ÿWPCö r %AÕÜ3D%º• )ìÎ;’3˜D’¬$„MO)±×eÿ&†½Ì‚xÓV¾ÉªìøÌÙÊiÇZ”ž€³*½÷»3¯ƒ›t a(xp0)[Q‡J2ƬMF¯¥¨n<C)ml¤¾.Nbð\AaY•sJ ™œæ“¾¹vç7Ì%üâM¨&,%(„«*ÞM¹0jøZ&ÓjÚ?¥Ö™>ažkhuAêb %\UNb 0ˆ°UN8U<†^ ÂwÎ zÒÒL 4 N2 4 C ÆE Æ ÆÑ Æ— m] Nt #Év N?EA 0DCb‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡béééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééé 0ëññññ BÜÜ 0¤ù D5 D-Ò 0Kÿÿ ASJÆ 0¤c 0D A«K»(@øÐ Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular-šBu Z‹$Arrus BT Roman'}—1Ï  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt6hö001s033|x Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó XÝ ƒR 1$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôæ4 ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Paragraph€#2€of€the€Refereeððs€Findings€required€Father€to€transport€the€children€to€and€from€extracurricularÐ ° Ðactivities.€€This€paragraph€was€not€ð ðreconfirmedðð€by€the€October€9,€2003€Order.- ù-(|G2 1$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ç9»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôîÌò»»Ô d(|3÷$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ç9»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3÷$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ç9»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€É¡»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼É¡»»»ÔÑ8€ŸoXXdé»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ò ò ìàÔ‡î7.ɡÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼É¡»îî7. #ԈРÓ# ÐÓ  ÓOn„Brief€October€19,€2004€SessionÐ öF ÐÔ‡XŸoX»¼É¡ÔÌò òÔ#†¼É¡»XXŸoü#ÔIN€THE€MATTER€OF€B.A.L.€and€A.E.L.òòóóÔ‡XŸoX»¼É¡Ôó óÐ ï? ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ é 9 Ðà@@øøìàNo.€F6943€The€Honorable€Herbert€Lane,€Special€JudgeÐ Ó # ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<` AßÐ ‘á  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2004„00826„COA„R3„JV€„€Filed€December€23,€2004Ð ŠÚ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<]` AßÐ ^®  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X3lXXXŸoÔà  àThis€is€a€child€custody€case.€Father/Appellant€appeals€from€the€trial€court's€Order,€whichÐ V¦  Ðdenied€Father/Appellant's€Petition€to€change€custody€from€the€minor€childrenððs€Mother€to€Father.Ð ? ÐFinding€that€there€is€not€a€material€change€in€circumstances€to€warrant€a€change€of€custody,€weÐ (x Ðaffirm.Ð a ÐÔ#†XŸoXXX3l‹#ÔÔ#†¼É¡»XXŸoj#ÔÔ‡XŸoX»¼É¡ÔÌÓÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmed€ó óÐ Ì ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼É¡»àXŸos#ÔÔ‡XŸoX.¼É¡ÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Highers,Ð Ÿï ÐJ.óó€and€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð ˆØ ÐÌWilliam€T.€Winchester€of€Memphis€for€Appellant,€Craig€A.€LottÐ Zª ÐÌCharles€A.€Sevier€of€Memphis€for€Appellee,€Countess€Jeanine€FlemingÐ ,| ÐÓÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼É¡»XXŸoB#ÔÔ‡XŸoX»¼É¡ÔÐ þN ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼É¡»XXŸo #ÔÓ  Óò òòòóóòòó óóóÑ8€3lXdéXXdé8ÑÔ€XŸoX»¼É¡Ôà  àOn€or€about€August€21,€1994,€Craig€A.€Lott€(ð ðLott,ðð€ð ðFather,ðð€or€ð ðAppellantðð)€and€CountessÐ Ñ!!! ÐJeanine€Fleming€(ð ðFleming,ðð€ð ðMother,ðð€or€ð ðAppelleeðð)€executed€a€ð ðVoluntary€AcknowledgmentÐ º" " Ðof€Paternity€of€a€Childðð€as€to€A.E.L.€(d.o.b.€8/19/94).€€On€December€28,€1994,€the€trial€court€enteredÐ £#ó# Ðan€ð ðOrder€of€Legitimation,ððdeclaring€A.E.L.€to€be€the€natural€child€of€Lott.€€A€second€minor€child,Ð Œ$Ü$ ÐB.A.L.€(d.o.b.€9/16/92),€had€been€legitimated€as€Lottððs€child€on€July€19,€1993.€€Ð u%Å % ÐÌà  àOn€October€6,€1995,€Fleming€filed€a€ð ðPetition€to€Modify€Order,ðð€seeking€to€modify€theÐ G'—"' ÐDecember€28,€1994€Order€to€include€provisions€for€payment€of€health€insurance€and€child€supportÐ 0(€#( Ðby€Lott.€€On€October€23,€1995,€the€ð ðFindings€and€Recommendations€of€the€Refereeðð€were€confirmedÐ )i$) Ðas€the€decree€of€the€trial€court€and€Lott€was€ordered€to€pay€$756.00€monthly€in€child€support.€€OnÐ *R%* ÐOctober€23,€1995,€Lott€requested€a€hearing€before€the€Judge.€€A€hearing€was€granted€and€the€OctoberÐ ë*;&+ Ð23,€1995€Order€was€modified€on€November€20,€1995€to€require€Lott€to€pay€$666.75€per€month€inÐ Ô+$', Ðchild€support.€€On€December€21,€1995,€an€ð ðIncome€Assignment€Orderðð€was€entered,€authorizingÐ ½, (- Ðdeduction€from€Lottððs€paycheck€to€cover€arrearage€and€ongoing€child€support.Ð ¦-ö(.ý Ðà  àOn€January€25,€1996,€Lott€filed€a€ð ðPetition€to€Establish€Paternity,€Request€for€Blood€Test€andÐ ° Ðto€Schedule€Visitation€[in€the€event€that€blood€tests€revealed€Lottððs€paternity]ðð€as€to€A.E.L.€€ByÐ ™é ÐOrder€of€March€7,€1996,€all€parties€were€required€to€submit€to€blood€tests.€€The€blood€tests€revealedÐ ‚Ò ÐLott€to€be€the€natural€father€of€A.E.L.€and,€on€May€16,€1996,€the€trial€court€entered€an€Order,€whichÐ k» Ðreads,€in€relevant€part,€as€follows:Ð T¤ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIT€IS€THEREFORE€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED,€AND€DECREEDÐ& v` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€That€said€child(ren)€shall€be€a€legitimate€child(ren)€of€theÐ  _ Ðdefendant€for€purposes€of€inheritance,€support,€and€all€other€lawfulÐ ø H Ðpurposes€and€that€custody€of€said€child(ren)€be€awarded€to€theÐ á 1  Ðmother.ÐÊ  ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€That€the€defendant€pay€all€medical€expenses€incident€to€the€birthÐ œì  Ðof€said€child(ren)€and€that€he€pay€$635.20€monthly,€Clerkððs€feeÐ …Õ  Ðincluded,€to€the€Clerk€of€Court€toward€the€support€of€said€child€andÐ n¾  Ðanother€child€previously€legitimated€on€July€19,€1993,€docket€numberÐ W§  ÐD9203,€beginning€May,€1996,€and€that€future€payments€be€made€byÐ @ Ðincome€assignment.€€Unless€specifically€ordered€by€the€Court,€suchÐ )y Ðsupport€shall€not€be€reduced€or€prorated.Ðb` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€That€the€defendant€shall€provide€medical€insurance€for€theÐ ä4 Ðchild(ren),€or€in€the€alternative,€that€he€be€responsible€for€theÐ Í Ðchild(ren)ððs€medical€expenses.ж` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à4.€€That€the€surname€of€said€child(ren)€be€changed€to€that€of€theÐ ˆØ Ðdefendant,€the€natural€father€of€said€child(ren).ÐqÁ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à5.€€That€the€defendant€shall€reimburse€the€State€for€blood€tests€in€theÐ C“ Ðamount€of€$165.00.Ð,|` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à6.€€That€the€father€of€said€children,€Craig€Anderson€Lott,€shall€haveÐ þN Ðvisitation€privileges€with€said€children€every€other€week€from€6:00Ð ç 7 ÐP.M.€Thursday€until€6:00€P.M.€Friday,€in€Memphis,€at€the€home€ofÐ Ð!   Ðthe€paternal€grandparents.й" !` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à7.€€That€the€defendant€shall€pay€the€costs€for€which€execution€mayÐ ‹$Û# Ðissue.Ðt%Ä $` x` x ÐÌA€second€ð ðIncome€Assignment€Orderðð€was€executed€on€June€6,€1996€to€replace€the€December€21,Ð F'–"& Ð1996€Order€and€to€reflect€the€change€in€support€obligation€evinced€by€the€May€16,€1996€Order.Ð /(#' ÐÌà  àOn€February€3,€2003,€Fleming€filed€a€ð ðMotion€to€Modify€Order,ðð€seeking€to€increase€LottððsÐ *Q%) Ðchild€support€obligation.€€The€ð ðFindings€and€Recommendations€of€Referee,ðð€which€increased€LottððsÐ ê*:&* Ðmonthly€child€support€to€$881.20,€were€confirmed€as€the€decree€of€the€trial€court€on€February€25,Ð Ó+#'+ Ð2000.€€On€February€25,€2000,€Lott€requested€a€hearing€before€the€Judge.€€Following€a€hearing,€theÐ ° ÐRefereeððs€ruling€of€February€25,€2000€was€reconfirmed€by€Order€of€March€23,€2000.€€An€ð ðAmendedÐ ™é ÐIncome€Assignment€Orderðð€had€been€entered€on€March€2,€2000€to€reflect€the€increase€in€LottððsÐ ‚Ò Ðsupport€obligation.Ð k» ÐÌà  àOn€January€30,€2003,€Lott€filed€a€ð ðPetition€to€Establish€and/or€Modify€Custody€and/orÐ =  ÐVisitation,ðð€(the€ð ðPetition).€€The€Petition€reads,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð & v ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€Petitioner€is€the€natural€father€of€the€minor€children,€who€currentlyÐ ø H Ðreside€with€the€Respondent,€the€natural€mother.Ðá 1 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€There€have€been€prior€proceedings€establishing€paternity€for€bothÐ ³  Ðchildren€under€this€docket€number,€and€Docket€Number€D9203.€Ð œì  ÐPursuant€to€the€establishment€of€paternity€and€legitimization,Ð …Õ  Ðvisitation€for€the€Petitioner€and€child€support€were€set.Ðn¾ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€There€has€never€been€a€hearing€on€custody,€but€custody€is€with€theÐ @ ÐRespondent€pursuant€to€Tennessee€law€regarding€children€born€outÐ )y Ðof€wedlock.Ðb` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à4.€€Petitioner€requests€that€this€Court€conduct€an€initial€custodyÐ ä4 Ðdetermination€for€the€minor€children,€or€alternatively,€Petitioner€aversÐ Í Ðthat€a€material€change€of€circumstances€has€occurred€which€warrantsÐ ¶ Ða€change€in€custody€or€a€modification€of€visitation.Пï` x` x ÐÌà  àOn€February€26,€2003,€Fleming€filed€a€ð ðMotion€to€Modify€Order,ðð€again€seeking€an€increaseÐ qÁ Ðin€child€support.€€On€June€12,€2003,€the€trial€court€entered€an€Order€based€on€the€Refereeððs€FindingsÐ Zª Ðand€Recommendations,€which€modified€Lottððs€visitation.€€On€June€12,€2003,€Lott€requested€aÐ C“ Ðhearing€before€the€Judge.€€On€July€1,€2003,€the€Findings€and€Recommendations€of€the€Referee,Ð ,| Ðraising€Lottððs€child€support€obligation€to€$1,055€per€month,€were€confirmed€by€the€trial€court.Ð e ÐÌà  àOn€or€about€August€28,€2003,€the€trial€court,€with€the€Juvenile€Court€Special€Judge€presiding,Ð ç 7 Ðbegan€the€requested€rehearing;€however,€the€matter€was€recessed€so€that€a€Guardian€ad€Litem€couldÐ Ð!   Ðbe€appointed.€€A€Guardian€ad€Litem€was€appointed€by€Order€of€September€3,€2003.€€Ð ¹" ! ÐÌà  àOn€October€9,€2003,€after€completing€the€hearing,€the€trial€court€entered€an€Order,€whichÐ ‹$Û# Ðð ðreconfirmedðð€the€Refereeððs€June€12,€2003€recommendation.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€On€November€10,€2003,€Lott€filedÐ t%Ä $ Ða€ð ðMotion€to€Alter€or€Amend€Judgment,ðð€which€reads,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð ]&­!% ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€Petitioner€is€the€natural€father€of€the€minor€children.Ð/(#'` x` x ÐÐ )h$( Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€At€the€hearing€of€this€cause,€the€Court€indicated€that€it€would€haveÐ ° Ðchanged€custody€from€the€Mother€to€the€Father€but€for€theÐ ™é Ðrecommendation€of€the€Guardian€Ad€Litem.ЂÒ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€The€material€facts€ascertained€at€the€hearing€of€this€matter€includeÐ T¤ Ðthe€following:Ð= ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàa.€€Tamara€Golden,€Motherððs€sister,€testified€that€theÐ  _ ÐMother€had,€on€numerous€occasions,€left€the€minorÐ ø H Ðchildren€at€home€alone,€and€that€sister€went€over€toÐ á 1  Ðtake€the€minor€children€to€school.ÐÊ  ¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàb.€€Tamara€Golden,€Motherððs€sister€from€Memphis,Ð ³  Ðtestified€that€the€Mother€does€not€allow€the€minorÐ œì  Ðchildren€to€visit€with€Motherððs€own€family.Ð…Õ ¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàc.€€Roslyn€Fleming,€Motherððs€sister€from€California,Ð n¾  Ðtestified€that€Mother€walked€around€the€house€nakedÐ W§  Ðwhile€Motherððs€boyfriend€and€minor€children€wereÐ @ Ðpresent.Ð)y¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàd.€€Roslyn€Fleming,€Motherððs€sister€from€California,Ð b Ðtestified€that€Mother€told€the€minor€son€that€MotherÐ ûK Ðwas€going€to€send€him€to€boarding€school.Ðä4¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàe.€€Milton€Lott,€Fatherððs€father,€testified€that€MotherÐ Í Ðinterfered€with€Fatherððs€visitation€time,€and€on€oneÐ ¶ Ðoccasion,€called€the€police€demanding€that€he€turnÐ Ÿï Ðover€the€children€to€Mother€even€though€it€was€stillÐ ˆØ ÐFatherððs€visitation€time.ÐqÁ¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàf.€€Lubertha€Lott,€Fatherððs€mother,€testified€thatÐ Zª ÐMother€calls€on€numerous€occasions€during€FatherððsÐ C“ Ðvisitation€time.Ð,|¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàg.€€Lubertha€Lott,€Fatherððs€mother,€testified€thatÐ e Ð[Father]€lives€with€his€parents,€that€the€house€is€largeÐ þN Ðenough€to€accommodate€the€children,€and€that€theÐ ç 7 ÐFather€has€a€great€relationship€with€the€minorÐ Ð!   Ðchildren.€Ð¹" !¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàh.€€Father€testified€that€Mother€routinely€interferesÐ ¢#ò" Ðwith€his€visitation,€that€Mother€plans€activities€for€theÐ ‹$Û# Ðminor€children€during€Fatherððs€visitation€time,€andÐ t%Ä $ Ðthat€Mother€has€on€several€occasions€denied€hisÐ ]&­!% Ðvisitation.ÐF'–"&¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xài.€€Father€testified€that€he€has€a€great€relationship€withÐ /(#' Ðhis€children,€and€that€they€want€to€live€with€him.Ð)h$(¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàj.€€Mother€testified€that€she€did€not€think€anyone€hadÐ *Q%) Ðâ âa€right€to€interfere€with€her€parental€authority.Ðê*:&*¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàk.€€Mother€admitted€th[at]€she€has,€on€manyÐ ° Ðâ âoccasions,€left€the€minor€children€at€home€alone,€butÐ ™é Ðth[at]€she€did€not€have€any€concerns€about€theÐ ‚Ò Ðchildrenððs€safety€while€they€were€home€alone.Ðk»¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàl.€€Mother€testified€that€everyone€that€had€testified€inÐ T¤ Ðthis€case,€except€her€and€her€witnesses,€had€lied.€€ThisÐ =  Ðincludes€Motherððs€sisters.Ð& v¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàm.€€Mother€admitted€that€she€had€scheduled€activitiesÐ  _ Ðfor€the€minor€children€during€fatherððs€visitation,Ð ø H Ðincluding€the€Fatherððs€summer€visitation€during€whichÐ á 1  Ðhe€wanted€to€take€the€children€to€his€family€reunion.ÐÊ  ¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàn.€€At€the€conclusion€of€the€hearing,€Mother€stood€upÐ ³  Ðand€stated€that€the€minor€son€wanted€to€live€with€hisÐ œì  ÐFather,€at€which€time€Motherððs€attorney€stopped€herÐ …Õ  Ðfrom€talking.Ðn¾ ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à4.€€ð ðA€material€change€of€circumstance€does€not€require€a€showing€ofÐ @ Ða€substantial€risk€of€harm€to€the€child.€€òòA€material€change€ofÐ )y Ðcircumstance€may€includeóó,€but€is€not€limited€to,€òòfailures€to€adhereóó€toÐ b Ðthe€parenting€plan€or€òòan€order€of€custody€and€visitationóó€orÐ ûK Ðòòcircumstancesóó€which€make€the€parenting€plan€òòno€longer€in€the€bestÐ ä4 Ðinterest€of€the€childóó.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„101(a)(2)(B)Ð Í Ð(emphasis€added).ж` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àFROM€ALL,€Father€avers€that€a€material€change€ofÐ ˆØ Ðcircumstances€has€occurred€which€warrants€a€change€of€custody,€andÐ qÁ Ðrequests€this€Court€to€alter€or€amend€its€judgment€and€award€FatherÐ Zª Ðcustody€of€the€minor€children.ÐC“` x` x ÐÌà  àBy€Order€of€March€25,€2004,€the€trial€court€denied€Lottððs€Motion€to€Alter€or€Amend.€€LottÐ e Ðappeals€and€raises€two€issues€for€review€as€stated€in€his€brief:Ð þN ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€requiring€the€Father€to€prove€aÐ Ð!   Ðmaterial€change€of€circumstances€in€order€to€modify€custody€whereÐ ¹" ! Ðthere€had€never€been€a€hearing€on€custody.Т#ò"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€not€finding€that€there€was€aÐ t%Ä $ Ðmaterial€change€in€circumstances€that€warranted€a€change€in€custody,Ð ]&­!% Ðand€by€not€placing€the€minor€children€in€the€custody€of€the€Father.ÐF'–"&` x` x ÐÌà  àWe€first€note€that,€since€this€case€was€tried€by€a€court€sitting€without€a€jury,€we€review€theÐ )h$( Ðcase€ò òòòde€novoó óóó€upon€the€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact€by€the€trialÐ *Q%) Ðcourt.€€Unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€findings,€we€must€affirm,€absent€error€of€law.€Ð ë*;&* Ðò òòòSeeó óóó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€Ð Ô+$'+ Ðò òòòNo€Custody€HearingÐ ° Ðó óóóÌà0  àLott€first€asserts€that,€because€the€trial€court€allegedly€never€conducted€an€initial€hearingЃÓ(#(# Ðto€determine€custody,€the€trial€court€should€not€have€required€Lott€to€show€a€material€change€inÐ l¼ Ðcircumstances.€€We€disagree.€€First,€Paragraph€number€one€of€the€May€16,€1996€Order,€òòsee€supraóó,Ð U¥ Ðclearly€establishes€custody€with€the€Mother.€€Therefore,€there€has€been€a€prior€judicial€determinationÐ > Ž Ðregarding€custody.€€However,€even€absent€this€May€16,€2003€Order,€T.C.A.€ðð€36„2„303€(2001)Ð ' w Ðindicates€that€ð ð[a]bsent€an€order€of€custody€to€the€contrary,€custody€of€a€child€born€out€of€wedlockÐ  ` Ðis€with€the€mother.ðð€€Consequently,€custody€would€have€been€with€the€Mother€from€the€respectiveÐ ù I Ðbirthdays€of€these€children€regardless€of€a€court€order.€€Fatherððs€failure€to€raise€an€issue€concerningÐ â 2  Ðthe€trial€courtððs€determination€of€custody€and/or€the€statutory€default€regarding€custody€to€theÐ Ë   ÐMother€at€any€time€from€the€birth€of€these€children€(1992€and€1994€respectively)€until€his€PetitionÐ ´  Ðin€this€case,€constitutes€a€waiver.€€This€issue€is,€consequently,€without€merit.€€Ð í  Ðòòò òÌMaterial€Change€in€Circumstancesó óóóÐ pÀ  ÐÌà  àIn€child€custody€cases,€the€law€is€well€established€that€when€a€decree€awarding€custody€ofÐ C“ Ðchildren€has€been€entered,€that€decree€isòò€res€judicata€óóand€is€conclusive€in€a€subsequent€applicationÐ ,| Ðto€change€custody€unless€some€new€fact€has€occurred€which€has€altered€the€circumstances€in€aÐ e Ðmaterial€way€so€that€the€welfare€of€the€child€requires€a€change€of€custody.€òòò òLong€v.€Longó óóó,€488Ð þN ÐS.W.2d€729€(Tenn€.Ct.€App.1972).€In€short,€once€the€trial€court€has€made€an€initial€determinationÐ è8 Ðwith€respect€to€custody,€it€cannot€entertain€a€subsequent€petition€to€modify€custody€absent€a€materialÐ Ñ! Ðchange€in€circumstances€such€that€the€welfare€of€the€child€demands€a€redetermination.€òòò òSee,€e.g.,Ð º  ÐMassengale€v.€Massengaleó óóó,€915€S.W.2d€818,€819€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1995).€A€"material€change€inÐ ¤ô Ðcircumstances"€justifying€modification€of€a€child€custody€order€may€include€factors€arising€after€theÐ ŽÞ Ðinitial€determination€or€changed€conditions€that€could€not€be€anticipated€at€the€time€of€the€originalÐ wÇ Ðorder.€òòò òSee€Blair€v.€Badenhopeó óóó,€940€S.W.2d€575,€576€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1996)€(citing€òòò òDalton€v.€Daltonó óóó,Ð `° Ð858€S.W.2d€324,€326€(Tenn.Ct.App.1993)).€If€the€trial€court€finds€that€there€has€been€a€materialÐ Jš Ðchange€in€circumstances,€it€will€then€consider€the€petition€to€modify€custody€using€a€best€interestÐ 3ƒ Ðstandard.€òòò òWoolsey€v.€McPhersonó óóó,€No.€02A01-9706-JV-00125,€1998€WL€760950,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð l ÐApp.Nov.2,€1998).€As€this€Court€has€previously€recognized,€there€is€a€strong€presumption€in€favorÐ  V Ðof€the€existing€custody€arrangement.€òòò òSmithson€v.€Eatherlyó óóó,€No.€01A01-9806-CV-00314,€1999€WLÐ ï ? Ð548586€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€29,€1999)€(citing€òòò òTaylor€v.€Tayloró óóó,€849€S.W.2d€319,€332Ð Ù!)  Ð(Tenn.1993)).€The€party€seeking€to€change€the€existing€custody€arrangement€has€the€burden€of€proofÐ Ã"! Ðto€show€both€that€the€child's€circumstances€have€materially€changed€in€a€way€that€was€not€reasonablyÐ ¬#ü" Ðforeseeable€at€the€time€of€the€original€custody€decision€and€that€changing€the€existing€custodyÐ •$å# Ðarrangement€will€serve€the€child's€best€interests.€òòò òGeiger€v.€Boyleó óóó,€No.€01A01-9809-CH-00467,€1999Ð ~%Î $ ÐWL€499733€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€16,€1999)€(citing€òòò òSmith€v.€Haaseó óóó,€521€S.W.2d€49,€50Ð h&¸!% Ð(Tenn.1975.));€òòò òMcDaniel€v.€McDanieló óóó,€743€S.W.2d€167,€169€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1987);€òòò òHall€v.€Halló óóó,Ð R'¢"& ÐNo.€01A01-9310-PB-00465,€1995€WL€316255,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€25,€1995).€Under€thisÐ <(Œ#' Ðstandard,€the€primary€inquiry€is€whether€there€has€been€a€material€change€in€the€child'sÐ %)u$( Ðcircumstances.€Although€there€is€no€concrete€definition€for€what€constitutes€a€material€change€ofÐ *^%) Ðcircumstances,€this€Court€has€enumerated€several€factors€that€should€be€taken€into€considerationÐ ÷*G&* Ðwhen€determining€whether€such€a€change€has€occurred.€In€general,€the€change€must€occur€after€theÐ à+0'+ Ðentry€of€the€order€sought€to€be€modified€and€the€change€cannot€be€one€that€was€known€or€reasonablyÐ ° Ðanticipated€when€the€order€was€entered.€òòò òTurner€v.€Turneró óóó,€776€S€.W.2d€88,€90€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð ™é ÐApp.1988);€òòò òDalton€v.€Daltonó óóó,€858€S.W.2d€324,€326€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1993).€In€addition,€the€materialÐ ƒÓ Ðchange€in€circumstances€must€be€a€change€in€the€child's€circumstances,€not€the€circumstances€ofÐ m½ Ðeither€or€both€of€the€parents.€òòò òMcCain€v.€Grimó óóó,€No.€01A01-9711-CH-00634,€1999€WL€820216€at€*2Ð V¦ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Oct.15,€1999).€Finally,€the€change€must€affect€the€child's€well-being€in€a€materialÐ @  Ðway.€òòò òDailey€v.€Daileyó óóó,€635€S.W.2d€391,€393€(Tenn.€Ct.€App€.1981).€Tennessee€courts€have€basedÐ ) y Ðmodification€of€child€custody€decrees€on€the€following€criteria:€the€character€of€the€custodian;€theÐ  c Ðconduct€of€the€custodian;€and€the€child's€welfare.€òòò òTownshend€v.€Binghamó óóó,€No.€02A01-Ð ü L Ð9801-CV-00019,€1999€WL€188290,€at€*4€-*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.6,€1999).€The€child's€preferenceÐ æ 6  Ðis€only€one€factor€to€be€considered€in€deciding€custody.€See€T.C.A.€ðð€36-6-106€(2001);€òòò òWilson€v.Ð Ï   ÐWilsonó óóó,€987€S.W.2d€555,€564€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1998);€òòò òHelson€v.€Cyrusó óóó,€989€S.W.2d€704,€707Ð ¹  Ð(Tenn.Ct.App.1998).€€The€party€seeking€a€change€in€custody€has€the€initial€burden€to€show€aÐ £ó  Ðmaterial€change€of€circumstances€which€affects€the€welfare€of€the€child.€òòò òHarris€v.€Harrisó óóó,€832Ð ŒÜ  ÐS.W.2d€352,€352€(Tenn.Ct.App.1992).€The€burden€remains€on€the€moving€party€to€show€that€he€orÐ vÆ  Ðshe€is€comparatively€more€fit€than€the€party€with€custody€under€the€challenged€custody€decree€andÐ _¯  Ðto€show€that€it€would€be€in€the€child's€best€interests€for€the€moving€party€to€be€the€custodial€parent.Ð H˜ Ðòòò òGorski€v.€Ragainsó óóó,€No.€01A01-9710-GS-00597,€1999€WL€511451€at€*4,€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€21,Ð 1 Ð1999)€(citing€òòò òNichols€v.€Nicholsó óóó,€792€S.W.2d€713,€715€(Tenn.1990));€òòò òRust€v.€Rustó óóó,€864€S€.W.2d€52,Ð k Ð56€(Tenn.Ct.App.1993).Ð U ÐÌà  àThe€record€before€us€in€this€case€is€incomplete€in€that€there€is€no€transcript€of€the€first€partÐ ×' Ðof€the€hearing,€which€occurred€on€August€28,€2003.€€It€is€well€settled€that€it€is€the€responsibility€ofÐ À Ðthe€Appellant€to€present€to€this€Court€a€full€and€complete€record€on€appeal.€In€the€absence€of€theÐ ©ù Ðaforementioned€transcript,€this€Court€is€in€the€difficult€position€of€deciding€a€fact„driven€caseÐ ’â Ðwithout€the€benefit€of€the€entire€testimony€adduced€at€the€hearing.€€However,€the€transcript€beforeÐ {Ë Ðthis€Court€does€contain€the€following,€relevant,€information,€concerning€what€transpired€at€theÐ d´ ÐAugust€28,€2003€hearing:Ð M ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTHE€COURT:€...Tell€me€what€you€recall€of€our€last€hearing...Ðo` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Ðñ A` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMR.€WINCHESTER€[attorney€for€Lott]:€First,€the€father€testifiedÐ Ã"! Ðwith€regards€to€his€concerns€about€the€way€the€mother€was€caring€forÐ ¬#ü" Ðthe€children.€€He€testified€as€to€her€written€appearance€with€hisÐ •$å# Ðregular€scheduled€visitation€with€the€children,€that€she€was€constantlyÐ ~%Î $ Ðscheduling€things€during€his€visitation€where€he€didnððt€do€much€ofÐ g&·!% Ðanything€(inaudible)€what€she€told€him€to€do.ÐP' "&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€father€testified€that€the€children€were€doingð!ðwere€they€inÐ ")r$( Ðschool€and€that€she€wasð!ðthe€mother€had€been€leaving€the€children€atÐ  *[%) Ðhome€sometimes€by€themselves.€€And€thatððs€where€one€of€the€sisters,Ð ô*D&* ÐTamara€Golden,€picked€up€with€regards€to€the€mother€leaving€theÐ Ý+-'+ Ðchildren€at€home€alone€by€themselves.€€In€some€instances,€theÐ ° Ðmotherð!ðMs.ð!ðexcuse€me,€Iððm€sorryð!ðMs.€Golden€would€have€to€goÐ ™é Ðover€to€the€childrenððs€house€because€they€would€call€her€in€theÐ ‚Ò Ðmorning€saying€they€missed€the€bus,€and€she€would€take€them€toÐ k» Ðschool.ÐT¤` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThere€were€some€instances€where€the€mother€pretty€much€cutÐ & v Ðoff€contact€with€Ms.€Golden€because€of€Ms.€Goldenððs€helping€theÐ  _ Ðchildren.€€There€was€one€instance€where€Ms.€Golden€took€theÐ ø H Ðchildren€to€theð!ðIððm€not€sure;€Iððve€got€an€abbreviation€hereð!ðto€theÐ á 1  Ðdoctor€or€the€dentist€because€Ms.€Fleming€would€not€do€so.ÐÊ  ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThen€there€was€another€issueð!ðthere€was€another€issue€comingÐ œì  Ðfrom€the€sister€from€California€where€she€would€be€at€home.€€SheÐ …Õ  Ðwould€visit€sometimes€and€Ms.€Fleming€would€be€laying€around€theÐ n¾  Ðhouse€without€any€clothes€on€in€front€of€the€children€while€herÐ W§  Ðboyfriend€was€living€there,€as€well.€€There€was€[sic]€instances€whereÐ @ Ðthe€children€were€having€to€go€iron€clothes€and€stuff€of€that€natureÐ )y Ðand€sometimes€in€the€dark.€€And€then€at€that€point€is€when€the€CourtÐ b Ðdecided€to€appoint€a€Guardian€ad€Litem.ÐûK` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTHE€COURT:€And€Ms.€Kirk€[attorney€for€Fleming],€do€you€want€toÐ Í Ðtell€me€what€your€recollections€of€the€proof€are?ж` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMS.€KIRK:€I€donððt€have€in€my€notes€anything€about€the€trip€to€theÐ ˆØ Ðdentist.€€I€donððt€know€if€thatððs€just€something€I€missed.€€I€do€have€thatÐ qÁ Ðthere€was€one€time€that€the€childrenð!ðshe€[Ms.€Golden]€had€to€pick€theÐ Zª Ðchildren€up€in€the€morning.€€They€called€her€because€they€missed€theÐ C“ Ðbus.€€I€did€have€in€my€notes€that€they€[Fleming€and€Ms.€Golden]€wereÐ ,| Ðnot€close€and€that€they€donððt€talk€to€each€other€very€much....Ðe` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Ðç 7` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àI€also€have€notes€from€her€[Rosalyn€Fleming,€Flemingððs€sisterÐ ¹" ! Ðfrom€Californiaððs]€testimony€that€she€[Fleming]€walks€around€with€noÐ ¢#ò" Ðclothes€on.€€I€asked€her€a€specific€date€of€when€this€happened.€€SheÐ ‹$Û# Ðcould€not€give€me€any€date,€nor€could€she€give€me€any€specific€datesÐ t%Ä $ Ðof€when€she€was€particularly€there€to€visit.Ð]&­!%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àI€do€have€in€my€notes€that€she€had€resisted€questions€aboutÐ /(#' Ðtheir€[Rosalyn€Fleming€and€Flemingððs]€relationship€and€that€basicallyÐ )h$( Ðshe€did€say€that€they€donððt€talk€very€much€and€havenððt€for€a€coupleÐ *Q%) Ðof€years,€at€least.Ðê*:&*` x` x ÐÐ Ó+#'+ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTHE€COURT:€And€I€have€notations€in€addition€to€that.€€She€[RosalynÐ ° ÐFleming]€said€that€the€mother€of€the€children€made€the€children€feelÐ ™é Ðunwanted,€that€she€was€constantly€telling€[B.A.L.]€that€[Mother€wasÐ ‚Ò Ðgoing€to€send€him€to€boarding€school].Ðk»` x` x ÐÌà  àFrom€the€testimony€that€we€do€have€before€us€in€the€transcript,€it€is€very€apparent€that€thereÐ =  Ðis€a€great€deal€of€acrimony€between€Mr.€Lott€and€Ms.€Fleming.€€It€is€also€apparent€that€both€of€theseÐ & v Ðparties€have€very€definitive€ideas€about€parenting,€which€rarely€overlap.€€In€terms€of€theÐ  _ Ðcircumstances€that€Lott€has€alleged€as€constituting€a€material€change€such€that€custody€should€beÐ ø H Ðremoved€from€Fleming,€we€find€those€fact€to€be€largely€disputed€in€the€record€before€us.€€AlthoughÐ á 1  ÐFleming€admits€that€she€would€leave€the€children€in€the€house€alone€from€approximately€6:40€A.M.Ð Ê   Ðuntil€they€left€for€the€bus€at€7:25€A.M.,€the€record€reveals€that€this€arrangement€has€ceased€now€thatÐ ³  ÐFleming€is€teaching€at€a€new€location.€€The€testimony€from€Flemingððs€sisters€is€certainly€notÐ œì  Ðflattering€to€her;€however,€there€is€evidence€to€suggest€that€Fleming€and€her€sisters€are€estranged.€Ð …Õ  ÐLikewise,€the€testimony€of€Mr.€Lottððs€parents,€that€the€children€were€not€always€kempt,€is€disputedÐ n¾  Ðby€the€respective€testimonies€of€Maria€Johnson€and€Patricia€Jones.€€It€is€well€settled€that€wòòóóÔ‡XŸoXXXŸoÔhen€theÐ W§  Ðresolution€of€the€issues€in€a€case€depends€upon€the€truthfulness€of€witnesses,€the€trial€judge€who€hasÐ @ Ðthe€opportunity€to€observe€the€witnesses€in€their€manner€and€demeanor€while€testifying€is€in€a€farÐ )y Ðbetter€position€than€this€Court€to€decide€those€issues.€€ò òòòMcCaleb€v.€Saturn€Corp.ó óóó,€910€S.W.2d€412,Ð b Ð415€(Tenn.€1995);Ô#†XŸoXXXŸoe}#ÔÔ‡XŸoXXXŸoÔòòò ò€Whitaker€v.€Whitakeróóó óÔ#†XŸoXXXŸoH#ÔÔ‡XŸoXXXŸoÔ,€957€S.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.€App.€1997).€€The€weight,Ð üL Ðfaith,€and€credit€to€be€given€to€any€witnessððs€testimony€lies€in€the€first€instance€with€the€trier€of€fact,Ð æ6 Ðand€the€credibility€accorded€will€be€given€great€weight€by€the€appellate€court.€€òòò òIdó óóó.;€ò òòòIn€re€Estate€ofÐ Ï ÐWalton€v.€Youngó óóó,€950€S.W.2d€956,€959€(Tenn.€1997).Ô#†XŸoXXXŸo«#Ô€Ô‡X3lXXXŸoÔÐ ¹  ÐÌà  àThe€testimony€of€the€Guardian€ad€Litem€suggests€that€Flemingððs€conduct,€although€notÐ ŒÜ Ðtextbook€parenting,€does€not€rise€to€the€level€of€emotional€abuse€or€neglect.€€The€Guardian€ad€Litem,Ð uÅ Ðas€well€as€the€trial€court,€also€expressed€concern€about€Lott€discussing€court€matters€with€theÐ ^® Ðchildren.€€In€short,€neither€of€these€parents€is€perfect€but,€at€the€same€time,€either€home€would€beÐ G— Ðsuitable€for€these€children.€€Since€custody€was€established€with€Ms.€Fleming,€the€burden€in€this€caseÐ 0€ Ðis€on€Mr.€Lott€to€show€a€material€change€of€circumstances€which€affects€the€welfare€of€the€children.Ð i Ðòòò òHarris€v.€Harrisó óóó,€832€S.W.2d€352,€352€(Tenn.Ct.App.1992).€The€burden€remains€with€Mr.€Lott€toÐ  R Ðshow€that€he€is€comparatively€more€fit€than€the€Ms.€Fleming€such€that€it€would€be€in€these€children'sÐ ì < Ðbest€interests€for€custody€to€be€removed€from€Ms.€Fleming.€òòò òGorski€v.€Ragainsó óóó,€No.Ð Õ!%  Ð01A01-9710-GS-00597,€1999€WL€511451€at€*4,€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€21,€1999)€(citing€òòò òNichols€v.Ð ¿"! ÐNicholsó óóó,€792€S.W.2d€713,€715€(Tenn.1990));€òòò òRust€v.€Rustó óóó,€864€S€.W.2d€52,€56€(Tenn.Ct.App.1993).€Ð ©#ù" ÐFrom€the€entire€record€before€us,€we€cannot€say€that€Mr.€Lott€has€met€this€burden.Ð “$ã# ÐÌà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€affirm€the€Order€of€the€trial€court.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€areÐ e&µ!% Ðassessed€against€the€Appellant,€Craig€A.€Lott,€and€his€surety.Ð N'ž"& ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________________Ð  *Y%) Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àÔ€¼dj»XX3lÔW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.J.,W.S.Ð ò*B&* ÐÔ#†¼É¡»»¼dj#Ô