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Aubrey Owens & The Estate of Louis Gernt v. Aleeta Tipton Evans, Timothy L. Goad

Citation: Not availableDocket: M2013-00239-COA-R3-CV

Court: Court of Appeals of Tennessee; August 28, 2013; Tennessee; State Appellate Court

Original Court Document: View Document

Narrative Opinion Summary

The case involves an appeal by Aleeta Tipton Evans against a judgment from the Chancery Court for Fentress County concerning a complaint for injunction, attachment, and damages. Originally, there were four defendants, of which two settled, leaving the claims against Evans and another defendant, Bill Cook, unresolved. The Court of Appeals of Tennessee dismissed the appeal due to the lack of a final judgment, as the trial court had not adjudicated the claims against Cook. Under Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 3(a), appeals require final judgment on all claims between parties. The appellate court had previously instructed the parties to either obtain a final judgment or respond to a show-cause order within sixty days, which they failed to do. The dismissal was without prejudice, permitting Evans to file a new appeal once a final judgment is rendered. The costs of the appeal were charged to Evans and her surety, and the case was remanded for further proceedings.

Legal Issues Addressed

Assignment of Costs in Dismissal

Application: Costs of the dismissed appeal were assigned to the appellant and her surety.

Reasoning: Costs of the appeal were assigned to Evans and her surety.

Dismissal Without Prejudice

Application: The appeal was dismissed without prejudice, allowing for a future appeal once a final judgment is rendered.

Reasoning: Consequently, the court dismissed the appeal without prejudice, allowing for a new appeal once a final judgment is achieved.

Final Judgment Requirement for Appeal

Application: The appeal was dismissed because the trial court had not resolved all claims against all parties, as required for an appeal under Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 3(a).

Reasoning: The Court of Appeals of Tennessee dismissed the appeal due to the absence of a final judgment, as the trial court had not addressed the claims against Cook.

Procedural Compliance for Appellate Review

Application: The appellate court required the parties to obtain a final judgment or respond to a show-cause order within sixty days, which was not fulfilled, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.

Reasoning: The appellate court had previously ordered the parties to secure a final judgment or respond to a show-cause order within sixty days, which they failed to do.