ÿWPC› »œjæ&ÏC˜OâH˜Tâ¹lø=ò<…Ëü¼ìXÍÁÃTkH‹h1ãUÅ8<–! ¡ÂVĶçcqí3úÿä2øø5äg€Õ€Ÿ³ÈžŸ¦«8…Øbî=Æ’²çÝœ ¬,¶ú±Npo;Ôå{@³6ÞÇì·‰ö‡âdþE˜ºˆK±•Ž®-dù¯#’* nȳ‚MŸüÛÎ^/ú‰Ö'¥2×ß—î“p.ð"V‡Bl&gað¬Okc‡ ¡ˆ2âáç÷F±Ý\„/œˆüÆj ŒÏ} fÌ’“u½ŠÅèž-AS—OŸÏ˜ ˆ€¢á! [JåJk¦ï†Úx$´&.¶êaKð™–Ðwƒ:rV‚òm9*šPC¶ lŽ8õýØ R¡ºÜjÞE1ÃâÊGä„X㳇ÔÍ*nfˆãÉC@»Ò L(’Àlí”æäÁ|þã¹ÂaÇm }Æ×œÙ@O˜FRSJº_ï¶< †I'šý9û 3ÅEŠÙýG¦v.«–.Bâ¤?nšPCh-U¹¹xg£„h]w„ÔÉ RìÛÝŒ!ö¯•Å”¦~s‹:ŽY;®Z`b'z×UÃ_Ó“#¾}uñÆX`A~sá‹„-ˆ«b %\^ b 0ˆnU2NöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ ˆ™ Æ!ÆçÆ­Æs 0D9N}UNU>ÍE 3 UN@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@bŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽŽ 0ë–––– B 0¤ž D5B D-w 0K¤¤ ASïÆB 0¤ 0D¬ A«ð»Ans/Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularlk.b013c93|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.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 MillingtonSchmalhoferScmalhofer COA P.J. W.S.HighersReismanLejeunehad had h]eStallings HassKnightonAdelspergerMayberryGaskillt]herecaregiverLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regularô\  `‹&Times New Roman )Ý ƒRrD$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÿDò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFather€later€testified€that€he€agreed€to€this€only€because€Mother€said€Father€would€take€Gabrielle€with€him€toÐ ° ÐPennsylvania€ð ðover€her€dead€body.ðð(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular- ù-(|G2rD$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ÐI»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÿDò»»Ô d(|37$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ÐI»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|37$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ÐI»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ÐI»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼ÐI»»»ÔÑ8€˜XXdé»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ò ò ìàÔ‡î>ÐIÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼ÐI»îî> #ԈРÓ# ÐÓ  Ó€October€16,€2003€SessionÐ öF ÐÔ‡X˜X»¼ÐIÔÌò òÔ#†¼ÐI»XX˜ô#ÔSTACEY€ANNE€SCHMALHOFERòòóó€Ð ï? Ðv.€Ð  P ÐBRYAN€MICHAEL€SCHMALHOFERòòóóÔ‡X˜X»¼ÐIÔó óÐ  a ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òAn€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ  [ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€CT„002478„01€€€€€€Robert€A.€Lanier,€JudgeÐ õ E  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<²` AßÐ ³  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2002„01540„COA„R3„CV€„€Filed€November€17,€2003Ð ¬ü  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ €Ð Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÓÓThis€is€a€child€custody€case.€€The€parties€were€married€in€1995.€€At€that€time,€both€were€in€theÐ xÈ Ðmilitary€and€lived€in€North€Carolina.€€About€a€year€later,€the€parties€had€a€daughter,€who€is€theÐ Jš Ðsubject€of€this€dispute.€€The€father€left€the€military.€€In€1999,€after€the€mother€received€militaryÐ l Ðorders,€the€parties€moved€to€the€navy€base€in€Millington,€Tennessee.€€Within€a€few€months,€theÐ î> Ðparties€separated,€and€the€father€moved€back€to€his€hometown€in€Pennsylvania.€€In€2001,€both€partiesÐ À Ðpetitioned€for€divorce.€€At€the€trial,€the€only€dispute€was€over€custody€of€the€partiesðð€minor€child.€Ð ’â ÐAfter€a€bench€trial,€the€trial€court€granted€custody€to€the€mother,€based€in€part€on€the€benefit€of€theÐ d´ Ðchild€remaining€in€the€same€surroundings,€rather€than€moving€to€Pennsylvania€with€the€father.€€TheÐ 6!†  Ðfather€filed€this€appeal.€€While€the€appeal€was€pending,€the€appellate€court€granted€the€fatherððsÐ #X" Ðmotion€€to€consider€the€post„judgment€facts€that€the€mother€had€remarried,€her€new€husband€is€alsoÐ Ú$* $ Ðin€the€military,€and€that€she€and€her€new€husband€want€to€accept€orders€to€move€to€England€with€theÐ ¬&ü!& Ðchild.€€In€light€of€the€post„judgment€facts,€we€reverse€the€trial€courtððs€custody€determination€andÐ ~(Î#( Ðaward€custody€to€the€fatherÔ#†¼ÐI»XX˜¤#ÔÔ‡X˜X»¼ÐIÔ.€Ô#†¼ÐI»XX˜¬ #ÔÔ‡X˜X»¼ÐIÔ€€Ð P* %* ÐÓ¬ÓÓ¸ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€is€Ð  -[(- ÐReversed€and€Remandedó óÐ õ-E).ý ÐÔ_Ô‡òòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼ÐI»àX˜ð #ÔÔ‡X˜X.¼ÐIÔHolly€M.€Kirby,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.,óóÐ ° Ðand€òòAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€joined.Ð ™é ÐÌMarc€E.€Reisman,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Bryan€Michael€Schmalhofer.Ð k» ÐÌChristopher€L.€Brown,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Stacey€Anne€Schmalhofer.Ð =  ÐÓò Óà @ àÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼ÐI»XX˜! #ÔÔ‡X˜X»¼ÐIÔÐ  _ ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼ÐI»XX˜#ÔÔ‡X˜X»¼ÐIÔÓ  ÓÓÓà  àPlaintiff/Appellee€Stacey€Anne€Schmalhofer€(ð ðMotherðð)€and€Defendant/Appellant€BryanÐ â 2  ÐMichael€Schmalhofer€(ð ðFatherðð)€met€in€Chicago€in€August€1994,€where€they€were€both€stationedÐ ´  Ðin€the€United€States€Navy.€€They€began€living€together€while€Father€was€in€the€final€stages€ofÐ †Ö  Ðdivorcing€his€first€wife.€€Father€has€a€son,€Taylor,€from€his€previous€marriage,€who€was€eleven€yearsÐ X¨  Ðold€at€the€time€of€the€trial€below.Ð *z Ðà  àWhen€the€parties€finished€Corps€school€in€Chicago,€they€transferred€to€Jacksonville,€NorthÐ üL ÐCarolina,€where€they€were€both€stationed€at€Camp€Lejeune.€€In€August€1995,€the€parties€wereÐ Î Ðmarried€in€Fatherððs€hometown€of€Lancaster,€Pennsylvania.€€The€partiesðð€daughter,€Gabrielle,€wasÐ  ð Ðborn€on€April€29,€1996.€€Ð r Ðà  àFrom€the€beginning,€Mother€and€Father€had€a€tumultuous€marriage.€€While€both€wereÐ D” Ðstationed€at€Camp€Lejeune,€Father€left€the€Navy€because€of€an€injury.€€From€September€1996Ð f Ðthrough€November€1997,€Father€lived€in€Virginia€to€attend€school€to€prepare€for€a€career€outside€theÐ è 8 Ðmilitary€ò òó ó€and€visited€Mother€and€Gabrielle€on€weekends.€After€completing€his€schooling,€ò òó óFatherÐ º" ! Ðreturned€to€North€Carolina€to€live€with€Mother€and€Gabrielle.€€In€November€1999,€the€NavyÐ Œ$Ü# Ðtransferred€Mother€to€Millington,€Tennessee,€just€outside€of€Memphis.€€Father€and€Gabrielle€movedÐ ^&®!% Ðthere€with€her.€€For€a€few€months,€Father,€Mother,€and€Gabrielle€lived€together€in€Tennessee,€butÐ 0(€#' Ðâ âthe€parties€fought€often.€€In€March€2000,€Father€moved€back€to€his€hometown€in€Lancaster,Ð *R%) ÐPennsylvania.€€At€that€time,€the€parties€agreed€that€Gabrielle€would€stay€with€Mother€in€Tennessee,Ð ° Ðand€that€Father€would€have€visitation€with€her.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ‚Ò Ðâ âà  àOn€April€19,€2001,€Mother€filed€a€petition€for€divorce,€and€on€August€15,€2001,€Father€filedÐ T¤ Ða€counter„petition€for€divorce.€€All€issues€in€the€divorce€were€agreed€upon€except€for€custody€ofÐ & v ÐGabrielle.€€Neither€party€asserted€that€the€other€was€an€unfit€parent,€but€each€sought€primaryÐ ø H Ðcustody.Ô#†¼ÐI»XX˜s#ÔÔ€X˜X»¼ÐIÔÐ Ê   Ðà  àThe€trial€was€held€on€April€29€and€30,€2002.€€At€trial,€Mother€submitted€the€testimony€ofÐ œì  Ðseveral€persons€who€worked€at€Gabrielleððs€school€and€who€were€familiar€with€Gabrielle€and€herÐ n¾  Ðrelationship€with€Mother.€€Generally,€they€testified€that€Gabrielle€was€a€happy,€intelligent€child€whoÐ @ Ðwas€doing€well€in€her€school€surroundings.€€Mother€also€submitted€the€testimony€of€some€of€herÐ b Ðacquaintances€and€co„workers,€who€testified€that€Mother€was€a€good,€attentive€mother€to€Gabrielle,Ð ä4 Ðand€that€Gabrielle€was€a€happy€child.€€€€€Ð ¶ Ðà  àMother€testified€on€her€own€behalf.€€She€said€that€she€and€Father€had€had€marital€difficultiesÐ ˆØ Ðfrom€the€beginning,€which€worsened€when€Father€went€to€school€in€Virginia.€€Mother€asserted€thatÐ Zª Ðshe€was€Gabrielleððs€primary€caretaker,€although€she€acknowledged€that€Gabrielle€lived€with€FatherÐ ,| Ðbetween€September€2000€and€January€2001.€€Mother€explained€that€she€did€not€intend€for€GabrielleÐ þN Ðto€spend€that€length€of€time€with€Father,€but€that€she€had€to€go€to€Pennsylvania€to€retrieve€GabrielleÐ Ð!   Ðbecause€Father€refused€to€return€her.€€Mother€conceded€that€she€has€no€relatives€in€Tennessee,€butÐ ¢#ò" Ðtestified€that€she€has€a€large€support€group€of€friends€in€Tennessee.€€Motherððs€extended€family€livesÐ t%Ä $ Ðin€Jamaica,€and€her€mother€lives€in€New€Jersey.€€Mother€claimed€that€she€had€no€objection€to€FatherÐ F'–"& Ðseeing€Gabrielle,€and€maintained€that€she€never€tried€to€alienate€Father€from€Gabrielle.€€Mother€saidÐ )h$( Ðthat€ð ð[h]e€was€a€good€father€to€[Gabrielle],ðð€and€that€she€did€not€ð ðsee€anything€neglectful€or€bad.ðð€Ð ° ÐShe€admitted€that,€at€times,€Gabrielle€had€said€that€she€wanted€to€live€with€Father.€Ð ‚Ò Ðà  àMother€was€questioned€about€her€relationship€with€a€man€named€Terrence€StallingsÐ T¤ Ð(ð ðStallingsðð),€also€in€the€military,€who€worked€on€the€base€with€Mother.€€Mother€admitted€that€theyÐ & v Ðwere€friends,€but€claimed€that€they€did€not€have€a€romantic€relationship.€€On€cross€examination,Ð ø H Ðentries€from€Motherððs€diary€dated€June€2000€were€admitted€into€evidence,€indicating€that€she€thenÐ Ê   Ðhad€a€romantic€relationship€with€Stallings.€€In€addition,€evidence€showed€that€Stallingsðð€name€wasÐ œì  Ðincluded€as€a€co„tenant€with€Mother€on€the€lease€for€the€apartment€into€which€Mother€and€GabrielleÐ n¾  Ðmoved€in€May€2001.€€On€the€copy€of€the€lease€which€Mother€produced€to€Fatherððs€attorney,Ð @ Ðhowever,€Stallingsðð€name€was€omitted.€€€Mother€later€explained€that€she€and€Stallings€had€beenÐ b Ðinvolved€in€a€relationship€between€June€and€September€2000,€but€that€she€ended€it€because€she€wasÐ ä4 Ðstill€married€and€needed€to€take€care€of€Gabrielle.€€Mother€asserted€that€Stallings€did€not€spend€theÐ ¶ Ðnight€with€her€while€Gabrielle€was€there.ò òÐ ˆØ Ðó óÔ‡Xå( XXX˜Ôà  àThe€trial€court€also€heard€testimony€on€the€likelihood€that€the€Navy€would€require€MotherÐ Zª Ðto€relocate.€€Mother€testified€that€she€is€given€many€different€options,€usually€no€less€than€ten,€at€theÐ ,| Ðconclusion€of€every€stint.€€Her€position€in€Tennessee€was€scheduled€to€conclude€in€December€2003,Ð þN Ðand€she€was€unsure€about€where€she€would€be€relocated€at€that€time.€€Mother€indicated€that€she€hadÐ Ð!   Ðearlier€declined€orders€to€move€to€Jacksonville,€Florida,€because€she€wanted€to€stay€in€Tennessee.€Ð ¢#ò" ЀWhen€asked€whether€she€would€be€relocated€in€December€2003,€Mother€said,€ð ðPossibly,€I€have€noÐ t%Ä $ Ðidea.ðð€€Father€testified€that,€under€Motherððs€rotation,€she€was€due€to€go€overseas€at€the€time€she€wasÐ F'–"& Ðstationed€in€Tennessee.€€Father€said€that€Mother€had€wanted€to€transfer€overseas€her€whole€militaryÐ )h$( Ðcareer.€€Officer€Stebbin€Davis,€who€had€been€Motherððs€supervisor€for€a€period€of€time,€testified€thatÐ ê*:&* Ðsomeone€in€Motherððs€position€was€usually€scheduled€to€work€forty„eight€months€on€shore,€thenÐ ° Ðthirty„six€months€at€sea.€€He€also€indicated€that€Mother€had€requested€to€extend€her€stay€inÐ ‚Ò ÐTennessee€through€November€2003,€and€that€she€could€request€another€one„year€extension€if€sheÐ T¤ Ðchose.€€Officer€Davis€said€that,€at€the€time€of€trial,€Mother€was€not€due€to€be€transferred€from€herÐ & v Ðjob€in€Tennessee.Ô#†X˜X XXå(%#Ôò òó ó€Ð ø H Ðà  àFatherððs€mother,€Diane€Schmalhofer€(ð ðGrandmotherðð),€testified€on€behalf€of€Father.€€She€saidÐ Ê   Ðthat€Fatherððs€extended€family€lived€in€Pennsylvania,€including€Gabrielleððs€half„brother,€Taylor.€Ð œì  ÐGrandmother€noted€that€Gabrielle€stayed€with€them€during€her€visit€in€the€fall€of€2000.€€GrandmotherÐ n¾  Ðclaimed€that€Gabrielle€was€very€upset€when€she€had€to€return€to€Mother€from€visiting€with€Father.€Ð @ ÐShe€asserted€that€Mother€made€it€hard€for€Father€to€communicate€with€Gabrielle,€but€that,€inÐ b Ðcontrast,€Father€encouraged€Gabrielle€to€talk€to€Mother.€€Grandmother€acknowledged€that€€FatherÐ ä4 Ðwas€living€with€his€girlfriend,€Christy€Sloan,€who€had€been€a€childhood€friend€of€Father.€Ð ¶ Ðà  àFather€testified€on€his€own€behalf.€€He€said€that€he€has€always€had€a€very€close€relationshipÐ ˆØ Ðwith€Gabrielle.€€Father€asserted€that€Mother€did€not€facilitate€his€relationship€with€Gabrielle,€and€thatÐ Zª Ðshe€made€it€difficult€for€him€to€communicate€with€Gabrielle.€€Father€said€that,€when€he€calledÐ ,| ÐGabrielle,€Mother€would€make€excuses€why€Gabrielle€could€not€talk€to€him,€that€she€was€justÐ þN Ðstarting€to€watch€a€movie,€out€playing,€and€the€like,€and€that€she€did€not€have€Gabrielle€returnÐ Ð!   ÐFatherððs€phone€calls.€€Father€said€that€Gabrielle€told€him€that€she€got€in€trouble€with€Mother€forÐ ¢#ò" Ðtalking€too€long€to€Father€on€the€telephone.€€Father€testified€that,€in€contrast,€he€facilitatedÐ t%Ä $ ÐGabrielleððs€relationship€with€Mother,€such€as€making€Gabrielle€call€Mother€while€Gabrielle€wasÐ F'–"& Ðvisiting€Father,€even€when€Gabrielle€did€not€want€to€do€so.€€Father€also€described€Mother€as€havingÐ )h$( Ðan€aggressive€nature.€€He€recounted€an€incident€in€which€Mother€was€to€meet€him€at€a€motel€to€pickÐ ê*:&* Ðup€Gabrielle.€€Mother€was€upset€with€Father€at€the€time,€acted€in€a€belligerent€manner,€and€jerkedÐ ° ÐGabrielle€out€of€Fatherððs€arms€and€sped€away€in€her€car,€hitting€Father.€€Father€alleged€that€GabrielleÐ ‚Ò Ðhad€told€him€that€Motherððs€boyfriendððs€name€was€Terrence,€and€that€Gabrielle€did€not€like€it€whenÐ T¤ Ðhe€was€there€because€she€had€to€go€to€her€room€and€stay€there.€€Father€admitted€that€he€was€livingÐ & v Ðwith€his€girlfriend,€Christy,€and€stated€that€he€was€committed€to€that€relationship.€ÓžÓÐ ø H ÐÌÓÓà  àOn€May€6,€2002,€the€trial€judge€entered€a€lengthy€memorandum€opinion,€detailing€hisÐ Ê   Ðanalysis.€€The€trial€court€found€that€neither€parent€was€without€fault,€noting€that€both€parties€hadÐ œì  Ðð ðused€the€child€to€report€on€the€other€party€and€sought€to€force€the€child€to€state€a€preference€for€thatÐ n¾  Ðperson,ðð€and€that€the€parties€had€a€ð ðselfish€and€irrational€inability€to€communicate€with€each€other.ðð€Ð @ ÐThe€trial€court€recounted€the€incident€in€which€Mother€sped€away€with€Gabrielle€after€jerking€herÐ b Ðfrom€Father€in€a€ð ðfit€of€anger.ðð€€The€trial€court€also€noted€that€Mother€had€engaged€in€ð ðan€illicitÐ ä4 Ðrelationshipðð€during€the€partiesðð€separation,€and€that€Father€was€openly€living€with€a€woman€whoÐ ¶ Ðwas€not€his€wife.€€The€trial€court€observed€that€Mother€ð ðhad€difficulty€in€her€testimony€admittingÐ ˆØ Ðto€obvious€facts.ðð€€With€respect€to€facilitating€a€relationship€with€the€other€parent,€the€trial€courtÐ Zª Ðdetermined€that€Mother€was€often€uncooperative,€providing€excuses€and€interfering€with€GabrielleððsÐ ,| Ðscheduled€telephone€time€with€Father.€€The€court€noted€that€Father€lived€in€Pennsylvania€nearÐ þN ÐFatherððs€parents€and€extended€family,€including€his€son,€but€that€Mother€had€no€extended€family€inÐ Ð!   ÐMillington€or€Shelby€County.€€Motherððs€parents€lived€in€New€Jersey,€and€her€extended€family€livedÐ ¢#ò" Ðin€Jamaica.€€The€trial€court€found€it€significant,€however,€that€Gabrielle€was€functioning€well€inÐ t%Ä $ Ðschool€in€Millington,€and€that€she€was€expected€to€continue€to€do€well€in€school.€€The€trial€courtÐ F'–"& Ðfound€that€Mother€ð ðis€intelligent€and€takes€an€active€interest€in€[Gabrielleððs]€training€and€education.ðð€Ð )h$( ÐConcluding€that€it€would€be€in€Gabrielleððs€best€interest€for€Mother€to€remain€the€primary€residentialÐ ê*:&* ÐÓp6ÓÓ—Óparent,€the€trial€court€emphasized€the€importance€of€continuity,€while€also€recognizing€theÐ ° Ðimportance€of€Gabrielle€having€ð ðmaximum€exposureðð€to€Father:Ð ‚Ò ÐÓÓà8  àContinuity€in€a€childððs€life€is€extremely€important.€€The€fact€that€she€is€flourishingÐ T¤ Ðin€ð ðschoolðð€indicates€that€she€is€not€only€bright€but€is€adjusting€emotionally€as€bestÐ =  Ðshe€can€to€the€situation.€€The€parents€do€not€appear€to€be€making€the€effort€requiredÐ & v Ðto€prevent€friction€between€themselves€and€to€open€the€lines€of€communication€forÐ  _ Ðthe€benefit€of€the€child.€€However,€the€child€would€benefit€by€continuing€her€life€inÐ ø H Ðher€present€surroundings€without€substantial€interruption.€€On€the€other€hand,€sheÐ á 1  Ðneeds€the€maximum€exposure€to€her€father€that€the€distance€between€the€parties€andÐ Ê   Ðhis€lifestyle€permits.г Ð Ð  ÐÌÓÓTherefore,€the€trial€court€designated€Mother€as€the€primary€residential€parent,€but€ordered€the€partiesÐ …Õ  Ðto€facilitate€regular,€uninterrupted€telephone€calls€between€Gabrielle€and€Father,€and€granted€himÐ W§  Ðsupplemental€parenting€time€during€any€three„day€holiday€period,€with€sufficient€notice€to€Mother.€Ð )y ÐAccordingly,€on€June€7,€2002,€the€trial€court€entered€its€final€decree€of€divorce,€incorporating€theÐ ûK Ðrulings€set€out€in€its€memorandum€opinion.€€Father€then€filed€this€appeal.€Ð Í Ðà  àAfter€the€trial€court€issued€its€order€naming€Mother€as€the€primary€residential€parent,€MotherÐ Ÿï Ðmarried€Terrence€Stallings,€with€whom€she€had€denied€having€a€romantic€relationship.€€Stallings€wasÐ qÁ Ðalso€in€the€Navy.Ð C“ Ѐà  àOn€September€9,€2003,€while€this€appeal€was€pending,€Father€filed€in€this€Court€a€ð ðMotionÐ e Ðto€Consider€Post„Judgment€Facts.ðð€€Father€attached€to€his€motion€Motherððs€petition,€filed€in€the€trialÐ ç 7 Ðcourt€on€August€19,€2003,€requesting€that€the€trial€court€grant€her€permission€to€relocate€to€EnglandÐ ¹" ! Ðwith€Gabrielle,€because€Mother€and€her€husband,€Stallings,€had€both€received€orders€from€the€NavyÐ ‹$Û# Ðto€transfer€to€England,€beginning€September€2003€through€September€2006.€€Mother€asserted€thatÐ ]&­!% Ðit€would€be€in€Gabrielleððs€best€interest€to€allow€the€child€to€move€with€her€to€England.€€FatherððsÐ /(#' Ðmotion€requested€that€this€Court€consider€these€post„judgment€facts€in€determining€his€appeal.€€ThisÐ *Q%) Ðmotion€was€granted.€€Ð Ó+#'+ ÐÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ôà  àThe€presumption€of€correctness€applicable€to€a€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact,€as€set€forth€inÐ ° ÐRule€13(d)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure,€applies€in€a€child€custody€case.€€ò òòòHassÐ ‚Ò Ðv.€Knightonó óóó,€676€S.W.2d€554,€555€(Tenn.€1984).€€Therefore,€the€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact€areÐ V¦ Ðreviewed€òòde€novo€óóon€the€record,€with€a€presumption€that€those€findings€are€correct,€unless€theÐ * z Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€òòò òId.óóó ó€€Nevertheless,€dÔ#†X˜XXX˜ÓI#ÔÔ‡Xå( XXX˜Ôecisions€involving€matters€of€childÐ ü L Ðcustody€are€ð ðfactually€driven€and€require€the€careful€consideration€of€numerous€factors.ðð€Ð Ð  Ðòòò òAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeró óóó,€970€S.W.2d€482,€485€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997)€(citations€omitted).€Ð ¢ò  ÐBecause€the€trial€court€has€the€benefit€of€observing€the€demeanor€of€the€two€parents€as€well€as€theÐ vÆ  Ðother€witnesses,€the€trial€court€is€given€wide€discretion€in€determining€the€custody€of€the€child.€Ð H˜ Ðò òòòMayberry€v.€Mayberryóóó ó,ò òòòóóó ó€No.€M2002„004240COA„R3„CV,€2003€WL€21392193,€at€*2€€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð j ÐApp.€2003).€€Questions€of€law,€on€the€other€hand,€are€reviewed€òòde€novoóó,€with€no€presumption€ofÐ î> Ðcorrectness.€€òòò òJahn€v.€Jahnó óóó,€932€S.W.2d€939,€941€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).Ô#†X˜X XXå(WL#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€€Ð À ÐÓÆ>ÓÓÓà  àIn€a€child€custody€decision,€the€best€interest€of€the€child€is€the€paramount€concern.€€ò òòòSeeóóó óÐ ”ä Ðò òòòWhitaker€v.€Whitakeró óóó,€957€S.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997);€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106Ð h¸ Ð(2001).€€In€order€to€determine€what€would€be€in€the€childððs€best€interest,€the€trial€court€must€engageÐ <Œ Ðin€a€ð ðcomparative€fitnessðð€analysis€to€determine€which€of€the€available€custodians€is€comparativelyÐ  ^ Ðmore€fit€to€care€for€the€minor€child€or€children.€òòò ò€See€Gaskill€v.€Gaskilló óóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€630€(Tenn.Ð à!0  ÐCt.€App.€1996);òòò ò€Bah€v.€Bahó óóó,€668€S.W.2d€663,€666€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983).€€In€determining€theÐ ´#" Ðcomparative€fitness€of€the€parents,Ô#†X˜XXX˜þO#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€ð ð[t]here€are€literally€thousands€of€things€that€must€be€taken€intoÐ ˆ%Ø $ Ðconsideration€.€.€.€.ðð€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€€Section€36„6„106(a)€of€the€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€enumerates€severalÐ Z'ª"& Ðof€the€factors€to€be€considered,€where€applicable:€€Ð .)~$( ÐÓJPÓà  à(1)€The€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€the€parents€and€child;Ð +P&* ÐÐ é+9'+ Ðà8  à(2)€The€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,€clothing,€medicalÐ ° Ðcare,€education€and€other€necessary€care€and€the€degree€to€which€a€parent€has€beenÐ ™é Ðthe€primary€caregiver;ЂÒÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(3)€The€importance€of€continuity€in€the€childððs€life€and€the€length€of€time€the€childÐ T¤ Ðhas€lived€in€a€stable,€satisfactory€environment;€provided,€that€where€there€is€aÐ =  Ðfinding,€under€Ô#†X˜XXX˜¥S#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€ððÔ#†X˜XXX˜¯W#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€36„6„106(8),€of€child€abuse,€as€defined€in€Ô#†X˜XXX˜öW#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€ððÔ#†X˜XXX˜dX#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€37„15„401€or€Ô#†X˜XXX˜«X#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€ððÔ#†X˜XXX˜ûX#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô39„15„Ð & v Ð402,€or€child€sexual€abuse,€as€defined€in€Ô#†X˜XXX˜BY#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€ððÔ#†X˜XXX˜ÉY#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€37„1„602,€by€one€(1)€parent,€and€that€aÐ  _ Ðnon„perpetrating€parent€has€relocated€in€order€to€flee€the€perpetrating€parent,€thatÐ ø H Ðsuch€relocation€shall€not€weigh€against€an€award€of€custody;Ðá 1 Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(4)€The€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;г Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(5)€The€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;Ð…Õ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(6)€The€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;ÐW§ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(7)€The€reasonable€preference€of€the€child€if€twelve€(12)€years€of€age€or€older.€€TheÐ )y Ðcourt€may€hear€the€preference€of€a€younger€child€upon€request.€€The€preferences€ofÐ b Ðolder€children€should€normally€be€given€greater€weight€than€those€of€youngerÐ ûK Ðchildren;Ðä4Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€to€the€other€parent€or€to€anyÐ ¶ Ðother€person;€provided,€that€where€there€are€allegations€that€one€(1)€parent€hasÐ Ÿï Ðcommitted€child€abuse,€[as€defined€in€Ô#†X˜XXX˜Z#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€ððÔ#†X˜XXX˜ß^#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€39„15„401€or€Ô#†X˜XXX˜&_#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€ððÔ#†X˜XXX˜v_#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€39„15„402],€or€child€sexualÐ ˆØ Ðabuse,€[Ô#†X˜XXX˜½_#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ôas€defined€in€€ððÔ#†X˜XXX˜8`#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€37„1„602],Ô#†X˜XXX˜`#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€Ô#†X˜XXX˜Ú`#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ôagainst€a€family€member,€the€court€shall€considerÐ qÁ Ðall€evidence€relevant€to€the€physical€and€emotional€safety€of€the€child,€and€determine,Ð Zª Ðby€a€clear€preponderance€of€the€evidence,€whether€such€abuse€has€occurred.€€TheÐ C“ Ðcourt€shall€include€in€its€decision€a€written€finding€of€all€evidence,€and€all€findingsÐ ,| Ðof€facts€connected€thereto.€€In€addition,€the€court€shall,€where€appropriate,€refer€anyÐ e Ðissues€of€abuse€to€the€juvenile€court€for€further€proceedings;€ÐþNÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(9)€The€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€or€frequents€theÐ Ð!   Ðhome€of€a€parent€and€such€person's€interactions€with€the€child.й" !Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(10)€Each€parentððs€past€and€potential€for€future€performance€of€parentingÐ ‹$Û# Ðresponsibilities,€including€the€willingness€and€ability€of€each€of€the€parents€toÐ t%Ä $ Ðfacilitate€and€encourage€a€close€and€continuing€parent„child€relationship€between€theÐ ]&­!% Ðchild€and€the€other€parent,€consistent€with€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€.€.€.Ô#†X˜XXX˜a#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜ÔÐF'–"&Ð Ð  Ðâ âÐ /(#' ÐÓÓTenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(a)€(2001).Ô#†X˜XXX˜ f#ÔÔ‡X˜XXX˜Ô€€The€determination€of€the€best€interest€of€the€child€turns€onÐ ° Ðthe€particular€facts€of€each€case.€ò òòòSeeóóó ó€ò òòòTaylor€v.€Tayloró óóó,€849€S.W.2d€319,€326€(Tenn.€1993);òòò ò€In€reÐ ‚Ò ÐParsonsó óóó,€914€S.W.2d€889,€893€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€Ð V¦ Ðâ âà  àIn€this€appeal,€Ô#†X˜XXX˜Çf#ÔFather€argues€that€the€evidence€is€contrary€to€the€trial€courtððs€finding€thatÐ * z ÐMother€should€be€the€primary€residential€parent.€€He€asserts€that€the€evidence€shows€that€he€canÐ ü L Ðprovide€Gabrielle€with€more€stability€and€continuity€than€can€Mother,€particularly€in€light€of€theÐ Î   Ðpost„judgment€fact€that€Mother€plans€to€live€in€England€for€the€next€three€years.€€Father€claims€thatÐ  ð  Ðthe€trial€court€failed€to€consider€evidence€that€Gabrielle€preferred€to€live€with€him.€€Father€arguesÐ r  Ðthat€he€is€willing€to€facilitate€a€relationship€between€Gabrielle€and€Mother,€while€Mother€isÐ D” Ðuncooperative€and€has€expressed€her€desire€that€Father€be€eliminated€from€Gabrielleððs€life.€Ð f Ðà  àIn€the€trial€courtððs€memorandum€opinion€designating€Mother€as€the€primary€residentialÐ è8 Ðparent,€the€trial€court€analyzed€many€of€the€factors€set€forth€in€section€36„6„106(a),€but€placedÐ º  Ðparticular€emphasis€on€the€importance€of€continuity€to€Gabrielle.€€The€trial€court€clearly€presumedÐ ŒÜ Ðthat,€if€Mother€were€designated€Gabrielleððs€primary€residential€parent,€Mother€and€Gabrielle€wouldÐ ^® Ðcontinue€to€live€in€Tennessee€in€an€environment€in€which€Gabrielle€was€ð ðflourishing.ðð€€The€trialÐ 0€ Ðcourt€found€that€Gabrielle€ð ðwould€benefit€by€continuing€her€life€in€her€present€surroundings€withoutÐ  R Ðsubstantial€interruption.ðð€€While€the€trial€court€emphasized€the€importance€of€continuity€to€Gabrielle,Ð Ô!$  Ðit€also€noted€that€Gabrielle€needed€ð ðthe€maximum€exposure€to€her€father€that€the€distance€betweenÐ ¦#ö" Ðthe€parties€and€his€lifestyle€permits.ððÐ x%È $ Ðà  àEven€without€considering€the€post„judgment€facts,€it€is€questionable€whether€the€decisionÐ J'š"& Ðto€designate€Mother€as€the€primary€custodial€parent€would€be€affirmed.€€The€relative€willingness€ofÐ )l$( Ðeach€parent€to€facilitate€the€childððs€healthy€relationship€with€the€other€parent€is€an€importantÐ î*>&* Ðconsideration.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(a)(10);òòò ò€see€Buckles€v.€Riggsó óóó,€106€S.W.2d€668,€674Ð ° Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2003).€€ò òó óMotherððs€behavior€indicates€a€reluctance€to€facilitate€Gabrielleððs€relationshipÐ „Ô Ðwith€her€father.€€The€trial€court€went€so€far€as€to€set€out€a€regular€phone€schedule€for€FatherððsÐ V¦ Ðtelephone€conversations€with€Gabrielle,€directing€Mother€to€leave€Gabrielle€alone€ð ðto€speakÐ ( x Ðprivately€with€the€father.ðð€€Moreover,€as€noted€by€the€trial€court,€Father€lives€in€a€city€nearÐ ú J ÐGabrielleððs€half„brother€and€Fatherððs€extended€family,€while€Mother€was€in€Shelby€County€with€noÐ Ì   Ðfamily.€€Adequate€familial€support€is€a€valid€consideration€in€weighing€the€comparative€fitness€ofÐ žî  Ðthe€parents.€€òòò òSee€Julian€v.€Julianó óóó,€No.€M1997„00236„COA„R3„CV,òòò òó óóó€2000€WL€343817,€at€*5€€(Tenn.Ð pÀ  ÐCt.€App.€Apr.€4,€2000)òòò òóóó ó€(ð ðCourts€making€custody€decisions€frequently€consider€the€amount€ofÐ D” Ðassistance€and€support€the€parties€can€reasonably€expect€to€receive€from€their€extended€families.ðð)Ð f Ð(citing€ò òòòAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróóó ó,€970€S.W.2d€at€482,€486€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997)).€€While€FatherððsÐ è8 Ðline€of€work€permits€him€to€continue€living€in€Lancaster,€Pennsylvania€indefinitely,€Motherððs€careerÐ ¼  Ðin€the€military€makes€frequent€moves€likely,€despite€Motherððs€testimony€otherwise.€€Motherððs€lackÐ ŽÞ Ðof€candor€at€trial€was€apparent,€with€the€trial€court€noting€in€its€memorandum€opinion€that€MotherÐ `° Ðð ðhad€difficulty€in€her€testimony€admitting€to€obvious€facts.ððÐ 2‚ Ðà  àWhile€the€trial€court€obviously€did€not€have€the€benefit€of€hindsight,€the€post„judgment€factsÐ  T Ðmake€it€clear€that€Motherððs€lack€of€candor€deprived€the€trial€court€of€the€opportunity€to€evaluateÐ Ö!&  ÐMotherððs€true€circumstances.€€One€of€the€statutory€factors€to€be€considered,€as€set€forth€in€sectionÐ ¨#ø" Ð36„6„106(a)(9),€is€the€ð ðcharacter€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€or€frequents€theÐ z%Ê $ Ðhome€of€a€parent€and€such€personððs€interactions€with€the€child.ðð€€As€a€result€of€MotherððsÐ L'œ"& Ðdisingenuous€denial€of€a€relationship€with€Stallings,€the€effect€of€that€relationship€on€Gabrielle€couldÐ )n$( Ðnot€be€fully€examined.€€Motherððs€marriage€to€a€spouse€also€in€the€military€clearly€makes€frequentÐ ð*@&* Ðmoves,€and€the€resulting€disruption€to€Gabrielle,€even€more€likely€and€makes€Gabrielleððs€visitationÐ ° Ðwith€Father€more€difficult€and€infrequent.€€Motherððs€currently€pending€request€for€permission€toÐ ‚Ò Ðrelocate€with€Gabrielle€to€England€to€join€her€new€husband€undermines€the€considerations€mostÐ T¤ Ðemphasized€by€the€trial€court€in€its€decision,€namely,€the€benefit€of€Gabrielle€being€permitted€toÐ & v Ðcontinue€her€life€in€the€same€surroundings€and€the€importance€of€Gabrielle€having€ð ðmaximumÐ ø H Ðexposureðð€to€Father.€€Ð Ê   Ðà  àConsidering€the€fact€that€it€is€undisputed€that€both€parties€are€fit€parents,€Motherððs€marriageÐ œì  Ðto€a€spouse€in€the€military€and€her€imminent€move€to€England,€Fatherððs€willingness€to€facilitateÐ n¾  ÐGabrielleððs€relationship€with€the€other€parent€and€Motherððs€apparent€reluctance€to€do€so,€and€theÐ @ Ðstability€and€continuity€that€would€benefit€Gabrielle€by€living€in€Pennsylvania€with€Father€and€hisÐ b Ðextended€family,€we€must€conclude€that€the€designation€of€Mother€as€primary€residential€parent€mustÐ ä4 Ðbe€reversed.€€Father€is€hereby€designated€the€primary€residential€parent.€€The€cause€is€remanded€toÐ ¶ Ðthe€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€to€implement€an€appropriate€transition€and€set€a€parenting€andÐ ˆØ Ðvisitation€schedule,€as€well€as€any€other€proceedings€not€inconsistent€with€this€Opinion.€Ð Zª Ðà  àAccordingly,€we€reverse€the€decision€of€the€trial€court€and€remand€for€further€proceedingsÐ ,| Ðnot€inconsistent€with€this€Opinion.€Costs€on€appeal€are€to€be€taxed€to€Appellee€Stacey€AnneÐ þN ÐSchmalhofer,ò òó ó€for€which€execution€may€issue,€if€necessary.€€ÓÓÐ Ð!   ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ‹$Û# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àHOLLY€M.€KIRBY,€JUDGE