’WPCÄ aU–Œøż*’sī*śs„M‚ē§łl5 S8ĻFœw“įö©"3­t~ū&īBĖJ`„#ŠćĀ<­l$•ČĮ¾ƒ4ō˜ĶVFŚMi°(ėp&* ŠÓ  Óą  ąOn€appeal,€Husband€argues€that€the€evidence€in€this€case€clearly€demonstrates€that€he€shouldŠ ° Šā āhave€been€designated€Daughterššs€primary€residential€parent.€€Husband€asserts€that€stability€is€keyŠ ™é Šfor€children€in€Daughterššs€position€and€argues€that€he€is€in€a€better€position€to€ensure€that€DaughterŠ ‚Ņ Šwill€improve€academically.€€In€support€of€this€argument,€Husband€points€to€the€family€supportŠ k» Šstructure€he€is€able€to€offer€Daughter:€primarily,€unlimited€access€to€Grandmother€who€has€been€aŠ T¤ Škey€figure€in€Daughterššs€academic€development.€€Husband,€therefore,€asks€us€to€reverse€the€rulingŠ =  Šof€the€chancellor€and€find€that€Husband€should€be€the€primary€residential€parent€based€on€theŠ & v Ševidence€presented€at€trial€below.€Š  _ ŠĢą  ą€š šAny€final€decree€or€decree€of€modification€in€an€action€for€absolute€divorce,€legalŠ į 1  Šseparation,€annulment,€or€separate€maintenance€involving€a€minor€child€shall€incorporate€aŠ Ź   Špermanent€parenting€plan.€.€.€.šš€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„6„404(a)€(2003).€€The€parenting€plan€mustŠ ³  Šset€forth€a€residential€schedule€which€designates€the€primary€residential€parent.׃ׯ ƒ #ĆŻņņŚ  Ś1Ś  ŚóóŻ  Ż×  ׀€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Š œģ  Ššš€36„6„402(5)€(2003);€ņņNiceley€v.€Niceleyóó,€No.€M2001„02182„COA„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXISŠ …Õ  Š214,€at€*12€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€14,€2003).€€In€creating€the€residential€schedule,€the€trial€court€isŠ n¾  Šinstructed€to€evaluate€certain€enumerated€factors.€€Tenn€Code€Ann.€šš€36„6„404(b)€(2003).€€š šTheseŠ W§  Šfactors€incorporate€those€set€out€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„6„106€(the€statute€which€previously€guidedŠ @ Šthe€trial€court€in€custody€determinations)€as€well€as€factors€established€by€the€courts.šš€€ņņNiceleyóó,€2003Š )y ŠTenn.€App.€LEXIS€214,€at€*15š!š16.€Š b ŠĢą  ą€€€€€In€every€custody€determination€undertaken€by€a€trial€court,€the€best€interest€of€the€child€Š ä4 Šmust€be€the€paramount€concern.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„6„106(a)€(2003).€€To€that€end,€this€courtŠ Ķ Šadopted€a€š šcomparative€fitnessšš€approach€to€guide€trial€courts€in€making€custody€determinationsŠ ¶ Šunder€a€best€interest€analysis,€stating:Š Ÿļ ŠĢÓ °ÓÓ °Ó[The€best€interest€of€the€child]€is€and€must€remain€the€true€test€for€theŠ qĮ Šaward€of€custody.€€To€arrive€at€the€point€of€deciding€with€whom€toŠ ZŖ Šplace€a€child€in€preparation€for€a€caring€and€productive€adult€lifeŠ C“ Šrequires€consideration€of€many€relevant€factors,€ņņincluding€butŠ ,| Šcertainly€not€limited€to€the€age,€habits,€mental€and€emotional€make„Š e Šup€of€the€child€and€those€parties€competing€for€custodyóó;€the€educationŠ üL Šand€experience€of€those€seeking€to€raise€the€child;€their€character€andŠ å 5 Špropensities€as€evidenced€by€their€past€conduct;€the€financial€andŠ Ī!  Šphysical€circumstances€available€in€the€home€of€each€party€seekingŠ ·"! Šcustody€and€ņņthe€special€requirements€of€the€childóó;€ņņthe€availability€andŠ  #š" Šextent€of€third„party€supportóó;€the€associations€and€influences€to€whichŠ ‰$Ł# Šthe€child€is€most€likely€to€be€exposed€in€the€alternatives€afforded,Š r%Ā $ Šboth€positive€and€negative;€and€where€is€the€greater€likelihood€of€anŠ [&«!% Šenvironment€for€the€child€of€love,€warmth,€stability,€support,Š D'”"& Šconsistency,€care€and€concern,€and€physical€and€spiritual€nurture.€€Š -(}#' ŠŠ )f$( ŠÓ °JÓÓ °ōIÓņņBah€v.€Bahóó,€668€S.W.2d€663,€666€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983)€(emphasis€added).€€In€evaluating€theŠ ° Šcomparative€fitness€of€the€parents,€a€trial€court€is€often€confronted€with€evidence€of€each€parentššsŠ ™é Šfrailties.€€In€noting€the€prevalence€of€such€evidence€in€divorce€and€custody€cases,€we€have€stated:Š ‚Ņ ŠĢÓ °ÓÓ °ÓIn€undertaking€this€analysis,€the€courts€must€understand€that€parents,Š T¤ Šwhether€married€or€not,€are€human€beings,€each€with€his€or€her€ownŠ =  Švirtues€and€vices.€€ņņSherman€v.€Shermanóó,€1994€Tenn.€App.€LEXISŠ & v Š660,€App.€No.€01„A„01„9304„CH„00188,€slip€op.€at€9€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Š  _ ŠNov.€18,€1994)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€Š ų H ŠTherefore,€the€courts€should€not€measure€either€parent€against€theŠ į 1  Šstandard€of€perfection.€€ņņBah€v.€Bahóó,€668€S.W.2d€at€666;€ņņEdwards€v.Š Ź   ŠEdwardsóó,€501€S.W.2d€283,€290š!š91€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1973).Š ³  ŠĢÓ °QÓÓ °śPÓņņGaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€630ņņóó.€€The€trial€court€must€also€consider€the€following€statutory€factors:Š …Õ  ŠĢÓ °ÓÓ °Ó(1)€The€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€theŠ W§  Šparents€and€the€child;Š @ Š(2)€The€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,Š )y Šclothing,€medical€care,€education€and€other€necessary€care€and€theŠ b Šdegree€to€which€a€parent€has€been€the€primary€caregiver;€Š ūK Š(3)€The€importance€of€continuity€in€the€childššs€life€and€the€length€ofŠ ä4 Štime€the€child€has€lived€in€a€stable,€satisfactory€environment;Š Ķ Šprovided,€that€where€there€is€a€finding,€under€šš€36„6„106(8),€of€childŠ ¶ Šabuse,€as€defined€in€šš€39„15„401€or€šš€39„15„402,€or€child€sexualŠ Ÿļ Šabuse,€as€defined€in€šš€37„1„602,€by€one€(1)€parent,€and€that€a€non„Š ˆŲ Šperpetrating€parent€has€relocated€in€order€to€flee€the€perpetratingŠ qĮ Šparent,€that€such€relocation€shall€not€weigh€against€an€award€ofŠ ZŖ Šcustody;Š C“ Š(4)€The€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;Š ,| Š(5)€The€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;Š e Š(6)€The€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;Š žN Š(7)€The€reasonable€preference€of€the€child€if€twelve€(12)€years€of€ageŠ ē 7 Šor€older.€€The€court€may€hear€the€preference€of€a€younger€child€uponŠ Š!   Šrequest.€€The€preference€of€older€children€should€normally€be€givenŠ ¹" ! Šgreater€weight€than€those€of€younger€children;Š ¢#ņ" Š(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€to€the€otherŠ ‹$Ū# Šparent€or€to€any€other€person;€provided,€that€where€there€areŠ t%Ä $ Šallegations€that€one€(1)€parent€has€committed€child€abuse,€[as€definedŠ ]&­!% Šin€šš€39„15„401€or€šš€39„15„402],€relevant€to€the€physical€andŠ F'–"& Šemotional€safety€of€the€child,€and€determine,€by€a€clearŠ /(#' Špreponderance€of€the€evidence,€whether€such€abuse€has€occurred.€Š )h$( ŠThe€court€shall€include€in€its€decision€a€written€finding€of€allŠ *Q%) Šā āevidence,€and€all€findings€of€facts€connected€thereto.€€In€addition,€theŠ ź*:&* Šcourt€shall,€where€appropriate,€refer€any€issues€of€abuse€to€theŠ ° Šjuvenile€court€for€further€proceedings;€Š ™é Šā ā(9)€The€character€and€behavior€of€any€person€who€resides€in€orŠ ‚Ņ Šfrequents€the€home€of€a€parent€and€such€personššs€interactions€withŠ k» Šthe€child;€and€Š T¤ Š(10)€Each€parentššs€past€and€potential€for€future€performance€ofŠ =  Šparenting€responsibilities,€including€the€willingness€and€ability€ofŠ & v Šeach€of€the€parents€to€facilitate€and€encourage€a€close€and€continuingŠ  _ Šparent„child€relationship€between€the€child€and€the€other€parent,Š ų H Šconsistent€with€the€best€interest€of€the€child.Š į 1  ŠĢÓ °„TÓÓ °vTÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„6„106(a)€(2003).€€All€of€these€statutory€factors€may€not€be€applicable€in€everyŠ ³  Šcase,€and€the€trial€judge€is€only€required€to€consider€those€factors€deemed€relevant€to€the€proceedingŠ œģ  Šbased€on€the€circumstances.€€ņņBurnett€v.€Burnettóó,€No.€E2002„01614„COA„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€App.Š …Õ  ŠLEXIS€508,€at€*16€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€23,€2003).€€Š n¾  ŠĢą  ąIn€evaluating€a€trial€courtššs€custody€determination,€we€are€mindful€of€the€importance€thatŠ @ Šsuch€decisions€have€on€a€minor€child.Š )y ŠĢÓ °ÓÓ °Óą ø ąDivorce€affects€children€profoundly€by€undermining€theirŠ ūK Šsense€of€stability€and€well„being.€€Thus,€custody€and€visitationŠ ä4 Šarrangements€are€among€the€most€important€decisions€confronting€aŠ Ķ Štrial€court€in€a€divorce€case.€€The€needs€of€the€children€areŠ ¶ Šparamount;€while€the€desires€of€the€parents€are€secondary.€€ņņLentz€v.Š Ÿļ ŠLentzóó,€717€S.W.2d€876,€877€(Tenn.€1986).€€Custody€should€never€beŠ ˆŲ Šused€to€punish€or€reward€the€parents,€ņņTurner€v.€Turneróó,€919€S.W.2dŠ qĮ Š340,€346€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995);€ņņLong€v.€Longóó,€488€S.W.2d€729,€733Š ZŖ Š(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1972),€but€rather€should€promote€childrenššs€bestŠ C“ Šinterests€by€placing€them€in€an€environment€that€will€best€serve€theirŠ ,| Šphysical€and€emotional€needs.€€ņņSee€Luke€v.€Lukeóó,€651€S.W.2d€219,Š e Š221€(Tenn.€1983).€€Š žN Šą ø ąNo€hard€and€fast€rules€exist€for€determining€which€custodyŠ ē 7 Šand€visitation€arrangement€will€best€serve€a€childššs€needs.€€ņņTaylor€v.Š Š!   ŠTayloróó,€849€S.W.2d€319,€327€(Tenn.€1993);€ņņDantzler€v.€Dantzleróó,€665Š ¹" ! ŠS.W.2d€385,€387€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983).€€The€inquiry€is€factuallyŠ ¢#ņ" Šdriven€and€requires€the€courts€to€carefully€weigh€numerousŠ ‹$Ū# Šconsiderations.€€ņņNichols€v.€Nicholsóó,€792€S.W.2d€713,€716€(Tenn.Š t%Ä $ Š1990);€ņņRogero€v.€Pittóó,€759€S.W.2d€109,€112€(Tenn.€1988).€€Š ]&­!% ŠĢÓ °9cÓÓ °+cÓņņGaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€630.€€When€the€minor€child€suffers€from€a€mental€or€physical€handicap,€theŠ /(#' Šprocess€by€which€the€trial€court€reaches€its€custody€determination€takes€on€even€greater€significance.€Š )h$( ŠņņSee€Sanborn€v.€Sanbornóó,€No.€M2003„00418„COA„R3„CV,€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€316,€at€*16š!š17Š *Q%) Š(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€11,€2004);€ņņAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€482,€484š!š85€(Tenn.€Ct.Š ź*:&* ŠApp.€1997).€€Š Ó+#'+ Їą  ąFollowing€the€hearings€conducted€in€this€matter,€the€chancellor€addressed€the€parties€in€openŠ ° Šcourt€on€the€record.€€Regarding€the€issue€of€child€custody,€the€chancellor€made€the€followingŠ ™é Šfindings:Š ‚Ņ ŠĢÓ °ÓÓ °Óą ø ąFirst€off,€as€far€as€the€divorce,€Iššm€going€to€declare€the€partiesŠ T¤ Što€be€divorced€per€the€statute.€€I€think€thereššs€enough€blame€to€goŠ =  Šaround€in€this€matter.€€Obviously€the€wifeššs€actions€at€some€pointŠ & v Šbecame€quite€bizarre,€and€for€accusations,€went€beyond€the€limit.€€IššmŠ  _ Šnot€going€to€say€that€thereššs€not€some€basis€for€that,€but€thoseŠ ų H Šaccusations€were€out€of€line.€€The€husband€denies€that€anything€wasŠ į 1  Šgoing€on,€but€I€do€find€some€š"š€he€had€some€credibility€problemsŠ Ź   Šbefore€the€Court€as€to€whether€they€are€believable,€which€is€not€to€sayŠ ³  Šthat€he€had€affairs€with€all€of€these€women,€but€thereššs€something€š"šŠ œģ  Šand€I€donššt€think€he€did,€but€I€do€think€there€was€something€going€onŠ …Õ  Što€upset€Ms.€Mueller.€€Also,€I€think€the€husband€was€calling€the€wifeŠ n¾  Šthese€ugly€names€and€talking€ugly€to€her€prior€to€this€matter,€so€I€findŠ W§  Šthat€there€is€enough€actions€on€the€part€of€each€party€to€declare€theŠ @ Šparties€divorced€and€just€hope€that€things€will€settle€down,€and€whenŠ )y Šit€comes€to€the€child,€that€theyššll€be€able€to€work€on€that.€€Š b Šą ø ą.€.€.€.Š ūK Šą ø ąThe€most€important€matter€in€this€case€is€[Daughter].€€WeŠ ä4 Šknow€that€she€is€a€special€needs€child.€€She€is€a€very€loving€child,€andŠ Ķ Što€her€credit€and€to€the€parties€š"š€all€the€credit€of€the€mother€andŠ ¶ Šfather€and€the€grandparents,€they€have€allowed€her€to€love€everyoneŠ Ÿļ Šthat€she€wants€to.€.€.€.€Š ˆŲ Šą ø ą36„6„106€says€the€items€that€I€am€supposed€to€consider€inŠ qĮ Šdetermining€who€should€be€the€primary€residential€parent,€and€weŠ ZŖ Šhave€š"š€Iššve€already€discussed€love,€affection,€emotional€ties.€€ThisŠ C“ Šis€one€of€the€strongest€cases€Iššve€ever€seen€š"š€where€everybody€lovesŠ ,| Šthis€child€that€deals€with€her.€€Both€parties€can€provide€her€with€food,Š e Šclothing,€medical€care,€the€education.€€We€know€we€have€Mrs.Š žN ŠFrancis€Mueller,€and€the€degree€that€a€person€has€been€a€primaryŠ ē 7 Šcaregiver,€and€on€this,€I€find€that€Ms.€Mueller€has€been€the€primaryŠ Š!   Šresident€š"š€the€primary€caregiver.€€Both€parties€can€provide€a€stableŠ ¹" ! Šand€satisfactory€environment€for€her.€€I€realize€that€Ms.€Mueller€hadŠ ¢#ņ" Šthis€episode€for€a€period€of€time,€but€I€think€š"š€and€I€do€believeŠ ‹$Ū# Šstrongly€that€thatššs€over€with.€€Once€these€parties€are€separated€andŠ t%Ä $ Štheyššve€been€able€to€live€apart,€I€think€thatššs€helped,€without€questionŠ ]&­!% Šhelped€her,€and€I€donššt€think€she€has€these€problems€towardsŠ F'–"& Š[Daughter]€that€š"š€I€know€she€didnššt€know€she€had€the€problemsŠ /(#' Štoward€[Daughter]€that€she€has€toward€Mr.€Mueller.€€Both€families€IŠ )h$( Šthink€are€stable€of€what€they€can€do.€€I€believe€Ms.€Muellerššs€mentalŠ *Q%) Šhealth€has€leveled€out€and€itššs€fine.€€The€physical€health€of€both€theŠ ź*:&* Šparties€is€good.€€The€home€and€community€record€of€the€child€isŠ Ó+#'+ Šgood.€€The€school€record€is€wonderful,€and€I€think€thatššs€because€ofŠ ° ŠMrs.€Mueller.€€There€are€going€to€be€bumps€in€that€road,€and€in€all€š"šŠ ™é Šand€in€her€community€record€and€in€her€social€record€as€thingsŠ ‚Ņ Šprogress,€but€I€believe€that€if€you€all€work€together,€youššll€be€able€toŠ k» Šdeal€with€that.€€I€did€not€talk€to€[Daughter]€about€her€preference.€Š T¤ ŠThere€is€absolutely€no€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child.€€TheŠ =  Šcharacter€and€behavior€of€these€people€when€it€comes€to€dealing€with€Š & v Š[Daughter]€and€what€is€best€for€her,€this€is€š"š€you€are€justŠ  _ Šcommendable€on€that.€€I€think€that€both€parties€have€past€and€futureŠ ų H Špotential€for€š"š€excuse€me,€the€past€and€potential€for€futureŠ į 1  Šperformance€is€good,€and€I€think€youššre€both€willing€to€work€withŠ Ź   Šeach€other.€€I€know€that€thereššs€tension€there,€but€I€think€that€willŠ ³  Šwork€itself€out€as€things€go€along.€€The€overriding€factor€for€me€wasŠ œģ  ŠI€felt€that€Ms.€Mueller€had€been€the€primary€caregiver,€and€Iššm€goingŠ …Õ  Što€allow€her€to€be€the€primary€residential€parent€with€certain€caveats.Š n¾  Šą ø ąI€want€joint€decision„making€here,€and€also€Iššm€going€to€allowŠ W§  ŠMrs.€Francis€Mueller€to€continue€to€tutor€this€child.€€I€think€the€proofŠ @ Šis€overwhelming€that€Mrs.€Mueller€has€worked€with€her,€and€she€isŠ )y Šthe€one€[Daughter]€looks€to,€and€I€think€to€stop€that€would€beŠ b Šextremely€detrimental€to€[Daughter]€and€to€her€schoolwork.€€I€believeŠ ūK Šsincerely€that€when€Mrs.€Francis€Mueller€has€š"š€is€starting€to€look€š"šŠ ä4 Šfeel€badly€about€herself€because€of€her€grades,€thatššs€true,€and€thatŠ Ķ Šmay€be€hearsay,€but€that€is€something€that€if€you€know€children€asŠ ¶ Š[Daughter]€and€you€look€to€these€grades,€you€know€thatššs€coming.€Š Ÿļ ŠWhen€they€donššt€make€good€grades,€you€know€itššs€coming,€andŠ ˆŲ Šyouššve€got€to€work€on€her€self„image,€and€that€will€be€helped€whenŠ qĮ Šshe€starts€to€do€better€in€school.€€Š ZŖ Šą ø ąI€want€to€express€that€the€mother€is€the€mother,€and€the€fatherŠ C“ Šis€the€father.€€You€are€the€primary€parents.€€You€are€the€parents,€notŠ ,| Šprimary.€€You€are€the€only€parents€she€has.€€We€cannot€rule€out€theŠ e Šgood€effects€that€Mrs.€Muelller,€Mrs.€Francis€Mueller,€has€had€on€thisŠ žN Šchild,€but€Iššd€have€to€say€to€Mrs.€Mueller,€she€is€the€grandmother,Š ē 7 Šand€her€job€as€far€as€I€see€it€is€to€be€a€grandmother.€€She€has€an€extraŠ Š!   Šjob€tutoring€her,€and€she€is€going€to€have€to€talk€to€the€school,€and€IŠ ¹" ! Šknow€you€realize,€both€of€you,€sheššs€got€to€do€that.€€You€all€have€toŠ ¢#ņ" Šbe€able€to€talk€to€the€school€officials.€€I€mean,€youššve€seen€whatššsŠ ‹$Ū# Šhappened€when€you€donššt,€so€youššre€all€š"š€youššre€going€to€have€to€letŠ t%Ä $ Šher€do€that.€€You€take€the€steps€to€do€that,€but€Mrs.€Mueller€is€theŠ ]&­!% Šgrandmother,€and€the€mother€and€father€have€primary€responsibility,Š F'–"& Šand€theyššre€the€ones€to€make€decisions,€and€not€that€Mrs.€Mueller,Š /(#' ŠMrs.€Francis€Mueller,€cannot€give€her€input.€€There€are€going€to€beŠ )h$( Šsome€things€youššre€going€to€need€her€on,€but€also€Iššm€not€going€š"šŠ *Q%) ŠIššm€going€to€make€š"š€[Daughter]€is€going€to€continue€to€go€to€Mrs.Š ź*:&* ŠFrancis€Mueller€for€tutoring.Š Ó+#'+ Šą ø ą.€.€.€.€Š ° Šą ø ąIššm€not€sure€how€youššre€going€to€work€with€the€school.€€YouŠ ™é Šare€all€š"š€Mrs.€Mueller€Iššm€going€to€put€as€far€as€communicatingŠ ‚Ņ Šwith€the€schools€on€the€same€level€as€a€parent.€€Š k» ŠÓ °ļlÓÓ °żlÓĢą  ąIn€arguing€that€the€chancery€court€erred€in€designating€Wife€the€primary€residential€parent,Š =  ŠHusband€has€dissected€the€statutory€factors€found€in€section€36„6„106€in€an€attempt€to€demonstrateŠ & v Šhow€the€evidence€preponderates€in€his€favor.€€Both€parties€are€in€agreement€that€the€first€factor€foundŠ  _ Šin€section€36„6„106(a)(1)€is€not€in€controversy€since€both€Husband€and€Wife€demonstrate€love€andŠ ų H Šaffection€for€Daughter.€Š į 1  ŠĢą  ąHusbandššs€first€major€area€of€contention€focuses€on€the€statutory€factors€found€in€sectionsŠ ³  Š36„6„106(a)(2),€(3),€and€(6).€€As€indicated€above,€these€factors€direct€a€trial€court€to€consider€eachŠ œģ  Šparents€ability€to€provide€for€the€childššs€physical€and€educational€needs,€the€extent€to€which€oneŠ …Õ  Šparent€has€been€a€primary€caregiver,€the€continuity€and€stability€each€parent€can€offer€the€child,€andŠ n¾  Šthe€childššs€home€and€school€record.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„6„106(a)(2),(3),(6)€(2003).€€HusbandŠ W§  Šdirects€our€attention€to€the€fact€that€after€Wife€filed€for€divorce€and€obtained€temporary€custody€overŠ @ ŠDaughter,€the€child€has€not€performed€well€academically.Š )y ŠĢą  ąOver€the€course€of€the€hearings€conducted€in€this€matter,€the€chancellor€heard€testimony€fromŠ ūK Šseveral€individuals€who€have€interacted€with€Daughter€over€the€last€several€years.€€DaughterššsŠ ä4 Šspecial€education€teachers€and€a€representative€from€the€Boling€Center€explained€to€the€chancellorŠ Ķ Šthat€stability€is€crucial€to€the€development€of€a€child€with€Daughterššs€disability.€€Several€of€theseŠ ¶ Šwitnesses€testified€that€Grandmother€was€their€primary€contact€regarding€Daughterššs€academicŠ Ÿļ Šdevelopment,€and€the€evidence€showed€that€Grandmotherššs€tutoring€was€very€beneficial€to€Daughter.€Š ˆŲ ŠHowever,€the€chancellor€also€heard€evidence€demonstrating€that€Wife€was€very€involved€inŠ qĮ ŠDaughterššs€school€activities€and€attended€school€meetings€to€discuss€Daughterššs€academicŠ ZŖ Šdevelopment.€€The€evidence€also€showed€that€Husband,€by€his€own€admission,€was€rarely,€if€ever,Š C“ Šinvolved€with€Daughterššs€school€activities.€€This€fact€was€supported€by€the€testimony€of€DaughterššsŠ ,| Šteachers.€€In€addition,€the€proof€established€that€during€the€marriage€Wife€was€the€primary€caretakerŠ e Šof€Daughter,€looking€after€her€needs€in€the€afternoon€while€Husband€was€at€work.€Š žN ŠĢą  ąThe€second€area€of€contention€raised€by€Husband€centers€around€the€chancellorššs€applicationŠ Š!   Šof€the€factors€found€in€section€36„6„106(a)(4)€and€(5).€€These€factors€direct€the€court€to€focus€uponŠ ¹" ! Šthe€stability€of€the€family€unit,€as€well€as€the€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents.€€Tenn.€CodeŠ ¢#ņ" ŠAnn.€šš€36„6„106(a)(4)š!š(5)€(2003).€€Š ‹$Ū# ŠĢą  ąRegarding€family€stability,€the€record€supports€the€trial€courtššs€finding€that€Wife€offers€aŠ ]&­!% Šmore€stable€family€environment.€€The€proof€at€trial€showed€that€Husband€works€a€rotating€shift,€andŠ F'–"& Šwas€assigned€to€the€afternoon€shift€at€the€time€this€case€came€to€be€heard€below.€€Husband€admittedŠ /(#' Šthat€his€work€schedule€is€subject€to€change,€and€that€he€would€continue€to€work€the€afternoon€shiftŠ )h$( Šuntil€he€was€reassigned.€€Since€being€reassigned€to€a€correctional€facility€in€Memphis,€Husband€hasŠ *Q%) Šalso€incurred€additional€driving€time€in€getting€to€and€from€work€each€day.€€In€addition,€HusbandššsŠ ź*:&* Šattempt€to€argue€that€he€can€provide€better€educational€stability€for€Daughter€by€providing€betterŠ Ó+#'+ Šaccess€to€tutoring€sessions€with€Grandmother€is€also€thwarted€by€the€evidence€contained€in€theŠ ° Šrecord.€€In€the€findings€issued€by€the€trial€court,€the€chancellor€clearly€stated€that,€even€thoughŠ ™é ŠMother€would€be€the€primary€caretaker,€the€tutoring€sessions€with€Grandmother€were€to€continue.€Š ‚Ņ ŠĢą  ąThe€trial€court€also€heard€evidence€regarding€the€mental€state€of€each€party.€€š š[I]t€is€clear€thatŠ T¤ Šboth€the€legislature€and€the€courts€have€recognized€that€the€mental€health€of€a€parent€is€a€factor€toŠ =  Šbe€considered€in€making€a€custody€determination.šš€€ņņState€v.€Howardóó,€No.€E2000„02072„COA„R3„Š & v ŠCV,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€697,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€20,€2001).€€Father€asserts€that€theŠ  _ Ševidence€presented€at€trial€demonstrates€a€clear€pattern€of€Wifeššs€deteriorating€mental€stabilityŠ ų H Šwarranting€a€reversal€of€the€chancellorššs€ruling.€€The€record€reveals€that€Wife€visited€one€therapistŠ į 1  Šwho€diagnosed€her€as€having€obsessive„compulsive€disorder.€€The€record€also€reveals€that€Wife€hasŠ Ź   Šalso€been€to€see€several€other€therapists€for€depression.€€Ms.€Meryl€Rice€was€one€of€the€therapistsŠ ³  Šwho€evaluated€Wife.€€She€testified€that€Grandmother€called€her€office€and€said€Wife€needed€help.€Š œģ  ŠOn€the€first€visit,€Grandmother€brought€Wife€to€Ms.€Riceššs€office€and€sat€in€during€the€session.€€Ms.Š …Õ  ŠRice€was€able€to€evaluate€Wife€over€the€course€of€approximately€fifteen€office€visits.€€During€theŠ n¾  Šcourse€of€their€relationship,€Ms.€Rice€was€able€to€observe€Wife€and€Daughter€interact,€and€stated€thatŠ W§  Šthey€appeared€to€be€well€bonded.€€Ms.€Rice€diagnosed€Wife€as€having€adjustment€disorder€withŠ @ Šanxiety€and€depression,€but€did€not€feel€that€this€impaired€Wifeššs€ability€to€parent€Daughter.€€TheŠ )y Štherapist€also€stated€that€she€did€not€believe€Wife€suffered€from€obsessive„compulsive€disorder€whenŠ b Šshe€evaluated€her.€Š ūK ŠĢą  ąAs€additional€proof€of€Wifeššs€deteriorating€mental€stability,€Husband€points€out€that€WifeŠ Ķ Šblamed€Grandmother€for€the€partiesšš€marital€difficulties,€was€forced€to€resign€from€her€job,€and€sheŠ ¶ Šcashed€Daughterššs€$500.00€savings€bond€by€forging€his€signature.€€Betti€Burton,€one€of€the€womenŠ Ÿļ ŠWife€accused€of€having€an€affair€with€Husband,€testified€that€Wife€repeatedly€called€her€at€work€andŠ ˆŲ Šharassed€her.€€Stacy€Alexander,€Husbandššs€co„worker,€testified€concerning€the€assault€charge€sheŠ qĮ Šfiled€against€Wife.€€The€court€also€heard€testimony,€however,€which€tended€to€show€that€WifeššsŠ ZŖ Šconcerns€about€Husbandššs€infidelity€were€well€founded.€€Carolyn€Tatum,€personnel€manager€at€theŠ C“ Šcorrectional€facility€where€Husband€used€to€work,€testified€concerning€charges€lodged€againstŠ ,| ŠHusband€by€his€employer€for€inappropriate€sexual€conduct€with€a€co„worker.€€Ms.€Alexander€wasŠ e Šthe€co„worker€identified€as€being€involved€in€that€incident.€Š žN ŠĢą  ąThe€chancellor€also€heard€Wifeššs€testimony€that€Husband€had€a€gambling€problem.€€TwoŠ Š!   Šwitnesses€testified€that€Husband€verbally€abused€Wife,€and€one€of€these€witnesses€testified€that€thisŠ ¹" ! Šoccurred€in€front€of€Daughter.€€Wife€took€Daughter€to€see€Martha€Williams,€a€therapist,€in€order€toŠ ¢#ņ" Šhelp€Daughter€understand€and€deal€with€the€divorce.€€Ms.€Williams€testified€that€she€conductedŠ ‹$Ū# Šindividual€therapy€with€Daughter.€€Ms.€Williams€stated€that€during€one€of€their€sessions,€DaughterŠ t%Ä $ Štold€her€that€she€was€upset€that€Husband€was€calling€Wife€names€in€front€of€Daughter.€Š ]&­!% ŠĢą  ąWhile€the€court€did€state€that€Wifeššs€behavior€was€š šquite€bizarre,šš€the€court€also€found€thatŠ /(#' Šthe€evidence€showed€Husband€was€engaging€in€conduct€that€upset€Wife.€The€chancellor€also€foundŠ )h$( ŠHusband€was€not€credible€in€some€respects.€€We€give€the€chancellorššs€observations€in€this€regardŠ *Q%) Šgreat€weight.€€ņņRice€v.€Riceóó,€983€S.W.2d€680,€682€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€The€chancellor€found€thatŠ ź*:&* ŠWifeššs€behavior€during€the€divorce€had€leveled€off,€and€that€Wife€could€provide€a€stableŠ Ó+#'+ Šenvironment€for€Daughter.€€We€do€not€dispute€that€Grandmother€has€taken€an€active,€and€ratherŠ ° Šcommendable,€role€in€this€childššs€life.€€As€the€chancellor€correctly€noted,€however,€the€legislatureŠ ™é Šinstructs€the€courts€of€this€state€to€evaluate€the€evidence€presented€in€order€to€determine€whichŠ ‚Ņ Šņņparentóó€should€be€designated€the€primary€residential€parent.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„6„404(b)€(2003);Š k» ŠTenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„6„106(a)€(2003).€€Our€review€of€the€record€reveals€that€the€evidence€beforeŠ T¤ Šthe€trial€court€does€not€preponderate€against€the€finding€that€Wife€should€be€Daughterššs€primaryŠ =  Šresidential€parent.€€Š & v Šņ ņĢÓ  ÓRehabilitative€Alimonyó óŠ ł I Šą @ ąĢÓ  Óą  ąOn€appeal,€Husband€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€awarding€Wife€rehabilitative€alimonyŠ Ģ   Šfor€a€period€of€three€years.€€Husbandššs€main€argument€on€appeal€is€that€Wife€voluntarily€quit€her€jobŠ µ  Šafter€twelve€years€and€has€remained€unemployed€since€the€final€decree€was€entered.€Š žī  ŠĢą  ąTrial€courts€are€vested€with€a€considerable€amount€of€discretion€when€awarding€alimony.€Š pĄ  ŠņņCrabtree€v.€Crabtreeóó,€16€S.W.3d€356,€358€(Tenn.€2000);€ņņLancaster€v.€Lancasteróó,€671€S.W.2d€501,Š Y©  Š502€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984).€€š šAppellate€courts€are€generally€disinclined€to€second„guess€a€trialŠ B’ Šcourtššs€spousal€support€decision€unless€it€is€not€supported€by€the€evidence€or€is€contrary€to€the€publicŠ +{ Špolicies€reflected€in€the€applicable€statutes.šš€€ņņAnderton€v.€Andertonóó,€988€S.W.2d€675,€682€(Tenn.€Ct.Š d ŠApp.€1998).€€Š żM ŠĢą  ąOur€legislature€has€expressed€a€preference€for€rehabilitative€alimony€by€stating:Š Ļ ŠĢÓ °ÓÓ °ÓIt€is€the€intent€of€the€general€assembly€that€a€spouse€who€isŠ ”ń Šeconomically€disadvantaged€relative€to€the€other€spouse,€beŠ ŠŚ Šrehabilitated€whenever€possible€by€the€granting€of€an€order€forŠ sĆ Špayment€of€rehabilitative,€temporary€support€and€maintenance.€€ToŠ \¬ Šbe€rehabilitated€means€to€achieve,€with€reasonable€effort,€an€earningŠ E• Šcapacity€that€will€permit€the€economically€disadvantaged€spouseššsŠ .~ Šstandard€of€living€enjoyed€during€the€marriage,€or€to€the€post„divorceŠ g Šstandard€of€living€expected€to€be€available€to€the€other€spouse,Š  P Šconsidering€the€relevant€statutory€factors€and€the€equities€between€theŠ é 9 Šparties.Š Ņ!"  ŠĢÓ °WµÓÓ °IµÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„5„101(d)(1)(C)€(2003);€ņņsee€also€Crabtreeóó,€16€S.W.3d€at€360.€€š šThe€purposeŠ ¤#ō" Šof€rehabilitative€support€is€to€enable€the€disadvantaged€spouse€to€acquire€additional€job€skills,Š $Ż# Šeducation,€or€training€that€will€enable€him€or€her€to€be€more€self„sufficient.šš€€ņņAndertonóó,€988€S.W.2dŠ v%Ę $ Šat€682.€€In€determining€the€extent€and€nature€of€spousal€support,€a€trial€court€must€consider€theŠ _&Æ!% Šfollowing€criteria€provided€by€the€legislature:Š H'˜"& ŠĢÓ °ÓÓ °Ó(i)€The€relative€earning€capacity,€obligations,€needs,€and€financialŠ )j$( Šresources€of€each€party€including€income€from€pension,€profit€sharingŠ *S%) Šā āor€retirement€plans€and€all€other€sources;Š ģ*<&* Š(ii)€The€relative€education€and€training€of€each€party,€the€ability€andŠ ° Šā āopportunity€of€each€party€to€secure€such€education€and€training,€andŠ ™é Šthe€necessity€of€a€party€to€secure€further€education€and€training€toŠ ‚Ņ Šimprove€such€partyššs€earning€capacity€to€a€reasonable€level;Š k» Š(iii)€The€duration€of€the€marriage;Š T¤ Š(iv)€The€age€and€mental€condition€of€each€party;Š =  Š(v)€The€physical€condition€of€each€party,€including,€but€not€limitedŠ & v Što,€physical€disability€or€incapacity€due€to€a€chronic€debilitatingŠ  _ Šdisease;Š ų H Š(vi)€The€extent€to€which€it€would€be€undesirable€for€a€party€to€seekŠ į 1  Šemployment€outside€the€home€because€such€party€will€be€custodianŠ Ź   Šof€a€minor€child€of€the€marriage;Š ³  Š(vii)€The€separate€assets€of€each€party,€both€real€and€personal,Š œģ  Štangible€and€intangible;Š …Õ  Š(viii)€The€provisions€made€with€regard€to€the€marital€property€asŠ n¾  Šdefined€in€šš€36„4„121;Š W§  Š(ix)€The€standard€of€living€of€the€parties€established€during€theŠ @ Šmarriage;Š )y Š(x)€The€extent€to€which€each€party€has€made€such€tangible€andŠ b Šintangible€contributions€to€the€marriage€as€monetary€and€homemakerŠ ūK Šcontributions,€and€tangible€and€intangible€contributions€by€a€party€toŠ ä4 Šthe€education,€training€or€increased€earning€power€of€the€other€party;Š Ķ Š(xi)€The€relative€fault€of€the€parties€in€cases€where€the€court,€in€itsŠ ¶ Šdiscretion,€deems€it€appropriate€to€do€so;€and€Š Ÿļ Š(xii)€Such€other€factors,€including€the€tax€consequences€to€each€party,Š ˆŲ Šas€are€necessary€to€consider€the€equities€between€the€parties.Š qĮ ŠĢÓ °óŗÓÓ °åŗÓTenn.€Code.€Ann.€šš€36„5„101(d)(1)(E)€(2003).€€š š[A]€trial€court€must€consider€every€relevant€factorŠ C“ Šin€šš€36„5„101(d)(1)€to€determine€the€nature€and€extent€of€support,€which€includes€the€decision€toŠ ,| Šaward€rehabilitative€alimony.šš€€ņņRobertson€v.€Robertsonóó,€76€S.W.3d€337,€340€(Tenn.€2002);€ņņsee€alsoŠ e ŠBratton€v.€Brattonóó,€136€S.W.3d€595,€604€(Tenn.€2004).€€These€enumerated€factors€š šmust€beŠ žN Šconsidered€on€a€case„by„case€basis€to€determine€the€nature€and€extent€of€support.šš€€ņņRobertsonóó,€76Š ē 7 ŠS.W.3d€at€341.€Š Š!   ŠĢą  ąWhile€addressing€the€parties€concerning€child€custody,€the€chancellor€also€made€theŠ ¢#ņ" Šfollowing€findings€regarding€alimony:Š ‹$Ū# ŠĢÓ °ÓÓ °Óą ø ąThe€wife€has€asked€for€alimony€on€a€periodic€basis,€and€I€findŠ ]&­!% Šthat€rehabilitative€alimony€is€appropriate€in€this€case.€€If€you€look€inŠ F'–"& Šthe€statute€at€36„5„101,€š šRehabilitative€maintenance€and€support€is€aŠ /(#' Šseparate€class€of€spousal€support€as€distinguished€from€alimony€inŠ )h$( Šsolido€and€periodic€alimony€in€determining€whether€the€granting€ofŠ *Q%) Šan€order€for€payment€of€support€and€maintenance€to€a€party€isŠ ź*:&* Šappropriate,€and€in€determining€the€nature,€amount,€length€of€termŠ Ó+#'+ Šand€the€matter€of€payment,€the€Court€shall€consider€all€the€relevantŠ ° Šfactors€including€the€relative€earning€capacity,€obligation€needs€andŠ ™é Šfinancial€resources€of€a€party,€including€income€from€pension,€profitŠ ‚Ņ Šsharing,€retirement€plans€and€other€sources,€the€relative€education€andŠ k» Štraining€of€a€party,€the€ability,€opportunity€of€each€party€to€secureŠ T¤ Šsuch€education€and€training,€the€necessity€of€a€party€to€secure€furtherŠ =  Šeducation€and€training€to€improve€such€partyššs€earning€capacity€to€aŠ & v Šreasonable€level,€the€duration€of€the€marriage,€the€age€and€mentalŠ  _ Šcondition€of€each€party,€the€physical€condition€of€each€party,Š ų H Šincluding€but€not€limited€to€physical€disability€and€incapacity,€futureŠ į 1  Šor€chronic€debilitating€illness.šš€€Thereššs€no€chronic€debilitatingŠ Ź   Šillness€here.€€š š.€.€.€the€extent€to€which€it€would€be€desirable€for€a€partyŠ ³  Što€seek€employment€outside€the€home€because€such€party€will€be€theŠ œģ  Šcustodian€of€a€minor€child€of€the€marriage,€the€separate€assets€of€aŠ …Õ  Šparty,€the€provisions€made€regarding€the€marital€property,€the€livingŠ n¾  Šstandards€of€the€party,€the€extent€to€which€each€party€has€suchŠ W§  Štangible€and€intangible€contributions,šš€et€cetera.€€I€can€consider€theŠ @ Šrelative€fault€of€the€party€and€other€factors€such€as€tax€consequences.€Š )y ŠWhen€I€get€to€the€bottom€line,€you€still€look€to€the€need€of€one€partyŠ b Šand€the€ability€to€pay.€€Š ūK Šą ø ąMs.€Mueller€has€been€without€a€job€for€about€a€year.€€I€agreeŠ ä4 Šwith€Mr.€Cartwright€when€he€says€just€because€she€doesnššt€have€a€jobŠ Ķ Šnow€does€not€mean€she€hasnššt€looked.€€Times€are€difficult€here.€€ItššsŠ ¶ Šdifficult€to€get€a€job.€€I€think€it€may€be€difficult€in€Lauderdale€CountyŠ Ÿļ Šfor€Ms.€Mueller€to€get€a€job.€€Sheššs€going€to€have€to€go€into€Dyer,Š ˆŲ ŠTipton,€Shelby,€Madison.€€Iššm€not€sure€exactly€where,€but€I€thinkŠ qĮ Šsheššs€going€to€have€difficulty€here,€and€sheššs€going€to€have€to€getŠ ZŖ Šone,€and,€therefore,€I€think€that€because€she€needs€to€do€somethingŠ C“ Šabout€this€and€also€because€she€has€said€that€she€wants€to€go€toŠ ,| Šschool,€I€do€not€want€her€š"š€Iššm€not€going€to€let€her€take€off€full€timeŠ e Što€go€to€school,€but€I€am€going€to€give€some€money€where€she€shouldŠ žN Šbe€able,€I€hope€š"š€itššs€my€intention€that€she€should€be€able€to€live€andŠ ē 7 Šstill€save€some€money€up€to€go€to€school€by€the€time€Laura€is€older.€Š Š!   ŠĢą ø ąI€am€going€to€have€three€years€of€rehabilitative€alimonyŠ ¢#ņ" Šbeginning€October€1€of€šš03,€and€for€12€months€alimony€will€be€550Š ‹$Ū# Ša€month;€beginning€October€1,€šš04€for€12€months,€350€a€month;Š t%Ä $ Šbeginning€October€1,€šš05,€250€a€month.€€I€think€she€needs€this,Š ]&­!% Šnumber€one,€to€meet€her€needs€right€now€until€she€gets€a€job,€and€alsoŠ F'–"& ŠI€think€this€money€will€be€money€that€she€can€save€to€go€to€schoolŠ /(#' Šwhen€itššs€time€for€her€to€go.€€She€is€not€where€she€can€make€theŠ )h$( Šmoney€that€the€husband€is€able€to€make,€and€that€should€be€able€toŠ *Q%) Šā āhelp€her,€help€her€get€some€training€to€increase€her€skills.€€Š ź*:&* Šą ø ąAgain,€I€admonish€her€that€she€needs€to€spend€full€time€whileŠ ° Šā ā[Daughterššs]€in€school€working€full€time€to€get€a€job.Š ™é ŠÓ °1ĒÓÓ °#ĒÓĢą  ąWe€first€address€whether€Wife€was€economically€disadvantaged€in€comparison€to€HusbandŠ k» Šat€the€time€of€the€divorce.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„5„101(d)(1)(C)€(2003);€ņņsee€also€Perry€v.€Perryóó,Š T¤ Š114€S.W.3d€465,€467€(Tenn.€2003).€€Wife€submitted€an€affidavit€to€the€chancery€court€showing€herŠ =  Šmonthly€expenses€to€be€$2,021.44.€€Wife€had€been€unemployed,€albeit€voluntarily,€for€almost€a€fullŠ & v Šyear€when€the€final€divorce€decree€was€entered.€€Husband€remained€employed€at€the€time€of€theŠ  _ Šdivorce€making€$45,657.75€per€year.€€€In€support€of€his€assertion€that€rehabilitative€alimony€is€notŠ ų H Šwarranted€in€this€case,€Husband€directs€our€attention€to€the€fact€that€Wife€had€previously€earnedŠ į 1  Š$26,000€per€year€before€she€voluntarily€decided€to€quit€her€job.€Š Ź   ŠĢą  ąContrary€to€Husbandššs€position,€Wifeššs€unemployment€at€the€time€of€the€divorce€was€notŠ œģ  Šentirely€voluntarily.€€The€record€reveals€that€Wife€was€given€the€option€of€voluntarily€quitting€herŠ …Õ  Šjob€or€face€certain€termination.€€The€chancellor€found€that€Wifeššs€behavior€leading€up€to€her€job€lossŠ n¾  Šwas€due€in€part€to€Husbandššs€behavior,€and€we€find€nothing€in€the€record€which€preponderatesŠ W§  Šagainst€that€finding.€€The€chancellor€also€found€that€Wife€made€efforts€at€securing€otherŠ @ Šemployment,€but€was€unsuccessful.€š šAs€with€any€award€of€spousal€support,€the€two€most€importantŠ )y Šfactors€considered€are€the€need€of€the€disadvantaged€spouse€and€the€obligor€spouseššs€ability€to€pay.šš€Š b ŠņņRobertsonóó,€76€S.W.3d€at€ņņóó342.€€We€find€that€the€evidence€supports€the€chancellorššs€determination€thatŠ ūK ŠWife€was€economically€disadvantaged.€€Š ä4 ŠĢą  ąš šOnce€a€trial€court€has€found€a€party€to€be€economically€disadvantaged€relative€to€his€or€herŠ ¶ Šspouse,€it€must€determine€the€nature,€amount,€length€of€term,€and€manner€of€payment€of€the€award.šš€Š Ÿļ ŠņņPerryóó,€114€S.W.3d€at€467.€€€€Wife€was€forty„three€years€of€age€and€Husband€was€forty„nine€yearsŠ ˆŲ Šof€age€at€the€time€of€their€divorce.€€The€partiesšš€marriage€lasted€for€fifteen€years.€€Husband,€in€hisŠ qĮ Šbrief,€concedes€that€both€parties€are€in€good€health€and€that€neither€party€suffered€from€a€mentalŠ ZŖ Šdisability.׃ ׯ ƒ #ĆŻņņŚ  Ś2Ś  ŚóóŻ  Ż×  ׀€Both€Husband€and€Wife€have€completed€two€years€of€college.€€Husband€has€beenŠ C“ Šemployed€at€the€same€job€for€the€past€thirty€years€where€he€amassed€$63,184.80€in€his€retirementŠ ,| Šaccount.€€Over€the€twelve€years€that€Wife€was€employed,€she€amassed€approximately€$5,000€inŠ e Šretirement€savings.€€Wife€testified€that€she€cashed€out€her€retirement€account,€subject€to€an€IRSŠ žN Špenalty,€which€she€used€to€pay€rent€and€expenses€when€she€moved€out€of€the€marital€home.€€TheŠ ē 7 Šchancellor€ordered€Husband€to€pay€the€$2,103.35€tax€penalty€Wife€incurred€as€a€result€ofŠ Š!   Šwithdrawing€the€retirement€funds.€€The€court€also€ordered€each€party€to€pay€their€own€credit€cardŠ ¹" ! Šdebts.€€Husband€received€the€home€in€which€the€parties€lived€while€married,€and€he€is€notŠ ¢#ņ" Šresponsible€for€any€mortgage€payments€or€rent.€€The€trial€court€also€heard€proof€regardingŠ ‹$Ū# ŠHusbandššs€gambling€income,€which,€based€on€the€record,€appeared€to€be€substantial.Š t%Ä $ ŠŠ ]&­!% Šą  ąWife€testified€that€she€has€applied€for€a€job€at€several€businesses,€but€she€has€beenŠ ° Šunsuccessful.€€Wife€stated€that€her€goal€was€to€continue€her€education€so€that€she€can€work€inŠ ™é Šelementary€education.€€The€chancellor€found€that€Wife€made€reasonable€efforts€to€secureŠ ‚Ņ Šemployment€given€the€current€economic€environment.€€Determining€whether€Wife€did€in€fact€applyŠ k» Što€the€businesses€she€indicated€in€her€testimony€is€largely€a€question€of€credibility€which€we€areŠ T¤ Šreluctant€to€second„guess.ņņ€€Rice€v.€Riceóó,€983€S.W.2d€680,€682€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€€Š =  ŠĢą  ąš šThere€are€no€hard€and€fast€rules€for€determining€the€extent€of€a€personššs€obligation€toŠ  _ Šsupport€a€former€spouse.šš€€ņņCranford€v.€Cranfordóó,€772€S.W.2d€48,€50€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989)Š ų H Š(citations€omitted).€€š šWhen€reviewing€a€trial€courtššs€discretionary€decision,€appellate€courts€shouldŠ į 1  Šbegin€with€the€presumption€that€the€decision€is€correct€and€should€review€the€evidence€in€the€lightŠ Ź   Šmost€favorable€to€the€decision.šš€€ņņOverstreet€v.€Shoneyššs€Inc.óó,€4€S.W.3d€694,€709€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Š ³  Š1999).€€In€addressing€the€parties,€the€chancellor€quoted€from€the€statutory€language€in€section€36„5„Š œģ  Š101,€noting€those€factors€that€were€applicable€to€this€case.€€Having€thoroughly€reviewed€the€recordŠ …Õ  Šand€the€applicable€statutory€factors,€we€conclude€that€the€chancellor€did€not€abuse€her€discretion€inŠ n¾  Šawarding€Wife€rehabilitative€alimony.€€We€have€also€noted€that€a€portion€of€Husbandššs€argumentŠ W§  Šon€appeal€focuses€on€circumstances€that€occurred€post„trial.€€If€Wifeššs€need€for€rehabilitativeŠ @ Šalimony€changes€in€the€future,€then€the€trial€court€continues€to€have€the€ability€to€modify€the€award.€Š )y ŠTenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€36„5„101(d)(1)(C)€(2003);€ņņCrabtreeóó,€16€S.W.3d€at€360.€€Š b ŠĢÓ  Óņ ņAttorneyššs€Fees€on€Appealó óŠ ä4 ŠĢÓ  Óą  ąOn€Appeal,€Wife€has€requested€that€we€award€her€attorneyššs€fees€and€litigation€expensesŠ · Šassociated€with€defending€this€appeal.€€In€addressing€requests€for€attorneyššs€fees€on€appeal,€we€areŠ  š Šguided€by€the€following:Š ‰Ł ŠĢÓ °ÓÓ °ÓOur€supreme€court€has€defined€the€factors€that€should€be€appliedŠ [« Šwhen€considering€a€request€for€attorneyššs€fees€incurred€on€appeal.€Š D” ŠThese€factors€include€the€ability€of€the€requesting€party€to€pay€theŠ -} Šaccrued€fees,€the€requesting€partyššs€success€in€the€appeal,€whether€theŠ f Šrequesting€party€sought€the€appeal€in€good€faith,€and€any€otherŠ ’O Šequitable€factor€that€need€be€considered.Š č 8 ŠĢÓ °śńÓÓ °ģńÓņņDulin€v.€Dulinóó,€No.€W2001„02969„COA„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€628,€at€*26š!š27€(Tenn.Š ŗ" ! ŠCt.€App.€Sept.€3.€2003)€(citing€ņņFolk€v.€Folkóó,€357€S.W.2d€828,€829€(Tenn.€1962)).€€We€find€itŠ £#ó" Šequitable€to€deny€Wifeššs€request€for€attorneyššs€fees€in€this€case.€€ņņSee€idóó.€€Š Œ$Ü# ŠĢÓ  Óņ ņConclusionŠ ^&®!% ŠĢó óÓ  Óą0  ą€€€For€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€affirm€the€decisions€of€the€chancery€court€relating€to€child€Š2(‚#'(#(# Šcustody€and€alimony.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€Appellant,€David€Edmond€Mueller,€and€hisŠ )k$( Šsurety,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.€€Ō#†XÜ[XXX4b` #ŌŌ#†¼œį»XXÜ[2 #ŌŌ€XÜ[X»¼œįŌŠ *T%) ŠĢŠ Ö+&'+ Їą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąą  ą___________________________________€Š ° Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąą  ąALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGE