðð€on€October€22,€2003,€which€theÐ ˜è  Ðprobate€court€denied€on€February€19,€2004.€€Ms.€Nichols€did€not€file€the€instant€appeal€until€OctoberÐ „Ô  Ð13,€2004.€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àð ðThis€Court€may€òòsua€sponte€óóreview€the€record€on€appeal€to€determine€if€we€properly€haveÐ H˜ Ðjurisdiction.ðð€€ò òòòHuntington€Natððl€Bank€v.€Hookeróóó ó,€840€S.W.2d€916,€922€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991)Ð 4„ Ð(citing€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€3(a));€ò òòòsee€also€óóó óTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(b)€(2005)€(ð ðThe€appellate€court€shallÐ  p Ðalso€consider€whether€the€trial€and€appellate€court€have€jurisdiction€over€the€subject€matter,€whetherÐ  \ Ðor€not€presented€for€review[.]ðð)).€€When€creating€the€Probate€Court€of€Davidson€County,€theÐ øH Ðlegislature€provided€ð ð[t]hat€all€appeals€from€the€Probate€Court€shall€lie€to€the€Court€of€Appeals€orÐ ä4 ÐSupreme€Court€in€the€same€manner€as€appeals€from€chancery€courts.ðð€€1963€Priv.€Acts€ch.€124,€ððÐ Ð  Ð5.€€ð ðIn€an€appeal€as€of€right€to€the€.€.€.€Court€of€Appeals€.€.€.€the€notice€of€appeal€required€by€Rule€3Ð ¼  Ðshall€be€filed€with€and€received€by€the€clerk€of€the€trial€court€within€30€days€after€the€date€of€entryÐ ¨ø Ðof€the€judgment€appealed€from[.]ðð€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€4(a)€(2005).€€ð ðIn€a€civil€action,€if€a€timely€motionÐ ”ä Ðunder€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€is€filed€in€the€trial€court€by€any€party€.€.€.€under€RuleÐ €Ð Ð59.02€for€a€new€trial€.€.€.€the€time€for€appeal€for€all€parties€shall€run€from€the€entry€of€the€orderÐ l¼ Ðdenying€a€new€trial€or€granting€or€denying€any€other€such€motion.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€4(b)€(2005).€Ð X ¨ Ðð ðThe€thirty„day€time€limit€set€out€in€Rule€4€is€jurisdictional€in€civil€cases.ðð€€ò òòòBinkley€v.€Medlingóóó ó,€117Ð D!” ÐS.W.3d€252,€255€(Tenn.€2003).Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àMs.€Nichols€did€not€file€a€notice€of€appeal€in€this€case€until€well€over€thirty€days€after€theÐ $X" Ðprobate€court€entered€the€order€denying€her€ð ðMotion€for€New€Trial.ðð€€Accordingly,€this€Court€isÐ ô$D # Ðwithout€jurisdiction€to€entertain€any€of€the€issues€presented€by€Ms.€Nichols€relating€to€the€probateÐ à%0!$ Ðcourtððs€actions€in€disposing€of€the€declaratory€judgment€action€filed€by€Mr.€Allenððs€Children.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àWe€now€turn€our€attention€to€the€remaining€issues€presented€by€Ms.€Nichols€on€appeal.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐDissatisfied€with€the€result€she€received€in€the€probate€court,€Ms.€Nichols€filed€a€complaint€againstÐ )à$( ÐMr.€Allenððs€Children€in€the€Chancery€Court€of€Davidson€County€on€December€31,€2003,€just€priorÐ |*Ì%) Ðto€the€entry€of€the€order€by€the€probate€court€denying€her€ð ðMotion€for€New€Trial.ðð€€In€her€complaint,Ð h+¸&* ÐMs.€Nichols€sought€to€have€the€probate€of€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€will€set€aside.€€Specifically,€sheÐ ° Ðasserted€that€Mr.€Allen,€Mr.€Allenððs€Children,€and€their€attorneys€committed€fraud€(1)€in€procuringÐ œì Ðthe€probate€of€the€wills€by€failing€to€disclose€Mrs.€Allenððs€ownership€of€the€Goodlettsville€PropertyÐ ˆØ Ðand€(2)€in€their€attempt€to€probate€Mrs.€Allenððs€allegedly€forged€holographic€will.€Thereafter,€theÐ tÄ Ðchancery€court€transferred€the€case€to€the€probate€court.€€The€probate€court€ultimately€entered€anÐ `° Ðorder€dismissing€Ms.€Nicholsððs€complaint€on€October€8,€2004,€and€Ms.€Nichols€filed€her€notice€ofÐ L œ Ðappeal€to€this€Court€on€October€13,€2004.€€Thus,€this€Court€has€jurisdiction€to€entertain€those€issuesÐ 8 ˆ Ðrelated€to€the€dismissal€of€her€complaint€since€she€filed€her€appeal€within€the€thirty€day€periodÐ $ t Ðallowed€under€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure.€€ò òòòSeeóóó ó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€4(a)€(2005).Ð  ` ÐÌà  àOn€appeal,€Ms.€Nichols€raises€numerous€issues€surrounding€the€disposition€of€her€complaintÐ è 8  Ðagainst€Mr.€Allenððs€Children.€€However,€we€need€only€address€two€of€these€issues€in€order€toÐ Ô$  Ðproperly€dispose€of€this€case:Ð À  ÐÌ1.à0  àDid€the€chancery€court€err€in€transferring€Ms.€Nicholsððs€complaint€to€the€probate€court;€and€Ð˜è (#(# Ð2.à0  àWhether€the€probate€court€erred€in€dismissing€her€complaint€once€it€had€been€transferred€toÐ „Ô  Ðthe€probate€court.ÐpÀ(#(# ÐÌFor€the€following€reasons,€we€affirm€the€probate€courtððs€decision€to€dismiss€Ms.€Nicholsððs€complaintÐ H˜ Ðagainst€Mr.€Allenððs€Children.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àð ðAfter€a€will€has€been€admitted€to€probate,€only€a€will€contest€can€present€any€question€of€theÐ  \ Ðvalidity€of€the€will.ðð€€95€C.J.S.€òòWillsóó€ðð€497€(2001).€€The€purpose€for€a€will€contest€action€can€beÐ øH Ðstated€as€follows:Ð ä4 ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àThe€purpose€of€a€will€contest€is€to€show€that€a€testator€wasÐ ¼  Ðmentally€incapable€of€entering€into€the€will€or€that€the€will€is€notÐ ¨ø Ðreally€the€testatorððs€last€will€and€testament€because€it€was€procured€byÐ ”ä Ðundue€influence€or€fraud,€such€that€the€will€should€be€declared€voidÐ €Ð Ðand€the€testatorððs€estate€should€be€administered€under€the€laws€ofÐ l¼ Ðdescent€and€distribution.Ð X ¨ ÐÌÓ °<ŽÓÓ °.ŽÓò òòòId.óóó ó;€ò òòòsee€also€In€re€Estate€of€Edenóóó ó,€99€S.W.3d€82,€87€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995)€(discussing€theÐ 0"€  Ðdifferences€between€a€will€contest€action€and€a€will€construction€action).€€The€allegations€set€forthÐ #l! Ðin€Ms.€Nicholsððs€complaint€clearly€establish€that€it€is€an€action€to€contest€the€validity€of€Mrs.€AllenððsÐ $X" Ðholographic€will.€€ð ðIt€is€well€settled€that€such€persons€only€as€would€be€entitled€to€share€in€the€realÐ ô$D # Ðor€personal€estate€of€the€deceased€if€there€were€no€will,€or€if€the€will€were€set€aside,€are€entitled€toÐ à%0!$ Ðimpeach€its€validity.ðð€€ò òòòGore€v.€Howardóóó ó,€30€S.W.€730,€731€(Tenn.€1894)€(citation€omitted).€€As€aÐ Ì&"% Ðperson€entitled€to€share€in€Mrs.€Allenððs€real€property€if€her€holographic€will€were€declared€invalid,Ð ¸'#& ÐMs.€Nichols€was€entitled€to€attempt€to€impeach€the€validity€of€the€will€by€filing€a€will€contest€action.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àð ðThe€probate€and€contest€of€wills€are€basically€statutory€rights€and€statutory€proceedings,Ð ° Ðâ âderived€not€from€common€law,€but€from€the€ecclesiastical€courts€of€England.ðð€€òòò òGreen€v.€Higdonóóó ó,€870Ð œì ÐS.W.2d€513,€520€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993);€€òòò òsee€alsoóóó ó€95€C.J.S.€Wills€ðð€497€(2001)€(ð ðThe€right€to€contestÐ ˆØ Ða€will€is€not€a€right€existing€at€common€law,€but€a€right€conferred€solely€by€statute€which€affords€theÐ tÄ Ðexclusive€mode€of€setting€aside€a€will.ðð).ò òòòóóó ó€€Regarding€an€action€to€contest€the€validity€of€a€probatedÐ `° Ðwill,€the€legislature€provides€as€follows:Ð L œ ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àIf€the€validity€of€any€last€will€or€testament,€written€orÐ $ t Ðnuncupative,€is€contested,€òòthen€the€court€having€probate€jurisdictionÐ  ` Ðover€such€last€will€or€testament€óómust€enter€an€order€sustaining€orÐ ü L  Ðdenying€the€contestantððs€right€to€contest€the€will.€If€the€right€to€contestÐ è 8  Ðthe€will€is€sustained,€then€the€court€must:Ð Ô$  Ðà ¸ à(1)€€Require€the€contestant€to€enter€into€bond,€with€surety,€inÐ À  Ðthe€penal€sum€of€five€hundred€dollars€($€500),€payable€to€the€executorÐ ¬ü  Ðmentioned€in€the€will,€conditioned€for€the€faithful€prosecution€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðsuit,€and€in€case€of€failure€therein,€to€pay€all€costs€that€may€accrueÐ „Ô  Ðthereon;€andÐ pÀ Ðà ¸ à(2)€€Cause€a€certificate€of€the€contest€and€the€original€will€toÐ \¬ Ðbe€filed€with€the€appropriate€court€for€trial.Ð H˜ ÐAs€used€in€this€section,€the€term€ð ðthe€appropriate€court€for€trialððÐ 4„ Ðmeans€the€court€elected€by€the€contestant,€in€the€notice€of€contest,€toÐ  p Ðconduct€a€trial€upon€the€validity€of€the€will.Ð  \ ÐÌÓ °d—ÓÓ °r—ÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€32„4„101€(2003)€(emphasis€added);€ò òòòsee€also€óóó ó1€Jack€W.€Robinson,€Sr.€and€JeffÐ ä4 ÐMobley,òò€Pritchard€on€the€Law€of€Wills€and€Administration€of€Estates€óóðð€368,€at€562€(5th€ed.òòóó€1994)Ð Ð  Ð(ð ðThe€action€is€commenced€by€a€complaint€addressed€to€and€filed€in€the€probate€court€in€which€theÐ ¼  Ðwill€was€admitted€to€probate.ðð).€€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àBased€on€the€clear€directive€in€section€32„4„101€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€Ms.€Nichols€initiallyÐ €Ð Ðfiled€her€complaint€in€an€incorrect€court.€€ò òòòSeeóóó ó€95€C.J.S.€Wills€ðð€497€(2001)€(ð ðThe€statute€[permittingÐ l¼ Ðan€action€to€contest€a€will],€being€in€derogation€of€common€law,€must€be€strictly€construed,€and€aÐ X ¨ Ðproceeding€initiated€under€a€governing€statute€must€comply€òòexactly€óówith€the€requirements€of€thatÐ D!” Ðstatute.ðð).€€The€Probate€Court€of€Davidson€County,€pursuant€to€the€private€act€promulgated€by€theÐ 0"€  Ðlegislature,€was€the€court€that€probated€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€will.€€Therefore,€Ms.€Nichols€wasÐ #l! Ðrequired€to€file€her€complaint€with€the€probate€court€and€give€the€court€the€opportunity€to€sustain€orÐ $X" Ðdeny€her€right€to€contest€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€will.€€Rule€3.04€of€the€Davidson€County€LocalÐ ô$D # ÐRules€of€Practice€provides€as€follows:Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àThe€Presiding€Judge€may€transfer€a€case€from€one€court€toÐ ¸'#& Ðanother€or€from€one€division€to€another.€€The€Judges€and€ChancellorsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðof€the€20th€Judicial€òòóóDistrict€òòmay€transfer€cases€among€themselves€byÐ )à$( Ðmutual€consent€except€in€cases€of€recusalóó.€€òòIt€is€not€necessary€that€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðparties€or€their€counsel€consent€to€such€a€transferóó.Ð h+¸&* Ð‡Ó °e¢ÓÓ °s¢Ó(emphasis€added).€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€the€chancery€court€did€not€err€by€transferring€Ms.Ð ° ÐNicholsððs€complaint€to€the€probate€court.Ð œì ÐÌà  àNext,€we€examine€whether€the€probate€court€erred€in€dismissing€Ms.€Nicholsððs€complaintÐ tÄ Ðfollowing€the€transfer.€€After€Ms.€Nichols€filed€her€amended€complaint€in€the€probate€court,€Mr.Ð `° ÐAllenððs€Children€filed€a€motion€to€dismiss€pursuant€to€Rule€12.02(6)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€CivilÐ L œ ÐProcedure€for€failure€to€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€could€be€granted,€which€the€probate€courtÐ 8 ˆ Ðsubsequently€granted.€€As€counsel€for€Ms.€Nichols€conceded€at€oral€argument,€the€correctness€of€theÐ $ t Ðprobate€courtððs€decision€to€dismiss€her€complaint€is€the€crux€of€this€appeal.€€When€reviewing€theÐ  ` Ðcorrectness€of€a€trial€courtððs€decision€to€dismiss€a€complaint€pursuant€to€Rule€12.02(6),€we€employÐ ü L  Ðthe€following€standard€of€review:Ð è 8  ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓA€Rule€12.02(6)€motion€tests€the€legal€sufficiency€of€the€plaintiffððsÐ À  Ðcomplaint€and€not€the€strength€of€the€plaintiffððs€evidence.€€òòRiggs€v.Ð ¬ü  ÐBursonóó,€941€S.W.2d€44,€47€(Tenn.€1997).€€In€ruling€on€such€a€motion,Ð ˜è  Ðcourts€must€construe€the€complaint€in€favor€of€the€plaintiff,€accept€theÐ „Ô  Ðallegations€of€fact€as€true,€and€deny€the€motion€unless€it€appears€thatÐ pÀ Ðthe€plaintiff€can€establish€no€facts€supporting€the€claim€that€wouldÐ \¬ Ðwarrant€relief.€òò€Idóó.€€When€the€trial€courtððs€grant€of€a€Rule€12.02(6)Ð H˜ Ðmotion€to€dismiss€is€appealed,€we€must€take€the€factual€allegationsÐ 4„ Ðcontained€in€the€complaint€as€true€and€review€the€lower€courtsðð€legalÐ  p Ðconclusions€òòde€novo€óówithout€a€presumption€of€correctness.òò€€Stein€v.Ð  \ ÐDavidson€Hotel€Co.óó,€945€S.W.2d€714,€716€(Tenn.€1997).Ð øH ÐÌÓ °³¨ÓÓ °¥¨Óò òòòDoe€v.€Sundquistóóó ó,€2€S.W.3d€919,€922€(Tenn.€1999);€ò òòòsee€also€In€re€Estate€of€Rameyóóó ó,€No.€E2003„Ð Ð  Ð00544„COA„R3„CV,€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€8,€at€*4ð!ð5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€8,€2004).€€Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àActions€to€contest€the€validity€of€a€probated€will€must€also€be€filed€within€the€time€allowedÐ ”ä Ðby€statute.€€ò òòòSee€óóó ó1€Jack€W.€Robinson,€Sr.€and€Jeff€Mobley,òò€Pritchard€on€the€Law€of€Wills€andÐ €Ð ÐAdministration€of€Estates€óóðð€366,€at€559€(5th€ed.òòóó€1994).€€The€legislature€directs€that€actions€to€contestÐ l¼ Ðthe€validity€of€a€probated€will€must€comply€with€the€following€statute€of€limitations:Ð X ¨ ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àAll€actions€or€proceedings€to€set€aside€the€probate€of€any€will,Ð 0"€  Ðor€petitions€to€certify€such€will€for€an€issue€of€devisavit€vel€non,€òòmustÐ #l! Ðbe€brought€within€two€(2)€years€from€entry€of€the€order€admitting€theÐ $X" Ðwill€to€probate,€or€be€forever€barredóó,€saving,€however,€to€personsÐ ô$D # Ðunder€the€age€of€eighteen€(18)€years€or€of€unsound€mind,€at€the€timeÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€cause€of€action€accrues,€the€rights€conferred€by€ðð€28-1-106.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð Ì&"% Ðâ âÐ ¸'#& ÐÓ °˯ÓÓ °½¯ÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€32„4„108€(emphasis€added).€€As€previously€noted,€the€probate€court€entered€anÐ ° Ðâ âorder€admitting€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€will€to€probate€on€April€14,€1999,€and€Ms.€Nichols€filedÐ œì Ðher€complaint€in€the€chancery€court€to€contest€the€validity€of€the€will€on€December€31,€2003.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àOur€resolution€of€this€issue€is€governed€by€our€supreme€courtððs€decision€in€ò òòòPhillips€v.Ð `° ÐPhillipsóóó ó,€526€S.W.2d€439€(Tenn.€1975).€€In€òòPhillipsóó,€our€supreme€court€was€asked€to€decide€whetherÐ L œ Ðan€action€to€set€aside€the€probate€of€a€decedentððs€will€was€barred€by€the€aforementioned€statute€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðlimitations.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€at€439.€€The€decedent€died€in€1965,€and€her€will€was€probated€that€same€year.€€ò òòòId.€Ð $ t Ðóóó óThe€decedent€left€her€entire€estate€to€one€of€her€brothers.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€In€1973,€the€brother€died€leaving€hisÐ  ` Ðentire€estate,€including€the€property€he€acquired€from€his€sister,€to€his€wife.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€In€May€of€1974,€theÐ ü L  Ðdecedentððs€other€siblings€filed€an€action€against€their€deceased€brotherððs€wife,€his€executor,€and€hisÐ è 8  Ðestate€alleging€that€the€probated€will€of€their€sister€was€a€forgery.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€The€siblings€alleged€that,€afterÐ Ô$  Ðthe€death€of€their€brother,€they€inquired€into€the€ownership€of€their€sisterððs€property€and€discoveredÐ À  Ðthat€her€will€had€been€probated.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€The€siblings€secured€the€services€of€a€handwriting€expert€whoÐ ¬ü  Ðopined€that€the€signature€on€their€sisterððs€will€was€a€forgery.€€ò òòòId.óóó óÐ ˜è  ÐÌà  àTurning€to€the€precursor€of€section€32„4„108€of€the€Tennessee€Code,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€supreme€court€notedÐ pÀ Ðthat€the€siblingsðð€action€to€contest€the€validity€of€the€decedentððs€will€was€filed€well€beyond€the€timeÐ \¬ Ðstatutorily€allowed€for€filing€such€actions.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€at€440.€€In€resolving€the€issue€presented€for€review,Ð H˜ Ðthe€supreme€court€held€as€follows:Ð 4„ ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓNo€exception€is€made€where€the€probate€of€a€will€is€sought€to€be€setÐ  \ Ðaside€on€the€ground€that€the€will€is€not€the€true€will€of€the€testatrix,Ð øH Ðwith€the€allegation€being€that€the€will€was€a€result€of€either€fraud€orÐ ä4 Ðforgery€as€is€charged€in€this€case.Ð Ð  Ðà ¸ àThe€present€action€was€filed€more€than€seven€years€after€theÐ ¼  Ðwill€of€[the€decedent]€was€probated.€€Further,€the€record€shows€thatÐ ¨ø Ðnone€of€the€plaintiffs€comes€within€the€exception€stated€in€T.C.A.Ð ”ä Ð32-410€as€each€was€of€sound€mind€and€was€more€than€twenty-oneÐ €Ð Ðyears€of€age€when€the€will€was€probated.€€The€question€is€do€theyÐ l¼ Ðcome€within€an€exception€implicit€in€T.C.A.€32-410?Ð X ¨ Ðà ¸ àIn€considering€general€statutes€of€limitation,€this€court€hasÐ D!” Ðrecognized€an€exception€not€voiced€in€the€statutes€and€which€tolls€theÐ 0"€  Ðstatute€where,€due€to€fraudulent€concealment,€a€plaintiff€is€unawareÐ #l! Ðof€his€cause€of€action.€€òòWoodfolk€v.€Marleyóó,€98€Tenn.€467,€40€S.W.Ð $X" Ð479;€òòPorterððs€Lessee€v.€Cockeóó,€7€Tenn.€29;€òòShelbyððs€Heirs€v.€Shelbyóó,Ð ô$D # Ð3€Tenn.€179.€€However,€while€fraudulent€concealment€of€a€cause€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðaction€will€toll€a€general€statute€of€limitations,€òòfraud€in€and€of€itselfÐ Ì&"% Ðwill€notóó.Ð ¸'#& ÐÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÓ °¿»ÓÓ °±»ÓÓ ÓÓ Óà  àð ðIt€is€not€the€fraud,€but€its€concealment€by€theÐ ° Ðparty€perpetrating€it,€unmixed€with€fault€or€negligenceÐ œì Ðon€the€part€of€him€who€complains,€which€works€thisÐ ˆØ Ðresult.ðð€€òòWoodfolk€v.€Marleyóó,€98€Tenn.€467,€471,€40Ð tÄ ÐS.W.€479,€480€(1896).Ð `° ÐÌÓ ÿÁÓÓ  ÂÓÓ °q·ÓÓ °Y·Óà ¸ àWe€know€of€no€basic€reason€why€the€fraudulent€concealmentÐ 8 ˆ Ðexception€should€not€be€applicable€to€the€special€statute€of€limitationsÐ $ t Ðvoiced€in€T.C.A.€32-410.€€However,€in€this€case€no€facts€are€allegedÐ  ` Ðwhich€would€support€a€finding€of€fraudulent€concealment.€€To€theÐ ü L  Ðcontrary,€the€record€shows€there€was€no€concealment€of€the€will€ofÐ è 8  Ð[the€decedent]€or€of€the€signature€on€the€will.€€The€will€was€of€publicÐ Ô$  Ðrecord€for€more€than€nine€years€before€plaintiffs€filed€this€action.€Ð À  ÐBeing€of€public€record,€the€will€was€available€at€all€times€forÐ ¬ü  Ðexamination€by€the€plaintiffs€or€any€handwriting€expert€chosen€byÐ ˜è  Ðthem.€€The€plaintiffs,€however,€elected€not€to€make€inquiry€into€theÐ „Ô  Ðauthenticity€of€the€will€until€after€the€death€of€their€brother€.€.€.€whoÐ pÀ Ðwas€the€principal€beneficiary€of€the€will€of€[the€decedent].€€By€then,Ð \¬ Ðthe€seven€year€limitation€on€the€bringing€of€actions€to€set€aside€theÐ H˜ Ðprobate€of€a€will€had€passed€and€plaintiffsðð€action€was€barred.Ð 4„ ÐÌÓ °¢ÃÓÓ °´ÃÓò òòòId.óóó ó€(emphasis€added).Ð  \ ÐÌà  àAs€in€òòPhillipsóó,€the€record€in€the€instant€case€is€devoid€of€any€evidence€showing€that€Mr.Ð ä4 ÐAllen,€Mr.€Allenððs€Children,€or€their€attorneys€sought€to€conceal€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€will.€€ToÐ Ð  Ðthe€contrary,€the€will€was€admitted€into€probate€in€April€of€1999€and€remained€a€public€record€at€allÐ ¼  Ðtimes€thereafter.€€In€fact,€Ms.€Nichols€admitted€in€an€affidavit€filed€with€the€probate€court€that€sheÐ ¨ø Ðð ðdid€receive€a€copy€of€the€aforesaid€Will€of€[her]€mother€in€1999€while€[she]€was€in€the€State€Pen.€Ð ”ä Ð[She]€did€not€have€any€money€to€retain€an€attorney€to€contest€the€Will€and€at€that€time€[she]€did€notÐ €Ð Ðrealize€[her]€motherððs€Will€had€to€be€totally€in€her€handwriting.ðð€€€Moreover,€Ms.€Swift,€Mrs.€AllenððsÐ l¼ Ðsister€and€the€principal€witness€Ms.€Nichols€now€relies€on€to€prove€that€the€holographic€will€is€aÐ X ¨ Ðforgery,€also€submitted€an€affidavit€stating€that€she€ð ðwas€previously€sent€a€copy€of€the€alleged€WillÐ D!” Ðof€Ms.€Allen€as€a€part€of€the€probate€of€her€alleged€Will€in€1999€and€at€that€time€[she]€did€not€realizeÐ 0"€  Ðthat€all€of€her€Will€had€to€be€written€totally€in€her€own€handwriting€or€printing€and€that€is€the€reasonÐ #l! Ð[she]€did€not€object€to€same€in€1999.ðð€€The€justifications€for€the€delay€in€bringing€the€action€toÐ $X" Ðcontest€the€validity€of€Mrs.€Allenððs€will€put€forth€by€Ms.€Nichols€and€Ms.€Swift€do€not€warrant€theÐ ô$D # Ðapplication€of€the€narrow€exception€for€tolling€the€applicable€statute€of€limitations€enunciated€by€ourÐ à%0!$ Ðsupreme€court€in€òòPhillipsóó.€€Pursuant€to€the€two€(2)€year€limitations€period€set€forth€in€section€32„4„Ð Ì&"% Ð108€of€the€Tennessee€Code€and€our€supreme€courtððs€holding€in€òòPhillipsóó,€we€affirm€the€probateÐ ¸'#& Ðcourtððs€decision€to€dismiss€Ms.€Nicholsððs€complaint.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àFinally,€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€ask€this€Court€to€award€them€damages€pursuant€to€section€27„1„Ð |*Ì%) Ð122,€which€provides€as€follows:Ð h+¸&* ÐÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àWhen€it€appears€to€any€reviewing€court€that€the€appeal€fromÐ ° Ðany€court€of€record€was€frivolous€or€taken€solely€for€delay,€the€courtÐ œì Ðmay,€either€upon€motion€of€a€party€or€of€its€own€motion,€award€justÐ ˆØ Ðdamages€against€the€appellant,€which€may€include,€but€need€not€beÐ tÄ Ðlimited€to,€costs,€interest€on€the€judgment,€and€expenses€incurred€byÐ `° Ðthe€appellee€as€a€result€of€the€appeal.Ð L œ ÐÌÓ °ÍÑÓÓ °ÛÑÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€27„1„122€(2003).€€ð ðSuccessful€parties€should€not€have€to€bear€the€cost€andÐ $ t Ðvexation€of€baseless€appeals.ðð€€ò òòòJackson€v.€Aldridgeóóó ó,€6€S.W.3d€501,€504€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999)Ð  ` Ð(citations€omitted).€€An€appeal€is€frivolous€when€it€ð ðhas€no€reasonable€chance€of€success,ðð€ò òòòDavis€v.Ð ü L  ÐGulf€Ins.€Groupóóó ó,€546€S.W.2d€583,€586€(Tenn.€1977),€or€is€ð ðso€utterly€devoid€of€merit€as€to€justifyÐ è 8  Ðimposition€of€a€penalty,ðð€ò òòòCombustion€Engððg,€Inc.€v.€Kennedyóóó ó,€562€S.W.2d€202,€205€(Tenn.€1978).€Ð Ô$  ÐThe€decision€as€to€whether€to€award€damages€for€the€filing€of€a€frivolous€appeal€lies€solely€withinÐ À  Ðthe€discretion€of€this€Court,€ò òòòsee€Banks€v.€St.€Francis€Hosp.óóó ó,€697€S.W.2d€340,€343€(Tenn.€1985),€andÐ ¬ü  Ðwe€exercise€such€discretion€sparingly€so€as€not€to€discourage€legitimate€appeals,€ò òòòsee€Davisóóó ó,€546Ð ˜è  ÐS.W.2d€at€586.€€A€legitimate€factual€or€legal€dispute€will€preclude€an€award€of€damages€for€the€filingÐ „Ô  Ðof€a€frivolous€appeal.€€ò òòòIn€re€Estate€of€Filyawóóó ó,€No.€03A01„9810„PB„00360,€1999€Tenn.€App.€LEXISÐ pÀ Ð706,€at€*13€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€18,€1999)€(citing€ò òòòAnderson€v.€Dean€Truck€Line,€Inc.óóó ó,€682€S.W.2dÐ \¬ Ð900,€902€(Tenn.€1984)).€€Conversely,€failure€to€even€cite€to€or€argue€for€a€justifiable€extension€of€theÐ H˜ Ðlaw€controlling€the€resolution€of€a€given€case€is€an€indication€that€an€appeal€may€be€frivolous.€€ò òòòSeeÐ 4„ ÐJacksonóóó ó,€6€S.W.3d€at€504€(citing€ò òòòWells€v.€Sentry€Ins.€Co.óóó ó,€834€S.W.2d€935,€938ð!ð39€(Tenn.€1992)).Ð  p ÐÌà  àIn€the€instant€case,€Ms.€Nichols€attempts€to€argue€that€the€allegations€of€fraud€contained€inÐ øH Ðher€complaint€constitute€a€distinct€cause€of€action€which€allow€her€to€proceed€with€her€lawsuitÐ ä4 Ðagainst€Mr.€Allenððs€Children.€€Our€supreme€court€has€clearly€stated€that,€ð ðwhile€fraudulentÐ Ð  Ðconcealment€of€a€cause€of€action€will€toll€a€general€statute€of€limitations,€òòfraud€in€and€of€itself€willÐ ¼  Ðnotóó.ðð€€ò òòòPhillips€v.€Phillipsóóó ó,€526€S.W.2d€439,€440€(Tenn.€1975)€(emphasis€added).€€Ms.€Nichols€failsÐ ¨ø Ðto€cite€to€or€even€attempt€to€distinguish€the€supreme€courtððs€decision€in€òòPhillipsóó€on€appeal.€Ð ”ä ÐMoreover,€despite€the€probate€courtððs€reliance€on€the€statute€of€limitations€found€in€section€32„4„108Ð €Ð Ðof€the€Tennessee€Code€when€dismissing€her€complaint€as€untimely€filed,€Ms.€Nichols€fails€to€evenÐ l¼ Ðcite€to€the€statute€in€her€brief€or€attempt€to€argue€how€the€facts€in€the€present€case€warrant€a€tollingÐ X ¨ Ðof€the€statute.€€ò òòòSee€Davisóóó ó,€546€S.W.2d€at€586€(finding€an€appeal€to€be€frivolous€where€it€presentedÐ D!” Ðno€debatable€question€of€law);€ò òòòTaylor€v.€City€of€Chattanoogaóóó ó,€No.€E2004„00701„COA„R3„CV,€2005Ð 0"€  ÐTenn.€App.€LEXIS€16,€at€*5ð!ð6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€13,€2005)€(awarding€damages€for€a€frivolousÐ #l! Ðappeal€when€ð ðthere€is€compelling€and€well„settled€case€law€adverse€to€appellantððs€positionsðð);€ò òòòSharpÐ $X" Ðv.€Allstate€Ins.€Co.óóó ó,€No.€02A01„9204„CV„00107,€1992€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€860,€at€*6ð!ð7€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð ô$D # ÐApp.€Oct.€16,€1992)€(ruling€that€damages€for€frivolous€appeal€were€warranted€when€the€appellantÐ à%0!$ Ðfailed€to€distinguish€the€controlling€legal€authority€or€cite€to€any€authority€modifying€or€overrulingÐ Ì&"% Ðsuch€authority).€€Instead,€a€majority€of€Ms.€Nicholsððs€arguments€on€appeal€focus€upon€the€correctnessÐ ¸'#& Ðof€the€trial€courtððs€actions€when€adjudicating€the€declaratory€judgment€action€filed€by€Mr.€AllenððsÐ ¤(ô#' ÐChildren€to€construe€Mrs.€Allenððs€holographic€will.€€The€probate€court€found€all€of€the€evidenceÐ )à$( Ðpresented€by€Ms.€Nichols€in€that€proceeding€to€be€lacking€in€credibility,€and€she€never€filed€an€appealÐ |*Ì%) Ðto€this€Court€contesting€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€in€that€case.€€We€find€that€the€arguments€put€forthÐ h+¸&* Ðby€Ms.€Nichols€in€the€instant€appeal€constitute€nothing€more€than€an€attempt€to€re„litigate€issues€overÐ ° Ðwhich€we€have€no€jurisdiction€or€are€barred€by€the€applicable€statute€of€limitations.Ð œì ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€we€find€that€Mr.€Allenððs€Children€are€entitled€to€damages€for€Ms.€NicholsððsÐ tÄ Ðactions€in€filing€a€frivolous€appeal.€€We€remand€this€case€to€the€trial€court€for€the€entry€of€an€awardÐ `° Ðof€damages€in€favor€of€the€Appellees€pursuant€to€section€27„1„122€of€the€Tennessee€Code.Ð L œ ÐÌÓ  Óò òòòIII.Ð $ t ÐConclusionóóó óÐ  ` ÐÌÓ  Óà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€affirm€the€probate€courtððs€decision€to€dismiss€theÐ è 8  ÐAppellantððs€complaint.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€to€be€taxed€to€the€Appellant,€Vicki€Nichols,€andÐ Ô$  Ðher€surety,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.€€Moreover,€we€find€this€appeal€to€beÐ À  Ðfrivolous.€€As€such,€we€remand€this€case€to€the€trial€court€for€the€entry€of€an€award€of€damages€toÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€Appellees.Ô#†X}XXX}#ÔÔ#†¼Oq»XX}à#ÔÔ€X}X»¼OqÔÐ ˜è  ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð H˜ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGE