ÿWPC•  Œ~a Wç.ç¸õ3‹xpñÁè:;c ª%”yßñºBòÏŒj(»å†Us%vþ›ÏTÃý€Á"3¾Z>%·âR=û· OÓ Ù<—´ a5Th+/ÂŒ2#)ÈŒB°TéÜž´\o]ÐÃPÄiYëHâ"Ïc·†HÝ_Íÿ+J´´9_à.õ‘NjήX´(k¶òBå{NL‡ÞVõ¾½+oBÒÙ·{ ÔŒ uVè|ä'×Y4„‚×?´~oÝso)\­‹l¹AŒÁ¤:#SyïÞ†ìÖþÔ–˜_)/ŸéÂ\Å«u3Þ¯7æõ¨ÕÁîF`^Õ 'TF’»S1%y÷¡ü½·2íp<ûš—wF¼@÷wo{m‘!3ªº®¥°eŒ·áÿU™[¢I–ÄÐw¤ò‹‚ă`ô–÷ Š¿$t¾©BÕ:áÓÃÚK%Y‚8ÍaðH:ê*ÆÚÝÇÇâñ‡Ô¿á¨LEU²06 pΚ¯ôc‘}²¾Ü'§Êžº»–²ÕU‰8ìàÌHmù¸ Ä¹ìiPˆ&CS¨f˜% /U-ă3£þ]nt4^X§GÀ3‘„SŸ¢ÍŸsÓ³xnˆ¶jÚ{´ÞU¾8™BS5+˜r¦u_À Zå2½ù“*# LUNW %¥ 0(«w@Ó4'6UN>ŒUNŽU:ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ AQÆg 0D- 0Dq 0Dµ µ D/ù B( BE D3b ˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ ?D@ADBDCDVEFDGÓ€Q©yË&3|xQ(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular øÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€ XûXXXÔÔ€ ¤SX XûÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€ XûX ¤SÔÐ  ÐÌJuly€27,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular,c½¬AZ‹"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 dxd düÿP Pd'''''ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝñGñ›ñGñÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ  ÓÑ7€LºXXdðdÈ7ÑñQññGñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@Eȱ` 8ttxP°ð  rßñGññQññQññQññGñ›ñGñà@} } ìàò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌñQñœßt€ )>.*jxR` `€€@EÙò` 8ttxP ð R tß›ñQñà@úú$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð à ÐÌóóÌSTEPHEN€œLEWIS,à ¸ à›€à  àà h àà À à)Ð ` ° Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìó ó€€€€€€€€€€€Plaintiff/Appelleeà  àà h àà À àò ò)à  àó óMontgomery€Chancery€No.€97„11„0024Ð @  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àò ò)Ð 0 € Ðv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ð  p  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  àó óAppeal€No.€01A01„9809„CH„00469ò òÐ `  ÐSTEPHANIE€LEWIS,€€€€€€€€€à h àà À à)Ð P  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àó óDefendant/Appellant.à  àà h àà À àò ò)Ð à0  Ðó óÌÌà0  àà ° àà@uuì(#(#àAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CHANCERY€COURT€OF€MONTGOMERY€COUNTYˆÌà@@@ìàAT€CLARKSVILLE,€TENNESSEEà@@ìì*ìàˆÌÌÌà@³ ³ ìàTHE€HONORABLE€CAROL€A.€CATALANO,€CHANCELLORˆÌòòÌÌÌFor€the€Plaintiff/Appelleeóó:òòà  àà h àà À àFor€the€Defendant/Appellantóó:òòÐ 0€ Ðóóà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àÌF.€J.€Runyon,€III€€€€€€€€€€€€à  àà h àà À àCarrie€W.€Kersh€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ` ÐClarksville,€Tennesseeà  àà h àà À àClarksville,€Tennessee€€€Ð P ÐÌÌÌò òà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àAFFIRMEDó óÐ À! ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.ÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.ÌÌÌALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.òòÐ ,`'* Ðóó€Ð  -P(+ ÐØØÑ7€LºXXdðXXdð7ÑÑ  ÑÓÓà@55'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ ° Ðà  àThis€is€œa€divorce€and›€child€custody€case.€€The€wife€challenges€the€trial€courtððs€order€awardingÏthe€husband€€custody€of€the€partiesðð€minor€child,€as€well€as€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€grant€theÏdivorce€to€the€husband€on€the€grounds€of€inappropriate€marital€conduct.€€We€affirm.Ìà  àAppellant€Stephanie€Lewis€(ð ðWifeðð)€and€Appellee€Stephen€Lewis€(ð ðHusbandðð)€were€marriedÏon€June€8,€1991.€€They€had€one€child,€a€daughter,€Jaylin€Lewis€(ð ðJaylinðð),€born€March€24,€1994.€€TheÏrecord€indicates€that€the€parties€had€a€tumultuous€relationship.€Ìà  àIn€June€1997,€Wife€told€Husband€that€she€wanted€a€divorce.€€Husband€testified€that€WifeÏasked€for€her€share€of€the€equity€in€the€partiesðð€home.€€After€Wife€showed€Husband€divorce€ð ðpapers,ððÏHusband€signed€a€check€to€her€for€$20,000,€representing€Wifeððs€equity€in€the€partiesðð€home.€€WifeÏthen€gave€Husband€a€quitclaim€deed€and€moved€out€of€the€home€for€approximately€five€or€six€weeks,Ïafter€which€the€parties€apparently€reconciled.€€Wife€testified€that€she€wanted€a€divorce€but€that€sheÏchanged€her€mind.€€Wife€said€that€Husband€insisted€that€she€move€out€of€the€home€and€only€then€didÏshe€ask€for€her€share€of€the€equity€in€the€home.Ìà  àOn€November€6,€1997,€Husband€filed€for€divorce,€citing€irreconcilable€differences€andÏinappropriate€marital€conduct.€€Later€that€same€day,€Wife€filed€a€petition€seeking€an€order€ofÏœprotection,€›based€upon€several€incidents€of€alleged€abuse€by€Husband.€€She€obtained€a€temporaryÏex€parte€order€of€protection.€€On€November€14,€1997,€the€trial€court€conducted€a€hearing€regardingÏWifeððs€petition.Ìà  àAt€the€hearing€on€Wifeððs€petition,€œWife€testified›€that€on€November€1,€1997,€she,€Husband,Ïand€Jaylin€attended€a€basketball€game.€€As€they€started€to€leave€the€game,€Husband€carried€JaylinÏdown€the€bleachers.€€Jaylin€became€upset€and€began€crying€and€ð ðresistingðð€by€kicking€her€legs.€€AsÏHusband€went€down€the€bleachers€with€Jaylin,€he€œslipped›€and€almost€fell.€€Jaylin€continued€crying,Ïand€Wife€testified€that€Husband€was€very€œupset.€€They€got€in€the€car,€with€Husband€driving€and€WifeÏand€Jaylin€in€the€back€seat.€€Wife›€said€that,€once€inside€the€car,€Husband€yelled€at€Jaylin€andÏslammed€on€the€brakes€and€caused€Wife€and€Jaylin€to€be€thrown€œforward,€pinning›€Jaylinððs€footÏœagainst€the€frontseat›€of€the€vehicle.€œÌ›à  àAt€the€hearing,€Husband€recalled€the€incident€differently.€€He€testified€that€Jaylin€climbedÏup€and€down€the€bleachers€acting€like€a€ð ðthree€year€oldðð€when€Wife€said€that€she€was€ð ðtired€ofÏdealing€with€thisðð€and€œthat€she›€wanted€to€leave.€€Husband€testified€that€he€almost€lost€his€balanceÐ ;`6: Ðwhile€carrying€Jaylin€down€the€bleachers€because€Jaylin€began€crying€and€kicking.€€HusbandÏtestified€that€Jaylin€was€crying€in€the€car€on€the€way€home€from€the€game,€and€Wife€started€yellingÏat€Jaylin.€€After€asking€Wife€and€Jaylin€to€calm€down,€Husband€ð ðtappedðð€the€brakes€prior€toÏapproaching€a€stop€sign.€€Husband€denies€slamming€on€the€brakes€causing€Wife€and€Jaylin€œto€beÏthrown€forward.€€Ì›à  àAt€the€hearing,€Wife€testified€to€another€alleged€incident€of€abuse€several€days€later,€onÏNovember€5,€1997.€€Wife€testified€that€she€and€her€mother,€Glenda€Shoop€(ð ðShoopðð),€and€JaylinÏwent€to€the€grocery€store.€€When€they€left€the€grocery€store,€Jaylin€refused€to€sit€in€her€car€seat.€€OnceÏthey€returned€home,€Wife€put€Jaylin€in€ð ðtime„out.ðð€€Husband€then€got€home€from€work€and€askedÏWife€what€had€happened.€€Wife€admitted€walking€past€Husband€and€responding€with€an€obsceneÏgesture.€€Wife€testified€that€Husband€then€began€œyelling€ð ðin€that€threatening€toneðð›€at€Shoop€in€theÏœkitchen.€€Before€she€knew€it,€Wife€said€she€grabbed€a€knife.€€Wife€stated€that€she€said,€ð ð[p]leaseÏdonððt€hurt€my€mom.ðð€€After€ð ðrealizingðð€that€she€had€a€knife€in€her€hand,€Wife€testified€that€she€Ïplaced€the€knife€on€the€counter€and€called›€œ911.€€Wife›€œreported€to€the€911€operator›€that€Husband€wasÏthreatening€her.€€Shoop€testified€that€Husband€became€angry,€began€ð ðyellingðð€at€her,€and€allegedlyÏslapped€Shoop€on€the€hand.Ìà  àHusband€also€recalled€this€incident€differently.€€He€testified€at€the€hearing€that€he€returnedÏhome€to€find€Jaylin€in€ð ðtime„out.ðð€€Husband€asked€what€had€happened.€€Husband€testified€that€WifeÏresponded€with€an€obscene€gesture,€so€Husband€asked€Shoop€what€had€happened.€€Shoop€stated,Ïð ðwhat€the€hell€do€you€care?ðð€€Husband€testified€that€Wife€then€grabbed€a€kitchen€knife€and€held€itÏthree€inches€from€his€face.€€Husband€denied€threatening€or€slapping€Wife€or€Shoop.Ìà  àAfter€hearing€the€conflicting€testimony,€the€trial€court€addressed€the€alleged€incidents€ofÏviolence:ÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓœ€à ` à[In›€addressing€November€1,€1997,€incident,]€[t]he€Court€.€.€.€find[s]€thatÐ Ð/ +. Ðapparently€this€child€is€a€high€maintenance€child.€€And€because€she€is€that,€theseÏparties€have€had€several€disagreements€so€far€as€her€discipline€and€keeping€up€withÏher€is€concerned.€€Itððs€a€big€responsibility€and€it€does€require€that€both€of€them€doÏwhat€they€can.Ìœà ` àThe›€Court€does€not€find€that€the€incident€on€November€1,€1997[,]€constitutesÏa€threat€of€harm€to€this€child€or€to€Mrs.€Lewis.€€Therefore,€apparently,€Mrs.€LewisÏdidnððt€think€so€either.€€There€was€no€application€for€peace€bond€then€.€.€.€.Ìœà ` àOn›€November€5th,€Mrs.€Lewis€alleges€in€her€peace€bond€application€that€onÏWednesday€night€November€5th,€Steve€Lewis€struck€my€mother€on€the€hand€andÏverbally€threatened€her.€€The€order€of€protection€application€does€not€even€relate€[to]Ïany€threat€to€Mrs.€Lewis€œherself.Ð  :p59 Ðà ` àAnd›€the€Court€finds€that€on€November€5th€Mr.€Lewis€did€not€threaten€Mrs.ÏLewis€in€any€way.€€Rather€that€Mrs.€Lewis€threatened€him€with€a€knife€and€that€hisÏmother„in„law€was€being€confrontational€.€.€.€.Ìœà ` à[T]he›€Court€finds€the€following€facts:€[t]hat€on€November€6th€1997[,]€Mr.ÏLewis€filed€a€petition€for€divorce.€€On€November€6th€„„€before€this€order€of€protectionÏ„„€Mr.€Lewis€was€asking€his€attorneys€to€provide€for€him€to€have€custody€of€his€child.Ì€€€€€œà ` àBut›€.€.€.€November€6th€is€the€same€day€that€Mrs.€Lewis€comes€and€gets€thisÐ P   Ðapplication€for€an€order€of€protection.€€And€it€more€appears€that€she€obtained€itÏbecause€of€what€Mr.€Lewis€was€in€the€process€of€doing€more€than€anything€else€.€.Ï.€.ÌÒ°gÒÒ°uÒÓƒÓÓÓÌÓÓThus,€the€trial€court€denied€Wifeððs€petition€for€an€order€of€protection.€€œÌà  àOn›€March€23,€1998,€the€same€trial€judge€heard€the€divorce€proceedings.€€The€trial€courtÏrefused€to€hear€evidence€concerning€alleged€violent€incidents€occurring€from€November€1,€1997,€toÏNovember€5,€1997,€because€the€proof€was€previously€presented€at€the€hearing€on€Wifeððs€petition€forÏan€order€of€œprotection.›Ìà  àIn€the€divorce€proceedings,€Wife€testified€to€several€incidents€of€violence€which€allegedlyÏoccurred€during€the€course€of€the€marriage.€€Wife€testified€that€the€abuse€began€the€first€week€of€theirÏmarriage€when€Husband€yelled€at€her,€pushed€her,€placed€her€in€a€ð ðheadlockðð€and€ð ðtook€her€downÏto€the€ground€.€.€.€.ðð€€Several€months€after€this€incident,€the€parties€were€lying€in€bed€arguing€whenÏHusband€allegedly€again€placed€her€in€a€ð ðheadlock.ðð€€Wife€testified€to€a€third€incident€œon€July›€3,Ï1995,€when€the€parties€began€arguing€and€Wife€pointed€her€finger€in€Husbandððs€face,€and€HusbandÏgrabbed€Wifeððs€finger.€€œWife€ran›€to€the€bedroom€and€closed€the€door.€€Wife€said€Husband€thenÏð ðbroke€throughðð€the€door.€€Wife€testified€that:€€ð ð[w]e€were€just€both€looking€at€the€door.€€We€couldnððtÏbelieve€it.€€We€had€to€spend€the€rest€of€the€day€piecing€it€back€together.ðð€€Wife€also€testified€thatÏHusband€pulled€her€hair€on€several€occasions.€€Wife€also€contends€that,€in€March€1997,€HusbandÏkicked€her€while€the€parties€were€in€bed,€and€Wife€slapped€Husband.€€Wife€admitted€that€she€did€notÏtell€anyone€of€Husbandððs€alleged€abuse.€€Wife€admitted€assaulting€Husband.€€Wife€also€admittedÏslapping€Glenda€Lewis,€her€mother„in„law,€causing€her€to€fall€to€the€ground.€€Ìà  àIn€his€testimony,€Husband€denied€any€violent€behavior,€although€Husband€admitted€grabbingÏWifeððs€hair€on€two€occasions.€€Husband€testified€that€Wife€hit,€slapped,€and€kicked€him.€€HusbandÏsaid€that€the€parties€frequently€argued€about€money€ð ð[a]nd€she€would€get€up€in€my€face.€€Sheððll€point,Ïsheððll€curse,€and€then€turn€around€and€storm€off€.€.€.€.ðð€€Husband€testified€that€Wife€cut€his€ear€withÏa€key€on€one€occasion€and€placed€a€knife€to€his€throat,€referring€to€the€November€5th€incident.€€œÐ  @837 ÐGlenda›€Lewis,€Husbandððs€mother,€testified€regarding€œthe€incident€in€which€Wife›€slapped€her€andÏmade€her€fall€to€the€ground.€€Glenda€Lewis€testified€that€Wife€had€a€ð ðcrazedðð€look€in€her€eye.Ìà  àIn€the€divorce€proceedings,€both€parties€claimed€to€be€Jaylinððs€primary€caregiver.€€Prior€toÏthe€marriage,€Husband€obtained€œañ=ñ€collegeñ=ñ›€œdegreeñ>ñ€from›€Tennessee›€Westland›€Collegeñ>ñ.›€€At€the€time€of€trial,€Husband€was€employed€in€theÏbanking€œindustry.ñEñ€€ñEññFñ›€›€ñFñWife›€œñ?ñalso›€ñ?ñattended›€œñ@ñthe€same€collegeñ@ññBññ@ñ€ñ@ññBññCñ€ñCññAñTennessee›€Westland›€College›€ñAñand›€obtained€a€degree€in€psychology€andÏsociology.€€Wife€pursued€jobs€in€the€behavioral€sciences€field€but€was€unsuccessful€becauseÏœprospective€employers›€indicated€that€Wife€needed€a€masterððs€degree.€€Wife€chose€not€to€obtain€aÏgraduate€degree€and€had€several€jobs€before€accepting€a€position€at€a€bank.Ìà  àSubsequently,€Wife€became€pregnant.€€For€two€months€after€Jaylinððs€birth,€Wife€stayed€homeÏto€care€for€the€child.€€Wife€then€began€working€part„time€at€a€bank.€€While€Wife€was€at€work,€GlendaÏLewis€cared€for€Jaylin.€€Once€Jaylin€reached€two€years€old,€she€attended€a€daycare€center€while€WifeÏcontinued€to€work€on€a€part„time€basis.€€Wife€testified€that€she€cares€for€Jaylin€when€Husband€travelsÏout€of€town€on€business€trips.€€Wife€said€that€she€and€Jaylin€share€a€ð ðtypical€mother/daughterððÏrelationship,€and€that€Jaylin€is€the€most€important€priority€in€her€life.Ìà  àHusband€testified€that€he€was€Jaylinððs€primary€caregiver.€€Husband€said€that€he€was€theÏparent€responsible€for€disciplining€Jaylin€and€that€he€explained€to€her€behaviors€that€were€considered€Ïœbad,›€as€well€as€the€consequences€of€such€behavior.€€Husband€testified€that€he€took€care€of€Jaylin€inÏthe€mornings€before€leaving€for€work€and€particularly€on€weekends.€€Husband€said€that€Jaylin€enjoysÏmany€activities€with€him€such€as€visiting€his€parents€and€ð ðrunning€errandsðð€on€the€weekends.€ÏHusband€enrolled€Jaylin€in€dance€classes€and€brings€her€to€dance€class€every€Friday.€€Husband€alsoÏenrolled€Jaylin€in€a€private€school.Ìà  àSherry€Phillips€(ð ðPhillipsðð),€a€friend€of€the€parties,€testified€that€Wife€had€difficultyÏcontrolling€Jaylin€and€that€Jaylin€ð ðseem[ed]€more€disciplined€and€happy€with€Steve.ðð€€Phillips€alsoÏsaid€that€Husband€brought€Jaylin€to€the€majority€of€the€birthday€parties€given€for€other€children.€ÏCynthia€Ginsburg,€a€neighbor€of€the€parties,€testified€that€she€observed€Husband€playing€with€JaylinÏin€the€front€yard€and€taking€walks€with€her€around€the€neighborhood.€Ìà  àPrior€to€the€divorce€proceedings,€Wife€signed€a€marital€dissolution€agreement,€which€wasÏlater€withdrawn,€giving€custody€of€Jaylin€to€Husband.€€In€her€testimony,€Wife€said€that€Husband€œñDñÐ  P7 26 ÐñDñpromised›€to€attempt€a€reconciliation€in€return€for€custody€of€Jaylin.€€Rhonda€Byard€(ð ðByardðð),€aÏfriend€of€the€parties,€testified€that€Wife€told€her€that€she€was€considering€giving€Husband€custodyÏof€Jaylin.€€The€record€showed€that€lengthy€negotiations€occurred€between€the€parties€regardingÏseveral€provisions€of€the€marital€dissolution€agreement.Ìà  àAfter€hearing€the€evidence,€the€trial€court€found€the€following€facts:ÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓœà ` àThe›€Court€finds€that€[Wife]€has€conducted€herself€in€an€inappropriate€way,Ïand€grants€[Husband]€a€divorce€on€the€grounds€of€Inappropriate€Marital€Conduct,ÏT.C.A.€Section€36„4„102.€€The€impetuous€conduct€that€was€related€in€Court€includedÏslapping€her€mother„in„law,€holding€a€knife€to€her€husband,€and€cutting€her€childððsÏrabbit€bank€open€to€obtain€a€small€amount€of€money€for€postage.Ìœà ` àThis›€same€conduct€applies€to€[Wifeððs]€signing€of€the€Marital€DissolutionÏAgreement.€[Wife]€testified€that€the€only€reason€she€signed€the€Marital€DissolutionÏAgreement€was€because€[Husband]€had€said€that€he€would€not€reconcile€or€try€againÏto€save€their€marriage€unless€he€had€custody€of€their€daughter.Ìœà ` àWitnesses›€testified€in€open€Court€that€[Wife]€had€talked€about€giving€custodyÏof€the€partiesðð€minor€child€to€[Husband],€and€that€[Wife]€had€prayed€with€one€of€herÏfriends€about€not€signing€the€Marital€Dissolution€Agreement€which€gave€custody€ofÏthe€partiesðð€minor€child€to€[Husband].€€The€Court€finds€that€[Wife]€could€have€beenÏthinking€at€that€time€of€the€relationship€between€[Husband]€and€their€daughter,€andÏwhat€a€good€relationship€they€have€together.€€The€Court€finds€that€[Husband]€doesÏhave€a€good€relationship€with€the€partiesðð€minor€child,€a€relationship€which€includesÏa€practice€of€making€ð ðdealsðð€for€her€behavior€and€ð ðpinky€promisesðð€when€the€dealÏis€important.€€The€Court€further€finds€that€[Husband]€tells€his€child€face€to€face€whatÏhe€considers€is€wrong€or€bad€behavior,€and€that€he€is€willing€to€ð ðpopðð€his€child€forÏdiscipline.€€The€Court€finds€that€[Husband]€has€made€a€routine€of€activities€with€theÏpartiesðð€minor€child.€.€.€.€€The€Court€finds€that€[Husband]€has€enrolled€the€child€inÏdance,€and€consistently€been€the€parent€to€take€her€to€dance.€€The€Court€finds€thatÏ[Husband]€has€enrolled€the€child€in€the€Academy.€€The€Court€finds€from€Ms.€Price,Ïof€Kiddie€College,€that€.€.€.€[Wife]€seems€to€usually€be€in€more€of€a€hurry€whenÏpicking€up€the€child,€even€though€she€has€adjusted€her€schedule€to€only€be€workingÏpart„time€in€order€to€have€more€time€for€the€child.€€The€Court€finds€that€neighborsÏtestified€that€.€.€.€after€observing€both€[Husband]€and€[Wife]€with€their€child,€theÏneighbors€observe€[Husband]€as€being€the€more€patient€parent,€and€that€the€childÏseems€happier€with€[Husband].Ìœà ` àThe›€Court€finds€that€these€could€be€some€of€the€reasons€why€[Wife]€wasÏwilling€to€give€[Husband]€custody€of€their€daughter€when€she€executed€the€MaritalÏDissolution€Agreement.Ìœà ` àBased›€on€the€testimony€presented,€the€Court€finds€that€it€is€in€the€best€interestÏof€the€child€that€custody€be€awarded€to€[Husband].€€€ÌÒ°:ÒÒ°:ÒÓ:ÓÓÓÌñFñœñFñÓÓThus,€the€trial€court€awarded€the€divorce€to€Husband€and€awarded€Husband€custody€of€Jaylin.€€TheÏtrial€court€also€divided€marital€property€and€did€not€grant€Wife€alimony.€€From€this€order,€Wife€nowÏappeals.€Ì€à  àOn€appeal,€Wife€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€granting€Husband€a€divorce€on€the€groundÐ €4Ð/3 Ðof€inappropriate€marital€conduct.€€Wife€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€excluding€testimonyÏregarding€incidents€of€violence€to€which€Wife€testified€at€the€hearing€on€her€petition€for€an€order€of€œÐ  @837 Ðñ<ñprotection.›€€Wife€contends€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€custodyÏto€Husband€and€that€the€trial€court€utilized€the€award€of€custody€to€punish€Wife.Ìà  àÔ‡ X\žXXXÔIn€child€custody€cases,€appellate€review€is€òòò òde€novoóóó ó€upon€the€record,€with€a€presumption€ofÐ pÀ Ðthe€correctness€of€the€trial€courtððs€factual€œfindings.€€ò òòòSeeó óóó›€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€ò òòòHass€v.€Knightonóóó ó,Ð P   Ð676€S.W.2d€554,€555€(Tenn.€1984);€ò òòòDalton€v.€Daltonóóó ó,€858€S.W.2d€324,€327€(Tenn.€App.€1993).€€NoÐ 0 € Ðsuch€presumption€attaches€to€the€trial€courtððs€conclusions€of€law.€€ò òòòCarvell€v.€Bottomsóóó ó,€900€S.W.2dÐ `  Ð23,€26€(Tenn.€1995).Ô#†X\žXX X\ž¤H#ÔÔ‡ X\žXXX\žÔÐ ð@  Ðà  àWife€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€refusing€to€allow€evidence€of€the€incidents€ofÏviolence€upon€which€the€petition€for€an€order€of€protection€was€based.€œShe›€contends€that€theÏevidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€order€awarding€the€divorce€to€Husband€on€theÏgrounds€of€inappropriate€marital€œconduct,€and›€argues€that€the€evidence€revealed€that€Husband€wasÏthe€aggressor€and€that€Wife€was€afraid€of€Husband.€ÌœÔ#†X\žXX X\žK#Ôà  àWife›€œfirst€argues›€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€excluding€from€the€divorce€trial€evidence€on€theÐ 0€ Ðincidents€of€violence€to€which€the€parties€testified€during€the€hearing€on€Wifeððs€petition€for€an€orderÏof€protection.€€The€trial€court€has€wide€discretion€in€admitting€or€excluding€evidence€and€will€beÏœreversed›€on€appeal€only€upon€on€showing€of€abuse€of€discretion.€€œò òòòSee€Otis›€v.€Cambridge€Mut.€FireÐ Ð  ÐIns.€Co.ó óóó,€850€S.W.2d€439,€442€(Tenn.€1992);€ò òòòDavis€v.€Halló óóó,€920€S.W.2d€213,€217€(Tenn.€App.Ð °"  Ð1995).€€In€this€case,€the€same€trial€judge€heard€testimony€on€the€alleged€incidents€of€violence€fromÏNovember€1,€1997,€to€November€5,€1997.€€At€the€hearing,€the€parties€testified€fully€about€thoseÏalleged€incidents.€€ò òòòSee€Winchester€v.€Winchesteróóó ó,€No.€œ02A01„9802„CV„00046,€1999€WL€250176Ð P( #& Ð(Tenn.€App.€Apr.€28,€1999).€€Wife›€points€to€no€prejudice€from€this€decision;€indeed,€furtherÏtestimony€on€the€same€incidents€would€have€been€redundant€and€unnecessary.€We€find€no€abuse€ofÏdiscretion€in€the€exclusion€of€evidence€about€facts€already€presented€before€the€court.€€The€trialÏcourtððs€decision€on€this€issue€is€affirmed.€òòò ò€€óóó ó€€Ô‡ X\žXXX\žÔÐ Ð/ +. МÔ#†X\žXX X\žR#Ôà  àWife›€also€contends€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€awardÐ °1-0 Ðthe€divorce€to€Husband€on€the€grounds€of€inappropriate€marital€conduct,€and€argues€that€the€evidenceÏshows€that€Husband€was€the€aggressor€and€that€Wife€was€afraid€of€him.€€In€awarding€the€divorce€toÏHusband,Ô‡ X\žXXX\žÔ€tÔ#†X\žXX X\žÁS#Ôhe€trial€court€characterized€Wifeððs€conduct€as€ð ðimpetuous,ðð€noting€several€incidents,Ð P7 26 Ðincluding€ð ðslapping€her€mother„in„law,€holding€a€knife€to€her€husband,€and€cutting€her€childððs€rabbitÐ 09€48 Ðbank€open€to€obtain€a€small€amount€of€money€for€postage.ðð€€These€incidents€were€not€disputed€byÏWife.€€Most€of€the€remaining€incidents€were€sharply€disputed€by€the€parties,€with€their€testimony€inÏstark€contrast.€€The€trial€courtððs€findings€on€these€incidents€depended€œsquarely›€on€its€assessment€ofÏthe€partiesðð€credibility€and€demeanor€in€court.€€A€trial€courtððs€determination€of€credibility€is€entitledÏto€great€weight€on€appeal€primarily€because€the€trial€court€had€the€opportunity€to€observe€witnessesÏas€they€testified.€€ò òòòGaskill€v.€Gaskilló óóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€633€(Tenn.€App.€1996);€ò òòòsee€Massengale€v.Ð `  ÐMassengaleó óóó,€915€S.W.2d€818,€819€(Tenn.€App.€1995);€ò òòòKoch€v.€Kochóóó ó,€874€S.W.2d€571,€577€(Tenn.Ð ð@  ÐApp.€1993).€€€Considering€the€undisputed€œevidence,›€and€with€appropriate€deference€to€the€trialÏcourtððs€determination€of€credibility€on€the€disputed€evidence,€we€find€that€the€evidence€does€notÏpreponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€award€the€divorce€to€Husband.€€The€trial€court€isÏaffirmed€on€this€issue.€€€Ìà  àWife€œalso€contends›€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€awarding€custody€of€Jaylin€to€Husband,Ïarguing€that€the€trial€court€did€not€give€proper€weight€to€the€fact€that€she€had€been€Jaylinððs€primaryÏcaregiver€during€the€marriage.€€She€argues€that€custody€was€awarded€to€Husband€in€order€to€punishÏher.€€Ìà  àIn€addressing€the€custody€issue,€we€recognize€that€ð ð[c]ustody€and€visitation€determinationsÏoften€hinge€on€subtle€factors,€including€the€parentsðð€demeanor€and€credibility€during€the€divorceÏproceedings€themselves.ðð€€ò òòòGaskillóóó ó,€936€S.W.2d€at€631;€ò òòòsee€also€Rutherford€v.€Rutherfordóóó ó,€971Ð $à" ÐS.W.2d€955,€956€(Tenn.€App.€1997).€€The€trial€court€is€in€the€better€position€than€this€Court€toÏobserve€the€partiesðð€demeanor€and€determine€their€credibility.€€ò òòòSee€Whitaker€v.€Whitakeró óóó,€957Ð P( #& ÐS.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.€App.€1997).€€ð ðSince€[child€custody]€decisions€often€hinge€on€the€partiesððÏcredibility,€appellate€courts€are€reluctant€to€second„guess€trial€judges€who€have€observed€theÏwitnesses€and€assessed€their€credibility.ðð€€ò òòòAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeró óóó,€970€S.W.2d€482,€485€(Tenn.Ð ð-@), ÐApp.€1997)€(citing€ò òòòGilliam€v.€Gilliamó óóó,€776€S.W.2d€81,€84€(Tenn.€App.€1988)).Ð Ð/ +. Ðà  àTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„101(a)€requires€that€custody€of€children€in€divorce€beÏdetermined€ð ðas€the€welfare€and€interest€of€the€child€or€children€may€demand.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÏ36„6„101(a)€(Supp.€1998).€€In€ò òòòBah€v.€Bahóóó ó,€668€S.W.2d€663€(Tenn.€App.€1983),€the€Court€set€forth€Ð p5À04 Ða€common€sense€approach€to€determining€custody,€the€doctrine€of€ð ðcomparative€fitness.ðð€€The€òòò òBahóóó óÐ P7 26 ÐCourt€noted€that€œð ð[t]he›€paramount€concern€in€child€custody€cases€is€the€welfare€and€best€œinterest›€ofÐ 09€48 Ðthe€child.ðð€€òòò òBahó óóó,€668€S.W.2d€at€666;òòò ò€see€also€Ruyle€v.€Ruyleó óóó,€928€S.W.2d€439,€441€(Tenn.€App.Ð ° Ð1996);€ò òòòKochóóó ó,€874€S.W.2d€at€575.€€This€determination€depends€on€the€facts€of€each€œcase.€€ò òòòKochó óóó,€ñ<ñò òó óñ<ñ›€œ874Ð à ÐS.W.2d€at€575.€€Tennessee›€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106€sets€forth€some€of€the€factors€to€beÏconsidered€in€performing€a€comparative€fitness€analysis.€€These€factors€include:ÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓà ` à(1)€The€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€the€parents€andÏchild;ÌÌà ` à(2)€The€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,€clothing,Ïmedical€care,€education€and€other€necessary€care€and€the€degree€to€which€a€parent€hasÏbeen€the€primary€caregiver;ÌÌà ` à(3)€The€importance€of€continuity€in€the€child's€life€and€the€length€of€time€theÏchild€has€lived€in€a€stable,€satisfactory€environment€.€.€.€.ÌÌà ` à(4)€The€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;ÌÌà ` à(5)€The€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;ÌÌà ` à(6)€The€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;ÌÌà ` à(7)€The€reasonable€preference€of€the€child€if€twelve€(12)€years€of€age€or€older.€ÏThe€court€may€hear€the€preference€of€a€younger€child€upon€request.€€The€preferencesÏof€older€children€should€normally€be€given€greater€weight€than€those€of€youngerÏchildren;ÌÌà ` à(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€to€the€other€parentÏor€to€any€other€person€.€.€.€.Ìà ` àÌà ` à(9)€The€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€orÏfrequents€the€home€of€a€parent€and€such€person's€interactions€with€the€child.ÌÌà ` à(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°ÄbÒÒ°¶bÒÓÒbÓÓÓÌÓÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106€(Supp.€1998).€€In€this€case,€the€parties€disputed€which€parent€had€beenÏJaylinððs€primary€caregiver€during€the€marriage,€and€the€trial€court€made€no€finding€on€this€issue.€ÏHowever,€even€assuming€that€Wife€had€been€Jaylinððs€primary€caregiver€during€the€marriage,€the€trialÏcourt€appropriately€considered€the€evidence€on€the€partiesðð€behavior,€alleged€œabuse,›€and€emotionalÏstability.€€The€trial€court€noted€Wifeððs€ð ðimpetuousðð€conduct,€including€ð ðslapping€her€mother„in„law,Ïholding€a€knife€to€her€husband,€and€cutting€her€œchildððs›€rabbit€bank€open€to€obtain€a€small€amount€ofÏmoney€for€postage.ðð€€The€trial€court€credited€Husbandððs€testimony€on€the€disputed€incidents€ofÏalleged€abuse,€and€questioned€Wifeððs€motives€in€seeking€an€order€of€protection€after€Husband€filedÏfor€œdivorce.€€As›€noted€in€ò òòòBarnhill€v€Barnhillóóó ó,€ð ð[c]ustodial€arrangements€should€not€be€made€withÐ 09€48 Ðthe€goal€of€punishing€a€parent€for€misconduct.€€Nonetheless,€misconduct€of€a€party€does€often€reflectÏfitness€of€the€parent€for€custody€and€is€a€proper€consideration.ðð€€òòò òBarnhill€v€Barnhillóóó ó,€€826€S.W2dÐ à Ð443,€453€(Tenn.€App.€1991)€(citing€œò òòòEdwards€v.€Edwardsóóó ó,›€501€S.W.2d€283,€291€(Tenn.€App.€1973).€Ð pÀ ÐConsidering€the€undisputed€œevidence,›€and€giving€appropriate€deference€to€the€trial€courtððs€credibilityÏdeterminations€on€the€disputed€evidence,€we€find€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€againstÏthe€trial€courtððs€award€of€custody€of€the€partiesðð€child€to€œHusband.›Ìà  àThe€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Costs€are€assessed€against€the€Appellant,€forÏwhich€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.€€€ÌÌÓÓÔ‡ XîXXX\žÔà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð à Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àò òóóHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.Ð |Ì Ðó óà  àò òÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð h ÐóóW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.€J.,€W.S.Ð T ÐÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ È ÐALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.ó óÐ ´ ÐÔ#†X\žXX XîCp#Ô