ÿWPCJ0 ¿ö¹¬å¨¥»ÿ¤å:2:ó\‹!¡Ï”[Ú’K¿ïqXЪäoÌÝtJuÌâ°ú BV„‘Ý×Õö»þ(ã êê('‘ÞGJU–.úäÖM¸B )a©u¬îÊ[V7S·Ò³ÈvA.ç¯'xI?_bô$͆BÐcá–Gz$H$1S>TÂÏ„Æ&îáXË.ܸõ`Ň™\Ñëô'Äœî=Ø(´Â…“¢Óú=2ÎïGg¶Gq˜8­½GBxpMõ+KˆL¤aœ¾ä¾—ù`‰Àj׺Ÿ¨*íh‘Ü/æÁY©&+Þ³0‰?H9·õ‚²w a«+V¦I¦\t¼»°·0¹÷¤ÛaÖ¿×C$ÐÀû|¹y<ŒHöšóRü‚³ÎpF¸uÝü(Ö´ËäcˆÂPÄéò¡øBwoþ5x2×¹Ú8ì'ŸPG on¸§–z0’ÞÐYXª}œÚQ:(×Ú¦1Msöhÿí¯vbî‰ñ÷[Cº‡Èy¯³ÛMðþ[ÉL-‡èÛ(üQ×>Xë”}l"èýçM¤\‹L)‰VÇwUùp“ô[6®”Gô©BèæS$愨ñÄšÛÆPL»”˜m}`§ËB%oÊYý b¸´mb#Á\UN %k 0ˆq U"Nù ^ G wS zW ÒÑ 4£ · Æ mÈ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1 0D÷N;£=àEö¿øŽ·ªEÄדּI_m¨ý!"‚("("("ª#À#À#'Ö#"ý$ý$ý$ý$ƒ'N¢(Gð)b7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+?+ 0ëG+G+G+G+ B2,2, 0¤O, D3ó, D-&- 0KS-S- ASž-Æñ- 0¤·. 0D[/ A«Ÿ/˜HP LaserJet 4Si,ü,,,,,ü0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular»(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular»ž¸(L  ˜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.wptë~Š(bk1ÀÆ 3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ™Ý ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€Goff€denied€spending€an€entire€night€at€Mr.€Goffððs€home€until€she€began€cohabitingÐ ° Ðwith€him€in€March,€1998.€€However,€Mr.€Goffððs€testimony€verified€that€Ms.€Goff€would€sometimesÐ  ð Ðspend€the€night€with€him,€leaving€her€children€at€home. Ñ À Ñ µÝ ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Richard€testified€that€the€child€sometimes€called€herself€ð ðCourtney€Nicole€Goffðð€andÐ ° Ðreferred€to€Mr.€Goff€as€ð ðDaddy.ðð€€Mr.€and€Ms.€Goff€both€testified€that€they€had€not€encouragedÐ  ð ÐCourtney€to€use€these€names€and€that€she€had€started€using€them€on€her€own. „Ý ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔSpeaking€from€the€bench,€the€trial€court€stated€that€ð ðthere€is€no€reason€to€change€custodyÐ ° Ðon€„„€I€hate€„„€I€hesitate€to€use€the€word€emergency€„„€I€donððt€think€it€has€to€be€an€emergency€„„€anÐ  ð Ðexpedited€basis,€short„cutting€the€legal€system€short€of€a€trial.€.€.€.€Main€thing€is€you€just€want€to€keepÐ à Ðfrom€having€to€change€back€and€forth,€back€and€forth.€€Hold€it€until€we€know€what€we€are€dealingÐ €Ð Ðwith,€and€then€go€from€there.ðð  Ý ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€also€found€that€Ms.€Goff€was€in€criminal€contempt€for€her€October€31,€1997Ð ° Ðrefusal€to€permit€Mr.€Richard€to€have€visitation€with€Courtney.€€The€court€stated€that€it€was€awareÐ  ð Ðthat€Ms.€Goffððs€action€was€prompted€by€advice€from€the€DCS€caseworker€but€added€that€ð ð[a]ll€thatÐ à Ðdoes€is€create€a€cell€mate.ðð€€Accordingly,€the€court€appointed€a€special€prosecutor€to€pursue€criminalÐ €Ð Ðcontempt€sanctions€against€the€DCS€caseworker€and€his€supervisor. ºÝ ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Richard€testified€that€the€child€fell€at€a€Vanderbilt€football€game.€€His€account€of€theÐ ° Ðincident€was€echoed€by€a€friend€who€had€attended€the€game€with€Mr.€Richard€and€his€daughter.€Ð  ð ÐNothing€had€come€of€these€allegations€by€the€time€of€the€final€hearing€in€February€1999. ¢Ý ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSee€Taylor€v.€Tayloróó,€849€S.W.2d€319,€328€(Tenn.€1993);€òòÔ_ÔGorskiÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔRagainsÔ_Ôóó,€01A01„9710„Ð ° ÐGS„00597,€1999€WL€511451,€at€*4„5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€21,€1999)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð  ð Ðapplication€filed);€òòsee€alsoóó€National€Interdisciplinary€Colloquium€on€Child€Custody,€òòLegal€andÐ à ÐMental€Health€Perspectives€on€Child€Custody€Law:€A€Ô_ÔDeskbookÔ_Ô€for€Judgesóó€ðð€5:1,€at€51€(1998).€€ ?Ý ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔCourtney€could€have€been€injured€while€at€the€home€of€her€mother,€on€the€way€to€theÐ ° Ðdaycare€center,€at€the€daycare€center,€or€after€Mr.€Richard€picked€her€up€from€daycare.€€ cÝ ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSee€also€Williams€v.€Williamsóó,€No.€01A01„9610„CV„00468,€1997€WL€272458,€at€*6„7Ð ° Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€23,€1997)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);€òòSalimbene€v.€Salimbeneóó,Ð  ð ÐNo.€87„194„II,€1987€WL€27748,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€16,€1987)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð à Ðapplication€filed);€òòSmith€v.€Smithóó,€No.€86„43„II,€1986€WL€7621,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€9,€1986)Ð €Ð Ð(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)€(reversing€a€decision€to€remove€two€children€from€theÐ pÀ Ðcustody€of€a€mother€who€admitted€to€having€sexual€relations€with€four€different€men€during€the€firstÐ ` ° Ðthree€years€following€the€divorce). óÝ ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú15Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWe€emphasize€that,€like€the€juvenile€court€referee,€we€make€no€finding€on€who€abusedÐ ° ÐCourtney.€€ Ñ ° Ñ xÝ ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€Ô_ÔGoffÔ_Ô€and€Mr.€Ô_ÔGoffÔ_Ô€eventually€began€living€together€and€were€married€October€21,€1998,Ð ° Ðone€day€before€the€hearing€on€Mr.€Richardððs€motion€for€temporary€custody. Ñ À Ñ Ñ ° Ñ Ý ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€record€contains€no€indication€that€Mr.€Richard€ever€pursued,€or€that€the€trial€court€everÐ ° Ðacted€upon,€the€motion€for€temporary€custody. Ý ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€Goff€later€testified€that€she€did€not€tell€Mr.€Richard€where€she€was€living€for€ð ðreasonsÐ ° Ð[of]€harassment.€€I€didnððt€know€where€he€was€living.ðð€€Under€cross„examination,€she€admitted€thatÐ  ð ÐMr.€Richard€has€not€harassed€her,€and€that€she€had€Mr.€Richardððs€telephone€number€because€he€hadÐ à Ðleft€it€with€her€mother€when€he€tried€to€call€her. yÝ ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€safety€plan€also€warned€that€ð ðshould€the€conditions€of€this€agreement€be€violated,€theÐ ° Ðsafety€plan€will€be€revoked€and€DCS€may€have€cause€to€petition€for€custody€and€emergency€removalÐ  ð Ðof€the€children.ðð DÝ ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€Goff€initially€testified€that€the€physician€contacted€the€DCS.€€Under€cross„examination,Ð ° Ðshe€admitted€that€she€contacted€the€DCS€but€stated€that€the€physician€suggested€this. =Ý ƒRÿ-$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€step„father€was€apparently€attired€for€Halloween€during€this€incident€because€he€wasÐ ° Ðdressed€entirely€in€black€and€was€wearing€a€visible,€holstered€pistol€on€his€side.- ù- (|G2ÿ-$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€½t»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€XºãX»»Ô d(|3Þ$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€½t»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Þ$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€½t»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€½t»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼½t»»»ÔÑ8€ºãXXdð»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ‡îðÇ½tÔÑ€?cÑÑ€OaÑÑ€#?cÑÑ€$OaÑà@ü ü ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ Ü, ÐÔ#†¼½t»îîðÇú#ÔÔ‡XºãX»¼½tÔÌò òÔ#†¼½t»XXºã#Ôà@ìàLESLIE€ANN€RICHARD€(GOFF)Ô‡XºãX»¼½tÔ€Ô#†¼½t»XXºãq#Ôv.€DAVID€WAYNE€RICHARDó óˆÐ øH ÐÌà@{ { ìàò òÔ‡XºãX»¼½tÔDirect€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Cheatham€CountyˆÐ ( x Ðà@  ìàNo.€8797€€€€€€Robert€E.€Burch,€ChancellorˆÐ  h ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<ç ` A߈Ð è 8  ÐÌà@· · ìàNo.€M1999„02797„COA„R3„CV€„€Decided€May€25,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ԈРç7  ÐÔ#†¼½t»XXºãù#ÔÌßA€V) °°` dE<î` AßÐ ï?  Ðó óÌÔ‡¼¸Ô»»¼½tÔÔ€Xò˜X»¼¸ÔÔThis€appeal€involves€a€contentious€dispute€over€the€custody€of€a€five„year„old€child.€€Six€monthsÐ f  Ðafter€the€Chancery€Court€for€Cheatham€County€awarded€custody€of€the€child€to€her€mother,€theÐ R Ðchildððs€father€filed€a€petition€to€change€custody€because€the€motherððs€boyfriend€was€living€with€theÐ î> Ðmother€and€child.€€Following€a€bench€trial,€the€trial€court€changed€custody€from€the€mother€to€theÐ Ú* Ðfather.€€The€mother€has€appealed€from€this€decision.€€We€have€determined€that€the€order€granting€theÐ Æ Ðfather€custody€of€the€child€should€be€reversed€because€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€findingÐ ² Ðthat€there€was€a€material€post„divorce€change€in€the€childððs€circumstances€that€warranted€a€changeÐ žî Ðin€the€custody€arrangement.Ð ŠÚ ÐÌÔ#†XºãXXXò˜#Ôò òÓ  ÓTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Reversedó óÐ b² ÐÓùÓÌòòKoch,€óóJ.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHighers,€J.,óó€and€òòFarmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð B’ ÐÌJohn€M.€L.€Brown,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Leslie€Ann€Richard€(Goff).Ð "r ÐÌJennifer€Davis€Roberts,€Dickson,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€David€Wayne€Richard.Ð  R ÐÌà@55'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ â!2  ÐÌà  àDavid€Wayne€Richard€and€Leslie€Ann€Goff€(formerly€Richard)€married€on€February€12,Ð Â#" Ð1994.€€Mr.€Richard€was€twenty„four€years€old€and€had€never€been€married€before.€€Ms.€Goff,€sixÐ ²$ # Ðyears€Mr.€Richardððs€senior,€had€been€married€twice€before€and€had€three€children.€€Their€child,Ð ¢%ò $ ÐCourtney,€was€born€on€May€16,€1995.Ð ’&â!% ÐÌà  àThe€parties€separated€in€July€1996,€and€Ms.€Goff€and€Courtney€remained€in€the€marital€homeÐ r(Â#' Ðby€agreement.€€On€August€2,€1996,€Ms.€Goff€filed€for€divorce€in€the€Chancery€Court€for€CheathamÐ b)²$( ÐCounty.€€Mr.€Richard€later€counterclaimed€for€divorce€and€sought€temporary€custody€of€his€daughterÐ R*¢%) Ðâ âbecause€Ms.€Goff€was€ð ðcohabitating€with€her€paramour€.€.€.€in€the€parties€[sic]€marital€homeðð€andÐ B+’&*ý¾ ÐÑ?cÑâ âÑÀ°Ñâ âÑ  Ñbecause€Ms.€Goff€was€interfering€with€his€visitation.׃&×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Following€a€hearing€in€February€1997,€theÐ ° Ðâ âtrial€court€filed€an€order€on€March€24,€1997,€declaring€the€parties€divorced€ð ðwithout€an€assignmentÐ  ð Ðof€faultðð€and€awarded€custody€of€the€child€to€Ms.€Goff.€€The€trial€court€based€its€custody€decisionÐ à Ðon€ð ðthe€relationship€of€the€step„siblings,€the€Fatherððs€uncertain€living€arrangements,€and€his€lack€ofÐ €Ð Ða€driverððs€license.ðð€€The€trial€court€found€ð ðthat€the€partiesðð€parenting€skills€are€even€and€it€does€notÐ pÀ Ðplace€any€emphasis€on€[Ms.€Goffððs]€prior€relationship€as€the€Court€feels€she€has€learned€a€lessonÐ ` ° Ðfrom€it.ðð€€Ô‡Xò˜XXXºãÔÐ P   ÐÌà  àMs.€Goff€and€the€child€lived€in€the€marital€home€until€it€was€sold.€€When€she€moved€out,€Ms.Ð , | ÐGoff€told€Mr.€Richard€that€she€and€the€child€would€be€living€in€Kingston€Springs€with€Barbara€andÐ  h  ÐArthur€Hummell,€her€mother€and€step„father.€€Mr.€Richard€later€hired€a€private€investigator€whoÐ T  Ðdiscovered€that€Ms.€Goff€was€actually€living€in€Nashville.׃'p×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€The€private€investigator€also€discoveredÐ ð@  Ðthat€Ms.€Goff€was,€on€occasion,€spending€the€night€at€the€home€of€her€then€boyfriend,€Michael€Goff,Ð Ü,  Ðand€that€when€she€did,€she€was€leaving€Courtney€in€the€custody€of€her€step„sisters,€the€oldest€ofÐ È  Ðwhom€was€sixteen.Ô#†XºãXXXò˜,#Ô׃ø×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€addition,€Mr.€Goff€was€also€spending€the€night€at€Ms.€Goffððs€home€while€theÐ ´  Ðchildren€were€present.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Armed€with€this€information,€Mr.€Richard€filed€petitions€on€September€30,Ð ´ Ð1997,€seeking€temporary€custody€and€for€a€change€in€the€permanent€custody€arrangement.Ð ¤ô ÐÌà  àWithin€one€month€after€Mr.€Richard€filed€his€custody€petitions,€the€specter€of€child€abuseÐ „Ô Ðraised€its€ugly€head.€€Mr.€Richard€discovered€that€Courtneyððs€feet€were€bruised€and€puffy€whileÐ tÄ Ðexercising€his€visitation€on€October€22,€1997.€€He€contacted€Ms.€Goff€and€the€daycare€personnel€whoÐ d´ Ðprofessed€ignorance€about€the€condition€or€how€it€occurred.€€Thereafter,€Mr.€Richard€took€hisÐ T¤ Ðdaughter€to€a€walk„in€clinic€where€a€physicianððs€assistant€treated€her€for€an€allergic€reaction.€€Ms.Ð D” ÐGoff€took€the€child€to€her€regular€pediatrician€the€following€day.€€The€pediatrician€suspected€childÐ 4„ Ðâ âabuse€and€recommended€that€Ms.€Goff€contact€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð).׃,8×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р$t ÐÑOaÑâ âѰÀÑâ âÑ  ÑMs.€Goff€did€so,€and€a€DCS€caseworker€came€to€the€pediatricianððs€office€to€interview€Ms.€Goff€andÐ ° Ðthe€pediatrician€and€to€examine€Courtney.€€Ð  ð Ðâ âÌà  àAfter€consulting€with€his€supervisor,€the€DCS€caseworker€recommended€that€Mr.€RichardÐ €Ð Ðand€Ms.€Goff€assent€to€a€ð ðSafety€Plan€Agreementðð€to€ensure€Courtneyððs€safety€while€DCS€conductedÐ pÀ Ðits€investigation.€€This€plan€provided€that€the€child€would€remain€with€Ms.€Goff€ð ðuntil€such€time€asÐ ` ° Ðthe€[DCS]€deems€such€an€arrangement€is€no€longer€necessaryðð€and€also€provided€that€Mr.€RichardÐ P   Ðwould€not€exercise€visitation€while€the€agreement€was€in€effect.€€It€also€stated€that€ð ð[i]t€is€understoodÐ @  Ðthis€placement€is€arranged€by€agreement€of€all€parties€.€.€.ðð€and€that€ð ðthis€is€an€informal€agreementÐ 0 € Ðand€is€not€legally€binding.ðð׃+×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€caseworkerððs€supervisor€instructed€him€to€present€the€ð ðSafety€PlanÐ  p  ÐAgreementðð€to€Mr.€Richard€with€a€request€that€he€sign€it€and€voluntarily€refrain€from€exercising€hisÐ `  Ðvisitation€rights.€€Disregarding€these€instructions,€the€caseworker€obtained€Ms.€Goffððs€agreement€butÐ P  Ðdid€not€obtain€Mr.€Richardððs€agreement.€€The€caseworker€also€told€Ms.€Goff€that€she€should€denyÐ ð@  ÐMr.€Richard€visitation€with€Courtney.Ð à0  ÐÌà  àWhen€Mr.€Richard€attempted€to€exercise€his€visitation€rights€on€October€31,€1997,€Ms.€Goff,Ð À Ðrelying€on€her€understanding€of€the€Safety€Plan€Agreement,€€refused€to€permit€Courtney€to€leave€withÐ ° Ðhim.€€Ms.€Goffððs€step„father€eventually€asked€Mr.€Richard€to€leave€the€property.׃-`×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Before€Mr.Ð  ð ÐRichardððs€next€scheduled€visitation,€his€lawyer€and€the€DCS€agreed€to€the€entry€of€an€order€by€theÐ à ÐDavidson€County€Juvenile€Court€reinstating€Mr.€Richardððs€visitation.€€Unfortunately,€the€DCS€didÐ €Ð Ðnot€inform€either€Ms.€Goff€or€its€own€caseworker€of€this€development.€€Thus,€when€the€time€cameÐ pÀ Ðfor€Mr.€Richardððs€next€scheduled€visitation,€Ms.€Goff€again€declined€to€permit€him€to€visit€with€theÐ `° Ðchild.€€When€Mr.€Richard€presented€her€with€a€copy€of€the€juvenile€court€order€reinstating€his€rights,Ð P  ÐMs.€Goff€telephoned€the€DCS€for€advice.€€The€caseworker€informed€her€that€he€knew€nothing€aboutÐ @ Ðthe€order€and€that€she€should€adhere€to€the€terms€of€the€safety€plan€until€he€could€find€out€what€wasÐ 0€ Ðgoing€on.€€By€the€time€the€caseworker€contacted€his€supervisor,€it€was€too€late€for€Mr.€RichardððsÐ  p Ðvisitation.Ð ` ÐÌà  àThe€child€abuse€investigation€ended€in€June€1998€when€a€juvenile€court€referee€entered€anÐ ð@ Ðorder€concluding€that€the€bruising€on€Courtneyððs€feet€was€ð ðthe€result€of€non„accidental€trauma€mostÐ à0 Ðlikely€cause€[sic]€by€squeezing€or€other€similar€pressure€to€her€feet€(as€opposed€to€a€blunt€strikingÐ Ð  Ðforce).ðð€€The€referee€concluded€that€the€bruising€occurred€some€time€after€the€child€awoke€on€theÐ À! Ðâ âmorning€of€October€22,€1997,€but€was€unable€to€pinpoint€precisely€when€it€occurred€that€day.€Ð °"  ÐAccordingly,€the€juvenile€court€could€not€determine€who€caused€the€bruising.ò òòòóóó ó׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Noting€that€theÐ ° Ðâ âpartiesðð€animosity€toward€each€other€was€having€a€detrimental€effect€on€their€daughter,€the€refereeÐ  ð Ðordered€both€parents€to€participate€in€post„divorce€counseling.€€In€addition,€it€ordered€Mr.€RichardÐ à Ðto€attend€counseling€ð ðto€address€what€the€Court€finds€as€Mr.€Richardððs€need€to€learn€appropriateÐ €Ð Ðanger€management€in€dealing€with€other€people.ðð€Ð pÀ Ðà  à€Ð ` ° Ðà  àOn€October€22,€1998,€the€trial€court€conducted€a€hearing€regarding€Mr.€Richardððs€motion€forÐ P   Ðtemporary€custody.€€This€hearing€highlighted€Mr.€Richardððs€anger€management€problem€as€well€asÐ @  ÐMs.€Goffððs€efforts€to€undermine€Mr.€Richardððs€relationship€with€Courtney.׃p×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€addition,€both€Mr.Ð 0 € ÐGoff€and€Ms.€Goff€testified€that€they€had€married€on€the€previous€evening€and€that€they€intended€toÐ  p  Ðmove€into€a€house€they€had€built€in€Franklin€shortly€after€the€hearing.€€While€they€conceded€that€theÐ `  Ðtiming€of€their€wedding€was€not€entirely€coincidental,€they€asserted€that€they€had€been€intending€toÐ P  Ðget€married€for€some€time.Ð ð@  ÐÌà  àOn€November€18,€1998,€the€trial€court€denied€Mr.€Richardððs€motion€for€temporary€custody.€Ð Ð  ÐThe€court€determined€that€a€material€change€in€circumstances€had€occurred€because€(1)€Ms.€Goff€hadÐ À Ðbeen€ð ðuntruthful€in€her€testimony€in€the€original€case€and€in€her€testimony€today,ðð€(2)€she€had€madeÐ ° Ðno€effort€to€create€an€atmosphere€conducive€to€amicable€visitation,€and€(3)€she€had€exhibited€littleÐ  ð Ðregard€for€the€courtððs€orders.€€The€trial€court€also€observed€that€Ms.€Goff€had€a€casual€attitude€towardÐ à Ðmorals.€€Nonetheless,€the€trial€court€declined€to€change€custody€pending€the€final€hearing€becauseÐ €Ð Ðthere€was€no€imminent€threat€to€the€childððs€welfare.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€court€also€set€the€hearing€on€permanentÐ pÀ Ðcustody€for€February€11,€1999.׃€ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð `° Ðâ âÐ P  Ðà  àThe€relationship€between€Ms.€Goff€and€Mr.€Richard€continued€to€deteriorate€during€the€threeÐ ° Ðâ âmonths€leading€up€to€the€hearing€on€Mr.€Richardððs€petition€for€a€permanent€change€of€custody.€€Ms.Ð  ð ÐGoff€again€contacted€DCS€alleging€child€abuse€when€Courtney€came€home€with€a€bruised€leg€afterÐ à Ðvisitation€with€Mr.€Richard.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€early€November,€Mr.€Richard€had€a€heated€confrontation€with€Mr.Ð €Ð ÐGoff€when€he€arrived€at€the€Goff€home€to€pick€up€Courtney€for€visitation.€€According€to€Mr.Ð pÀ ÐRichard,€Mr.€Goff€came€outside,€shut€the€door€behind€him,€and€became€physically€threatening€andÐ ` ° Ðverbally€abusive€to€Mr.€Richard.€€Ms.€Goff€later€asserted€that€she€was€not€aware€of€this€confrontationÐ P   Ðuntil€after€Mr.€Goff€came€back€into€the€house.Ð @  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€conducted€a€final€hearing€on€February€11,€1999,€regarding€Mr.€RichardððsÐ  p  Ðpetition€to€change€custody.€€With€the€partiesðð€agreement,€the€trial€court€based€its€decision€on€theÐ `  Ðevidence€presented€during€this€hearing€as€well€as€the€evidence€presented€at€the€October€22,€1998Ð P  Ðhearing€on€temporary€custody.€€The€trial€court€concluded€that€a€material€change€in€the€childððsÐ ð@  Ðcircumstances€had€occurred€since€its€March€24,€1997€divorce€decree€and€that€Mr.€Richard€should€beÐ à0  Ðawarded€permanent€custody€of€the€partiesðð€child.€€The€trial€court€reasoned€as€follows:Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àPrior€to€the€October€[22,€1998]€hearing,€Ms.€Goff€performedÐ ° Ðpoorly€as€a€parent.€Since€that€hearing,€she€has€cleaned€up€her€actÐ  ð Ðconsiderably,€and,€essentially,€she€is€now€doing€all€the€right€things.€Ð à ÐHad€she€been€conducting€herself€in€this€fashion€all€along,€a€petitionÐ €Ð Ðto€change€custody€would€never€have€been€given€a€chance.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€controlling€issue€before€the€court€is€whether€Ms.€GoffððsÐ P  Ðchange€in€behavior€is€genuine.€€If€it€is€genuine,€it€is€likely€to€continueÐ @ Ðin€the€future€and,€if€not,€then€she€will€revert€back€to€her€previousÐ 0€ Ðlifestyle.€€There€is€no€way€to€determine€this€issue€other€than€byÐ  p Ðinstinct€and€common€sense,€based€on€the€proof€presented.Ð`` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àMs.€Goff€still€exhibits€manipulative€behavior€andÐ ð@ Ðuntruthfulness,€although€she€is€now€more€subtle.€€For€example,€theÐ à0 Ðcourt€does€not€believe€that€Ms.€Goff€was€unaware€of€the€encounterÐ Ð  Ðbetween€Mr.€Goff€and€Mr.€Richard€on€the€front€porch€of€the€GoffsððÐ À! Ðresidence.а" ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIf€here€are€any€further€problems€during€visitation€exchanges,Ð $à" Ðthe€court€will€act€decisively€to€stop€them.€€The€parties€must€be€civilÐ €%Ð # Ðâ âto€each€other€in€order€to€make€the€visitation€exchange€work.€€If€thereÐ p&À!$ Ðis€another€incident€such€as€the€one€between€Mr.€Goff€and€Mr.Ð ° ÐRichard,€then€the€court€is€going€to€start€putting€people€in€jail.Рð` x` x Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€proof€adduced€at€the€hearing€on€October€22,€1998,Ð €Ð Ðestablished€that€a€significant€and€material€change€in€circumstancesÐ pÀ Ðoccurred€since€the€entry€of€the€final€decree.€€Specifically,€the€changeÐ ` ° Ðof€circumstances€was€that€Ms.€Goff€engaged€in€a€lifestyle€of€leavingÐ P   Ðthe€children€alone€all€night€and€so€on€and€so€forth.€€That€being€theÐ @  Ðcase,€then€everybody€goes€back€to€level€ground€and€the€courtÐ 0 € Ðdetermines€what€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€This€is€an€attemptÐ  p  Ðto€try€to€figure€out€where€the€child€is€going€to€be€better€off.Ð` ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àBased€on€all€the€foregoing,€the€court€is€of€the€opinion€ð!ð€andÐ ð@  Ðthe€court€has€to€admit€that€there€is€only€instinct€involved€here€ð!ð€thatÐ à0  ÐMs.€Goffððs€change€in€behavior€is€not€genuine,€but€is€a€further€attemptÐ Ð  Ðto€manipulate€the€situation.€€The€court€believes€that€she€will€revert€toÐ À Ðher€prior€practices€as€time€passes,€and€this€would€not€be€beneficial€toÐ ° Ðthe€child.€€The€court€is€of€the€opinion€that€it€is€not€in€the€best€interestÐ  ð Ðof€the€child€to€stay€with€Ms.€Goff,€and€the€court€therefore€concludesÐ à Ðthat€custody€should€be€changed€to€Mr.€Richard.€€Child€support€will€beÐ €Ð Ðset€according€to€the€guidelines,€and€visitation€will€be€the€mirror€imageÐ pÀ Ðof€what€it€has€been€under€the€prior€orders€of€the€court.Ð`°` x` x ÐÌThe€trial€court€also€directed€that€Ms.€Goff,€as€punishment€for€her€criminal€contempt,€be€taken€to€theÐ @ ÐCheatham€County€jail,€locked€momentarily€in€a€cell,€and€then€returned€to€the€courtroom.€€Ms.€GoffÐ 0€ Ðappeals€from€the€portion€of€the€order€changing€permanent€custody€to€Mr.€Richard.Ð  p ÐÌà@¬¬)ìàò òI.ó óˆÐ P ÐÌà  àMs.€Goff€has€mounted€a€four„prong€attack€on€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€change€custody.€Ð à0 ÐFirst,€she€asserts€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€conclusion€that€the€childððsÐ Ð  Ðcircumstances€had€changed€so€materially€since€the€entry€of€the€March€24,€1997€divorce€decree€thatÐ À! Ðthe€question€of€the€custody€of€the€partiesðð€child€should€be€reopened.€€Second,€she€argues€that€evenÐ °"  Ðif€the€circumstances€had€materially€changed,€she€remains€comparatively€more€fit€to€be€the€childððsÐ  #ð! Ðcustodian.€€Third,€she€insists€that€the€trial€court€used€its€custody€decision€to€punish€her€for€conductÐ $à" Ðthe€court€found€offensive.€Finally,€she€takes€the€trial€court€to€task€for€basing€its€decision€on€ð ðinstinctððÐ €%Ð # Ðand€on€her€possible€future€misconduct.Ð p&À!$ ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ P( #& ÐÌà  àThe€childððs€best€interests€are€at€the€heart€of€every€custody€decision.€€The€purpose€of€a€custodyÐ 0*€%( Ðdecision€is,€to€the€greatest€extent€possible,€to€promote€the€childððs€relationship€with€both€parents€andÐ  +p&) Ðto€interfere€as€little€as€possible€with€post„divorce€family€decision€making.€€òòSee€Geiger€v.€Boyleóó,€No.Ð ,`'* Ð01A01„9809„CH„00467,€1999€WL€499733,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€16,€1999)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.Ð ° ÐP.€11€application€filed).€€These€decisions€are€not€intended€either€to€reward€or€to€punish€parents.€€òòSeeóóÐ  ð ÐòòAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€482,€485€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997);€òòTurner€v.€Turneróó,€919Ð à ÐS.W.2d€340,€346€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€In€fact,€the€courts€have€noted€repeatedly€that€the€interestsÐ €Ð Ðof€the€child€are€paramount€to€the€desires€of€the€parents.€€òòSee€Lentz€v.€Lentzóó,€717€S.W.2d€876,€877Ð pÀ Ð(Tenn.€1986).€€Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àInitial€custody€decisions€call€for€the€courts€to€determine€which€of€the€parents€competing€forÐ @  Ðcustody€is€comparatively€more€fit.€€This€ð ðcomparative€fitnessðð€analysis€does€not€measure€the€parentsÐ 0 € Ðagainst€the€standard€of€perfection€because€the€courts€are€pragmatic€enough€to€understand€thatÐ  p  Ðperfection€in€marriage€and€parenting€is€as€evanescent€as€it€is€in€lifeððs€other€pursuits.€€òòSee€Rice€v.€Riceóó,Ð `  Ð983€S.W.2d€680,€682„83€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998);€òòJulian€v.€Julianóó,€M1997„00236„COA„R3„CV,€2000Ð P  ÐWL€343817,€at€*6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€4,€2000)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€€Rather,Ð ð@  Ðthe€analysis€requires€the€courts€to€determine€which€of€the€parents,€in€light€of€their€presentÐ à0  Ðcircumstances,€is€comparatively€more€fit€to€assume€and€discharge€the€responsibilities€of€being€aÐ Ð  Ðcustodial€parent.€€òòSee€In€re€Parsonsóó,€914€S.W.2d€889,€893€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).Ð À ÐÌà  àBecause€of€the€importance€placed€on€stability€and€continuity€of€placement,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€there€is€a€strongÐ  ð Ðpresumption€in€favor€of€an€existing€custody€decision.€€òòSee€Taylor€v.€Tayloróó,€849€S.W.2d€at€332;Ð à ÐòòSmithson€v.€Eatherlyóó,€No.€01A01„9806„CV„00314,€1999€WL€548586,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€29,Ð €Ð Ð1999)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€€In€fact,€a€custody€decision,€once€made€andÐ pÀ Ðimplemented,€is€res€judicata€upon€the€facts€in€existence€or€reasonably€foreseeable€when€the€decisionÐ `° Ðwas€made.€€òòSee€Adelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€at€485.€€Ð P  ÐÌà  àLife€in€contemporary€society€is,€however,€rarely€static.€Accordingly,€our€statutory€andÐ 0€ Ðdecisional€law€empowers€the€courts€to€alter€custody€arrangements€when€intervening€circumstancesÐ  p Ðrequire€modifications.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„101(a)(1)€(Supp.€1999)€(stating€that€custodyÐ ` Ðdecrees€are€ð ðsubject€to€such€changes€or€modification€as€the€exigencies€of€the€case€may€requireðð).€Ð P ÐThus,€the€courts€may€modify€an€existing€custody€arrangement€when€required€by€unanticipated€factsÐ ð@ Ðor€subsequently€emerging€conditions.€€òòSee€Smith€v.€Haaseóó,€521€S.W.2d€49,€50€(Tenn.€1975);Ð à0 ÐòòAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€at€485.€In€the€interests€of€stability€in€the€childððs€life,€a€courtÐ Ð  Ðshould€not€alter€an€existing€custody€arrangement€until€(1)€it€is€satisfied€that€the€childððs€circumstancesÐ À! Ðhave€changed€in€a€material€way€since€the€entry€of€the€presently€operative€custody€decree,€(2)€it€hasÐ °"  Ðcarefully€compared€the€current€fitness€of€the€parents€to€be€the€childððs€custodian,€and€(3)€it€hasÐ  #ð! Ðconcluded€that€changing€the€existing€custody€arrangement€is€in€the€childððs€best€interests.€€òòSee€GorskiÐ $à" Ðv.€Ragainsóó,€1999€WL€511451,€at€*3.€€Ð €%Ð # ÐÐ p&À!$ ÐÑ#?cÑâ #âÑÀ°Ñâ #âÑ  Ñà  àThere€are€no€bright€line€rules€for€determining€when€a€change€of€circumstances€will€beÐ ° Ðdeemed€material€enough€to€warrant€changing€an€existing€custody€arrangement.€€òòSee€Taylor€v.€Tayloróó,Ð  ð Ð849€S.W.2d€at€327;€òòSolima€v.€Solimaóó,€7€S.W.3d€30,€32€(òòóóTenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€These€decisions€turnÐ à Ðon€the€unique€facts€of€each€case.€€As€a€general€matter,€however,€the€following€principles€illuminateÐ €Ð Ðthe€inquiry.€€First,€the€change€of€circumstances€must€involve€the€childððs€circumstances€rather€thanÐ pÀ Ðthose€of€either€or€both€parents.€€òòSee€White€v.€Whiteóó,€No.€M1999„00005„COA„R3„CV,€1999€WLÐ ` ° Ð488477,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€10,€1999)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);€òòMcCainÐ P   Ðv.€Grimóó,€No.€01A01„9711„CH„00634,€1999€WL€820216,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€15,€1999)€(NoÐ @  ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€€Second,€the€changed€circumstances€must€have€arisen€afterÐ 0 € Ðthe€entry€of€the€custody€order€sought€to€be€modified.€€òòSee€Turner€v.€Turneróó,€776€S.W.2d€88,€90Ð  p  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€€Third,€the€changed€circumstances€must€not€have€been€reasonably€anticipatedÐ `  Ðwhen€the€underlying€decree€was€entered.€€òòSee€Adelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€at€485.€Ð P  ÐFourth,€the€circumstances€must€affect€the€childððs€well„being€in€some€material€way.€€òòSee€Geiger€v.Ð ð@  ÐBoyleóó,€1999€WL499733,€at€*3;€òòDalton€v.€Daltonóó,€858€S.W.2d€324,€326€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993).€€€€Ð à0  ÐÌà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ À ÐÌà  àWe€now€turn€to€what€we€believe€to€be€the€pivotal€issue€in€this€case€ð!ð€whether€the€evidenceÐ  ð Ðpreponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€there€had€been€a€material€change€in€the€childððsÐ à Ðcircumstances€that€required€a€change€in€custody€after€the€March€24,€1997€divorce€decree.€€The€onlyÐ €Ð Ðfactual€circumstance€mentioned€by€the€trial€court€to€support€its€conclusion€was€ð ðthat€Ms.€GoffÐ pÀ Ðengaged€in€a€lifestyle€of€leaving€the€children€alone€all€night€and€so€on€and€so€forth.ðð€€Based€on€ourÐ `° Ðde€novo€review€of€the€entire€record,€this€conduct,€which€occurred€in€early€to€mid„1997,€does€notÐ P  Ðwarrant€triggering€a€review€in€1999€of€the€custody€arrangement.Ð @ ÐÌà  à€Courts€may€appropriately€consider€a€custodial€parentððs€non„marital€sexual€activities€in€theÐ  p Ðcontext€of€a€custody€decision.€€òòSee€Lance€v.€Lanceóó,€No.€01A01„9801„CV„00036,€1998€WL€748283,Ð ` Ðat€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€28,€1998)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);€òòBarnhill€v.€Barnhillóó,Ð P Ð826€S.W.2d€443,€453€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€However,€we€have€repeatedly€pointed€out€thatÐ ð@ Ðcohabitation€alone€does€not€necessarily€provide€grounds€for€changing€custody€when€there€is€no€proofÐ à0 Ðthat€it€has€or€will€adversely€affect€the€children.€€òòSee€Varley€v.€Varleyóó,€934€S.W.2d€659,€666„67€(Tenn.Ð Ð  ÐCt.€App.€1996);€òòSutherland€v.€Sutherlandóó,€831€S.W.2d€283,€286€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€This€isÐ À! Ðparticularly€true€when€the€custodial€parent€has€married€the€paramour€by€the€time€of€the€hearing.€€òòSeeÐ °"  ÐSmith€v.€Smithóó,€No.€87„128„II,€1987€WL€17407,€at€*4€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€25,€1987)€(No€Tenn.€R.Ð  #ð! ÐApp.€P.€11€application€filed).€€Ð $à" ÐÑ$Oa Ñâ $âѰÀÑâ $âÑ  Ñà  àMs.€Goffððs€relationships€with€men€to€whom€she€was€not€married€have€not€sat€well€with€theÐ ° Ðtrial€court€throughout€these€proceedings.€€However,€by€the€time€of€the€February€11,€1999€hearing,Ð  ð ÐMs.€Goff€had€married€Mr.€Goff€and€they€had€moved€into€a€new€home€in€Franklin.€€Thus,€there€wasÐ à Ðno€longer€any€need€for€her€to€spend€entire€nights€away€from€her€children€in€order€to€cohabit€with€Mr.Ð €Ð ÐGoff.€€Even€the€trial€court€noted€that€Ms.€Goff€had€ð ðcleaned€up€her€act€considerablyðð€and€that€sheÐ pÀ Ðwas€ð ðnow€doing€all€the€right€things.ðð€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€Ms.€Goffððs€cohabitation€with€Mr.Ð ` ° ÐGoff€in€1997€was€not€a€change€of€circumstances€sufficient€to€trigger€a€reconsideration€of€the€custodyÐ P   Ðarrangement€that€had€been€in€place€since€1997.Ð @  ÐÌà  àWe€have€examined€the€record€to€determine€whether€it€contains€any€other€evidence€of€aÐ  p  Ðmaterial€change€in€Courtneyððs€circumstances€that€could€have€provided€a€basis€for€reopening€the€issueÐ `  Ðof€custody.€€We€have€found€nothing€else€in€the€childððs€circumstances€that€could€not€have€beenÐ P  Ðreasonably€foreseen€when€the€divorce€decree€was€entered€on€March€24,€1997.€€These€parties€haveÐ ð@  Ðbeen€carrying€the€battle€to€each€other€ever€since€their€separation€in€July€1996.€€Mr.€Richard€assaultedÐ à0  ÐMs.€Goffððs€morals,€and€Ms.€Goff€responded€by€frustrating€Mr.€Richardððs€visitation.€€Their€animosityÐ Ð  Ðusually€flared€up€during€visitation€exchanges.€€After€observing€this€bickering€for€over€three€years,Ð À Ðthe€trial€court€finally€warned€both€parties€that€they€ð ðmust€be€civil€to€each€other€in€order€to€make€theÐ ° Ðvisitation€exchange€workðð€and€to€warn€that€it€would€ð ðstart€putting€people€in€jailðð€if€the€conductÐ  ð Ðcontinued.Ð à ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€regarding€interference€with€visitation€and€the€normal€development€of€theÐ pÀ Ðrelationship€between€Mr.€Richard€and€his€daughter€is€of€concern.€€This€sort€of€conduct€can€beÐ `° Ðconsidered€in€the€context€of€a€custody€decision.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(10)€(Supp.€1999).€Ð P  ÐHowever,€based€on€the€findings€in€the€trial€courtððs€February€19,€1999€order€that€Ms.€Goff€ð ðis€nowÐ @ Ðdoing€all€the€right€things,ðð€we€assume€that€this€conduct€has€abated.€€Accordingly,€this€behavior€doesÐ 0€ Ðnot€amount€to€a€change€of€circumstances€requiring€a€reopening€of€the€custody€issue.€€òòSee€Solima€v.Ð  p ÐSolimaóó,€7€S.W.3d€at€33.€€In€future€custody€proceedings,€both€partiesðð€willingness€and€ability€toÐ ` Ðfacilitate€and€encourage€a€close€and€continuing€parent„child€relationship€between€the€child€and€bothÐ P Ðparents€will€be€factors€that€the€trial€court€may€consider.€Ð ð@ ÐÌà  àCourts€do€not€compare€the€fitness€of€the€parties€in€a€change€of€custody€case€until€they€haveÐ Ð  Ðfound€that€a€material€change€in€the€childððs€circumstances€has€occurred.€€In€light€of€our€conclusionÐ À! Ðthat€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€€a€material€change€in€the€childððsÐ °"  Ðcircumstances€had€occurred€after€the€entry€of€the€March€24,€1997€divorce€decree,€we€do€not€addressÐ  #ð! Ðthe€question€of€the€comparative€fitness€of€these€parties€at€the€time€of€the€February€11,€1999€hearing.€Ð $à" ÐòòóóÌà@‹‹)ìàò òC.ó óˆÐ p&À!$ ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€was€plainly€dissatisfied€with€Ms.€Goffððs€conduct€in€the€context€of€the€divorceÐ P( #& Ðand€subsequent€custody€proceedings.€€The€court€found€that€Ms.€Goof€had€been€untruthful€and€hadÐ @)$' Ðengaged€in€manipulative€behavior.€€We€do€not€discount€these€observations.€€Following€the€MarchÐ 0*€%( Ð24,€1997€divorce€decree,€Ms.€Goffððs€behavior€has€been€less€than€exemplary.€€She€deliberately€misledÐ  +p&) ÐMr.€Richard€to€believe€that€she€and€Courtney€would€be€living€with€the€Hummells,€and€gave€Mr.Ð ,`'* ÐRichard€no€telephone€number€with€which€he€could€contact€Courtney€directly.€€She€arguably€didÐ ° Ðnothing€to€discourage€the€threatening€behavior€of€Messrs.€Hummell€and€Goff€toward€Mr.€Richard.€Ð  ð ÐHer€testimony€at€the€hearings€of€October€22,€1998€and€February€11,€1999€was€internally€inconsistentÐ à Ðand€conflicted€with€the€testimony€of€others,€including€that€of€her€own€witnesses.€€Finally,€both€sheÐ €Ð Ðand€Mr.€Goff€engaged€in€a€transparent€attempt€to€manipulate€the€trial€court€by€getting€married€theÐ pÀ Ðevening€before€the€October€22,€1998€hearing.€€Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àNevertheless,€we€cannot€fault€Ms.€Goff€for€the€two€occasions€she€refused€Mr.€Goff€visitationÐ @  Ðduring€the€child€abuse€investigation.€€Ms.€Goff€is€not€a€lawyer€and€had€some€basis€to€believe€that€theÐ 0 € ÐDCS€Safety€Plan€Agreement€had€the€effect€of€suspending€Mr.€Goffððs€visitation€rights.€€She€wasÐ  p  Ðfollowing€the€explicit€instructions€of€the€DCS€caseworker€when€she€denied€Mr.€Richard€visitation.€Ð `  ÐNor€can€we€say,€and€the€trial€court€did€not€find,€that€Ms.€Goffððs€reports€of€child€abuse€wereÐ P  Ðcontrived.€€Both€DCS€and€the€childððs€pediatrician€took€both€reports€of€abuse€seriously.€€Moreover,Ð ð@  Ðthe€first€report€of€abuse€led€to€an€eventual€finding€that€deliberate€squeezing€caused€the€bruising€onÐ à0  ÐCourtneyððs€feet.€€The€courtððs€inability€to€pinpoint€the€time€the€abuse€occurred€and€its€consequentÐ Ð  Ðinability€to€identify€the€perpetrator€does€not€diminish€the€fact€that€Ms.€Goffððs€report€of€abuse€appearÐ À Ðto€have€been€well„founded.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú15Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð ° ÐÌà  àA€partyððs€misconduct€during€a€divorce€proceeding€may€provide€evidence€of€his€or€her€fitnessÐ à Ðto€be€the€custodial€parent.€€òòSee€Adams€v.€Cooperóó,€No.€M1999„02664„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WLÐ €Ð Ð225573,€at€*7€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Feb.€29,€2000)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);€òòGaskill€v.Ð pÀ ÐGaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€633„34.€€However,€the€courts€should€be€hesitant€to€use€this€sort€of€behaviorÐ `° Ðas€grounds€for€custody€decisions€when€contempt€and€other€remedies€are€available.€€òòSee€Brumit€v.Ð P  ÐBrumitóó,€948€S.W.2d€739,€741€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€€Whatever€Ms.€Goffððs€prior€transgressions€haveÐ @ Ðbeen,€the€trial€court€has€found€that€ð ðshe€is€now€doing€all€the€right€thingsðð€and€that€ð ð[h]ad€she€beenÐ 0€ Ðconducting€herself€in€this€fashion€all€along,€petition€to€change€custody€would€never€have€been€givenÐ  p Ða€chance.ðð€€In€light€of€this€finding,€the€trial€courtððs€concern€about€the€genuineness€of€Ms.€GoffððsÐ ` Ðchange€in€behavior€and€its€apprehension€that€ð ðshe€will€revert€to€her€prior€practices€as€time€passesððÐ P Ðdo€not€provide€an€adequate€basis€for€changing€custody.€€The€trial€court€should€deal€with€Ms.€GoffððsÐ ð@ Ðfuture€transgressions€if€or€when€they€occur.Ð à0 ÐÌà@……)ìàò òII.ó óˆÐ À! ÐÌà  àWe€reverse€the€March€24,€1999€order€changing€custody€from€Ms.€Goff€to€Mr.€Richard€andÐ  #ð! Ðremand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€with€directions€to€enter€an€order€returning€custody€to€Ms.€GoffÐ $à" Ðunder€conditions€either€agreed€to€by€the€parties€or€prescribed€by€the€court€to€protect€the€child.€€WeÐ €%Ð # Ðtax€the€costs€of€this€appeal€in€equal€proportions€to€Leslie€Ann€Goff€and€her€surety€and€to€DavidÐ p&À!$ ÐWayne€Richard€for€which€execution,€if€necessary,€may€issue.