ÿWPCä H‰Ø-QI:ä«âÙ0IÁ‡îâ$†ÕŸ¡PÕ;´+‘Á§Ò‘÷sËXTÄJæP{âxCªÛ—j²Nè‰P*Ñ•]sIÓ'§Ä ¡Œ˜ÂÝt ¬ û\@ÉíÐã;Ÿ’Çݽ #PZè·zÖ1Áf—2å¶!©ù½å1CŰeZCE0]³b¨XgÄ€‰7Ø0 •·‹芣Ò_Àå‚ ·oV ª{Í5ªUZäŠÂï ‰m;ÓjNµ7'[€õ&ej›@nŽy³ÑìMÜ—Pѹ @ßÔë[…{QìpþM‘T§ôˆ‡öÙ9,–ÿ½åN£b ¨îNÉžù¶¯á¦ª *9¬g©„’›¿vO3d úcuìÔ(Õ„"U`'‹r$¸ºG¹ý&¶bH3ˆ¹ß ê–â•…³?¤ÄM§¾ì‰®xÕ'ÙX âW²-Ë#ݰ©kç«y«ÒÛ#ª§f¥v¤±/e¸ÌQ­L0jkÄ·aÉ]î™Ç[ÇÇÁÀïA ƒ?vMqÃb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ SÐ 0D# Æg Æ- Æó ƹ #ÁN@@BE[&]UNƒƒƒƒƒÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑbÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙ 0ëáááá BÌÌ 0¤é D3 D-À 0Kíí AS8Æ‹ 0¤Q 0Dõ A«9»`s,-s (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular9‚±,ÀÚ¤ 3|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ IÝ ƒRcß$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®¥ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€The€record€shows€the€parties€agreed€to€the€issue€of€the€custody€of€the€Children€in€a€Marital€DissolutionÐ ° ÐAgreement€which€was€incorporated€by€reference€thereto€in€the€Divorce€Decree.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 Ý ƒRcß$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®¥ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€The€record€on€appeal€does€not€contain€any€proof€regarding€whether€Father€was€convicted€of€domestic€assaultÐ ° Ðof€Tammy€Joiner. Ý ƒRcß$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®¥ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€The€record€on€appeal€does€not€disclose€why€the€Juvenile€Court€was€exercising€jurisdiction€over€Fatherððs€andÐ ° ÐJoinerððs€minor€child.€(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular - ù-(|G2cß$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®¥ò»»Ô d(|3:$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3:$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ »»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼ »»»ÔÑ8€R!XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÔ‡îD Ôà@ü ü ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼ »îîDú#ԈРÖ& Ðà@&& ìàJuly€8,€2002€SessionˆÐ üL ÐÔ‡XR!X»¼ ÔÌÌÌÌò òÔ#†¼ »XXR!ø#Ôà@ÒÒìàRENEE€SHELBY€GRIFFITH€v.€JAMES€ALDEN€GRIFFITHÔ‡XR!X»¼ Ôó óˆÐ ¾  ÐÌò òà@/ / ìàAppeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Montgomery€CountyˆÐ ¾   Ðà@E E ìàNo.€94„76„499€€€€€€Michael€R.€Jones,€Judge,€by€InterchangeˆÐ ªú  ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<m` A߈Ð n¾  ÐÌà@. . ìàNo.€M2001„02369„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€September€12,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ԈРi¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<@` AßÐ A‘ Ðó óÌÌRenee€Shelby€Griffith€(ð ðMotherðð)€and€James€Alden€Griffith€(ð ðFatherðð)€were€divorced€in€1995.€Ð (x ÐMother€originally€was€awarded€primary€physical€custody€of€the€partiesðð€two€minor€children.€€FatherÐ d Ðlater€sought€a€change€of€custody.€€The€Trial€Court€granted€Fatherððs€motion€to€modify€custody,Ð P Ðfinding€that€a€material€change€in€circumstances€had€occurred€and€that€a€change€of€custody€wouldÐ ì< Ðserve€the€best€interests€of€the€children.€€Mother€appeals.€€We€affirm,€in€part,€and€vacate,€in€part,€andÐ Ø( Ðremand.Ð Ä ÐÌÌò òà@ËËìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€ˆÐ ˆØ Ðà@g g ìàAffirmed,€in€part,€and€Vacated,€in€part;€à@@!!#ìàCase€Remanded.ó óˆÐ tÄ ÐÌÌòòÔ#†¼ »àXR!€#ÔÔ€XR!X.¼ ÔD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Ô_ÔGoddardÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,óóÐ 8!ˆ  Ðand€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó,€joined.Ð $"t! ÐÌÌRoger€A.€Ô_ÔManessÔ_Ô,€Clarksville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellant,€Renee€Shelby€Griffith.Ð è$8 $ ÐÌÔ_ÔRodgerÔ_Ô€N.€Bowman,€Clarksville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee,€James€Alden€Griffith.Ð À&"& ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ 4-„(-ý ÐÔ_Ô‡à@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà@ÛÛ%ìàò òòòBackgroundˆÐ ˆØ Ðó óóóÌà  àà ` àThe€parties€were€divorced€in€June€1995.€€The€Final€Decree€of€Divorce€(ð ðDivorceÐ `° ÐDecreeðð)€granted€the€parties€joint€custody€of€their€two€minor€children€(ð ðChildrenðð),€who,€at€the€timeÐ L œ Ðof€this€opinion,€are€approximately€ages€13€and€11.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Divorce€Decree€awarded€Mother€primaryÐ 8 ˆ Ðphysical€custody€and€granted€Father€visitation.€€The€record€on€appeal€shows€that€what€followed€theÐ $ t Ðentry€of€the€Divorce€Decree€was€a€contentious€battle€between€the€parties€over€custody€of€theÐ  ` ÐChildren.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àà ` àFather€filed€a€Motion€to€Amend€Final€Decree€as€to€Custody€in€September€1996.€€ThisÐ Ô$  Ðmotion€was€based,€in€part,€on€Fatherððs€allegations€that€Mother,€a€registered€nurse,€was€addicted€toÐ À  Ðprescription€drugs€and€that€Mother€had€tested€positive€for€drugs€in€a€test€performed€by€her€employer,Ð ¬ü  Ða€hospital.€€Mother€admitted,€in€her€response€to€the€motion,€that€she€had€failed€a€random€drug€testÐ ˜è  Ðin€January€1996.€€After€a€hearing€on€this€motion,€the€Trial€Court€entered€an€Order€in€May€1997,Ð „Ô  Ðdenying€Fatherððs€request€to€modify€custody€but€granting€Father€an€increase€in€visitation.Ð pÀ Ѐ€Ð \¬ Ðà  àà ` àIn€May€1998,€Father€again€filed€a€motion€for€change€of€custody€(ð ðMotion€to€ModifyÐ H˜ ÐCustodyðð)€asking€the€Trial€Court€to€make€him€the€primary€physical€custodian€of€the€Children€andÐ 4„ Ðrequesting€an€immediate€òòex€parteóó€order€for€temporary€custody.€€In€the€motion,€Father€alleged€thatÐ  p ÐMother€again€was€abusing€prescription€drugs€and€had€been€discharged€from€her€job€as€a€nurse.€Ð  \ ÐFather€also€alleged€the€Childrenððs€physical€safety€could€be€in€danger€due€to€Motherððs€drug€abuse.€€Ð øH ÐÌà  àà ` àFor€reasons€unclear€from€the€record,€the€Motion€to€Modify€Custody€was€not€heardÐ Ð  Ðby€the€Trial€Court€for€over€a€year.€€In€June€1999,€Father€filed€a€Motion€for€Immediate€HearingÐ ¼  Ðalleging€the€Children€were€in€imminent€danger€while€in€Motherððs€custody€because€Mother€had€Ð ¨ø Ðrecently€attempted€suicide€while€the€Children€were€at€home€and€because€Mother€had€been€dischargedÐ ”ä Ðfrom€employment€twice€in€the€past€year€due€to€her€drug€abuse€problem.€€Father,€in€November€1999,Ð €Ð Ðfiled€another€Motion€for€Immediate€Hearing€alleging€that€Mother€had€driven€while€under€theÐ l¼ Ðinfluence€with€the€Children€in€the€car.€€The€Trial€Court€held€a€hearing€and€entered€an€Order€inÐ X ¨ ÐDecember€1999,€granting€Father€temporary€physical€custody€of€the€Children€based€upon€theseÐ D!” Ðallegations.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Court€held€two€hearings€in€January€and€March€2001€on€Fatherððs€Motion€toÐ $X" ÐModify€Custody.€€The€Trial€Court€only€considered€proof€regarding€events€that€had€occurred€òòafteróó€theÐ ô$D # ÐMay€1997€Order.€€Mother€testified€she€had€a€substance€abuse€problem€which€began€approximatelyÐ à%0!$ Ðin€January€1996.€€Mother€testified€she€became€addicted€to€prescription€drugs€when€her€physicianÐ Ì&"% Ðprescribed€her€Mepergan€after€she€underwent€surgery€related€to€Chronððs€Disease.€€Mother€claimedÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€last€time€she€took€a€drug€that€was€not€prescribed€to€her€was€October€1996.€€The€proof€also€showsÐ ¤(ô#' ÐMother,€a€registered€nurse,€lost€several€hospital€jobs€due€to€her€drug€problem.€€At€the€time€of€theÐ ° Ðhearings€in€2001,€Mother€had€graduated€from€paralegal€school€and€was€employed€by€Cigna€InsuranceÐ œì ÐCompany€as€a€medical€investigator.€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€proof€shows€Mother,€over€the€Memorial€Day€weekend€in€1999,€stuck€her€wristÐ `° Ðwith€a€ò òó óknife€and€needle€and€drew€blood.€€Mother€cut€her€wrist€at€home€while€the€Children€wereÐ L œ Ðasleep.€€Thereafter,€Mother€was€hospitalized€for€a€few€days.€€Mother€denied€this€was€a€suicideÐ 8 ˆ Ðattempt€and€characterized€it€as€a€way€to€get€attention.€€Mother€testified€she€did€this€to€herself€becauseÐ $ t Ðshe€and€her€boyfriend€had€discussed€breaking€up.€€Mother,€since€approximately€1993,€has€been€underÐ  ` Ðthe€care€of€a€psychiatrist€who€prescribed€her€an€anti„depressant,€Prozac.€€€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€Halloween€1999,€Mother€drove€the€Children€and€some€of€their€friends€from€herÐ Ô$  Ðboyfriendððs€home€to€her€home€after€the€Children€had€trick„or„treated€that€evening.€€One€of€theÐ À  ÐChildrenððs€friends€testified€Mother€had€fallen€asleep€at€her€boyfriendððs€house€and€that€it€was€difficultÐ ¬ü  Ðto€wake€Mother€so€they€could€leave.€€While€backing€her€vehicle€out€of€her€boyfriendððs€driveway,Ð ˜è  ÐMother€hit€a€mailbox.€€Mother€testified€this€was€an€accident€and€that€this€was€the€only€out„of„the„Ð „Ô  Ðordinary€event€that€occurred€while€she€drove€the€Children€and€their€friends€home.€€The€Children€andÐ pÀ Ðanother€minor,€who€was€riding€in€the€car€with€Mother,€however,€testified€Motherððs€driving€frightenedÐ \¬ Ðthem€because€not€only€had€she€hit€a€mailbox,€but€she€also€drove€sporadically,€nearly€hit€anotherÐ H˜ Ðvehicle,€and,€once€Mother€reached€her€neighborhood,€allowed€the€older€Child,€then€age€11,€to€driveÐ 4„ Ðher€vehicle.€€The€proof€also€shows€Mother€appeared€hung„over€and€had€slurred€speech€the€followingÐ  p Ðmorning.€€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àà ` àMother€denied€drinking€more€than€approximately€2€beers€that€evening€and€testifiedÐ ä4 Ðthat€she€simply€was€tired€at€the€end€of€a€long€day.€€Motherððs€boyfriend€testified€he€did€not€recallÐ Ð  Ðseeing€Mother€drinking€alcohol€that€evening€while€the€Children€were€trick„or„treating.Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€proof€in€the€record€on€appeal€shows€that,€at€the€time€of€the€January€and€MarchÐ ”ä Ð2001€hearings,€Father€lived€with€his€girlfriend,€Tammy€Joiner,€in€a€house€located€next„door€toÐ €Ð ÐFatherððs€parents.€€The€record€shows€Father€and€Joiner€have€a€child€who€was€then€approximately€2Ð l¼ Ðyears€old.€€The€proof€shows€Father,€Joiner,€and€the€paternal€grandparents€participated€in€caring€forÐ X ¨ Ðthe€Children.€€Father€testified€the€Children€are€aware€that€he€and€Joiner€are€not€married.€€Ð D!” ÐÌà  àà ` àThereafter,€the€Trial€Court€entered€an€opinion€(ð ðFirst€Orderðð)€on€Fatherððs€thenÐ #l! Ðpending€Motion€to€Modify€Custody.€€The€Trial€Court€granted€Fatherððs€motion,€stating,€in€the€FirstÐ $X" ÐOrder,€as€follows:Ð ô$D # ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€Court€therefore€finds€that€the€ð ðstupidðð€event€of€MemorialÐ Ì&"% ÐDay€and€the€drinking€and€driving€on€Halloween€clearly€demonstrateÐ ¸'#& Ðthat€there€has€been€a€change€of€circumstances.€€Further€these€eventsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðclearly€establish€that€the€physical€safety€of€the€children€wasÐ )à$( Ðjeopardized€by€the€mother.€€Therefore€it€is€clearly€in€the€best€interestÐ |*Ì%) Ðof€the€children€that€the€primary€residential€parent€be€the€father.Ðh+¸&*` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€testimony€of€[one€of€the€Children]€demonstrated€that€theÐ ° Ðpaternal€grandparents€likewise€contribute€to€the€every€day€well€beingÐ œì Ðof€the€children.€€ð ðPoppa€takes€me€to€the€bus.ðð€€The€paternalÐ ˆØ Ðgrandparents€live€next€door€to€the€father.€€The€children€are€doing€wellÐ tÄ Ðin€public€school,€[sic]€active€in€school€activities€and€extracurricularÐ `° Ðactivities.ÐL œ` x` x ÐÌThe€Trial€Court€also€found€in€the€First€Order€that,€while€it€could€not€condone€Fatherððs€cohabitationÐ $ t Ðwith€his€girlfriend€ð ðas€morally€beneficial,ðð€it€found€the€ð ð[C]hildren€regard€Tammy€Joiner€as€theirÐ  ` Ðstepmom€and€she€certainly€performs€the€functions€of€a€parent.ðð€€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àà ` àAfter€the€hearings€held€in€January€and€March,€2001,€but€before€the€First€Order€wasÐ Ô$  Ðentered,€Mother€filed€a€motion€asking€the€Trial€Court€to€reopen€proof.€€In€this€motion,€MotherÐ À  Ðalleged€that€since€the€March€2001€hearing,€Father€and€his€girlfriend,€Joiner,€had€stopped€dating€andÐ ¬ü  ÐFather€and€the€Children€were€no€longer€living€in€their€home.€€The€motion€alleged€Father€had€beenÐ ˜è  Ðconvicted€of€domestic€assault€of€Joiner.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Court€granted€Motherððs€motion€to€reopen€proof€and€held€a€hearing€inÐ \¬ ÐAugust€2001.€€At€this€hearing,€Joiner€testified€that€on€March€9,€2001,€a€few€days€after€the€lastÐ H˜ Ðhearing,€Father€asked€her€to€move€out€of€their€home€and€leave€their€2„year„old€child€in€his€care.€Ð 4„ ÐJoiner€refused.€€Thereafter,€Joiner€and€Father€had€an€argument€during€which€Joiner€alleged€FatherÐ  p Ðhurt€her€when€he€grabbed€her€arm€while€she€was€holding€their€child.€€The€record€shows€the€ChildrenÐ  \ Ðwere€not€present€when€this€occurred.€€Subsequently,€Father€was€arrested€for€assault,€and€as€part€ofÐ øH Ðhis€conditional€release€upon€making€bond,€Father€was€not€allowed€to€be€near€Joiner€or€enter€his€andÐ ä4 ÐJoinerððs€home.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€Joiner€also€testified€that€prior€to€the€March€2001€assault,€Father€frequently€drankÐ Ð  Ðalcohol€and€that€while€drinking,€Father€had€violent€episodes€with€her.€€The€proof€also€shows€that€onÐ ¼  Ðthe€date€of€his€assault€arrest,€Father€removed€the€vehicle€Joiner€had€been€using,€thereby€leaving€herÐ ¨ø Ðwithout€any€transportation.€€At€the€time€of€the€August€2001€hearing,€Father€and€Joiner€were€livingÐ ”ä Ðseparately,€and€their€child€had€been€committed€to€the€custody€of€the€Juvenile€Court.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àThereafter,€the€Trial€Court€entered€an€Order€(ð ðSecond€Orderðð)€in€which€it€held€MotherÐ X ¨ Ðhad€ð ðnot€presented€sufficient€proof€which€would€cause€the€Court€to€change,€alter€or€amend€its€[FirstÐ D!” ÐOrder].ðð€€The€Second€Order€incorporated€the€First€Order€by€reference€thereto.€€The€Second€OrderÐ 0"€  Ðdid€not€address€specifically€the€issue€of€Fatherððs€alleged€assault€of€Joiner.€€Ð #l! ÐÌà  àà ` àMother€appeals.€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌÐ Ì&"% Ðà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionó óóóˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€appeal€and€although€not€exactly€stated€as€such,€Mother€raises€the€following€issue:Ð ˆØ Ðwhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€granting€Fatherððs€Motion€to€Modify€Custody.€€Father€raises€noÐ tÄ Ðadditional€issues€on€appeal€but€contends€that,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„103(c),€he€isÐ `° Ðentitled€to€recover€his€attorney's€fees€incurred€on€appeal.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àà ` àÔ‡XR!XXXR!ÔOur€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctnessÐ $ t Ðof€the€findings€of€fact€of€the€Trial€Court,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.Ð  ` ÐTenn.€Rule€App.€P.€13(d);òò€Ô#†XR!XXXR!ó9#ÔÔ‡XR!XXXR!ÔBogan€v.€Boganóó,€60€S.W.3d€721,€727€(Tenn.€2001).€€A€Trial€CourtððsÐ ü L  Ðconclusions€of€law€are€subject€to€a€òòde€novoóó€review€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòSouthernÐ è 8  ÐConstructors,€Inc.€v.€Loudon€County€Bd.€of€Educ.óó,€58€S.W.3d€706,€710€(Tenn.€2001).ò òòòÐ Ô$  Ðó óóóÔ#†XR!XXXR!6;#ÔÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Courtððs€prior€custody€determination€ò òó óis€òòres€judicataóó€and€is,€therefore,Ð ¬ü  Ðconclusive€unless€it€is€shown€that€ð ðsome€new€fact€has€occurred€which€has€altered€the€circumstancesÐ ˜è  Ðin€a€material€way€so€that€the€welfare€of€the€child€requires€a€change€of€custody.ðð€€òòHoalcraft€v.Ð „Ô  ÐSmithsonóó,€19€S.W.3d€822,€828€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999).€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„101(a)(1)€providesÐ pÀ Ðthat€custody€determinations€are€subject€to€modification€ð ðas€the€exigencies€of€the€case€may€require.ðð€Ð \¬ ÐCourts€afford€a€strong€presumption€in€favor€of€the€existing€custody€arrangement.€€€òòHoalcraft€v.Ð H˜ ÐSmithsonóó,€19€S.W.3d€at€829.€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€appeal,€Mother€contends€the€Trial€Court€should€have€engaged€in€a€comparativeÐ  \ Ðfitness€analysis€between€the€parties€in€determining€Fatherððs€Motion€to€Modify€Custody.€€TheÐ øH Ðcomparative€fitness€test,ò ò€ó óby€itself,€does€not€control€òòmodificationsóó€of€existing€custody€ordersòòóó.€€òòSee€id.óóÐ ä4 Ðat€828„30òòò òóóòòóóó ó.€€Instead,€the€person€seeking€a€change€of€custody€has€the€burden€of€establishing:€(1)€aÐ Ô$ Ðmaterial€change€of€circumstances€has€occurred€which€was€not€reasonably€foreseeable€at€the€time€ofÐ À Ðthe€original€custody€determination;€and€(2)€the€childððs€best€interests€will€be€served€by€the€change€ofÐ ¬ü Ðcustody.€€òòId.ò ò€òòóóóóó óat€828.òòòòóó€€óóThis€Court€further€defined€ð ðmaterial€change€of€circumstancesðð€as€thoseÐ ˜è Ðcircumstances€of€the€child€which€affect€the€well„being€of€the€child,€as€opposed€to€circumstancesÐ „Ô Ðaffecting€the€parents.€€òòIdóó.€at€829.€€If€the€trial€court€finds€that€the€moving€party€has€not€established€aÐ pÀ Ðmaterial€change€of€circumstances,€then€the€trial€court€need€not€make€the€second€inquiry€involvingÐ \ ¬ Ðwhether€the€change€of€custody€would€serve€the€childððs€best€interests.€€òòCaudill€v.€Foleyóó,€21€S.W.3dÐ H!˜ Ð203,€213€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999).€Ð 4"„  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Court,€in€the€First€Order,€held€that€Father€had€carried€his€burden€of€provingÐ  $\" Ða€material€change€in€circumstances€such€that€a€change€in€custody€was€warranted.€€The€Trial€CourtÐ ø$H # Ðspecifically€found€that€Motherððs€apparent€suicide€attempt€over€Memorial€Day€weekend€in€1999€andÐ ä%4!$ Ðher€reckless€driving€while€under€the€influence€of€an€intoxicant€over€Halloween€in€1999€constitutedÐ Ð& "% Ða€material€change€of€circumstances.€€The€record€shows€Mother€attempted€to€gloss„over€her€suicideÐ ¼' #& Ðattempt€and€flatly€denied€the€drunk€driving€incident.€€It€is€clear€from€the€First€Order€that€the€TrialÐ ¨(ø#' ÐCourt,€in€making€this€determination,€did€not€find€Mother€to€be€a€credible€witness,€holding,€inÐ ”)ä$( Ðpertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð €*Ð%) ÐÐ l+¼&* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à[M]other€testified€that€her€drug€abuse€problem€began€inÐ ° ÐJanuary€1996€when€her€doctor€prescribed€meprogan€thereby€blamingÐ œì Ðher€doctor€for€her€addiction.€€The€mother€further€testified€that€she€wasÐ ˆØ Ðasked€to€resign€a€position€due€to€missing€narcotics.€€She€blamed€herÐ tÄ Ðð ðhot€testðð€on€a€mix€up€of€samples.€€She€either€quit€or€was€terminatedÐ `° Ðfrom€another€position€due€to€giving€a€medication€to€a€patient€basedÐ L œ Ðon€an€oral€instruction€of€a€doctor;€she€blamed€this€discharge€on€aÐ 8 ˆ Ðfailure€to€place€these€instructions€for€Adavan€and€Demerol€on€theÐ $ t Ðpatientððs€chart.€.€.€.€€The€mother€also€blamed€the€husband€for€theÐ  ` Ðchildrenððs€testimony€in€reference€to€the€Halloween€episode.€€WhenÐ ü L  Ðconfronted€with€absolute€proof€of€her€drinking€and€driving,€theÐ è 8  Ðmother€testified€that€it€did€not€occur.€€The€mother€failed€and€fails€toÐ Ô$  Ðaccept€responsibility€for€her€own€acts.€€These€acts€have€endangeredÐ À  Ðthe€lives€of€the€children€and€others.€Ð¬ü ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€mother€was€not€a€teenager€deeply€in€love€with€her€firstÐ „Ô  Ðlove€when€she€committed€her€ð ðstupidðð€act€of€cutting€herself.€€She€wasÐ pÀ Ð33€years€of€age,€a€registered€nurse€and€the€mother€and€caretaker€ofÐ \¬ Ðtwo€small€children.€.€.€.€€As€a€result€the€mother€was€committed€andÐ H˜ Ðremoved€from€the€home€to€remain€in€a€hospital€for€approximately€4Ð 4„ Ðdays.€€The€Court€cannot€find€that€the€mother€considered€the€welfareÐ  p Ðof€her€children€at€all€when€she€acted€out€to€get€the€attention€of€her€boyÐ  \ Ðfriend.€.€.€.ÐøH` x` x ÐÌWith€respect€to€the€Halloween€episode,€the€First€Order€also€characterized€Motherððs€denial€of€theÐ Ð  ÐChildrenððs€account€of€what€occurred€as€having€ð ðno€credibility.ððÐ ¼  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Courtððs€finding€that€a€material€change€in€circumstances€exists€such€as€toÐ ”ä Ðwarrant€a€change€in€custody€was€based€upon€its€observation€of€the€parties€at€the€hearings,€and€itsÐ €Ð Ðcomparison€of€the€demeanor€of€all€the€witnesses,€including€Father€and€Mother.€€Trial€courts,€whenÐ l¼ Ðdetermining€custody€matters,€take€into€account€a€number€of€factors,€ð ðððincluding€the€parentsððÐ X ¨ Ðdemeanor€and€credibility€during€the€.€.€.€proceedings.ðððð€€òòNelson€v.€Nelsonóó,€66€S.W.3d€896,€901€(Tenn.Ð D!” ÐCt.€App.€2001)€(quoting€òòGaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€631€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996)).€€ð ðUnlikeÐ 0"€  Ðthis€Court,€the€trial€court€observed€the€manner€and€demeanor€of€the€witnesses€and€was€in€the€bestÐ #l! Ðposition€to€evaluate€their€credibility.ðð€€òòUnion€Planters€Natððl€Bank€v.€Island€Mgmt.€Auth.,€Inc.óó,€43Ð $X" ÐS.W.3d€498,€502€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€The€trial€courtððs€determinations€regarding€credibility€areÐ ô$D # Ðaccorded€deference€by€this€Court.€€òòId.óó;òò€Davis€v.€Liberty€Mutual€Ins.€Co.óó,€38€S.W.3d€560,€563€(Tenn.Ð à%0!$ Ð2001).€€ð ð[A]ppellate€courts€will€not€re„evaluate€a€trial€judgeððs€assessment€of€witness€credibilityÐ Ì&"% Ðabsent€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€the€contrary.ðð€òòWells€v.€Tennessee€Bd.€of€Regentsóó,€9€S.W.3dÐ ¸'#& Ð779,€783€(Tenn.€1999).€€Based€upon€the€record€before€us€and€the€deference€we€afford€the€TrialÐ ¤(ô#' ÐCourtððs€assessment€of€the€partiesðð€demeanor€and€credibility,€we€hold€the€evidence€does€notÐ )à$( Ðpreponderate€against€the€Trial€Courtððs€factual€finding€that€Motherððs€conduct,€on€at€least€twoÐ |*Ì%) Ðoccasions,€showed€a€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€Children.€€Accordingly,€we€hold€that€the€TrialÐ h+¸&* ÐCourt€did€not€err€in€holding€that€Father€carried€his€burden€of€establishing€that€a€material€change€inÐ ° Ðcircumstances€had€occurred.€€Ð œì ÐÌà  àà ` àNext,€we€address€whether€the€Trial€Court€correctly€found€that€a€change€in€custodyÐ tÄ Ðwould€serve€the€best€interests€of€the€Children.€€òòSee€Hoalcraft€v.€Smithsonóó,€19€S.W.3d€at€828.€€InÐ `° Ðmaking€child€custody€determinations,€trial€courts€ð ðððshould€promote€childrenððs€best€interests€byÐ L œ Ðplacing€them€in€an€environment€that€will€best€serve€their€physical€and€emotional€needs.ðððð€òòNelson€v.Ð 8 ˆ ÐNelsonóó,€66€S.W.3d€at€901€(quoting€òòGaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€630).€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„Ð $ t Ð106(a)(1)„(10)€sets€forth€the€factors€a€trial€court€is€to€use€when€determining€child€custody.€€RelevantÐ  ` Ðto€this€issue€is€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„108(a)(8)€which€provides:Ð ü L  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€In€a€suit€for€annulment,€divorce,€separate€maintenance,€or€in€anyÐ Ô$  Ðother€proceeding€requiring€the€court€to€make€a€custody€determinationÐ À  Ðregarding€a€minor€child,€such€determination€shall€be€made€upon€theÐ ¬ü  Ðbasis€of€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€The€court€shall€consider€allÐ ˜è  Ðrelevant€factors€including€the€following€where€applicable:Ð„Ô ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€toÐ \¬ Ðthe€other€parent€òòor€to€any€other€personóó.€.€.€.€€òòThe€court€shall€includeÐ H˜ Ðin€its€decision€a€written€finding€of€all€evidence,€and€all€findings€ofÐ 4„ Ðfact€connected€theretoóó.€Ð p` x` x ÐÌ(emphasis€added).Ð øH ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Court,€despite€hearing€evidence€of€Fatherððs€arrest€and€charge€for€domesticÐ Ð  Ðassault€of€Tammy€Joiner,€his€then€live„in€girlfriend€and€mother€of€his€youngest€child,€failed€toÐ ¼  Ðaddress€these€allegations€in€its€Second€Order.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36ð!ð6„106(a)(8)€is€mandatory€andÐ ¨ø Ðprovides€that€the€Trial€Court€ð ðshallðð€make€a€written€finding€of€evidence€and€findings€of€factÐ ”ä Ðconcerning€the€allegations€and€proof€of€abuse€presented€to€the€Trial€Court.€€òòSee€Nelson€v.€Nelsonóó,Ð €Ð Ð66€S.W.3d€at€902€(remanding€to€the€trial€court€for€a€determination€of€the€minor€childrenððs€bestÐ l¼ Ðinterests,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(a)(8),€due€to€allegations€that€father€physicallyÐ X ¨ Ðabused€mother).€€Ð D!” ÐÌò òà  àà ` àó óFatherððs€abuse€of€his€then„girlfriend,€Tammy€Joiner,€if€any,€weighs€heavily€in€thisÐ #l! Ðcustody€determination€as€such€abuse€is€relevant€to€the€best€interests€of€the€Children,€especially€inÐ $X" Ðlight€of€the€proof€that€Joiner€lived€with€Father€and€the€Children€for€a€substantial€period€of€time€andÐ ô$D # ÐJoiner€participated€in€caring€for€the€Children,€who€regarded€her€as€their€step„mother.€€TheÐ à%0!$ Ðimplications€of€such€abuse,€if€true,€are€far„reaching€with€respect€to€the€relationship€Father€has€withÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€mother€of€the€Childrenððs€half„sibling€and€the€relationship€Father€has€and€will€have€with€theÐ ¸'#& ÐChildren.€€Accordingly,€we€vacate€the€portion€of€the€Trial€Courtððs€judgment€that€a€change€of€custodyÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwould€serve€the€Childrenððs€best€interests€and€remand€this€matter€to€the€Trial€Court€to€make€a€writtenÐ )à$( Ðfinding€regarding€the€allegations€of€abuse€by€Father€of€Joiner€as€required€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„Ð |*Ì%) Ð106(a)(8).€€The€Trial€Court,€after€complying€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(a)(8),€then€shall€makeÐ h+¸&* Ða€determination,€after€considering€all€relevant€factors,€as€to€whether€a€change€of€custody€will€serveÐ ° Ðthe€childrenððs€best€interest.Ð œì ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€remaining€issue€on€appeal€is€Fatherððs€request€for€an€award€of€his€attorneyððs€feesÐ tÄ Ðincurred€on€appeal€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„103(c).€€In€the€exercise€of€our€discretion€andÐ `° Ðin€light€of€our€decision€to€vacate€a€portion€of€the€Trial€Courtððs€judgment,€we€decline€to€awardÐ L œ ÐFatherððs€attorneyððs€fees.€€òòSee€Smith€v.€Smithóó,€984€S.W.2d€606,€610€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997)€(holdingÐ 8 ˆ Ðthat€an€award€of€attorneyððs€fees€incurred€on€appeal€would€not€be€appropriate€where€both€parties€wereÐ $ t Ðpartially€successful€on€appeal).€Ð  ` ÐÌà@  %ìàò òòòÔ‡XR!XXXR!ÔConclusionˆÐ è 8  Ðóóó óÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Courtððs€judgment€that€a€material€change€in€circumstances€has€occurred€isÐ À  Ðaffirmed,€but€the€portion€of€the€judgment€regarding€whether€a€change€in€custody€would€serve€the€bestÐ ¬ü  Ðinterests€of€the€Children€is€vacated.€€This€cause€is€remanded€to€the€Trial€Court€for€furtherÐ ˜è  Ðproceedings€as€required,€consistent€with€this€Opinion,€and€for€collection€of€the€costs€below.€€TheÐ „Ô  Ðcosts€on€appeal€are€equally€assessed€against€the€Appellant,€Renee€Shelby€Griffith,€and€her€surety,€andÐ pÀ Ðthe€Appellee,€James€Alden€Griffith.Ð \¬ ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àÔ#†XR!XXXR!¾l#ÔÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ¼  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€JUDGEÐ ¨ø ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à