ÿWPCÚ) DU$BÈ % ® 0t¾ 0Å2 0\÷ 0S 0rà 0R D+ß Æ 0Ð 0=] 0š AQ' 0¶x 0D.# r}n 0 rU:w@<4| 0J 0TÚ 0^. BŒ 0h© 0r 0|ƒ D3ÿL2~ 0†† 0  1uœ 0dU *}B)§DCÐ AK^‹`ëõÎý¾Ë v~‰"vÓ$ô\  `*Times New RomanTTô' Í The Plaintiffs appeal the trial courts final judgment which up (Authorized User(0Authorized User .   h††ÿÿ:Default ParaDefault Paragraph FontÔ€XXXÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ€ôôôÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔ<5Tÿÿ.footerfooterÓ  ÓÓ ÜÜü!ÓÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÓ>4°X°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#>ÓP††ÿÿ8page numberpage numberÔ€XXXÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ€ôôôÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔV!ÿÿ:footnote texfootnote textÓ  ÓÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  Ô`‰‰ÿÿ:footnote reffootnote referenceÔ€XXXÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔòòóóÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ€ôôôÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔ(e2ß $©©Ý ƒä!ÝÔ€ôÞ%ôôôÔÔ€ôÞ%ôôôÞ%ÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ý'ÈÈÈÈdxdƒ Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5(e2ß $££Ý ƒä!ÝÔ€ôÞ%ôôôÔÔ€ôÞ%ôôôÞ%ÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ý(ÿÿ$””Ú  ÚÚ  Ú(e2ß $¢¢Ý ƒä!ÝÔ€ôÞ%ôôôÔÔ€ôÞ%ôôôÞ%ÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ý   Cþÿ<< cÿÿ(f(3\‡$¤¤Ý ƒä!ÝÔ€ôÞ%ôôôÔÔ€ôÞ%ôôôÞ%ÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLlÎ3|xr!«ô\  `*Times New RomanTTôôCô\  PŽ6QôPô\  `*Times New RomanTTXXPô\  PŽ6QXP%ä2¼A`ArialTTomanTTXXXä2¼P±ŠQXP(Jä$¡¡Ô€ô~4ôôôÔÔ€ô~4ôôô~4ÔÓ  Ó+ÄâK AZ"Arial Regular `! a!gb! îc!Dd!Ue!f!gg!Ó€q! r!zƒ=#V2 ÿÿ0Indent1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô2" ÿÿ0Indent2à0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2, ÿÿ0Indent3à0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô d26 ÿÿ0Indent4à0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2@ ÿÿ0Indent5à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2J ÿÿ0Indent6à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô$$$$'ÿÿdxdC:\OFFICE\WPWIN\TEMPLATE\STANDARD.WPT2T ÿÿ0Indent7à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2^ ÿÿ0Indent8à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô#%'(-. ÿÿ?AGMSYaioIndent0I.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)P ÿÿ8Mac DefaultMac DefaultÓ ` °šXÓ< Œ 9p`(Arial% Line 7 d99997Border 1dd :Cþÿ << Gÿÿ øÝ ƒ!ÝÔ€ÔÔ€ôÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ€8ÔÔ€8ÔÓ  Óò òÔ YYY ÔFILEDÔ€8XÔÌÌOctober€22,€1997ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔ  Ôó ó Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€ôÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÔ€8ÔAt€the€final€custody€hearing,€the€parties€again€agreed€that€the€Father€should€have€custody€of€theÏdaughter.€€Accordingly,€the€custody€issues€on€appeal€relate€only€to€the€partiesðð€two€sons.Ô€ÔÌ Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€ôÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÔ€8ÔòòSeeóó€òòGallagherv.€Adkinsóó,€1988€WL€34085,€at€*7€(Koch,€J.,€concurring).Ô€ÔÌ ëÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€ôÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÔ€8ÔòòSeeóó€T.C.A.€ðð36„6„106(3)€(1996).Ô€ÔÌ ÄÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€ôÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÔ€8ÔThe€custody€of€the€partiesðð€daughter€is€not€at€issue€in€this€appeal.€€In€fairness€to€Mr.€Strouth,Ïhowever,€we€feel€compelled€to€mention€that,€in€its€written€opinion,€the€trial€court€specifically€found€that€theÏallegations€of€sexual€abuse€were€not€proved.€Ô€ÔÌ ´Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€ôÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÔ€8ÔòòBut€seeóó€òòGallagherv.€Adkinsóó,€1988€WL€34085,€at€*6€(Koch,€J.,€concurring)€(opining€that€evidenceÏdid€not€provide€sufficient€basis€to€issue€temporary€restraining€orders€changing€custody€to€father€pendingÏfinal€modification€hearing).Ô€ÔÌPtPtHHÚ(ÿáÿâùFG(üHHØ(d'`Styl{WP}01•ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ãà Ãà Ãà Ãà ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÐ ÐÐHHÐÐ  ÐÐ2ÐÐÿÿ¸æ$ÿÐÐHHÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ  ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÑÑÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÑ € ÑÑ<Px–ÈÑÒÒÒ443!#4ÒÒ$ *$ÒÒ$*$ÒÒ ÿKK ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÓ.,ÓÓÓÓ6ÓÓ ÓßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÒ  ion-F Geneva ÒÒ  ion-F Geneva ÒÝ ƒ!ÝÔ . ÔÔ€ÔÔ€ôÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÓ ` Ü›XÓÑ\R AØ'\ÑÔ€8ÔÔ€8XÔÑ7€¾eXXdðXXdð7Ñ›Þ ÞÌà@ àò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÌà@ àWESTERN€SECTION€AT€NASHVILLEÌÌÌSUSAN€LYNN€MARTIN€BJORKà àà à)Ì(STROUTH),à àà àà àà à)€€Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìœ›à àó óRespondent/Appellant,à àà àò ò)€€Rutherford€Circuit€No.€28664Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)ÌVS.à àà àà àà àà àà à)€€Appeal€No.€01A01„9702„CV„00087Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)ÌJAMES€ALBERT€BJORK,à àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àó óPetitioner/Appellee.à àà àà àò ò)ó óÌÌÌà@ àAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CIRCUIT€COURT€OF€RUTHERFORD€COUNTYÌà@ àAT€MURFREESBORO,€TENNESSEEÌà@ àTHE€HONORABLE€ROBERT€E.€CORLEW,€III,€CHANCELLORÌ̜ـ ÙßR€;<:A1-j|¬ö` ç `€€@ÿRß›ÌÌÌÌÌÌò òPHILIP€E.€SMITHó óÌò òROBERT€TODD€JACKSONó óÌNashville,€TennesseeÌAttorneys€for€AppellantÌÌÌò òR.€STEVEN€WALDRONó óÌò òTERRY€A.€FANNó óÌò òWALDRON€&€FANNÌó óMurfreesboro,€TennesseeÌAttorneys€for€AppelleeÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌò òAFFIRMED€AS€MODIFIED€AND€REMANDEDÌÌÌÌÌÌœ›Ìó óà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àò òALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.ÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌCRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.ÌÌHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.ó óœà àÌÑ7€¾eXXdðXXdð7ÑÓÓà àSusan€Lynn€Martin€Bjork€Strouth€(Mother)€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€ordersÏchanging€temporary€and€permanent€custody€of€two€of€the€partiesðð€minor€children€toÏAppellee€James€Albert€Bjork€(Father).€€For€the€reasons€stated€hereinafter,€we€affirm€theÏtrial€courtððs€judgment,€with€one€modification.ÌÌà àThe€parties€were€divorced€in€December€1991€in€Rutherford€County.€The€finalÏdivorce€decree€awarded€the€parties€joint€custody€of€their€three€minor€children,€with€theÏMother€to€have€primary€physical€custody€of€the€children.€ÌÌà àOn€January20,€1995,€the€Father€filed€a€petition€seeking€temporary€andÏpermanent€custody€of€the€children,€who€were€now€living€in€the€Memphis€area€with€theÏMother€and€the€Motherððs€boyfriend,€Dan€Strouth.€€In€support€of€his€petition,€the€FatherÏalleged€that€the€following€material€changes›€of€circumstances€had€occurred€since€entryÏof€the€final€divorce€decree€which€warranted€a€change€of€custody:€€(1)the€partiesðð€13„year„old€daughter€had€left€the€Motherððs€home€after€claiming€that€Strouth€sexuallyÍabused€her;€(2)the€Mother€was€not€properly€supervising€the€children,€especially€theÏpartiesðð€four„year„old€son,€Ben;€and€(3)the€Mother€and€Strouth€frequently€argued.€ÌÌà àA€hearing€on€the€issue€of€temporary€custody€took€place€on€January31€andÏFebruary2,€1995.€€œAt›€the€hearing,€the€Father€testified€that€the€Mother€had€complainedÏto€him€on€several€occasions€that€Strouth€had€been€physically€abusive€toward€her.€ÏœDuring›€one€of€these€episodes,€the€Mother€called€911.€€œOn›€at€least€one€occasion,€theÏMother€told€the€Father€that€she€was€moving€out€of€Strouthððs€house€into€an€apartment,Ïbut€she€failed€to€carry€out€this€plan.€ÌÌà àThe€daughter€corroborated€the€testimony€concerning€Strouthððs€violent€outbursts.€ÏThe€daughter€testified€that€Strouth€had€a€bad€temper€and€that€she€had€witnessedÏStrouth€hitting€the€Mother€and€pushing€her€around.€€œDuring›€one€incident,€the€daughterÏheard€the€Mother€scream€her€name.€€œWhen›€the€daughter€entered€the€MotherððsÏbedroom,€she€observed€that€Strouth€had€the€Mother€pinned€on€the€bed.€€œOn›€severalÏoccasions,€the€Mother€promised€the€daughter€that€she€would€leave€Strouth,€but€theÏMother€never€œfulfilled›€these€promises.€€œThe›€daughter€also€testified€that,€when€she€wasÏonly€11€and€12€years€old,€the€Mother€and€Strouth€frequently€left€her€alone€at€night€withÏher€younger€brothers.€€œThe›€daughter€testified€that,€during€one€period,€the€Mother€andÏStrouth€did€this€almost€every€night.€€œThe›€daughter€also€was€responsible€for€babysittingÏeight„year„old€Brian€every€œday›€after€school€and€during€œthe€summer›€œbreak.›€ÌÌà àAt€the€hearing,€two€of€the€Motherððs€neighbors€testified€on€behalf€of€the€Father.€ÏœThe›€neighbors€had€lived€down€the€street€from€the€Mother€and€Strouth€for€over€a€year.€ÏœDuring›€that€time,€the€neighbors€œoften›€observed€four„year„old€Ben€playing€outsideÏwithout€supervision.€€œThe›€Mother€and€Strouth€lived€on€a€cove,€and€Ben€frequently€rodeÏa€toy€jeep€in€the€street€without€supervision.€€œOn›€one€occasion,€the€neighbors€observedÏBen€almost€get€hit€by€a€car.€€œWhen›€one€of€the€neighbors€related€this€incident€to€theÏMother,€the€Mother€admitted€that€Ben€was€not€being€properly€supervised.€€œThis›€sameÏneighbor€testified€that€Ben€frequently€visited€her€house€by€himself€to€play€with€her€son.€ÏAlthough€Ben€spent€a€significant€amount€of€time€at€the€neighborððs€house,€during€hisÏœvisits›€the€Mother€never€called€the€neighbor€to€check€on€her€son.€€œThe›€neighbors€alsoÏhad€observed€the€Mother€and€Strouth€going€out€ð ðnight€after€nightðð€and€leaving€theÏthree€children€home€œalone.›€€œThis›€pattern€continued€for€several€months.€ÌÌà àThe€Mother€admitted€previously€telling€the€daughter€and€the€Father€that€she€wasÏmoving€out€œof€Strouthððs€house€and€terminating€her€relationship€with›€Strouth.€œMost›€œÏrecently,›€the€Mother€told€the€daughter€over€Labor€Day€weekend€that€she€was€movingÏout€of€Strouthððs€house.€€œDespite›€her€promise€to€the€daughter,€the€Mother€still€was€livingÏwith€Strouth€at€the€time€of€the€temporary€custody€hearing.€€œIn›€her€testimony€during€theÏhearing,€the€Mother€again€represented€that€she€was€moving€out€of€Strouthððs€houseÏand€was€not€going€to€date€Strouth€anymore.€€œLater›€in€her€testimony,€however,€theÏMother€admitted€that€she€and€Strouth€had€discussed€marriage.€€œAlthough›€the€MotherÏattempted€to€minimize€any€acts€of€violence€in€the€home,€the€Mother€admitted€that€sheÏcalled€911€once€when€she€and€Strouth€ð ðwere€arguing.ðð€€œThe›€police€responded€to€theÍcall€but€did€not€arrest€anyone.€€œThe›€Mother€also€admitted€that€Strouthððs€temper€hadÏcaused€problems€in€their€relationship€and€that€Strouth€had€struck€her€approximatelyÏthree€times.€€œThe›€Mother€blamed€this€problem€on€stress€caused€by€a€divorce€thatÏStrouth€was€going€through€at€the€time.€€œThe›€Mother€testified€that€Strouth€currently€wasÏtaking€medication€to€control€his€temper.€ÌÌà àStrouth€also€testified,€admitting€that€he€had€slapped€the€Mother€three€timesÏduring€the€course€of€their€relationship€and€that€he€had€slapped€the€Mother€the€nightÏshe€called€911.€€€Strouth€was€not€sure€where€the€children€were€during€these€episodes,Ïbut€he€thought€that€at€least€one€of€the€children€was€upstairs€in€the€house€during€theÏ911€incident.€€œDespite›€these€admissions,€Strouth€denied€having€a€bad€temper.€€œStrouth›Ïclaimed€that€he€was€treated,€not€for€his€bad€temper,€but€for€ð ðacute€anxietyðð€relating€toÏhis€divorce€and€his€job.€€œFinally,›€Strouth€testified€that€the€Mother€was€moving€out€in€aÏcouple€of€weeks,€not€to€get€away€from€Strouth,€but€because€they€had€agreed€to€liveÏapart€until€they€married.€ÌÌà àOn€February14,€1995,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€continuing€the€award€ofÏjoint€custody€but€temporarily€awarding€the€Father€primary€physical€custody€of€theÏpartiesðð€children€pending€a€final€custody€hearing.€€œThe›€trial€court€awarded€the€FatherÏtemporary€custody€of€the€partiesðð€13„year„old€daughter€based€on€the€partiesððÏœagreement€at€the€temporary€custody€hearing.›€€œThe›€trial€court€awarded€the€FatherÏtemporary€custody€of€the€partiesðð€sons€based€on€the€evidence€of€violence€and€unrestÏwithin€the€Motherððs€home,€as€well€as€evidence€of€the€lack€of€supervision€in€the€home.€ÌÌà àIn€March€1995,€the€Mother€filed€a€motion€for€appointment€of€a€guardian€ad€litemÏto€represent€the€interests€of€the€partiesðð€two€sons.€€œAs›€grounds€for€the€motion,€theÏMother€alleged€that€the€sons€had€not€adapted€well€to€the€sudden€change€in€their€livesÏcaused€by€the€trial€courtððs€temporary€custody€order.€€œAlthough›€the€Motherððs€motionÏreferenced€only€the€two€sons,€the€trial€courtððs€subsequent€order€appointed€a€guardianÏad€litem€to€represent€the€interests€of€all€three€of€the€partiesðð€children.€ÌÌà àOn€October5,€1995,€the€Father€filed€a€motion€for€temporary€child€support.€€œThe›ÏFatherððs€motion€apparently€was€scheduled€for€a€hearing€on€November3,€1995.€€œBefore›Ïthe€scheduled€hearing€could€take€place,€however,€the€Motherððs€attorney€filed€a€motionÏto€withdraw€as€counsel€for€the€Mother.€€œThe›€trial€court€granted€the€motion€œto€withdrawÏon›€December27,€1995.€ÌÌà àœA›€final€œhearing›€was€conducted€on€March20€and€21,€April19,€and€June22,Ïœ1996,€to€determine€custody€of€the€partiesðð€two€sons.›€œThe›€previous€summer,€the€MotherÏhad€married€Dan€Strouth.€€œTheir›€relationship€appeared€to€have€stabilized€and€to€haveÏimproved€significantly.€€The€Mother€testified€that€she€and€Strouth€had€learned€how€toÏcommunicate€more€effectively€and€that€they€now€had€a€œpositive,›€strong€relationship.€ÌÌà àBy€the€time€of€the€final€custody€hearing,€however,€the€partiesðð€two€sons€hadÏbeen€residing€with€the€Father€for€over€a€year.€€œBoth›€sons€attended€the€sameÏelementary€school€where€the€Father€taught€fifth€grade.€€œThe›€sons€had€made€newÍfriends,€were€doing€well€in€school,€and€were€involved€in€sports€and€church€activities.€ÏœThe›€Father€also€had€remarried€the€previous€summer,€and€he€and€his€new€wife€hadÏpurchased€a€home€in€Murfreesboro.€€œThe›€sons€had€developed€a€close€relationshipÏwith€the€Fatherððs€new€wife,€who€was€also€a€teacher.€€œBoth›€sons€were€healthy,€and€theyÏwere€treated€by€the€same€pediatrician€they€saw€when€the€parties€were€still€married.€ÌÌà àIn€July€1996,€the€trial€court€entered€its€final€order€œtransferring€primary€physicalÏcustody›€of€the€partiesðð€three€œchildren€to€the€Father.× ƒ= ××  ×›€€œThe›€trial€courtððs€judgment€alsoÏ(1)ordered€the€Mother€to€begin€paying€child€support€to€the€Father€in€the€amount€ofÏ$825€per€month;€(2)awarded€the€Father€an€additional€$3,037.81€for€retroactive€childÏsupport€from€March20,€1996,€the€date€the€œfinal€custody€hearing€began;›€(3)ordered€theÏMother€to€pay€the€guardian€ad€litemððs€œfees›€in€the€amount€of€$3,712;€and€(4)orderedÏthe€Mother€to€pay€court€costs.€ÌÌà àThe€Mother€appeals,€contending€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€awarding€the€FatherÏtemporary€custody€of€the€partiesðð€two€sons€after€the€1995€temporary€custody€hearing;Ïin€awarding€the€Father€permanent€custody€of€the€partiesðð€sons€after€the€1996€œfinal›Ïcustody€hearing;€and€in€requiring€the€Mother€to€pay€the€guardian€ad€litemððs€œfees›€andÏcourt€costs.€€œThe›€Father€also€has€presented€issues€for€this€courtððs€review,€includingÏwhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€award€him€child€support€retroactive€fromÏOctober5,€1995,€the€date€the€Father€filed€his€motion€for€temporary€child€support,€andÍwhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€denying€œthe€Fatherððs›€request€for€an€award€of€attorneyððsÏfees.€ÌÌà àOn€appeal,€the€Motherððs€primary€contention€is€that€the€record€fails€to€establish€aÏmaterial€change€œof›€œcircumstances›€which€would€warrant€changing€custody€of€theÏpartiesðð€two€sons€to€the€Father.€€In€a€proceeding€to€modify€a€prior€custody€order,€theÏparty€seeking€a€change€of€custody€has€the€burden€of€proving€a€material€change€inÏcircumstances€compelling€enough€to€warrant€such€a€change.€€òòSeeóó€òòMusselmanv.ÏAcuffóó,€826€S.W.2d€920,€922€(Tenn.€App.€1991);€òòsee€alsoóó€T.C.A.€ðð36„6„101(a)(1)Ï(1996)€(providing€that€trial€court€retains€jurisdiction€over€custody€orders€subject€to€suchÏchanges€or€modification€as€ð ðexigenciesðð€of€case€may€require).€€A€change€ofÏcircumstances€warranting€a€modification€of€custody€includes€ð ðany€material€change€ofÏcircumstances€affecting€the€welfare€of€the€child€or€childrenðð€and€requires€a€showing€ofÏð ðnew€facts€or€changed€conditions€which€could€not€be€anticipated€by€the€formerÏdecree.ðð€€òòDaltonv.€Daltonóó,€858€S.W.2d€324,€326€(Tenn.€App.€œ1993).€€The€trial€courtððsÏfinding€of€a€change€of€circumstances€does€not€end€the€inquiry,€however,€because€theÏtrial€courtððs€determination€of€custody€still€must€be€guided€by€its€consideration€of€theÏbest€interest€of€the€child.€€òòDantzlerv.€Dantzleróó,€665€S.W.2d€385,€387€(Tenn.€App.Ï1983).›ÌÌà àIn€òòMassengalev.€Massengaleóó,€915€S.W.2d€818€(Tenn.€App.€1995),€this€court€setÏforth€the€applicable€standard€for€reviewing€a€trial€courtððs€determination€of€the€issue€ofÏchanged€circumstances€in€a€custody€modification€proceeding:ÌÓÓà8 àà8 àà àIn€order€to€justify€a€change€in€a€custodialÏarrangement,€there€must€be€ð ðsuch€a€change€inÏcircumstances€as€will€directly€affect€the€welfare€of€theÏminor.ðð€€òòDaileyv.€Daileyóó,€635€S.W.2d€391,€393€(Tenn.€App.Ï1981).€€As€in€all€non„jury€cases,€a€trial€courtððs€determinationÏon€this€issue€is€reviewed€by€us€òòde€novoóó;€however,€theÏrecord€developed€below€comes€to€us€accompanied€by€aÏpresumption€of€correctness€that€we€must€honor€unless€theÏevidence€preponderates€against€the€findings€of€factÏsupporting€the€lower€courtððs€judgment.€€òòHassv.€Knightonóó,Ï676€S.W.2d€554,€555€(Tenn.€1984).€€In€making€our€òòde€novoóóÏreview,€we€ð ðdo€[]€not€pass€on€the€credibility€of€witnesses.ðð€ÏòòBowmanv.€Bowmanóó,€836€S.W.2d€563,€567€(Tenn.€App.Ï1991).€€ð ðCredibility€is€an€issue€for€the€trial€court€who€sawÏand€heard€the€witnesses€testify€and€is€therefore€in€theÏpremier€Ô&  Ôposition€to€determine€credibility€(citation€omitted).ðð€ÏòòIdóó.ÌÌÓÓœòòMassengaleóó,›€915€S.W.2d€at€819.Ô'  ÔÌÌà àApplying€the€foregoing€standard,€we€affirm€both€the€trial€courtððs€decision€toÏaward€the€Father€temporary€custody€of€the€partiesðð€sons€during€this€lawsuit€and€theÏcourtððs€decision€to€award€the€Father€permanent€custody€at€the€lawsuitððs€conclusion.€ÏOur€review€of€the€hearing€on€the€temporary€custody€issue€reveals€ample€evidence€of€aÏmaterial€change€of€œcircumstances›€sufficient€to€trigger€an€inquiry€into€the€best€œinterest›€ofÏthe€children.€€òòSeeóó€òòGallagherv.€Adkinsóó,€1988€WL€34085,€at€**3„4€(Tenn.€App.€Apr.15,Ï1988).€€Specifically,€this€evidence€indicated€that€the€Mother€and€the€man€with€whomÏshe€was€living,€Dan€Strouth,€had€a€volatile€relationship€characterized€by€violence€onÏhis€part€and€indecision€on€hers.€€The€Mother€and€Strouth€admitted€to€several€incidentsÏinvolving€physical€abuse,€including€the€one€which€culminated€in€the€911€call€to€police.€ÏœThe›€daughter€witnessed€some€of€these€acts€of€violence,€and€at€least€one€of€the€sonsÏwas€in€the€house€during€the€911€incident.€€œOn›€several€occasions,€the€MotherÍcomplained€to€the€Father€that€Strouth€had€been€physically€abusive€toward€her,€and€atÏone€point€she€indicated€that€she€planned€to€leave€Strouth.€€œAt›€other€times,€the€MotherÏpromised€the€daughter€that€she€would€leave.€€Despite€these€promises,€the€Mother€œhadÏnot›€moved€out€of€Strouthððs€house€to€establish€a€separate€home€for€herself€and€theÏchildren.€ÌÌà àIn€addition€to€this€evidence,€witnesses€testified€that€four„year„old€Ben€œfrequentlyÏwas›€permitted€to€play€outside€for€œextended›€periods€of€time€without€adult€supervisionÏand€that,€on€at€least€one€occasion,€he€was€almost€hit€by€a€car€while€riding€a€toy€jeep€inÏthe€cove.€€œWitnesses›€also€testified€that€the€Mother€and€Strouth€frequently€left€all€threeÏchildren€at€home€without€adult€supervision.€€œWe›€conclude€that,€based€on€œthe›€evidenceÏof€violence€and€unrest€within€the€Motherððs€home,€as€well€as€evidence€of€the€lack€ofÏsupervision€in€the€home,€the€trial€court€properly€awarded€the€Father€temporary€custodyÏof€the€partiesðð€two€sons€pending€these€custody€œproceedings.€€òòSeeóó€òòGallagherv.€Adkinsóó,Ï1988€WL€34085€(Tenn.€App.€Apr.15,€1988)€(affirming€awards€of€temporary€andÏpermanent€custody€to€father€based,€in€part,€on€marital€problems€and€physical€abuseÏexperienced€by€mother€at€time€of€temporary€custody€hearing);€òòsee€alsoóó€òòSmith›v.€Smithóó,ÏNo.03A01„9508„CH„00292,€1996€WL€33177€(Tenn.€App.€Jan.30,€1996)€(affirmingÏchange€of€custody€where€evidence€showed€lack€of€supervision,€turmoil,€and€violenceÏin€motherððs€home);€€òòGogusv.€Tritschleróó,€No.01A01„9508„CH„00373,€1996€WL€23366Ï(Tenn.€App.€Jan.24,€1996)€(affirming€change€of€custody€based,€in€part,€on€evidenceÏthat€motherððs€present€husband€physically€abused€her€in€their€home),€òòperm.€app.Ïdeniedóó€(Tenn.€May28,€1996);€òòDennisv.€Dennisóó,€1990€WL€207392€(Tenn.€App.ÍDec.19,€1990)€(affirming€change€of€custody€where€mother€had€been€victim€of€assaultÏand€battery€by€present€husband,€mother€admitted€that€husband€had€violent€temper,Ïand€mother€and€husband€had€reconciled€and€separated€œtwice).ÌÌà àWe€further€conclude€that,€in€making€its€final€custody€determination,€the€trial€courtÏproperly€considered€evidence€of€the€circumstances€within€the€Motherððs€home€at€theÏtime€of€the€temporary€custody€hearing,€as€well€as€evidence€of€the€sonsðð€placement€withÏthe€Father€while€these€proceedings€were€pending.€€In€òòGallagherv.€Adkinsóó,€1988€WLÏ34085€(Tenn.€App.€Apr.€15,€1988),€the€trial€court€awarded€the€father€temporary€custodyÏof€the€partiesðð€son€based€on€evidence€that€the€mother€was€experiencing€maritalÏdifficulties,€that€the€son€had€witnessed€his€mother€being€physically€abused€by€herÏhusband,€and€that€the€son€appeared€depressed€and€malnourished.€€òòIdóó.,€at€**3„4.€ÏAlthough€the€motherððs€circumstances€had€improved€significantly€by€the€time€of€the€finalÏcustody€hearing,× ƒ> ××  ×€the€trial€court€still€awarded€the€father€permanent€custody€of€theÏpartiesðð€son€based,€in€part,€on€evidence€concerning€the€sonððs€placement€with€the€fatherÏpending€the€final€custody€hearing.€€òòIdóó.,€at€*4.€€The€son€was€attending€school,€where€heÏwas€described€as€a€normal€student€and€a€leader.€€The€son€did€well€in€his€class€workÏand€had€made€many€friends.€€Moreover,€the€son€had€developed€a€good€relationshipÏwith€his€fatherððs€new€wife€and€her€son.€€òòIdóó.€€This€court€affirmed€the€trial€courtððs€decision,Ïholding€(1)that€the€evidence€at€the€initial€custody€hearing€demonstrated€a€sufficientÏchange€in€circumstances€to€trigger€the€trial€courtððs€inquiry€into€the€best€interest€of€theÏpartiesðð€son;€and€(2)that€the€evidence€at€the€final€custody€hearing€supported€the€trialÍcourtððs€finding€that€the€sonððs€best€interest€would€be€served€by€awarding€permanentÏcustody€to€the€father.€€òòIdóó.,€at€**3„4.ÌÌà àIn€the€present€case,€the€trial€courtððs€written€opinion,€filed€contemporaneouslyÏwith€its€final€custody€order,€reveals€that€the€court€properly€conducted€a€thoroughÏanalysis€of€both€the€circumstances€existing€at€the€time€of€the€temporary€custodyÏhearing€and€those€occurring€since€the€initiation€of€these€proceedings:Ìà8 àà8 àÓÓà àThe€Court€has€recognized€that€both€parties€haveÏdemonstrated€love,€affection,€and€emotional€ties€with€theÏminor€children....€€Both€parents€have€a€disposition€toÏprovide€materially€for€the€minor€children,€although€theÏevidence€appears€perhaps€that€the€father€has€been€moreÏconscientious€in€his€material€provisions€for€the€children.ÌÌà8 àà8 àà àThe€Court€is€also€to€consider€the€importance€ofÏcontinuity€in€the€lives€of€the€children.€€This€is€a€difficult€issueÏbecause€the€case€in€question€has€been€pending€for€aÏlengthy€period€of€time.€€Certainly€the€Court€cannot€ignoreÏfactors€which€have€occurred€since€the€initial€Order€of€theÏCourt€removing€the€children€from€the€home€of€the€motherÏand€placing€them€with€the€father,€but€for€purposes€of€theÏlegal€issue€of€continuity,€the€Court€must€consider€the€causeÏas€of€the€time€of€the€original€filing,€and€thus€considerÏcontinuity€of€placement€with€the€mother€in€Memphis.€ÏRegrettably,€and€with€all€due€respect€to€the€mother,€theÏevidence€both€initially€and€presently€showed€aÏdisharmonious€relationship€at€the€time€of€the€initialÏtemporary€order,€and€a€lack€of€a€ð ðstable,€satisfactoryÏenvironmentðð€contemplated€by€the€statute.× ƒ? ××  ×€€The€mother€hasÏvery€sincerely€expressed€to€the€Court€her€regret€in€allowingÏthe€children€to€reside€in€the€circumstances€in€Memphis€withÏMr.Strouth,€out€of€wedlock,€during€a€time€when€theÏrelationship€between€the€mother€and€her€present€husbandÏwas€relatively€unstable,€during€times€when€she€wasÏuncertain€herself€as€to€whether€she€should€continue€theÍrelationship€with€Mr.€Strouth,€and€during€periods€of€physicalÏconfrontation.€€The€evidence€presently€shows€that€the€homeÏof€the€mother€has€stabilized.€€The€home€of€the€father€hasÏbeen€stable€throughout€the€time€of€these€proceedings.€€BothÏparties€are€physically€and€mentally€healthy.€€The€childrenÏcertainly€have€demonstrated€an€ability€to€succeed€in€theÏschool€system€either€in€Murfreesboro€or€in€Memphis.€€TheÏCourt€has€considered€the€preference€of€the€oldest€child,€andÏsimilarly€has€considered€the€fact€that€it€is€generallyÏconsidered€to€be€desirable€that€minor€siblings€reside€underÏthe€Ô&  Ôsame€roof,€and€not€be€physically€separated.ÌÌà8 àà8 àà à....Ô'  ÔÌÌà8 àà8 àà àThe€evidence€certainly€shows€that€both€parents€andÏstepparents€are€hardworking€professional€people,€capableÏof€attaining€responsible€jobs.€€[The€mother]€has€perhapsÏdemonstrated€some€lack€of€judgment,€as€previously€stated,Ïwhich€she€regrets.€€She€also€has€demonstrated€perhapsÏsome€lack€of€decisiveness€in€her€current€maritalÏrelationship.€€The€evidence€appears€to€show€that€perhapsÏthe€father€is€in€a€better€position€to€establish€provisions€forÏthe€religious€education€of€the€minor€children.€€BothÏstepparents€appear€to€have€more€advantages€thanÏdisadvantages.€€The€stepmother,€a€teacher,€appears€toÏhave€a€good€relationship€with€all€three€of€the€children,€andÏprovides€assistance€to€them€with€their€school€work.€€TheÏrelationship€of€the€stepfather,€as€previously€stated,€isÏcertainly€strained€with€regard€to€the€daughter,× ƒ@ ××  ×€yet€itÏappears€that€his€relationship€with€the€two€sons€is€a€goodÏone.€€Both€families€are€struggling€financially,€which€affectsÏtheir€abilities€to€provide€an€environment€physically€for€theÏminor€children.€€Certainly,€however,€it€appears€to€the€CourtÏthat€the€homes€established€by€both€parties€are€veryÏcomfortable.ÌÌà8 àà8 àà àConsidering€all€of€these€factors,€it€appears€to€theÏCourt€that€the€custody€of€the€minor€children€should€remainÏwith€the€father.€ÌÌÓÓThe€foregoing€excerpts€demonstrate€that€the€trial€court€was€fully€cognizant€of€both€theÏlegally€relevant€factors€in€this€case€and€the€difficulty€of€the€decision€with€which€it€wasÏfaced.€€After€a€careful€review€of€the€record,€we€can€discern€no€basis€to€disturb€the€trialÏcourtððs€ruling.ÌÌà àIn€holding€that€the€trial€court€properly€considered€evidence€of€the€sonsððÏtemporary€placement€in€making€its€final€custody€determination,€we€do€not€mean€toÏimply€that€any€temporary€placement€will€have€such€legal€significance.€€Instead,€we€limitÏour€holding€to€cases€where,€as€here€and€in€òòGallagheróó,€the€temporary€custodyÏarrangement€was€properly€ordered€after€an€evidentiary€hearing€at€which€the€petitionerÏdemonstrated€a€change€in€circumstances€sufficient€to€trigger€the€trial€courtððs€bestÏinterest€analysis.€€òòGallagherv.€Adkinsóó,€1988€WL€34085,€at€**3„4.× ƒA ××  ×€€In€so€limiting€ourÏholding,€we€are€mindful€that€temporary€custody€arrangementsÌÓÓà8 àà8 à[S]hould€be€for€the€shortest€duration€possible€and€shouldÏnot€be€used€as€a€substitute€for€a€permanent€custodyÏdecision.ÌÌà8 àà8 àà àTemporary€custody€should...€be€used€with€cautionÏbecause€of€its€practical€effect€on€permanent€custodyÏdecisions.€€When€permitted€to€continue€over€a€long€period,Ïtemporary€custody€creates€a€ð ðnew€status€quo,ðð€òòPlowmanv.ÏPlowmanóó,€597€A.2d€701,€706„07€(Pa.€Super.€Ct.€1991),€andÏpermits€the€custodial€parent€to€establish€a€track€record€thatÏheightens€his€or€her€chances€of€obtaining€permanentÏcustody.€€òòJ.E.I.v.€L.M.I.óó,€314€S.E.2d€67,€72€(W.€Va.€1984);€2ÏòòChild€Custody&€Visitation€Law€and€Practiceóó€ðð8.01[2][a]Ï(JohnP.€McCahey,€ed.€1992).ÌÌÓÓòòKingv.€Kingóó,€No.01A01„9110„PB„00370,€1992€WL€301303,€at€*2€(Tenn.€App.€Oct.23,Ï1992).€€Nevertheless,€this€court€also€has€recognized€that€ð ð[c]ircumstances€requiringÏtemporary€custody€arrangements€will€inevitably€arise,€and€therefore,€trial€courts€shouldÏhave€the€prerogative€to€make€temporary€custody€decisions.ðð€€òòIdóó.€€We€conclude€that€theÏtrial€court€appropriately€exercised€its€prerogative€when€it€issued€the€temporary€custodyÏorder€in€this€case.ÌÌà àAs€for€the€partiesðð€arguments€concerning€fees€and€costs,€we€conclude€that€theÏtrial€court€did€not€abuse€its€discretion€in€requiring€the€Mother€to€pay€the€guardian€adÏlitemððs€fees€and€court€costs.€€òòSeeóó€òòMcKeehanv.€McKeehanóó,ÏNo.02A01„9407„CV„00165,€1995€WL€695124,€at€*3€(Tenn.€App.€Jan.11,€1996);ÏT.R.C.P.€17.03.€€We€also€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€deny€the€Fatherððs€request€forÏan€award€of€attorneyððs€fees.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36„5„103(c)€governsÏawards€of€attorneyððs€fees€in€proceedings€relating€to€child€support€and€child€custody:ÌÓÓà8 àà8 àà àThe€plaintiff€spouse€may€recover€from€the€defendantÏspouse,€and€the€spouse€or€other€person€to€whom€theÏcustody€of€the€child,€or€children,€is€awarded€may€recoverÏfrom€the€other€spouse€reasonable€attorney€fees€incurred€inÏenforcing€any€decree€for€alimony€and/or€child€support,€or€inÏregard€to€any€suit€or€action€concerning€the€adjudication€ofÏthe€custody€or€the€change€of€custody€of€any€child,€orÏchildren,€of€the€parties,€both€upon€the€original€divorceÏhearing€and€at€any€subsequent€hearing,€which€fees€may€beÏfixed€and€allowed€by€the€court,€before€whom€such€action€orÏproceeding€is€pending,€in€the€Ô&  Ôdiscretion€of€such€court.ÌÌT.C.A.€ðð€36„5„103(c)€(1996).Ô'  ÔÌÌÓÓÌà àThis€statute€authorizes€an€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€to€a€party€who€successfullyÏpursues€or€defends€a€change€of€custody€petition.€€òòSeeóó€òòDv.€Kóó,€917€S.W.2d€682,€686Ï(Tenn.€App.€1995);€òòGaddyv.€Gaddyóó,€861€S.W.2d€236,€241€(Tenn.€App.€1992);€òòAkinsv.ÏAkinsóó,€805€S.W.2d€377,€379„80€(Tenn.€App.€1990);€òòFenleyv.€Fenleyóó,ÏNo.03A01„9604„CH„00121,€1996€WL€469683,€at€*4€(Tenn.€App.€Aug.19,€1996).€€AsÏthe€Father€acknowledges€on€appeal,€however,€a€partyððs€right€to€an€award€of€attorneyððsÏfees€under€section€36„5„103(c)€is€not€absolute.€€òòDeasv.€Deasóó,€774€S.W.2d€167,€169„70€(Tenn.€1989).€€Instead,€the€statute€provides€that€such€an€award€is€within€the€trialÏcourtððs€discretion.€€T.C.A.€ðð36„5„103(c)€(1996);€òòseeóó€òòSherrodv.€Wixóó,€849€S.W.2d€780,Ï785€(Tenn.€App.€1992);€òòArcherv.€Archeróó,€907€S.W.2d€412,€419€(Tenn.€App.€1995);ÏòòBrewerv.€Breweróó,€869€S.W.2d€928,€936€(Tenn.€App.€1993);€òòsee€alsoóó€òòFlorianv.ÏEdenfieldóó,€No.03A01„9406„CV„00217,€1996€WL€310018,€at€*5€(Tenn.€App.€June11,Ï1996)€(holding€that€prevailing€party€in€child€modification€proceeding€is€not€ð ðentitledðð€toÏaward€of€attorneyððs€fees€because€such€award€lies€within€trial€courtððs€discretion).€€TheÏtrial€courtððs€award€of€attorneyððs€fees,€or€denial€of€an€award,€need€only€be€just€andÏequitable€under€the€circumstances.€€òòSherrodv.€Wixóó,€849€S.W.2d€at€785.ÌÌà àWe€conclude€that€the€trial€court€did€not€abuse€its€discretion€in€denying€theÏFatherððs€request€for€attorneyððs€fees€in€this€case.€€These€custody€proceedings€have€nowÏlasted€for€over€two€and€one„half€years,€during€which€both€parties€have€incurredÏsubstantial€legal€fees.€€According€to€his€counselððs€affidavit,€for€example,€the€FatherððsÏanticipated€legal€fees€through€the€final€custody€hearing€totaled€over€$11,000.€€TheÏMother€estimated€her€attorneyððs€fees€to€be€about€$20,000.€€The€evidence€at€the€finalÍcustody€hearing€revealed€that€both€parties€have€a€limited€ability€to€pay€their€ownÏattorneyððs€fees,€never€mind€the€other€partyððs€fees.€€We€recognize€that€ability€to€pay€isÏnot€the€determinative€factor€for€an€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€under€section€36„5„103(c).€ÏòòSherrodv.€Wixóó,€849€S.W.2d€at€785.€€Under€the€circumstances€of€this€case,€however,Ïwe€hold€that€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€require€each€party€to€pay€its€own€attorneyððsÏfees€was€just€and€equitable.€€òòSeeóó€òòArcherv.€Archeróó,€907€S.W.2d€412,€419€(Tenn.€App.Ï1995)€(denying€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€under€section€36„5„103(c)€where€neither€partyÏappeared€able€to€afford€its€own€attorneyððs€fees).€€We€likewise€deny€the€FatherððsÏrequest€for€an€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€on€appeal.ÌÌà àWe€agree,€however,€with€the€Fatherððs€contention€that€he€is€entitled€to€childÏsupport€retroactive€from€October5,€1995,€the€date€he€filed€his€motion€for€temporaryÏchild€support.€€Both€parents€have€an€equal€and€joint€obligation€to€support€their€minorÏchildren.€€òòMerrillv.€Merrillóó,€216€S.W.2d€705,€706€(Tenn.€1948);€òòAllisonv.€Allisonóó,€638ÏS.W.2d€394,€396€(Tenn.€App.€1982);€òòAtchleyv.€Atchleyóó,€194€S.W.2d€252,€253€(Tenn.ÏApp.€1945).€€This€obligation€exists€even€if€an€order€awarding€child€support€has€not€yetÏbeen€entered.€€òòRoblev.€Robleóó,€295€S.W.2d€817,€818€(Tenn.€App.€1956).€€Accordingly,Ïwe€modify€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€to€provide€that€the€Motherððs€child€supportÏobligation€shall€be€effective€as€of€October5,€1995.€€òòSeeóó€òòArcherv.€Archeróó,€907€S.W.2dÏ412,€418€(Tenn.€App.€1995).€€In€making€this€modification,€we€distinguish€this€case€fromÏcases€involving€the€modification€of€a€parentððs€child€support€obligation,€wherein€the€trialÏcourt€has€the€discretion€to€order€the€modification€effective€as€of€the€date€of€theÏmodification€petition,€the€date€of€the€final€hearing,€or€any€appropriate€date€in€between.€ÍòòSeeóó€òòGonsalvesv.€Robertsóó,€905€S.W.2d€931,€932€(Tenn.€1995);€òòBrownv.€Heggieóó,€876ÏS.W.2d€98,€100€(Tenn.€App.€1993);€òòNatelsonv.€Natelsonóó,€No.03A01„9505„CH„00156,Ï1995€WL€699968,€at€*3€(Tenn.€App.€Nov.29,€1995);€òòPressonv.€Pressonóó,ÏNo.03A01„9312„CV„00452,€1994€WL€446894,€at€*7€(Tenn.€App.€Aug.19,€1994);ÏòòElkinsv.€Elkinsóó,€No.02A01„9203„CH„00061,€1992€WL€340747,€at€*4€(Tenn.€App.ÏNov.24,€1992);€òòsee€alsoóó€T.C.A.€ðð36„5„101(a)(5)€(1996).€€In€modification€proceedings,Ïthe€non„custodial€parent€is€required€by€a€previous€court€order€to€make€at€least€someÏpayment€toward€his€or€her€support€obligation€during€the€pendency€of€the€proceedings.ÌÌà àWith€the€exception€of€the€foregoing€modification,€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€isÏhereby€affirmed.€€This€cause€is€remanded€for€the€trial€court€to€determine€the€additionalÏamount€of€retroactive€child€support€to€which€the€Father€is€entitled€and€for€furtherÏproceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€Appellant,Ïfor€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.ÌÌÌÓÓà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ïóóà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àHIGHERS,€J.ÌÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÌCRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.ÌÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÌLILLARD,€J.