ÿWPCj ž¨t VŒŒ<$,¨s1q¡ Í'þcëHž~HÛdªTâÿhçÏPâ‘Ÿ—´*öuþWá·ÛÖHôg³¤p0È/æn7 ZÏôïI¯:Žx B«\£ ?iùºÎ1[2Á9çÕ©ÜV"Œ)ežèFQ„¿žÇ×ѵ™4ÇI®v²QŒ™Ò¯ o•qD[¼:Ú·ÍDT¤FÉúXlØÐK7oMX½aÚ: ¥œÁJ¬*‚Ï43½GZð&y;µñ­`Q ÊŒmi¸1"0c‹²Dë6Öõé»W™܈T ›áÙJì³k1$’²gìÊùlëƒV&>ñ»¨/« ¼ e„'iGð»^Å-ÖÒÉ]øìRKö÷F”5Ÿö<£Q™ÓÆçG‚ÄΖB±æ'S!ƒß‚yphNþ»½á½…ãqÞUN~ËóúßYƶ7íÒÂϯ'³þÉA"½¹4Øâä\JϱÓëz \­ûiö¿Ø˜%ƒ«œ&]1IšämŠ†ëú;£ôËx†Ýø)kÑ]æb—ÞbTµcJ @Ê÷¯HO¯æ‰º‰ûŽ/q{[ßBâ³FF¿ñmWPêñ‹ ÞüàüŒ+ÿ6¦—lƒ¡•m©¯V)Cb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ U.N· w 4 z Ò— i x mz f‘ Æ÷ ƽ ƃ ÆI 0DNSSSEUWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWb____________________________________ 0ëgggg BRR 0¤o D3 D-F 0Kss AS¾Æ 0¤× 0D{ A«¿˜HP LaserJet 4Si,ü,,,,,ü0»J—)â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular9?Æ(ê:i¢Ø+00 ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ \Ñ\R3Ø' Letter\ÑLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó - ù-(|G2!í$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¦d»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»Ô d(|3A$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¦d»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3A$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¦d»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¦d»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑTRY,3Ø' LetterXà3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼¦d»»»ÔÑ8€¼SXXdð»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€ ³/ Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îîW¦dÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼¦d»îîîWq#ԈРÜ, ÐÓ  ÓJune€2000€SessionÐ X ÐÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔÌò òÔ#†¼¦d»XX¼SS#ÔLISA€ALFARO€MUNDAY€òòóóv.€òòóóWILLIAM€MARK€MUNDAYÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔó óÐ  ` ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Knox€CountyÐ  h Ðà@@øøìàNo.€100381„2€€€€€€Daryl€R.€Fansler,€ChancellorÐ  X ÐÌFILED€AUGUST€15,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔÐ è 8  Ðà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<×` AßÐ Ø(  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E1999„02605„COA„R3„CV€Ð ×'  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¶` AßÐ ·  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓIn€this€post„divorce€proceeding,€the€trial€court€designated€William€Mark€Munday€(ð ðFatherðð)€as€theÐ ¶ Ðprimary€residential€custodian€of€two€of€the€partiesðð€children.€€He€had€been€awarded€primaryÐ ¦ö Ðresidential€custody€of€the€partiesðð€third€child€at€an€earlier€time.€€Lisa€Alfaro€Munday€(ð ðMotherðð)Ð –æ Ðappeals,€arguing€(1)€that€the€trial€court€lacked€subject€matter€jurisdiction€to€modify€the€custodialÐ †Ö Ðarrangement€and€(2)€that€there€had€not€been€a€material€change€of€circumstances€to€warrant€a€changeÐ vÆ Ðin€custody.€€We€affirm.Ð f¶ ÐÓÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtÐ F– ÐAffirmed;€Case€Remandedó óÐ 6† ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼¦d»àX¼SÎ#ÔÔ‡X¼SX.¼¦dÔCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Goddard,Ð f ÐP.J.óó€and€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó,€joined.Ð V ÐÌMary€Evars„Goan,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Lisa€Alfaro€Munday.Ð æ6 ÐÌGregory€S.€McMillan€and€Charles€W.€Swanson,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€WilliamÐ Æ  ÐMark€Munday.Ð ¶!  ÐÓ; ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼¦d»XX¼Sj #ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔÐ –#æ" ÐÓ  ÓÌÓ  ÓI.òòóóÐ v%Æ $ ÐÓ½ ÓÌà  àThe€parties€were€divorced€in€1990.€€The€divorce€judgment€awarded€the€parties€joint€custodyÐ V'¦"& Ðof€their€three€children,€Lisa€Alexandra€Munday€(DOB:€October€4,€1984)€(ð ðAlexandraðð);€MariaÐ F(–#' ÐChristina€Munday€(DOB:€May€3,€1986)€(ð ðChristinaðð);€and€Natalie€Grace€Munday€(DOB:€JanuaryÐ 6)†$( Ð2,€1988)€(ð ðNatalieðð).€€Mother€was€designated€as€the€primary€residential€custodian€of€the€children.€Ð &*v%) ÐIn€1997,€Father€filed€a€petition€to€modify€residential€custody,€specifically€seeking€primary€residentialÐ +f&* Ðcustody€of€the€partiesðð€oldest€daughter,€Alexandra.€€Father€also€requested€that€the€Court€ð ðmake€anyÐ ,V'+ Ðâ ânecessary€and€appropriate€amendmentsðð€to€the€residential€custody€of€Christina€and€Natalie.€€AnÐ ö,F(,ý Ðagreed€order€was€entered€on€July€11,€1997,€designating€Father€as€the€primary€residential€custodianÐ ° Ðof€Alexandra.€€Christina€and€Natalie€continued€to€reside€with€Mother.Ð  ð Ðâ âÌà  àIn€June,€1998,€Father€filed€the€subject€petition€in€the€original€divorce€case,€seeking€primaryÐ €Ð Ðresidential€custody€of€Christina€and€Natalie.€€In€his€petition,€Father€alleged€that€the€followingÐ pÀ Ðconstituted€a€material€change€of€circumstances€warranting€an€alteration€of€the€custodial€arrangement:Ð ` ° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[Motherððs]€mental€and€emotional€status€has€changed€so€as€to€renderÐ @  Ðher€disabled€from€employment€and€from€managing€the€emotional,Ð 0 € Ðphysical€and€financial€burdens€associated€with€the€responsibility€ofÐ  p  Ðbeing€a€primary€residential€custodian€of€minor€children.€[Motherððs]Ð `  Ðemotional€or€psychological€disability€results€in€a€significant€degreeÐ P  Ðof€lethargy€which,€in€turn,€causes€the€minor€children€to€be€called€uponÐ ð@  Ðto€maintain€the€home€and€care€for€the€mother,€essentially€reversingÐ à0  Ðthe€roles€of€mother€and€children.€€Also,€[Mother]€has€separated€fromÐ Ð  Ðcurrent€husband€and,€upon€information€and€belief,€[Father]€allegesÐ À Ðthat€during€the€period€of€separation€from€her€current€husbandÐ ° Ð[Mother]€has€exposed€the€minor€children€to€inappropriate€influencesÐ  ð Ðin€her€household.€Ðà` x` x ÐÌMother€moved€to€dismiss€Fatherððs€petition€on€the€basis€of€a€lack€of€subject€matter€jurisdiction,Ð pÀ Ðarguing€that€the€petition€raises€issues€of€dependency€and€neglect,€which€issues,€Mother€contended,Ð `° Ðplaced€Fatherððs€petition€within€the€exclusive€jurisdiction€of€the€juvenile€court.€€The€trial€court€deniedÐ P  ÐMotherððs€motion€and€the€case€proceeded€to€trial€on€August€11€and€12,€1999.Ð @ ÐÌòòà  àóóThe€testimony€at€trial€revealed€the€following€facts.€€Mother€was€first€hospitalized€forÐ  p Ðdepression€in€1991.€€In€October,€1996,€Mother€had€what€she€described€as€a€nervous€breakdown€andÐ ` Ðwas€hospitalized€for€a€week.€€During€her€hospitalization,€Mother€reported€having€visual€and€auditoryÐ P Ðhallucinations.€€After€being€released€from€the€hospital,€she€commenced€therapy€and€started€takingÐ ð@ Ðvarious€medications.€€She€admitted€that€she€did€not€tell€Father€at€the€time€about€her€1996Ð à0 Ðhospitalization.€€Ô#†¼¦d»XX¼S| #ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔ€€Ð Ð  ÐòòÌà  àóóMother€denied€having€any€visual€hallucinations€after€leaving€the€hospital.€€Her€medicalÐ °"  Ðrecords,€however,€indicate€that€Mother€continued€to€suffer€from€hallucinations€and€otherÐ  #ð! Ðmanifestations€of€her€illness€after€her€1996€hospitalization.€€In€August,€1997,€she€reported€to€herÐ $à" Ðtherapist€that€she€was€having€hallucinations€and€conversations€with€God€and€Satan.€€In€September,Ð €%Ð # Ð1998,€she€called€her€therapist€and€reported€that€she€thought€that€the€rapture€had€occurred€and€that€herÐ p&À!$ Ðneighbors€were€aliens€impersonating€human€beings.€€Later€that€month,€she€reported€increasedÐ `'°"% Ðparanoia,€hallucinations,€and€delusions.Ð P( #& ÐÌà  àMother€did€not€recall€making€many€of€the€statements€documented€in€her€medical€records.€Ð 0*€%( ÐShe€asserted€at€trial€that,€in€any€event,€none€of€these€psychotic€episodes€occurred€in€front€of€theÐ  +p&) Ðchildren.€€Ð ,`'* Їà  àMother€is€currently€unemployed€and€receives€disability€benefits.Ô#†¼¦d»XX¼S#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔ€€She€testified€that€there€areÐ ° Ðdays€when€she€stays€in€bed,€but€that€she€gets€out€of€bed€when€the€children€come€home€from€school.€Ð  ð ÐHer€disability€records€also€reflect€that€she€has€difficulty€with€everyday€activities.Ô#†¼¦d»XX¼SÐ#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔ€òòóó€In€March,€1998,Ð à ÐMother€completed€a€form€entitled€ð ðReport€of€Continuing€Disability€Interviewðð€with€the€SocialÐ €Ð ÐSecurity€Administration.€€In€that€document,€Mother€stated€that€she€suffers€from€severe€depression,Ð pÀ Ðpanic€attacks,€confusion,€and€irrational€thoughts€and€fears.€€She€stated€that€her€personal€mobilityÐ ` ° Ðð ðvaries€on€a€day€to€day€basisðð€and€that€her€children€or€her€mother€help€her€with€most€activities.€€SheÐ P   Ðasserted€that€social€contacts€make€her€nervous€and€that€she€can€drive€but€that€she€prefers€to€have€herÐ @  Ðchildren€with€her.€€Mother€further€stated€that€she€is€not€able€to€manage€her€finances.Ð 0 € ÐòòóóÌà  àIn€May,€1998,€Mother€completed€an€ð ðActivities€of€Daily€Livingðð€questionnaire€for€the€SocialÐ `  ÐSecurity€Administration.€€In€response€to€a€question€regarding€whether€she€hears,€smells€or€seesÐ P  Ðthings€that€later€do€not€appear€to€have€been€there,€Mother€responded€in€the€affirmative,€notingÐ ð@  Ðð ðhallucinations,€poison€gas,€sometimes€I€think€I€have€Ô_ÔsupersensitivityÔ_Ô€to€odors€and€auras€andÐ à0  Ðdemonic€forces€in€the€world.ðð€€She€reported€erratic€sleep€patterns€and€that€she€had€thought€atÐ Ð  Ðð ðdifferent€timesððÔ#†¼¦d»XX¼S #ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔ€about€ending€her€life.€€She€stated€that€she€can€cook,€shop,€and€do€household€choresÐ À Ðonly€with€assistance€from€her€children€or€her€mother.€€Mother€further€stated:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àEach€day€is€different.€€Some€days€I€feel€like€I€will€be€able€to€get€betterÐ à Ðand€try€to€be€hopeful.€€Other€days€I€struggle€to€find€a€reason€to€keepÐ €Ð Ðliving€and€fighting€this€overwhelming€depression.€€Need€help€to€doÐ pÀ Ðalmost€everything.€€Am€afraid€of€people,€places€and€activities.€€I€donððtÐ `° Ðknow€what€causes€the€good€days€to€be€better€or€the€bad€days€to€beÐ P  Ðworse.€€Sometimes€a€memory€or€a€conversation€can€cause€a€completeÐ @ Ðmood€swing.€€My€parents€and€my€children€give€me€a€great€deal€ofÐ 0€ Ðhelp€with€my€life€to€keep€everything€going€as€close€to€normal€asÐ  p Ðpossible.€€I€have€to€keep€taking€medicine€and€seeking€therapist€[sic]Ð ` Ðto€try€to€stay€optimistic.€€It€caused€me€a€great€deal€of€stress€filling€outÐ P Ðthis€form€and€my€mother€has€helped€me€complete€it.€Ðð@` x` x ÐÌà  àMother€testified€that€since€her€hospitalization€in€1996,€her€condition€has€improvedÐ Ð  Ðdramatically€and€that€recently€ð ðthings€have€been€very,€very€manageable.€€Very,€very€good.ðð€€SheÐ À! Ðreported€that€by€September,€1998,€she€was€able€to€take€the€children€to€basketball€and€football€gamesÐ °"  Ðand€no€longer€needed€their€presence€around€her€in€order€to€perform€certain€tasks€such€as€driving€andÐ  #ð! Ðcooking.€€Her€medical€records€indicate€some€improvement€in€Motherððs€condition€in€early€1999.€Ð $à" ÐHowever,€these€records€also€indicate€that€she€missed€several€counseling€sessions€in€June€and€July,Ð €%Ð # Ð1999.€€At€trial,€Mother€could€not€recall€that€she€had€scheduled€these€appointments€or€that€she€hadÐ p&À!$ Ðfailed€to€show€up€for€them.€€€Ô#†¼¦d»XX¼Sß%#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔÐ `'°"% ÐÌà  àNell€Alfaro,€the€childrenððs€maternal€grandmother,€also€testified€that€Mother€has€shownÐ @)$' Ðmarked€improvement€since€her€hospitalization€in€1996.€€However,€Alfaro€indicated€in€aÐ 0*€%( Ðquestionnaire€submitted€to€the€Social€Security€Administration€in€April,€1998,€that€Mother€could€notÐ  +p&) Ðprepare€meals€without€her€childrenððs€assistance;€that€she€could€complete€minimal€housework€withÐ ,`'* Ðassistance€from€her€children;€that€she€needs€frequent€reminders€to€take€her€medication;€and€that€herÐ ° Ðfather€manages€her€finances.€€Alfaro€also€stated€in€the€questionnaire€that€Mother€has€difficultyÐ  ð Ðdistinguishing€fantasy€from€reality€and€that€some€of€her€thoughts€are€bizarre.Ð à ÐÌà  àFather€admitted€that,€prior€to€the€filing€of€the€1997€petitionÔ#†¼¦d»XX¼SA.#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔ,€he€was€aware€of€MotherððsÐ pÀ Ðemotional€and€psychological€problems.€€He€knew€Mother€had€been€hospitalized€for€a€brief€periodÐ ` ° Ðin€1991;€however,€he€denied€that€he€knew€ð ðthe€specifics€of€her€hospitalizationðð€in€1996€until€afterÐ P   Ðhe€had€filed€the€1997€petition.€€In€fact,€he€asserted€that€he€did€not€know€the€full€extent€of€MotherððsÐ @  Ðpsychological€problems€until€he€read€her€medical€records€shortly€before€trial.Ð 0 € ÐÌà  àDr.€Bruce€Seidner,€a€court„appointed€clinical€psychologist,€conducted€clinical€interviews€withÐ `  ÐMother,€Father,€Fatherððs€current€wife,€Tracy€Ô_ÔMundayÔ_Ô,€and€the€three€children.€€In€addition€to€theseÐ P  Ðinterviews,€Dr.€Seidner€administered€various€psychological€tests€and€reviewed€former€evaluationsÐ ð@  Ðof€the€children€and€parents€as€well€as€Motherððs€medical€records.Ð à0  ÐÌà  àDr.€Seidner€first€evaluated€Mother,€Father,€and€Tracy€Ô_ÔMundayÔ_Ô€in€February,€1999.€€AlthoughÐ À ÐDr.€Seidner€noted€that€in€a€previous€evaluation€conducted€in€1994,€another€psychologist,€Dr.Ð ° ÐÔ_ÔBrietsteinÔ_Ô,€had€recommended€that€the€children€reside€primarily€with€Mother,€Dr.€Seidner€reached€aÐ  ð Ðdifferent€conclusion€given€the€childrenððs€ages€and€stages€of€development:Ð à ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àDevelopmentally,€the€continuity€of€Ô_ÔcaregiverÔ_Ô€which€is€critical€for€anÐ pÀ Ðinfant€and€younger€child€is€not€the€primary€residence€considerationÐ `° Ðfor€the€Ô_ÔpreadolescentÔ_Ô€and€adolescent€who€are€exploring€a€social€worldÐ P  Ðin€which€they€seek€competence€and€autonomy.€€Given€my€study€ofÐ @ Ðthe€parents€I€do€not€believe€that€the€optimal€relationship€for€the€girlsÐ 0€ Ðfrom€which€to€spring€board€into€adulthood€is€the€relationship€toÐ  p Ð[Mother].€[Mother]€appears€to€be€struggling€with€her€own€emotionalÐ ` Ðautonomy€from€[her]€mother€and€with€her€own€emotional€stability.€Ð P ÐI€am€hard€pressed€to€recommend€a€continuance€of€her€home€as€theÐ ð@ Ðprimary€residence€for€the€children€given€her€disability€status,Ð à0 Ðunemployment,€second€marital€choice,€and€having€read€through€all€ofÐ Ð  Ðthe€documentation€„„€especially€Dr.€Ô_ÔBrietsteinÔ_Ôððs€evaluation€andÐ À! Ðdeposition.€€It€is€my€reading€of€his€findings€that€he€hoped€theÐ °"  Ðalienation€would€end€and€that€there€would€be€greater€access€to€father.€Ð  #ð! ÐHe€was€also€concerned€for€continuity€of€care€which€is€important€forÐ $à" Ðyounger€children.Ѐ%Ð #` x` x ÐÌà  àDr.€Seidner€noted€that€ð ð€too€many€indicators€from€previous€evaluationsðð€reflected€that€theÐ `'°"% Ðchildren€were€in€a€Ô_ÔcaretakingÔ_Ô€role€in€Motherððs€home€and€were€beingÔ#†¼¦d»XX¼S2#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔ€actively€alienated€from€Father.€Ð P( #& ÐDr.€Seidner€recounted€that€once€when€he€called€Motherððs€home€to€verify€an€appointment€withÐ @)$' ÐMother,€he€found€her€asleep€in€the€late€afternoon€with€a€ð ðvery€competent€and€almost€adult€soundingÐ 0*€%( Ðchild,ðð€whom€he€believed€to€be€Christina,€assuring€him€that€Mother€would€make€her€appointmentÐ  +p&) Ðwith€him€and€that€further€confirmation€from€Mother€once€she€awoke€would€be€unnecessary.€€AnotherÐ ,`'* Ðappointment€Dr.€Seidner€made€with€Mother€was€cancelled€by€her€shortly€before€the€scheduled€time,Ð ° Ðostensibly€because€she€was€sick.€€Mother€told€Dr.€Seidner€at€the€time€that€they€made€the€appointmentÐ  ð Ðthat€it€conflicted€with€some€service€she€needed€at€the€home€but€that€she€would€make€every€effort€toÐ à Ðbe€there.€€Dr.€Seidner€noted€that€this€incident€raised€issues€of€her€reliability€and€was€consistent€withÐ €Ð ÐDr.€Ô_ÔBreitsteinÔ_Ôððs€findings€of€Motherððs€resistance€and€of€the€difficulty€in€scheduling€appointments€withÐ pÀ Ðher.€Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àIn€August,€1999,€Dr.€Seidner€conducted€an€evaluation€of€the€three€children,€which€includedÐ @  Ðconducting€clinical€interviews€and€administering€various€psychological€tests.€€Dr.€Seidner€noted€inÐ 0 € Ðhis€evaluation€that€the€results€of€the€psychological€testing€reflect€that€both€Christina€and€NatalieÐ  p  Ðperceive€that€Father€is€the€parent€who€is€best€able€to€meet€their€needs.€€Dr.€Seidner€noted€that€thisÐ `  Ðresult€was€consistent€with€Christinaððs€stated€preference€to€live€with€her€father.€€Natalie,€however,€wasÐ P  Ðmore€conflicted€in€her€stated€preference;€she€ð ðwas€frequently€tearful...and€repeatedly€expressed€aÐ ð@  Ðconcern€that€mother€would€miss€her€if€she€were€made€to€live€with€father.ðð€€Dr.€Seidner€noted€thatÐ à0  Ðð ð[Ô_Ôc]onsciouslyÔ_Ô€she€is€advocating€for€the€status€quo€while€on€the€testing€she€perceives€the€father€asÐ Ð  Ðoverall€more€competent€to€meet€her€needs.ððÐ À ÐÌà  àDr.€Seidner€expressed€significant€concerns€about€Christina€in€his€evaluation.€€He€describedÐ  ð Ðher€as€ð ðan€adolescent€who,€without€significant€intervention,€is€on€a€fast€track€towards€developing€aÐ à Ðborderline€personality€disorder.ðð€€He€indicated€that€her€behavior€during€the€interview€was€oftenÐ €Ð Ðð ðremoved€and€eccentricðð:Ð pÀ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àDuring€our€interview,€when€she€wasnððt€being€provocative€ð!ð€imitatingÐ P  Ðthe€examiner€taking€notes,€laughing€to€herself,€and€drawing€oddÐ @ Ðpictures,€she€behaved€in€a€removed€and€eccentric€manner.€€To€herÐ 0€ Ðcredit€she€views€herself€as€an€artist€and€poet€struggling€to€find€herÐ  p Ðvoice.€€While€there€is€a€good€deal€of€adolescent€drama€and€posturingÐ ` Ðat€play€here,€it€belies€her€lack€of€an€adequate€identity,€a€significantÐ P Ðalienation€from€her€peers,€and€the€disturbing€fluidity€of€herÐ ð@ Ðexperience.€€It€is€noteworthy€for€instance€that€she€is€in€an€all€girl€bandÐ à0 Ðwhose€name€is€ð ðChaos.ðð€€Of€course€the€ð ðbandðð€does€not€practice€orÐ Ð  Ðhave€any€material.€€It€is€just€something€to€belong€to.€€EquallyÐ À! Ðpoignant€is€her€description€of€her€poetry.€€While€describing€herÐ °"  Ðpreferred€activity€as€ð ðbeing€alone€writing€poetryðð€she€goes€on€toÐ  #ð! Ðexplain,€ð ðitððs€not€really€my€poetry.€€I€take€the€words€from€what€peopleÐ $à" Ðsay.ððЀ%Ð #` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€the€course€of€discussing€these€issues€she€dramatically€uttered,Ð `'°"% Ðð ðcould€you€help€me€find€the€source€of€my€pain€and€remorse?€€I€fearÐ P( #& ÐIððve€fallen€down€to€my€knees.€€If€you€hear€me,€help€me€please,€thisÐ @)$' Ðconfusing€state€that€I€am€in€has€left€me€floating,€no€wind.ðð€€It€was€atÐ 0*€%( Ðfirst€unclear€if€these€were€her€words.€€When€prompted€she€wrylyÐ  +p&) Ðattributed€them€to€a€bit€part€in€the€movie€ððCon€Air.ðð€€Then€again,Ð ,`'* Ðwithout€missing€a€beat,€she€said,€ð ðnobody€knows€a€cure€for€what€IÐ ° Ðhave.ðð€€After€asking€for€clarification€she€described€this€too€being€aÐ  ð Ðline€from€the€movie.€€She€describes€this€line€as€having€become€aÐ à Ðð ðstanzaðð€that€she€identifies€with.€€Unfortunately€it€is€emblematic€ofÐ €Ð Ðher€serious€clinical€depression,€lack€of€a€healthy€identity,€andÐ pÀ Ðdisturbed€self„esteem.Ð` °` x` x ÐÌà  àDr.€Seidner€also€described€the€home€environment€of€each€parent.€€He€characterized€MotherððsÐ @  Ðhome€as€clean,€but€in€various€stages€of€disrepair.€€He€noted€that€the€children€admitted€that€it€wasÐ 0 € Ðð ðunusually€picked€upðð€for€his€visit.€€Dr.€Seidner€noted€ð ða€good€deal€of€uncomfortable€silence€andÐ  p  Ðanxious€side„glances€in€the€familyðð€during€their€meeting.€€He€also€observed€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôt]hereÔ_Ô€was€littleÐ `  Ðsense€that€the€girls€did€much€with€each€other,€each€appearing€to€be€wandering€in€and€out€of€the€houseÐ P  Ðwhen€not€occupied€with€[the]€interview.ðð€€Also€during€this€interview,€Dr.€Seidner€noted€more€ofÐ ð@  ÐChristinaððs€ð ðprovocativeðð€behavior.€€When€asked€to€show€him€meaningful€possessions,€ChristinaÐ à0  Ðshowed€him€a€bow€and€a€machete.€€Dr.€Seidner€also€noticed€several€drawings€in€Christinaððs€room,Ð Ð  Ðincluding€one€of€the€ð ðdeath€angel.ððÐ À ÐÌà  àDr.€Seidner€observed€that€Fatherððs€home€was€ð ðmodest€and€well€laid€out.ðð€€He€interviewedÐ  ð Ðthe€family€during€breakfast,€noting€that€the€family€appeared€relaxed€and€that€they€were€joking€withÐ à Ðone€another.€€He€noted€that€when€he€interviewed€Father€and€his€wife€alone,€the€girls€went€to€anotherÐ €Ð Ðroom€together€where€they€played€video€games€and€spent€time€with€each€other.€€Dr.€Seidner€furtherÐ pÀ Ðobserved€that€Christina€presented€herself€as€ð ðquite€conventional,ðð€with€none€of€the€provocativeÐ `° Ðbehavior€exhibited€at€Motherððs€home.Ð P  ÐÌà  àDr.€Seidner€also€discussed€Mother€and€Fatherððs€parenting€styles€in€his€evaluation.€€He€notedÐ 0€ Ðthat€Mother€felt€that€the€children€misunderstood€her€insistence€on€self„reliance.€€Mother€expressedÐ  p Ðto€Dr.€Seidner€that€her€reliance€upon€the€childrenððs€cooking€and€cleaning€on€one€hand€while€givingÐ ` Ðthem€latitude€to€pursue€their€own€activities€on€the€other€is€a€means€of€instilling€adult€independenceÐ P Ðand€responsibility€in€the€children.€€She€indicated€to€Dr.€Seidner€that€ð ðchildren€need€time€to€beÐ ð@ Ðchildrenðð€and€expressed€her€concern€that€Father€ð ðÔ_ÔovercommittedÔ_Ôðð€them€to€school€and€extracurricularÐ à0 Ðactivities.€€She€told€Dr.€Seidner€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôw]henÔ_Ô€we€moved€to€the€country€we€left€the€toys€behind,€theyÐ Ð  Ðlove€to€explore€and€be€in€nature.€€I€am€not€sure€what€they€do,€theyððre€just€happy€to€roam€around.€€IÐ À! Ðdonððt€know€what€they€do,€they€come€home€with€a€frog€or€a€lizard....ðð€€Mother€expressed€her€concernÐ °"  Ðwith€Christina,€noting€that€she€had€sought€counseling€for€Christina€but€could€not€continue€theÐ  #ð! Ðsessions€because€she€could€not€afford€them.€€She€told€Dr.€Seidner€that€she€identified€with€ChristinaððsÐ $à" Ðð ðsensitivityðð€and€that€she€too€was€depressed€and€had€thoughts€of€suicide€at€that€age.Ð €%Ð # ÐÌà  àFather€and€his€current€wife€described€their€parenting€style€to€Dr.€Seidner€as€emphasizingÐ `'°"% Ðstructure€and€activities.€€Father€expressed€particular€concern€over€Christinaððs€behavioral€changes,Ð P( #& Ðnoting€that€Christina€suffered€from€a€lack€of€social€interaction€and€organized€activities.€€He€alsoÐ @)$' Ðexpressed€his€view€that€Natalie€needed€activities€as€well€as€proper€role€models,€which€Father€thinksÐ 0*€%( Ðshe€does€not€currently€have€in€Motherððs€residence.Ð  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà  àDr.€Seidner€concluded€that€it€would€be€a€ð ðconsequential€errorðð€to€split€the€children€betweenÐ ° Ðthe€parents.€€He€opined€that€Father€and€his€current€wife€ð ðdemonstrated€that€they€have€a€better€handleÐ  ð Ðon€the€girlððs€[sic]€need€for€structure€and€support€to€develop€themselves.ðð€€He€further€recommendedÐ à Ðthat€Christina€be€referred€to€a€therapist€in€order€to€address€her€personality€and€emotional€issues.€Ð €Ð ÐòòÌà  àóóAlthough€Christina€had€expressed€to€Dr.€Seidner€that€she€preferred€to€live€with€Father,€sheÐ ` ° Ðdeclined€to€state€a€preference€at€trial,€explaining€that€she€preferred€that€the€judge€decide€the€issueÐ P   Ðbecause€she€did€not€want€to€hurt€either€parentððs€feelings.€€At€trial,€Natalie€again€expressed€her€desireÐ @  Ðto€live€with€Mother.€Ð 0 € ÐòòóóÌà  àFollowing€the€trial,€the€court€below€issued€its€memorandum€opinion€from€the€bench.€€TheÐ `  Ðtrial€court€found€a€material€change€of€circumstances€such€that€a€change€in€custody€would€be€in€theÐ P  Ðbest€interest€of€the€children.€€Specifically,€the€court€found€as€follows:Ð ð@  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIt€is€clear€that€beginning€in€October€of€1996,€[Mother]€sustained€aÐ Ð  Ðmental€illness€that€rendered€her€incapable€of€caring€for€herself€orÐ À Ðothers;€required€hospitalization€at€Lakeshore.а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIt€is€also€clear€that€based€on€Dr.€Ô_ÔSeidnerÔ_Ôððs€Ô_ÔunrefutedÔ_Ô€testimony,€expertÐ à Ðopinion€in€this€case,€that€Christina€is€a€child€that€currently€suffersÐ €Ð Ðfrom€emotional€and/or€mental€problems.€€Dr.€Seidner€indicated€thatÐ pÀ Ðshe€was€a€child€that€was€one€with€significant€psychological€trouble€inÐ `° Ðher€life.€€He€described€her€as€troubled€and€clinically€depressed€and€inÐ P  Ðneed€of€immediate€intervention€or€she€was€going€to€be€on€the€fastÐ @ Ðtrack€of€some€serious€problems.€òòÐ0€` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà8¸ ¸ àà8hÈÈà*à À à*à  à*Ð`hphp ÐÌóóà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIt€is€clear€that€continuing€after€July€of€1997€that€the€episode€ofÐ ð@ ÐOctober€Ô_Ô[19]96Ô_Ô€had€not€resolved€itself.€€[Mother]€had€beenÐ à0 Ðhospitalized€in€1991€with€an€apparent€recovery.€€It€is€clear€that€notÐ Ð  Ðonly€did€she€not€recover€within€a€short€period€of€time€after€OctoberÐ À! Ðof€1996,€the€Court,€based€upon€her€testimony€today€and€the€recordsÐ °"  Ðsubmitted€from€Cherokee€Health€Systems,€concludes€that€[Mother]Ð  #ð! Ðcontinues€to€suffer€a€significant€mental€impairment.Ð$à"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà8¸ ¸ àà8hÈÈà*à À à*à  à*òòÐp&À!$hphp ÐÌóóà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€Court€had€some€difficulty€with€[Motherððs]€testimony€at€times.€Ð P( #& ÐThere€were€long€delays€that€will€not€show€up€in€this€transcript€thatÐ @)$' Ðthis€Court€had€the€opportunity€to€observe,€delays€which€this€Court€feltÐ 0*€%( Ðwould€not€be€warranted€in€response€to€that€particular€question€unlessÐ  +p&) Ðsome€person€was€either€unable€to€mentally€appreciate€the€question€orÐ ,`'* Ðwas€unnecessarily€considering€her€answer€before€rendering€theÐ ° Ðanswer,€which€brings€into€question€either€[Motherððs]€ability€toÐ  ð Ðrespond€coherently€or€her€ability€to€answer€truthfully€to€some€of€theseÐ à Ðquestions.òòóóЀÐ` x` x ÐÌThis€appeal€followed.Ð ` ° ÐÌÓ  ÓII.òòóóÐ @  ÐÓ•qÓÌà  àMother€first€argues€on€appeal€that€the€trial€court€lacked€subject€matter€jurisdiction€toÐ  p  Ðdetermine€custody€in€this€case€because€the€allegations€in€Fatherððs€complaint€raise€issues€ofÐ `  Ðdependency€and€neglect€of€the€children.€€She€relies€upon€the€provisions€of€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€37„1„103(a)(1)Ð P  Ðwhich€vests€ð ðexclusive€original€jurisdictionðð€in€juvenile€court€of€ð ð[Ô_Ôp]roceedingsÔ_Ô€in€which€a€child€isÐ ð@  Ðalleged€to€be...dependent€and€neglected.ððÐ à0  ÐÌà  àWe€find€this€argument€wholly€without€merit.€€Although€Mother€is€correct€in€asserting€that,Ð À Ðpursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€37„1„103(a)(1),€the€juvenile€court€has€exclusive€jurisdiction€over€proceedingsÐ ° Ðin€which€a€party€seeks€to€have€a€child€declared€dependent€and€neglected,€Mother€Ô_ÔmischaracterizesÔ_ÔÐ  ð Ðthe€nature€of€the€instant€proceeding.€€This€òòis€not€óóa€proceeding€to€have€a€child€declared€dependent€andÐ à Ðneglected;€this€òòisóó€a€post„divorce€proceeding€seeking€a€change€in€a€custodial€arrangement.€€As€such,Ð €Ð Ðit€was€properly€brought€in€chancery€court.€€Therefore,€the€chancery€court,€the€site€of€the€originalÐ pÀ Ðdivorce€proceedings,€properly€exercised€jurisdiction€over€Fatherððs€petition.€€This€issue€is€foundÐ `° Ðadverse€to€Mother.Ð P  ÐÌÓ  ÓIII.Ð 0€ ÐÓßwÓÌà  àMother€next€argues€that€Father€failed€to€prove€a€material€change€of€circumstances€sinceÐ ` ÐFather€last€sought€custody€of€the€children€such€as€to€warrant€a€change€in€the€custodial€arrangement.€Ð P ÐShe€further€contends€that€even€if€a€material€change€has€occurred,€an€alteration€of€the€custodialÐ ð@ Ðarrangement€would€not€be€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.Ð à0 ÐÌà  àIn€this€non„jury€case,€our€review€of€the€trial€courtððs€findings€of€facts€is€òòde€novoóó;€however,€theÐ À! Ðcase€comes€to€us€accompanied€by€a€presumption€that€those€findings€are€correct€„„€a€presumption€weÐ °"  Ðmust€honor€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€them.€€ò òòòó óóóTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€Ô#†¼¦d»XX¼Sí>#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔòòò òÔ_ÔMusselmanÔ_ÔÐ  #ð! Ðv.€Ô_ÔAcuffÔ_Ô,ó óóó€826€S.W.2d€920,€922€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€Our€search€for€the€preponderance€of€theÐ $à" Ðevidence€is€tempered€by€the€principle€that€the€trial€court€is€in€the€best€position€to€assess€theÐ €%Ð # Ðcredibility€of€the€witnesses;€accordingly,€such€determinations€are€entitled€to€great€weight€on€appeal.€Ð p&À!$ Ðò òòòÔ_ÔMassengaleÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔMassengaleÔ_Ô,ó óóó€915€S.W.2d€818,€819€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995);€ò òòòBowman€v.€Bowman,ó óóó€836Ð `'°"% ÐS.W.2d€563,€566€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€Ð P( #& ÐÌà  àFatherððs€petition€to€modify€the€custodial€arrangement€addressed€itself€to€the€wide€and€soundÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âdiscretion€of€the€trial€court,€and€ð ðwe€will€not€tamper€with€that€discretion€unless€the€facts€demonstrateÐ  +p&) Ðthat€the€trier€of€fact€has€abused€his€or€her€discretion.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔBrumitÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔBrumitÔ_Ô,ó óóó€948€S.W.2d€739,€740Ð ° Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).Ô#†¼¦d»XX¼ST{#Ôò òòòó óóóÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔÐ  ð Ðâ âÌà  àAn€initial€award€of€custody€is€ð ðsubject€to€such€changes€or€modification€as€the€exigencies€ofÐ €Ð Ðthe€case€may€require.ðð€€T.C.A.€ðð€36„6„101(a)(1)€(Supp.€1999).€€This€court€has€noted€that€the€initialÐ pÀ Ðjudgment€awarding€custody€ð ðis€òòres€judicataóó€and€is€conclusive€in€a€subsequent€application€to€changeÐ ` ° Ðcustody€unless€some€new€fact€has€occurred€which€has€altered€the€circumstances€in€a€material€wayÐ P   Ðso€that€the€welfare€of€the€Ô_Ôchild[renÔ_Ô]€requires€a€change€of€custody.ðð€€ò òòòGriffin€v.€Stone,ó óóó€834€S.W.2dÐ @  Ð300,€301„02€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992).€€The€best€interest€of€the€children€is€the€paramount€consideration.€Ð 0 € Ðò òòòÔ_ÔMusselmanÔ_Ô,ó óóó€826€S.W.2d€at€922.Ð  p  ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€of€a€material€change€ofÐ P  Ðcircumstances€warranting€a€change€of€custody.€€The€trial€court€found€that€Mother€ð ðcontinues€to€sufferÐ ð@  Ða€significant€mental€impairment,ðð€which€required€her€hospitalization€in€1996€and€from€which€sheÐ à0  Ðhas€not€completely€recovered.€€Although€Mother€asserted€that€she€has€dramatically€improved€sinceÐ Ð  Ðher€release€from€the€hospital,€the€evidence€reflects€otherwise.Ô#†¼¦d»XX¼SW€#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔ€€After€her€hospitalizationÔ#†¼¦d»XX¼ST†#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔ,€MotherÐ À Ðcontinued€to€experience€hallucinations,€paranoia,€and€depression,€which€often€prevented€her€fromÐ ° Ðperforming€everyday€tasks€and€required€her€to€depend€heavily€on€her€children€to€run€the€household.€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àWe€further€find€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€thatÐ €Ð ÐChristinaððs€developing€emotional€and€psychological€problems€constitute€a€material€change€inÐ pÀ Ðcircumstances.€€Father€testified€that€since€July,€1997,€he€has€noticed€dramatic€changes€in€ChristinaððsÐ `° Ðpersonality€and€behavior.€€He€observed€that€she€often€speaks€negatively€about€herself€and€hasÐ P  Ðbecome€ð ðvery€withdrawnðð€and€ð ðmorbidðð€and€writes€poetry€that€is€ð ðextremely€dark.ðð€€Dr.€Seidner€alsoÐ @ Ðexpressed€his€concern€that€Christina€is€suffering€from€serious€clinical€depression€and€is€developingÐ 0€ Ða€borderline€personality€disorder,€both€of€which€require,€in€Dr.€Seidnerððs€opinion,€significantÐ  p Ðintervention.Ð ` ÐÌà  àWe€find€that€the€trial€courtððs€award€to€Father€of€residential€custody€is€in€the€best€interest€ofÐ ð@ Ðthe€children.€€In€doing€so,€the€trial€court€relied€upon€the€recommendation€of€Dr.€Seidner,€whoÐ à0 Ðconcluded€that€Father€would€best€provide€the€appropriate€structure€and€support€that€both€ChristinaÐ Ð  Ðand€Natalie€need.€€Dr.€Seidner€also€noted€Motherððs€reliance€upon€the€children€and€opined€that€FatherÐ À! Ðwould€place€less€of€an€emotional€demand€on€the€children.€€Dr.€Seidnerððs€conclusions€are€supportedÐ °"  Ðby€the€results€of€the€psychological€testing€in€which€both€children€indicated€that€Father€was€the€parentÐ  #ð! Ðwho€best€met€their€needs.€€Based€upon€all€the€evidence€adduced€at€trial,€we€find€that€the€trial€courtÐ $à" Ðcorrectly€found€that€a€change€of€residential€custody€would€be€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.€Ô#†¼¦d»XX¼S±†#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔÐ €%Ð # ÐÔ#†¼¦d»XX¼S<#ÔÔ‡X¼SX»¼¦dÔÌÓ  ÓÐ  `'°"% ÐÑ ³/ Ñâ  âÑTRY,3Ø' LetterY,3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letter 3Ø' LetterTÑâ  âÑ  ÑIV.òòóóÐ ° ÐÓ³Óà  àà ` àÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellant.€€ThisÐ à Ðcase€is€remanded€for€enforcement€of€the€judgment€and€collection€of€costs€assessed€below,€allÐ €Ð Ðpursuant€to€applicable€law.Ð pÀ ÐòòóóÔ#†¼¦d»XX¼S“#ÔÔ€X¼SX»¼¦dÔà  àà ` àà ¸ àÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð 0 € Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCHARLES€D.€SUSANO,€JR.,€JUDGE