ÿWPC: zwx£[u{i© _y§‹N û=­Ì++9t¢9Î.v’z2.HÀìý1¢+(ŸD€ñéP‡ÕÄu<¯%pžg‡a¤›ž÷×mÅTQœ<™N°í®zVÀLÍÓÏC+Iâ¤9LUŽ/-z‹-¹ÄBVÇ*p´PQΤú){"*!x´ˆàtCø·º5»ìŒT¿þÛËÕC}âUëG"à CÊúòƒÙO­G™¿ ùêØZòdì²B¾æn»Zžòñ‹¸`!*× `lgBI·v ÙsÙ!ø¥Ó€ƒ±5ªº#?£¼ìܤ­¦Ø\•6…gbØI³¹¯ç  w\STö 5¢~ÓQù2úâÒJ°£fjUäãtm$ÂÛE´FÄV8™ ´>aDkCéŽÔ‰’¥Ü=ÍÓû¡KqŒÿö^fuÂ@§Lóù¶Ÿ¨ü;q±4Dí>³üÑ®‰ïåIr! KË´½·JÒ¦äß#±¼®Ùÿ7û`B˜¾JAHp®Æ–Ìèâoåiæ`ù'ć)¼±íìsî…¡¿so,U(iʸÆRQŒ“Üöª”?ñÚARÕüjs4³ÚªTò³(êœåFäV©úb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz U7N‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1 0D÷N;;;E====??èGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGb//////////////////////////////////// 0ë7777 B"" 0¤? D3ã D- 0KCC ASŽÆá 0¤§ 0DK A«˜HP LaserJet 8000 Series PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0 »Q’5)â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularûr')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|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÆúI 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(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó  ÞÝ ƒR $ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ ô£Ï ò» »ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Father€had€also€filed€a€petition€for€contempt,€alleging€that€Mother€had€denied€Father€visitation€overÐ ° ÐThanksgiving€with€the€child.€€The€contempt€petition€was€heard€in€conjunction€with€the€instant€petition€to€change€custody.€Ð tÄ ÐThe€trial€court€dismissed€the€contempt€petition.€€Father€has€not€appealed€that€order.€- ù-(|G2 $¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€E »»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô:°ò»»Ô d(|3Íò$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€E »»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Íò$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€E »»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€R¬»»d dÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€ ¼ '»» »ÔÑ8€<,XXdê»»d 8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡ î&î» ¼ 'ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#† ¼ '»î î&#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓJuly€2000€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔÌò òÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«þ#ÔJERRY€WAYNE€Ô_ÔKILLIONÔ_Ôòòóó€v.€SANDRA€FAYE€SWEATòòóóÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÓÌÓà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àÌà@¸ ¸ ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Campbell€CountyˆÐ ú J Ðà@e e ìàNo.€11,884€€€€€€Robert€M.€Ô_ÔSummittÔ_Ô,€Judge,€By€DesignationˆÐ æ 6 ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àFILED€SEPTEMBER€21,€2000Ð ¾   Ðà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` A߈Ð ªú  ÐÌà@¶¶ìàNo.€E1999„02634„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€ˆÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌIn€this€post„divorce€proceeding,€the€father€of€Dustin€Lynn€Ô_ÔKillionÔ_Ô€filed€a€petition€seeking€the€childððsÐ xÈ  Ðcustody.€€The€trial€court€denied€the€fatherððs€petition.€€The€father€appeals€the€trial€courtððsÐ d´ Ðdetermination€that€the€proof€fails€to€demonstrate€a€material€change€of€circumstances€warranting€aÐ P  Ðchange€of€custody.€€We€reverse.Ð <Œ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtÐ d ÐReversed;€Case€Remandedó óÐ P ÐÓ—ÓÌòòÔ#† ¼ '»à XR«˜#ÔÔ‡ XR«X. ¼ 'ÔCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Ô_ÔGoddardÔ_Ô,Ð Ø( ÐÔ_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,óó€and€òòD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Ä ÐÌCecilia€S.€Petersen,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Jerry€Wayne€Ô_ÔKillionÔ_Ô.Ð œì ÐÌJ.€Terry€Holland,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Sandra€Faye€Sweat.Ð tÄ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓOPINIONÐ L œ Ðó óÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«c#ÔÓ ÓÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔÌÓ  ÓI.Ð $"t! ÐÓ ÓÌà  àJerry€Wayne€Ô_ÔKillionÔ_Ô€(ð ðFatherðð)€and€Sandra€Faye€Sweat€(ð ðMotherðð)€were€divorced€in€1987Ð ü#L# Ðafter€six€years€of€marriage.€€In€the€final€judgment€of€divorce,€Mother€was€awarded€custody€of€theÐ è$8 $ Ðpartiesðð€minor€child,€Dustin€Lynn€Ô_ÔKillionÔ_Ô€(DOB:€August€19,€1984).€€Father,€who€was€thenÐ Ô%$!% Ðunemployed,€was€granted€visitation€with€the€child€and€ordered€to€pay€child€support€of€$30€per€weekÐ À&"& Ðor€30%€of€his€salary€when€he€became€employed.€€In€March,€1998,€the€State€of€Tennessee,€on€behalfÐ ¬'ü"' Ðof€Mother,€filed€a€petition€alleging€that€Father€was€in€arrears€in€his€child€support€obligation.€€TheÐ ˜(è#( ÐState€also€sought€an€increase€in€child€support€to€conform€Fatherððs€obligation€to€the€Child€SupportÐ „)Ô$) ÐGuidelines.Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«ë #ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ô€€In€September,€1998,€an€agreed€order€was€entered,€in€which€Fatherððs€arrearage€was€setÐ p*À%* Ðat€$8,905.€€Fatherððs€child€support€obligation€going€forward€was€increased€to€conform€to€theÐ \+¬&+ ÐGuidelines.€Father€was€ordered€to€payÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«ô#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ô€$496.65€per€month,€which€included€$348€for€current€childÐ H,˜', Ðsupport,€$125€on€the€arrearage,€and€a€clerkððs€fee€of€$23.65.Ð 4-„(-ý Їà  àÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«<#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔIn€August,€1998,€while€the€support€matter€was€still€pending,€Father€filed€the€instant€petition.€Ð ° ÐÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«1#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔHis€petition€to€modify€is€based€primarily€on€Dustinððs€poor€school€attendance€and€performance.€€AtÐ œì Ðthe€time€of€trial,€Dustin€was€in€the€ninth€grade.€€His€most€recent€math€grade€was€a€D.€€He€wasÐ ˆØ Ðenrolled€in€math€resource€classes.€€His€competency€scores€ranked€him€in€the€lower€50th€percentileÐ tÄ Ðfor€both€math€and€English.€€As€of€January,€1999,€he€had€five€absences€and€six€Ô_ÔtardiesÔ_Ô€to€first€periodÐ `° Ðclasses€for€the€1998„1999€school€year.€€In€the€sixth€grade,€Dustin€had€14€absences;€in€the€eighthÐ L œ Ðgrade,€he€had€19.€€His€final€grades€for€the€past€year€of€school€were€a€D€in€Science;€a€B€in€History;Ð 8 ˆ Ða€B+€in€Reading;€an€A€in€Physical€Education;€a€B€in€Health;€a€C€in€Teen€Living;€a€C€in€LanguageÐ $ t ÐArts;€and€a€D€in€Mathematics.€€On€his€report€card,€a€notation€was€made€by€his€math€teacher€thatÐ  ` ÐDustin€ð ðcomes€to€class€unprepared.ððÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«è#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ô€à À à€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àMother€testified€that€she€tries€to€get€Dustin€to€school€on€time,€but€it€is€difficult€to€wake€himÐ Ô$  Ðin€the€morning.€€She€testified€that€she€has€asked€him€to€bring€his€books€home€so€she€and€her€husbandÐ À  Ðcould€help€him€with€his€homework,€but€that€the€child€has€told€her€that€the€teachers€give€him€time€toÐ ¬ü  Ðdo€his€homework€at€school.€€She€further€testified€that€she€used€to€try€to€get€Dustin€to€do€hisÐ ˜è  Ðhomework€as€soon€as€he€got€home€from€school,€but€that€the€two€of€them€would€always€end€upÐ „Ô  Ðð ðfussing€and€fighting.ðð€€She€Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«&#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ôtestified€that€his€absences€during€the€current€and€prior€school€years€wereÐ pÀ Ðdue€to€illnesses.€€When€asked€whether€she€thought€that€these€absences€were€problematic,€she€replied,Ð \¬ Ðð ðHe€passed.ððÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔÐ H˜ Ðà  àÌà  àFather€testified€that€he€lives€approximately€two€miles€from€Dustinððs€school€and€that€he€wasÐ  p Ðsure€he€could€get€Dustin€to€school€on€time.€€Father€stated€that€he€intends€to€supervise€DustinððsÐ  \ Ðhomework€and€would€require€Dustin€to€complete€his€homework€as€soon€as€he€comes€home€fromÐ øH Ðschool.€€He€stated€that€Mother€does€not€try€to€get€Dustin€to€school€on€time€and€does€not€check€hisÐ ä4 Ðhomework.€€Father€stated€that€there€would€be€repercussions,€such€as€a€delay€in€getting€a€learnerððsÐ Ð  Ðpermit€or€loss€of€phone€privileges,€if€Dustin€refused€to€do€his€homework€or€get€to€school€on€time.€Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«/#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔÐ ¼  ÐÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«K#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔÌà  àThe€evidence€indicates€that€Mother€has€on€several€occasions€listened€in€on€Dustinððs€phoneÐ ”ä Ðconversations€with€Father€and€that€the€stepfather€has€threatened€to€deprive€Dustin€of€visitation€withÐ €Ð ÐFather€for€not€finishing€chores.€€There€is€also€evidence€that€Mother€has€made€disparaging€remarksÐ l¼ Ðto€the€child€concerning€Father.€€Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«¢#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔDustin€testified€that€Mother€has€told€him,€ð ðyouððre€just€like€yourÐ X ¨ Ðfather.€€I€hate€your€father.ðð€€Dustin€testified€that€recently€Mother€told€him€during€an€argument€thatÐ D!” Ðshe€hated€Father€and€that€ð ðshe€has€tried€to€be€mean€to€me€to€get€to€my€father€because€Iððm€so€muchÐ 0"€  Ðlike€my€father.€€Thatððs€the€only€way€that€she€could€get€Ô_ÔaholdÔ_Ô€of€him.ðð€€He€stated€that€MotherððsÐ #l! Ðremarks€have€pushed€him€away€from€her.€€Mother€admitted€to€listening€in€on€phone€calls€and€makingÐ $X" Ðderogatory€comments€to€Dustin€about€Father.€€She€stated,€however,€ð ðIððve€never€told€him€anythingÐ ô$D # Ðthat€wasnððt€trueðð€and€that€she€usually€says€such€things€only€when€she€gets€mad€at€Dustin€for€notÐ à%0!$ Ðobeying.Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«s#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔÐ Ì&"% ÐÌà  àAt€trial,€Dustin€stated€that€he€preferred€to€live€with€Father.€€He€testified€as€follows:Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àJust€the€fact€that€hurting€my€mom€and€everybody€else€is€killing€me.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐI€donððt€want€to€do€anything€to€hurt€them,€but€I€do€want€to€live€withÐ h+¸&* Ðmy€dad€because€I€love€my€dad€too.€€And€everybody€is€saying€„„€tryingÐ ° Ðto€be€mean€to€him€like€heððs€Satan€or€something.€€They€say,€ð ðWell,€heÐ œì Ðdonððt€love€you€as€much€as€your€mom,ðð€or€ð ðHe€wouldnððt€love€you€asÐ ˆØ Ðmuch€as€your€mom.ðð€€And€thatððs€just€driving€me€up€a€wall.€€ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌà  àBoth€parents€have€remarried.€€Father€and€his€wife€have€another€son,€Michael.€€Father€statedÐ L œ Ðthat€Michael€and€Dustin€are€very€close.€€Dustin€reported€having€good€relationships€with€his€half„Ð 8 ˆ Ðbrother€and€both€stepparents.€€Dustin€stated€that€he€gets€along€with€his€stepmother,€although€heÐ $ t Ðprobably€talks€more€to€his€stepfather€by€virtue€of€the€fact€that€they€live€together.€€The€stepfatherÐ  ` Ðstated€that€he€is€ð ðvery€closeðð€to€Dustin.€€The€stepmother€did€not€testify.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«##ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔThe€trial€court€found€that€Father€had€failed€to€prove€that€a€material€change€of€circumstancesÐ Ô$  Ðhad€occurred.€€It€dismissed€Fatherððs€petition׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«(#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ôand€awarded€Mother€attorneyððs€fees.€Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«Å)#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ô€Although€theÐ À  Ðchild€expressed€a€desire€to€live€with€Father,€the€court€opined€that€the€childððs€reason€for€so€testifyingÐ ¬ü  Ðwas,€at€least€in€part,€that€Mother€and€her€husband€ð ðtalked€about€[his]€daddy€so€bad€that€[he]€Ô_Ôfeel[sÔ_Ô]Ð ˜è  Ðlike€somebody€ought€to€take€up€for€him.ðð€€The€court€also€noted€that€the€child€had€stated€that€if€heÐ „Ô  Ðlived€with€Father,€he€would€be€more€likely€to€get€to€school€on€time€because€Fatherððs€house€is€closerÐ pÀ Ðto€school.€€The€court€remarked€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôi]fÔ_Ô€we€[change€custody]€now,€then€heððs€going€to€have€gainedÐ \¬ Ða€dad,€what€he€wanted,€by€not€going€to€school€properly.ðð€€In€making€its€determination,€the€courtÐ H˜ Ðstated€that€it€also€considered€ð ðthe€fact€that€[Father]€hasnððt€done€all€he€could€to€support€this€boy€overÐ 4„ Ðthe€years.ðð€€While€acknowledging€Dustinððs€problems€with€school€performance€and€attendance,€theÐ  p Ðcourt€concluded€that€there€is€ð ðsome€evidence,€but€itððs€not€sufficient€to€change€custody.ððÐ  \ ÐÌÓ  ÓII.Ð ä4 ÐÓ /ÓÌà  àIn€order€òòóóÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«.*#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ôto€modify€a€prior€order€of€custody,€ð ðthe€trial€judge€must€find€a€material€change€inÐ ¼  Ðcircumstances€that€is€compelling€enough€to€warrant€the€dramatic€remedy€of€changed€custody.ðð€Ð ¨ø Ðò òòòÔ_ÔMusselmanÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔAcuffÔ_Ô,ó óóó€826€S.W.2d€920,€922€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€Since€this€is€a€non„jury€case,€weÐ ”ä Ðmust€decide€if€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€decision€not€to€change€custody.€Ð €Ð ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€òòsee€also€ò òÔ_ÔHassÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔKnightonÔ_Ô,ó óóó€676€S.W.2d€554,€555€(Tenn.€1984).€€ò òó óThe€bestÐ l¼ Ðinterest€of€the€child€is€the€paramount€consideration.€òòò ò€Ô_ÔBrumitÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔBrumitÔ_Ô,ó óóó948€S.W.2d€739,€740€(Tenn.Ð X ¨ ÐCt.€App.€1997).€€Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«~/#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔÐ D!” ÐÌà  àFatherððs€petition€to€modify€custody€addressed€itself€to€the€wide€and€sound€discretion€of€theÐ #l! Ðtrial€court,€and€ð ðwe€will€not€tamper€with€that€discretion€unless€the€facts€demonstrate€that€the€trier€ofÐ $X" Ðfact€has€abused€his€or€her€discretion.ðð€€ò òòòId.Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«w3#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ôó óóó€€However,€in€the€final€analysis,€the€issue€for€us€is€whetherÐ ô$D # Ðthe€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€decision.Ð  à%0!$ ÐÌÌÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«5#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'ÔÓ  ÓIII.Ð ˆØ ÐÓ6ÓÌÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«ö5#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ôà  àWe€find€that€the€evidence,€much€of€which€is€not€in€dispute,€preponderates€against€the€trialÐ `° Ðcourtððs€determination€that€the€proof€fails€to€demonstrate€a€material€change€of€circumstancesÐ L œ Ðwarranting€a€change€of€custody.€€The€evidence€clearly€reflects€that€Dustin€has€significant€problemsÐ 8 ˆ Ðwith€his€school€work.€€His€grades€in€the€core€subjects€of€science,€math,€and€English€have€been€CððsÐ $ t Ðand€Dððs;€his€records€indicate€he€often€comes€to€class€unprepared.€€Dustin€has€also€been€tardy€toÐ  ` Ðschool€or€absent€on€many€occasions.€€The€evidence€preponderates€that€Father€should€be€able€toÐ ü L  Ðprovide€Dustin€with€more€structure€and€discipline€in€regard€to€homework€and€school€attendance.€€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àWe€also€find€it€significant€that€Dustin,€then€a€ninth€grader,€expressed€a€clear€desire€to€liveÐ À  Ðwith€Father.€€While€a€childððs€preference€is€not€conclusive€evidence€in€a€custody€proceeding,€it€isÐ ¬ü  Ðcertainly€a€relevant€consideration.€€ò òòòÔ_ÔHardinÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔHardinÔ_Ô,ó óóó€979€S.W.2d€314,€317€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àWe€find€that€a€change€of€custody€is€also€warranted€by€the€disparaging€remarks€made€byÐ pÀ ÐMother€to€the€child,€which€remarks€are€basically€undisputed.€€ð ðCustody€and€visitation€arrangementsÐ \¬ Ðshould€promote€the€development€of€a€healthy€relationship€between€children€and€both€their€parents.ðð€Ð H˜ Ðò òòòÔ_ÔSolimaÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔSolimaÔ_Ô,ó óóó€7€S.W.3d€30,€33€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«n6#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ô€In€making€a€custody€determination,€aÐ 4„ Ðcourt€should€consider€ð ðthe€willingness€and€ability€of€each€of€the€parents€to€facilitate€and€encourageÐ  p Ða€close€and€continuing€parent„child€relationship€between€the€child€and€the€other€parent,€consistentÐ  \ Ðwith€the€best€interest€of€the€child.ðð€€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€36„6„106(10)€(Supp.€1999).€€Dustin€has€a€right€to€aÐ øH Ðð ðclose€and€continuingðð€relationship€with€Father.€€Motherððs€disparaging€remarks,€however,€have€hadÐ ä4 Ða€profoundly€negative€effect€on€the€child.€€Dustin€testified€that€ð ðtheyðð€„„€€presumably€Mother€and€hisÐ Ð  Ðstepfather€„„€are€mean€to€Father€ð ðlike€heððs€Satan.ðð€€He€also€testified€that€Mother€has€told€him€that€heÐ ¼  Ðis€just€like€Father€and€that€she€hates€Father.€€Although€Motherððs€statements€apparently€have€notÐ ¨ø Ðaffected€Dustinððs€relationship€with€Father,€Dustin€admitted€that€these€comments€have€driven€himÐ ”ä Ðaway€from€Mother,€with€whom€he€is€also€entitled€to€a€ð ðclose€and€continuingðð€relationship.€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àWhile€Mother€may€have€made€these€derogatory€statements€in€the€ð ðheat€of€the€moment,ðð€atÐ X ¨ Ða€time€when€she€was€simply€angry€or€frustrated€with€Dustin,€it€is€an€inescapable€conclusion€that€suchÐ D!” Ðcomments€are€emotionally€damaging€to€the€child.€€On€the€other€hand,€we€do€not€find€any€evidenceÐ 0"€  Ðto€indicate€that€Father€has€disparaged€Mother€or€otherwise€attempted€to€hinder€the€development€ofÐ #l! Ða€close€relationship€between€Dustin€and€Mother.€€€In€òòò òÔ_ÔVarleyÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔVarleyÔ_Ô,ó óóó€934€S.W.2d€659,€667€(Tenn.Ð $X" ÐCt.€App.€1996),€this€Court€affirmed€a€trial€courtððs€award€of€custody€of€the€partiesðð€children€to€theÐ ô$D # Ðfather€in€part€because€of€the€motherððs€ð ðblatant€attempt€to€alienate€the€affections€of€the€children€fromÐ à%0!$ Ðtheir€father.ðð€€In€so€holding,€Ô#† ¼ '»X XR«ž=#ÔÔ‡ XR«X» ¼ 'Ôthis€Court€noted€as€follows:Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àWhen€loved€by€both€parents,€children€should€be€taught€to€love€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðrespect€each€parent€equally.€€This€reciprocation,€in€turn,€will€garnerÐ )à$( Ðâ âself€respect€and€a€positive€self€image€in€the€children.€€The€record€inÐ |*Ì%) ÐÔ_Ôthis€case€lends€absolutely€no€reason€as€to€why€the€children€should€notÐ ° Ðbe€encouraged€to€respect€and€love€their€father....Мì` x` x Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àWe€believe€it€in€the€best€interests€of€these€children€that€they€maintainÐ tÄ Ða€loving€and€nurturing€relationship€with€both€parents.€€In€light€of€theÐ `° Ðrecord,€we€do€not€believe€that€such€can€be€accomplished€by€an€awardÐ L œ Ðof€custody€to€Wife€at€this€time.€€It€goes€without€saying€that€in€many,Ð 8 ˆ Ðif€not€most,€cases€of€divorce,€one€may€expect€a€certain€amount€ofÐ $ t Ðanimosity€between€the€divorcing€parties.€€This€case€is€no€different.€Ð  ` ÐHowever,€when€children€are€involved,€it€is€imperative€that€the€parentsÐ ü L  Ðset€aside€their€hostilities€where€the€children€are€concerned,€for€theÐ è 8  Ðsake€of€the€children.ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.ó óóó€at€667„68.€€We€find€that€it€is€in€Dustinððs€best€interest€that€he€have€a€healthy€relationship€with€bothÐ ¬ü  Ðparents.€€In€light€of€the€record,€we€believe€that€this€can€be€best€accomplished€by€an€award€of€custodyÐ ˜è  Ðto€Father.€€€€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€remarked€that€in€making€its€determination€it€considered€the€fact€that€FatherÐ \¬ Ðwas€in€arrears€in€his€child€support€obligation.€€Although€a€parentððs€past€performance€of€providingÐ H˜ Ðfor€a€child€is€a€valid€consideration€in€making€a€custody€decision,€òòsee€óóT.C.A.€ðð€36„6„106€(2)€and€(10)Ð 4„ Ð(Supp.€1999),€custody€should€not€be€denied€in€order€to€punish€a€parent,€nor€should€custody€beÐ  p Ðawarded€to€reward€a€parent.€€ò òòòAdelsperger€v.€Adelsperger,ó óóó€970€S.W.2d€482,€485€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð  \ Ð1997).€€In€light€of€all€the€relevant€factors,€we€find€that,€despite€Fatherððs€child€support€arrearage,€theÐ øH Ðevidence€preponderates€that€the€best€interest€of€the€child€warrants€a€change€of€custody€in€this€case.€Ð ä4 ÐThe€childððs€age,€his€expressed€desire€to€live€with€his€father,€a€lack€of€evidence€reflecting€poorly€onÐ Ð  ÐFatherððs€ability€to€parent€Dustin,€the€childððs€poor€school€performance€and€attendance,€and€MotherððsÐ ¼  Ðdisparaging€comments€about€Father€and€indirectly€about€Dustin,€reflect€a€change€of€circumstancesÐ ¨ø Ðand€tip€the€scales€in€favor€of€a€change€of€custody.Ð ”ä ЀÌà  àMother€takes€issue€with€the€fact€that€Fatherððs€current€spouse€was€not€a€party€to€this€action€andÐ l¼ Ðdid€not€testify€at€the€hearing€below.€€Mother€argues€that€ò òòòRiddick€v.€Riddick,ó óóó€497€S.W.2d€740€(Tenn.Ð X ¨ ÐCt.€App.€1973),€stands€for€the€proposition€that€custody€cannot€be€changed€if€the€spouse€of€the€parentÐ D!” Ðseeking€custody€does€not€participate€in€the€hearing.€€In€ò òòòRiddick,ó óóó€this€Court€stated€as€follows:Ð 0"€  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€point€which€greatly€disturbs€this€Court€is€the€fact€Raymond€Terry,Ð $X" ÐJr.€in€whose€home€the€petitioner€proposes€to€move€her€two€children,Ð ô$D # Ðdid€not€testify€at€this€hearing,€and€neither€did€he€join€in€the€petitionÐ à%0!$ Ðfor€the€change€of€custody.€€The€character,€attitude€and€generalÐ Ì&"% Ðpersonality€of€other€persons€who€would€be€in€a€position€to€influenceÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€children€are€important€considerations€for€the€court.€€Lacking€aÐ ¤(ô#' Ðvalid€explanation€for€the€absence€of€his€testimony,€we€hold€theÐ )à$( Ðpetitioner€under€the€duty€to€produce€Raymond€Terry,€Jr.,€so€that€heÐ |*Ì%) Ðmight€testify€as€to€his€willingness€for€the€children€to€be€in€his€home,Ð h+¸&* Ðand€as€to€his€occupation,€finances,€and€other€relevant€facts.€€ThisÐ ° Ðelement€of€proof€cannot€be€negatively€met€by€the€showing€of€a€lackÐ œì Ðof€evidence€that€Raymond€Terry,€Jr.€is€not€willing€to€have€theÐ ˆØ Ðchildren€in€his€home.€€It€is€true€the€mother€seeks€the€custody,€but€aÐ tÄ Ðcourt€cannot€overlook€the€situation€in€which€that€custody€will€placeÐ `° Ðthe€children.à  àÐL œ` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.ó óóó€at€742.€€Ð $ t ÐÌà  àWe€find€Motherððs€argument€to€be€without€merit.€€There€is€no€absolute€requirement€in€the€lawÐ ü L  Ðthat€a€stepparent€must€testify€in€every€instance€where€custody€is€sought€to€be€changed,€althoughÐ è 8  Ðcertainly€the€character€and€behavior€of€a€stepparent€is€a€relevant€consideration€in€a€custodyÐ Ô$  Ðdetermination.€€òòSeeóó€òòóóT.C.A.€ðð€36„6„106(9)€(Supp.€1999).€€In€the€instant€case,€there€was€evidenceÐ À  Ðindicating€a€positive€relationship€between€the€stepmother€and€Dustin.€€Fatherððs€testimony€also€revealsÐ ¬ü  Ðthat€the€stepmother€would€be€involved€in€picking€Dustin€up€at€school.€€We€further€note€that€there€wasÐ ˜è  Ðno€negative€testimony€regarding€the€stepmother.€€Thus,€the€mere€fact€that€the€stepmother€did€notÐ „Ô  Ðtestify€does€not€preclude€our€finding€that€a€change€of€custody€would€be€in€the€best€interest€of€theÐ pÀ Ðchild.€€While€the€failure€of€a€stepparent€to€testify€could,€in€a€given€case,€be€sufficient€to€block€aÐ \¬ Ðchange€of€custody€to€that€stepparentððs€household,€such€is€not€the€case€here.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àMother€seeks€attorneyððs€fees€on€this€appeal.€€Because€we€find€that€custody€should€be€changedÐ  p Ðto€Father,€such€an€award€would€not€be€appropriate.€€We€also€find€that€the€evidence€preponderatesÐ  \ Ðagainst€such€an€award€for€services€performed€by€Wifeððs€counsel€in€defense€of€the€petition€to€changeÐ øH Ðcustody.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌÓ  ÓIV.Ð ¼  ÐÓº_ÓÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court,€including€the€award€of€fees€to€mother€on€the€custody€issue,Ð ”ä Ðis€reversed.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€Mother.€€Custody€of€the€child€is€changed€immediately€fromÐ €Ð ÐMother€to€Father.€€Fatherððs€child€support€obligation€going€forward€is€hereby€terminated€effective€asÐ l¼ Ðof€the€date€of€the€release€of€this€opinion.€€This€case€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€so€it€can€addressÐ X ¨ Ðthe€issues€of€Motherððs€visitation€and€her€child€support€obligation€to€Father€and€for€such€furtherÐ D!” Ðproceedings€as€may€be€required,€all€pursuant€to€applicable€law.Ð 0"€  ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð à%0!$ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCHARLES€D.€SUSANO,€JR.,€JUDGEÔ#† ¼ '»X XR«^F#Ô