ÿWPCô Þ'‹Mø¢²™ÌràëýœÍi½zÝ¿›Þ8$¯l¤›—ñtX\@¦¢—eÇWÇQRð¹?™–îùc]§àA¶¿Y–ç39¢a>D2pMÕÆ÷ÃyÐI=¡ª0·™4Ð-W?“±ÓºÌ<ŽË£cýŒ®é‹FCºM't•C‚´¯-yò ÉMUà ²».…µíÞy.o¬—(Sø=£'r­NšÊ'òªd° ‡¢/¼²Ó¯Èœ›r-ÂN_Ý  øoØxLö95£j’ÒxˆaµîI¯<5’A’À=%#øéS…7©ÔÕæ*âÅlNGÇÊɈ\ØTuÆÃW?î+3ª#_© 0whN&°I£QgèÅ^`@qéŸì¦¹ÙÛ;­Ë‚V³v†„ëR+a= ÀÎQr– DË– Åþ·°±*sUCK殾ÃífÜWs{õ¼¢r¦„”éϧ‰Ké,1ªžÐÔcÚÑ´ƒW±hѲò (~Û›ö…ØAZžÅl §'ߣj^œû@³N#ßëQº)ž(ˆu…Ô¥šb‘™»dq$¡îº?ç÷íþGB¼=oÈ‘”¬ø[J„»èè¿d6W­‹SÉŸ¤sªEoß™ø·óF¢ë±‰W# ÂU NÍ % 04! 0ÏUb$ ^ , w@8 4x Œ › m â´ 0D– OÚ N)+A3qt/å×UNë9U:;;;;;;;; AQuÆÆ 0DŒ 0DÐ 0D D/XX B‡ D3¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ BטHP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular»( ¤U$¡¡Ó  Ó((2Ou$¤¤Ý ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XÿvX»»ÔÑ  ÑÑÑà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó- ù-èxô&c ÀeÁUÂUÃUÄÅDÆÇÈÓ€Ò©yË&ÿÿÿÿA„3|xÒ ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ ØÝ ƒNŸ$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XnX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€moving€party€retains€the€burden€of€proof€and€persuasion€with€regard€to€motions€andÐ ° Ðpetitions€pertaining€to€child€custody.€òòSee€Nichols€v.€Nicholsóó,€792€S.W.2d€713,€715€(Tenn.€1990);Ð  ð ÐòòRust€v.€Rustóó,€864€S.W.2d€52,€56€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993).(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó EÝ ƒNŸ$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Gorski€would€have€us€believe€that€it€is€significant€that€Ms.€Ragains€was€employed€asÐ ° Ða€server€at€a€€Hooterððs€restaurant.€€Other€than€illustrating€Ms.€Ô_ÔRagainsÔ_Ôðð€need€for€a€second€job€in€orderÏto€make€ends€meet,€we€attach€little€importance€to€the€fact€that€Ms.€Ragains€chose€to€work€at€thisÏparticular€restaurant€rather€than€somewhere€else.  7Ý ƒOu$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XÿvX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔDivision€II€of€the€Sumner€County€General€Sessions€Court€has€concurrent€jurisdiction€withÐ ° Ðthe€circuit€and€chancery€courts€over€ð ðdomestic€matters.ðð€€òòSeeóó€Act€of€Mar.€10,€1982,€ch.€236,€ðð€3,Ð @ Ð1982€Tenn.€Priv.€Acts€89,€89„90,€òòamended€byóó€Act€of€May€11,€1989,€ch.€93,€ðð€2,€1989€Tenn.€Priv.Ð 0€ ÐActs€186,€186„87.€€ gÝ ƒOu$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XÿvX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔShe€explained€later€that€ð ðI€was€so€hurt€and€devastated€by€this€divorce.€€I€thought€I€wantedÐ ° Ðit,€and€I€didnððt€know€how€to€live€without€[Mr.€Gorski].ðð %Ý ƒOu$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XÿvX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Gorski€would€have€us€believe€that€it€is€significant€that€Ms.€Ragains€was€employed€asÐ ° Ða€server€at€a€€Hooterððs€restaurant.€€Other€than€illustrating€Ms.€Ragainsðð€need€for€a€second€job€in€orderÏto€make€ends€meet,€we€attach€little€importance€to€the€fact€that€Ms.€Ragains€chose€to€work€at€thisÏparticular€restaurant€rather€than€somewhere€else. ÍÝ ƒNŸ$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XnX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔConcerning€this€unhappy€period€in€her€life,€Ms.€Ragains€later€candidly€admitted€that€ð ðIÐ ° Ðcouldnððt€control€my€own€life,€much€less€my€kids.€€I€mean€do€you€think€theyððre€going€to€have€respectÏfor€their€mother€who€is€abusing€alcohol€like€it€was€.€.€..ðð(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular øÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€»¦ »»»ÔÔ€S†  »»¦ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X£V X S†ÔÐ  ÐÌJuly€21,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,@ÓÐAZ‹"Arial Regular!"#$&Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdVVVV'ÿÿdxd dÝ ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ„°ÑÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ  ÑÑ€ÑÑ7€Ws»»ddÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÔ€„,b„»»Ôò òñÒññÈñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@E ±` 8ttxPX°ð  rßñÈññÒññÒññÒñÌñÒñßt€ )>.*jx` `€€@E"3` 8ttxPZð  tßñÒñà@¡ ¡ DàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌà@ÜÜ)DàAT€NASHVILLEó óÔ€¼×p¼„„,bԈР€Ð ÐÌÌÌÓ*X‡XDp“Xÿÿ°œX*ÓJOHN€MICHAEL€GORSKI,à0 À àà0DÀ€%À€%à)Ð* zD€%D€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D à)Ìà ` àPlaintiff/Appellant,à0 À àà0DÀ€%À€%à)à0pD€%D€%àSumner€General€Sessions,€Division€IIÐV¦ p€%p€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D à)à0 p àNo.€2402„GÐl¼ p€%p€% ÐVS.à0 ` àà0¸ ` €%` €%àà0¸ €%¸ €%àà0h€%€%àà0Àh€%h€%àà0DÀ€%À€%à)Ð‚Ò D€%D€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D à)à0 p àAppeal€No.Иè p€%p€% ÐLINDA€EMILY€GORSKI€RAGAINS,à0 D à)à0pD€%D€%à01A01„9710„GS„00597Юþ p€%p€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D à)Ìà ` àDefendant/Appellee.à0 À àà0DÀ€%À€%à)ÐÚ*D€%D€% ÐÌÌÌÌà@'DàAPPEAL€FROM€THE€ˆÌà@– – DàSUMNER€COUNTY€GENERAL€SESSIONS€COURT,€à@@††DàDIVISION€IIˆÌÌà0 ` àà  àà@11&D` €%` €%àGALLATIN,€TENNESSEEˆÌÌÌà@Æ Æ DàTHE€HONORABLE€BARRY€R.€BROWN,€JUDGEˆÌÌÌÌÌÌòòFor€Plaintiff/Appellantóó:à0 h àà0Àh€%h€%àà0DÀ€%À€%àà0pD€%D€%àòòFor€Defendant/Appelleeóó:ÐP' "p€%p€% ÐÌJoe€P.€Binkley,€Jr.à0  àà0h€%€%àà0Àh€%h€%àà0DÀ€%À€%àà0pD€%D€%àMichael€W.€EdwardsÐ|)Ì$!p€%p€% ÐNashville,€Tennesseeà0 h àà0Àh€%h€%àà0DÀ€%À€%àà0pD€%D€%àHendersonville,€TennesseeÐ’*â%"p€%p€% ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà@^^%DàÔ‡„,b„¼¼×pÔò òVACATED€AND€REMANDEDó óÔ#†¼×p¼„„,bÓ #ԈРn5¾0, ÐÌÌÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D àà p àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEÐ  D<”72 ÐÓ€Óò òÔ€„,b„¼¼×pÔÑ  ÑÌà@ÎÎ)DàòòO€P€I€N€I€O€Nóóó óÔ€¼×p¼„„,bÔˆÐ Ì ÐÌà ` àThis€appeal€stems€from€a€protracted€post„divorce€custody€dispute.€€Shortly€afterÏthe€divorce,€the€father€filed€a€change€of€custody€petition€in€Division€II€of€the€SumnerÏCounty€General€Sessions€Court,€and€the€court€awarded€him€primary€physical€custodyÏon€a€temporary€basis.€€Over€two€years€later,€the€general€sessions€court€dismissed€theÏfatherððs€petition€and€ordered€that€the€children€be€returned€to€their€mother.€€We€vacateÏthe€order€dismissing€the€fatherððs€change€of€custody€petition€because€the€evidenceÏdoes€not€support€the€general€sessions€courtððs€conclusion€that€there€had€been€noÏmaterial€change€in€the€childrenððs€circumstances€since€the€divorce.€€ÌÌà@ùù.Dàò òI.ó óˆÐ 2‚ ÐÌà ` àJohn€Michael€Gorski€and€Linda€Emily€(Gorski)€Ragains€are€the€parents€of€twoÏchildren€ð!ð€Jonathon€Edward€Gorski,€born€in€January€1988,€and€Haley€AnalissaÏGorski,€born€in€June€1990.€€After€their€marriage€foundered,€Mr.€Gorski€and€Ms.ÏRagains€entered€into€a€marital€dissolution€agreement€addressing€all€custody,€support,Ïproperty,€and€other€issues€between€them.€€Even€though€he€was€aware€that€Ms.ÏRagains€abused€alcohol,€Mr.€Gorski€agreed€in€the€marital€dissolution€agreement€thatÏMs.€Ragains€would€have€sole€custody€of€their€children.€€Accordingly,€when€theÏparties€were€divorced€in€1994€in€the€Sumner€County€General€Session€Court,€DivisionÏII,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Ms.€Ragains€received€sole€custody€of€the€partiesðð€children,€and€Mr.€GorskiÐ |)Ì$, Ðreceived€visitation€rights€in€accordance€with€the€marital€dissolution€agreement.ÌÌà ` àMs.€Ragains€went€into€an€emotional€tailspin€following€the€divorce.׃ð×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Many€ofÐ _.¯)2 Ðthe€partiesðð€mutual€friends€seemed€to€gravitate€toward€Mr.€Gorski,€and€Ms.€RagainsÏâ âlost€her€former€social€context.€€Her€abuse€of€alcohol€became€more€acute.€€HerÐ ¡1ñ,6 Ðfinancial€problems€forced€her€to€obtain€a€part„time€job€as€a€server€in€a€restaurant.ñÀñ׃×ñÀññÀñ׃×ñÀñÝ ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р° Ðâ âWhen€she€was€eventually€evicted€from€her€apartment,€she€and€the€children€movedÏinto€her€fatherððs€and€step„motherððs€home.ÌÌà ` àMs.€Ragainsðð€continued€alcohol€abuse€contributed€to€several€bizarre€incidentsÏbetween€late€1994€and€early€1995.€€On€one€occasion,€Ms.€Ragains€appeared€at€Mr.ÏGorskiððs€apartment€late€at€night€and€kicked€in€a€window.€€On€another€occasion,€Ms.ÏRagains€telephoned€Mr.€Gorski€in€the€early€morning€hours€and€demanded€in€loud€andÏprofane€language€that€he€come€right€over€and€pick€up€the€children.€€On€otherÏoccasions,€Ms.€Ragains€told€Mr.€Gorski€that€the€children€were€no€longer€her€priority.€ÏFinally,€on€Super€Bowl€Sunday€in€1995,€Ms.€Ragains€left€the€children€on€the€doorstepÏof€a€house€where€Mr.€Gorski€was€attending€a€Super€Bowl€party.׃P×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ¼  ÐÌà ` àOn€February€6,€1995,€less€than€four€months€after€the€divorce,€Mr.€Gorski€filedÏa€change€of€custody€petition.€€He€alleged,€among€other€things,€(1)€that€Ms.€RagainsÏhad€lost€her€ability€and€desire€to€care€for€the€children,€(2)€that€Ms.€Ragains€had€shownÏan€unstable€employment€history€since€the€divorce,€and€(3)€that€Ms.€Ragains€often€hadÏbeen€drinking€when€she€picked€up€the€children€from€visitation.€€He€also€asserted€thatÏa€material€change€in€circumstances€had€occurred€and€that€he€should€be€awarded€bothÏtemporary€and€permanent€custody€of€the€children.€€On€February€17,€1995,€before€Ms.ÏRagains€had€even€answered€Mr.€Gorskiððs€petition,€the€general€sessions€court€enteredÏan€order€temporarily€changing€the€existing€custody€arrangement€to€joint€custody,Ïplacing€the€children€under€the€protection€of€the€Department€of€Human€Services€inÏorder€to€conduct€home€studies€of€the€both€parents'€homes,€and€setting€a€March€1995Ïhearing€on€Mr.€Gorskiððs€petition€to€change€custody.€€ÌÌâ âÐ X/¨*4 Ðà ` àMs.€Ragains€responded€to€Mr.€Gorskiððs€petition€by€denying€that€there€had€beenÏâ âa€material€change€in€the€partiesðð€circumstances€after€the€divorce.€€On€March€22,€1995,Ïthe€parties€submitted€an€agreed€order€providing€that€they€would€have€joint€custodyÏuntil€the€final€disposition€of€Mr.€Gorskiððs€petition.€€During€this€time,€Ms.€RagainsÏalso€sought€help€for€her€alcohol€abuse.€€She€began€attending€both€AlcoholicsÏAnonymous€and€professional€counseling,€and€eventually,€she€was€able€to€stopÏdrinking.€€She€also€obtained€part„time€work€at€both€United€Parcel€Service€and€FirstÏTennessee€Bank€and€attended€a€court„ordered€parenting€class.€€As€a€result€of€theseÏinterventions,€Ms.€Ragainsðð€bizarre€conduct€stopped.€€ÌÌà ` àIn€May€1995,€the€parties€submitted€another€agreed€order€continuing€the€jointÏcustody€arrangement€but€naming€Mr.€Gorski€as€the€childrenððs€"primary€custodian."€ÏAt€this€point,€the€general€sessions€court€evidently€decided€to€supervise€this€custodyÏdispute€on€an€on„going€basis€rather€than€to€hear€and€act€on€Mr.€Gorskiððs€change€ofÏcustody€petition€that€had€been€filed€three€months€earlier.€€Rather€than€setting€Mr.ÏGorskiððs€petition€for€a€dispositive€hearing,€the€general€sessions€courtððs€May€1995Ïorder€merely€recited€that€ð ðthis€matter€shall€be€reviewed€by€the€Court€on€Friday,ÏAugust€4,€1995.ððÌÌà ` àThereafter,€for€the€next€two€years,€the€general€sessions€court€held€a€hearingÏbefore€the€childrenððs€school€year€resumed€to€ð ðreviewðð€the€case.€€During€the€hearingÏheld€in€the€summer€of€1995,€the€court€awarded€custody€of€the€children€to€Mr.€GorskiÏð ðon€a€temporary€basisðð€to€be€ð ðreviewedðð€next€summer.€€At€the€1996€hearing,€whichÏwas€not€held€until€October€1996,€the€court€ordered€the€continuation€of€the€temporaryÏcustody€arrangement€but€also€increased€Ms.€Ragainsðð€visitation€and€ordered€her€toÏbegin€paying€child€support€to€Mr.€Gorski.€€The€court€also€directed€that€ð ð[t]his€matterÏshall€be€set€for€a€final€hearing€upon€motion€of€either€party€.€.€.€during€the€month[s]€ofÏJune,€July€or€August,€1997.ððÌÌà ` àIn€May€1997,€Ms.€Ragains€filed€a€motion€requesting€a€final€hearing€and€askingÏthat€the€children€be€returned€to€her.€€The€general€sessions€court€held€a€hearing€on€JulyÏ18,€1997€and€heard€a€number€of€witnesses,€including€the€parties€themselves,€Mr.ÏGorskiððs€live„in€girlfriend,€and€Frank€Ragains,€Ms.€Ragainsðð€then€soon„to„be€newÏhusband.€€The€evidence€at€that€hearing€showed€that€Ms.€Ragains€had€quit€drinkingÐ Ô:$6B Ðand€that€she€had€started€a€full„time€job€at€a€department€store.€€It€also€showed€that€sheÏwas€engaged€to€be€married€later€in€the€summer€and€that€she€wanted€to€enroll€theÏchildren€in€parochial€school.€€In€addition,€Ms.€Ragains€described€her€plans€for€theÏchildren€including€academics,€sports,€and€extracurricular€activities.€€When€askedÏdirectly€why€she€wanted€sole€custody€of€the€children,€she€said,€ð ðWell,€a€lot€of€thingsÏhave€changed.ððÌÌà ` àOn€August€5,€1997,€over€two€and€one„half€years€after€Mr.€Gorski€filed€hisÏpetition,€the€general€sessions€court€entered€its€order€finally€resolving€the€custodyÏissue.€€The€court€found€that€Mr.€Gorski€had€been€aware€of€Ms.€Ragainsðð€abuse€ofÏalcohol€when€he€originally€agreed€to€give€her€sole€custody€of€the€children.€€The€courtÏalso€determined€that€Ms.€Ragains€no€longer€abused€alcohol€and,€therefore,€that€thereÏhad€been€no€ð ðdrastic,€permanent€change€since€the€time€of€the€divorce.ðð€€The€courtÏspecifically€found€that€the€children€had€fared€well€while€living€with€Mr.€Gorski€andÏthat€both€parents€were€currently€ð ðcapable€parents€who€love€their€children.ðð€€EvenÏthough€the€court€did€not€find€specifically€that€changing€the€joint€custody€arrangementÏthat€had€been€in€place€since€1995€would€be€in€the€childrenððs€best€interests,€itÏdismissed€Mr.€Gorskiððs€petition€and€directed€that€ð ðthe€parties€shall€revert€to€the€FinalÏDecree€of€Divorce€of€October€31,€1994.ðð€€Accordingly,€Mr.€Gorski€was€required€toÏreturn€the€children€to€Ms.€Ragains.ÌÌà@ËË.Dàò òII.ó óˆÐ $'t"* ÐÌà ` àMr.€Gorski€raises€two€related€issues€with€regard€to€the€general€sessions€courtððsÏdecision€in€this€case.€€First,€he€asserts€that€the€court€improperly€placed€the€burden€onÏhim€during€the€July€1997€hearing€to€prove€the€existence€of€a€material€change€inÏcircumstances€warranting€a€change€in€custody.€€Second,€he€asserts€that€the€evidenceÏdoes€not€support€the€courtððs€conclusion€that€there€had€been€no€material€change€inÏcircumstances€since€the€entry€of€the€original€divorce€decree.€€While€we€haveÏdetermined€that€the€general€sessions€court€properly€placed€the€burden€of€proof€on€Mr.ÏGorski,€we€find€that€Mr.€Gorski€successfully€proved€that€the€childrenððs€circumstancesÏhad€changed€materially€since€the€divorce.ÌÌÐ Ô:$6B Ðà@ÓÓ.Dàò òA.ó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà ` àWe€turn€first€to€the€burden€of€proof€issue.€€Procedural€issues€such€as€this€oneÏare€of€consequence€in€custody€proceedings€because€following€consistent€and€correctÏprocedures€is€one€of€the€surest€ways€for€the€courts€to€make€real€the€legal€systemððsÏaspiration€to€provide€equal€justice€under€the€law.€€Procedural€rules€are€particularlyÏimportant€in€domestic€relations€matters€because€they€provide€the€chief€means€forÏkeeping€the€exercise€of€judicial€discretion€within€proper€bounds.€€òòSeeóó€Carl€E.Ð ,|  ÐSchneider,€òòDiscretion,€Rules,€and€Law:€Child€Custody€and€the€UMDAððs€Best„InterestÐ Ð  ÐStandardóó,€89€Mich.€L.€Rev.€2215,€2218€(1991)€(noting€that€ð ðfamily€law€lives€in€aÐ tÄ Ðtension€between€according€officials€discretion€to€make€decisions€and€limiting€thatÏdiscretion€by€requiring€them€to€follow€rulesðð).€€ÌÌà ` àThe€procedural€rules€applicable€to€this€case€are€both€statutory€and€decisional.€ÏTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„101(a)(1)€(Supp.€1998)€empowers€courts€to€make€initialÏcustody€decisions€and€to€change€or€modify€existing€custody€arrangements€ð ðas€theÏexigencies€of€the€case€may€require.ðð€€Thus,€by€statute,€initial€custody€decisions€areÏneither€set€in€stone€nor€written€in€sand.€€While€they€govern€all€factual€circumstancesÏknown€to€the€trial€court€up€through€the€time€of€their€rendering,€initial€custodyÏdecisions€do€not€prevent€a€trial€court€from€subsequently€modifying€a€custodyÏarrangement€when€required€by€unanticipated€facts€and€subsequently€emergingÏconditions.€€òòSeeóó€òòSmith€v.€Haaseóó,€521€S.W.2d€49,€50€(Tenn.€1975);€òòAdelsperger€v.Ð $'t"* ÐAdelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€482,€485€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997);€òòWoodard€v.€Woodardóó,€783Ð È($, ÐS.W.2d€188,€189€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989)òò;€€McDaniel€v.€McDanielóó,€743€S.W.2d€167,Ð l*¼%. Ð168€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1987).€€ÌÌà ` àThe€statutory€prerogative€to€change€existing€custody€arrangements€does€not,Ïhowever,€give€trial€courts€a€license€to€shuttlecock€children€around.€€In€the€interest€ofÏcontinuity€and€stability,€a€trial€court€ordinarily€should€not€consider€changing€its€initialÏcustody€decision€until€(1)€it€is€satisfied€that€the€childððs€circumstances€have€changedÏin€a€material€way€since€the€entry€of€the€presently€operative€custody€decree,€(2)€it€hasÏcarefully€compared€the€current€fitness€of€the€childððs€parents,€and€(3)€it€has€concludedÏthat€changing€the€existing€custody€arrangement€is€in€the€childððs€best€interests.€€€òòSeeóóÐ 09€4@ ÐòòAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€at€485;€òòsee€also€Peters€v.€Petersóó,€No.€02A01„Ð Ô:$6B Ð9810„CH„00283,€1999€WL€285891,€at€*€5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€10,€1999)€(No€Tenn.ÏR.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);€òòKnight€v.€Knightóó,€No.€01A01„9710„CV„00609,€1999Ð T¤ ÐWL€20775,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€20,€1999)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€applicationÏfiled);€òòBrown€v.€Brownóó,€No.€02A01„9709„CV„00228,€1998€WL€760935,€at€*12€(Tenn.Ð œ ì ÐCt.€App.€Nov.€2,€1998)€(Farmer,€J.,€concurring)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€applicationÏfiled).€€ÌÌà ` àIn€terms€of€procedure,€the€party€seeking€to€alter€an€existing€custodyÏarrangement€must€show€that€the€circumstances€surrounding€the€child€have€materiallyÏchanged€in€a€way€that€could€not€be€reasonably€foreseen€at€the€time€of€the€originalÏcustody€decision€and€that€the€childððs€best€interests€will€be€served€by€changingÏcustody.€€òòSee€Adelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€at€485;€òòsee€also€Solima€v.Ð ¼  ÐSolimaóó,€No.€01A01„9701„CH„00012,€1998€WL€726629,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.Ð `° Ð16,€1998)€òòperm.€app.€deniedóó€(Tenn.€Apr.€19,€1999).€€This€burden€remains€on€the€partyÐ T Ðchallenging€the€court„ordered€custody€arrangement,€even€if€that€party€has€obtainedÏtemporary€custody€of€the€child,€either€by€agreement€or€by€court€order,€while€theÏchange€of€custody€proceeding€is€pending.€òòSeeóó€òòMills€v.€Millsóó,€818€P.2d€339,€342€(IdahoÐ ð@  ÐCt.€App.€1991);€òòWinters€v.€Wintersóó,€617€S.W.2d€585,€590€(Mo.€Ct.€App.€1981);€òòMillerÐ ” ä" Ðv.€Milleróó,€305€N.W.2d€666,€673€(N.D.€1981);€òòGarvin€v.€Garvinóó,€271€S.E.2d€413,€413Ð 8"ˆ$ Ð(S.C.€1980).ÌÌà ` àIn€this€case,€Mr.€Gorski€filed€the€petition€to€change€custody€while€he€was€theÏnon„custodial€parent.€€Accordingly,€as€the€moving€party,׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€he€had€the€burden€ofÐ È($, Ðdemonstrating€(1)€that€a€material€change€in€circumstances€had€occurred,€(2)€that€heÏwas€comparatively€more€fit€than€Ms.€Ragains€to€be€the€childrenððs€custodian,€and€(3)Ïthat€it€would€be€in€the€childrenððs€best€interests€for€him€to€be€the€custodial€parent.€€TheÏfact€that€the€children€had€been€temporarily€in€his€custody€since€1995€did€not€shift€theÏburden€to€Ms.€Ragains.ÌÌÌÐ è581< Ðà@ÙÙ.Dàò òB.ó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà ` àNo€one„dimensional€statement€of€the€applicable€legal€rules€can€resolve€thisÏparticular€case.€€Real€world€complexity€steals€into€the€equation€when€we€consider,€asÏwe€must,€that€events€and€lives€have€not€stood€still€while€this€custody€dispute€has€beenÏin€the€courts.€€At€this€stage€of€the€proceeding,€we€cannot€ignore€the€fact€that€all€theÏpartiesðð€circumstances€are€not€the€same€as€they€were€when€they€were€last€before€theÏtrial€court.Ìà ` àÌà ` àDrawing€from€common€sense€observation,€experience,€and€child€developmentÏtheory,€child€custody€law€places€a€value€on€continuity€and€stability€in€childrenððs€lives.€ÏOur€decisions€reflect€this€belief.€€òòSee,€e.g.,€Taylor€v.€Tayloróó,€849€S.W.2d€319,€328Ð ¼  Ð(Tenn.€1993);€òòAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€at€485;€òòContreras€v.€Wardóó,Ð `° Ð831€S.W.2d€288,€290€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€Thus,€while€human€behavior€rarelyÏlends€itself€to€neatly€drawn€lines€of€direct€cause€and€effect,€ÌÓ€Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#àThe€notion€is€that€to€grow€and€flourish€a€child€is€entitled€toÏand€needs€the€security€of€a€permanent€place€withÏpermanent€ties€to€a€parent€figure;€moreover,€evenÏoccasional€environmental€or€familial€changes,€as€well€asÏthe€threat€or€fear€of€such€changes,€will€undermine€theÏchildððs€sense€of€stability€and€therefore€the€childððs€comfortÏand€security.Ð ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌÓ€ÓNational€Interdisciplinary€Colloquium€on€Child€Custody,€òòLegal€and€MentalÐ  &\!& ÐPerspectives€on€Child€Custody€Law:€A€Deskbook€for€Judgesóó,€ðð€20:1,€at€238€(1998).€Ð °'#( ÐÌà ` àPrompt€resolution€of€custody€matters€can€help€provide€children€with€stabilityÏand€continuity.€€òòSee€King€v.€Kingóó,€No.€01A01„9110„PB„00370,€1992€WL€301303,€atÐ œ,ì'. Ð*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€23,€1992)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€ÏTherefore,€while€we€recognize€that€custody€disputes€are€often€among€the€mostÏdifficult€cases€for€courts€to€satisfactorily€resolve,€their€prompt€and€conclusiveÏdispositions€serve€everyoneððs€best€interest.€€òòGallagher€v.€Adkinsóó,€No.€87„342„II,€1988Ð ,3|.6 ÐWL€34085,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€15,€1988)€(Koch,€J.,€concurring)€(No€Tenn.€R.ÏApp.€P.€11€application€filed).€€Ìâ âÐ 8h3< Ðà ` àOn€occasion,€trial€courts€will€be€compelled€to€make€temporary€alternations€ofÏâ âcustody€decisions€in€order€to€safeguard€the€children€and€to€protect€the€integrity€of€theÏjudicial€process.€€òòSeeóó€òòKing€v.€Kingóó,€1992€WL€301303,€at€*2.€€Temporary€alterationsÐ øH Ðof€existing€custody€arrangements€should€be€limited€to€circumstances€where€clear€andÏconvincing€evidence€shows€that€a€child€is€being€harmed€or€is€about€to€be€harmedÏwhere€he€or€she€is.€€òòSeeóó€òòGallagher€v.€Adkinsóó,€1988€WL€34085,€at€*6€(Koch,€J.,Ð ä 4  Ðconcurring).€They€should,€in€virtually€all€circumstances,€amount€to€nothing€more€thanÏa€preliminary€decision€that€one€or€the€other€parent€will€keep€the€children€until€aÏreasonably€prompt€full€hearing€on€custody€can€be€held.€€òòSeeóó€òòFountain€v.€Fountainóó,Ð Ð  Ð365€So.€2d€1139,€1142€(La.€Ct.€App.€1978);€òòDeffenbaugh€v.€Deffenbaughóó,€596€P.2dÐ tÄ Ð966,€971„72€(Ore.€1979).€ÌÌà ` àWe€emphasize€this€point€about€post„divorce€temporary€custody€for€twoÏreasons.€€First,€courts€should€not€be€too€hasty€to€ignore€their€previous€final€custodyÏdecisions€when€they€are€called€upon€to€re„enter€the€divorced€parentsðð€wrangles.€€OnceÏa€court€fashions€a€permanent€custody€arrangement,€a€new€family€unit€forms,€and€thisÏnew€family€unit€is€entitled€to€be€protected€from€adverturistic€governmental€intrusion.€ÏòòSeeóó€òòRust€v.€Rustóó,€864€S.W.2d€at€55„56€(stating€that€the€concept€of€custody€isÐ ” ä" Ðinextricably€linked€with€parentsðð€rights€to€be€free€from€unwarranted€outsideÏinterference€with€their€child€rearing).€€When€courts€must€intrude€into€the€otherwiseÏprivate€realm€of€family€life,€they€should€do€so€in€a€way€calculated€to€interfere€withÏthe€parent„child€relationship€as€little€as€possible.€€òòSeeóó€òòRust€v.€Rustóó,€864€S.W.2d€at€56;Ð $'t"* ÐòòNeely€v.€Neelyóó,€737€S.W.2d€539,€542€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1987).€€It€is€difficult€to€imagineÐ È($, Ðan€act€intruding€into€the€parent„child€relationship€more€than€wrenching€a€child€awayÏfrom€one€parent€and€giving€the€child€to€the€other€parent,€albeit€temporarily.ÌÌà ` àSecond,€awards€of€temporary€custody€inevitably€destabilize€the€equation€forÏmodifying€permanent€custody.€€Quite€often,€they€will€insidiously€shift€the€momentumÏin€the€case€to€the€temporary€custodian.€€òòSeeóó,€òòe.g.óó,€òòBjork€v.€Bjorkóó,€No.€01A01„9702„Ð  2ð-8 ÐCV„00087,€1997€WL€653917,€at€*2„6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€22,€1997)€(No€Tenn.€R.ÏApp.€P.€11€application€filed)€(awarding€a€post„divorce€change€of€permanent€custodyÏto€a€father€following€a€lengthy€award€of€temporary€custody€to€the€father).€€As€we€haveÏpreviously€pointed€out,€temporary€custody,€when€permitted€to€continue€over€a€longÏperiod,€creates€a€ð ðnew€status€quo,ðð€òòóóand€permits€the€parent€with€actual€custody€toÐ Ô:$6B Ðestablish€a€track€record€that€heightens€his€or€her€chances€of€obtaining€permanentÏcustody.€€òòSeeóó€òòKing€v.€Kingóó,€1992€WL€301303,€at€*2.Ð T¤ ÐÌà@ÓÓ.Dàò òC.ó óˆÐ œ ì ÐÌà ` àThis€case,€like€òòGallagher€v.€Atkinsóó€and€òòKing€v.€Kingóó,€illustrates€how€theÐ ä 4  Ðdisposition€of€a€petition€to€change€custody€can€be€rendered€more€difficult€by€aÏtemporary€custody€arrangement€that€lasts€for€an€extended€period€of€time.€€The€generalÏsessions€court€,€downplaying€the€fact€that€the€children€had€been€in€Mr.€GorskiððsÏcustody€for€approximately€twenty„seven€months,€appears€to€have€based€its€denial€ofÏMr.€Gorskiððs€petition€to€change€custody€primarily€on€Ms.€Ragainsðð€successful€effortsÏto€stop€abusing€alcohol.€€Whether€or€not€we€approve€of€the€courtððs€use€of€temporaryÏcustody€in€this€case,€we€cannot€ignore€the€extended€period€of€time€these€children€haveÏspent€with€Mr.€Gorski.ÌÌà ` àAny€burden€Mr.€Gorski€had€to€demonstrate€a€material€change€in€the€childrenððsÏcircumstances€has€been€met€in€this€case.€€The€most€striking€change€in€the€childrenððsÏcircumstance€is€that€the€children€had€been€living€with€Mr.€Gorski€rather€than€Ms.ÏRagains.€€In€addition,€Ms.€Ragainsðð€expressions€of€disinterest€in€her€children€and€herÏattempts€to€abandon€them€wñÄñereñÄññÅñasñÅñ€unforeseen€changeñÆñsñÆñ€in€circumstances.€€Because€ofÏthese€circumstances,€the€trial€court€erred€by€concluding€that€there€had€not€beenÏmaterial€changes€in€the€childrenððs€circumstances€since€November€1994.€ÌÌà ` àBecause€this€record€contains€compelling€evidence€of€a€material€change€in€theÏchildrenððs€circumstances€since€November€1994,€the€general€sessions€court€shouldÏhave€proceeded€to€compare€the€fitness€of€Mr.€Gorski€and€Ms.€Ragains€to€be€theÏcustodial€parent€and€then€should€have€determined€whether€it€would€have€been€in€theÏchildrenððs€best€interests€for€them€to€remain€with€Mr.€Gorski€or€to€return€to€Ms.ÏRagains.€€In€making€the€best€interests€determination,€the€general€sessions€court€shouldÏhave€taken€into€consideration€the€bonding€that€may€have€occurred€between€Mr.ÏGorski€and€the€children€during€the€twenty„seven€months€they€were€living€with€him.€ÏÌâ âÐ 09€4@ Ðà ` àThe€general€sessions€court€is€better€situated€than€we€are€to€compare€the€fitnessÏâ âof€the€parties€and€to€determine€the€placement€for€the€children€that€will€be€in€their€bestÏinterests.€€These€determinations€require€the€careful€balancing€of€many€factors,€òòseeÐ øH ÐRogero€v.€Pittóó,€759€S.W.2d€109,€112€(Tenn.€1988);€òòHolloway€v.€Bradleyóó,€190€Tenn.Ð œ ì Ð565,€571,€230€S.W.2d€1003,€1006€(1950);€òòGarner€v.€Garneróó,€773€S.W.2d€245,€248Ð @  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989),€and€may€hinge€on€subtle€nuances€in€the€partiesðð€demeanor€andÏcredibility.€€òòSee€Rutherford€v.€Rutherfordóó,€971€S.W.2d€955,€956€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ˆØ  Ð1997);€òòGaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€631€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€Thus,Ð ,|  Ðalthough€this€custody€dispute€has€gone€on€too€long€as€it€is,€we€vacate€the€orderÏgranting€Ms.€Ragains€sole€custody€of€the€children€and€remand€the€case€withÏdirections€to€the€general€sessions€court€to€receive€evidence€concerning€Mr.€GorskiððsÏand€Ms.€Ragainsðð€current€fitness€to€be€custodial€parents€and€then€to€make€a€finalÏcustody€determination€consistent€with€the€childrenððs€best€interests.€€During€theÏpendency€of€this€hearing,€the€children€shall€remain€in€the€sole€custody€of€Ms.ÏRagains.ÌÌà@-Dàò òIII.ó óˆÐ ð@  ÐÌà ` àThe€order€granting€Ms.€Ragains€sole€custody€of€Jonathon€and€Haley€GorskiÏentered€on€August€5,€1997€is€vacated,€and€the€case€is€remanded€for€furtherÏproceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€The€costs€on€this€appeal€are€taxed€in€equalÏproportions€to€John€Michael€Gorski€and€his€surety€and€to€Linda€Emily€Ragains€forÏwhich€execution,€if€necessary,€may€issue.ÌÌÓ€ÓÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D à____________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌ_________________________________ÌBEN€H.€CANTRELL,ÌPRESIDING€JUDGE,€M.S.€ÌÌÌ_________________________________ÌWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEñÇñÐ  H:˜5= ÐÔ€ §Ý !»¼»'ÔÑ8€»'»»d»»d8Ñà@¡ ¡ Dàò òÔ‡„\"„»¼»'ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@ÜÜ)DàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#† §Ý !„„\"Íh#Ôó óˆÐ h ÐñÁñÌñÁñÌÔ‡¼»'»»¼»'ÔÌJOHN€MICHAEL€GORSKI,à0 À àà0DÀ€%À€%à)Ð lD€%D€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D à)Ìà ` àPlaintiff/Appellant,à0 À àà0DÀ€%À€%à)à0pD€%D€%àSumner€General€Sessions,€Division€IIÐL œp€%p€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D à)à0 p àNo.€2402„GÐd´ p€%p€% ÐVS.à0 ` àà0¸ ` €%` €%àà0¸ €%¸ €%àà0h€%€%àà0Àh€%h€%àà0DÀ€%À€%à)Ð|Ì D€%D€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D à)à0 p àAppeal€No.Дä p€%p€% ÐLINDA€EMILY€GORSKI€RAGAINS,à0 D à)à0pD€%D€%à01A01„9710„GS„00597Ьü p€%p€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D à)Ìà ` àDefendant/Appellee.à0 À àà0DÀ€%À€%à)ÐÜ, D€%D€% ÐÌÔ#† §Ý !»¼»'Œi#ÔÌò òà@cc(DàòòJ€U€D€G€M€E€N€Tóóó óˆÐ Nž ÐÌÔ€ŠÐø ‹ ! §ÝÔÓ€ÓñÂñÌñÂñà ` àThis€cause€came€on€to€be€heard€upon€the€record€on€appeal€from€Division€II€of€theÏSumner€County€General€Sessions€Court,€the€briefs€of€the€parties,€and€arguments€of€counsel.€ÏUpon€consideration€of€the€entire€record,€this€court€finds€and€concludes€that€the€trial€judgeððsÏjudgment€should€be€vacated.ÌÌà ` àIn€accordance€with€the€opinion€filed€contemporaneously€with€this€judgment,€it€is,Ïtherefore,€ordered,€adjudged,€and€decreed€that€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€be€and€is€herebyÏvacated,€and€that€the€cause€be€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€consistentÏwith€this€courtððs€opinion.ÌÌà ` àIt€is€further€ordered€that€the€costs€of€this€appeal€be€taxed€in€equal€proportions€to€JohnÏMichael€Gorski,€principal,€and€ñ¾ñJoe€P.€Binkley,€Jr.ñ¾ññÇññ¿ñ___ñ¿ññÇñ,€surety,€and€to€Linda€Emily€Ragains€forÏwhich€execution€may€issue,€if€necessary.ÌÌÓ€ÓñÃñÌñÃñà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D àà p àBEN€H.€CANTRELL,Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D àà p àPRESIDING€JUDGE,€M.S.€ÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D àà p àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGE€ÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà D àà p àWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGE€ñÇñ