ÿWPCS ¤#€eo>ÄJ^~]u¼ 6À·Î)óý#‚¼š_d™•6?´ÊM„³}N:Zÿ/®1 hý¾Íç©ôÎä.„ÒPMÞ±„ªÈŽÃb²·íã™XŠŠQŠWì¾Ö7ådzçPÁ:/ïÞa©/iÛØí¥ž’¤> ŒÝ×´zߺî©Ó°Èñb‡_iq9{º»uœP•Èf!ÖC!F)¼ø¹¼ÈæûC)Ð\Áè |´ÂÇs˜›IBJ»8Ô<!HN.P³“ƪ QSlᢣ‰ÿ_¹ã¾¶¯søéDç#²¦„~0\ÖUŠ%YÒç ‹¤–ÃZB®$uÐoÁFàFìÇoúÎO«°²fM¥eðP¬ùí¯m]4¶q,mãß4ãsåœÕÚÅý³¼g×ëOó#?Nžöê›ogß~Þyd¶›é1ÖQ9ËHñÊ­ Zn< €;¸³PÌGçêû—ŽÿÀ>ÏmšºÂãrζ X¹UHçQW­ÐÙgL{Ò9õ<•cÍÂ)ÓP~¹^¤D\EÝOCºg!•q | “¹ ±ìúò‹…9ëJ[G,™ibÅ7yÍKH{ÂÁÝGñâÊémWðT=¤†®¿Ò aI0 5B# Õb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UAN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz UN‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1b÷NÿU@EX+Z 0D…UNÉ-DúLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLbFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF 0ëNNNN B99 0¤V D5ú D-/ 0K\\ AS§Æú 0¤À 0Dd A«¨˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»¡)L (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularö~ì(%¡h”¶ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5- ù- Ñ € Ñ(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman  !Ý ƒR $ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€X©X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ôáMòXX©ÔThe€trial€court€limited€Motherððs€testimony€to€the€grounds€she€had€disclosed€in€her€deposition.Ô#†X©XòôáM~#Ô(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular #Ñ#€CXÿÿd#Ñ  ðÝ ƒR $ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€X©X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ôáMòXX©ÔWe€note€that€a€parentððs€veracity€has€been€determined€to€be€a€factor€which€may€properly€be€considered€inÐ ° Ðmaking€a€custody€determination.€€òòSee€Ô_ÔGaskillÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔGaskillÔ_Ôóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€634€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€òòóóÔ#†X©XòôáM~#Ô- ù-(|G2 $¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€X©X»»Ô d(|3s$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3s$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼A»»»ÔÑ8€©XXdì»»d8ÑÑ€;DÑà@ü ü ìàÔ€îLôAÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ Ö& Ðà@‰‰"ìàÔ€¼A»îîLôÔMay€2000€SessionˆÐ üL ÐÔ‡X©X»¼AÔÌò òÔ#†¼A»XX©é#ÔÓ  ÓAPRIL€LEIGH€Ô_ÔBURKHARTÔ_Ô€v.€JASON€TODD€Ô_ÔBURKHARTÔ_Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÓ/ÓÌÔ€X©X»¼AÔà@ ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Stewart€CountyˆÐ  p Ðà@U U ìàNo.€98„8„283€€€€€€€Robert€E.€Burch,€ChancellorˆÐ  \ ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ï` A߈Ð Ð  ÐÌà@Ç Ç ìàNo.€M1999„02332„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€August€31,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔˆÐ Ë  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¢` AßÐ £ó  Ðó óÌThis€is€a€divorce€case.€€The€trial€court€awarded€the€divorce€to€the€father€on€the€ground€of€theÐ žî  Ðmotherððs€inappropriate€marital€conduct€and€awarded€custody€of€the€minor€child€to€the€father.€€TheÐ ŠÚ Ðmother€appeals€the€award€of€the€divorce€and€custody€of€the€child€to€the€father.€€We€modify€the€awardÐ vÆ Ðof€the€divorce,€relying€instead€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b),€and€ð ðdeclare€the€parties€to€beÐ b² Ðdivorced,€rather€than€awarding€a€divorce€to€either€party€alone.ðð€€We€affirm€the€award€of€custody€ofÐ Nž Ðthe€minor€child€to€the€father.Ð :Š ÐÌò òÓ  Óà0 @ àTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmed€asÐ b ÐModified,€and€Remanded.ó óÐ þN ÐÓ“ÓÌòòPatricia€J.€Cottrell,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Ô_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€M.S.,óóÐ Ö& Ðand€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Â ÐÌSteven€T.€Atkins,€Clarksville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€April€Leigh€Ô_ÔBurkhartÔ_Ô.Ð šê ÐÌClifford€K.€Ô_ÔMcGownÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€Ô_ÔWaverlyÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Jason€Todd€Ô_ÔBurkhartÔ_Ô.Ð r  ÐÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ J"š! ÐÌÔ‡X©XXX©Ôà  àÔ#†X©XXX©Ý #ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©ÔThis€case€involves€the€dissolution€of€a€marriage€of€relatively€short€duration€between€JasonÐ "$r# ÐTodd€Ô_ÔBurkhartÔ_Ô€(ð ðFatherðð)€and€April€Leigh€Ô_ÔBurkhartÔ_Ô€(ð ðMotherðð).Ô#†X©XX X©+ #ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔThe€parties€married€in€1995€and€haveÐ %^ $ Ðone€child,€a€daughter,€born€the€same€year.€€They€separated€in€September€1998,€and€Mother€filed€forÐ ú%J!% Ðdivorce,€alleging€irreconcilable€differences€and€unspecified€inappropriate€marital€conduct.€€FatherÐ æ&6"& Ðfiled€an€answer€and€counter€complaint€also€alleging€irreconcilable€differences€and€inappropriateÐ Ò'"#' Ðmarital€conduct€on€the€part€of€Mother.€The€trial€court€granted€the€divorce€to€FatherÔ#†X©XXX©f #ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ô€Ô#†X©XX X©™#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ôand€awardedÐ ¾($( Ðcustody€to€Father.€€Mother€appeals€these€rulings.Ð ª)ú$) ÐÔ#†X©XXX©Ü#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©ÔÌà  àOur€review€of€the€issues€raised€by€mother€is€governed€by€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€Under€thatÐ ‚+Ò&+ Ðstandard,€we€review€the€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court,Ð n,¾', Ðaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€the€findings,€unless€the€preponderance€of€theÐ Z-ª(-ýŽ ÐÔ_Ôevidence€is€otherwise.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€Because€the€trial€judge€is€in€a€better€position€toÐ ° Ðweigh€and€evaluate€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses€who€testify€orally,€we€give€great€weight€to€theÐ œì Ðtrial€judgeððs€findings€on€issues€involving€credibility€of€witnesses.€€òòSee€Gillock€v.€Board€of€ProfððlÐ ˆØ ÐResponsibilityóó,€656€S.W.2d€365,€367€(Tenn.€1983).Ô#†X©XX X©„#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ô€€Ô#†X©XXX©ÿ#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©ÔConclusions€of€law€are€not€afforded€the€sameÐ tÄ Ðdeference.€€òòSee€Brock€v.€Brockóó,€941€S.W.2d€896,€898€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).Ð `° ÐÔ#†X©XX X©C#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ôà  àÔ#†X©XX X©+#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔÌÓ  ÓI.€Grounds€for€DivorceÐ 8 ˆ ÐÓ™ÓÌà  àAt€trial,€Mother€testified€that€the€inappropriate€marital€conduct€she€complained€of€included€Ð  ` ÐFatherððs€controlling€and€dominating€manner,€physical€and€emotional€abuse,€and€his€threats€ofÐ ü L  Ðsuicide.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€She€stated€that€whenever€they€had€arguments,€Father€told€her€to€take€her€things€and€leaveÐ è 8  Ðwithout€their€child.€€She€recounted€episodes€where€Father€threatened€to€commit€suicide,€the€lastÐ Ô$  Ðoccurring€while€their€daughter€was€in€the€house.€€The€alleged€incident€involved€Father€putting€a€gunÐ À  Ðto€his€mouth€and€threatening€to€kill€himself€if€she€left€with€the€child.€€She€testified€to€FatherÐ ¬ü  Ðsmashing€in€the€windshield€to€her€Jeep,€shooting€out€a€tire,€and€leaving€a€bullet€hole€in€the€side€ofÐ ˜è  Ðthe€Jeep.€€She€also€stated€he€had€burned€some€of€her€clothes€once€when€she€attempted€to€leave€him.Ð „Ô  ÐIn€her€deposition,€which€was€entered€into€the€record,€she€also€testified€that€Father€had€hit€and€kickedÐ pÀ Ðher€on€different€occasions.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àMother€portrayed€Father€as€violent€or€unpredictable€when€angry,€and€stated€he€harassed€orÐ 4„ Ðcalled€her€constantly€at€work€after€their€last€fight.€€That€afternoon,€he€left€work€early€in€her€car,Ð  p Ðapparently€went€home€and€exchanged€vehicles,€and€totaled€his€truck€in€a€wreck.€€That€was€the€sameÐ  \ Ðafternoon€that€Father€intentionally€damaged€Motherððs€Jeep.€€Motherððs€primary€complaint€wasÐ øH ÐFatherððs€alleged€abuse€of€prescription€drugs,€sometimes€coupled€with€alcohol.€€She€claimed€FatherÐ ä4 Ðcomplained€of€migraine€headaches€so€he€could€get€drugs.€Among€other€things,€she€claimed€thatÐ Ð  ÐFather€had€been€ð ðon€Xanax€real€bad,ðð€that€he€obtained€painkillers€and€other€medication€from€otherÐ ¼  Ðpeople,€and€that€co„workers€had€mentioned€to€her€that€they€had€noticed€Father€was€impaired€on€someÐ ¨ø Ðoccasions.Ô#†X©XXX©y#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ô€€She€also€recounted€an€occasion€when€Father€telephoned€a€pharmacy€and€had€aÐ ”ä Ðprescription€for€her€own€pain€medication€changed€to€a€stronger€one.€€She€said€Father€had€taken€mostÐ €Ð Ðof€those€pills.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àMother€provided€no€witnesses€to€Fatherððs€alleged€drug€and€alcohol€abuse,€nor€to€his€allegedÐ D!” Ðsuicide€attempt.€Ô#†X©XXX©‰#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔFather€produced€witnesses€who€testified€that€they€knew€him€well,€were€in€frequentÐ 0"€  Ðcontact€with€him€over€a€number€of€years,€and€that€he€did€not€abuse€alcohol€or€drugs.€Father€€testifiedÐ #l! Ðthat€he€had€migraine€headaches,€starting€about€four€and€one€half€years€before€the€hearing,€and€thatÐ $X" Ðhis€doctors€had€tried€various€kinds€of€prescription€medicines€to€treat€the€migraines.€€He€had€beenÐ ô$D # Ðreferred€to€and€had€seen€a€psychiatrist.€€He€claimed€never€to€have€threatened€suicide€and€deniedÐ à%0!$ Ðhaving€a€drug€or€alcohol€problem.€€He€admitted€shooting€Motherððs€Jeep€and€breaking€the€windshield.€Ð Ì&"% ÐHe€was€not€questioned€about€violence€toward€Mother.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àFatherððs€psychiatrist,€Dr.€Stalford,€€testified€that€Father€had€been€referred€to€her€by€hisÐ )à$( Ðphysician€because€of€his€migraines,€his€depression,€and€his€stress€and€anxiety€over€the€separation.€Ð ° ÐShe€said€he€showed€no€signs€of€doctor€shopping€and€was€happy€to€try€non„narcotic€drugs€to€treat€hisÐ œì Ðmigraines.€Dr.€Stalford€testified€that€Father€was€concerned€that€Mother€might€make€allegationsÐ ˆØ Ðregarding€drug€abuse€and€requested€weekly€drug€screening.€The€doctor€refused€to€do€weekly€testsÐ tÄ Ðbecause€there€was€no€indication€of€need.€€She€did€one€drug€test,€however,€after€Father€said€he€hadÐ `° Ðbeen€offered€drugs€at€work€and€was€afraid€Mother€was€trying€to€set€him€up.€€€The€test€showed€noÐ L œ Ðdrug€use€and€was€negative€for€amphetamines,€barbiturates,€cocaine,€opiates,€PCP,€and€marijuana.€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐDr.€Stalford€testified€that€Father€was€sad€about€the€separation€from€Mother€and€child,€that€he€wasÐ $ t Ðlosing€sleep,€losing€weight,€and€having€crying€spells,€but€under€the€circumstances,€his€problems€wereÐ  ` Ðnot€excessive.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àWhen€asked€to€comment€on€Motherððs€deposition,€the€doctor€testified€that€individuals€cannotÐ Ô$  Ðcall€a€pharmacy€and€change€a€prescription.€€She€said€she€had€seen€no€indication€of€suicidal€behaviorÐ À  Ðin€Father€and€that€she€did€not€believe€that€he€had€drunk€alcohol€as€Mother€stated€because€alcoholÐ ¬ü  Ðtriggers€migraines.€The€doctor€also€disputed€Motherððs€claim€that€Father€was€ð ðon€Xanax€real€bad,ððÐ ˜è  Ðbecause€withdrawal€from€Xanax€is€difficult€and€dangerous,€sometimes€lethal,€usually€requiringÐ „Ô  Ðhospitalization.€€Having€reviewed€his€prior€medication,€the€psychiatrist€testified€that€doctors€tryÐ pÀ Ðdifferent€medications€for€treatment€of€migraines€to€find€the€best€one€for€that€patient,€and€that€FatherððsÐ \¬ Ðmedication€was€primarily€non„narcotic,€and€thus€not€addictive.€€She€acknowledged€that€Father€hadÐ H˜ Ðtold€her€he€had€gotten€other€medication€from€other€people€on€at€least€one€occasion,€but€consideredÐ 4„ Ðthis€an€example€of€his€honesty.€Ð  p ÐÌà  àFatherððs€examples€of€Motherððs€inappropriate€marital€behavior€consisted€only€of€statementsÐ øH Ðthat€she€had€a€temper€and€was€sometimes€hard€to€please.€€He€and€other€witnesses€recounted€anÐ ä4 Ðepisode€about€a€month€after€the€separation€in€which€Mother€ð ðlost€itðð€and€began€screaming€at€FatherÐ Ð  Ðin€front€of€friends€and€his€mother.Ð ¼  ЀÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€the€grounds€initially€alleged€by€both€parties€to€be€insufficientÐ ”ä Ðgrounds€for€divorce,€and€the€decree€of€divorce€states:Ð €Ð ÐÌà  à1.à0 ` àThe€Court€heard€testimony€of€intemperate€behavior€on€behalf€of€both€parties.€€ThatÐ X ¨ Ðbehavior€(the€Husbandððs€vandalism€of€the€Wifeððs€automobile€and€the€Wifeððs€ð ðgoingÐ D!” Ðoffðð)€were€not€in€and€of€themselves€sufficient€to€grant€either€of€the€parties€a€divorce.€Ð 0"€  ÐThe€Wifeððs€grounds€for€divorce€consist€of€her€allegation€that€the€Husband€abusedÐ #l! Ðdrugs€and€had€attempted€suicide.€€Those€allegations€were€shown€by€the€evidence€toÐ $X" Ðbe€false.€€The€Wife€presented€no€other€grounds.€€The€proof€shows€that€there€was€noÐ ô$D # Ðreasonable€basis€for€the€Wife€to€believe€the€allegations€of€drug€use€and€suicideÐ à%0!$ Ðattempts€by€the€Husband.€€Further,€the€Court€finds€that€those€allegations€were€madeÐ Ì&"% Ðmaliciously.и'#&` (#` (# ÐÌà  à2.à0 ` àThe€Husbandððs€factual€allegations€for€divorce€consisted€essentially€of€the€Wife€beingÐ )à$( Ðhard€to€please€and€hard€to€live€with.€€The€Court€finds€that€this€does€not€constituteÐ |*Ì%) Ðgrounds€for€divorce€either.Ðh+¸&*` (#` (# Їà  à3.à0 ` àAlthough€the€factual€grounds€for€divorce€submitted€to€the€Court€by€the€parties€do€notÐ ° Ðconstitute€grounds€for€divorce,€the€false€and€malicious€allegations€of€the€Wife€againstÐ œì Ðthe€Husband€constitute€a€separate,€independent€basis€for€a€divorce.€€It€has€long€beenÐ ˆØ Ðestablished€in€Tennessee€that€false€allegations€of€adultery€constitute€cruel€andÐ tÄ Ðinhuman€treatment,€even€when€those€allegations€are€made€after€the€separation€orÐ `° Ðduring€the€course€of€the€divorce€action€itself.€€The€Wifeððs€allegations€of€drug€use€andÐ L œ Ðaddiction€and€suicide€attempts€by€the€Husband€have€essentially€the€same€effect.€€TheÐ 8 ˆ ÐHusband€is,€therefore,€entitled€to€and€granted€a€divorce€from€the€Wife€on€the€groundsÐ $ t Ðof€inappropriate€marital€conduct.Ð `` (#` (# ÐÌÔ#†X©XXX©Y#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ôà  àMother€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€granting€the€divorce€to€Father,€arguing€that€neither€party€wasÐ è 8  Ðentitled€to€a€divorce€if€neither€proved€grounds,€and€that€the€court€erred€by€granting€the€divorce€onÐ Ô$  Ðthe€basis€of€disbelieving€Mother.€Ð À  ÐÌÔ#†X©XX X©»6#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ôà  àInappropriate€marital€conduct,€formerly€known€as€cruel€and€inhuman€treatment,€is€definedÐ ˜è  Ðin€our€statutes€as€ð ðsuch€cruel€and€inhuman€treatment€or€conduct€towards€the€spouse€as€rendersÐ „Ô  Ðcohabitation€unsafe€and€improper.€.€.€ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„101(11)€(Supp.€1999).€€Ô#†X©XXX©18#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©ÔWhile€thereÐ pÀ Ðappears€to€be€some€lack€of€unanimity€in€appellate€decisions€on€the€specific€words€to€be€appliedÔ#†X©XX X©¾9#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ô€€inÐ \¬ Ðinterpreting€the€statutory€language,€the€basic€question€remains€whether€either€or€both€of€the€partiesÐ H˜ Ðengaged€in€a€course€of€conduct€which€(1)€caused€pain,€anguish€or€distress€to€the€other€party€and€(2)Ð 4„ Ðrendered€continued€cohabitation€ð ðimproper,Ô#†X©XX X©:#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ôðð€ð ðunendurable,Ô#†X©XX X©ú;#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ôðð€ð ðintolerableðð€or€ð ðunacceptable.ðð€€òòSeeóóÐ  p ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„101(11);€òòGardner€v.€Gardneróó,€104€Tenn.€410,€412,€58€S.W.€342,€343Ð  \ Ð(1900);€òòGarvey€v.€Garvey,óó€29€Tenn.€App.€291,€299„300,€203€S.W.2d€912,€916€(1946);òò€White€v.Ð øH ÐWhiteóó,€Carrol€Eq.€No.€3,€1988€WL€101253€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€3,€1988)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.Ð ä4 ÐP.€11€application€filed);€òòBrown€v.€Brownóó,€No.€02A01„9108„CV„00168,€1992€WL€5243€at€*3€(Tenn.Ð Ð  ÐCt.€App.€Jan.€16,€1992)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)Ô#†X©XX X©Q<#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ô.€€Ô#†X©XX X©?#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔÐ ¼  ÐÔ#†X©XXX©E?#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©ÔÌà  àThese€parties€appear€to€have€agreed€on€almost€everything€related€to€their€divorce,€exceptÐ ”ä Ðcustody.€€Even€on€that€issue,€prior€to€trial,€the€parties€had€agreed€on€an€arrangement€which€providedÐ €Ð Ðalmost€equal€time€for€each€parent€with€their€child.€€Because€custody€was€viewed€by€each€party€as€theÐ l¼ Ðmost€important€issue€at€trial,€most€of€the€testimony€relates€to€that€issue,€with€each€parent€trying€toÐ X ¨ Ðestablish€that€he€or€she€was€relatively€more€fit.€Ô#†X©XX X©œ?#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ô€However,€the€testimony€as€a€whole€provides€someÐ D!” Ðinsight€into€the€partiesðð€relationship.€€In€addition€to€the€specific€incidents€occurring€around€the€timeÐ 0"€  Ðof€the€separation,€it€is€clear€that€the€partiesðð€marriage€was€accurately€described€as€ð ðchaoticðð€at€times.€Ð #l! ÐWhenever€there€were€arguments,€the€parties€threatened€to€leave€or€told€the€other€party€to€leave.€€TheyÐ $X" Ðhad€at€least€once€previously€agreed€to€a€divorce.€€Each€party€sought€a€divorce€in€this€proceeding,€andÐ ô$D # Ðeach€claimed€that€continued€cohabitation€was€no€longer€proper.€€Prior€to€Motherððs€appeal,€bothÐ à%0!$ Ðagreed€that€continued€cohabitation€was€improper,€intolerable,€or€unacceptable.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÔ#†X©XXX©ùA#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔÌÔ#†X©XXX©XE#Ôò òó óà  àThe€trial€court€€found€that€Motherððs€accusations€of€drug€abuse€and€suicide€attempts€by€FatherÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwere€false€and€malicious.€€The€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€that€finding,€especially€inÐ )à$( Ðview€of€the€psychiatristððs€testimony€clearly€refuting€some€of€Motherððs€specific€allegations.€€Ô‡X©XXX©Ô€The€trialÐ |*Ì%) Ðcourt€found€Motherððs€false€allegations€were€inappropriate€marital€conduct.Ô#†X©XXX©üF#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔÐ h+¸&* Їà  àð ðIt€is€a€well„settled€rule€in€this€jurisdiction€that€falsely€accusing€a€[spouse]€of€adulteryÐ ° Ðconstitutes€cruel€and€inhuman€treatment.ðð€€òòEvans€v.€Evansóó,€558€S.W.2d€851,€854€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð œì Ð1977)€(citing€òòCadle€v.€Cadleóó,€191€S.W.2d€561,€562€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1945))òò€óóThe€court€in€òòCadleóóÐ ˆØ Ðdescribed€such€false€allegations€of€adultery€against€the€wife€as€ð ðoffering€such€indignities€to€herÐ tÄ Ðperson€as€to€render€her€condition€intolerable€and€justify€her€withdrawal.ðð€€òòCadleóó,€191€S.W.2d€at€562.Ð `° Ðð ðNumerous€cases€in€Tennessee€have€held€that€false€charges€of€adultery€constitute€cruel€and€inhumanÐ L œ Ðtreatment€as€a€ground€for€divorce.ðð€òòReitano€v.€Reitanoóó,€52€Tenn.€App.€289,€304,€373€S.W.2d€213,Ð 8 ˆ Ð219€(1963).€€This€court€has,€on€at€least€one€occasion,€extended€the€theory€that€false€allegations€createÐ $ t Ðgrounds€for€divorce€to€allegations€other€than€adultery.€€òòSee€Moore€v.€Mooreóó,€Shelby€Eq.€No.€17,€1989Ð  ` ÐWL€51620€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€16,€1989)€(perm.€app.€denied€Nov.€27,€1989).€€In€òòMooreóó,€theÐ ü L  Ðwife€had€made€allegations€of€physical€and€sexual€abuse€of€the€partiesðð€children€against€the€husband.€Ð è 8  ЀThe€trial€court€found€those€allegations€to€be€false€and€malicious€and€to€constitute€cruel€and€inhumanÐ Ô$  Ðtreatment,€then€granted€the€divorce€to€the€Father€based€on€the€false,€malicious€allegations.€€This€courtÐ À  Ðfound€the€evidence€contained€in€the€record€insufficient€to€reverse€those€findings.€òòSee€Mooreóó,€1989Ð ¬ü  ÐWL€51620€at€*1;ò òó ó€€òòsee€also€Lyle€v.€Lyleóó,€6€S.W.€878,€879€(Tenn.€1888)€(husbandððs€€accusations€thatÐ ˜è  Ðwife€was€a€liar,€along€with€accusations€of€adultery,€were€part€of€a€pattern€of€ð ðrendering€suchÐ „Ô  Ðindignities€to€her€as€rendered€her€condition€intolerableðð).€€Ô#†X©XXX©ªG#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àMother€accused€Father€of€abusing€drugs,€specifically€painkillers.€€This€allegation€was€madeÐ H˜ Ðin€the€course€of€the€divorce€proceedings€but€was€also€made€during€the€marriage.€€Father€testified€thatÐ 4„ ÐMother€would€ð ðthrow€that€in€my€faceðð€when€he€came€home€from€the€doctor€with€a€new€prescription.€Ð  p ÐShe€also€made€the€allegation€in€front€of€others.€€We€are€convinced€that€Motherððs€pattern€of€accusingÐ  \ ÐFather€of€abuse€of€drugs,€when€the€evidence€indicates€he€was€prescribed€various€medications€to€treatÐ øH Ðhis€migraine€headaches,€was€part€of€the€conduct€which€contributed€to€the€deterioration€of€theirÐ ä4 Ðmarriage.€€Ð Ð  Ðò òó óÓ  ÓÌÓLSÓà  àOur€courts€have€often€recognized€a€pattern€of€misconduct€as€constituting€inappropriateÐ ¨ø Ðmarital€conduct.€€òòSee€Brownóó,€1992€WL€5243€at€*3.€€However,€we€recognize€that€a€single€incident,Ð ”ä Ðif€severe€enough,€can€also€render€cohabitation€improper,€unendurable,€intolerable,€or€unacceptable.€Ð €Ð ÐòòóóÔ#†X©XXX©P#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔIn€its€finding€that€Mother€had€not€proved€inappropriate€marital€conduct€on€the€part€of€Father,€the€trialÐ l¼ Ðcourt€stated€from€the€bench,€ð ð[I]solated€incidents€that€were€done€under€pressure,€essentially€do€notÐ X ¨ Ðconstitute€grounds€for€divorce.€.€.€.€And€thatððs€the€malicious€shooting€of€the€wifeððs€Jeep€.€.€.€€I€thinkÐ D!” Ðmaybe€everybody€is€entitled€to€one€or€two€of€those.ðð€Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àWe€cannot€agree€that€everyone€is€entitled€to€one€or€two€incidents€of€shooting€and€vandalizingÐ $X" Ða€spouseððs€vehicle.€€Especially€in€view€of€€Motherððs€testimony€regarding€the€tension€between€theÐ ô$D # Ðparties€leading€up€to€that€incident,€€the€same€day€Father€ð ðtotaledðð€his€truck,€we€are€of€the€opinion€thatÐ à%0!$ ÐMother€proved€inappropriate€marital€conduct€on€the€part€of€Father€that€made€continued€cohabitationÐ Ì&"% Ðunacceptable.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌÔ#†X©XXX©üT#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ôà  àThe€pleadings€and€evidence€herein€are€clear€that€neither€party€has€any€intention€or€desire€toÐ )à$( Ðre„establish€or€maintain€a€marital€relationship.€€Both€partiesðð€actions€and€statements€establish€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðundisputed€fact€that€their€prior€conduct€toward€each€other€has€caused€pain€and€distress€such€that€eachÐ h+¸&* Ðparty€has€determined€that€cohabitation€is€improper,€unendurable,€and€unacceptable.Ð ° ÐÔ#†X©XX X© Y#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔÌÔ#†X©XXX©>[#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ôà  àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b)€(Supp.€1999)€authorizes€a€court€to€declare€the€partiesÐ ˆØ Ðdivorced,€regardless€of€which€party€may€be€more€at€fault,€when€there€is€proof€that€would€entitleÐ tÄ Ðeither€or€both€parties€to€a€divorce,€i.e.,€proof€of€one€of€the€statutory€grounds€for€divorce.€€We€haveÐ `° Ðreviewed€the€entire€record€in€this€case€and€find€conduct€constituting€inappropriate€marital€conductÐ L œ Ðon€the€part€of€each€party.€€Therefore,€we€modify€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€the€divorce€to€Father€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðdeclare€the€parties€divorced€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô#†X©XX X©[#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ôðð€36„4„129(b)Ô#†X©XX X©Y^#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ô.Ð $ t ÐÔ#†X©XXX©«^#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔÌÓ  ÓII.€€Child€CustodyÐ ü L  ÐÓ#_ÓÌÔ#†X©XXX©_#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©ÔÔ‡ ¼A»X X©Ôà  àÔ#† X©X» ¼A©_#ÔThe€primary€€issue€in€this€case€is€the€custody€of€the€partiesðð€daughter.€€The€trial€court€awardedÐ Ô$  Ðcustody€of€the€child€to€Father,€but€awarded€ð ðgreater€than€normalðð€visitation€to€Mother.€€MotherÐ À  Ðappeals,€claiming€she€should€have€custody€of€the€child.€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àOur€courts€make€no€more€important€decisions€than€those€involving€the€custody€of€children.€Ð „Ô  ÐWhen€called€upon€to€order€a€custody€arrangement,€a€court€must€consider€many€factors€and€make€aÐ pÀ Ðcustody€determination€based€on€the€best€interest€of€the€children.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106Ð \¬ Ð(Supp.€1999)€(listing€the€factors€for€the€court€to€consider).Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àIn€child€custody€cases,€the€welfare€and€best€interest€of€the€children€are€the€paramountÐ  p Ðconcern,€and€the€determination€of€the€childrenððs€best€interest€must€turn€on€the€particular€facts€of€eachÐ  \ Ðcase.€€òòSee€Akins€v.€Akinsóó,€805€S.W.2d€377,€378€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990)€(citing€òòHolloway€v.€Bradleyóó,Ð øH Ð190€Tenn.€565,€570„72,€230€S.W.2d€1003,€1006€(1950)).€€Inòò€Hollowayóó,€the€Court€stated:Ð ä4 ÐÌà8  àThe€determining€facts€in€these€adoption€and€custody€cases€are€so€infinite€in€theirÐ ¼  Ðvariety€that€the€reported€decision€in€one€case€is€of€little€aid€or€assistance€in€settlingÐ ¨ø Ðthe€next.€€The€supreme€rule€to€which€all€others€should€yield€is€the€welfare€and€bestÐ ”ä Ðinterest€of€the€child.ЀÐÐ Ð  ÐÌòòHollowayóó,€190€Tenn.€at€571,€230€S.W.2d€at€1006.Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àWhere,€as€here,€both€parents€seek€custody,€this€court€has€held€that€the€childððs€best€interest€isÐ 0"€  Ðto€be€determined€by€using€an€analysis€of€the€comparative€fitness€of€each€parent.€òò€See€Bah€v.€Bahóó,€668Ð #l! ÐS.W.2d€663,€665„66€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983)òò.óóÐ $X" ÐÌà8  àWe€adopt€what€we€believe€is€a€common€sense€approach€to€custody,€one€which€weÐ à%0!$ Ðwill€call€the€doctrine€of€ð ðcomparative€fitness.ðð€€The€paramount€concern€in€childÐ Ì&"% Ðcustody€cases€is€the€welfare€and€best€interest€of€the€child.€€òòMollish€v.€Mollishóó,€494Ð ¸'#& ÐS.W.2d€145,€151€(Tenn.€App.€1972).€€There€are€literally€thousands€of€things€that€mustÐ ¤(ô#' Ðbe€taken€into€consideration€in€the€lives€of€young€children,€òòSmith€v.€Smithóó,€188€Tenn.Ð )à$( Ð430,€437,€220€S.W.2d€627,€630€(1949),€and€these€factors€must€be€reviewed€on€aÐ |*Ì%) Ðcomparative€approach:Ðh+¸&*Ð Ð  ЇÓ-€ü(€¸ ¼è“X°œX-Óà8 è àFitness€for€custodial€responsibilities€is€òòò òlargely€a€comparative€matteróóó ó.€Ð ° ÐNo€human€being€is€deemed€perfect,€hence€no€human€can€be€deemed€aÐ œì Ðperfectly€fit€custodian.€€Necessarily,€therefore,€the€courts€must€determineÐ ˆØ Ðwhich€of€two€or€more€available€custodians€is€more€or€less€fit€than€others.€Ð tÄ ÐòòEdwards€v.€Edwardsóó,€501€S.W.2d€283,€290„291€(Tenn.€App.€1973)Ð `° Ð(emphasis€supplied).ÐL œèðèð ÐÌòòÓ<€ü(€ö ¼è“X€ü(€¸ ¼è“X<ÓId.óó,€668€S.W.2d€at€666.Ð $ t ÐÌà & àBecause€the€determination€of€where€a€childððs€best€interest€lies€is€the€result€of€theÐ ü L  Ðconsideration€of€a€number€of€factors€in€the€context€of€a€specific€factual€situation,€òòsee€AdelspergerÐ è 8  Ðv.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€482,€485€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997),€it€is€€particularly€fact„driven.€€òòSeeÐ Ô$  ÐRogero€v.€Pittóó,€759€S.W.2d€109,€112€(Tenn.€1988).€€€Such€decisions€often€hinge€on€the€trial€courtððsÐ À  Ðassessment€of€the€demeanor€and€credibility€of€the€parents€and€other€witnesses.€€òòSee€Adelspergeróó,€970Ð ¬ü  ÐS.W.2d€at€485.€òòóó€Consequently,€appellate€courts€are€reluctant€to€second„guess€a€trial€courtððsÐ ˜è  Ðdetermination€regarding€custody€and€visitation.€€òòSee€Rutherford€v.€Rutherfordóó,€971€S.W.2d€955,€956Ð „Ô  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997)€(quoting€òòGaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€631€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996)).€Ð pÀ ÐAccordingly,€this€court€will€decline€to€disturb€the€custody€decision€of€the€trial€court€herein€unlessÐ \¬ Ðthat€decision€is€based€on€a€material€error€of€law€or€the€evidence€preponderates€against€it.€€òòSeeÐ H˜ ÐAdelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€at€485.€€€Ô#†X©XX X©Š_#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔÐ 4„ ÐÌà & àIn€this€case,€no€testimony€reflected€badly€on€either€party€as€a€parent.€In€its€order,€the€trialÐ  \ Ðcourt€found€that€both€parties€were€care€givers€to€the€child€and€that€ð ð[t]his€is€a€case€where€the€CourtÐ øH Ðis€permitted€to€choose€between€two€good€parents€rather€than€between€a€good€parent€and€a€badÐ ä4 Ðparent.ðð€€In€awarding€custody€to€Father,€the€court€found:Ð Ð  ÐÌà8 & àThe€Husband€has€spent€more€time€with€the€child€than€the€Wife.€€The€Husband€andÐ ¨ø Ðhis€family€are€more€involved€with€the€child€and€with€her€welfare,€both€before€andÐ ”ä Ðafter€the€parties€separated.€€The€Court€also€notes€that€the€Wife€has€been€intentionallyÐ €Ð Ðuntruthful€and€cannot€be€trusted€to€follow€the€Courtððs€orders€concerning€custody€andÐ l¼ Ðvisitation.ÐX ¨&² &²  Ðà€(#(#K(#àˆÌà & àMother€argues€that€she€has€been€primarily€responsible€for€the€care€of€the€child,€that€she€spentÐ 0"€  Ðmore€time€with€the€child,€€and€that€she€is€more€stable€than€Father.€€Mother€also€argues€that€the€courtÐ #l! Ðawarded€custody€to€Father€in€an€effort€to€punish€her€for€making€false€allegations€against€Father.€€Ð $X" ÐMother€correctly€asserts€that€custody€ð ðshould€not€be€a€tool€for€punishment€of€bad€behavior.ðð€€òòSeeÐ ô$D # ÐAdelspergeróó,€Ô#†X©XXX©zr#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ô970€S.W.2d€at€485Ô#†X©XXX©x#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ôòò.óó€€€Disregarding€the€trial€courtððs€negative€assessment€of€MotherððsÐ à%0!$ Ðcredibility€in€her€accusations€against€Father,€however,€when€we€look€at€the€evidence€presented€to€theÐ Ì&"% Ðtrial€court€regarding€the€comparative€fitness€of€the€parents,€we€cannot€say€that€the€evidenceÐ ¸'#& Ðpreponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€custody€with€Father€was€in€the€best€interest€of€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðchild.€€Ð )à$( ÐÌà & àThe€court€heard€evidence€that€both€parents€cared€for€the€child,€and€that€both€parents€lovedÐ h+¸&* ÐÑ;DÑâ âÑ8€©XXdìXXdì8Ñâ âÑ  Ñher.€€The€court€also€heard€testimony€that€Father€planned€to€remain€in€the€marital€home,€next€to€hisÐ ° Ðparentsðð€home€and€near€his€brother€and€sister.€€Thus,€Father€was€able€to€keep€the€child€in€the€homeÐ œì Ðwhere€she€had€grown€up,€surrounded€by€her€extended€family.€€The€court€also€heard€testimony€thatÐ ˆØ ÐFather€sought€counseling€for€his€own€problems€following€the€separation,€but€that€one€of€his€firstÐ tÄ Ðquestions€of€his€psychiatrist€was€how€he€could€help€his€daughter€deal€with€the€divorce.€€The€courtÐ `° Ðheard€testimony€that€Father€was€quick€to€make€sacrifices€for€his€daughter,€and€was€willing€to€put€theÐ L œ Ðpartiesðð€differences€aside€for€the€sake€of€the€child.€€Father€was€said€to€care€for€the€child€when€she€wasÐ 8 ˆ Ðsick€and€€to€have€a€good€relationship€with€her.€€While€there€was€similar€testimony€regardingÐ $ t ÐMotherððs€love€and€care€for€the€child,€the€court€was€called€upon€to€decide€comparative€fitness€and€toÐ  ` Ðorder€a€custody€arrangement€in€the€childððs€best€interest.€Upon€review€of€the€entire€record€herein,€weÐ ü L  Ðdecline€to€second€guess€the€trial€court,€and€we€affirm€the€award€of€custody.Ð è 8  ÐÌÔ#†X©XXX©Òx#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ôà & àWhile€we€affirm€the€award€of€custody€to€Father,€we€must€address€the€trial€courtððs€predictionÐ À  Ðthat€Mother€ð ðcannot€be€trusted€to€follow€the€Courtððs€orders€concerning€custody€and€visitation.ðð€€TheÐ ¬ü  Ðevidence€showed€that,€long€before€the€trial,€the€parties€had€agreed€between€themselves€to€splitÐ ˜è  Ðcustody€of€the€child,€and€the€arrangement€between€them€had€worked€satisfactorily€for€severalÐ „Ô  Ðmonths.€€The€trial€court,€in€its€ruling€from€the€bench,€acknowledged€that€ð ðthese€people,€although€theyÐ pÀ Ðare€having€their€problems,€have€gotten€along€well€enough€where€the€child€is€involved.ðð€€Thus,€noÐ \¬ Ðsupport€exists€for€the€courtððs€prediction€that€Mother€might€disobey€the€Courtððs€orders€regardingÐ H˜ Ðvisitation.€€€A€trial€courtððs€duty€is€to€set€custody€and€visitation€in€such€a€manner€as€to€best€provideÐ 4„ Ðfor€the€welfare€of€the€child.€€We€are€convinced€the€trial€court€herein€did€just€that;€however,Ð  p Ðcomments€regarding€the€courtððs€trust€in€mother€to€follow€orders€could€imply€that€the€courtÐ  \ Ðdetermined€custody€on€an€inappropriate€basis,€which€is€the€conclusion€drawn€and€argued€by€Mother׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×.€Ð øH ÐBecause€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€award,€when€appropriate€factorsÐ ä4 Ðare€considered,€we€affirm€the€award€of€custody€to€Father.Ô#†X©XXX©#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©ÔÐ Ð  ÐÌÑ€§Ñò òó óÓ  ÓIII.€€ConclusionÐ ¨ø ÐÓЇÓÌà & àWe€modify€the€trial€courtððs€granting€of€the€divorce€to€Father,€instead€declaring€the€partiesÐ €Ð Ðto€be€divorced€pursuant€to€Ô#†X©XXX©„‡#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô#†X©XX X©Ðˆ#ÔÔ‡ X©XXX©Ôðð€36„4„129(b)Ô#†X©XX X©"‰#ÔÔ‡X©XXX©Ô.€We€affirm€the€award€of€custody€of€the€Ð  l¼ Ðѧ Ñâ âÑ€.Ñâ âÑ  Ñchild€to€Father.€This€case€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€such€proceedings€as€are€necessary.€€CostsÐ ° Ðare€taxed€to€Mother,€April€Leigh€Burkhart,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð œì ÐÌÌÌà & àà ì àà  à____________________________________Ð L œ Ðà & àà ì àà  àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGEÔ#†X©XXX©t‰#Ô