’WPC‡ ā§ĘĖĮ˱²_Źį2‘xwīLtB-RÜ|椗x‹k\žÉZZłdšu†ŹłÜńi_ö#—6Ŗ‚j›b‘ż3Äėņtn ā«®1¼ŚģfEhNIY,Ļ‚9ŌĶb²725š„„ī£ļĪŅ&™DÕ,۰ß»“ÉwģIĆC°‹ė q½ļ}µ•ƒ^:tĪ|†ŸžĪoŻņĆæśŌr„™#óSń“AŽč(°–Č Ńļw"Ķ…ł—Ū¹¬÷'Œ„ģč;šœm?‹įhd¢}!„ҽLY"nÅ]˜’U\Kb*ׇĆ1ļ‚|tóaō…pĒ€ō$×"”–Nx2ĻøÓ5S[ÄąS—“ĘbbĘWßģų¾ĄŌžr÷“ "H.,ÕźOBĒÉ,ĀÚ|’ą®ĀįØš¹ŗ˜K €Ó3Ȧ*/āķ…CVśōüB1y)ą ·œ‚¦ž>|W÷ŗQ×=#ӂÜ`<®cTѹKAe-ā”?_“žŁKöOśåo÷I"G™Ås”œćyń;Oŗ–°Y[ÜrŁ=—ż\6‘¬b %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkŅå· m¹ #ĮŠ ī‘ Ę ĘE Ę ĘŃ 0D—NŪQŻ1.E_aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaab|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 0ė„„„„ Boo 0¤Œ D30 D-c 0K ASŪĘ. 0¤ō 0D˜ A«Ü»ėnC-s (`£Ŗ$””Ń€.ŃŃ8€½­»»d»»d8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  Ó(ķ€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularš‚,-¢Ų+003|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 ’U‹’ĄĄĄ˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ČČ,,,,ČČ0 äŻ ƒRģ­$ŻÓ  Óą  ąņņŚ  Ś1Ś  ŚóóŌ€ō“ņ»»ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌThe€judgment€of€divorce€was€later€modified€in€ways€that€are€not€material€to€the€issues€on€this€appeal.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ć$ņņŚ  Ś0Ś  Śóó GŻ ƒRģ­$ŻÓ  Óą  ąņņŚ  Ś3Ś  ŚóóŌ€ō“ņ»»ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌThe€person€in€question€is€Motherššs€maternal€grandmother€and€the€childrenššs€great„grandmother.€€However,Š ° Šfor€ease€of€reference,€we€will€refer€to€her€as€š šthe€grandmother.šš 'Ż ƒRģ­$ŻÓ  Óą  ąņņŚ  Ś2Ś  ŚóóŌ€ō“ņ»»ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌPrior€to€this€matter€reaching€us,€there€were€post„divorce€judgment€proceedings€leading€to€the€modificationsŠ ° Šalluded€to€in€footnote€1€to€this€opinion. Ż ƒRģ­$ŻÓ  Óą  ąņņŚ  Ś4Ś  ŚóóŌ€ō“ņ»»ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌThere€is€no€proof€in€the€record€indicating€that€Motherššs€parents€and€her€grandmother€live€in€close€proximityŠ ° Što€one€another.- ł-(|G2ģ­$¤¤Ż ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€ }»»dd8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  Żą  ąņņŚ  Ś0Ś  ŚóóŌ€ō“ņ»»Ō d(|3æl$££Ż ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€ }»»dd8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  ŻVVVV'’’dxd)!ČČČČdxdx( ±ž$’’ņ ņFigure€Ś  Ś1Ś  Śó ó^_X`YEž’<<C’’ƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3æl$¢¢Ż ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€ }»»dd8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  Ż($$””ņ ņŚ  Ś1Ś  Śó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’ HKKKKŻ ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€ }»»ddČ8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŃ  ŃŌ€¼ }»»»ŌŃ8€\XXdģ»»d8ŃŃ  Ńą@ü ü ģąŌ‡īü }ŌIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆŠ ° Šą@kk$ģąAT€NASHVILLEŌ#†¼ }»īīü #ԈŠ Ö& ŠÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€June€27,€2002Š üL ŠŌ‡X\X»¼ }ŌĢņ ņŌ#†¼ }»XX\ż#ŌJOE€PHILLIP€Ō_ŌLIVINGSTONŌ_Ōņņóó€v.€JENNIFER€ELAINE€Ō_ŌLIVINGSTONŌ_ŌņņóóŌ‡X\X»¼ }Ōó óŠ śJ ŠĢą@@½½ģąņ ņ€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Coffee€CountyŠ ś J Šą@@ųųģąNo.€00„390€€€€€€John€W.€Rollins,€JudgeŠ ę 6 ŠĢĢą@@ģģ*ģąßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` Aߊ Ŗś  ŠĢą@@TTģąNo.€M2001„02697„Ō_ŌCOAŌ_Ō„R3„CV€„€Filed€October€3,€Ō_Ō2002Ō_ԀР„õ  ŠĢßA€V) °°` dE<|` Aߊ }Ķ  Šó óĢÓ  Óą  ąThis€is€a€divorce€case.€€The€trial€court€granted€Joe€Phillip€Ō_ŌLivingstonŌ_Ō€(š šFatheršš)Ō#†¼ }»XX\Ć#ŌŌ‡X\X»¼ }Ō€a€divorceŠ xČ  Šfrom€Jennifer€Elaine€Ō_ŌLivingstonŌ_Ō€(š šMotheršš)€on€the€ground€of€inappropriate€marital€conduct€andŠ d“ Šawarded€primary€physical€custody€of€the€partiesšš€two€minor€children€to€Father.€€Mother€was€grantedŠ P  Švisitation€rights;€however,€the€court€ordered€that€she€š šrefrain€from€allowing€the€partiesšš€children€toŠ <Œ Šbe€at€the€residence€of€[Motherššs]€maternal€grandmotheršš€during€visitation.€€Mother€appeals€the€awardŠ (x Šof€custody€and€the€granting€of€the€divorce€to€Father.€€In€addition,€Mother€also€raises€a€proceduralŠ d Šissue€and€questions€the€admission€of€certain€evidence.€€We€affirm.Š P ŠÓÓĢņ ņTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtŠ Ų( ŠAffirmed;€Case€Remandedó óŠ Ä ŠĢņņÓ  ÓŌ#†¼ }»ąX\µ#ŌŌ‡X\X.¼ }ŌCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€ņņHouston€M.€Ō_ŌGoddardŌ_Ō,Š œģ ŠŌ_ŌP.J.Ō_Ō,óó€and€ņņD.€Michael€Ō_ŌSwineyŌ_Ō,€J.óó,€joined.Š ˆŲ ŠĢBrenda€S.€Ō_ŌBramlettŌ_Ō,€Ō_ŌShelbyvilleŌ_Ō,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Jennifer€Elaine€Ō_ŌLivingstonŌ_Ō.Š `° ŠĢRandall€W.€Morrison,€Ō_ŌTullahomaŌ_Ō,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Joe€Phillip€Ō_ŌLivingstonŌ_Ō.Š 8!ˆ  ŠÓu ÓĢņ ņOPINIONó óŌ#†¼ }»XX\¤ #ŌŌ‡X\X»¼ }ŌŠ #`" ŠĢņņóóŌ#†¼ }»XX\› #ŌŌ‡X\X»¼ }ŌÓ  ÓÓ  ÓI.Ō#†¼ }»XX\ł #ŌŌ€X\X»¼ }ŌŠ č$8 $ ŠĢÓ$ Óą  ąThe€parties€were€married€on€September€9,€1995;€at€the€time,€Father€was€46€years€of€age€andŠ Ą&"& ŠMother€was€22.€€Two€children€were€born€to€their€union,€Daniel€Ō_ŌGaigeŌ_Ō€(DOB:€January€12,€1996)€andŠ ¬'ü"' ŠŌ_ŌCortneyŌ_Ō€Ō_ŌPaigeŌ_Ō€(DOB:€May€7,€1998).€€For€over€16€years,€Father€had€owned€and€operated€his€ownŠ ˜(č#( Šbusiness€in€Ō_ŌTullahomaŌ_Ō,€selling€and€installing€garage€doors.€€Mother€worked€in€Fatherššs€business,Š „)Ō$) Šanswering€the€telephone.Š p*Ą%* ŠĢą  ąWhile€Mother€claims€that€the€parties€have€had€problems€throughout€their€marriage,€FatherŠ H,˜', Šcontends€that€their€problems€began€in€the€latter€part€of€1998€or€early€1999,€when,€according€toŠ 4-„(-ż ŠŌ_ŌFather,€Mother€announced€that€she€wanted€a€divorce€because€she€was€in€love€with€a€woman,€LindaŠ ° ŠShort.€€Mother€admits€that€she€met€Linda€Short€in€an€internet€chatroom€for€lesbians€and€testified€thatŠ œģ Šshe€simply€talked€to€Ms.€Short€about€her€marital€problems.€€Mother€vehemently€denies€that€she€hadŠ ˆŲ Ša€romantic€relationship€with€Ms.€Short.Š tÄ ŠĢą  ąIn€early€March,€2000,€Mother€was€visiting€her€parents€in€Nashville.€€Late€that€evening,€FatherŠ L œ Šcontacted€Mother€and€insisted€that€she€return€to€Tullahoma€with€the€children.€€Mother€testified€thatŠ 8 ˆ Šshe€was€very€upset€about€this,€as€the€children€were€already€asleep€and€the€weather€was€stormy,€butŠ $ t Šshe€acquiesced€in€Fatherššs€demands.€€While€en€route€to€Tullahoma,€Mother€telephoned€FatherŠ  ` Šutilizing€her€cell€phone€and€Father€recorded€the€majority€of€their€conversation.€€On€the€recording,Š ü L  Šwhich€was€admitted€into€evidence€at€trial,€Mother€launches€into€an€acerbic€diatribe,€cursing€Father,Š č 8  Šmaking€threats,€raising€her€voice,€and€repeatedly€emphasizing€how€miserable€she€is€in€her€marriage.€Š Ō$  ŠThroughout€this€35„minute€recording,€the€partiesšš€children€were€in€Motherššs€automobile.€€AccordingŠ Ą  Što€her,€the€children€were€asleep.Š ¬ü  ŠĢą  ąIn€September,€2000,€Father€filed€for€divorce€on€the€ground€of€inappropriate€marital€conduct.€Š „Ō  ŠMother€filed€a€counterclaim€premised€upon€the€same€ground.€€Following€a€hearing€in€June,€2001,Š pĄ Šthe€trial€court€entered€a€judgment,€in€which€it€granted€Father€an€absolute€divorce€based€uponŠ \¬ ŠMotherššs€inappropriate€marital€conduct.€€With€respect€to€custody,€the€trial€court€granted€primaryŠ H˜ Šphysical€custody€to€Father,€designating€him€as€the€š šprimary€residential€parent.šš€€The€court€awardedŠ 4„ ŠMother€visitation€rights.€€The€parties€were€to€share€time€with€the€children,€š šalternating€from€four€(4)Š  p Šdays€one€week€to€three€(3)€days€the€following€week.šš€€The€court€specified€that€once€the€oldest€childŠ  \ Šbegan€attending€school,€the€visitation€arrangement€would€be€modified€to€accommodate€the€childššsŠ ųH Šschool€schedule.€€The€court€further€ordered€that,€during€the€childrenššs€visitation€with€Mother,€sheŠ ä4 Šwas€not€to€allow€the€children€to€be€at€the€residence€of€Motherššs€grandmother.€€Finally,€the€court€ruledŠ Š  Šthat€Mother€would€not€be€required€to€pay€child€support€until€her€visitation€rights€were€modified.€€InŠ ¼  Šthe€judgment,€the€court€also€divided€the€partiesšš€marital€property.€€From€this€judgment,׃ ׯ ƒ#ĆŻņņŚ  Ś1Ś  ŚóóŻ  Ż×  ׀MotherŠ Øų Šappeals.Š ”ä ŠÓ  ÓĢÓēÓÓ  ÓII.Š l¼ ŠÓÓņņóóĢą  ąThere€are€no€findings€of€fact€in€the€judgment.€€Furthermore,€there€are€no€specific€findingsŠ D!” Šrecited€by€the€trial€court€at€the€conclusion€of€the€proof.€€The€sole€comment€made€by€the€court€beforeŠ 0"€  Šrendering€its€decision€from€the€bench€is€as€follows:Š #l! ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąFolks,€the€tape€tells€a€story€about€this.€€I€donššt€really€care€aboutŠ ō$D # Š[Motherššs]€sexual€preferences,€itššs€really€none€of€my€business€whatŠ ą%0!$ Šshe€does€and€what€she€doesnššt€do€in€her€private€life.€€That€tape€isŠ Ģ&"% Špretty€compelling.€€I€think€itššs€an€indication€of€a€young€lady€who€isŠ ø'#& Švery€unhappy€with€her€marriage€and€looking€for€any€reason€to€get€outŠ ¤(ō#' Šof€it.А)ą$(` x` x Їą  ąGenerally€speaking,€in€a€divorce€proceeding€at€a€bench€trial,€our€review€is€ņņde€novoóó€upon€theŠ ° Šrecord€of€the€proceedings€below,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctness€as€to€the€trial€courtššsŠ œģ Šfactual€findings€that€we€must€honor€š šunless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.šš€€Tenn.Š ˆŲ ŠR.€App.€P.€13(d);€ņņsee€alsoóó€ņņņ ņHass€v.€Knightonó óóó,€676€S.W.2d€554,€555€(Tenn.€1984).€€However,€in€theŠ tÄ Šinstant€case,€š šour€ability€to€attach€the€presumption€of€correctness€to€the€trial€courtššs€decision€hasŠ `° Šbeen€hampered€by€the€absence€of€any€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€by€the€trial€judge€or€anyŠ L œ Šother€explanation€of€the€rationale€used€to€achieve€the€final€result.šš€€ņ ņņņKelly€v.€Kellyó óóó,€679€S.W.2d€458,Š 8 ˆ Š460€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984).€€As€there€are€no€findings€of€fact€to€which€the€presumption€of€correctnessŠ $ t Šcan€attach,€we€must€š šconduct€our€own€independent€review€of€the€record€to€ņņdetermine€where€theŠ  ` Špreponderance€of€the€evidence€liesóó,šš€ņ ņņņCrabtree€v.€Crabtreeó óóó,€16€S.W.3d€356,€360€(Tenn.€2000)Š ü L  Š(emphasis€added)€(citing€ņ ņņņBrooks€v.€Brooksó óóó,€992€S.W.2d€403,€405€(Tenn.€1999)).ņņóóŠ č 8  ŠÓ  ÓĢÓ  ÓIII.Š Ą  ŠÓ &ÓÓ  Óą  ąĢą  ąMother€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€properly€consider€the€best€interest€of€theŠ ˜č  Šchildren€in€awarding€custody€to€Father.€€Mother€contends€that€the€factors€set€forth€in€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„Š „Ō  Š106€(2001),€which,€both€sides€agree,€must€be€considered€in€determining€the€custody€of€children,Š pĄ Šš šclearly€favor€an€award€of€custody€to€Mother.šš€€In€the€alternative,€Mother€contends€that€even€if€theŠ \¬ Štrial€court€applied€the€best€interest€standard,€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€award€of€custodyŠ H˜ Što€Father.Š 4„ ŠĢą  ąT.C.A.€šš€36„6„106€provides,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Š  \ ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(a)€In€a€suit€for€annulment,€divorce,€separate€maintenance,€or€in€any€Š ä4 Šother€proceeding€requiring€the€court€to€make€a€custody€determinationŠ Š  Šregarding€a€minor€child,€such€determination€shall€be€made€upon€theŠ ¼  Šbasis€of€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€The€court€shall€consider€allŠ Øų Šrelevant€factors€including€the€following€where€applicable:Š”ä` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(1)€The€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€theŠ l¼ Šparents€and€child;ŠX Ø` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(2)€The€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,Š 0"€  Šclothing,€medical€care,€education€and€other€necessary€care€and€theŠ #l! Šdegree€to€which€a€parent€has€been€the€primary€caregiver;Š$X"` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(3)€The€importance€of€continuity€in€the€childššs€life€and€the€length€ofŠ ą%0!$ Štime€the€child€has€lived€in€a€stable,€satisfactory€environment;€....€€ŠĢ&"%` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(4)€The€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;Ф(ō#'` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(5)€The€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;Š|*Ģ%)` x` x ŠŠ h+ø&* Šą  ąą8 ` ą(6)€The€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;а` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(7)€The€reasonable€preference€of€the€child€if€twelve€(12)€years€of€ageŠ ˆŲ Šor€older.€€The€court€may€hear€the€preference€of€a€younger€child€uponŠ tÄ Šrequest.€€The€preferences€of€older€children€should€normally€be€givenŠ `° Šgreater€weight€than€those€of€younger€children;ŠL œ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€to€the€otherŠ $ t Šparent€or€to€any€other€person;€....Š `` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(9)€The€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€orŠ č 8  Šfrequents€the€home€of€a€parent€and€such€personššs€interactions€with€theŠ Ō$  Šchild;€€andŠĄ ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(10)€Each€parentššs€past€and€potential€for€future€performance€ofŠ ˜č  Šparenting€responsibilities,€including€the€willingness€and€ability€ofŠ „Ō  Šeach€of€the€parents€to€facilitate€and€encourage€a€close€and€continuingŠ pĄ Šparent-child€relationship€between€the€child€and€the€other€parent,Š \¬ Šconsistent€with€the€best€interest€of€the€child.ŠH˜` x` x ŠĢą  ąThe€testimony€in€the€record€relating€to€the€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€between€eachŠ  p Šparent€and€the€children€is€conflicting.€Both€parents€testified€as€to€the€love€she/he€possesses€for€theŠ  \ Šchildren,€and€both€parents€testified€that€the€children€„€at€one€time€or€another€„€had€demonstrated€aŠ ųH Šlack€of€affection€for€the€other€parent.€€ņņSeeóó€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„106(a)(1).€€While€it€is€clear€from€the€recordŠ ä4 Šthat€Mother€has€been€the€childrenššs€primary€caregiver,€the€testimony€reveals€that€both€parentsŠ Š  Šprovided€the€children€with€food,€clothing,€and€other€necessary€care.€€While€Mother€has€obtained€aŠ ¼  Šhigher€level€of€education€than€Father,€there€is€nothing€in€the€record€to€indicate€that€Father€would€notŠ Øų Šassist€the€children€in€receiving€a€proper€education.ņņ€€Seeóó€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„106(a)(2).Š ”ä ŠĢą  ąWith€respect€to€the€stability€and€continuity€of€the€childrenššs€environment,€the€childrenŠ l¼ Šcontinue€to€live€in€Tullahoma,€where€they€have€resided€since€birth.€€Following€the€divorce,׃ׯ ƒ#ĆŻņņŚ  Ś2Ś  ŚóóŻ  Ż×  ׀MotherŠ X Ø Šreturned€to€Nashville€and€moved€into€her€parentsšš€home.€€At€the€time€of€the€divorce,€the€parties€wereŠ D!” Šalternating€custody€of€the€children€on€a€four„day/three„day€per€week€arrangement.€€Pursuant€to€theŠ 0"€  Štrial€courtššs€judgment,€once€the€partiesšš€oldest€child€began€attending€school€in€Tullahoma,€the€courtŠ #l! Šrevisited€the€previous€custody€arrangement.€€At€that€time,€custody€was€modified€to€reflect€thatŠ $X" ŠMother€would€have€visitation€with€the€children€every€other€weekend€and,€on€the€weeks€that€MotherŠ ō$D # Šdid€not€have€weekend€visitation,€she€would€have€the€children€on€Wednesday€evening.€€The€trial€courtŠ ą%0!$ Šadditionally€ordered€that€the€parties€would€alternate€and/or€evenly€divide€holidays€and€schoolŠ Ģ&"% Švacations.€€From€all€indications,€the€children€have€lived€in€š ša€stable,€satisfactory€environmentšš€inŠ ø'#& Šthe€home€in€Tullahoma.ņņóóŠ ¤(ō#' Їą  ąBoth€parents€have€numerous€family€members€living€in€the€vicinity€of€their€respective€homes.€Š ° ŠThe€trial€testimony€reveals€that€Fatherššs€children€from€a€previous€marriage,€as€well€as€his€sister,Š œģ Šreside€in€Tullahoma€or€the€surrounding€area.€€Motherššs€parents€and€other€extended€family€membersŠ ˆŲ Šlive€in€Nashville.€€ņņSeeóó€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„106(a)(4).Š tÄ ŠĢą  ąAs€to€the€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parties,€there€is€evidence€in€the€record€that€FatherŠ L œ Štakes€medication€to€control€both€high€blood€pressure€and€seizures.€€However,€FatherššsŠ 8 ˆ Šuncontroverted€testimony€reveals€that€he€has€not€suffered€a€seizure€in€13€years.€€Further,€there€wasŠ $ t Šno€testimony€elicited€that€Father€was€in€poor€health€or€that€his€health€condition€would€in€any€wayŠ  ` Šimpact€his€ability€to€care€for€the€children.€€There€was€no€testimony€with€respect€to€Motherššs€mentalŠ ü L  Šhealth;€the€recorded€telephone€conversation,€however,€clearly€portrays€an€individual€consumed€withŠ č 8  Šhatred€and€anger.€€ņņSeeóó€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„106(a)(5).Š Ō$  ŠĢą  ąWhile€the€partiesšš€oldest€child€is€now€attending€school,€there€is€no€evidence€in€the€recordŠ ¬ü  Šrelating€to€his€school€record.€€ņņSeeóó€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„106(a)(6).€€Because€neither€of€the€children€is€overŠ ˜č  Šthe€age€of€12€and€because€the€parties€apparently€did€not€request€that€the€trial€court€hear€theŠ „Ō  Špreferences€of€the€children,€the€factor€set€forth€in€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„106(a)(7)€is€not€applicable€to€theŠ pĄ Šfacts€of€this€case.Š \¬ ŠĢą  ąWhile€there€is€no€evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€of€the€children,€there€is€testimonyŠ 4„ Šin€the€record€relating€to€the€physical€and€emotional€abuse€of€each€parent€at€the€hands€of€the€otherŠ  p Šparent.€€Mother€testified€that€she€had€a€criminal€warrant€issued€against€Father€for€hitting€her,€thoughŠ  \ ŠFather€denied€this€charge.€€On€the€recording€of€Motherššs€telephone€conversation€with€Father,€MotherŠ ųH Šstated€as€follows:Š ä4 ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąYeah,€Iššve€enjoyed€f„„„„„„€hitting€you.€€I€want€to€f„„„„„„€hurt€you.€€IŠ ¼  Šcare€less€if€I€hurt€your€arm€or€not.€€I€hope€your€f„„„„„„€arm€hurts.€€IŠ Øų Šwant€to€come€over€there€and€hit€you€some€more€tonight.€€Go€up€thereŠ ”ä Šand€just€beat€the€f„„„€out€of€you.€€Take€a€f„„„„„„€bat€and€beat€your€fŌ‡?Ų™ =XX\Ō„„„„„„Š €Š ŠŌ#†X\X =?Ų™­G#Ōhead€off,€because€you€deserve€it.€€Šl¼` x` x ŠĢAt€trial,€Mother€claimed€that€she€was€referring€to€š šwrestl[ing]€around€and€play[ing]šš€and€that€she€hadŠ D!” Šš šnever€hit€[Father]€in€anger.šš€€However,€after€listening€to€the€tape€recording,€we€cannot€construeŠ 0"€  ŠMotherššs€statements€to€reflect€any€sort€of€playfulness.€€With€respect€to€emotional€abuse,€there€isŠ #l! Štestimony€in€the€record€that€both€parties€engaged€in€name„calling,€though€Motherššs€penchant€forŠ $X" Šname„calling€was€particularly€evident€on€the€tape€recording.€€In€the€taped€conversation€that€lastedŠ ō$D # Šfor€around€35€minutes,€Mother€managed€to€use€the€f„word€or€some€derivative€of€that€wordŠ ą%0!$ Šapproximately€170€times,€while€her€children€were€supposedly€asleep€in€the€backseat€of€herŠ Ģ&"% Šautomobile.€€While€Father€offered€no€proof€to€dispute€Motherššs€contention€that€the€children€wereŠ ø'#& Šasleep€throughout€this€entire€conversation,€that€does€not€change€the€fact€that€Mother€freely€and€loudlyŠ ¤(ō#' Šused€this€abusive€language€within€earshot€of€her€children,€who€could€have€woken€up€at€any€time.€Š )ą$( ŠņņSeeóó€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„106(a)(8).Š |*Ģ%) ŠŠ h+ø&* Šą  ąFather€has€no€one€residing€in€his€home€aside€from€the€children.€€Mother,€on€the€other€hand,Š ° Šresides€with€her€parents.€€Father€testified€that€his€mother„in„law€had€once€shown€him€a€bag€ofŠ œģ Šmarijuana€that€supposedly€belonged€to€Motherššs€brother,€and€that€the€mother„in„lawššs€statementsŠ ˆŲ Šconcerning€the€drugs€indicated€her€apparent€approval.€€However,€both€Mother€and€her€motherŠ tÄ Štestified€that€they€had€never€seen€any€marijuana€or€other€illegal€drugs€in€their€home,€nor€had€theyŠ `° Šever€shown€any€drugs€to€Father.€€ņņSee€óó€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„106(a)(9).Š L œ ŠĢą  ąFinally,€with€respect€to€the€partiesšš€willingness€to€facilitate€and€encourage€a€close€relationshipŠ $ t Šbetween€the€children€and€the€other€parent,€each€parent€testified€that€the€other€parent€failed€toŠ  ` Šaccomplish€this.€€Mother€testified€that€Father€told€the€partiesšš€son€that€he€did€not€have€to€mind€hisŠ ü L  Šmother;€she€also€testified€that€Father€would€undermine€Motherššs€attempts€to€discipline€the€children.€Š č 8  ŠFather€testified€that€Mother€taught€their€son€to€kick€Father€between€the€legs€and€that€Mother€onceŠ Ō$  Štold€their€son€to€jump€on€Fatherššs€stomach€while€Father€was€in€bed€asleep.€€The€partiesšš€neighbor,Š Ą  ŠSheryl€Branch,€testified€by€deposition€that€she€had€overheard€Mother€telling€the€partiesšš€daughter€š štoŠ ¬ü  Šhate€men€because€they€were€no€good.šš€€ņņSeeóó€T.C.A.€šš€36„6„106(a)(10).Š ˜č  ŠĢą  ąAfter€evaluating€the€proof€in€the€record€and€independently€reviewing€the€evidence€presentedŠ pĄ Šin€light€of€the€foregoing€factors,€we€find€that€the€evidence€preponderates€in€favor€of€an€award€ofŠ \¬ Šcustody€to€Father.€€Accordingly,€we€find€no€abuse€of€discretion€on€the€part€of€the€trial€court€inŠ H˜ Šawarding€custody€to€Father.€€ņņSee€ņ ņGaskill€v.€Gaskilló óóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€631€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).Š 4„ ŠĢÓ  ÓIV.Š  \ ŠĢÓ¬UÓą  ąMother€next€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€award€the€divorce€to€š šeither€orŠ ä4 Što€both€parties.šš€€This€issue€is€somewhat€difficult€to€fathom€because€the€court,€in€granting€a€divorceŠ Š  Što€Father,€did€grant€a€divorce€to€one€of€the€parties,€ņņi.e.óó,€within€the€concept€of€š šeitheršš€as€stated€in€theŠ ¼  Šissue.€€Apparently,€Mother€feels€that€the€divorce€should€have€been€granted€to€the€parties€jointlyŠ Øų Šinstead€of€to€Father.€€ņņSeeóó€T.C.A.€šš€36„4„129€(2001).€€We€will€evaluate€this€issue€according€to€whatŠ ”ä Šwe€believe€Wife€means.Š €Š ŠĢą  ąThe€transcript€of€the€proceedings€below€reflects€that€the€trial€court,€in€delivering€its€rulingŠ X Ø Šfrom€the€bench€at€the€conclusion€of€the€trial,€did€not€state€which€of€the€parties€was€awarded€theŠ D!” Šdivorce.€€In€fact,€the€trial€court€did€not€mention€the€granting€of€the€divorce€at€the€conclusion€of€theŠ 0"€  Štrial.€€However,€this€is€of€no€import.€€š šA€Court€speaks€only€through€its€written€judgments,€dulyŠ #l! Šentered€upon€its€minutes.šš€€ņ ņņņSparkle€Laundry€&€Cleaners,€Inc.€v.€Keltonó óóó,€595€S.W.2d€88,€93€(Tenn.Š $X" ŠCt.€App.€1979).ņņóó€€In€the€final€judgment,€the€divorce€is€awarded€to€father.Š ō$D # ŠĢą  ąFurther,€in€independently€reviewing€the€proof€in€this€case,€we€find€that€the€evidenceŠ Ģ&"% Špreponderates€in€favor€of€a€finding€that€Father€is€entitled€to€a€divorce€on€the€ground€of€inappropriateŠ ø'#& Šmarital€conduct.€€Father€testified€that€Mother€announced€to€him€that€she€wanted€a€divorce€becauseŠ ¤(ō#' Šshe€was€in€love€with€a€woman€and€wanted€to€move€in€with€that€woman.€€There€was€proof€thatŠ )ą$( ŠMother€and€this€woman,€at€a€minimum,€had€an€internet€š šrelationshipšš€in€a€lesbian€chatroom.€€TheŠ |*Ģ%) Špartiesšš€neighbors,€Greg€and€Sheryl€Branch,€both€testified€that€they€witnessed€Mother€waving€aŠ h+ø&* Šhandgun€toward€Father€while€backing€out€of€the€partiesšš€driveway€in€her€automobile.€€Further,€theŠ ° Šsubstance€of€Motherššs€recorded€telephone€conversation€with€Father,€replete€with€threats€and€cursingŠ œģ Šthat€would€cause€a€sailor€to€blush,€provides€ample€proof€of€inappropriate€marital€conduct€on€the€partŠ ˆŲ Šof€Mother.€€€€€Š tÄ ŠĢÓ  ÓV.Š L œ ŠĢA.Š $ t ŠĢÓ»_Óą  ąMother€next€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€the€testimony€by€deposition€of€theŠ ü L  Špartiesšš€neighbor,€Sheryl€Branch.€€According€to€Mother,€Ms.€Branch€was€available€to€testify€inŠ č 8  Šperson.Š Ō$  ŠĢą  ąIt€appears€that€Ms.€Branch€was€scheduled€to€undergo€surgery€shortly€before€an€earlier€trialŠ ¬ü  Šsetting.€€Because€of€this,€the€parties€agreed€to€take€her€deposition€for€proof.€€Later,€the€trial€was€re„Š ˜č  Šscheduled,€apparently€for€reasons€unrelated€to€Ms.€Branch.€€Mother€contends€that€Ms.€Branch€neverŠ „Ō  Šhad€the€surgery.€€As€a€result,€she€objected€to€the€introduction€of€the€deposition€testimony€when€theŠ pĄ Šcase€was€finally€heard,€asserting€that€Ms.€Branch€was€available€to€testify€in€person.Š \¬ ŠĢą  ąTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€32.01€provides,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Š 4„ ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąAt€the€trial€or€upon€the€hearing€of€a€motion€...,€any€part€or€all€of€aŠ  \ Šdeposition,€so€far€as€admissible€under€the€rules€of€evidence€appliedŠ ųH Šas€though€the€witness€were€then€present€and€testifying,€may€be€usedŠ ä4 Šagainst€any€party€who€was€present€or€represented€at€the€taking€of€theŠ Š  Šdeposition€or€who€had€reasonable€notice€thereof,€in€accordance€withŠ ¼  Šany€of€the€following€provisions:ŠØų` x` x ŠĢÓ  Óą8 @ ąą8@` Š Š ą*€*€*Š €Š ŠĢÓźeÓą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(3)€The€deposition€of€a€witness,€whether€or€not€a€party,€may€be€usedŠ X Ø Šby€any€party€for€any€purpose€if€the€court€finds:€...€(C)€that€the€witnessŠ D!” Šis€unable€to€attend€of€testify€because€of€age,€illness,€infirmity,€orŠ 0"€  Šimprisonment;€....Š#l!` x` x ŠĢą  ąIn€this€case,€it€is€undisputed€that€the€parties€agreed€to€take€the€deposition€of€Ms.€Branch€forŠ ō$D # Šproof,€as€they€anticipated€at€the€time€of€taking€the€deposition€that€Ms.€Branch€would€be€unavailableŠ ą%0!$ Što€testify€in€person€at€the€trial.€€With€respect€to€whether€Ms.€Branch€was€in€fact€unavailable€at€trial,Š Ģ&"% Šwe€have€only€the€unsubstantiated€assertion€of€Motherššs€counsel€that€Ms.€Branch€was€available.€€InŠ ø'#& Šany€event,€the€parties€agreed€that€the€witnessššs€testimony€could€be€presented€by€deposition;Š ¤(ō#' Šaccordingly,€we€find€no€abuse€of€discretion€in€the€trial€courtššs€decision€to€receive€the€testimony€ofŠ )ą$( ŠMs.€Branch€by€deposition.Š |*Ģ%) ŠŠ h+ø&* Šą@‘‘)ģąB.ˆŠ ° ŠĢą  ąIn€addition,€Mother€contends€that€the€trial€courtššs€decision€to€permit€this€witness€to€testifyŠ ˆŲ Šby€deposition€violates€a€local€rule€of€the€Coffee€County€Chancery€Court,€which€rule€provides€thatŠ tÄ Šall€depositions€to€be€used€at€trial€must€be€filed€within€72€hours€before€the€trial€begins.€However,€inŠ `° Šaddressing€the€issue€of€local€rules€of€court,€this€Court€has€stated:Š L œ ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąThe€Trial€Court€has€authority€to€make€its€own€rules€and€accordinglyŠ $ t Šmay€waive€or€abolish€them€if€it€chooses.€€This€Court€will€not€reverseŠ  ` Ša€Trial€Judge€for€waiving€a€local€rule€absent€the€clearest€showing€ofŠ ü L  Šan€abuse€of€discretion€and€that€such€waiver€was€the€clear€cause€of€aŠ č 8  Šmiscarriage€of€justice.ŠŌ$ ` x` x ŠĢņ ņņņKillinger€v.€Perryó óóó,€620€S.W.2d€525,€525€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1981).€€As€there€is€no€showing€of€an€abuseŠ ¬ü  Šof€discretion€or€miscarriage€of€justice€in€the€trial€courtššs€waiver€of€its€local€rule,€we€find€no€error€inŠ ˜č  Šthe€courtššs€ruling.Š „Ō  ŠĢÓ  ÓC.Š \¬ ŠĢÓ¬oÓą  ąFinally,€Mother€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€Father€to€testify€concerning€theŠ 4„ Šnumber€of€times€the€Nashville€Police€Department€had€been€called€to€the€home€of€MotherššsŠ  p Šgrandmother.€€Specifically,€it€is€Motherššs€contention€that€Father€based€his€testimony€on€such€policeŠ  \ Šreports€and€that€such€violated€the€hearsay€rule.€Š ųH ŠĢą  ąDuring€direct€examination,€Father€was€questioned€about€his€concerns€regarding€the€childrenššsŠ Š  Špresence€at€the€grandmotherššs׃ׯ ƒ#ĆŻņņŚ  Ś3Ś  ŚóóŻ  Ż×  ׀house.€€In€response€to€these€questions,€Father€stated€that€he€hadŠ ¼  Šlearned€there€had€been€139€police€calls€to€the€grandmotherššs€residence,€whereupon€Motherššs€counselŠ Øų Šobjected€on€the€ground€of€hearsay.€€The€trial€court€sustained€the€objection,€and€Fatherššs€counselŠ ”ä Šproceeded€with€the€direct€examination€without€any€further€references€to€these€police€calls.€€On€cross„Š €Š Šexamination,€Motherššs€counsel€asked€Father€about€his€insinuation€that€he€had€š šchecked€outŠ l¼ Šsomething€at€the€Metropolitan€Police€Department€in€Nashville.šš€€Father€responded€that€he€hadŠ X Ø Šlooked€at€the€police€records€for€the€police€calls€to€the€homes€of€Motherššs€parents€and€grandmother.€Š D!” ŠMotherššs€counsel€then€asked€to€see€those€records.€€Apparently,€after€perusing€the€documents,Š 0"€  ŠMotherššs€counsel€asked€Father€questions€concerning€the€police€calls€to€the€residence€of€MotherššsŠ #l! Šņņparentsóó.€€Upon€redirect€examination,€Fatherššs€counsel€began€to€question€Father€about€the€police€callsŠ $X" Što€the€ņņgrandmotherššsóó€residence.€€Motherššs€counsel€again€objected.€€Father€countered€that€MotherššsŠ ō$D # Šcounsel€š šopened€the€dooršš€to€this€testimony€by€specifically€referring€to€these€reports€in€her€cross„Š ą%0!$ Šexamination€of€Father.€€The€trial€court€stated€the€following:Š Ģ&"% Šā āŠ ø'#& Šą8  ąą8` Š Š ąWell,€she€looked€at€it€and€referred€to€it;€thereššs€no€doubt€about€that.€Š ° Šā āIššm€not€sure€the€document€itself€is€admissible,€but€Iššm€going€toŠ œģ Špermit€you€to€ask....€And,€I€believe€she€asked€about€thisŠ ˆŲ Šgrandmotherššs€too.€€Go€ahead.ŠtÄ` x` x ŠĢFather€then€testified€to€the€information€contained€in€the€report,€which€included€reports€of€fights€andŠ L œ Šassaults,€gunshots€being€fired,€and€theft,€among€others.€€In€its€final€judgment,€the€trial€court€forbadeŠ 8 ˆ ŠMother€from€taking€the€children€to€her€grandmotherššs€residence€during€visitation.€€Š $ t ŠĢą  ąOur€careful€review€of€the€trial€testimony€reveals€to€us€that€Motherššs€counsel€did€not€š šopenŠ ü L  Šthe€dooršš€to€the€testimony€concerning€police€calls€to€the€ņņgrandmotherššsóó€residence.׃ׯ ƒ#ĆŻņņŚ  Ś4Ś  ŚóóŻ  Ż×  ׀€At€most,Š č 8  ŠMotherššs€counsel€reviewed€the€records€of€police€calls€to€the€grandmotherššs€house.€€However,Š Ō$  ŠMotherššs€counsel€at€no€time€asked€Father€any€questions€about€the€calls€to€the€grandmotherššsŠ Ą  Šresidence;€her€inquiries€were€limited€to€the€home€of€Motherššs€parents.€€We€therefore€find€that€theŠ ¬ü  Štrial€court€erred€in€allowing€Father€to€later€testify€to€the€incidents€at€the€grandmotherššs€residenceŠ ˜č  Šbased€upon€the€police€reports.€€However,€in€order€for€this€error€to€be€reversible€error,€it€must€haveŠ „Ō  Šš šmore€probably€than€not€affected€the€judgment€or€would€result€in€prejudice€to€the€judicial€process.šš€Š pĄ ŠTenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(b).€€Therefore,€if€there€is€other€evidence€in€the€record€that€would€support€theŠ \¬ Štrial€courtššs€decree€to€keep€the€children€away€from€the€grandmotherššs€residence€during€visitation,Š H˜ Šsaid€error€would€not€be€reversible.Š 4„ ŠĢą  ąFather€testified€at€trial€that€he€was€š šconcerned€about€the€children€being,€at€[theŠ  \ Šgrandmotherššs]€house€especially,€thereššs€drug€dealings€going€on€there,€thereššs€been€drive„byŠ ųH Šshootings,€fights.šš€€Upon€objection€by€Motherššs€counsel€to€lack€of€personal€knowledge,€FatherŠ ä4 Štestified€that€Mother€had€told€of€these€things.€€Father€stated€that€his€knowledge€of€these€incidents€wasŠ Š  Šseparate€and€apart€from€the€information€he€received€from€the€Nashville€Police€Department.€€Š ¼  Šą  ąĢą  ąOn€cross„examination,€Motherššs€counsel€and€Father€had€the€following€exchange:Š ”ä ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ:ą ø ąHow€do€you€know€there€is€drug€dealing€going€on€in€[theŠ l¼ Šgrandmotherššs]€home?ŠX Ø` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA:ą ø ąWell,€I€have€been€there€and€seen€it.€€When€you€are€at€[theŠ 0"€  Šgrandmotherššs]€house,€itššs€like€being€downtown.€€Itššs€just€constantlyŠ #l! Štraffic.€€People€youššve€never€seen€before€coming€in€and€out.Š$X"` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ:ą ø ąComing€in€and€out€of€[the]€grandmotherššs€home?Šą%0!$` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA:ą ø ąYes,€mam.Šø'#&` x` x ŠŠ ¤(ō#' Šą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ:ą ø ąHave€you€ever€seen€any€drugs€there?а` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA:ą ø ąIššve€seen€the€boys€with€marihuana€before.ŠˆŲ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ:ą ø ąWhat€boys?Š`°` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA:ą ø ąHer€cousins.Š8 ˆ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ:ą ø ąWhose€cousins?Š `` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA:ą ø ą[Motherššs]€cousins.€€Šč 8 ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ:ą ø ąAnd€youššve€seen€them€with€marihuana€in€the€home€of€[the]Š Ą  Šgrandmother?Ьü ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA:ą ø ąIn€their€š!š€Yes,€mam,€in€their€pockets.€€Iššve€never€seen€nobodyŠ „Ō  Šsmoke€it,€but€Iššve€seen€them€pull€it€out€before€and€shake€it€at€eachŠ pĄ Šother.Š\¬` x` x ŠĢą  ąBased€upon€this€testimony,€we€find€that€there€was€ample€evidence€upon€which€the€trial€courtŠ 4„ Šcould€have€based€its€decision€to€keep€the€children€away€from€the€grandmotherššs€home,€independentŠ  p Šof€the€hearsay€testimony€contained€in€the€police€reports.€€Therefore,€we€find€and€hold€that€the€errorŠ  \ Šcommitted€by€the€trial€court€in€admitting€the€hearsay€testimony€does€not€satisfy€the€requirements€ofŠ ųH ŠTenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(b)€and,€therefore,€is€not€reversible€error.€€Š ä4 ŠĢÓ  ÓVI.Š ¼  ŠÓʌÓą  ąĢą  ąThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€This€case€is€remanded€for€enforcement€of€the€trialŠ ”ä Šcourtššs€judgment€and€for€collection€of€costs€assessed€below,€all€pursuant€to€applicable€law.€€CostsŠ €Š Šon€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellant,€Jennifer€Elaine€Livingston.Š l¼ Š€ĢĢĢą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąą  ą_______________________________€Š #l! Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąą  ąCHARLES€D.€SUSANO,€JR.,€JUDGE