ÿWPC§  |Õ]ãÜV!úÊòwÉt¸>Ú¦u¿$³™ù5‹Wqzã6í1Sµ';½'¸žÛþÔ:pû@[ò:<; ˜ù¯Ó Uú|Ûûë µóãÓhª ;;ñè”’±ý‘ñÅ,:ç¥_]Û.©n[…^‹‡¦N8mËxW£BÆ7…`ÜSÞª°vš¤=@0bÌ€Ö*dÛÌÄ ÏH%»¥GG]ÎGVîk<Œx!† éð»eoä š7Ææt}$€[yŒÝ{l ›¦-nvÚQ­’ZC†swÑ¡Jý~oØ%ÇŠ#£ßwM:µc›³¬’×€1 û&™x–S<@$¤œ?c3Þ¼¼ynµâóùEšÅð_ˆF¬xn7èsº‘(r ‘|3!àMV—mƬã‹ó–#É6›¨å=z fjf7ög†¤†¼”4ÕŽY%Ș7 ÉLG_Ëyèw½ÈŒdÀƒ [ìÆ¾´í˜û’I§Û7’DÎAëõ2ةՓó^\Oºëg‘š/ׯ\Vl›œ¨¯óW 8Ušw·¯…Âë3ÛɆބÓ7ŸKY•#*ø,Êä—ÕÙ+Úriúµ½ó(Ðj6 ùç¿ýÄWVÁÂ` chEOÄm·ëL¯‘2b#Á\ % U@# 0ˆc U Në n­9 Næ zè Òb ^ 4 w@ 4D X Æg Æ- Æó ƹN mƒƒEššššššššššššššššššššššššbœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ 0뤤¤¤ B 0¤¬ D3P D-ƒ 0K°° ASûÆN 0¤ 0D¸ A«ü˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÆúI Z‹(Times New Roman (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular«<þ6X9`("Courier NewTTXXxþ6X@ÉDQX@ ˜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.wptS‰‹-s š‚,-¢Ø+00ð¢3|xLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-(|G2¤Ó$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€@•»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôã­ò»»Ô d(|3 \$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€@•»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3 \$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€@•»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€@•»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼@•»»»ÔÑ8€iXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼@•»»¼@•Ôà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î‰E@•ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼@•»îî‰E+#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓSeptember€3,€2002€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XiX»¼@•ÔÌò òÔ#†¼@•»XXi#ÔJAMES€MICHAEL€Ô_ÔSTAGGSÔ_Ôòòóó€v.€LORI€ANN€Ô_ÔSTAGGSÔ_ÔòòóóÔ‡XiX»¼@•Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Ô_ÔDicksonÔ_Ô€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€4902„97€€€€€€Leonard€W.€Martin,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2001„01192„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€December€11,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÓ  ÓÌThe€trial€court€transferred€custody€of€the€partiesðð€two€children€from€the€mother€to€the€father.€€TheÐ xÈ  Ðmother€argues€on€appeal€that€there€was€no€change€of€circumstances€to€support€a€change€of€custody,Ð d´ Ðand€no€proof€that€the€change€would€be€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.€€We€affirm€the€trial€court.Ô#†¼@•»XXiÎ#ÔÔ‡XiX»¼@•ÔÐ P  ÐÌò òà@ääìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtˆÐ (x Ðà@ ìàAffirmed€and€Remandedó óˆÐ d ÐÌòòÔ#†¼@•»àXiº#ÔÔ‡XiX.¼@•ÔBen€H.€Ô_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€M.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòWilliam€B.€Cain,€J.óó€andÐ ì< ÐòòJ.€S.€Daniel,€Sp.€J.óó,€joined.Ð Ø( ÐÌSandra€Jones,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Lori€Ann€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô.Ð ° ÐÌDouglas€Thompson€Bates,€III,€Ô_ÔCentervilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€James€Michael€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô.Ð ˆØ ÐÌò òà@66'ìàOPINIONó óÔ#†¼@•»XXiÆ#ÔÔ‡XiX»¼@•ԈР`° ÐÌÔ#†¼@•»XXiN #ÔÔ‡XiX»¼@•Ôà  àà@‡‡ìàò òI.€€òòDivorce€and€Custodyóóó óˆÐ 8!ˆ  ÐÌà  àMike€and€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€are€the€parents€of€two€daughters,€Keaton€Victoria€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô,€who€wasÐ #`" Ðborn€in€1991,€and€Rachel€Nicole€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô,€who€was€born€in€1994.€€Mike€and€Lori€were€divorced€inÐ ü#L# ÐMay€of€1998€on€stipulated€grounds,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„4„129(b).€€The€divorce€decreeÐ è$8 $ Ðrecited€that€each€party€had€acknowledged€that€the€other€was€a€fit€and€proper€person€to€have€custodyÐ Ô%$!% Ðof€the€children.€€They€were€granted€joint€custody,€with€the€wife€named€as€the€primary€custodian.Ð À&"& ÐÌà  àThe€decree€included€a€detailed€visitation€schedule,€and€ordered€that€physical€custody€of€theÐ ˜(è#( Ðchildren€be€shared,€with€the€mother€taking€care€of€them€during€the€week,€and€the€father€taking€overÐ „)Ô$) Ðduring€the€weekend.€€Mike€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€had€a€regular€weekday€work€schedule€in€his€job€as€an€electricianÐ p*À%* Ðat€Vanderbilt€University,€while€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€was€a€registered€nurse€who€worked€the€weekend€shiftÐ \+¬&+ Ðat€Maury€Regional€Medical€Center,€so€the€custody€arrangement€was€designed€to€work€forÐ H,˜', Ðeverybodyððs€benefit.Ð 4-„(-ý ÐÔ_Ô‡à  àThe€decree€also€awarded€the€wife€the€marital€home,€and€made€her€responsible€for€paymentsÐ ° Ðon€the€mortgage.€€The€husband€was€ordered€to€pay€$600€per€month€in€child€support,€and€certainÐ œì Ðmarital€debts.€€The€wife€was€ordered€to€pay€other€marital€debts,€and€to€hold€the€husband€harmlessÐ ˆØ Ðfor€them.Ð tÄ ЀÌà  àAs€often€happens€in€divorce,€one€party€was€more€successful€than€the€other€in€adjusting€to€theÐ L œ Ðnew€circumstances.€€Mike€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€remarried.€€His€new€wife€had€two€children€from€her€earlierÐ 8 ˆ Ðmarriage,€and€the€couple€became€parents€of€a€new€baby.€€The€members€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€blendedÐ $ t Ðfamily€got€along€well€with€each€other,€but€there€were€occasional€conflicts€between€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€andÐ  ` Ðher€former€husband,€especially€when€Keaton€and€Rachel€were€being€transferred€from€one€parent€toÐ ü L  Ðthe€other.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àLori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€had€a€number€of€problems€to€deal€with€after€the€divorce.€€One€major€concern€wasÐ À  Ðher€eighteen„year„old€daughter€from€an€earlier€marriage,€who€was€living€with€her.€€The€daughterððsÐ ¬ü  Ðboyfriend€was€allegedly€dealing€drugs€while€staying€in€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€home.€€Among€other€things,€theÐ ˜è  Ðmother€was€worried€that€if€he€was€arrested,€it€could€lead€to€the€forfeit€of€the€vehicle€she€owned€andÐ „Ô  Ðher€daughter€drove.€€The€record€shows€that€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€sold€the€marital€home€in€Ô_ÔDicksonÔ_Ô€in€July€ofÐ pÀ Ð1999,€and€moved€into€her€motherððs€home€in€Ô_ÔCentervilleÔ_Ô.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àThe€proof€also€showed€that€Mike€and€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€are€both€recovering€alcoholics.€€The€fatherÐ 4„ Ðtestified€that€he€has€been€clean€and€sober€for€ten€years,€and€there€was€no€proof€to€the€contrary.€€TheÐ  p Ðmother€began€drinking€excessively€after€the€divorce,€to€the€point€of€consuming€a€12€pack€of€beerÐ  \ Ðdaily.€€Hospital€personnel€records€introduced€into€the€record€show€that€her€increasing€absences€fromÐ øH Ðwork€became€a€growing€concern€for€her€employer.€€She€was€asked€to€take€a€drug€test€on€FebruaryÐ ä4 Ð13,€2000,€and€she€tested€positive€for€alcohol€and€marijuana.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àOn€February€29,€2000,€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€began€a€ten„week€program€at€a€residential€alcohol€andÐ ¨ø Ðdrug€treatment€facility€in€Alabama.€€She€did€not€inform€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€of€this€development,€but€left€theÐ ”ä Ðchildren€with€her€sister,€who€was€also€a€registered€nurse.€€While€she€was€in€treatment,€she€receivedÐ €Ð Ða€letter€from€her€employer,€informing€her€that€she€had€been€discharged€for€cause,€citing€sevenÐ l¼ Ðincidents€of€absenteeism€and€the€positive€result€on€her€drug€screen.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àMike€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€learned€that€his€ex„wife€had€left€his€children€in€the€custody€of€her€sister€after€heÐ 0"€  Ðarrived€at€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€home€for€the€customary€weekend€transfer€of€the€children.€€He€went€to€theÐ #l! Ðsisterððs€home,€took€the€children€from€her,€and€brought€them€to€his€own€house.€€On€April€6,€2000,€heÐ $X" Ðfiled€a€Petition€for€Change€of€Custody.Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àLori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€finished€her€program€in€May,€and€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€promptly€returned€the€children€toÐ Ì&"% Ðher.€€An€agreed€order€filed€on€June€7,€2000€declared€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€would€continue€to€have€primaryÐ ¸'#& Ðphysical€custody€of€the€children,€made€some€small€modifications€in€visitation€arrangements,€and€setÐ ¤(ô#' Ða€date€for€taking€the€depositions€of€the€parties.€€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€subsequently€filed€for€bankruptcy.€€Again,Ð )à$( Ðâ âshe€did€not€inform€her€former€husband€of€her€actions,€but€one€effect€of€her€bankruptcy€petition€wasÐ |*Ì%) Ðto€leave€Mike€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€liable€for€debts€that€the€court€had€ordered€her€to€pay€and€to€hold€him€harmlessÐ ° Ðfor.€Ð œì Ðâ â€Ìà@RRìàò òII.€€òòThe€Custody€Hearingóóó óˆÐ tÄ Ðò òó óÌà  àThe€hearing€on€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€petition€began€on€the€morning€of€February€28,€2001,€andÐ L œ Ðcontinued€through€the€following€day.€€Nine€witnesses€testified.€€Aside€from€the€parties€themselves,Ð 8 ˆ Ðthe€witnesses€were€Mike€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€mother€Ruth,€his€current€wife,€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€mother,€her€sister,€herÐ $ t Ðboyfriend,€her€supervisor€at€work,€and€a€nurse„counselor€who€runs€a€support€group€for€nurses€withÐ  ` Ðdrug€and€alcohol€problems.€€Excerpts€from€two€video€depositions€of€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€were€also€playedÐ ü L  Ðfor€the€court,€as€well€as€a€recording€of€a€phone€call€from€Keaton€to€Ruth€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô,€taken€from€theÐ è 8  Ðgrandmotherððs€telephone€answering€machine.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àThere€were€considerable€discrepancies€between€the€testimony€of€Mike€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô,€his€wife,€andÐ ¬ü  Ðhis€mother€on€one€hand,€and€of€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô,€her€sister,€and€her€mother€on€the€other.€€The€facts€inÐ ˜è  Ðdispute€included€the€quality€of€care€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€provided€to€the€children€prior€to€her€departure€forÐ „Ô  ÐAlabama,€the€living€arrangements€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€had€provided€for€her€older€daughter€and€the€daughterððsÐ pÀ Ðboyfriend,€the€circumstances€of€the€termination€of€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€employment,€and€the€identity€of€theÐ \¬ Ðinstigator€of€several€arguments€that€occurred€when€the€children€were€being€transferred€from€oneÐ H˜ Ðparent€to€another.Ð 4„ Ѐ€€à  àÐ  p Ðà  àWe€will€not€discuss€the€testimony€in€detail.€€We€note€that€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€acknowledged€herÐ  \ Ðalcohol€problems,€and€testified€that€she€had€succeeded€in€remaining€sober€after€completion€of€theÐ øH Ðresidential€drug€program.€€By€working€with€her€drug€and€alcohol€abuse€counselor,€she€had€managedÐ ä4 Ðto€keep€her€nursing€license,€and€she€found€a€new€job€as€a€nurse€at€Ô_ÔHickmanÔ_Ô€County€Hospital.€€HerÐ Ð  Ðnew€schedule€involves€different€hours€every€week,€with€rotating€shifts€on€weekends€and€weekdays.Ð ¼  ÐAccording€to€her€supervisor,€she€is€doing€well€on€the€job.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àAt€the€conclusion€of€the€proof,€the€attorneys€for€the€parties€waived€closing€arguments,€andÐ €Ð Ðthe€court€announced€its€findings€from€the€bench.€€The€trial€judge€found€that€there€had€been€a€materialÐ l¼ Ðand€substantial€change€of€circumstances€that€ð ðhas€been€detrimental€to€the€children,€borderlineÐ X ¨ Ðdevastating,€and€certainly€would€warrant€consideration€of€a€change€of€custody.ðð€€The€judge€thenÐ D!” Ðmoved€on€to€consideration€of€the€relevant€factors,€found€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€€36„6„106,€forÐ 0"€  Ðdetermining€which€parent€is€better€suited€to€exercise€primary€custody€of€the€children.Ð #l! ÐÌà  àThe€judge€found€that€there€was€not€much€difference€between€the€parties€in€regard€to€most€ofÐ ô$D # Ðthe€factors€enumerated€in€the€statute,€such€as€the€ð ðlove,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€betweenÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€parents€and€the€child,ðð€and€ð ðthe€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,Ð Ì&"% Ðclothing,€medical€care,€education€.€.€.€.ðð€€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(1)€and€(2).€€He€Ð ¸'#& Ðcommended€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€for€admitting€to€her€alcohol€problem€and€attempting€to€deal€with€it,€butÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfound€that€she€had€not€completely€conquered€the€emotional€problems€associated€with€it,€whileÐ )à$( Ðfinding€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€had€proven€himself€to€be€ð ðmentally€physically€healthy€and€stable.ðð€€òòSeeóó€Ð |*Ì%) ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(5).€€The€judge€also€mentioned€the€alleged€drug„dealing€activities€of€theÐ h+¸&* Ðwifeððs€daughterððs€boyfriend,€in€the€context€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(9)€which€directs€the€courtÐ ° Ðto€consider€ð ðthe€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€or€frequents€the€home€ofÐ œì Ða€parent€and€such€personððs€interactions€with€the€child.ðð€€The€judge€also€found€that€the€father,€his€newÐ ˆØ Ðwife,€and€his€mother€were€the€more€credible€witnesses,€and€that€there€were€some€significantÐ tÄ Ðcontradictions€in€the€testimony€of€€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€and€the€witnesses€called€on€her€behalf.Ð `° ÐÌà  àThe€court€accordingly€determined€that€the€father€should€be€designated€as€the€primaryÐ 8 ˆ Ðresidential€parent€of€Keaton€and€Rachel,€with€ð ðfree€and€liberal€visitationðð€for€the€mother.€€The€courtððs€Ð $ t Ðjudgment€of€April€3,€2001€included€flexible€provisions€that€would€assure€the€mother€of€visitationÐ  ` Ðwith€her€daughters€every€week.€€She€was€also€ordered€to€pay€$600€per€month€in€child€support,€andÐ ü L  Ðto€reimburse€the€father€for€all€payments€he€made€towards€the€bankrupted€debts€she€had€beenÐ è 8  Ðobligated€to€pay€under€the€Final€Decree€of€Divorce.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àThe€mother€subsequently€replaced€her€attorney.€€Her€new€attorney€filed€a€Motion€for€NewÐ ¬ü  ÐTrial€or€in€the€Alternative€a€Motion€to€Alter€or€Amend.€€òòSeeóó€Rule€59,€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€€At€the€hearingÐ ˜è  Ðon€the€motion,€the€attorney€claimed€that€she€had€uncovered€new€evidence€that€went€to€the€credibilityÐ „Ô  Ðof€the€father€and€his€new€wife.€€The€trial€court€ruled€that€a€new€trial€was€not€warranted,€because€theÐ pÀ Ðevidence€she€wished€to€present€did€not€involve€anything€that€could€not€have€been€uncovered€by€theÐ \¬ Ðprevious€attorney€through€the€exercise€of€reasonable€diligence,€and€because€its€presentation€wouldÐ H˜ Ðnot€likely€lead€to€a€different€result.€€òòSeeóó€òòÔ_ÔSeayÔ_Ô€v.€City€of€Knoxvilleóó,€654€S.W.2d€397€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð 4„ Ð1983).€€The€court€accordingly€denied€the€motion.€€This€appeal€followed.€€Ð  p ÐÌà@**ìàò òIII.€€òòArguments€on€Appealóóó óˆÐ øH ÐÌà@……ìàò òA.€€òòChange€of€Circumstancesó óˆÐ Ð  ÐóóÌà  àA€decree€granting€custody€of€minor€children€is€considered€to€be€res€judicata€on€theÐ ¨ø Ðcircumstances€existing€at€the€time€the€decree€is€rendered.€òò€Ô_ÔHoalcraftÔ_Ô€v.€Smithsonóó,€19€S.W.2d€822Ð ”ä Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);€òòÔ_ÔSolimaÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔSolimaÔ_Ôóó,€7€S.W.3d€30€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€In€order€for€the€courtÐ €Ð Ðto€change€custody,€the€party€seeking€such€a€change€must€demonstrate€to€the€court€that€there€has€beenÐ l¼ Ða€significant€and€material€change€of€circumstances€that€adversely€affects€the€children€involved,€andÐ X ¨ Ðthat€the€childrenððs€best€interest€is€served€by€changing€the€existing€custodial€arrangement.€òò€Ô_ÔCaudillÔ_ÔÐ D!” Ðv.€Foleyóó,€21€S.W.3d€203€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);€òòDodd€v.€Doddóó€737€S.W.2d€286€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð 0"€  Ð1987).€€Our€courts€€have€also€stated€on€numerous€occasions€that€the€change€of€circumstances€reliedÐ #l! Ðupon€by€the€petitioner€should€be€one€that€could€not€have€been€foreseen€at€the€time€of€the€originalÐ $X" Ðcustody€decision.€€òòÔ_ÔAdelspergerÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔAdelspergerÔ_Ôóó,€970€S.W.2d€482€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997);€òòElliot€v.Ð ô$D # ÐElliotóó,€825€S.W.2d€87€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991);òò€Ô_ÔRogeroÔ_Ô€v.€Pittóó,€759€S.W.2d€109€(Tenn.€1988).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àIn€her€appellate€brief,€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€attorney€argues€that€the€father€did€not€meet€the€thresholdÐ ¸'#& Ðrequirement€of€demonstrating€an€unforeseen€change€of€circumstances€that€adversely€affected€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðchildren,€and€thus€that€the€judge€was€not€entitled€to€move€on€to€the€question€of€the€best€interests€ofÐ )à$( Ðthe€children.€€òòSeeóó€òòÔ_ÔPlacenciaÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔPlacenciaÔ_Ôóó,€3€S.W.3d€497,€499€(Tenn.€Ct.€App€1999).€€She€points€outÐ |*Ì%) Ðthat€while€the€court€did€declare€that€such€a€change€had€been€proven,€it€did€not€specify€exactly€whatÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€material€change€was.òòóó€€It€appears€obvious€to€us,€however,€that€the€judge€was€referring€to€Ms.Ð ° ÐÔ_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€descent€into€alcohol€abuse.€Ð œì ÐÌà  àThe€appellant€contends€that€at€the€time€the€trial€court€rendered€its€final€decree€of€divorce€inÐ tÄ Ðthis€case,€each€party€was€aware€of€the€otherððs€alcohol€problems,€and€that€this€did€not€prevent€the€Ð `° Ðjudge€from€approving€their€declaration€that€both€were€fit€and€proper€persons€to€exercise€custody€ofÐ L œ Ðthe€children.€€Thus,€she€argues,€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€drinking€could€not€be€considered€unforeseeable.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àRegrettably,€our€prior€pronouncements€on€Ô_ÔforseeabilityÔ_Ô€are€a€poor€fit€for€a€situation€like€theÐ  ` Ðpresent€one.€€It€is€now€widely€acknowledged€by€society€that€alcoholism€is€a€disease€that€cannot€beÐ ü L  Ðpermanently€cured,€and€that€the€recovering€alcoholic€is€always€in€danger€of€succumbing€to€his€or€herÐ è 8  Ðaddiction.€€In€theory€then,€it€is€always€foreseeable€that€an€alcoholic€will€begin€drinking€again.€€WeÐ Ô$  Ðdo€not€believe,€however,€that€our€recognition€of€this€unfortunate€fact€should€prevent€us€fromÐ À  Ðconsidering€a€change€of€custody€where€a€previously€sober€parent€has€fallen€back€into€habits€that€areÐ ¬ü  Ðdetrimental€to€the€children€in€her€care.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€appellant€notes€that€the€court€found€that€the€children€were€doing€well€in€school,€and€thatÐ pÀ Ðthey€were€well„adjusted,€and€she€argues€that€there€was€therefore€no€proof€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€drinkingÐ \¬ Ðadversely€affected€them.€€We€do€not€agree.€€The€evidence€shows€that€at€the€time€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€wasÐ H˜ Ðdrinking,€her€ability€to€give€the€children€the€attention€they€needed€was€drastically€impaired,€and€weÐ 4„ Ðcan€infer€that€they€suffered€physically€and€mentally€as€a€result.Ð  p ÐÌà  àWhile€we€do€not€wish€to€belabor€the€point,€there€was€testimony€that€she€did€not€bathe€theÐ øH Ðchildren€regularly,€that€they€developed€impetigo€and€scabies€while€in€her€care,€and€that€she€was€slowÐ ä4 Ðto€seek€medical€help€for€chicken€pox€and€a€broken€arm.€€On€one€occasion,€Keaton€called€herÐ Ð  Ðgrandmother€to€tell€her€that€she€was€unable€to€wake€her€mother€up,€and€she€was€afraid€she€would€beÐ ¼  Ðlate€for€school€again.€€Lori€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€admitted€that€she€had€been€drinking€the€night€before,€but€claimedÐ ¨ø Ðthat€when€she€heard€Keaton€talking€on€the€phone,€she€got€up€and€took€her€to€school.€€It€is€undisputedÐ ”ä Ðthat€Keaton€missed€38€days€of€school€in€a€single€year.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€appellant€responds€to€each€of€these€claims€by€denying€its€truth€or€minimizing€itsÐ X ¨ Ðsignificance.€€But€the€trial€court€found€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€and€his€witnesses€to€be€more€credible€than€hisÐ D!” Ðformer€wife€and€her€witnesses.€€We€are€obligated€to€grant€great€deference€to€the€trial€court€onÐ 0"€  Ðquestions€of€credibility.€€The€reason€is€that€we€do€not€have€the€opportunity€that€the€trial€judge€hadÐ #l! Ðto€observe€the€manner€and€demeanor€of€the€testifying€witnesses.€òò€Goodman€v.€Goodmanóó,€8€S.W.3dÐ $X" Ð289€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);€òòJones€v.€Jonesóó,€784€S.W.2d€349€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989).€€In€light€of€theÐ ô$D # Ðtestimony€as€to€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ôðð€inattention€to€the€needs€of€her€children,€we€believe€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€metÐ à%0!$ Ðhis€burden€of€proving€a€material€change€of€circumstances€such€as€would€justify€further€inquiry€intoÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€question€of€custody.€Ð ¸'#& ÐÌÌÌÐ h+¸&* Ðà@ý ý ìàò òB.€€òòThe€Best€Interest€of€the€Childrenóóó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àAt€the€time€of€the€hearing€on€the€Petition€to€Modify€Custody,€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€testified€that€sheÐ ˆØ Ðhad€been€sober€for€one€full€year,€that€she€was€gainfully€employed€in€a€responsible€job,€that€she€hadÐ tÄ Ðregularly€attended€Alcoholics€Anonymous€meetings,€and€that€she€had€undergone€regular€randomÐ `° Ðdrug€and€alcohol€drug€testing€which€confirmed€her€sobriety.€€She€argues€on€appeal€that€the€eventsÐ L œ Ðthat€led€to€the€Petition€to€Modify€Custody€were€merely€ð ða€bump€in€the€road.ðð€€She€insists€that€sheÐ 8 ˆ Ðfaced€her€problem€voluntarily,€and€dealt€with€it€successfully,€and€that€at€this€point€nothing€is€differentÐ $ t Ðthan€it€was€at€the€time€of€the€initial€award€of€custody.€€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àThe€trial€judge€commended€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€for€the€progress€she€had€made,€and€reminded€her€thatÐ è 8  Ðshe€still€had€an€important€role€to€play€in€the€upbringing€of€her€children.€€But€he€found€that€it€was€inÐ Ô$  Ðthe€best€interest€of€the€children€that€custody€be€transferred€to€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô.€€We€note€that€custodyÐ À  Ðdeterminations€are€reviewed€by€this€court€de€novo,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctnessÐ ¬ü  Ðof€the€trial€courtððs€decision,€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€otherwise.€€òòSeeóó€òòÔ_ÔHassÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔKnightonÔ_Ôóó,€676Ð ˜è  ÐS.W.2d€554€(Tenn.€1984);€Rule€13(d),€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€Ð „Ô  ÐòòóóÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€had€proven€himself€the€more€stable€of€the€two€parents,Ð \¬ Ðand€the€evidence€certainly€did€not€preponderate€against€that€finding.€€The€court€also€found€theÐ H˜ Ðtestimony€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€more€credible€than€that€of€his€former€wife,€and€stated€that€the€relativeÐ 4„ Ðhonesty€or€trustworthiness€of€the€parties€was€a€non„statutory€factor€that€the€court€could€take€intoÐ  p Ðaccount€when€determining€which€parent€is€more€fit€to€exercise€custody.€€òòSeeóó€òòÔ_ÔGaskillÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔGaskillÔ_Ôóó,€936Ð  \ ÐS.W.2d€626€(1996).Ð øH ÐÌà  àWe€observe€that€aside€from€the€discrepancies€between€the€testimony€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€and€Ms.Ð Ð  ÐÔ_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô,€there€were€numerous€contradictions€between€the€testimony€of€Ms.€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€and€the€witnessesÐ ¼  Ðwho€testified€on€her€behalf,€between€her€testimony€and€the€documentary€evidence,€and€between€herÐ ¨ø Ðtestimony€on€the€stand€and€her€testimony€on€deposition.€€Honesty€is€an€important€factor€in€all€humanÐ ”ä Ðrelationships,€but€perhaps€especially€so€in€the€struggle€to€overcome€alcoholism.€€We€do€not€believeÐ €Ð Ðthe€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€it€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€twoÐ l¼ Ðchildren€that€their€custody€be€placed€with€their€father.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà@dd)ìàò òIV.ó óˆÐ 0"€  ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Remand€this€cause€to€the€Chancery€Court€ofÐ $X" ÐÔ_ÔDicksonÔ_Ô€County€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Tax€the€costs€on€appeal€to€theÐ ô$D # Ðappellant,€Lori€Ann€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô.Ô#†¼@•»XXi§ #ÔÔ€XiX»¼@•ÔÐ à%0!$ ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_________________________________________€Ð )à$( Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€M.S.