ÿWPCX, z¡–ösÜJg—è“nŠfÇhŽ.ý²L95†]Ç\0>Õ¾ÐJßÒŠ”µW[!ãÎK‡uº1™£tg{JˆúÊë¸=ñ˜/CNå‡Ðy½‹ì¡×–jbåûOr†Ü#“X˜ÚSŸ‚mš5BjAJ„ÐCÇn¦@¹ ÞEVíË ø_C¬¦[¨jæá@1"iÉ4&D¥÷¯wx8€l‚·sè5sš/ …I±’båÍ,¦˜v88Û1§¬½¦}j)D™ÞÆßáXc¼Ë}¯q ѹñIõOÿ{=…² ÿ«õ}DlÔØIï-*ÌŽ}qGyÖ6רÒÂd*ä3ãpÚ¾³#EEþà1‰àÏ´$ãq‹áð¤Û¼” \°Æ±`5Ž4”¬ Ù®€¹þ†"„fžœý” ³pm¢ÜëÕ“õ:ÊV5ø½„íª”нÒsÁ+5&0»Áê5oh1â°‚¡Ó[¦¹Ú VºÙx×rYR6‘qãSðoÀ‘5H~Å1ª—–üŸÀîœfø­÷•òdQ\G .[äëû¹© 1ÒšÛ°*ࢻÓ)]Öä¼mu«–¹;¥=Eš Á_.²_FrFb#Á\^  %) 0ˆ/ w· 4» U"NÏ z Ò— i x mz UB‘ ÆÓ Æ™ Æ_ Æ% 0’ëN} 0’ 0xE‰‹ 0Š“ 0¨ 0 Cų'ÞÚû¸S³³³³³³³³³³³³³³b•••••••••Një$ë$ë$ë$ë$ë$ë$ë$ë$ë$ë$ë$ë$ 0 ëU'U'U'U' B@(@( 0¤]( D3) D-4) 0Ka)a) AS¬)Æÿ) 0¤Å* 0Di+ A«­+˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0zÛ,s »(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó9‚±,csDOCS@‘§(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀô\  `*Times New RomanTTLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5P! ÿÿ8Body Text 2Body Text 2Ó  ÓÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÓ  Ó`ÿÿ:footnote reffootnote referenceÔ  ÔÔ  ÔòòóóÔ  ÔÔ  ÔV‘† ÿÿ:footnote texfootnote textÓ  ÓÔ‡ôôôÔÔW‡ ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ‡XXXÔÔW‡ ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔÓ  Ó H! ÿÿ4Body TextBody TextÓ  ÓÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÓ  ÓH0% ÿÿ4heading 2heading 2Ô&  ÔÓ  ÓÔ  ÔÔ  Ôò òó óÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ'  ÔÓ  Ó(ÿÿ$òòÚ  ÚÚ  Úóó Ý ƒRt$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôheò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ_ÔMs.€Taylor€later€testified€that€she€did€not€ask€her€lawyer€to€review€the€draft€marital€dissolution€agreement€€andÐ À Ðthat€she€misunderstood€the€import€of€granting€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€primary€physical€custody.€€She€claimed€that€her€lawyer€toldÐ „Ä Ðher€that€joint€custody€meant€only€that€the€primary€custodial€parent€would€pay€the€bills. ©Ý ƒRt$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôheò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€Taylor€recounted€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€threatened€to€kill€her.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€testified€that€ð ð[p]robably€both€of€us,Ð À Ðin€heated€arguments,€has€probably€said,€boy,€Iððll€kill€Ô_Ôyou.ððÔ_Ô€€ ÔÝ ƒRt$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôheò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€Taylor€initially€claimed€not€to€know€ð ðEnrique€Ô_ÔGonzales.ððÔ_Ô€€At€trial,€she€conceded€that€she€knew€ð ðRickÐ À ÐÔ_ÔGonzalesððÔ_Ô€and€that€his€first€name€was€Ô_Ôð ðRicardo,ððÔ_Ô€not€Ô_Ôð ðEnrique.ððÔ_Ô€€ ñÝ ƒRt$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôheò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ_ÔDivision€II€of€the€Sumner€County€General€Sessions€Court€has€concurrent€jurisdiction€with€the€circuit€andÐ À Ðchancery€courts€over€ð ðdomestic€matters.ðð€€Act€of€Mar.€10,€1982,€ch.€236,€ðð€3,€1982€Tenn.€Priv.€€Acts€89,€89-90,€òòamendedÐ „Ä Ðby€óóAct€of€May€11,€1989,€ch.€93,€ðð€2,€1989€Tenn.€Priv.€Acts€186,€186-87.€ IÝ ƒRt$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôheò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ_ÔMr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€explained€that€he€took€his€son€with€him€because€he€was€not€working€that€day€and€had€made€noÐ À Ðother€arrangements€for€day€care. …Ý ƒRt$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôheò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€following€is€an€example€of€an€exchange€between€Ms.€Taylor€and€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ôððs€lawyer:Ð À ÐÌà0  àQ:à0` (#(#àYou€donððt€think€itððs€bad€for€a€father€to€call€a€mother€a€bitch€in€the€presence€of€a€child?ÐHˆ` (#` (# Ðà  àA:à0 ` àI€think€itððs€terrible.Ð L` (#` (# Ðà  àQ:à0 ` àWhy€didnððt€you€tell€me€that?ÐÐ` (#` (# Ðà  àA:à0 ` àBecause€I€am€bringing€it€up€now.ДÔ` (#` (# Ðà  àQ:à0 ` àI€know,€the€day€of€the€hearing.ÐX˜` (#` (# Ðà  àA:à0 ` àWell,€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€should€have€told€you€the€way€heððs€been€acting.- ù- DÝ ƒRt$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôheò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€pressure€is€perhaps€best€illustrated€by€the€following€exchange€between€Mr.€Yanusz€and€Ms.€TaylorððsÐ À Ðlawyer:Ð „Ä ÐÌà0  àQ:à0` (#(#àYou€didnððt€intend€to€stay€with€this€woman.€€You€ainððt€over€it€today€and€you€ainððt€never€even€come€Ð  L Ðclose€to€being€over€the€fact€that€you€believe€she€had€an€affair€and€sheððs€hurt€you€to€the€quick?ÐÐ` (#` (# Ðà  àA:à0 ` àI€donððt€believe.€€I€know€sheððs€had€an€affair.ДÔ` (#` (# Ðà  àQ:à0 ` àThat€wasnððt€the€question.€€Regardless€of€what€you€know,€you€ainððt€never€got€over€it€and€you€ainððtÐ X˜ Ðgoing€to,€are€you?Ð \` (#` (# Ðà  àA:à0 ` àOh,€yeah,€Iððm€over€it€now.€€I€work€with€the€guy€she€had€the€affair€with€now€and€have€conversationsÐ à  Ðwith€him.Ф ä ` (#` (# Ðà  àQ:à0 ` àWhen€did€that€start?Ðh ¨ ` (#` (# Ðà  àA:à0 ` àThat€just€started€the€last€couple€of€weeks.€€I€started€there€in€May€and€he€was€brung€in€in€June,€so€IððveÐ , l  Ðbeen€working€there€with€him€since€June.€€€€€€ `Ý ƒRt$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôheò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIt€is€quite€obvious€that€Ms.€Taylorððs€testimony€focused€chiefly€on€the€way€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€had€treated€herÐ À Ðduring€their€reconciliation.€€She€discussed€her€son€very€little€except€to€opine€that€ð ðI€donððt€think€itððs€a€good€influence€forÐ „Ä Ðhim€to€see€his€father€cussing€me€or€any€other€person€in€front€of€him€and€putting€his€hand€through€walls€and€grabbing€meÐ Hˆ Ðaround€the€throat.ðð€€€(|G2t$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ô»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôheò»»Ô d(|3y$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ô»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3y$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ô»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ô»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑH°ÑÑÀ°ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼Ô»»»ÔÑ8€„áXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îÏ<ÔÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ À Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼Ô»îîÏ<(#ԈРæ& ÐÓ  ÓMay€8,€2002€SessionÐ  L ÐÔ‡X„áX»¼ÔÔÌò òÔ#†¼Ô»XX„á #ÔTRACEY€L.€(Ô_ÔYANUSZÔ_Ô)€TAYLOR€v.€JOHN€J.€Ô_ÔYANUSZÔ_ÔÔ‡X„áX»¼ÔÔó óÐ  J ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Sumner€County€General€Sessions€CourtÐ  J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€2743„G€€€€€€C.L.€Rogers,€JudgeÐ ö 6 ÐÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Í ` AßÐ Î   ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2001„02760„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€Ô_Ô„€Filed€June€27,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÐ É  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE< ` AßÐ ¡á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€appeal€involves€a€dispute€over€the€custody€of€a€five„year„old€boy.€€His€parents€were€divorcedÐ œÜ  Ðfollowing€his€motherððs€extramarital€affair.€€Their€marital€dissolution€agreement€established€a€jointÐ ˆÈ  Ðcustody€arrangement€with€the€father€having€primary€physical€custody.€€Following€an€unsuccessfulÐ t´ Ðtwo„year€reconciliation€effort,€the€childððs€mother€petitioned€the€Sumner€County€General€SessionsÐ `  ÐCourt€for€sole€custody.€€The€father€insisted€that€the€childððs€circumstances€had€not€changed€and€thatÐ LŒ Ðhe€continued€to€be€more€fit€than€the€mother€to€be€the€childððs€primary€custodian.€€The€trial€court,Ð 8x Ðsitting€without€a€jury,€determined€that€the€childððs€circumstances€had€changed€and€that€the€childððsÐ $d Ðinterests€would€be€best€served€by€placing€him€in€his€motherððs€custody.€€The€father€asserts€on€thisÐ P Ðappeal€that€the€childððs€circumstances€have€not€changed€materially€and€that€the€evidence€does€notÐ ü< Ðsupport€giving€sole€custody€to€the€mother.€€While€we€have€determined€that€the€childððs€circumstancesÐ è( Ðchanged€following€his€parentsðð€divorce,€we€have€determined€that€the€evidence€preponderates€againstÐ Ô Ðthe€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€the€changes€are€so€escalating€and€dangerous€that€they€required€aÐ À Ðchange€in€the€original€custody€arrangement.€€Accordingly,€we€vacate€the€order€awarding€the€motherÐ ¬ì Ðsole€custody€of€the€child€and€remand€the€case€for€further€proceedings.Ð ˜Ø ÐÔ#†¼Ô»XX„á½#ÔÔ‡X„áX»¼ÔÔÓÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€General€Sessions€Court€Vacatedó óÐ p° ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼Ô»àX„áË #ÔÔ‡X„áX.¼ÔÔWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Ô_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€M.S.,óóÐ H ˆ  Ðand€òòRobert€E.€Ô_ÔCorlewÔ_Ô,€III,€Sp.€J.óó,€joined.Ð 4!t! ÐÌGary€M.€Williams,€Ô_ÔHendersonvilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€John€J.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô.Ð  #L# ÐÌCurtis€M.€Lincoln,€Ô_ÔHendersonvilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Tracey€L.€(Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô)€Taylor.Ð ä$$!% ÐÓo ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Ô»XX„áž #ÔÔ‡X„áX»¼ÔÔÐ ¼&ü"' ÐÌÔ#†¼Ô»XX„áy#ÔÓ  ÓÔ‡X„áX»¼ÔÔà@¬¬)ìàò òI.ó óˆÐ ”(Ô$) ÐÌà  àTracey€L.€Taylor,€a€dental€hygienist,€married€John€J.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô,€an€automobile€mechanic.€€TheirÐ l*¬&+ Ðson€was€born€in€June€1997.€€Sometime€in€1998,€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€discovered€that€Ms.€Taylor€was€havingÐ X+˜', Ðan€extramarital€affair€with€Jim€Beam,€one€of€his€co„workers.€€Both€parties€retained€lawyers,€and€Mr.Ð D,„(- ÐÔ_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€filed€for€divorce.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ôððs€lawyer€eventually€drafted€a€marital€dissolution€agreementÐ 0-p). Ðwhich€was€presented€to€Ms.€Taylor.€€Ms.€Taylor€signed€the€agreement€on€July€17,€1998,€knowingÐ .\*/ Ðfull€well€that€it€established€a€joint€custody€arrangement€with€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€as€the€primary€physicalÐ /H+0ý Ðcustodian.Ô_Ô׃×Ý ƒÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€€The€Sumner€County€General€Sessions€Court׃Ü×Ý ƒÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€entered€a€final€decree€of€divorce€onÐ À ÐNovember€6,€1998,€granting€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€a€divorce€and€adopting€the€partiesðð€marital€dissolutionÐ ¬ì Ðagreement€that€gave€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€primary€physical€custody€of€their€child€and€directed€Ms.€Taylor€toÐ ˜Ø Ðpay€$500€per€month€in€child€support.Ð „Ä ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€and€the€partiesðð€son€continued€to€live€in€the€marital€residence€following€theÐ \œ Ðdivorce.€€Despite€the€divorce,€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€and€Ms.€Taylor€continued€their€sexual€intimacy.€Ð H ˆ ÐEventually,€in€February€1999,€Mr.€Yanusz€reluctantly€agreed€to€Ms.€Taylorððs€request€that€theyÐ 4 t Ðattempt€a€reconciliation.€€Ms.€Taylor€moved€back€in€with€Mr.€Yanusz€and€the€partiesðð€son€in€lateÐ  ` ÐFebruary€1999.€€It€soon€became€evident€that€the€reconciliation€would€not€be€long„term.Ð  L  ÐÌà  àMr.€Yanusz€was€struggling€to€get€over€Ms.€Taylorððs€adultery.€€In€addition€to€working€throughÐ ä $  Ðhis€understandable€interior€emotional€tug„of„war,€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€was€required€to€continue€working€€atÐ Ð  Ðthe€same€automobile€dealership€where€Mr.€Beam€worked.€€Also€complicating€matters€was€Mr.Ð ¼ü  ÐYanuszððs€impression€that€Ms.€Taylor€was€doing€little€to€regain€his€trust.€€The€parties€had€severalÐ ¨è  Ðloud,€boisterous€encounters€that€were€punctuated€by€shoving,€door„slamming,€name„calling,€andÐ ”Ô  Ðother€dramatic€histrionics.׃ð×Ý ƒÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Their€son€may€even€have€witnessed€one€or€more€of€these€encounters.€Ð €À ÐMr.€Yanusz€also€began€to€question€Ms.€Taylorððs€periodic€evening€office€meetings€at€variousÐ l¬ Ðrestaurants€and€bars.Ð X˜ ÐÌà  àIn€an€effort€to€resolve€the€pressure€on€their€reconciliation€efforts,€Mr.€Yanusz,€with€Ms.Ð 0p ÐTaylorððs€concurrence,€stopped€working€to€avoid€daily€interaction€with€Mr.€Beam.€€He€anticipated€thatÐ \ Ðhe€would€be€able€to€earn€money€by€performing€mechanic€work€at€home€and€that€he€could€be€a€stay„Ð H Ðat„home€dad.€€This€arrangement€was€short„lived.€€Six€months€later,€after€the€expected€mechanic€workÐ ô4 Ðdid€not€materialize,€and€the€money€began€to€get€short,€Mr.€Yanusz€returned€to€work€at€anotherÐ à  Ðautomobile€dealership.€€By€some€unfortunate€happenstance,€Mr.€Beam€began€working€at€the€sameÐ Ì  Ðdealership€shortly€thereafter.Ð ¸ø ÐÌà  àThe€partiesðð€final€confrontation€occurred€in€March€1991€after€Mr.€Yanusz€discovered€that€Ms.Ð Ð ÐTaylor€had€an€undisclosed€email€account€and€that€she€had€been€searching€the€Internet€for€informationÐ |¼ Ðregarding€ð ðEnrique€Gonzales,ðð€a€Miami€dentist€whom€she€had€met€at€a€conference€in€Atlanta.׃@ ×Ý ƒÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€HeÐ h¨ Ðalso€discovered€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€been€searching€for€flight€schedules€and€hotel€rooms€in€Miami.€Ð T ” ÐWhen€he€telephoned€Ms.€Taylor€at€work€about€this€discovery,€she€said€that€she€had€been€looking€upÐ @!€  Ðthe€information€for€a€friend.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€was€convinced€that€Ms.€Taylor€was€about€to€commitÐ À Ðadultery€again.€€Later€in€the€day,€he€and€the€partiesðð€sonÔ_Ô׃×Ý ƒÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€went€to€the€dentistððs€office€where€Ms.Ð ¬ì ÐTaylor€worked.€€The€parties€had€a€heated€discussion€both€in€the€office€and€outside€the€office.€€Finally,Ð ˜Ø ÐMr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€informed€Ms.€Taylor€Ô_ÔthatÔ_Ô€he€and€the€partiesðð€son€were€moving€out€of€the€house€€andÐ „Ä Ðwould€be€moving€in€with€his€parents€who€lived€in€Ô_ÔHendersonvilleÔ_Ô.Ð p° ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ôððs€departure€with€the€partiesðð€child€prompted€Ms.€Taylor€to€file€a€petition€in€theÐ H ˆ ÐSumner€County€General€Sessions€Court€for€change€of€custody€and€a€motion€for€visitation.€€Mr.Ð 4 t ÐÔ_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€responded€by€denying€that€there€was€any€basis€for€changing€the€custody€arrangementÐ  ` Ðestablished€in€the€1998€marital€dissolution€agreement€and€by€requesting€an€increase€in€child€supportÐ  L  Ðbased€on€the€increase€in€Ms.€Taylorððs€income.€€The€trial€court€granted€standard€visitation€rights€toÐ ø 8  ÐMs.€Taylor€pending€the€hearing€on€the€partiesðð€requests€for€relief.Ð ä $  ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ôððs€lawyer€deposed€Ms.€Taylor€on€August€9,€2001.€€When€asked€why€she€believedÐ ¼ü  Ðshe€should€be€the€primary€caretaker€for€the€partiesðð€son,€Ms.€Taylor€explained€(1)€that€she€was€ð ðmoreÐ ¨è  Ðfinancially€stableðð€because€she€was€salaried€while€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€was€paid€on€commission,€(2)€that€Mr.Ð ”Ô  ÐÔ_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€was€ð ðwishy„washyðð€because€he€changes€his€mind€rather€frequently€and€(3)€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_ÔÐ €À Ðwas€ð ðgetting€less€patientðð€and€was€having€ð ðmood€swings.ðð€€When€asked€to€explain€how€Mr.Ð l¬ ÐÔ_ÔYanuszÔ_Ôððs€mood€swings€manifested€themselves,€Ms.€Taylor€explained€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôh]eÔ_Ô€will€just€go€from€oneÐ X˜ Ðextreme€to€the€other€in€any€given€situation.€€He€would€call€me€when€I€was€at€a€dinner€meeting,€officeÐ D„ Ðmeeting,€and€threaten€me€and€call€me€names.ðð€€When€asked€at€the€end€of€the€deposition€if€she€hadÐ 0p Ðrecounted€all€the€reasons€why€she€was€more€fit€to€have€custody€of€the€partiesðð€child,€Ms.€TaylorÐ \ Ðresponded€that€she€had€already€mentioned€everything.Ð H ÐÌà  àAt€the€trial€approximately€two€weeks€later,€Ms.€Taylorððs€account€of€life€with€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€wasÐ à  Ðmuch€more€dramatic€than€it€had€been€during€her€deposition.€€On€direct€examination,€she€revealedÐ Ì  Ðfor€the€first€time€that€during€the€two„year€reconciliation,€Mr.€Ô_ÔYanuszÔ_Ô€(1)€began€to€exhibit€a€violentÐ ¸ø Ðtemper,€(2)€ð ðput€his€fist€through€a€doorðð€on€two€occasions,€(3)€hit€her€ð ðpretty€hardðð€on€the€back€ofÐ ¤ä Ðthe€head€during€an€argument,€(4)€swore€at€her,€(5)€threatened€repeatedly€to€kill€her,€(6)€threatenedÐ Ð Ðto€commit€suicide,€(7)€became€ð ðvengeful€and€sneaky€about€doing€things,ðð€(8)€refused€to€ð ðnurtureððÐ |¼ Ðthe€partiesðð€son€on€one€occasion,€and€(9)€had€been€voluntarily€unemployed€for€up€to€six€months.€Ð h¨ ÐWhen€asked€on€cross„examination€why€she€had€overlooked€these€matters€during€her€deposition,€Ms.Ð T ” ÐTaylor€responded€that€she€ð ðdidnððt€realize€that€I€needed€to€say€all€of€thatðð€and€that€she€ð ðdidnððt€realizeÐ @!€  Ðthatððs€what€you€were€after.ðð׃-×Ý ƒÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Despite€her€dramatic€accounts€of€Mr.€Yanuszððs€conduct€during€theÐ ,"l! Ðreconciliation,€Ms.€Taylor€denied€that€she€was€a€ð ðbattered€woman,ðð€admitted€that€her€testimony€wasÐ #X" ÐÔ_Ôbased€on€ð ðjust€a€couple€of€incidents,ðð€and€agreed€that€Mr.€Yanusz€ð ðappears€to€be€a€great€fatherðð€andÐ À Ðthat€he€was€a€ð ðpretty€decentðð€stay„at„home€dad.€€She€also€agreed€that€there€had€been€no€furtherÐ ¬ì Ðincidents€of€any€sort€following€the€partiesðð€separation€in€March€2001.€€Ð ˜Ø ÐÌà  àBased€on€Ms.€Taylorððs€testimony,€the€trial€court€concluded€that€there€had€been€ð ðmaterialÐ p° Ðchanges€in€circumstancesðð€since€the€partiesðð€divorce,€that€Mr.€Yanusz€ð ðhas€become€extremelyÐ \œ Ðviolent,€threatening€suicide,€threatening€death€to€the€mother,€and€numerous€verbal€and€physicalÐ H ˆ Ðassaults€on€the€mother,€several€of€such€occasions€having€been€shown€to€have€occurred€in€theÐ 4 t Ðpresence€of€the€minor€child,ðð€and€that€ð ðthe€fatherððs€extreme€jealousy€results€in€uncontrolled€outburstÐ  ` Ðand€anger.ðð€€Accordingly,€the€court€concluded€that€ð ðthese€escalating,€dangerous€material€changes€inÐ  L  Ðcircumstances€and€conditionsðð€warranted€awarding€sole€custody€of€the€partiesðð€son€to€Ms.€Taylor.€Ð ø 8  ÐThe€trial€court€also€ordered€Mr.€Yanusz€to€ð ðundergo€anger€management€counseling€with€notice€ofÐ ä $  Ðcompletion€of€such€course€being€filed€with€the€Court€within€180€days.ððÐ Ð  ÐÌà@……)ìàò òII.ó óˆÐ ¨è  ÐÌà  àCustody€and€visitation€decisions€are€among€the€most€important€decisions€that€courts€make.€Ð €À ÐòòSteen€v.€Steenóó,€61€S.W.3d€324,€327€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001);òò€Adelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2dÐ l¬ Ð482,€484€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€€Their€chief€purpose€is€to€promote€the€childððs€welfare€by€creatingÐ X˜ Ðan€environment€that€promotes€a€nurturing€relationship€with€both€parents.€€òòAaby€v.€Strangeóó,€924Ð D„ ÐS.W.2d€623,€629€(Tenn.€1996).Ð 0p ÐÌà  àEach€parent€has€his€or€her€own€strengths€and€weaknesses,€òòGaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,Ð H Ð630€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996),€and€it€would€be€unrealistic€to€measure€each€parent€against€the€standardÐ ô4 Ðof€perfection.€€òòEarls€v.€Earlsóó,€42€S.W.3d€877,€885€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000);€òòBush€v.€Bushóó,€684€S.W.2dÐ à  Ð89,€93€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984).€€Therefore,€custody€decisions€are€not€intended€to€reward€parents€forÐ Ì  Ðprior€virtuous€conduct€or€to€punish€them€for€their€human€frailties€or€past€missteps.€€òòEarls€v.€Earlsóó,Ð ¸ø Ð42€S.W.3d€at€885;€òòGaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€630.€€Ô#†¼Ô»XX„áÝ#ÔÔ‡X„áX»¼ÔÔRather,€taking€the€parents€as€they€presentlyÐ ¤ä Ðare,€the€courts€must€pragmatically€decide€whether€the€parents,€even€though€divorced,€will€be€able€toÐ Ð Ðshare€the€responsibilities€for€raising€their€child€or,€if€not,€which€of€the€two€parents€is€comparativelyÐ |¼ Ðmore€fit€to€take€on€the€primary€parenting€role.€€€Ð h¨ ÐÌà  àChildren€thrive€in€stable€environments.€€òòAaby€v.€Strangeóó,€924€S.W.2d€at€627;€òòGorski€v.Ð @!€  ÐRagainsóó,€No.€01A01„9710„GS„00597,€1999€WL€511451,€at€*4„5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€21,€1999)€(NoÐ ,"l! ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);€Ô#†¼Ô»XX„áb>#ÔÔ€X„áX»¼ÔÔNational€Interdisciplinary€Colloquium€on€Child€Custody,Ð #X" ÐòòLegal€and€Mental€Health€Perspectives€on€Child€Custody€Law:€A€Deskbook€for€Judges€óóðð€5:1,€at€51Ð $D # Ð(1998).€€Accordingly,€the€courts€favor€existing€custody€arrangements.€€òòTaylor€v.€Tayloróó,€849€S.W.2dÐ ð$0!$ Ð319,€332€(Tenn.€1993);€òòHoalcraft€v.€Smithsonóó,€19€S.W.3d€822,€828€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999).€€In€fact,Ð Ü%"% Ða€custody€decision,€once€made€and€implemented,€is€considered€res€judicata€upon€the€facts€inÐ È&#& Ðexistence€or€reasonably€foreseeable€when€the€decision€was€made.€€òòYoung€v.€Smithóó,€193€Tenn.€480,Ð ´'ô#' Ð485,€246€S.W.2d€93,€95€(1952);€òòSteen€v.€Steenóó,€61€S.W.3d€at€327;€òòSolima€v.€Solimaóó,€7€S.W.3d€30,Ð  (à$( Ð32€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).Ð Œ)Ì%) ÐÌà  àDespite€a€preference€for€continuing€existing€custody€arrangements,€the€courts€haveÐ d+¤'+ Ðrecognized€that€the€circumstances€of€children€and€their€parents€change.€€Accordingly,€our€statutesÐ P,(, Ðand€decisions€empower€the€courts€to€alter€custody€arrangements€when€intervening€circumstancesÐ <-|)- Ðrequire€modifications.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„101(a)(1)€(2001).€€Thus,€courts€may€modify€anÐ À Ðexisting€custody€arrangement€when€required€by€unanticipated€facts€or€subsequently€emergingÐ ¬ì Ðconditions.€€òòSmith€v.€Haaseóó,€521€S.W.2d€49,€50€(Tenn.€1975);€òòÔ_ÔAdelspergerÔ_Ô€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970Ð ˜Ø ÐS.W.2d€at€485.€€In€the€interests€of€stability€in€the€childððs€life,€a€court€should€not€alter€an€existingÐ „Ä Ðcustody€arrangement€until€(1)€it€is€satisfied€that€the€childððs€circumstances€have€changed€in€a€materialÐ p° Ðway€since€the€entry€of€the€presently€operative€custody€decree,€(2)€it€has€carefully€compared€theÐ \œ Ðcurrent€fitness€of€the€parents€to€be€the€childððs€custodian,€and€(3)€it€has€concluded€that€changing€theÐ H ˆ Ðexisting€custody€arrangement€is€in€the€childððs€best€interests.€€òòGorski€v.€Ragainsóó,€1999€WL€511451,Ð 4 t Ðat€*3.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àThere€are€no€bright€line€rules€for€determining€when€a€change€of€circumstances€should€beÐ ø 8  Ðdeemed€material€enough€to€warrant€changing€an€existing€custody€arrangement.€€òòTaylor€v.€Tayloróó,€849Ð ä $  ÐS.W.2d€at€327;€òòSolima€v.€Solimaóó,€7€S.W.3d€at€32.€€These€decisions€turn€on€the€unique€facts€of€eachÐ Ð  Ðcase.€€As€a€general€matter,€however,€the€following€principles€illuminate€the€inquiry.€€First,€the€changeÐ ¼ü  Ðof€circumstances€must€involve€the€childððs€circumstances€rather€than€those€of€either€or€both€parents.€Ð ¨è  ÐòòSteen€v.€Steenóó,€61€S.W.3d€at€327;€òòHoalcraft€v.€Smithsonóó,€19€S.W.3d€at€829.€€Second,€the€changedÐ ”Ô  Ðcircumstances€must€have€arisen€after€the€entry€of€the€custody€order€sought€to€be€modified.€€òòTurnerÐ €À Ðv.€Turneróó,€776€S.W.2d€88,€90€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€Third,€the€changed€circumstances€must€notÐ l¬ Ðhave€been€reasonably€anticipated€when€the€underlying€decree€was€entered.€€òòAdelsperger€v.Ð X˜ ÐAdelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€at€485.€€Fourth,€the€circumstances€must€affect€the€childððs€well„being€inÐ D„ Ðsome€material€way.€òòHoalcraft€v.€Smithsonóó,€19€S.W.3d€at€829;€òòDalton€v.€Daltonóó,€858€S.W.2d€324,Ð 0p Ð326€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1993).Ð \ ÐÌà  àThe€person€seeking€to€change€an€existing€custody€arrangement€has€the€burden€ofÐ ô4 Ðdemonstrating€both€that€the€childððs€circumstances€have€changed€materially€and€that€the€best€interestsÐ à  Ðof€the€child€require€a€change€in€the€existing€custody€arrangement.€€òòIn€re€Bridgesóó,€63€S.W.3d€346,€348Ð Ì  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001);€òòÔ_ÔMusselmanÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔAcuffÔ_Ôóó,€826€S.W.2d€920,€922€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€TheÐ ¸ø Ðthreshold€question€is€whether€there€has€been€a€material€change€in€the€childððs€circumstances.€€òòBlairÐ ¤ä Ðv.€Badenhopeóó,€___€S.W.3d€___,€___,€2002€Tenn.€LEXIS€192,€at€*35€(Tenn.€May€3,€2002);€òòIn€reÐ Ð ÐBridgesóó,€63€S.W.3d€at€348;€òòÔ_ÔPlacenciaÔ_Ô€v.€Placenciaóó,€48€S.W.3d€732,€736€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€IfÐ |¼ Ðthe€person€seeking€the€change€of€custody€cannot€demonstrate€that€the€childððs€circumstances€haveÐ h¨ Ðchanged€in€some€material€way,€the€trial€court€should€not€re„examine€the€comparative€fitness€of€theÐ T ” Ðparents,€òòCaudill€v.€Foleyóó,€21€S.W.3d€203,€213€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999),€or€engage€in€a€ð ðbest€interestsÐ @!€  Ðof€the€childðð€analysis.€€Rather,€in€the€absence€of€proof€of€a€material€change€in€the€childððsÐ ,"l! Ðcircumstances,€the€trial€court€should€simply€decline€to€change€custody.€€òòHoalcraft€v.€Smithsonóó,€19Ð #X" ÐS.W.3d€at€828.Ð $D # ÐÌà  àAppellate€courts€are€reluctant€to€second„guess€custody€decisions€when€so€much€depends€onÐ Ü%"% Ðthe€trial€courtððs€assessment€of€the€witnessesðð€credibility.€€òòNelson€v.€Nelsonóó,€66€S.W.3d€896,€901Ð È&#& Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001);€òòÔ_ÔGaskillÔ_Ô€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€631.€€However,€we€will€reverse€or€modifyÐ ´'ô#' Ða€trial€courtððs€custody€decision€if€we€conclude€that€the€trial€courtððs€decision€rests€on€an€error€of€lawÐ  (à$( Ðor€if€we€conclude€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€finding€that€there€has€been€a€materialÐ Œ)Ì%) Ðchange€in€the€childððs€circumstances€or€that€the€childððs€interests€will€be€best€served€by€changing€anÐ x*¸&* Ðexisting€custody€arrangement.€€òòSteen€v.€Steenóó,€61€S.W.3d€at€328;€òòPlacencia€v.€Placenciaóó,€3€S.W.3dÐ d+¤'+ Ð497,€499€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);€òòAdelsperger€v.€Adelspergeróó,€970€S.W.2d€at€485.Ð P,(, ÐÐ <-|)- Ðà@^^(ìàò òIII.ó óˆÐ À ÐÌà  àMr.€Yanusz€argues€on€this€appeal€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€determining€that€there€had€beenÐ ˜Ø Ða€material€change€in€his€sonððs€circumstances€because€he€and€Ms.€Taylor€continued€to€cohabit€asÐ „Ä Ðhusband€and€wife€following€their€divorce.€€Alternatively,€he€asserts€that€any€change€in€the€childððsÐ p° Ðcircumstances€that€may€have€occurred€did€not€materially€affect€his€son€and€that€he€continued€to€beÐ \œ Ðcomparatively€more€fit€than€Ms.€Taylor€to€be€the€custodial€parent.Ð H ˆ ÐÌà  àWe€turn€first€to€the€threshold€question€regarding€the€change€in€the€childððs€circumstances.€€WeÐ  ` Ðdo€not€agree€with€Mr.€Yanuszððs€assertion€that€the€childððs€circumstances€have€not€changed.€€As€aÐ  L  Ðgeneral€rule,€parties€go€their€separate€ways€after€a€divorce.€€They€do€not€customarily€continue€to€liveÐ ø 8  Ðtogether€as€husband€and€wife.€€Thus,€when€Mr.€Yanusz€and€Ms.€Taylor€divorced€in€November€1998,Ð ä $  Ðit€was€reasonable€for€the€trial€court€to€expect€that€Mr.€Yanusz€would€establish€a€separate€home€forÐ Ð  Ðhimself€and€his€son€without€Ms.€Taylor.€€It€would,€therefore,€have€not€been€reasonable€for€the€trialÐ ¼ü  Ðcourt€to€anticipate€that€Mr.€Yanusz€and€Ms.€Taylor€would€reconcile€and€resume€living€together.€Ð ¨è  ÐAccordingly,€the€partiesðð€reconciliation€amounted€to€a€change€of€circumstances.Ð ”Ô  ÐÌà  àA€much€closer€question€is€whether€this€change€of€circumstances€materially€affected€theÐ l¬ Ðpartiesðð€child.€€While€the€record€contains€an€abundance€of€evidence€regarding€the€effects€of€theÐ X˜ Ðattempted€reconciliation€on€Mr.€Yanusz€and€Ms.€Taylor,€there€is€relatively€little€evidence€regardingÐ D„ Ðits€effects€on€the€partiesðð€son.€€There€is€no€evidence€that€either€Mr.€Yanusz€or€Ms.€Taylor€directedÐ 0p Ðany€of€their€anger€or€frustration€toward€their€son.׃E×Ý ƒÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€What€evidence€there€is€depicts€the€child€as€happy,Ð \ Ðhealthy,€and€adjusted.€€However,€by€living€with€his€parents€from€February€1999€until€March€2001,Ð H Ðthe€boy€must€have€witnessed€and€must€have€been€affected€by€their€deteriorating€relationship.€Ð ô4 ÐTherefore,€we€find€that€the€partiesðð€attempted€reconciliation€and€their€treatment€of€each€other€duringÐ à  Ðthe€two€years€that€they€lived€together€following€the€divorce€must€have€materially€affected€their€son.Ð Ì  ÐÌà  àThe€partiesðð€decision€to€attempt€to€reconcile€for€their€sonððs€benefit€was€well„motivated€and,Ð ¤ä Ðin€retrospect,€ill„advised.€€According€to€Ms.€Taylor,€it€became€evident€€within€weeks€after€she€movedÐ Ð Ðback€in€with€Mr.€Yanusz€that€the€breach€in€their€relationship€caused€by€her€adultery€would€not€beÐ |¼ Ðeasily€overcome.€€We€have€no€doubt€that€Mr.€Yanuszððs€somewhat€justifiable€suspicions€about€Ms.Ð h¨ ÐTaylorððs€fidelity€caused€him€to€act€inappropriately€during€the€partiesðð€attempted€reconciliation.€Ð T ” ÐHowever,€Ms.€Taylor€is€not€without€fault.€€She€conceded€that€she€was€not€a€ð ðbattered€womanðð€andÐ @!€  Ðthat€she€had€ð ðbrushedðð€Mr.€Yanuszððs€face€on€one€occasion.€€She€also€did€not€dispute€that€she€couldÐ ,"l! Ðdish€it€out€ð ðabout€as€goodðð€as€she€could€take€it,€even€though€she€insisted€that€she€never€ð ðphysicallyÐ #X" Ðharmedðð€Mr.€Yanusz.€Ð $D # ЀÌà  àWe€do€not€condone€or€excuse€either€partyððs€conduct€during€the€reconciliation€period.€Ð Ü%"% ÐHowever,€we€conclude€that€the€record€does€not€support€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€at€the€timeÐ È&#& Ðof€the€August€27,€2001€hearing€Mr.€Yanuszððs€behavior€was€ð ðescalatingðð€or€ð ðdangerous.ðð€€All€theÐ ´'ô#' Ðmanifestations€of€inappropriate€behavior€that€Ms.€Taylor€complained€about€at€trial€ceased€with€theÐ  (à$( Ðpartiesðð€separation.€€In€the€absence€of€any€evidence€in€the€record€of€similar€conduct€by€Mr.€YanuszÐ À Ðafter€March€2001,€the€record€more€properly€supports€the€conclusion€that€Mr.€Yanuszððs€conduct€wasÐ ¬ì Ðbrought€on€by€the€stress€of€continuing€to€live€with€Ms.€Taylor€when€he€believed€that€she€was€againÐ ˜Ø Ðbeing€unfaithful€to€him.׃7×Ý ƒÿÿÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€With€this€stress€removed,€there€is€no€evidence€that€Mr.€Yanusz€is€unableÐ „Ä Ðor€unwilling€to€continue€being€his€sonððs€primary€physical€custodian.Ð p° ÐÌà  àBased€on€our€review€of€the€record,€we€have€concluded€that€Ms.€Taylor€failed€to€carry€herÐ H ˆ Ðburden€of€demonstrating€that,€at€the€time€of€the€August€2001€hearing,€changing€the€joint€custodyÐ 4 t Ðarrangement€the€parties€had€agreed€to€in€November€1998€was€in€their€sonððs€best€interests.€Ð  ` ÐAccordingly,€we€conclude€that€the€trial€court€was,€in€effect,€punishing€Mr.€Yanusz€for€his€conductÐ  L  Ðduring€the€partiesðð€attempted€reconciliation.€€Without€evidence€that€this€conduct€continued€after€theÐ ø 8  Ðparties€finally€separated,€the€record€simply€does€not€support€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€Mr.Ð ä $  ÐÔ_ÔYanuszÔ_Ôððs€conduct,€by€the€time€of€the€August€2001€hearing,€was€escalating€and€violent€enough€toÐ Ð  Ðrequire€a€change€in€custody.Ð ¼ü  ÐÌà@dd)ìàò òIV.ó óˆÐ ”Ô  ÐÌà  àWe€vacate€the€portion€of€the€August€29,€2001€order€awarding€sole€physical€custody€of€theÐ l¬ Ðpartiesðð€son€to€Ms.€Taylor.€€We€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€with€directions€to€reinstate€the€jointÐ X˜ Ðcustody€arrangement€embodied€in€the€partiesðð€marital€dissolution€agreement€as€appropriatelyÐ D„ Ðmodified€in€the€trial€courtððs€discretion€to€fit€the€partiesðð€existing€circumstances.€€We€also€direct€theÐ 0p Ðtrial€court€to€set€Ms.€Taylorððs€child€support€obligation€in€accordance€with€the€child€supportÐ \ Ðguidelines.€€We€tax€the€costs€of€this€appeal€in€equal€proportions€to€Tracey€L.€Taylor€and€to€John€J.Ð H ÐYanusz€and€his€surety€for€which€execution,€if€necessary,€may€issue.Ð ô4 ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_____________________________€Ð ¸ø Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGE