ÿWPCc+ ‰§,ý·_É¿ƒÐ3žÉ½!ÝúóÛËÁ†y²bÈaS¦1ÛOŸg9äõÈÏPŽRËù<’zxÜxÇáfd°%ŠNRMgøœÇ@‚8Ù ’.8ò¸ìZƒ†y0Z` Šc*DB§*Xç…¢“¦ùºó9 ³éõ'Q¾dÔ´ X(Ù =»¹Çߌ×¢9Ui[pbé¯h›uQÞËÐ…Øû´„×ìïÀŸ3G„·s<€¦Ì.ËÂ1=ó‘˜å¼^ý£_»Ó~,›¼Ô8=8~8:´InÓ»Kꢘóµt¬€î5¤Ëù±]Ó‡ƒ™ÿÁëÊŠc|ä/ôæ ˜‰eJ^ˆ¯¥tÝðÀH°ª²27Q–z=("µâ“ã ¼‚Uvˆ‘0çÕé'aFn,Xh÷4MÈà†GYÉW/ŒþºñJŸö“Ä*Xç5w©E—öê3k&~ åã¡È^ô—fb,sp­²Ùc ^ÚÕxÚs÷̉†ßJ‰ÆÊ[H ÝÖ9!aÕ£Èdz^di±Òê ߦh‘g’Ç k¤L1 Ÿµ¯—þnð• ñí^ÈžÕ¿¼¤HVÈA›bWa›ý™eT·½W6bÿ‰|PÛûÖÝÌIT¢áv> Òý ÍB# œU:§ %á 0úçU:áw@ 4[ o 0D~ B ß {ç U:b"œ¾àÒ²³‚Î#U:P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P& AQŠ&ÆÛ& 0D¡' 0Då' 0D)()( D/m(m( Bœ( D3¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(¹(bì(ì(ì(ì(ì(ì(ì(ì(ì(ì( 0oô(˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ, øð AZ"Arial RegularX(ÒûÖ$¡¡Ñ7€ËMXXdðXXdð7ÑÑ  ÑÓÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÓ  ÓÑTRY3Ø' LetterY3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letter 3Ø' LetterTÑ,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular ÅÆDÇDÈUÉUÊUËÌEÍÓ€×F&3|x×(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóüÿP Pd qÝ ƒA^xÿÝÑ7ÀNÏXXdìdì7ÑÑ @ ÑÓÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÓ  ÓÑT@RY 3Ø' Letter3Ø' 3Ø'&Avery 5384 Name Tagÿ3Ø'TÑÓÓÔ€ôA©ôXXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝIn€a€footnote,€the€Court€of€Appeals€also€mentioned€the€following:Ð ,  ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àIn€addition€to€his€more€recent€conduct,€the€Father€also€admitted€that,€prior€toÏthe€parties'€separation,€he€engaged€in€conduct€that€created€cause€for€concern.€DuringÏone€fight€when€the€Mother€was€pregnant€with€the€parties'€youngest€child,€the€MotherÏallegedly€became€so€enraged€that€she€threatened€to€"blow€away"€the€Father.€TheÏFather€admitted€that,€in€response€to€the€Mother's€statement,€he€retrieved€a€gun€from€herÏcloset,€dropped€it€on€a€chair€or€sofa€next€to€her,€and€challenged€her€to€shoot€him.ÏHearing€their€parents€fighting,€the€children€then€walked€into€the€room,€observed€theÏgun,€and€became€upset.€According€to€the€Mother,€this€altercation€occurred€late€oneÏevening€after€the€Father€had€been€drinking.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àIn€August€1994,€the€Father€was€seriously€injured€in€a€car€accident.€The€FatherÏadmitted€that€he€caused€the€accident€by€falling€asleep€at€the€wheel,€and€he€indicatedÐ œp   Ðthat€he€made€a€"big€mistake"€by€drinking€alcoholic€beverages€after€staying€up€until€4:00Ïa.m.€the€two€previous€nights.€€Although€the€Father€claimed€that€he€now€was€moreÏcareful€about€his€drinking,€and€that€drinking€was€not€an€important€part€of€his€life,€heÏacknowledged€that€he€drank€beer,€wine,€or€whiskey€as€often€as€every€other€day.ÏDescribing€himself€as€a€"stress€smoker,"€the€Father€further€acknowledged€that€heÏsometimes€smoked€cigarettes€and€drank€alcoholic€beverages€while€he€was€alone€in€hisÏbedroom€at€night.,ó‚ AZ"Arial Regular Ý ƒA^xÿÝÑ7ÀNÏXXdìdì7ÑÑ @ ÑÓÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÓ  ÓÑT@RY 3Ø' Letter3Ø' 3Ø'&Avery 5384 Name Tagÿ3Ø'TÑÓÓÔ€ôA©ôXXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€initial€visitation€schedule€pursuant€to€the€temporary€custody€order€was€modified,€and€theÐ ,  ÐMother€argued€that€the€trial€courtððs€final€divorce€decree€reduced€her€visitation€privileges.€ Ý ƒA^xÿÝÑ7ÀNÏXXdìdì7ÑÑ @ ÑÓÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÓ  ÓÑT@RY 3Ø' Letter3Ø' 3Ø'&Avery 5384 Name Tagÿ3Ø'TÑÓÓÔ€ôA©ôXXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€Court€of€Appeals€noted€in€particular€that€the€Mother€was€the€childrenððs€primary€caregiverÐ ,  Ðand€that€her€work€schedule€was€more€accommodating€to€the€needs€of€the€children. ÖÝ ƒA^x$ÝÓÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÓ  ÓÓÓÔ€ôA©ôXXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝRule€10€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure€provides€as€follows:Ð ,  ÐÌà8 Ø àò ò(a)€Original€Application€for€Extraordinary€Appeal;€€Grounds.ó ó€€An€extraordinaryÐ \ 0 Ðappeal€may€be€sought€on€application€and€in€the€discretion€of€the€appellate€court€aloneÏof€interlocutory€orders€of€a€lower€court€from€which€an€appeal€lies€to€the€Supreme€Court,ÏCourt€of€Appeals€or€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals:€€(1)€if€the€lower€court€has€so€farÏdeparted€from€the€accepted€and€usual€course€of€judicial€proceedings€as€to€requireÏimmediate€review,€or€(2)€if€necessary€for€complete€determination€of€the€action€onÏappeal€as€otherwise€provided€in€these€rules.€€The€appellate€court€may€issue€whateverÏorder€is€necessary€to€implement€review€under€this€rule.à @ à€à8˜Ø À!Ø À!à ÷Ý ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€XðXXXÔÔ€LXXðÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XðXLÔÐ  ÐÌMay€24,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó ›Ý ƒA^xÿÝÑ7ÀNÏXXdìdì7ÑÑ @ ÑÓÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÓ  ÓÑT@RY 3Ø' Letter3Ø' 3Ø'&Avery 5384 Name Tagÿ3Ø'TÑÓÓÔ€ôA©ôXXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝRule€42(a)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure€provides€that€mandate€shall€issueÐ ,  Ðafter€the€sixty„four€day€period€ð ðòòunless€the€court€orders€otherwiseóó.ðð€€(Emphasis€added).€€We€acknowledgeÐ œ p Ðthat€the€rule€is€designed€to€enable€the€Court€of€Appeals€to€direct€the€immediate€issuance€of€mandate€ifÏthe€context€warrants€such€an€order.€€For€instance,€if€œa›€child€custody€case€involves€a€situation€in€which€theÏCourt€of€Appeals€reasonably€believed€that€a€child€would€be€in€œdanger›€in€the€event€that€the€parentÏawarded€custody€by€the€trial€court€retained€custody€while€the€issuance€of€mandate€was€stayed€pursuantÏto€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€42,€the€Court€of€Appeals€may€justifiably€direct€that€mandate€be€immediately€issued.€ÏIn€the€present€case,€however,€no€risk€of€danger€was€alleged€and€the€Court€of€Appeals€did€not€evenÏprovide€the€Father€with€an€opportunity€to€respond€to€the€Motherððs€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€10€œapplication.› xÝ ƒA^x$ÝÓÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÓ  ÓÓÓÔ€ôA©ôXXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝAlthough€the€parties€have€not€raised€the€issue,€we€believe€that€applications€filed€pursuant€toÐ ,  ÐRules€9€and€10€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure€should€be€granted€by€a€majority€of€theÏmembers€of€a€three€judge€panel.€€Although€the€Rules€do€not€explicitly€specify€the€requisite€number€ofÏvotes€required€for€such€applications€to€be€granted,€Rule€22(d)€specifies€that€an€appeal€may€not€beÏð ðdisposed€ofðð€by€a€single€judge.€€€€,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular!"#$&Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó '÷ÿ dxd d(((('ÿÿdxd- ù-((2±$¤¤Ý ƒûÖ!ÝÑ7€;XXdðdð7ÑÑ  ÑÓÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÓ  ÓÑTRY$3Ø' Letter3Ø'3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑÝ  ÝÓÓÔ€ô”üôXXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÝ ƒûÖ!ÝÑ7€;XXdðdÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÓÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÓ  ÓÑTRY$3Ø' Letter3Ø'3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑÝ  ÝñÍñ›ñÍñÑ, °ÑÑ` °ÑÑ€7ÑÔ‡XðXXXÔÓÓÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ LegalY$3Ø' Letter AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' LetterTÑÑ  ÑÓ=€;XÐXdÐd=Óñ×ññÍñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@E»- ` 8ttxPó, ð  rßñÍññ×ññ×ññ×ññÍñ›ñÍñà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àà ˜ àà ð àœà@Ø Ø Ìàò òIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ,  Ðñ×ññ×ñà@HH)ÌàAT€JACKSONó óˆÐ  æ Ðñ×ñßt€ )>.*jxnˆ` `€€@E&† ` 8ttxP^þ N ˆ tßñ×ñÌÌÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àòòFOR€PUBLICATIONóóÐ °„ ÐÌTODD€FREDERICK€BROOKS,›à 8 àà  à)à è àœò òFiled:€May€24,€1999ó ó›Ð |P Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ìà Ø àœPlaintiff/Appellant,à à àà 8 àà  à)›à è àœSHELBY€COUNTYÔ#†X;XXXð##ÔÔ‡XðXXX;ԛРN"  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àÔ#†X;XXXðÊ#ÔÔ‡XðXXX;ÔÐ 4  Ðv.à Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àœÔ#†X;XXXðw#ÔÔ‡XðXXX;ÔHon.€Karen€R.€WilliamsÔ#†X;XXXð& #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;Ô›à H! àà  # àÐ î  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àœ)›à è àœÔ#†X;XXXð~ #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;ÔJudgeÔ#†X;XXXðF #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;Ô›Ð Ô  ÐLINDA€FAYE€œCARTER,›à à àà 8 àà  à)à è àÔ#†X;XXXð #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;ÔÐ æº  ÐÔ#†X;XXXð* #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;Ôà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àœÔ#†X;XXXð #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;ÔNo.€€02SÔ#†X;XXXð #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;Ô01„9903„CV„00023Ô#†X;XXXðc #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;ԛР̠  Ðà Ø àœDefendant/Appellee.à 8 à›à  à)à è àÔ#†X;XXXðµ #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;ÔÐ ²†  ÐÌÌòòÌÌÌ̛̜ÌFOR€œAPPELLANT›à ˆ àóóà à àà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àòòà ˜ àFOR€œAPPELLEEóó›Ð Èœ МThe€Hardison€Law€Firmà à àà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àà ˜ àÔ#†X;XXXðS #ÔÔ‡XðXXX;ÔRita€L.€Stottsà  # àÐ ® ‚ ÐRobert€L.€J.€Spence,€Jr.Ô#†X;XXXð¤#ÔÔ‡XðXXX;Ôà à àà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àà ˜ àViola€E.€JohnsonÐ ”!h ÐMemphis,€TNÔ#†X;XXXð-#ÔÔ‡XðXXX;Ôà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àà ˜ àMemphis,€TN€Ð z"N ÐÔ‡„Î „XXðÔÌÌÌÌÌÌñÇñÌÌÌñÇñÌÔ#†XðX„„Î {#ÔÔ‡„Î „XXðÔà@RR+Ìàò òOPINIONó óÔ#†XðX„„Î Ñ#ԈРÖ,ª"# ÐñÆñÌñÆñÌñÊñÌñÊññÊñÌñÊññÈñÌñÈññÉñÌñÉñRULE€10€APPLICATION€FOR€EXTRAORDINARY€APPEAL€GRANTED,ÌCOURT€OF€APPEALS€REVERSED.ÌRULE€11€APPLICATION€FOR€PERMISSION€TO€APPEAL€DENIED,€Ìâ âCOURT€OF€APPEALS€AFFIRMED.à  àà è àà @ àà ˜ àà ð à€€ñÌññËñ€ñËññÌñDROWOTA,€J.Ð j5>+,: ÐÓÓà Ø àÔ#†X;XXXðç#ÔIn€this€child€custody€case,€we€granted€the€application€for€extraordinary€appealÏâ âto€consider€whether€the€Court€of€Appeals€erred€by€ordering€that€mandate€issue€beforeÏthe€time€period€set€forth€by€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€42€had€expired.ÌÌà Ø àAs€part€of€a€final€divorce€decree,€the€trial€court€awarded€primary€custody€of€theÏpartiesðð€three€minor€children€to€the€father.€€On€February€2,€1999,€the€Court€of€AppealsÏreversed€this€aspect€of€the€trial€courtððs€order€and€remanded€the€case€to€the€trial€courtÏto€enter€an€order€designating€the€mother€as€the€primary€custodian.€€The€trial€courtÏentered€an€order€on€February€4,€1999,€designating€the€mother€as€primary€custodian,Ïwhich€order€was€to€take€effect€immediately.€€On€February€9,€1999,€however,€the€trialÏcourt€vacated€the€February€4€order€and€stated€that€no€actions€would€be€taken€untilÏmandate€had€been€issued€from€the€Court€of€Appeals€or€the€Supreme€Court.€ÏContending€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€vacating€the€February€4€order,€the€mother€filedÏa€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€10€application€for€extraordinary€appeal€before€the€Court€ofÏAppeals.€€The€Court€of€Appeals€granted€this€application€on€February€24,€1999,Ïordered€the€Clerk€of€the€Appellate€Court€to€issue€mandate,€and€thereby€directed€theÏtrial€court€to€enter€an€order€changing€custody€to€the€mother.€€Accordingly,€the€trialÏcourt€entered€an€order€on€February€26,€1999,€awarding€custody€of€the€children€to€theÏmother,€and€the€father€proceeded€to€file€an€application€for€extraordinary€appealÏbefore€this€Court€on€March€11,€1999.€€On€March€29,€1999,€we€granted€the€fatherððsÏapplication,€directed€the€parties€to€file€briefs€within€ten€days,€and€ordered€that€oralÏargument€would€not€take€place.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€10(d).€€Thereafter,€on€April€2,€1999,Ïthe€father€also€filed€a€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€for€permission€to€appeal€in€thisÏCourt,€asking€this€Court€to€review€the€merits€of€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€February€2,Ð L5 +. Ð1999€opinion.€€We€have€chosen€to€resolve€the€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€10€and€Tenn.€R.€App.ÏP.€11€applications€in€this€single€opinion.ÌÌà Ø àWe€find€that€the€Court€of€Appeals€erred€in€issuing€mandate€before€sixty„fourÏdays€had€passed€from€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€February€2,€1999€judgment€or€before€aÏTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€for€permission€to€appeal€had€been€considered€by€thisÏCourt.€€Nevertheless,€because€we€deny€the€fatherððs€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€applicationÏfor€permission€to€appeal,€the€mother€shall€retain€primary€custody€of€the€children.ÌÌà@66%Ìàò òPROCEDURAL€HISTORYó óˆÐ Ę ÐÔ‡ XNÏXXXNÏÔà Ø àThis€case€began€in€June€1996€when€Plaintiff/Appellant€Todd€Frederick€BrooksÐ ¬€ Ð(ð ðthe€Fatherðð)€filed€a€complaint€against€Defendant/Appellee€Linda€Faye€Carter€(ð ðtheÏMotherðð)€in€Shelby€County€Circuit€Court,€alleging€abandonment€and€inappropriateÏmarital€conduct.€€The€Mother€counterclaimed€for€divorce€on€the€grounds€ofÏinappropriate€martial€conduct€and€irreconcilable€differences.€€Both€parties€soughtÏcustody€of€their€three€minor€children:€€Ashleigh,€born€August€1989,€Jared,€bornÏFebruary€1992,€and€Dylan,€born€September€1995.€€In€July€1996€the€trial€courtÏappointed€Rita€Robinson,€a€Memphis€attorney,€to€serve€as€guardian€ad€litem€for€theÏthree€children.ÌÌà Ø àBy€virtue€of€a€consent€order€entered€in€August€1996,€both€parties€continuedÏto€live€in€the€marital€home€pending€further€orders€of€the€court.€€A€hearing€was€heldÏover€nine€separate€days€in€September€and€October€1996,€after€which€the€trial€courtÏentered€a€temporary€custody€order.€€The€trial€court€granted€the€parties€joint€custodyÐ ¤4x*. Ðpending€the€divorce€proceedings.€€The€Father€was€designated€as€the€primaryÏcustodial€parent.€€The€Father€and€the€children€were€to€continue€to€live€in€the€maritalÏhome.€€The€Mother€was€granted€visitation€on€Monday€through€Thursday€of€eachÏweek,€beginning€at€3:15€p.m.,€when€the€two€older€children€finished€school,€andÏending€by€8:30€p.m.€€The€order€also€granted€the€Mother€visitation€every€otherÏweekend€from€8:00€a.m.€on€Saturday€until€10:00€a.m.€on€Sunday.€€On€the€otherÏweekends,€the€Mother€was€granted€visitation€on€Sunday€from€10:00€a.m.€to€9:00€p.m.ÌÌà Ø àIn€February€1997,€the€trial€court€relieved€the€guardian€ad€litem€of€her€dutiesÏand€appointed€a€Court€Appointed€Special€Advocate€(ð ðCASAðð)€to€represent€theÏinterests€of€the€children.€€The€trial€court€conducted€a€trial€in€July€1997.€€The€Court€ofÏAppealsðð€February€2,€1999€opinion,€written€by€Judge€Farmer,€cogently€discusses€theÏtestimony€presented€during€this€trial:ÌÌÓÓà8 Ø àà 0 àIn€the€present€case,€the€evidence€revealed€the€following€facts,Ïmost€of€which€were€undisputed.€The€Father€worked€as€anÏobstetrician-gynecologist€and€was€affiliated€with€Methodist€CentralÏHospital€in€Memphis.€The€Father€also€served€as€a€clinical€instructor€atÏthe€University€of€Tennessee-Memphis.€The€Father€participated€in€aÏnineteen-physician€call€group.€On€weekdays,€the€Father€generally€leftÏthe€house€at€7:00€a.m.€and€did€not€return€until€about€6:00€or€6:30€p.m.ÏThe€Father's€job€required€him€to€be€on€call€for€his€own€patients€fromÏ7:00€a.m.€to€5:00€p.m.€during€the€work€week.€In€addition,€two€or€threeÏtimes€per€month,€the€Father€was€required€to€be€on€call€to€treat€theÏpatients€of€the€other€physicians€in€his€group.€On€these€occasions,Ïanother€adult€besides€the€Father€was€required€to€stay€with€the€childrenÏin€the€marital€home€because,€at€any€moment,€the€Father€could€beÏcalled€to€the€hospital€to€deliver€a€baby.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àIn€contrast,€the€Mother€had€a€more€flexible€work€schedule€whichÏenabled€her€to€spend€a€greater€portion€of€her€time€with€the€children.ÏThe€Mother,€who€had€an€MBA€degree€from€the€University€of€Memphis,Ïworked€part-time€in€the€personnel€department€at€Federal€Express.€SheÏworked€three€days€per€week,€Tuesday,€Wednesday,€and€Friday.€TheÐ €5T+/ ÐMother€was€able€to€arrange€her€work€schedule€so€that€she€could€pickÏup€the€children€from€school€every€afternoon€at€3:15€p.m.€The€MotherÏalso€transported€the€children€to€extracurricular€activities€in€theÏafternoon,€such€as€piano,€gymnastics,€and€martial€arts€lessons,€andÏshe€provided€the€children€with€their€evening€meal.€During€the€marriage,Ïthe€parties€hired€a€nanny€to€watch€their€youngest€child€during€the€workÏweek.€During€most€weeks,€the€Mother€cared€for€the€youngest€child€onÏMonday,€and€the€nanny€cared€for€him€from€Tuesday€through€Friday.ÏThe€Mother€also€cared€for€the€youngest€child€on€Saturday€while€theÏFather€spent€time€with€the€two€older€children.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àAt€the€temporary€custody€hearing€and,€later,€at€the€final€divorceÏtrial,€both€parties€claimed€to€be€the€children's€primary€caregiver.€TheÏMother€testified€that€she€breast-fed€all€three€children€and€stayed€homeÏwith€them€during€the€first€six€months€of€their€lives.€According€to€theÏMother,€she€also€helped€the€children€prepare€for€school€in€the€morningÏand€made€sure€that€they€were€properly€dressed€and€groomed.€On€theÏother€hand,€the€Father€testified€that€he€awakened€the€children,€fedÏthem€breakfast,€helped€them€dress,€and€transported€them€to€schoolÏeach€weekday€morning.€The€Father€also€testified€that,€the€majority€ofÏthe€time,€he€was€the€parent€who€bathed€the€children€and€put€them€toÏbed€at€night.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àDespite€the€Father's€claims€to€be€the€children's€primaryÏcaregiver,€the€overwhelming€weight€of€the€testimony€supported€theÏconclusion€that€the€Mother€consistently€fulfilled€this€role€throughout€theÏparties'€marriage.€In€his€own€testimony,€for€example,€the€FatherÏacknowledged€that€the€Mother€was€the€parent€primarily€responsible€forÏensuring€that€the€children's€health-care€needs€were€met.€As€a€generalÏrule,€the€Mother€transported€the€children€to€the€pediatrician's€office,Ïused€the€children's€insurance€prescription€card€to€get€theirÏprescriptions€filled,€administered€the€children's€medications,€and€caredÏfor€the€children€when€they€became€ill.€Most€of€the€time,€the€Mother€wasÏthe€parent€who€stayed€home€from€work€when€the€children€were€ill.€TheÏMother€also€was€the€parent€who€took€the€children€to€the€dentist's€officeÏfor€checkups€every€six€months.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àThe€parties'€youngest€child€was€born€with€a€large€birthmark€onÏthe€side€of€his€face,€which€was€described€by€the€parties€and€doctors€asÏa€giant€pigmented€nevus.€The€child€had€undergone€several€surgeriesÏto€correct€this€condition,€and€at€least€two€more€surgeries€would€beÏrequired€in€the€future.€The€Mother's€testimony€was€uncontradicted€thatÏshe€was€the€parent€who€largely€was€responsible€for€the€child's€careÏafter€each€surgery.€The€Mother€explained€that€this€care€required€thatÏa€piece€of€silicone€be€placed€on€the€child's€face€and€secured€by€aÏprotective€cap.€The€Mother€expressed€concern€over€the€child's€careÏwhile€he€was€in€the€Father's€custody€because,€on€several€occasionsÏwhen€she€picked€up€the€child€for€scheduled€visitation,€either€he€was€notÐ €5T+/ Ðwearing€the€protective€cap€or€the€nanny€had€not€placed€the€silicone€onÏhis€face€correctly.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àIn€addition€to€ensuring€that€the€children's€medical€needs€wereÏmet,€the€Mother€also€played€a€more€active€role€than€did€the€Father€inÏensuring€that€their€educational€needs€were€met.€The€FatherÏacknowledged€that€the€Mother€had€more€contact€with€the€children'sÏteachers€than€he€did,€a€fact€which€was€confirmed€by€one€of€theÏchildren's€teachers.€The€Mother€served€as€a€room€mother€at€school€andÏattended€almost€all€of€the€children's€school€parties.€According€to€theÏsame€teacher,€the€Mother€inquired€as€to€the€child's€progress€on€aÏregular€basis,€whereas€the€Father€never€had€consulted€the€teacher€onÏthis€matter.€In€fact,€the€teacher€did€not€remember€ever€having€spokenÏto€the€Father.€The€Father€further€acknowledged€that€the€Mother€set€upÏa€special€room€in€the€parties'€home€where€she€presented€additionalÏeducational€materials€to€the€children€and€that€the€Mother€had€taughtÏsign€language€to€the€parties'€oldest€child.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àIn€addition€to€the€foregoing€responsibilities,€the€FatherÏacknowledged€that€the€Mother€had€assumed€most€of€the€responsibilityÏfor€arranging€and€scheduling€the€children's€extracurricular€activities,€asÏwell€as€transporting€them€to€these€activities.€The€Mother€enrolled€theÏchildren€in€such€activities€as€piano€lessons,€gymnastics,€and€martialÏarts€lessons.€The€Mother's€work€schedule€enabled€her€to€transport€theÏchildren€to€these€various€activities€on€Mondays,€Wednesdays,€andÏThursdays€after€school.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àPrior€to€entry€of€the€temporary€custody€order,€the€Mother€alsoÏassumed€the€responsibility€of€paying€the€nanny€and€giving€herÏinstructions€concerning€the€daily€care€of€the€children.€The€MotherÏprimarily€was€responsible€for€combing€and€braiding€the€parties'Ïdaughter's€hair.€The€Mother€maintained€photo€albums€and€diariesÏrecording€each€child's€development.€She€paid€the€household€expensesÏfrom€a€joint€account€into€which€the€Father€deposited€a€portion€of€hisÏearnings.€After€the€Father€filed€this€divorce€action,€but€prior€to€theÏMother€vacating€the€marital€home€pursuant€to€the€temporary€custodyÏorder,€the€Mother€slept€in€a€bedroom€downstairs€near€the€children'sÏbedrooms€while€the€Father€slept€in€a€room€upstairs.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àAfter€the€trial€court€entered€its€temporary€custody€order,€theÏalready€notable€conflicts€between€the€parties€became€increasinglyÏhostile.€Unfortunately,€most€of€these€incidents€occurred€when€theÏparties€were€exchanging€custody€of€the€children€at€the€marital€home.ÏThe€Father€claimed€that€the€conflicts€were€caused€by€the€MotherÏbecause€she€often€insisted€on€entering€the€marital€home€and/orÏrefused€to€leave€the€property€when€asked€to€do€so.€These€allegationsÏappeared€to€have€some€merit€because,€in€her€testimony€at€the€finalÏdivorce€trial,€the€Mother€insisted€that€her€children's€presence€in€theÐ €5T+/ Ðmarital€home€somehow€gave€her€the€right€to€enter€the€home.€TheÏFather€also€believed€that€the€Mother€had€attempted€to€interfere€with€hisÏtelephone€contact€with€the€children€when€they€were€visiting€the€MotherÏbecause€she€often€provided€excuses€for€why€the€children€could€notÏspeak€to€him.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àNevertheless,€the€Father€acknowledged€that€his€own€conductÏand€motives€were€less€than€exemplary.€When€a€conflict€at€the€maritalÏhome€occurred,€the€Father€routinely€called€the€police€in€order€to€induceÏthe€Mother€to€leave€the€property.€The€Father€explained€that€he€did€notÏwant€the€Mother€in€the€marital€home€because€she€kept€taking€maritalÏproperty€out€of€the€home.€The€Father€acknowledged,€however,€that€oneÏof€the€items€which€the€Mother€allegedly€"snuck€and€took"€was€aÏMercedes€Benz€automobile€that€was€titled€in€her€name.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌÌà8 Ø àà 0 àMoreover,€although€in€the€past€the€Mother€primarily€had€beenÏresponsible€for€providing€the€children's€medical€care,€the€FatherÏadmitted€scheduling€the€youngest€child's€most€recent€surgery€on€a€dateÏthat€was€"best"€for€the€Father€without€regard€for€the€Mother's€schedule.ÏAfter€the€child's€surgery,€the€Father€refused€to€allow€the€Mother€to€careÏfor€the€child€either€in€the€marital€home€or€in€her€own€home.€The€FatherÏwas€so€adamant€in€his€refusal€that€he€enlisted€the€aid€of€the€police€andÏhospital€security€to€prevent€the€Mother€from€caring€for€the€child€orÏtaking€the€child€home€with€her.€The€Father€was€on€call€that€night,€so€hisÏrefusal€resulted€in€the€child€being€cared€for€by€the€nanny€instead€of€theÏMother.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àFinally,€the€Father€admitted€that€he€exacerbated€some€of€theÏhostility€between€the€parties€by€taking€such€actions€as€changing€theÏlocks€on€the€marital€home€on€the€day€before€the€Mother€was€requiredÏto€move€out,€as€well€as€placing€a€board€imbedded€with€nails€in€theÏdriveway€so€that€the€Mother's€car€would€get€a€flat€tire.€The€Father€wentÏso€far€as€to€wrap€plastic€around€the€board€so€that€it€would€resemble€aÏnewspaper.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Є)X"Ø À!Ø À! ЇÔ#†XNÏXX XNϦ#ÔÔ‡ XNÏXXXNÏÔÓÓÌà Ø àThe€initial€guardian€ad€litem,€who€testified€at€the€hearing€on€temporaryÏcustody,€testified€during€this€trial€that€it€was€her€opinion€that€€the€Father€was€moreÏcooperative€than€the€Mother€in€terms€of€arranging€visitation€with€the€children.€€On€theÏother€hand,€the€CASA€guardian€testified€that€the€children€appeared€to€be€closer€toÏtheir€mother.€€She€stated€that,€while€the€Father€was€providing€appropriate€physicalÏshelter€for€the€children,€the€children€were€not€receiving€sufficient€emotional€andÏintellectual€attention€while€in€the€Fatherððs€custody.€€€€Ô#†XNÏXX XNÏÀI#ÔÐ è  ÐÌà Ø àAfter€considering€the€testimony€presented,€the€trial€court€entered€a€finalÏdivorce€decree€awarding€the€parties€joint€custody€of€their€three€children,€designatingÏthe€Father€as€the€primary€custodial€parent,€and€awarding€liberal€visitation€to€theÏMother.׃Ð×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀РL  ÐÌà Ø àBoth€parties€appealed€this€final€divorce€decree€to€the€Court€of€Appeals.€€OnÏFebruary€2,€1999,€the€Court€of€Appeals€entered€an€order€in€which€it€affirmed€in€part,Ïreversed€in€part,€modified€in€part,€and€remanded€the€case€to€the€trial€court.€€FindingÏâ âthat€the€evidence€preponderated€against€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€primary€custodyÐ „)X" Ðto€the€Father,׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€Court€of€Appeals€reversed€this€aspect€of€the€trial€courtððs€order€andÐ ,  Ðâ âremanded€the€case€to€the€trial€court€ð ðto€enter€an€order€granting€the€Mother€primaryÏcustody€of€the€children,€awarding€liberal€visitation€to€the€Father,€recalculating€theÏFatherððs€child€support€obligation€pursuant€to€the€Child€Support€Guidelines,€andÏsetting€forth€the€partiesðð€respective€duties€and€responsibilities€in€this€joint€custodyÏarrangement.ððÌÌà Ø àRelying€on€this€decision€and€a€motion€filed€by€the€Mother,€the€trial€courtÏentered€an€order€on€February€4,€1999,€designating€the€Mother€as€primary€custodianÏof€the€children€effective€immediately.€€Responding€to€an€objection€voiced€by€theÏFather,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€on€February€9,€1999,€stating€that€ð ðpursuantÏto€the€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure,€the€Order€that€this€Court€entered€on€FebruaryÏ4,€1999€changing€child€custody€should€be€vacated€and€that€the€issues€set€forth€in€theÏopinions€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€for€remand€should€be€held€in€abeyance€until€theÏmandate€from€the€Court€of€Appeals€or€Supreme€Court€is€received€by€the€Clerk€of€theÏCircuit€Court.ðð€€Thereafter,€the€Mother€filed€an€application€for€extraordinary€reliefÏbefore€the€Court€of€Appeals€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€10.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ¬'€  ÐÐ „)X" Ðà Ø àIn€an€order€entered€February€24,€1999,€the€Court€of€Appeals,€in€an€orderÏsigned€by€one€judge,€granted€the€Motherððs€application€and€found€that€the€trial€courtÏerred€in€vacating€its€February€4,€1999€order.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Court€of€Appeals€relied€on€Tenn.Ð Ü ° ÐR.€Civ.€P.€62.01,€which€provides,€in€part,€as€follows:ÌÓÓà8 Ø àIn€injunction€and€receivership€actions,€and€in€actions€that€remove€aÏpublic€officer€as€otherwise€provided€by€law€or€that€award,€change€orÏotherwise€affect€the€custody€of€a€minor€child,€an€interlocutory€or€finalÏjudgment€shall€not€be€stayed€after€entry€unless€otherwise€ordered€byÏthe€court€and€upon€such€terms€as€to€bond€or€otherwise€as€it€deemsÏproper€to€secure€the€other€party.€Ð Ø À!Ø À! Ðà8 Ø à€Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÓÓTherefore,€the€Court€of€Appeals€directed€the€Clerk€of€the€Appellate€Courts€to€issueÏmandate.€€Accordingly,€mandate€was€issued€on€February€24,€1999,€ordering€the€trialÏcourt€to€immediately€comply€with€the€February€2,€1999€judgment€of€the€Court€ofÏAppeals.€€As€a€result,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€on€February€26,€1999,Ïdesignating€the€Mother€as€primary€custodian.ÌÌà Ø àOn€March€11,€1999,€the€Father€filed€an€application€for€extraordinary€appealÏbefore€this€Court€pursuant€to€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€10.€€In€his€application,€the€FatherÏasserted€that€the€Court€of€Appeals€erred€by€issuing€its€February€24,€1999€orderÏwithout€providing€him€with€an€opportunity€to€file€a€response€to€the€MotherððsÏapplication.€€The€Father€requested€that€this€Court€vacate€the€February€24,€1999Ïorder€rendered€by€the€Court€of€Appeals.€€We€granted€the€Fatherððs€application€forÏextraordinary€review€on€March€29,€1999,€directed€that€briefs€be€filed€within€ten€days,Ïand€disallowed€oral€argument.€€Thereafter,€on€April€8,€1999,€the€Father€filed€a€Tenn.Ð ø/Ì%) ÐR.€App.€P.€11€application€for€permission€to€appeal€before€this€Court,€seeking€reviewÏof€the€merits€of€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€February€2,€1999€decision,€which€named€theÏMother€as€primary€custodian.€€ÌÌà@dd)Ìàò òDISCUSSIONˆÐ Œ` Ðó óà Ø àAs€stated€earlier,€in€the€interest€of€judicial€efficiency,€we€find€that€it€is€prudentÐ tH  Ðto€address€the€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€10€appeal€as€well€as€the€Fatherððs€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.Ï11€application€in€this€opinion.€€Rule€42€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€AppellateÏProcedure€provides,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:ÌÓÓà8 Ø àò òà 0 àó ó(a)€Definition;€€Issuance;€€Stay€on€Petition€for€Rehearing.€Ð Ô¨ ÐCopies,€certified€by€the€clerk€of€the€appellate€court,€of€the€judgment,Ïstatement€of€costs,€any€order€as€to€costs€or€instructions€as€to€interest,Ïand€a€copy€of€the€opinion€of€the€appellate€court€shall€constitute€theÏmandate.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 à*à  à*à è à*Ð\ 0Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àThe€clerk€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€and€Court€of€Criminal€AppealsÏshall€transmit€to€the€clerk€of€the€trial€court€the€mandate€of€the€Court€ofÏAppeals€or€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals,€with€notice€to€the€parties,€64Ïdays€after€entry€of€judgment€unless€the€court€orders€otherwise.€€TheÏtimely€filing€of€a€petition€for€rehearing€will€stay€the€mandate€untilÏdisposition€of€the€petition€unless€the€court€orders€otherwise.€€TheÏmandate€shall€issue€64€days€after€denial€of€the€petition€for€rehearingÏor,€if€the€petition€for€rehearing€is€granted,€64€days€after€entry€ofÏjudgment€on€rehearing.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 à*à  à*à è à*Ðl+@!$Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà 0 àñÀñò òñÀñ(b)€Stay€When€Review€by€Supreme€Court€Is€Sought.ñ¿ñó óñ¿ñ€€ñÀññ¿ñó óñ¿ññÀñUnlessÏotherwise€ordered€by€the€Supreme€Court,€Court€of€Appeals,€Court€ofÏCriminal€Appeals,€or€a€judge€thereof,€the€timely€filing€of€an€applicationÏfor€permission€to€appeal€in€the€Supreme€Court€shall€stay€the€issuanceÏof€the€mandate€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€or€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals,Ïwhich€stay€is€effective€until€final€disposition€by€the€Supreme€Court.€ÏUpon€the€filing€of€an€order€of€the€Supreme€Court€denying€theÏapplication€for€permission€to€appeal,€the€mandate€shall€issueÏimmediately.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÐ 5d+/ ÐÓÓThe€clear€intent€of€this€sixty„four€day€period€is€to€allow€the€parties€sixty€days€to€fileÏan€application€for€permission€to€appeal€to€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court,€òòseeóó€Tenn.Ð  Ø ÐR.€App.€P.€11,€as€well€as€to€provide€a€four„day€ð ðcushionðð€which€enables€the€filing€ofÏthe€application€by€registered€mail.€€If€no€application€for€permission€to€appeal€is€filedÏwithin€this€time€frame,€mandate€shall€issue.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€42(a).€€If,€however,€anÏapplication€for€permission€to€appeal€is€timely€filed,€then€the€issuance€of€mandate€isÏstayed€pending€final€disposition€by€the€Supreme€Court.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€42(b).ÌÌà Ø àIn€the€present€case,€the€Court€of€Appeals€directed€that€mandate€shall€issueÏbefore€the€sixty„four€day€period€had€elapsed.€€The€Court€of€Appeals€apparentlyÏinterpreted€Rule€62.01€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€as€a€deviceÏdesigned€to€circumvent€the€application€of€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€42€for€certain€cases.€€AsÏmentioned€above,€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€62.01€provides,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:ÌÓÓà8 Ø à[I]n€actions€that€.€.€.€award,€change€or€otherwise€affect€the€custody€ofÏa€minor€child,€an€interlocutory€or€final€judgment€shall€not€be€stayedÏafter€entry€unless€otherwise€ordered€by€the€court€and€upon€such€termsÏas€to€bond€or€otherwise€as€it€deems€proper€to€secure€the€other€party.€Ï€à 0 à€à8ˆØ À!Ø À!àÐÔ%¨ˆhˆh ÐÌÓÓÌà Ø àWe€find,€however,€that€this€Rule€applies€to€the€trial€courts€of€this€state€and€wasÏnot€intended€to€supersede€the€sixty„four€day€period€set€forth€in€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€42.€ÏFirst€of€all,€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€govern€procedure€in€TennesseeÏtrial€courts€and€do€not€control€appellate€court€procedure.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€1.€Ð  /à$( ÐRule€62.01€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€applies€in€situations€in€whichÏa€òòtrial€courtóó€has€rendered€a€custody€decision.€€Thus,€in€situations€in€which€a€trial€courtÐ ¼2(, Ðhas€ð ðaward[ed],€change[d]€or€otherwise€affect[ed]€the€custody€of€a€minor€child,ðð€theÐ ”4h*. Ðtrial€courtððs€custody€decision€will€not€ordinarily€be€stayed€pending€appeal.€€Tenn.€R.ÏCiv.€P.€62.01.€€This€rule,€however,€is€inapplicable€in€cases€in€which€an€appellateÏcourthas€ð ðaward[ed],€change[d]€or€otherwise€affect[ed]€the€custody€of€a€minor€child.ðð€ÏòòId.óóÐ ´ˆ ÐÌà Ø àFurthermore,€we€believe€that€a€contrary€interpretation€may€detrimentally€affectÏthe€welfare€of€a€minor€child.€€For€instance,€if€a€trial€court€awards€custody€of€a€minorÏchild€to€her€mother,€and€later€that€the€Court€of€Appeals€reverses€the€trial€courtððsÏdecision€and€awards€custody€to€the€father€and€orders€the€immediate€issuance€ofÏmandate,€and€the€Supreme€Court€grants€a€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed€byÏthe€mother€and€reverses€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€decision,€custody€of€the€child€will€haveÏchanged€from€the€mother,€to€the€father,€and€ultimately€back€to€the€mother.€€Such€aÏchain€of€events€would€likely€be€harmful€to€the€welfare€of€the€child.ÌÌà Ø àWhile€not€expressly€prohibited€by€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€42,€we€find€that€in€a€childÏcustody€case,€such€as€this,€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€February€24,€1999€order€directingÏthat€mandate€be€issued€was€ill„advised.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Because€the€Father€timely€filed€a€Tenn.€R.Ð ¬'€  ÐApp.€P.€11€application€for€permission€to€appeal,€the€issuance€of€mandate€shouldÏhave€been€stayed€pending€final€disposition€by€this€Court.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€42(b).€ÏNevertheless,€after€reviewing€the€Fatherððs€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€forÐ 4-#& Ðpermission€to€appeal,€the€record,€and€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€well„crafted€February€2,Ï1999€opinion,€we€believe€that€the€Father€has€failed€to€demonstrate€requisite€criteriaÏfor€review€of€the€merits€of€this€case€by€this€Court€and,€thus,€we€decline€to€exerciseÏreview.ñÁñ€€òòñÁññÂñSeeóóñÂññÃñ€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11ñÃññÄññÃñ.(añÃññÄññÅñ(a).ñÅññÂññÁñóóñÁññÂñÐ ´ˆ ÐÌà@..)Ìàò òCONCLUSIONó óˆÐ d8  Ðà Ø àIn€sum,€we€reverse€the€February€24,€1999€action€of€the€Court€of€AppealsÏdirecting€that€mandate€shall€issue.€€However,€the€Fatherððs€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ïapplication€for€permission€to€appeal€is€hereby€denied.€€Mandate€shall€immediatelyÏbe€issued€in€conformity€with€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€42(b).€€The€result€is€that€the€MotherÏshall€remain€primary€custodian€of€the€partiesðð€children.ÌÌà Ø àCosts€on€appeal€are€taxed€equally€to€both€parties.ò òÐ \ 0 ÐÌó óÔ‡XNÏXXXNÏÔà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 à_____________________________________Ð $ð ÐÓÓà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àFrank€F.€Drowota,€III,Ìà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àJusticeÌÓ‘yÓÌÌÓÓò òCONCUR:ó óÐ |+P!$ ÐÌAnderson,€C.J.ÌBirch,€Holder,€Barker,€J.J.Ô#†XNÏXXXNÏüx#Ô€€€