ÿWPCé#  ž‰‡bPéù6'ï4ÌJ QÁS| þêƒ ÅÊçžyý9½läö °yªñç êý¨Œb›‹xXòV†÷@Hwäƒ*Y9ñ ñ÷®Ç˜ãÈî¬2*)¶8§-f‹ä¥—-Gý$žBpS_ל Qþ²¤¦æ½ LrÝÚÅ ï-þS»…*ÈkLÕ3œøzz)œÊ¢nií¶Š%´ènüxcÑú‡&VfÏ¡ô\¤n:²õ¥½†æx¼ò¦]œ=^ê1)íý{?ÃËh Å%EšQ&{Gs¥Ð´Và³ßàËŸ;8è©#5OˆGð‹:ŸÜuâš[i÷²Iù5‹R§‘…Ä 7Iެ4ßÀn,‰9&ƒ+ýÏrQ^xzJ•ÎúUºmJŸzˆ‘Îí»QgL/# ’U(N %ë 0(ñU Nw@g4§»=ÊU<CC 0l† 0DòUN6UN„U<ÒUNUN\UNªøCUNCUN‘UNß- D30!U:c!c!c!c!c! 0D!! Bá!á!á!á!á!á!á! AQþ!ÆO" 0D# 0DY# D/# BÌ#˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLlÎ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡'Ör Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular ñ ò ó ô Eõ ö E÷ ø Dù Ó€ F&3|x  3Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106€provides€the€following€factors€to€be€consideredÐ ° Ðin€child€custody€cases:€ÌÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓ  Ó(1)€The€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€the€parents€and€child;€Ì(2)€The€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,€clothing,€medicalÏcare,€education€and€other€necessary€care€and€the€degree€to€which€a€parent€has€beenÏthe€primary€caregiver;€Ì(3)€The€importance€of€continuity€in€the€child's€life€and€the€length€of€time€the€childÏhas€lived€in€a€stable,€satisfactory€environment€.€.€.€;€Ð 0 €  Ð(4)€The€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;€Ì(5)€The€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;€Ì(6)€The€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;€Ì(7)€The€reasonable€preference€of€the€child€if€twelve€(12)€years€of€age€or€older.€TheÏcourt€may€hear€the€preference€of€a€younger€child€upon€request.€The€preferences€ofÏolder€children€should€normally€be€given€greater€weight€than€those€of€youngerÏchildren;€Ì(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€to€the€other€parent€or€to€anyÏother€person€.€.€.€;Ì(9)€The€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€or€frequents€theÏhome€of€a€parent€and€such€person's€interactions€with€the€child;€and€Ì(10)€Each€parent's€past€and€potential€for€future€performance€of€parentingÏresponsibilities,€including€the€willingness€and€ability€of€each€of€the€parents€toÏfacilitate€and€encourage€a€close€and€continuing€parent-child€relationship€between€theÏchild€and€the€other€parent,€consistent€with€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€ÌÒ°ØÒÒ°ÊÒÔ‡X&LXXXÔÌÓÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106€(1998).€€Ô#†X ÿXXX&L·#Ô-šBu Z‹$Arrus BT Roman 9Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106€provides€the€following€factors€to€be€consideredÐ ° Ðin€child€custody€cases:€ÌÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓ  Ó(1)€The€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€the€parents€and€child;€Ì(2)€The€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,€clothing,€medicalÏcare,€education€and€other€necessary€care€and€the€degree€to€which€a€parent€has€beenÏthe€primary€caregiver;€Ì(3)€The€importance€of€continuity€in€the€child's€life€and€the€length€of€time€the€childÏhas€lived€in€a€stable,€satisfactory€environment€.€.€.€;€Ð 0 € W Ð(4)€The€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;€Ì(5)€The€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;€Ì(6)€The€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;€Ì(7)€The€reasonable€preference€of€the€child€if€twelve€(12)€years€of€age€or€older.€TheÏcourt€may€hear€the€preference€of€a€younger€child€upon€request.€The€preferences€ofÏolder€children€should€normally€be€given€greater€weight€than€those€of€youngerÏchildren;€Ì(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€to€the€other€parent€or€to€anyÏother€person€.€.€.€;Ì(9)€The€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€or€frequents€theÏhome€of€a€parent€and€such€person's€interactions€with€the€child;€and€Ì(10)€Each€parent's€past€and€potential€for€future€performance€of€parentingÏresponsibilities,€including€the€willingness€and€ability€of€each€of€the€parents€toÏfacilitate€and€encourage€a€close€and€continuing€parent-child€relationship€between€theÏchild€and€the€other€parent,€consistent€with€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€ÌÒ°ØÒÒ°ÊÒÔ‡X&LXXXÔÌÓÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106€(Supp.€1998).€€Ô#†X ÿXXX&L·#Ô((3üÝ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular)LÀÄ  Z $Arrus BT Roman(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular 9Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106€provides€the€following€factors€to€be€consideredÐ ° Ðin€child€custody€cases:€ÌÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓ  Ó(1)€The€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€the€parents€and€child;€Ì(2)€The€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,€clothing,€medicalÏcare,€education€and€other€necessary€care€and€the€degree€to€which€a€parent€has€beenÏthe€primary€caregiver;€Ì(3)€The€importance€of€continuity€in€the€child's€life€and€the€length€of€time€the€childÏhas€lived€in€a€stable,€satisfactory€environment€.€.€.€;€Ð 0 € Þ Ð(4)€The€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;€Ì(5)€The€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;€Ì(6)€The€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;€Ì(7)€The€reasonable€preference€of€the€child€if€twelve€(12)€years€of€age€or€older.€TheÏcourt€may€hear€the€preference€of€a€younger€child€upon€request.€The€preferences€ofÏolder€children€should€normally€be€given€greater€weight€than€those€of€youngerÏchildren;€Ì(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€to€the€other€parent€or€to€anyÏother€person€.€.€.€;Ì(9)€The€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€or€frequents€theÏhome€of€a€parent€and€such€person's€interactions€with€the€child;€and€Ì(10)€Each€parent's€past€and€potential€for€future€performance€of€parentingÏresponsibilities,€including€the€willingness€and€ability€of€each€of€the€parents€toÏfacilitate€and€encourage€a€close€and€continuing€parent-child€relationship€between€theÏchild€and€the€other€parent,€consistent€with€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€ÌÒ°ØÒÒ°ÊÒÔ‡X&LXXXÔÌÓÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106€(Supp.€1998).€€Ô#†X ÿXXX&L·#Ô(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular ùÝ ƒ+¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X<=XXXÔÔ€#"XX<=ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X<=X#"ÔÐ  ÐÌApril€30,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó""""'ÿÿdxd,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý d*+ ,-Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó..'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýñù ñ›ñù ñÔ‡XvXXXÔÓ  ÓÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑò òÑ7€Œ¥XXdðXXdð7Ññ ññù ñßr€)<,(j 8` `€€@Eȱ` 8ttxP°ð  rßñù ññ ññ ññ ññù ñ›ñù ñà@ ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEó óˆÐ ° Ðò òñ ñœßt€)>.*jxÐÿ¤` `€€@E˜@` 8ttxPÐœð ¤ tß›ñ ñà@úú$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ œì Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌóóÌBRUCE€FREEMAN€GROVER,€JR.,à À à)à  àà p àÐ L œ Ðó óà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àò ò)ó óÐ 8 ˆ Ðà  àPlaintiff/Appellee„à  àà h àà À àò ò)à  àó óWilliamson€Chancery€No.€24827Ð $ t Ѐ€€à  àCross/Appellant,à  àà h àà À àò ò)ó óÐ  d Ðò òà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)ó óà  àà p àÐ  T  Ðò òv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  à€Ð ð @  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  àó óAppeal€No.€œ01A01„9804„CH„00197ò ò›Ð Ü,  ÐSHARON€DIANE€GROVER,€€€€€€€€€€à À à)à  àÐ Ì  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àó óDefendant/Appellant„à  àò òà h àà À à)Ð ¤ô  Ðà  àó óCross/Appellee.à  àò òà h àà À à)Ð ”ä  Ðà  àó óòòÌóóò òÌÌÌà@ÔÔìàó óAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CHANCERY€COURT€OF€WILLIAMSON€COUNTYˆÐ 4„ Ðà@÷÷ìàAT€FRANKLIN,€TENNESSEEˆÌÌÌà@Ç Ç ìàTHE€HONORABLE€TIMOTHY€EASTER,€JUDGEˆÌòòÌÌÌFor€the€Plaintiff/Appelleeóó„òòà  àà h àà À àFor€the€Defendant/Appellantóó„Ð ”ä ÐòòCross/Appellantóó:à ¸ àà  àà h àà À àòòCross/Appelleeóó:òòÐ €Ð ÐÌóóRuss€Heldman€€€€€€€€€€à ¸ àà  àà h à€€€€€€€€€€€€Robert€H.€Plummer,€œJr.›Ð X!¨ ÐErnie€Williams€€€€€€€€à ¸ àà  àà h à€€€€€€€€€€€€Franklin,€TennesseeÐ D"”  ÐFranklin,€TennesseeÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ÌÌÌÌò òÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àó óHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.Ð |+Ì&* ÐÌÌÌCONCURS:ÌòòÌóóBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€J.Ð 1T,0 ÐÌWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€J.Ô#†XŒ¥XXXv&#ÔÔ‡XvXXXŒ¥Ôò òòòÐ  Ü2,.2 ÐØØÓÓÑ7€Œ¥XXdðXXdð7ÑÑ  Ñà@66'ìàóóOPINIONòòˆÐ ° Ðóóó óà  àThis€is€a€child€custody€case.€€The€trial€court€awarded€custody€of€the€three€minor€children€toÐ ˆØ Ðthe€father,€and€ordered€the€mother€to€pay€child€support.€€The€mother€appeals.€€We€œaffirm€and€remand.›Ìà  àÔ#†XŒ¥XXXv #ÔPlaintiff/Appellee,€Bruce€Freeman€Grover€(ð ðHusbandðð),€and€Defendant/Appellant,€SharonÐ 8 ˆ ÐDiane€Grover€(ð ðWifeðð),€were€married€in€1979.€€Three€children€were€born€during€the€œeighteen€andÏone„half›€year€marriage.€€€At€the€time€of€trial,€Cassie€was€fourteen,€Christina€(ð ðChrissyðð)€was€eleven,Ïand€Chase€was€nine.€€On€July€23,€1997,€œÔ‡XvXXXŒ¥ÔHusband›€filed€for€divorce€from€Wife,€Ô#†XŒ¥XXXvu#ÔÔ‡XvXXXŒ¥Ôciting€irreconcilableÐ Ø(  Ðdifferences€and€inappropriate€marital€œconduct.€€Ô#†XŒ¥XXXvÝ#ÔÔ‡XvXXXŒ¥ÔWife›€filed€a€counter„complaint€for€œdivorce.€€Both›Ð Ø(  Ðparties€sought€custody€of€the€three€minor€œchildren.›Ìà  àFor€several€years€preceding€their€separation,€the€parties€had€lived€with€the€childrenÔ#†XŒ¥XXXvz#ÔÔ‡XvXXXŒ¥Ô€in€a€fourÐ ˆØ Ðbedroom€trailer€located€on€land€owned€by€Wifeððs€father,€Tom€Locke€(ð ðLockeðð).€€Prior€to€the€partiesððÏseparation,€Wife€was€the€primary€caretaker€of€the€œchildren.€€Wife›€moved€out€of€the€trailer€in€JuneÏœ1997.€€Ô#†XŒ¥XXXvœ#ÔÔ‡XvXXXŒ¥ÔSince›€then,€the€children€have€continued€to€œreside›€œin€the€trailerÔ#†XŒ¥XXXvÚ#ÔÔ‡XvXXXŒ¥Ô€with€Husband,›€and€he€has€beenÐ ` Ðthe€primary€caretaker€of€the€œchildren.€€Ô#†XŒ¥XXXv`#ÔÔ‡XvXXXŒ¥ÔThe›€trailer€is€within€walking€distance€of€the€Locke€residence.€Ð è8 ÐThe€children€spend€considerable€time€in€the€home€or€in€the€care€of€Locke€and€his€wife,€WifeððsÏstepmother,€as€they€have€since€they€began€residing€in€the€trailer.€€Locke€and€his€wife€help€HusbandÏwith€the€care€of€the€children,€before€work€and€at€other€times€when€needed.€€Ìà  àAfter€Wife€moved€out€of€the€marital€home,€Husband€obtained€a€temporary€restraining€orderÏð ðrestraining€and€prohibiting€[Wife]€from€removing€and/or€attempting€to€remove€the€minor€childrenÏfrom€the€physical€possession€of€œ[Husband]›€and/or€[Wifeððs]€father,€pending€further€proceedings€inÏthis€œcause.ðð€€Locke,›€Wifeððs€father,€also€obtained€a€restraining€order€against€Wife,€which€preventedÏher€from€coming€on€to€his€property.€€€€€€€€€€Ô#†XŒ¥XXXvÿ#ÔÔ‡XvXXXŒ¥ÔÐ ¨+ø&* Ðà  àBoth€parties€have€a€checkered€past.€€Approximately€nine€years€ago,€both€Husband€and€WifeÏwere€convicted€œof€theò ò€ó ósale›€of€œcocaine.€€As›€a€result,€they€were€both€placed€on€lengthy€probation.€Ð X/¨*. ÐHusband€has€never€been€convicted€of€violating€his€probation,€but€admits€that€warrants€were€servedÏon€him€on€a€few€œoccasions.€€Wife›€has€one€probation€violation€for€a€positive€drug€test€for€marijuana.€Ìà  à€€On€August€15,€1997,€the€parties€entered€into€an€agreed€order€providing€that€Husband€andÏLocke€would€share€joint€custody€of€the€children€until€a€later€œhearing.€€At›€the€time€of€the€agreed€order,Ïboth€parties€had€tested€positive€on€a€drug€œscreen.€€Joint›€custody€with€Wifeððs€father€was€agreed€on€toÏprotect€the€children€in€the€event€that€both€parties€were€œincarcerated.€€In›€a€second€agreed€order€datedÐ p:À5: ÐDecember€œ8,›€1997,€the€parties€agreed€that€Wife€would€pay€$145€per€week€in€child€support€pendingÏthe€final€hearing€set€for€January€12,€œ1998.€€Wife›€paid€these€œamounts€until€January€12,€1998,›€but€failedÏto€pay€child€support€from€January€12,€1998€to€February€11,€1998€when€the€hearing€was€rescheduled.€Ì€€€€€€€€Ô#†X ÿXXX&Lý#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔ€à  àHusband€is€currently€employed€as€an€assistant€grocery€store€œmanager.€€His›€shift€starts€anytimeÐ 8 ˆ Ðfrom€2:00€a.m.€to€6:00€a.m.Ô#†X ÿXXX&Lù#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔ,€which€prevents€him€from€caring€for€the€children€before€œschool.€€He›Ð  ` Ðtestified€that€since€he€started€working€those€hours,€he€has€received€help€in€getting€the€children€readyÏfor€school€from€his€mother€or€his€œin„laws.€€He›€is€usually€off€work€by€œ3:00€p.m.›€€€Ô#†X ÿXXX&LØ#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔÐ À  Ðà  àHusband€testified€at€trial€that€his€oldest€daughter,€Cassie,€is€estranged€from€her€mother€andÏchooses€not€to€visit€with€her€œmother.€€He›€stated€that€the€partiesðð€second€oldest€daughter,€Chrissy,Ïdoes€not€wish€to€visit€with€her€mother€but€feels€compelled€to€because€she€œbelieves›€that€she€wouldÏbe€arrested€if€she€did€œnot.€€Husband›€testified€about€his€everyday€involvement€in€the€childrenððs€lives,Ïsuch€as€driving€them€to€œafter„school›€activities,€coaching€his€sonððs€sports€teams,€and€eating€lunch€atÏschool€with€each€child€at€least€once€every€œweek.€€He›€enrolled€the€children€in€counseling€for€divorcedÏchildren€at€their€respective€œschools.€€Husband›€claimed€that€Wife€was€not€helping€him€with€any€of€theÏchildrenððs€expenses,€and€that€she€was€not€paying€child€support.€€€Ìà  àÔ#†X ÿXXX&L3#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔHusband€admitted€that,€about€two€years€before€the€œdivorce,›œ€he›€moved€out€of€the€marital€homeÐ X ¨ Ðand€lived€with€another€woman€for€several€œmonths.€€Husband›€claimed€that€he€gave€Wife€money€forÏthe€childrenððs€expenses€during€the€œseparation,›€which€Wife€disputes.€€During€this€time,€HusbandÏclaimed€that€he€learned€that€Wife€was€also€having€an€affair.Ìà  àWife€is€currently€employed€at€Kroger€as€a€head€œclerk.€€She›€currently€lives€in€œa€house›€with€herÏboyfriend€and€another€male€œroommate.€€Wife›€testified€that€she€moved€out€of€the€marital€residenceÏafter€she€was€assaulted€by€Husband,€resulting€in€a€bruised€lumbar€and€an€injury€to€her€œelbow.€€She›Ïalleged€that,€when€she€came€home€from€work€one€day,€Husband€awoke€and€became€angry€with€herÏabout€the€keys€to€his€truck.€€He€then€pulled€her€by€her€ankles€off€the€couch€where€she€had€been€sittingÏand€threw€her€purse€at€her.€€This€assault€was€not€prosecuted.€€When€she€returned€the€following€dayÏto€pick€up€the€children,€she€found€that€her€father€had€obtained€a€restraining€order€prohibiting€herÏfrom€coming€onto€his€œproperty.€€Ô#†X ÿXXX&L¹!#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔWife›€testified€that€when€Husband€moved€out€of€the€marital€homeÐ  4ð/4 Ðfor€several€months,€she€had€just€been€diagnosed€with€Crohnððs€œdisease,€a›€œdisease›€affecting€theÏœintestines.€€She›€denied€that€Husband€made€payments€to€her€for€the€childrenððs€care€during€that€time.€ÏœShe›€testified€that€she€did€not€begin€seeing€the€man€with€whom€she€currently€resides€until€HusbandÐ (:x5: Ðmoved€out€of€the€marital€residence.€€She€stated€that€she€stopped€this€extramarital€relationship€whenÏHusband€returned€to€the€marital€home€and€that€it€did€not€resume€until€June€1997€when€she€askedÏHusband€for€a€divorce.€€€€€Ô#†X ÿXXX&LS&#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔÐ `° Ðà  àWife€testified€œthat,›€prior€to€the€partiesðð€final€separation,€she€was€the€primary€caretaker€of€theÏœchildren,€and›€that€she€prepared€them€for€school€and€fixed€their€œlunches.€€She›€stated€that,€since€theÏseparation,€she€has€been€involved€in€the€childrenððs€activities€and€has€attended€a€dance,€football€andÏbaseball€games,€and€has€visited€Chaseððs€school€and€counselor.€Ìà  àÔ#†X ÿXXX&L)#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔWife€also€testified,€that€after€she€acquired€a€lawyer€to€set€up€visitation,€she€has€never€missedÐ ˜è  Ða€visitation€with€the€œchildren.€€On›€several€occasions€Chase,€by€choice,€stayed€longer€with€Wife€thanÏthe€usual€weekend€visitation€schedule€œallowed.€€Wife›€explained€that€Chrissy€may€have€developedÏthe€idea€that€she€would€be€arrested€if€she€did€not€visit€with€her€mother€from€an€occasion€on€whichÏChrissy€was€at€her€grandfatherððs€house€and€refused€to€go€with€her€mother€for€œvisitation.€€Wife›Ïadmitted€that€she€told€her€father,€in€Chrissyððs€presence,€that€the€court€had€ordered€visitation€for€herÏand€that€she€could€call€the€police€if€necessary,€but€chose€not€to€do€so€and€left€without€œChrissy.€€WifeÏacknowledged€that€all€of€the€children€would€have€to€change€schools€if€custody€were€awarded€to€her.€ÏWife›€believes€that€the€two€younger€children€should€live€with€her€despite€one€of€the€childrenððs€desiresÏnot€to€change€œschools.€€As›€for€the€fourteen€year€old,€Cassie,€Wife€acknowledges€that€she€can€chooseÏher€residence,€but€asserts€that€it€is€in€Cassieððs€best€interest€to€live€with€Wife€because€of€Cassieððs€lackÏof€discipline€or€a€curfew€while€with€œHusband.€€She›€asserts€that€the€children€should€be€split€up€ifÏCassie€refuses€to€live€with€œher.›Ìà  àWife€testified€that,€contrary€to€Husbandððs€testimony,€œshe›€paid€$800€towards€medical€expensesÏnot€covered€by€insurance€and€contributed€towards€Chrissyððs€dance€œclasses€and€recital€costumes,›ÏChaseððs€football€expenses,€and€Chaseððs€school€œlunches.Ô#†X ÿXXX&Lù*#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿԛР@-(, Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€Wife€also€testified€that,€when€both€parties€were€convicted€of€œthe€sale›€of€cocaine,€Husband€toldÏher€that€he€was€diagnosed€with€a€cocaine€addiction€and€a€sexual€œaddictionÔ#†X ÿXXX&LP1#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔ.€€She›€asserted€thatÐ ð0@,0 Ðalthough€he€was€treated€for€the€cocaine€addiction,€he€never€received€any€treatment€for€the€sexualÏaddiction.€€Husband€disputed€any€type€of€sexual€addiction€or€that€he€ever€received€such€a€diagnosis.€Ìà  àÔ#†X ÿXXX&L_2#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔWifeððs€father,€Thomas€Locke,€testified€about€his€extensive€involvement€in€the€childrenððsÐ x6È16 Ðlives.€€He€stated€that€he€had€custody€of€all€three€children€for€two€years€while€the€parties€were€dealingÏwith€their€cocaine€œconvictions.€€He›€explained€that€he€built€a€pool€for€his€grandchildren€and€his€œwife,Ð (:x5: Ðthat›€the€children€would€often€spend€the€night€with€him€and€his€œwife,›€and€that€he€saw€the€childrenÏœevery€day›€playing€in€the€œyard.€€In›€his€opinion,€the€children€should€be€with€their€father.€Ìà  àHusbandððs€mother,€Eloise€Cummings€Blazy,€also€testified€at€trial.€€€She€indicated€that€theÏchildren€are€happy€and€settled€in€their€current€schools€and€should€remain€with€their€œfather.€€She›€statedÏthat€Cassie€does€not€wish€to€visit€with€her€mother€and€that€Chrissy€feels€forced€to€visit,€but€thatÏChase€wants€visitation€with€his€œmother.€€She›€also€testified€that€the€children€have€a€good€relationshipÏwith€œWifeððs›€father,€œLocke.›Ìà  àWife€presented€two€witnesses,€Elsie€Pratt,€Thomas€Lockeððs€sister€and€Wifeððs€aunt,€and€ToniÏPackard,€a€friend€of€Wife,€who€testified€that€the€children€would€be€better€off€in€their€motherððsÏœcustody.€€In›€addition,€Wifeððs€mother,€Irene€Locke,€testified€that€Wife€is€a€good€mother€and€isÏsupportive€of€the€childrenððs€school€œactivities.€€She›€asserted€that€Wife€was€the€childrenððs€primaryÏcaretaker€during€the€marriage€and€denied€that€Husband€has€a€loving€relationship€with€the€children,Ïstating€that€she€has€not€recently€seen€him€show€them€any€œaffection.›Ìà  àThe€two€oldest€children,€Cassie€and€Chrissy,€were€interviewed€in€chambers€by€the€trial€judgeÏand€the€attorneys.€€Cassie€stated€that€she€would€rather€live€with€her€œfather.€€She›€said€that€she€doesÏnot€get€along€with€her€mother€and€that€when€she€visits€her€mother,€her€mother€has€parties€and€drinks.€ÏœIn›€addition,€she€said€that€there€was€not€sufficient€bedroom€space€at€her€motherððs€œhouse›€œfor›€theÏchildren€with€the€male€roommate€residing€œthere.€€Cassie›€stated€that€the€children€usually€preparedÏtheir€own€lunches€and€breakfast€because€of€her€dadððs€early€œhours.€€Chrissy›€stated€that€she€liked€livingÏon€her€grandfatherððs€farm€and€wanted€to€stay€œthere.›ÌÔ#†X ÿXXX&LŸ3#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔà  àAt€the€conclusion€of€the€proceedings,€the€trial€court€issued€an€oral€ruling€granting€custodyÐ )à$( Ðto€œHusband.€€In€the€trial€courtððs€written€order,€it€stated›€that€it€had€considered€the€statutory€factorsÏlisted€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106.€€œIt›€found€that€the€most€important€factor€in€this€caseÏwas€ð ðthe€importance€of€the€continuity€in€all€of€the€childrenððs€lives,ðð€including€their€continuedÏresidence€on€Lockeððs€farm€and€enrollment€in€their€current€schools.€€The€trial€court€found€that€itÏwould€not€be€in€the€childrenððs€best€interest€to€split€them€up.€€The€trial€court€discussed€the€conferenceÏwith€the€two€older€children,€in€which€they€told€the€trial€judge€that€they€wished€to€remain€in€theirÏcurrent€home€with€their€father€and€stay€in€their€current€schools.€€The€trial€court€also€indicated€thatÏa€significant€consideration€in€granting€custody€to€Husband€was€the€stability€provided€by€Mr.€andÏMrs.€Locke.€€Husband€was€ordered€to€arrange€for€adult€supervision€for€the€morning€hours€before€theÐ (:x5: Ðchildren€depart€for€school.€€Wife€was€granted€standard€visitation€of€every€other€weekend,€summerÏbreak,€and€holidays;€€however,€the€trial€court€stated€that€any€child€of€fourteen€who€did€not€wish€toÏvisit€with€Wife€would€not€be€œforced€to€do€so.›€€Wife€was€ordered€to€pay€$600€per€month€in€childÏsupport.€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ô#†X ÿXXX&L·<#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔÐ 8 ˆ Ðò òà  àó óWife€now€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€order€awarding€custody€to€Husband.€€On€appeal,€WifeÐ  ` Ðargues€that€the€trial€court€failed€to€consider€the€comparative€fitness€of€the€parties.€€Wife€also€arguesÏthat€the€trial€court€erroneously€credited€Husbandððs€testimony€and€failed€to€consider€that€he€had€beenÏconsistently€untruthful€to€the€court.€€Husband€seeks€attorneyððs€fees€for€this€appeal.€Ìò òòòà  àÔ#†X ÿXXX&LhB#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔóóó óThe€trial€court€has€wide€discretion€in€child€custody€matters.€€òòò òSee€Herrera€v.€Herreraóóó ó,€944Ð pÀ ÐS.W.2d€379,€œ385›€(Tenn.€App.€1996).€€ð ðIn€cases€involving€child€custody,€the€decision€of€the€TrialÏJudge€who€saw€and€heard€the€witnesses,€is€to€be€given€great,€if€not€controlling€effect,€and€we€willÏinterfere€only€where€we€find€a€palpable€abuse€of€discretion,€or€a€judgment€against€the€great€weightÏof€the€evidence.ðð€œò òòòId.óóó ó€at€386›€œÔ#†X ÿXXX&L}D#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔ(quoting›€òòò òCecil€v.€State€œex›€rel.€Ceciló óóó,€192€Tenn.€œ74,€77ñë ñ,€ñë ñ237›€S.W.2d€558,Ð Ð  Ð559€(1951)).€Ìà  àœð ð[T]he›€welfare€and€best€interests€of€œa›€child€are€the€paramount€considerations€and€the€rights,Ïdesires,€and€interests€of€the€parents€become€secondary.ðð€òòò òWhitaker€v.€Whitakeró óóó,€957€S.W.2d€834,€838Ð X ¨ Ð(Tenn.€App.€1997)€œ(citingòòò ò€Ô#†X ÿXXX&LF#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔNeely›€v.€Neelyó óóó,€737€S.W.2d€539,€542€(Tenn.€œApp.€1987)).Ô#†X ÿXXX&L}H#Ô›€€Ô‡X&LXXX ÿÔTheÐ 0"€  Ðdetermination€of€the€child's€best€interest€must€turn€on€the€particular€facts€of€each€case.€€ò òòòSee€TaylorÐ 0$€" Ðv.€Tayloró óóó,€849€S.W.2d€319,€326€(Tenn.€1993);òòò ò€In€re€Parsonsó óóó,€914€S.W.2d€889,€893€(Tenn.€App.Ð &X!$ Ð1995).€€In€òòò òBah€v.€œBahó óóó,€the›€court€adopted€the€ð ðcomparativeÔ#†X ÿXXX&LI#ÔÔ‡ X‹5XXX ÿÔ€Ô#†X ÿXX X‹5¨J#ÔÔ‡X ÿXXX ÿÔfitnessðð€approach€to€child€custodyÐ à'0#& Ðdecisions:€€ð ðThere€are€literally€thousands€of€things€that€must€be€taken€into€consideration€in€the€livesÏof€young€children€and€these€factors€must€be€reviewed€on€a€comparative€œapproach.ðð€€Ô#†X ÿXXX ÿëJ#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔ668€S.W.2d€663,Ð Ì+'* Ð666€(Tenn.€App.€1983)Ô#†X ÿXXX&L(L#ÔÔ‡X ÿXXX ÿÔòòóó€(citation€omitted).Ô#†X ÿXXX ÿ£L#Ô›€€The€trial€court€must€also€consider€factors€set€forth€inÐ Ì-), ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106.œñì ññð ñ׃ ×ñð ññð ñ׃×ñð ññì ññì ñ׃ ×ñì ñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×›€€€Ð Ì/+. ÐÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔÓ-°,X°'A ¸ —X°œX-Óà ' àOn€appeal,€Wife€argues€that€the€trial€court€œfailed›€to€compare€the€fitness€of€both€œparties.Ô#†X ÿXXX&L.N#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔ›€WifeÐ ° Ðalso€argues€that€the€trial€court€placed€undue€emphasis€on€Wifeððs€decision€to€move€out€of€the€maritalÏhome€without€the€children.€€Wife€reiterates€that€she€had€to€leave€the€marital€home€because€HusbandÏassaulted€her.€€She€also€contends€that€the€trial€court€failed€to€consider€that€Wifeððs€father,€from€whomÏthe€parties€rented€their€marital€home,€had€a€restraining€order€issued€against€her.€€Wife€emphasizesÏthat€she€was€the€primary€caregiver€until€the€partiesðð€final€separation.€€Husband€argues€that€the€trialÏcourt€appropriately€placed€the€children€with€him,€based€on€findings€that€a€move€would€createÏð ðadditional€harmðð€to€the€children,€that€the€children€should€not€be€split€up,€and€that€the€older€childrenÏpreferred€to€remain€with€Husband.€€€€€Ô#†X ÿXXX&LO#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔÐ pÀ Мñø ñà ' àñø ñÔ#†X ÿXXX&LYR#Ô›à ' àThe€trial€court€in€this€case€stated€expressly€that€it€had€considered€the€statutory€factors€listed€inÐ H˜ ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106€and€had€compared€the€fitness€of€the€two€parents.€€The€recordÏsupports€this€statement;€the€trial€courtððs€oral€ruling€includes€a€discussion€of€œseveral›€of€the€listedÏfactors.Ìà ' àThe€trial€court€discussed€the€importance€of€continuity€in€the€childrenððs€lives.€€It€is€undisputedÏthat€Wife€was€the€primary€caretaker€prior€to€the€partiesðð€final€separation.€€While€courts€in€TennesseeÏare€not€required€to€award€custody€to€the€parent€who€has€been€the€primary€caretaker,€it€remains€anÏimportant€consideration.€€ò òòòSee€Taylor€v.€Tayloró óóó,€849€S.W.2d€319,€327„28€(Tenn.€1993);€œò òòòContreras›Ð h"¸  Ðv.€Wardó óóó,€831€S.W.2d€288,€290€(Tenn.€App.€œ1991);€ò òòòsee€also€Bailey€v.€Baileyó óóó,€No.€02A01„9609„CH„Ð H$˜" Ð00226,€1997€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€268€(Tenn.€App.€Apr.€22,€1997)€(considering€parentððs€status€asÏprimary€caretaker€in€custody€decision);€ò òòòHooke€v.€Thompsonó óóó,€No.€01A01„9504„CV„00180,€1995Ð (X#& ÐTenn.€App.€LEXIS€645€(Tenn.€App.€Oct.€4,€1995)€(same).›€€However,€under€the€œcircumstances›€in€aÏgiven€case,€a€court€may€determine€that€the€parent€who€has€been€the€primary€caregiver€ð ðmay€notÏnecessarily€be€comparatively€more€fit€than€the€other€parent€to€have€permanent€custody€of€the€child.ðð€Ïò òòòGaskill€v.€Gaskilló óóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€630„31€(Tenn.€App.€1996).€Ð P   Ðà ' àIn€this€case,€the€issue€of€continuity€in€the€childrenððs€lives€is€complex.€€While€Wife€was€theÏprimary€caretaker,€it€is€undisputed€that€both€parties€have€had€significant€problems€with€substanceÏabuse.€€During€this€period€of€instability,€the€fact€that€the€family€lived€on€Lockeððs€property,€and€theÏintervention€of€Locke€and€his€wife€in€caring€for€the€children,€provided€an€anchor€for€œthe€children.›€ÏMoreover,€it€is€undisputed€that€awarding€custody€to€Mother€would€result€in€the€children€having€toÏleave€the€marital€home€and€change€schools.€€Under€these€circumstances,€it€was€reasonable€for€theÏtrial€court€to€conclude€œthat,›€while€Wife€had€been€the€primary€caretaker,€awarding€custody€to€herÏwould€ð ðcause€further€œunstability›€in€their€lives€and€.€.€.€additional€harm.ððÌà ' àThe€trial€court€also€expressed€appropriate€concern€about€Wifeððs€living€arrangements;€Wife€livesÏin€œa€house›€with€her€boyfriend€and€another€man,€and€the€children€indicated€that€there€were€insufficientÏbedrooms€for€them.€€The€trial€court€œstated,€ñð ñ›ñð ñð ðI›€have€some€concern€œ„„›€and,€again,€this€goes€back€toÏawarding€custody€to€father€in€the€first€place:€The€environment€right€now€that€youððre€living€in€I€doÏnot€believe€is€the€most€conducive€environment€for€these€children€to€live€œin€in›€a€custodial€œsituationÏ.›€.€.€œ.ððñð ñ›ñð ñ€€Wifeððs›€living€arrangements€were€compared€to€Husbandððs,€living€in€the€marital€home€onÏLockeððs€property.Ìà ' àWife€notes€that€the€evidence€established€that€Husband€frequently€left€for€work€in€the€earlyÏmorning€and€that€the€children€got€themselves€ready€for€school€without€adult€œsupervision.€€Indeed,›Ïthis€is€a€legitimate€cause€for€concern,€and€the€trial€court€in€its€order€required€Husband€to€provideÏadult€supervision€for€the€children€before€school.€€Generally,€the€evidence€indicated€that€the€childrenÏhad€been€well€cared€for€in€Husbandððs€custody€since€the€partiesðð€final€separation.Ìà ' àThe€record€indicates€that€the€trial€court€considered€the€preference€expressed€by€the€two€olderÏchildren€that€they€remain€in€their€fatherððs€custody.€€Indeed,€it€was€clear€from€the€record€that€it€œññ ñiññ ñññ ñ›waññ ñs›Ïunlikely€that€Cassie€would€live€with€her€mother€even€if€ordered€to€do€so.€€Consequently,€the€trialÏcourt€appropriately€considered€whether€splitting€the€children,€as€would€result€from€an€award€to€Wife,Ïwas€in€their€best€interest.€€Tennessee€courts€have€consistently€emphasized€the€importance€of€raisingÐ 09€48 Ðsiblings€in€the€same€household€following€œdivorce,€ð ðññ ñ›ññ ñIt›€is€generally€not€a€good€idea€to€separate€minorÏchildren€by€a€custody€order€.€.€.€.€Generally€speaking,€siblings,€following€a€divorce,€have€a€right€toÏœspend›€their€minority€together€in€the€absence€of€proof€of€potential€harm€to€one€of€them€or€otherÏextenuating€œcircumstances.ðð€€ò òòòGracey›€v.€œGraceyó óóó,€No.€03A01„9511„CV„00419,€1996›€Tenn.€App.Ð P   ÐLEXIS€240,€at€*7€(1996)€(citations€omitted).€€The€record€supports€the€trial€courtððs€finding€thatÏseparating€the€children€would€not€be€in€their€best€interest.Ìà ' àWife€argues€on€appeal€that€Husband€was€consistently€untruthful€to€the€trial€court,€and€that€thisÏmitigates€in€favor€of€an€award€of€custody€to€her.€€She€points€out€that€Husband€indicated€that€he€gotÏthe€children€up€on€school€mornings€and€got€them€ready€for€school,€but€that€the€childrenððs€later€talkÏwith€the€trial€judge€showed€that€he€often€left€for€work€early€and€the€children€got€themselves€readyÏfor€school.€€Without€question,€œð ð[a]›€parentððs€honesty€reflects€on€his€or€her€fitness€to€be€a€goodÏcustodian.ðð€€ò òòòGaskill€v.€Gaskilló óóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€634€(Tenn.€App.€1996).Ð P  Ðà ' àOther€issues€involve€an€assessment€of€the€partiesðð€credibility.€€Wife€asserts€that€she€was€forcedÏto€leave€the€marital€home€because€Husband€assaulted€her.€€Both€parties€dispute€various€monetaryÏissues€regarding€payment€of€child€support€and€the€childrenððs€expenses.€€Ô‡X‹5XXX ÿÔòòÐ ð@ Ðà ' àóóÔ#†X ÿXXX‹5œh#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔWhen€the€resolution€of€the€issues€in€a€case€depends€upon€the€truthfulness€of€witnesses,€the€trialÐ Ð  Ðjudge€who€has€the€opportunity€to€observe€the€witnesses€in€their€manner€and€demeanor€whileÏtestifying€is€in€a€far€better€position€than€this€Court€to€decide€those€issues.€€ò òòòSee€McCaleb€v.€SaturnÐ €$Ð" ÐCorp.ó óóó,€910€S.W.2d€412,€415€(Tenn.€1995);òòò ò€Whitaker€v.€Whitakeróóó ó,€957€S.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.€App.Ð X&¨!$ Ð1997).€€The€weight,€faith,€and€credit€to€be€given€to€any€witnessððs€testimony€lies€in€the€first€instanceÏwith€the€trier€of€fact,€and€the€credibility€accorded€will€be€given€great€weight€by€the€appellate€court.€Ïœòòò òWhitakeró óóó,€957€S.W.2d€at€837;›€ò òòòIn€re€Estate€of€Walton€v.€Youngó óóó,€950€S.W.2d€956,€959€(Tenn.€1997).Ô#†X ÿXXX&Li#ÔÔ‡X&LXXX ÿԀРà+0'* ÐThis€is€especially€true€in€custody€matters.€€òòò òSee€Gaskill€v.€Gaskillóóó ó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€631€(Tenn.€App.Ð ¸-), Ð1996).€ÌÔ#†X ÿXXX&Lil#Ôà ' àIn€this€case,€it€is€clear€that€both€parents€have€had€substantial€difficulties€and€have€significantÐ h1¸,0 Ðdrawbacks.€€However,€we€œrecognizeñò ñ,ñò ñ€ññ ñ›ññ ñð ð[P]arents,›€whether€married€or€not,€are€human€beings,€eachÏwith€his€or€her€own€virtues€and€vices.€.€.€.€Therefore,€the€courts€should€not€measure€either€parentÏagainst€the€standard€of€œperfectionñô ññó ñððñó ññô ñ.ñö ññõ ñ:ñõ ññö ññ÷ ñððñ÷ ñ€€ò òòòGaskilló óóó,›€936€S.W.2d€at€630.€€Overall,€the€record€supports€theÐ 7X26 Ðtrial€courtððs€award€of€custody€to€Husband.€€€The€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.Ð è8848 ÐÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔà ' àÔ#†X ÿXXX&LÞo#ÔHusband€argues€that€he€is€entitled€to€attorneyððs€fees€on€appeal.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€œððÐ ° Ð36-5-103(c)›€governs€awards€of€attorney's€fees€in€proceedings€relating€to€child€support€and€childÏcustody:€€ÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓ€€€The€plaintiff€spouse€may€recover€from€the€defendant€spouse,€and€the€spouse€orÏother€person€to€whom€the€custody€of€the€child,€or€children,€is€awarded€may€recoverÏfrom€the€other€spouse€reasonable€attorney€fees€incurred€in€enforcing€any€decree€forÏalimony€and/or€child€support,€or€in€regard€to€any€suit€or€action€concerning€theÏadjudication€of€the€custody€or€the€change€of€custody€of€any€child,€or€children,€of€theÏparties,€both€upon€the€original€divorce€hearing€and€at€any€subsequent€hearing,€whichÏfees€may€be€fixed€and€allowed€by€the€court,€before€whom€such€action€or€proceedingÏis€pending,€in€the€discretion€of€such€court.€ÌÌÒ°qÒÒ°qÒÓ-qÓœTenn.€Code€Ann.›€ðð€36-5-103(c)€œ(Supp.€1998).›€€In€this€case,€we€find€that€Husband€is€entitled€toÏattorneyððs€fees€for€this€appeal.€Ìà ' àIn€sum,€we€find€that€the€trial€court€adequately€compared€the€fitness€of€the€parties€and€affirm€theÏtrial€courtððs€decision€to€award€custody€to€Husband.€€Attorneyððs€fees€to€Husband€for€this€appeal€areÏgranted.€€The€cause€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€an€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€on€appeal.€€Ìà ' àThe€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€œaffirmed€and€the€cause€remanded€for€further€proceedingsÏconsistent€with€this€Opinion.€€Costs›€are€taxed€to€Appellant,€for€which€execution€may€issue€ifÏnecessary.€ÌÌÓÓÔ‡X&LXXX ÿÔà ' àà A àà ¸ àà  àà h àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð  #ð! Ðà ' àà A àà ¸ àà  àà h àò òóóHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.Ð Œ$Ü" Ðó óà ' àò òÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ()x$' ÐóóBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€J.Ð *d%( ÐÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ ì+<'* ÐWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€J.ó óÔ#†X ÿXXX&L›v#Ô