ÿWPCž Õ>a“U.™1a´Æÿí’¯ÕŸUœ­_.›1â®üTÜþ•º|a:¦£’|UÚé g¨¶Ÿ64Èþ|gØúO­®qu3gP5”8g¨õ$8wügû¾¥@ÄË…`‰îÀH÷g†ñÕ›:²c%óèM”cP5Dûæ_7Žqäg~<è‡ó‡?%™„>§k·$ª¿f†a¶…ÏB-¯¯äº 4rIr¢ËÆòý \7X GiGZú+öŽkö´í—\dKtså`f–΂¼{ª‹|C4;Ås¡vä¥Â+|t˧AšV§&´ ËCt?--¹š¸Æ‰,á62g½iˆøÊq€»YZE½Ñ,Á—è¥Ûl„3ÐÆÇ» ^o;%Û€‚Ú4R8Ñ/îGdÁŽq ä_ÁÁêŸî6µiöycå͉}ßùdëݱfî ¨ÆÊüñcq˜Õ®DgFÊïKJ#ù¿£™7\ïE¿ÿ:ßÞß4³ñ_3œ#ëlœò'Æ)u‘E˜‰lºáº{ãg/î\5[7jBnî@ß©?ïô_§ŽÚÈœûFÝòCcl®å%Á ´‚îIp;0ËÃ9£ÿC†ÉiÅ!øú^¦;AcˆäDêBÜ Y¨b %\^ b 0ˆnU"NöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ ™™ Æ2ÆøƾÆ„ 0DJNŽE‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘b““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““ 0ë›››› B†† 0¤£ D3G D-z 0K§§ ASòÆE 0¤  0D¯ A«ó»ø¬y/Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularqdj/ê:i¢×+003|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S01\CLERK1NASÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 Ý ƒRªþ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¿uò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„103€was€amended€effective€July€1,€2003€by€deleting€subsection€(a)(2).€€However,€thisÐ ° Ðamendment€is€not€implicated€by€the€facts€of€this€case€since€this€action€was€commenced€and€concluded€prior€to€July€1,Ð tÄ Ð2003.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ÷Ý ƒRªþ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¿uò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFather€argues€that,€as€Mother€failed€to€raise€the€issue€of€subject€matter€jurisdiction€before€the€juvenile€court,Ð ° Ðthat€issue€has€been€waived€on€appeal.€€Father€relies€on€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€12.08,€which€states€that€all€defenses€not€raisedÐ tÄ Ðby€a€party€are€considered€waived.€€However,€it€is€a€fundamental€legal€principle€in€this€state€that€the€defense€of€a€lack€ofÐ 8ˆ Ðsubject€matter€jurisdiction€cannot€be€waived,€ð ðbecause€it€is€the€basis€for€the€courtððs€authority€to€act.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔMeighanÔ_Ô€v.€U.S.Ð üL ÐSprint€Communications€Coó óóó.,€924€S.W.2d€632,€639€(Tenn.€1996);€òòseeóó€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€12.08€committee€commentÐ Â Ð(ð ð[Ô_ÔT]heÔ_Ô€waiver€does€not€apply€to€the€defense€of€lack€of€jurisdiction€over€the€subject€matter€.€.€.€.ðð).- ù-(|G2ªþ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€e»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¿uò»»Ô d(|3?m$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€e»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3?m$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€e»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€e»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼e»»»ÔÑ8€[qXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î<eÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼e»îî< #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  Ó€August€5,€2003€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X[qX»¼eÔÌò òÔ#†¼e»XX[qô#ÔÔ_ÔJ.W.G.Ô_Ô€òòóóv.€Ô_ÔT.L.H.G.Ô_ÔòòóóÔ‡X[qX»¼eÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Montgomery€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€76„74€€€€€€Wayne€C.€Ô_ÔSheltonÔ_Ô,€Judge€Ð æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2002„02656„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„JV€„€Filed€November€25,€Ô_Ô2003Ô_ԀР¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€is€a€child€custody€case.€€At€an€earlier€time€ð!ð€on€October€15,€1996€ð!ð€Ô_ÔJ.W.G.Ô_Ô€(ð ðFatherðð)Ô#†¼e»XX[q˜#ÔÔ‡X[qX»¼eÔ€petitionedÐ xÈ  Ðthe€juvenile€court€for€custodyÔ#†¼e»XX[q´#ÔÔ‡X[qX»¼eÔ€of€his€daughter,€Ô_ÔH.N.G.Ô_Ô€(DOB:€8/24/96)€(ð ðthe€childðð).€€The€juvenileÐ d´ Ðcourt€granted€Father€custody€of€the€child.Ô#†¼e»XX[q4#ÔÔ‡X[qX»¼eÔ€€Later€ð!ð€on€October€12,€1997€ð!ð€Father€married€the€childððsÐ P  Ðmother,€Ô_ÔT.L.H.G.Ô_Ô€(ð ðMotherðð).€€The€parties€were€divorced€in€May,€2001.€€The€chancery€court,€inÐ <Œ Ðgranting€the€divorce,€gave€the€parties€joint€custody€of€the€child,€naming€Mother€as€the€primaryÐ (x Ðresidential€custodian.€€Later€that€year,€the€chancery€court,€acting€on€Fatherððs€petition,€reversed€itsÐ d Ðorder€of€custody,€holding€that€it€did€not€have€jurisdiction€to€determine€custody.€€Subsequently,€theÐ P Ðjuvenile€court,€following€a€hearing,€again€awarded€custody€to€Father.€€Mother€appeals,€arguing€that,Ð ì< Ðcontrary€to€the€chancery€courtððs€ruling,€the€juvenile€court€did€not€have€exclusive€jurisdiction€toÐ Ø( Ðdetermine€custody;€that€the€trial€courtððs€findings€are€not€supported€by€the€evidence;€and€that€aÐ Ä Ðparenting€plan€was€never€submitted€to€the€trial€court.€€By€way€of€a€separate€issue,€Father€argues€thatÐ ° ÐMotherððs€notice€of€appeal€is€deficient.€€We€affirm.Ð œì ÐÓþÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€CourtÐ tÄ ÐAffirmed;€Case€Remandedó óÐ `° ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼e»àX[q#ÔÔ‡X[qX.¼eÔCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Goddard,Ð 8!ˆ  ÐP.J.,óó€and€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó,€joined.Ð $"t! ÐÌThomas€R.€Ô_ÔMeeksÔ_Ô€and€Gregory€D.€Smith,€Clarksville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Ô_ÔT.L.H.G.Ô_ÔÐ ü#L# ÐÌÔ_ÔRodgerÔ_Ô€N.€Bowman,€Clarksville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Ô_ÔJ.W.G.Ô_ÔÐ Ô%$!% ÐÓk ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼e»XX[qš #ÔÔ‡X[qX»¼eÔÐ ¬'ü"' ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼e»XX[qÿ#ÔÔ‡X[qX»¼eÔÓ  ÓÓ  ÓI.Ð „)Ô$) ÐÌÓˆÓà  àThe€child€was€born€to€the€parties€on€August€24,€1996.€€While€the€parties€had€been€dating€forÐ \+¬&+ Ðâ âapproximately€one€year,€they€were€not€married.€€Two€days€after€the€birth€of€the€child,€Mother€andÐ H,˜',ý ÐÔ_ÔFather€executed€a€voluntary€acknowledgment€of€paternity,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€68„3„Ð ° Ð203(g),€„302,€„305(b)€(2001€&€Supp.€2003).€€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àOn€October€15,€1996,€Father€filed€a€petition€for€custody€in€the€juvenile€court,€alleging,€òòinterÐ tÄ Ðaliaóó,€that€Mother€had€exhibited€violent€tendencies;€that€she€ð ð[was]€not€a€fit€and€proper€motherðð€andÐ `° Ðthat,€in€the€past,€she€had€ð ðevidenced€desire€to€do€harm€to€the€childðð;€that€the€child€would€ð ðsufferÐ L œ Ðimmediate€and€irreparable€loss,€injury€or€damageðð€if€the€court€did€not€grant€Fatherððs€petition;€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðthat€it€would€be€in€the€childððs€best€interest€to€grant€custody€to€Father.€€On€the€day€the€petition€wasÐ $ t Ðfiled,€the€juvenile€court€granted€temporary€custody€of€the€child€to€Father.€€By€order€entered€OctoberÐ  ` Ð23,€1996,€the€court€granted€Father€sole€custody€of€the€child.€€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àThe€parties€reconciled€in€late€1996.€€On€October€12,€1997,€Mother€and€Father€married.€Ð Ô$  ÐThree„and„a„half€years€later,€the€parties€divorced.€€€As€a€part€of€the€divorce€judgment,€entered€MayÐ À  Ð11,€2001,€the€chancery€court€granted€the€parties€joint€custody€of€the€child,€naming€Mother€as€primaryÐ ¬ü  Ðresidential€custodian.€€In€August,€2001,€Mother€filed€a€petition€for€contempt€in€the€chancery€courtÐ ˜è  Ðdivorce€case,€alleging€that€Father€had€obtained€a€domestic€assault€warrant€against€Mother€and€thatÐ „Ô  Ðhe€had€failed€to€return€the€child€to€Mother€as€required€by€the€terms€of€the€divorce€judgment.€€FatherÐ pÀ Ðthen€filed€a€motion€to€dismiss€the€petition,€as€well€as€a€petition€for€a€restraining€order,€contendingÐ \¬ Ðthat€the€chancery€court€lacked€jurisdiction€to€determine€the€custody€of€the€child.€€In€December,€2001,Ð H˜ Ðthe€chancery€court€reversed€itself,€holding€that€it€did€not€have€jurisdiction€over€the€childððs€custody.€Ð 4„ ÐIn€so€holding,€the€court€concluded€that€the€juvenile€court€had€exclusive€jurisdiction€to€determine€theÐ  p Ðchildððs€custody€as€a€result€of€the€entry€of€that€courtððs€earlier€order€of€October€23,€1996.Ð  \ ÐÌà  àFollowing€the€chancery€courtððs€order,€Father€filed€a€petition€with€the€juvenile€court€seekingÐ ä4 Ðto€enforce€that€courtððs€earlier€custody€order.€€At€the€conclusion€of€a€hearing,€the€juvenile€courtÐ Ð  Ðentered€an€order€on€September€23,€2002,€awarding€Father€custody€of€the€child.€€Two€days€later,€theÐ ¼  Ðjuvenile€court€ordered€the€sheriff€to€accompany€Father€to€pick€up€the€child€from€Mother.€€From€thisÐ ¨ø Ðjudgment,€Mother€appeals.Ð ”ä Ðà  à¹Ó  ÓII.Ð l¼ ÐÌÓBÓà  àIn€this€non„jury€case,€our€review€of€the€trial€courtððs€factual€findings€is€òòde€novoóó;€however,€theÐ D!” Ðcase€comes€to€us€accompanied€by€a€presumption€that€those€findings€are€correct€ð!ð€a€presumption€thatÐ 0"€  Ðwe€must€honor€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€factual€findings.€€Tenn€R.Ð #l! ÐApp.€P.€13(d);€òòò òMusselman€v.€Acuffó óóó,€826€S.W.2d€920,€922€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€Our€search€forÐ $X" Ðthe€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€tempered€by€the€principle€that€the€trial€court€is€in€the€bestÐ ô$D # Ðposition€to€assess€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses;€accordingly,€such€determinations€are€entitled€toÐ à%0!$ Ðgreat€weight€on€appeal.€€òòò òMassengale€v.€Massengaleó óóó,€915€S.W.2d€818,€819€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995);Ð Ì&"% Ðòòò òBowman€v.€Bowmanó óóó,€836€S.W.2d€563,€566„67€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).Ð ¸'#& ÐÔ#†¼e»XX[q]#ÔÔ‡X[qX»¼eÔÌÐ  )à$( ÐÓ  ÓIII.Ð ° ÐÌÓœ Óà  àThe€issues€in€this€case€implicate€the€provisions€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„103€(2001)׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,Ð ˆØ Ðwhich€provide,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð tÄ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€The€juvenile€court€has€exclusive€original€jurisdiction€of€theÐ L œ Ðfollowing€proceedings,€which€are€governed€by€this€part:Ð8 ˆ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Proceedings€in€which€a€child€is€alleged€to€be€.€.€.€dependent€andÐ  ` Ðneglected,€.€.€.;Ðü L ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€All€cases€to€establish€paternity€of€children€born€out€of€lawfulÐ Ô$  Ðwedlock;€to€provide€for€the€support€and€education€of€such€children,Ð À  Ðand€to€enforce€its€orders;Ьü ` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*Ð „Ô  ÐÌÓd$Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(c)€When€jurisdiction€has€been€acquired€under€the€provisions€of€thisÐ \¬ Ðpart,€such€jurisdiction€shall€continue€until€the€case€has€beenÐ H˜ Ðdismissed,€or€until€the€custody€determination€is€transferred€to€anotherÐ 4„ Ðjuvenile,€circuit,€chancery€or€general€sessions€court€exercisingÐ  p Ðdomestic€relations€jurisdiction,€.€.€.€.€€Notwithstanding€any€other€lawÐ  \ Ðto€the€contrary,€transfers€under€this€provision€shall€be€at€the€soleÐ øH Ðdiscretion€of€the€juvenile€court€and€in€accordance€with€ðð€37„1„112.€Ð ä4 ÐIn€all€other€cases,€jurisdiction€shall€continue€until€a€person€reaches€theÐ Ð  Ðage€of€eighteen€(18),€.€.€.€.м ` x` x ÐÌÓ  ÓIV.Ð ”ä ÐÌÓå'Óà  àBefore€considering€Motherððs€issues,€we€must€first€address€Fatherððs€issue€challenging€theÐ l¼ Ðsufficiency€and€effect€of€Motherððs€notice€of€appeal.€€In€the€notice,€which€was€filed€on€October€18,Ð X ¨ Ð2002,€Mother€expressly€referred€to€the€last€juvenile€court€order€of€September€25,€2002€ð!ð€the€orderÐ D!” Ðin€which€the€juvenile€court€directed€the€sheriff€to€pick€up€the€child€from€Mother;€however,€in€herÐ 0"€  Ðbrief,€she€raises€issues€pertaining€to€the€trial€courtððs€earlier€order€of€September€23,€2002,€in€whichÐ #l! Ðthe€juvenile€court€awarded€Father€custody€of€the€child.€€Father€contends€that€by€referring€to€the€laterÐ $X" Ðorder€of€September€25,€2002,€in€her€notice€of€appeal,€Mother€has€deprived€herself€of€the€right€to€raiseÐ ô$D # Ðissues€pertaining€to€the€order€of€September€23,€2002.€€In€support€of€his€contention,€Father€points€toÐ à%0!$ Ðâ âthe€language€of€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€3(f)€providing€that€the€appealing€party€ð ðshall€designate€theÐ Ì&"% Ðjudgment€from€which€relief€is€sought.ðð€€He€argues€that€she€ð ðdesignate[d]ðð€the€September€25,€2002,Ð ° Ðorder,€and€should€be€bound€by€her€designation.Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àWe€note€that€the€notice€of€appeal€was€filed€within€30€days€of€òòbothóó€the€September€23,€2002,Ð tÄ Ðorder€and€the€September€25,€2002,€order.€€In€other€words,€the€notice€of€appeal€was€timely€filed€withÐ `° Ðrespect€to€both€orders.€€Clearly,€timeliness€is€not€the€issue.€€We€must€decide€whether€Motherððs€failureÐ L œ Ðto€expressly€refer€to€the€order€of€September€25,€2002,€precludes€her€from€raising€issues€with€respectÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€that€order.€€We€have€concluded€that€it€does€not.Ð $ t ÐÌà  àThis€court€has€held€that€a€partyððs€failure€to€specify€the€order€from€which€it€is€seeking€reliefÐ ü L  Ðð ðdoes€not€preclude€this€court€from€reviewing€the€issues€raised€by€the€[party]€in€[its]€brief.ðð€€ò òòòDunlapÐ è 8  Ðv.€Dunlapó óóó,€996€S.W.2d€803,€€810€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€We€also€note€the€following€from€theÐ Ô$  Ðadvisory€commissionððs€comment€to€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€3(f):Ð À  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThis€subdivision€specifies€the€content€of€the€notice€of€appeal.€€TheÐ ˜è  Ðpurpose€of€the€notice€of€appeal€is€simply€to€declare€in€a€formal€wayÐ „Ô  Ðan€intention€to€appeal.€€òòAs€long€as€this€purpose€is€met,€it€is€irrelevantÐ pÀ Ðthat€the€paper€filed€is€deficient€in€some€other€respect.€€Similarly,€theÐ \¬ Ðnotice€of€appeal€plays€no€part€in€defining€the€scope€of€appellateÐ H˜ Ðreview.€óó€Scope€of€review€is€treated€in€rule€13.€€This€subdivision€readÐ 4„ Ðin€conjunction€with€rule€13(a)€permits€òòany€question€of€law€to€beÐ  p Ðbrought€up€for€review€óó[except€as€otherwise€provided€in€rule€3(e)]€asÐ  \ Ðlong€as€any€party€formally€declares€an€intention€to€appeal€in€a€timelyÐ øH Ðfashion.Ðä4` x` x ÐÌ(Emphasis€added).€€òòSee€also€ò òOakley€v.€Stateó óóó,€No.€W2002„00095„COA„R3„CV,€2003€WL€103215,Ð ¼  Ðat€*6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€W.S.,€filed€January€8,€2003);€ò òòòGlidden€v.€Gliddenó óóó,€No.€86„320„II,€1987€WLÐ ¨ø Ð9452,€at€*1„*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€M.S.,€filed€April€16,€1987).Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àWe€conclude€that,€having€timely€filed€her€notice€of€appeal,€Mother€is€not€precluded€fromÐ l¼ Ðraising€issues€pertaining€to€the€earlier€order.€€The€notice€of€appeal€formally€declared€MotherððsÐ X ¨ Ðintention€to€appeal.€€That€notice€was€sufficient€to€vest€this€court€with€jurisdiction€to€consider,€at€aÐ D!” Ðminimum,€any€and€all€issues€raised€by€Mother€pertaining€to€all€decrees€formalized€by€court€ordersÐ 0"€  Ðentered€within€30€days€of€the€filing€of€the€notice€of€appeal.€€€To€hold€otherwise€is€to€triumph€formÐ #l! Ðover€substance.Ð $X" ÐÌÓ  ÓV.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌA.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌÓ‘8Óà  àMother€argues€that€the€juvenile€court€did€not€have€exclusive€jurisdiction€to€determine€whichÐ )à$( Ðof€the€childððs€parents€should€be€awarded€custody€of€the€child.€€This€appears€to€be€an€obliqueÐ |*Ì%) Ðchallenge€to€the€chancery€courtððs€ruling€to€the€contrary.€€That€ruling€was€not€appealed.€€An€appealÐ h+¸&* Ðof€that€decision€would€have€been€the€appropriate€way€to€raise€the€issue€now€before€us.€€This€isÐ ° Ðbecause,€if€we€had€agreed€with€Motherððs€position€on€the€issue€of€whether€the€chancery€court€hadÐ œì Ðjurisdiction€to€address€the€issue€of€the€childððs€custody,€we€would€have€been€in€a€position€to€remandÐ ˆØ Ðthe€divorce€case€to€the€chancery€court.€€The€failure€of€Mother€to€pursue€an€appeal€of€the€chanceryÐ tÄ Ðcourt€divorce€deprives€us€of€this€potential€avenue€of€relief.€€However,€all€of€this€is€academic€becauseÐ `° Ðwe€hold€that€the€juvenile€court€did€have€exclusive€jurisdiction€regarding€the€custody€of€the€child€asÐ L œ Ða€result€of€what€occurred€in€that€court€in€1996.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àThe€law€is€well„settled€that,€once€a€juvenile€court€has€exercised€jurisdiction€over€a€child€inÐ  ` Ða€dependency€and€neglect€proceeding,€that€court€retains€exclusive€jurisdiction€over€that€child€untilÐ ü L  Ðthe€child€reaches€the€age€of€majority,€or€until€the€juvenile€court€dismisses€the€case€or€transfers€it€toÐ è 8  Ðanother€court.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„103;€òòseeóó€òòò òKidd€v.€State€ex€rel.€Mooreó óóó,€207€Tenn.€244,€251„52,Ð Ô$  Ð338€S.W.2d€621,€625€(1960);€ò òòòState€of€Tennessee€Dept.€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Gouvitsaó óóó,€735€S.W.2dÐ À  Ð452,€454„57€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1987);€ò òòòMarmino€v.€Marminoó óóó,€34€Tenn.€App.€352,€357„58,€238€S.W.2dÐ ¬ü  Ð105,€108€(1950).€€Moreover,€once€the€juvenile€court€has€invoked€its€exclusive€jurisdiction,€ð ðanyÐ ˜è  Ðsubsequent€order€concerning€custody€entered€by€the€court€having€jurisdiction€over€the€originalÐ „Ô  Ðdivorce€proceeding€is€void.ðð€€ò òòòBranch€v.€Thompsonó óóó,€No.€M1998„00511„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WLÐ pÀ Ð898759,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€M.S.,€filed€July€7,€2000)€(citing€ò òòòGouvitsaó óóó,€735€S.W.2d€at€457).Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àWhile€Mother€agrees€that€a€juvenile€court€has€exclusive€jurisdiction€when€it€initially€exercisesÐ 4„ Ðjurisdiction€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„103,€she€contends€that€the€initial€decision€of€theÐ  p Ðjuvenile€court€in€the€instant€case€was€not€made€in€a€dependency€and€neglect€proceeding.€€As€aÐ  \ Ðconsequence€of€this,€so€the€argument€goes,€the€juvenile€court€did€not€have€jurisdiction€to€address€theÐ øH Ðissue€of€custody€to€the€exclusion€of€the€jurisdiction€of€the€chancery€court.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mother€bases€herÐ ä4 Ðargument€on€the€fact€that€the€initial€petition€filed€by€Father€in€the€juvenile€court€was€styled,€inÐ Ð  Ðrelevant€part,€as€a€ð ðPetition€for€Custody€of€Minor€Child,ðð€rather€than€as€a€petition€to€have€the€childÐ ¼  Ðdeclared€dependent€and€neglected.€€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àOur€review€of€Fatherððs€petition€in€juvenile€court€reveals€that€he€made€the€followingÐ €Ð Ðallegations:€that€Mother€has€demonstrated€violent€tendencies;€that€Mother€has€assaulted€him€onÐ l¼ Ðseveral€occasions;€that€Mother€was€incarcerated€for€one€day€following€an€attack€on€Father;€thatÐ X ¨ ÐMother€was€required€to€attend€anger„management€classes;€that€upon€her€release€from€jail,€MotherÐ D!” Ðbegan€ð ðstriking€herself€in€the€stomach,€while€pregnant€with€[the€child],€in€an€attempt€to€cause€aÐ 0"€  Ðspontaneous€abortionðð;€that€Motherððs€older€two€children€had€been€taken€from€her€pursuant€to€a€courtÐ #l! Ðorder€due€to€Motherððs€violence;€that€Mother€ð ðhas€in€the€past€evidenced€desire€to€do€harm€to€the€child,Ð $X" Ðâ âdoes€not€have€sufficient€wherewithal€to€care€for€the€child,€and€is€not€a€fit€and€proper€mother€to€beÐ ô$D # Ðcaring€for€the€child€at€this€timeðð;€and€that€the€child€will€ð ðsuffer€immediate€and€irreparable€loss,€injuryÐ ° Ðor€damageðð€if€the€court€does€not€restrain€Mother€from€removing€the€child€from€Fatherððs€home.€€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àWhile€Father€does€not€expressly€allege€that€the€child€is€ð ðdependent€and€neglected,ðð€theÐ tÄ Ðallegations€in€his€petition,€if€true,€are€tantamount€to€allegations€of€dependency€and€neglect.€€òòSeeóóÐ `° ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„102(b)(12)(B),€(C),€(F),€(G)€(2001€&€Supp.€2003).€€In€granting€sole€custodyÐ L œ Ðto€Father,€the€juvenile€court€found€Fatherððs€petition€to€be€ð ðwell€taken,ðð€indicating€that€it€had€foundÐ 8 ˆ ÐFatherððs€allegations€to€be€true.€€Therefore,€we€hold€that€the€juvenile€court€treated€this€petition€as€oneÐ $ t Ðof€dependency€and€neglect.€€As€such,€the€juvenile€court€correctly€invoked€its€exclusive€jurisdictionÐ  ` Ðover€the€child,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„103.€€Accordingly,€we€find€Motherððs€first€issueÐ ü L  Ðto€be€without€merit.Ð è 8  ÐÌÓ  ÓB.Ð À  ÐÌÓ”NÓà  àMother€next€argues€that€the€evidence€does€not€support€the€juvenile€courtððs€findings€that€anÐ ˜è  Ðaward€of€custody€to€Father€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€We€disagree€with€Motherððs€contention.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àAs€previously€alluded€to,€the€trial€court€is€in€the€best€position€to€assess€the€credibility€ofÐ \¬ Ðwitnesses,€and€òòóósuch€determinations€are€entitled€to€great€weight€on€appeal.€€òòSee€ò òMassengaleó óóó,€915Ð H˜ ÐS.W.2d€at€819;€òòò òBowmanó óóó,€836€S.W.2d€at€566„67.€€The€juvenile€court,€in€its€findings€of€facts€andÐ 4„ Ðconclusions€of€law,€stated€the€following:Ð  p ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Mother]€is€an€admitted€manic€depressive;ÐøH` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Mother]€is€unpredictably€violent€and€has€demonstrated€herÐ Ð  Ðviolence€in€the€presence€of€her€childrenÔ#†¼e»XX[qg #ÔÔ‡X[qX»¼eÔ;м ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Mother]€has€not€shown€a€change€of€circumstances€since€theÐ ”ä Ðentry€of€this€Courtððs€prior€Order€[of€custody]€which€would€in€the€bestÐ €Ð Ðinterest€of€the€child€require€that€Order€to€be€set€aside;Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€Court€finds€from€all€of€the€evidence€that€[Father]€is€a€good€parentÐ D!” Ðand€provides€a€stable€and€loving€home;Ð0"€ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€it€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child,€.€.€.€,€that€her€custody€remainÐ $X" Ðwith€[Father]€and€that€it€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child,€.€.€.€,€thatÐ ô$D # Ðher€custody€be€placed€with€[Father];Ðà%0!$` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€Court€has€considered€the€love,€affection€and€emotion[al]€ties€thatÐ ¸'#& Ðexist[]€between€each€of€the€parents€and€the€child;€the€disposition€ofÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,€clothing,€medical€care,Ð )à$( Ðeducation,€and€other€necessary€care€and€the€degree€to€which€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðparent€has€been€the€primary€care€giver;€the€primary€importance€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðcontinuity€in€the€childððs€life€and€the€length€of€time€that€the€child€hasÐ ° Ðlived€in€the€stable,€satisfactory€environment;€the€stability€of€the€familyÐ œì Ðunits€of€the€parents;€the€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;€theÐ ˆØ Ðhome,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;€evidence€ofÐ tÄ Ðphysical€and€emotional€abuse€to€the€child€or€to€the€other€parent;€theÐ `° Ðcharacter€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€orÐ L œ Ðfrequents€the€home€of€a€parent€and€such€personððs€interaction€with€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðchild€and€each€of€the€parents[ðð]€past€and€potential€for€futureÐ $ t Ðperformance€of€parenting€responsibilities.Ð `` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€law€requires€this€Court€to€determine€what€is€in€the€best€interestÐ è 8  Ðof€the€child€or€how€is€that€best€interest€served.€€The€Court€concludesÐ Ô$  Ðthat€the€best€interest€of€the€child,€.€.€.€,€is€served€by€the€custodyÐ À  Ðremaining€with€[Father],€as€heretofore€ordered€by€this€Court€andÐ ¬ü  Ð[Father]€be€granted€custody€of€the€said€[child].Иè ` x` x ÐÌ(Numbering€in€original€omitted).€€After€reviewing€the€record,€we€cannot€say€that€the€evidenceÐ pÀ Ðpreponderates€against€these€findings.€€Accordingly,€we€will€not€disturb€the€juvenile€courtððs€awardÐ \¬ Ðof€custody€to€Father.€€Ð H˜ ÐÌÓ  ÓC.à @ àÐ  p ÐÌÓã]Óà  àFinally,€Mother€asserts€that€this€case€should€be€remanded€to€the€juvenile€court€for€the€entryÐ øH Ðof€a€parenting€plan.€€Mother€correctly€points€out€that€the€juvenile€court,€in€its€September€23,€2002,Ð ä4 Ðjudgment,€ordered€the€parties€to€submit€an€agreed€parenting€plan€within€30€days€of€the€entry€of€theÐ Ð  Ðorder.€€Mother€argues€that€Father€never€submitted€such€a€plan.€€Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àAs€we€have€previously€noted,€Mother€filed€her€notice€of€appeal€on€October€18,€2002.€€ThisÐ ”ä Ðwas€five€days€òòbeforeóó€the€expiration€of€the€period€specified€by€the€trial€court€for€the€filing€of€theÐ €Ð Ðparenting€plan.€€The€record€does€not€affirmatively€reflect€whether€either€or€both€of€the€partiesÐ l¼ Ðcomplied€with€the€trial€courtððs€directive;€but€the€filing€of€the€plan€is€not€material€to€the€validity€ofÐ X ¨ Ðthe€award€of€custody€to€Father.€€The€trial€court€can€address€the€matter€of€the€parenting€plan€uponÐ D!” Ðremand.Ð 0"€  ÐÌÓ  ÓVI.Ô#†¼e»XX[q·R#ÔÐ $X" ÐÌÓkbÓà  àÔ€X[qX»¼eÔThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€This€case€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€suchÐ &V!$ Ðfurther€proceedings,€if€any,€as€may€be€required€and€for€collection€of€costs€assessed€below,€allÐ ò&B"% Ðpursuant€to€applicable€law.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellant,€T.L.H.G.Ð Þ'.#& ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_______________________________Ð ¢*ò%) Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCHARLES€D.€SUSANO,€JR.,€JUDGE