ÿWPCÝ ql£°rK’ùìw|9üàM؈Mˆï¾Ü4Ü,S>77Å7úu‘pçDúƒ¤—ãÂãæ4°;ðá÷ÿ-wÏÉGN’ŽðÁ°‘²ÐƒùÚyœÓAÂý³í;ûÌÃjyû;C@‰À\gJ„z°k°ê2€”Vu×° öîK4‡½w×a{Uv0È´³¹®üë“¡õ¡ÜöâÓ°«Ò¿È ;En»ãäf&”Ô©]^'Æp`ýjW³†g²¦Î‹òÙ"øm@ÉjbÜ­ðÅÔÂ`AqgBežÖsJ0 $›§úf¸ñj ²Qfê¼Ø”~®cz]¥‡ú*Þ ¦§4޵–së£$Œ¦Íûо«Íܼ9·!³Ÿ”Ò„ô9<.3dåרq®g/¹â×?üQÍXTóFø{hЬ¿Éþü}mϪ^9¬ŒëgÈiPeÏ;Ñ# 6™¼xMÔÏÑ( Bÿ‚„ùö¥78~o Ñÿn3ÍXAI×›Âónñ˸¯¸ÜÛnäë^ §~Œt©Ž?dÌÎì¯.ùùÒÎâ åÊ6³ Ï#Uʽó '³OF[2=`ÚÝaêžrRd{ Ó¹C®/lpyƒÿÖPw%A‰£”µëþG⤶Ê$ûC`# @UNK %™ 0(Ÿw@Ç4  * b2 :: ¢t 0P @Lf om² AQpU:ppppppppppppppp BªÆÇ 0D 0DÑÑ D/ BD D3aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 0D””””””””” AØ D?W BG–˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ ª«¬­U®U¯°D±Ó²Ó€¼F&3|x¼- ù- 0Ñ#€Xÿÿd#ÑÑ € Ñ ˜Ý ƒ /Q+ÝÔ d ÔÝ  Ýßq€] ;+'h 0  ` Á{ â gæ€E°°x@8[ x‰°°x@8qß((3/Q$««Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ d ÔC:\OFFICE\WPWIN\GRAPHICS\DRAFT.WPGÿWPC°°—D%&1—D%&1'Ø'3XXXX,,51ÿÿÿ.+3ÿ– `! ¦Ù'¦Ù'þi(²­(S)õc)°«)"G*"G*Óñ)Óñ)|œ)|œ)|œ)-). )–¨(k(×<(yÚ'›ô&[ú%Þ{%U %<I%&|”&¶'½‹'Üj'æ\'3'3'T‰'T‰'¦Ù'1ÿÿÿ3ÿÿÿN `"0(0(¡ª''r&è%äÌ%‚+&\O&=“&9Ê&6'b{'¶Ò'<](Ìx(0(0(13ÿê `#T#+T#+T#+'H+'H+'H+t+t+ÜO+ÜO+ÜO+»-++†×*\*U`*\ *\ *B$*B$**<*I*n*n*¸*¸*eÊ)eÊ)eÊ)±)œ™)¹„)öQ)5)4)gæ( ¨(:(:(R‘(R‘(R‘(§ã(§ã(ê)ê)ê)­¼)™á)•*“=*º“*èÃ*û×*ó*I+I+ÿ `$ñ c,ñ c,â h,Ý i,Ð u,Á ^,± H,¥ ;, $,s ,^ ,I ,0 , D, D,ƒ Ç,ƒ Ç,H -H -H -1 -û$-Ç-…û,-¹,ÐY,lñ+6 +ò++þ*5ò*5ò*?ý*?ý*Te+€¶+Ð ,/k,•,Åa,áF,Ñ,…¸+5O++ãÛ*[*|ú)±Ç)÷ƒ)„¸) J*p ¬*§ +Ç x+ k+; ~+ˆ Î+¯ ÷+Ç ,ñ c,ñ c,1ÿÿÿ3ÿÿÿN `%e É+e É+ˆ ¨+‘ ˆ+„ \+t #+M â* ²*Ê[*r?*Cl*œ*)í*œ†+××+àæ+ &, &,13ÿJ `&Û 50Û 50º 0ž ð/ Þ/U •// F/! ü. ˜. G.\ .\ .v õ-v õ-B Â-1 °-ôw-ôw- e- e- e- N- N- N-k ¢-k ¢-k ¢-š Ò-š Ò- k- k- k-\ -Ž â, [, [,R µ,R µ,¨ -¨ -¨ - -â ¯-} .} .( e.( e.( e.v ¸.v ¸.v ¸.ã $/ã $/ã $/Ë 5/Ë 5/¹ L/¹ L/¹ L/h ó.P ×. ˆ.É ’.± ž.“ ».` í.k 8/± €/Ì œ/è ­/ Ã/ Ã/( Ù/( Ù/ ç/ ç/ ç/ý 0ó 0Û 50Û 50ÿ `'·/·/»/û »/è Ã/Æ ‡/² k/’ J/t +/O /1 / õ.õ ù.Ñ /¹ ,/‹ U/j u/j u/Ê 0Ê 0 a0> †0« î0« î0 1 1z 1z 1z 1 ®0ð …0£ 50q h0` }0, À0 c0ò F0¶ ë/æ Ë/ö ¿/ ¡/ç s/Ô c/™ +/™ +/± /± /Ç /Ç /Ç /þ ;/ O/< |/< |/Ý à.Ý à.P m.P m.P m.Ž ..õ W.{ â.» #/á U/·/·/!"T$&Cþÿ<< Cÿÿ öÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€Xæ,XXXÔÔ€ùXXæ,ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€Xæ,XùÔÐ  ÐÌMay€5,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular dƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd 'ÿÿdxd(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝTyúÿ  <<= 8fæÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ____3 TripledxdCTriple 1+| d d dÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€¼ H¼XXÔÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ  ÑÑ€ &3Ññ±ñÖ€ ÿÿÖñ±ñÓ'€Ð†Xùè“X°œX'Óñ¼ññ²ñßr€)<,(j 8` `€€@Eô±` 8ttxP,°ð  rßñ²ññ¼ññ¼ññ¼ñLOUISE€SULLIVAN€(KING),à ù à)Ð ° Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà ù à)ÌÓ6€ü(‚Xù˜‘X€Ð†Xùè“X6Óñ¼ñßt€)>.*jxþÜ` `€€@E ¬` 8ttxPAäð È tßñ¼ñà Ø àPlaintiff/Appellant,à ù à)à  àAppeal€No.Ð Ð  Ðà Ø àà ù à)à  à01„A„01„9803„CV„00116Ð à0 Ðv.à Ø àà ù à)Ð ð@ Ðà Ø àà ù à)à  àDavidson€CircuitÐ  P ÐALLISON€GRANT€KING,€JR.,à ù à)à  àNo.€86D„1610Ð  ` Ðà Ø àà ù à)Ìà Ø àDefendant/Appellee.à ù à)Ð 0 € Ðà Ø àà ù àÌÌÌÌÓ  ÓÓ€ÓCOURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÌÌAPPEAL€FROM€THE€DAVIDSON€COUNTY€CIRCUIT€COURTÌAT€€NASHVILLE,€TENNESSEEÌÌTHE€HONORABLE€MURIEL€ROBINSON,€JUDGEÌÌÌÌÓ€ÓÓ  ÓÌÌSUSAN€H.€MOSELEYÌMoseley€&€MoseleyÌSuite€300,€One€Church€StreetÌ101€Church€StreetÌNashville,€Tennessee€€37201„1609Ìà Ø àATTORNEY€FOR€PLAINTIFF/APPELLANTÌÌÌÌROSEMARY€E.€PHILLIPSÌ429€Church€StreetÌP.€O.€Box€590€ÌGoodlettsville,€Tennessee€€37070„0590Ìà Ø àATTORNEY€FOR€DEFENDANT/APPELLEEÌÌÌÌÌÓ  ÓAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDÌÌÌÓ  ÓÌñ²ñÑ &3ÑÑ7€&vXXdìXXdì7ÑÑ€ ÑÑ  ÑÑ &3ÑÑ#€Xÿÿd#ÑÑ € ÑÑ  Ññ²ñÌñ²ñÑ &3ÑÑ7€&vXXdìXXdì7ÑÑ€ ÑÑ  Ññ²ñWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEÐ h;¸689 ÐÑ &3ÑÑ7€&vXXdìXXdì7ÑÑ€ ÑÑ  Ññ²ñÑ &3ÑÑ7€FvXXdìXXdì7ÑÑ€ ÑÑ  Ññ²ñÓ  ÓÔ€„+ž„¼¼ HÔòòO€P€I€N€I€O€NóóÐ ° ÐÓ  ÓÌÓ€Óà Ø àÔ€¼ H¼„„+žÔThis€case€involves€a€mother's€post„divorce€petition€to€modify€custody.€€TheÐ pÀ Ðtrial€court€dismissed€the€petition€and€awarded€attorney€fees€to€the€father's€attorney.€ÏThe€mother€asserts€that€circumstances€have€changed€such€that€it€is€now€in€theÏchildren's€best€interests€to€live€with€her.€€We€do€not€find€that€the€mother€has€madeÏthe€requisite€showing€of€changed€circumstances,€and,€accordingly,€we€affirm€theÏdecision€of€the€trial€court.ÌÌÓ  ÓI.ÌÓï ÓÌà Ø àLouise€Sullivan€King€("the€Mother")€and€Allison€Grant€King€("the€Father")Ïwere€divorced€by€final€decree€in€1988.€€The€final€decree€awarded€temporaryÏcustody€of€the€parties'€three€minor€children€to€the€Father,€and,€two€and€a€half€yearsÏlater,€this€award€was€made€permanent€by€order€entered€May€3,€1990.€€At€that€time,Ïthe€oldest€child,€Alice,€was€10€years€old€and€the€younger€twins,€Grant€and€Mary,Ïwere€7€years€old.€€Since€then,€the€children€have€resided€with€the€Father€and€theÏMother€has€paid€child€support€and€visited€regularly€with€the€children.€€ÌÌà Ø àThe€proceedings€giving€rise€to€this€appeal€began€when,€on€March€31,€1997,Ïthe€Mother€filed€a€Petition€for€Change€of€Custody€which€alleged€the€followingÏmaterial€change€of€circumstances:€Alice,€born€October€18,€1979,€was€a€highÏschool€senior€about€to€turn€18€years€of€age€(and€did€turn€18€three€days€after€thisÏpetition€was€heard),€Grant€and€Mary,€born€October€8,€1983,€were€13€years€old,Ïand€all€three€children€had€expressed€a€desire€to€live€with€the€Mother.€€The€petitionÏfurther€alleged€that€the€Father€had€not€provided€the€children€with€the€standard€ofÏcare€for€their€educational,€medical€and€social€development€that€she€would€be€ableÏto€provide€them€if€she€had€custody.€€€ÌÌà Ø àAt€trial,€the€Mother€testified€regarding€the€circumstances€that€precipitatedÏher€filing€the€petition.€€She€said€that€after€the€Father€filed€a€Petition€for€an€IncreaseÏin€Child€Support,€she€communicated€to€the€children€that€she€would€not€be€able€toÏprovide€financially€for€them€in€the€manner€to€which€they€were€accustomed€atÏwhich€point€the€children€suggested€they€live€with€her.€€The€evidence€was€that€theÐ Ø8(4@ ÐMother's€annual€salary€was€$47,000€and€the€Father's€was€$17,000.€ÌÌà Ø àAt€the€hearing,€the€Mother€stated€that€"the€main€thing€that€has€changed€isÏthe€age€of€Grant€and€Mary€and€their€willingness€and€desire€to€go€through€thisÏwhole€process."€€Also,€the€Mother€expressed€concern€over€the€fact€that€Alice€wasÏleaving€the€household€as€she€felt€that€Alice€played€an€important€role€for€theÏyounger€children€as€a€mother€figure.€€The€Mother€testified€that€the€children€do€notÏget€the€emotional€support€they€needed€from€the€Father.€€She€stated€that€the€FatherÏis€not€sympathetic€to€the€children's€needs,€for€example,€he€does€not€always€noticeÏthat€they€are€ill€until€they€point€it€out€to€him.€€While€the€Mother€claimed€that€sheÏis€the€parent€who€helps€them€with€homework€and€takes€them€to€the€library,€sheÏacknowledged€that€she€has€not€been€involved€in€their€school€activities€as€much€asÏshe€would€have€liked.€ÌÌà Ø àThe€Mother€entered€some€photographs€into€evidence€that€showed€that€theÏFather's€house€and€yard€were€not€clean€or€well€kept.€€She€put€on€photographicÏproof€that€showed€her€own€house€to€be€neat€and€clean.€€Other€photographs€wereÏentered€which€depicted€the€inside€of€the€Father's€home.€€These€were€taken€byÏAlice€who€testified€that€she€took€them€because€she€was€"angry€at€the€livingÏconditions."€€ÌÌà Ø àAll€three€children€were€called€by€the€Mother€to€testify,€and€both€of€theÏminor€children€expressed€their€preferences€to€live€with€the€Mother.€€Grant€testifiedÏthat€he€prefers€to€live€with€the€Mother€because€he€has€asthma€and€can€breatheÏeasier€at€her€home.€€He€also€testified€that€the€Mother€helps€him€with€school€workÏand€boy€scouts.€€He€stated€that€he€would€just€like€to€spend€his€last€four€years€atÏhome€with€her€since€he€has€spent€the€first€part€of€his€life€with€the€Father.€€GrantÏtestified€that€both€parents€have€similar€rules.€€He€stated€that€he€feels€safer€at€theÏMother's€house€because€he€knows€the€neighbors€there.€€Grant€acknowledged€thatÏthe€Father€had€gotten€him€involved€in€scouts€and€had€been€on€rafting€and€fishingÏtrips€with€him.€€He€confirmed€that€the€Father€had€taught€him€to€cook€and€to€sew.€ÏHis€seventh€grade€report€card,€which€was€entered€into€evidence,€revealed€A's€andÏB's€and€only€a€few€absences.ÌÐ H9˜4B Ðà Ø àMary€articulated€as€the€reason€she€wants€to€live€with€her€Mother€the€factÏthat€she€will€have€more€freedom€and€more€privileges.€€On€cross„examination,€sheÏexplained€this€by€saying€that€with€the€Mother,€she€"get[s]€to€watch€the€shows€thatÏ[her]€dad€doesn't€think€are€appropriate,€like€the€Simpsons,€which€everybodyÏalmost€watches.€€I€get€to€have€friends€over.€€I€get€to€go€around€and€not€have€likeÏtight€restrictions€on€where€I€go,€and€I€get€to€go€out€in€the€forest€behind€our€yardÏand€not€have€to€worry€about€if€I€have€to€„„€just€like€a€certain€time€limit€that€I€haveÏto€be€out€there€and€come€back."€€Mary€testified€that€the€Father€has€basic€rules€suchÏas€that€she€keep€her€room€clean€and€go€to€bed€by€9:30.€ÌÌà Ø àMary€stated€that€while€the€Mother€treats€her€like€an€individual,€the€FatherÏtreats€her€like€she€is€inferior€and€can€not€comprehend€things€the€way€other€peopleÏcan.€€She€explained€that€the€Mother€is€a€better€listener€to€her€problems.€€She€statedÏthat€she€would€like€to€continue€her€relationship€with€the€Father€should€custody€beÏmodified:€€"I€really€don't€have€anything€against€him,€except€I€just€want€to€live€withÏmy€mom.€€And€we€[(Mary€and€the€Father)]€have€a€whole€bunch€in€common,€likeÏwe€like€to€do€fly€fishing€and€stuff.€€We€like€to€do€different€sports.€€And€there€reallyÏisn't€anything€that€would€change,€except€that€I€would€be€living€with€my€mom."€ÏIt€was€Mary's€testimony€that€the€Father€allows€her€to€call€the€Mother€as€often€asÏshe€wishes.€€ÌÌà Ø àThe€evidence€was€that€Mary€attended€a€magnet€school€and€had€beenÏinducted€recently€into€the€National€Honor€Society.€€Her€seventh€grade€report€cardÏreflected€excellent€grades€and€a€perfect€attendance€record.€€She€plays€soccer€asÏwell€as€tennis€and€basketball.ÌÌà Ø àThe€oldest€child,€Alice,€confirmed€that€the€Father€had€been€present€at€manyÏof€the€children's€outings€and€events€though€she€claimed€that€he€only€took€anÏinterest€in€the€children's€schooling€at€report€card€time.€€Though€she€claimed€thereÏwere€no€set€rules€in€her€Father's€household,€she€described€a€rigid€arrangement€inÏwhich€she€was€not€allowed€to€go€out€with€friends€or€to€use€her€car.€€Alice€claimedÏthat€the€Father's€smoking€had€been€the€cause€of€several€illnesses€for€all€of€theÏchildren.€€Alice€felt€like€the€younger€children€were€afraid€of€the€Father€and€thatÏwithout€her€at€home,€he€would€take€out€his€anger€on€them.€€Ð H9˜4B Їà Ø àThe€Father's€deposition€was€entered€into€evidence.€€The€Father€felt€like€theÏchildren's€desire€to€move€stemmed€from€the€fact€that€they€have€no€rules€at€theÏMother's€house.€€He€testified€that€there€are€rules€at€his€house,€that€the€children€areÏresponsible€for€cleaning€their€own€rooms,€washing€dishes,€mowing€the€yard€andÏcleaning€the€house.€€He€described€a€functional€family€situation€at€home.€€HeÏtestified€that€his€children€are€involved€in€many€activities€in€which€he€participatesÏto€an€extent.€€He€stated€that€the€children€occasionally€have€friends€over€to€theirÏhome.€€He€testified€that€he€has€tried€to€promote€the€children's€relationship€with€theÏMother.€€Regarding€his€smoking,€the€Father€testified€that€he€is€trying€to€quit€andÏthat€he€does€not€smoke€in€the€children's€presence.ÌÌà Ø àAfter€the€Mother€put€on€her€proof,€the€trial€court€granted€the€Father'sÏmotion€to€deny€and€dismiss€the€Mother's€Petition€for€a€Change€of€Custody.€€Also,Ïthe€court's€order€enjoined€the€Father€from€smoking€around€the€minor€children.€ÏFinally,€the€court€ordered€that€the€Mother€pay€directly€to€the€Father's€attorney,ÏRosemary€Phillips,€the€sum€of€$1250.00€and€that€the€costs€of€this€cause€be€taxedÏto€the€Mother.€€The€Mother€then€moved€for€a€new€trial.€€The€Court€denied€theÏMother's€Motion€for€a€New€Trial€and€ordered€that€the€costs€of€this€cause€be€taxedÏto€her€as€well.€€Ìà Ø àÌÌÓ  ÓII.ÌÓM(ÓÌà Ø àOnce€an€initial€custody€award€had€been€made,€modifications€of€custody€areÏordered€"as€the€exigencies€of€the€case€may€require."€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÏ36-6-101(a)(1)€(Supp.€1998).€€This€means€that€custody€will€be€changed€only€whenÏthere€is€a€"change€in€circumstances€as€will€directly€affect€the€welfare€of€the€minor"Ïchildren.€€òòMassengale€v.€Massengaleóó,€915€S.W.2d€818,€819€(Tenn.€App.€1995)Ð ¸/+6 Ð(quoting€òòDailey€v.€Daileyóó,€635€S.W.2d€391,€393€(Tenn.€App.€1981)).€€"'ChangedÐ P1 ,8 Ðcircumstances'€includes€any€material€change€of€circumstances€affecting€theÏwelfare€of€the€child,€including€new€factors€or€changed€conditions€which€could€notÏbe€anticipated€by€the€custody€order."€€òòBlair€v.€Badenhopeóó,€940€S.W.2d€575,€576Ð 6h1> Ð(Tenn.€App.€1996)€(citing€òòDalton€v.€Daltonóó,€858€S.W.2d€324€(Tenn.€App.€1993)).€Ð °73@ ÐThe€burden€to€prove€these€changed€circumstances€is€on€the€non„custodial€parent.€Ð H9˜4B ÐòòHarris€v.€Harrisóó,€832€S.W.2d€352,€353€(Tenn.€App.€1992).Ð ° ÐÌà Ø àAppellate€court€review€of€a€trial€court's€factual€determinations€on€the€issueÏof€custody€modification€is€de€novo€with€a€presumption€of€correctness:€€the€recordÏdeveloped€below€comes€to€the€appellate€court€accompanied€by€a€presumption€ofÏcorrectness€that€will€be€honored€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€theÏfindings€of€fact€supporting€the€lower€court's€judgment.€€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€13(d);€Ð @  ÐòòHass€v.€Knightonóó,€676€S.W.2d€554,€555€(Tenn.€1984).€€Since€custody€"decisionsÐ Ø(  Ðoften€hinge€on€the€parties'€credibility,€appellate€courts€are€reluctant€toÏsecond-guess€trial€judges€who€have€observed€the€witnesses€and€assessed€theirÏcredibility."€€òòAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€482,€485€(Tenn.€App.Ð  ð Ð1997).€€Appellate€courts€will€not€disturb€"custody€decisions€unless€they€are€basedÏon€a€material€error€of€law€or€the€evidence€preponderates€against€them."€€òòId.óó€€€€€Ð Ð  ÐÌà Ø àAt€the€close€of€the€hearing€on€the€Mother's€petition€to€modify€custody,€theÏtrial€judge€found€there€were€"no€sufficient€circumstances€that€would€warrant€aÏchange€of€custody."€€The€court€stated€that€"[c]hildren€have€a€right€to€state€theirÏpreferences,€and€I've€heard€them.€€But,€in€view€of€everything€that€you€have€said,ÏI€cannot€find€that€a€change€is€warranted."€ÌÌà Ø àThe€Mother's€first€issue€on€appeal€is€that€the€court€erred€in€dismissing€herÏpetition€to€change€custody.€€Initially,€we€point€out€that€it€is€only€the€custody€of€theÏyounger€twins€that€is€an€issue€on€appeal€since€Alice€is€no€longer€a€minor.€€TheÏMother€contends€that€she€has€shown€changed€circumstances€and€thus€has€met€herÏburden€of€proof.€€The€Mother's€argument€is€based€upon€a€comparison€of€currentÏcircumstances€with€those€in€existence€at€the€time€of€the€May€3,€1990€Order€whichÏmade€the€initial€award€of€custody€to€the€Father€permanent.€€In€that€order,€theÏfollowing€findings€of€fact€were€made:ÌÓ€Óà8 Ø àThe€court€finds€that€the€children€are€doing€well€in€their€school€workÏand€that€their€progress€has€improved€over€the€last€two€and€one„halfÏ(2ðð)€years.€€The€Court€further€finds€that€the€father€is€furnishing€aÏnice€and€comfortable€home€for€their€children€as€is€the€mother.€€TheÏCourt€further€finds€that€the€father€has€a€good€support€system€in€thatÏhis€relatives€from€time€to€time,€help€him€care€for€the€children.€€TheÏCourt€further€finds€that€the€children€are€healthy€and€seem€to€be€wellÏadjusted€in€their€present€situation.Ð Ø ü!Ø ü! ÐÐ Ð9 5@ ÐÓ€Z4ÓThe€May€1990€Order€concluded€with€the€court's€finding€that€there€was€no€reasonÏto€change€custody.€€The€children€are€"well€adjusted€and€doing€well€bothÏemotionally€and€physically,€and€are€adequately€provided€for€by€the€father."€€TheÏcourt€clarified€that€it€was€"not€finding€that€the€mother€is€not€a€fit€person,€but€isÏfinding€that€the€children€are€well€adjusted€and€doing€well€in€school€and€are€healthyÏand€well€cared€for,€and€can€find€no€reason€to€change€custody€at€this€time."ÌÌà Ø àIt€is€the€Mother's€position€that€the€Father€has€not€maintained€an€environmentÏwith€the€positive€factors€which€were€enumerated€in€the€May€1990€order.€€WeÏdisagree€finding€that€the€present€circumstances€for€these€children€are€notÏmaterially€changed€from€those€articulated€in€the€1990€Order.€€The€Mother€claimsÏthat€the€Father's€house€is€no€longer€clean€or€in€good€maintenance.€€While€thereÏwas€evidence€at€trial€that€the€Father's€house€was€not€well€kept,€we€do€not€find€thatÏthis€is€a€changed€circumstance€which€would€not€have€been€anticipated€at€the€timeÏof€the€final€decree.€€Indeed,€we€find€that€it€is€reasonable€to€anticipate€that€a€singleÏñ¯ñparentñ¯ññ°ñfatherñ°ñ€who€is€working€full€time€and€raising€three€teenage€children€would€haveÏdifficulties€as€a€housekeeper.€€ÌÌà Ø àThe€Mother€also€claims€that€the€Father€no€longer€has€a€support€system€asÏevidenced€by€the€fact€that€the€children€have€stayed€at€home€alone.€€The€fact€thatÏthe€children€have€stayed€alone€does€not€support€such€a€conclusion.€€At€the€time€ofÏtrial,€the€children€were€almost€14€years€old,€and€the€fact€that€they€occasionallyÏstayed€alone€does€not€indicate€the€lack€of€a€support€system.€€The€Mother€alsoÏclaims€that€the€Father€has€not€shown€consistent€regard€for€the€health€of€theÏchildren€as€evidenced€by€his€failure€to€insure€a€smoke„free€environment€for€them.€Ï€However,€the€Father€testified€that€he€does€not€smoke€around€the€children€and€thatÏhe€was€attempting€to€stop€smoking€altogether.€€In€addition,€the€trial€court's€orderÏenjoined€the€Father€from€smoking€around€the€minor€children.ÌÌà Ø àNot€only€has€the€Mother€failed€to€show€unanticipated€facts€and€conditionsÏthat€affect€the€welfare€of€the€children,€but€the€evidence€shows€that€these€childrenÏhave€flourished€while€in€the€primary€custody€of€the€Father.€€In€1990,€the€courtÏfound€that€the€children€were€healthy€and€well€adjusted.€€The€evidence€presentedÏbelow€reveals€that€the€children€have€continued€to€thrive€emotionally,€physicallyÐ H9˜4B Ðand€academically.€€Mary€has€received€academic€honors.€€She€testified€that€she€isÏan€active€athlete€involved€in€soccer,€basketball€and€tennis.€€Grant€also€is€enjoyingÏsuccess€in€school€and€is€active€in€boy€scouts.€€Though€Alice's€custody€is€not€inÏdispute,€it€is€significant€to€note€that€she€graduated€from€high€school€with€excellentÏgrades€and€is€now€attending€college.ÌÌà Ø àIt€is€clear€that€these€children€currently€prefer€to€live€with€the€Mother;Ïhowever,€their€preferences€do€not€appear€to€be€indicative€of€changedÏcircumstances€which€directly€affect€their€welfare.€€While€Alice€testified€that€herÏyounger€siblings€are€afraid€of€the€Father,€the€twins'€testimony€does€not€supportÏsuch€a€conclusion.€€Mary€indicated€a€desire€to€continue€a€relationship€with€theÏFather€should€custody€be€modified€adding€that€she€and€the€Father€enjoy€manyÏactivities€in€common.€€Grant€testified€that€his€rationale€for€wanting€change€wasÏpartially€based€upon€the€fact€that€he€has€spent€the€first€part€of€his€life€with€theÏFather€and€now€wants€to€live€with€the€Mother.€€This€court€has€made€clear€that€aÏchild's€wishes€are€only€one€factor€of€many€enumerated€in€the€statute€whichÏgoverns€the€determination€of€the€best€interest€of€a€child€in€a€custody€case.€€òòHarrisÐ 0€  Ðv.€Harrisóó,€832€S.W.2d€352,€353€(Tenn.€App.€1992).€€The€trial€judge€stated€that€sheÐ È" Ðdid€consider€the€children's€preferences;€however,€the€trial€judge€found€and€weÏagree€that€their€preference€to€live€with€the€Mother€is€not€enough€to€show€aÏmaterial€change€of€circumstances€mandating€a€change€of€custody.€€ÌÌà Ø àTo€the€extent€that€there€is€any€truth€to€the€Mother's€claim€that€she€is€theÏbetter€parent€to€ensure€the€children's€emotional€well€being,€our€holding€does€notÏprevent€her€from€continuing€to€do€just€that.€€Mary€testified€that€she€is€permittedÏto€call€the€Mother€any€time€she€wishes.€€The€children€see€the€Mother€on€a€weeklyÏbasis€and€spend€alternative€weekends€with€her.€€Thus,€the€Mother€has€muchÏopportunity€to€attend€to€the€children's€emotional€needs.Ìà ( à¹Ó  ÓIII.ÌÓªHÓÌà Ø àIn€her€final€issue,€the€Mother€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€when€itÏawarded€attorney€fees€and€costs€to€the€Father's€attorney.€€Section€36„5„103(c)€ofÏthe€Tennessee€Code€provides€in€pertinent€part€as€follows:Ð H9˜4B ÐÓ€Óà8 Ø àThe€plaintiff€spouse€may€recover€from€the€defendant€spouse,€and€theÏspouse€or€other€person€to€whom€the€custody€of€the€child,€or€children,Ïis€awarded€may€recover€from€the€other€spouse€reasonable€attorneyÏfees€incurred€...€in€regard€to€any€suit€or€action€concerning€theÏadjudication€of€the€custody€or€the€change€of€custody€of€any€child,€orÏchildren,€of€the€parties,€both€upon€the€original€divorce€hearing€andÏat€any€subsequent€hearing,€which€fees€may€be€fixed€and€allowed€byÏthe€court,€before€whom€such€action€or€proceeding€is€pending,€in€theÏdiscretion€of€such€court.Ð Ø ü!Ø ü! Ѐ€ÌÓ€ÃIÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„103(c)€(Supp.€1998).€€The€Mother€argues€that€becauseÏthe€nature€of€custody€cases€is€so€fact€driven,€attorney€fee€awards€exert€a€chillingÏimpact€on€parents€who€sincerely€feel€that€the€best€interest€of€their€children€requiresÏa€custody€modification.€€Our€court€has€made€the€determination€that€"requiringÏparents€who€precipitate€custody€or€support€proceedings€to€underwrite€the€costs€ifÏtheir€claims€are€ultimately€found€to€be€unwarranted€is€appropriate€as€a€matter€ofÏpolicy."€€òòSherrod€v.€Wixóó,€849€S.W.2d€780,€785€(Tenn.€App.1992).€€The€trialÐ à0 Ðcourt's€decision€to€award€attorney€fees€rests€within€the€discretion€of€the€trial€court.€ÏòòId.€€óóThe€Mother€did€initiate€these€proceedings.€€Moreover,€she€makes€an€annualÐ ` Ðsalary€of€$47,000€whereas€the€Father€makes€$17,000.€€In€light€of€this€record,€weÏfind€that€the€trial€court€did€not€abuse€its€discretion€in€awarding€attorney€fees€andÏcosts€to€the€Father.ÌÌÓ  ÓIV.ÌÓPÓÌà Ø àIn€conclusion,€we€find€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€theÏtrial€court's€finding€that€there€has€been€no€change€of€circumstances€affecting€theÏwelfare€of€the€minor€children.€€There€is€simply€no€evidence€that€new€facts€andÏcircumstances€have€arisen€such€that€the€welfare€of€these€children€requires€a€changeÏin€custody.€€In€addition,€we€hold€that€the€trial€court€did€not€abuse€its€discretion€inÏawarding€attorney€fees€to€the€Husband's€attorney.€€Finally,€we€order€that€the€costsÏof€this€appeal€should€be€taxed€to€the€Wife.ÌÌÌÓ€Óà Ø àà ù à_________________________________Ìà Ø àà ù àWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEÌÌÌñ­ñÐ Ð9 5> Ðñ­ññ­ñ‡ñ­ññ­ñÌñ­ñCONCUñ¨ññ§ñ8ñ§ññ¨ñRñ©ñ:Ìñ©ññ®ñÌñ®ññ©ñÌ________________________________Ìñ©ññªñBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€P.J.,€M.S.ÌÌÌ________________________________ÌPATRICIA€J.€COTñªññ«ñTñ«ññªñRñªññ¬ñELL,€JUDGEñ¬ññ©ñÌñ©ñ