ÿWPC8% E£¿iÕBy)¶¸•+·l+ ^øx8É8YbÜò"p#DÇ\LÊ)üí¢î˜r^ceF5óøIêgìÛä0 ·¬¯¹U[!M7Z ÉH{"8‡•, ²ÍzÛ^5Ô‰§AœUUu‹üq- [c"y豆de|Ülû7yïî¼ÙìÆÈ0}ˆíŒ<§¤±=á2ú[…•÷2š‡¼Ni§–øøpVb¤4žÚZDÝzÙÐÆÂÅu¬¨a×Ù.šzº²ZÂŒ@”ý ŒÊêcè’DŸ3ðÐGÁ·ìxÜ/jþÀ%ëG¯¼Ýé݇¼ý —¼ŸãÝ·´œ{.Ô•íþ^Å‹ÒYÙ æ9”¦>@X£š"†úxažÎKlâEb)z3»,2'‡/BG¿ÓŽâÆk'*·4iÏYæ€ÈglÈ¢nJ.V6 Y‘»‘/ù[ÄÊq3 ¥ÁìÖ²’…õñFZë­²/&ÑsWŒZÔldG`7 뙤= ‘ùqü¬·Y›ä2M©´mÅÛ€—ƒ¨ Ç*üütkFkS›ãÂ:IƒÏºO¸æb…O4úTO™ß’ô †A×Ʌ™)T²Y’eìnè­`lÙe~ò’Z‡Ww°|Y¬i„~>Ýb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz UN‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1÷N  0DÇSE[z w4ñññññññññ% % % % % % % % % % % % b- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0ë5 5 5 5 B ! ! 0¤=! D3á! D-" 0KA"A" ASŒ"Æß" 0¤¥# 0DI$ A«$˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0» )L (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularö~ì( œk1¨ ˜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‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 Ñ ° Ñ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ½Ý ƒRŒ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€X ‘X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡&â %XX ‘Ô€Ô#†X ‘X %&â~#ÔTennesseeððs€current€statute,€the€Uniform€Child€Custody€Jurisdiction€Enforcement€Act,Ð ° Ðprovides€that€ð ð[a]€motion€or€other€request€for€relief€made€in€a€child-custody€proceeding€or€to€enforceÐ œì Ða€child-custody€determination€which€was€commenced€before€June€14,€1999,€is€governed€by€the€lawÐ ˆØ Ðin€effect€at€the€time€the€motion€or€other€request€was€made.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„243€(Supp.Ð tÄ Ð1999)Ô‡&â %XX ‘Ô. QÝ ƒRŒ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€X ‘X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€UCCJA€permits€the€Tennessee€judge€and€the€judge€in€the€other€state€at€issue€to€discussÐ ° Ðjurisdiction€by€telephone,€outside€the€presence€of€the€partiesðð€attorneys€and€without€a€written€record.€Ð œì ÐIn€situations€in€which€the€trial€court€must€act€quickly,€this€is€necessary.€€However,€in€a€situation€suchÐ ˆØ Ðas€the€instant€case,€it€is€preferable€to€obtain€a€written€order€from€the€state€declining€jurisdiction. p Ý ƒRŒ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€X ‘X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡&â %XX ‘ÔTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106€provides€that€the€following€factors€be€considered€in€childÐ ° Ðcustody€cases:Ð ˆØ ÐÌà8  à(1)€The€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€the€parents€and€child;Ð8ˆÐ Ð  Ðà8  à(2)€The€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,€clothing,€medical€care,Ð ` Ðeducation€and€other€necessary€care€and€the€degree€to€which€a€parent€has€been€the€primaryÐ è8 Ðcaregiver;ÐÀ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(3)€The€importance€of€continuity€in€the€childððs€life€and€the€length€of€time€the€child€has€livedÐ ˜ è Ðin€a€stable,€satisfactory€environment€.€.€.;Ðp ÀÐ Ð  Ðà8  à(4)€The€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;ÐH ˜ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(5)€The€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;Ð p Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(6)€The€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;Ðø H Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(7)€The€reasonable€preference€of€the€child€if€twelve€(12)€years€of€age€or€older.€€The€courtÐ Ð  Ðmay€hear€the€preference€of€a€younger€child€upon€request.€€The€preferences€of€older€childrenÐ ¨ø  Ðshould€normally€be€given€greater€weight€than€those€of€younger€children;ЀРРР Ðà8  à(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€to€the€other€parent€or€to€any€otherÐ X¨  Ðperson€.€.€.;Ð0€ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(9)€The€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€who€resides€in€or€frequents€the€home€ofÐ X Ða€parent€and€such€personððs€interactions€with€the€child.Ðà0Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(10)€Each€parentððs€past€and€potential€for€future€performance€of€parenting€responsibilities,Ð ¸ Ðincluding€the€willingness€and€ability€of€each€of€the€parents€to€facilitate€and€encourage€aÐ à Ðclose€and€continuing€parent-child€relationship€between€the€child€and€the€other€parent,Ð h¸ Ðconsistent€with€the€best€interest€of€the€child.Ð@Ð Ð  ÐÌò òòòId.óóó óÔ#†X ‘X %&â~#ÔÐ ð@ Ð *Ý ƒRŒ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€X ‘X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔCases€such€as€this€frequently€include€evidence€regarding€the€childððs€bond€with€the€custodialÐ ° Ðparent€and€the€effect€on€the€child€of€uprooting€him€or€her€in€order€to€change€custody.€€However,€theÐ œì ÐTennessee€trial€court€was€not€given€the€benefit€of€such€evidence€because€Mother€declined€to€appearÐ ˆØ Ðat€the€Tennessee€hearing€and€did€not€have€Jessica€appear€at€the€hearing. - ù-(|G2Œ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€B=»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€X ‘X»»Ô d(|3Gx$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€B=»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Gx$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€B=»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€B=»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼B=»»»ÔÑ8€ ‘XXdì»»d8ÑÑ€OYÑÑ  Ñà@¦ ¦ ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@§§$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ  Ðà@††"ìàJune€2000€SessionˆÐ Ô$ ÐÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÌò òÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘¸#ÔÓ  ÓLARRY€L.€WILSONòòóó€v.€KIMBERLY€TITTLEÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ôó óÐ Ò" ÐÓþÓÌà@Ü Ü ìàò òAn€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Sumner€CountyˆÐ Ò " Ðà@» » ìàNo.€17344C€€€€€€Arthur€E.€McClellan,€JudgeˆÐ ¾  ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<` A߈Ð ‚Ò  ÐÌà@® ® ìàNo.€M2000„00115„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CVÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘2#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€„€Filed€August€25,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_Ô€ˆÐ }Í  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<T` AßÐ U¥  Ðó óÌThis€is€a€child€custody€case.€€The€mother€and€father,€who€were€never€married,€had€a€child€inÐ P   ÐTennessee.€€The€mother€subsequently€married€another€man€and€filed€petitions€in€a€Tennessee€courtÐ <Œ Ðto€establish€paternity€of€the€child€and€for€adoption€by€the€stepfatherÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô.€€During€the€pendency€of€the€suit,Ð (x Ðthe€mother€and€stepfather€moved€with€the€child€to€Texas.Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€€The€Tennessee€court€awarded€custody€ofÐ d Ðthe€child€to€the€mother€but€denied€the€motherððs€petition€for€adoption.€€The€court€awarded€the€fatherÐ P Ðvisitation.€€Later,€the€father€filed€petitions€in€the€Tennessee€court€for€contempt€and€for€change€ofÐ ì< Ðcustody,€arguing€that€the€mother€had€refused€to€allow€him€visitation.€€Mother€subsequently€filed€aÐ Ø( Ðpetition€in€a€Texas€court€to€modify€the€Tennessee€courtððs€prior€order.€The€Tennessee€court€found€thatÐ Ä Ðthe€motherððs€denial€of€the€fatherððs€visitation€rights€was€a€substantial€change€of€circumstances€andÐ ° Ðthat€the€best€interests€of€the€child€favored€an€award€of€custody€to€the€father.€€The€mother€appeals.€Ð œì ÐWe€affirm.Ð ˆØ ÐÌò òTenn.R.App.P.€3;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€is€Affirmed.ó óÐ `° ÐÌòòHolly€Kirby€Lillard,€J.Ô#†¼B=»àX ‘Í#ÔÔ‡X ‘X.¼B=Ôóó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Highers,€J.,óó€andÐ 8ˆ ÐòòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð $ t ÐÌThomas€L.€Whiteside,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Kimberly€Tittle.Ð ü!L! ÐÌD.€Scott€Parsley,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Larry€Wilson.Ð Ô#$# ÐÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘¾ #ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ԈР¬%ü % ÐÌÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘} #ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÓ Óà  àPlaintiff/Appellant€Kimberly€Tittle€(ð ðMotherðð)€and€Defendant/Appellee€Larry€WilsonÐ „'Ô"' Ð(ð ðFatherðð)€are€the€parents€of€Jessica€Elizabeth€Wilson€(ð ðJessicaðð),€born€December€11,€1992.€€JessicaÐ p(À#( Ðwas€born€in€Henderson,€Tennessee.€€Mother€and€Father€never€married.€Ð \)¬$) ÐÓ °X°œXÓà  àMother€and€Father€apparently€lived€together€for€a€period€of€time€after€Jessica€was€born.€Ð 4+„&+ ÐSubsequently,€Mother€€married€Tommy€Tittle€(ð ðStepfatherðð).€€At€a€later€point,€Mother€filed€a€petitionÐ  ,p', Ðto€legitimate€Jessica€in€the€Sumner€County€Juvenile€Court€in€Sumner€County,€Tennessee.€€AfterÐ  -\(-ý' ÐFatherððs€answer€to€the€petition,€Mother€filed€petitions€in€the€Sumner€County€Circuit€Court€(ð ðtrialÐ ° Ðcourtðð)€to€establish€paternity€of€Jessica€and€for€adoption€by€stepfather.€€The€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘Ö #ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ôproceedings€in€JuvenileÐ œì ÐCourt€were€then€stayed.€€During€the€pendency€of€Motherððs€action€in€the€trial€court,€Mother€andÐ ˆØ ÐStepfather€moved€with€Jessica€to€Austin,€Texas.Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘à#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€€Father€appeared€in€Motherððs€action€in€the€trialÐ tÄ Ðcourt.€Ð `° Ðà  àOn€September€25,€1996,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€entered€an€order€denying€Motherððs€petitionÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€adoption.€€ò òó óIn€the€order,€the€trial€court€found€that€Father€was€Jessicaððs€biological€father€based€uponÐ $ t Ðblood€test€evidence€and€upon€Fatherððs€acknowledgment€of€paternity.€€It€also€found€no€evidence€toÐ  ` Ðsupport€a€finding€that€Father€had€abandoned€the€child.€€The€trial€court€awarded€Father€visitation€forÐ ü L  Ðone€week€each€month€and€for€an€extended€period€during€the€summer€and€ordered€Father€to€pay€childÐ è 8  Ðsupport€of€$81.90€per€week€in€accordance€with€the€Child€Support€Guidelines.€€The€trial€court€orderedÐ Ô$  ÐMother€to€bear€the€costs€of€transporting€the€child€between€Texas€and€Tennessee€for€FatherððsÐ À  Ðvisitation€based€on€its€finding€that€Mother€had€voluntarily€left€the€jurisdiction.€Ð ¬ü  Ðà  àOn€December€2,€1996,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€entered€an€order€granting€Mother€fullÐ „Ô  Ðcustody€of€Jessica.€€This€order€also€granted€Father€visitation€for€one€weekò òó ó€each€month€and€orderedÐ pÀ ÐMother€to€bear€the€costs€of€transporting€Jessica€between€Texas€and€Tennessee.€Ð \¬ Ðà  àOn€September€4,€1997,€Father€filed€a€petition€in€the€Tennessee€trial€court€for€contempt€andÐ 4„ Ðfor€a€change€of€custody.€€In€the€petition,€Father€asserted€that€Mother,€from€May€1997€to€August€1997,Ð  p Ðhad€refused€to€allow€him€visitation€for€one€week€each€month€with€Jessica,€and€that€Mother€had€notÐ  \ Ðallowed€him€extended€visitation€during€the€summer€of€1997.€€Father€asked€the€trial€court€to€holdÐ øH ÐMother€in€contempt€of€the€trial€courtððs€orders€and€issue€a€restraining€order€enjoining€Mother€fromÐ ä4 Ðremoving€Jessica€from€Texas.€€Father€also€argued€that€Motherððs€conduct€since€the€trial€courtððsÐ Ð  ÐSeptember€1996€orderÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘ó#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€constituted€a€material€and€substantial€change€in€circumstances€justifying€aÐ ¼  Ðchange€in€custodyÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘˜#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô.€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘L#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔOn€September€4,€1997,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€entered€a€temporary€restrainingÐ ¨ø Ðorder€enjoining€Mother€from€removing€Jessica€from€Texas€pending€further€order€by€the€trial€court.€Ð ”ä Ðà  àOn€October€14,€1997,€Mother€filed€a€motion€in€the€Tennessee€trial€court€to€dismiss€FatherððsÐ l¼ Ðpetition€for€custody€and€to€vacate€the€Tennessee€trial€courtððs€restraining€order.€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘‘#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔIn€the€motion,€MotherÐ X ¨ Ðargued€that€the€Tennessee€trial€court€lacked€jurisdiction€in€the€case.€€She€asserted€that€Texas,€notÐ D!” ÐTennessee,€was€Jessicaððs€home€state€because€the€child€had€resided€there€for€more€than€six€monthsÐ 0"€  Ðprior€to€the€filing€of€Fatherððs€petition€for€custody.€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘ƒ#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ #l! Ðà  àOn€October€16,€1997,€Mother€filed€a€petition€in€the€District€Court€of€Travis€County,€TexasÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô,€Ð ô$D # Ðseeking€to€modify€the€Tennessee€trial€courtððs€September€1996€and€December€1996€orders.€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘Ö#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔThroughÐ à%0!$ Ða€subsequent€amended€petition,€Mother€asked€the€Texas€court€to€modify€the€custody€and€visitationÐ Ì&"% Ðprovisions€of€the€trial€courtððs€orders€to€conform€with€the€Standard€Possession€Order€provided€in€theÐ ¸'#& ÐTexas€Family€Code.€€In€a€supporting€affidavit,€Mother€stated€that€she€and€Jessica€had€lived€in€Austin,Ð ¤(ô#' ÐTexas,€with€Stepfather,€since€February€1996.€€Father€was€served€in€the€Texas€action€but€did€notÐ )à$( Ðappear.€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘Š #ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘Ð"#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€On€October€27,€1997,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€entered€an€order€denying€Motherððs€motionÐ ° Ðto€dismiss,€finding€that€it€had€jurisdiction€over€JessicaÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘3##ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô.€€In€the€order,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€notedÐ œì ÐMotherððs€petition€in€the€Texas€court€but€stated€that€the€Tennessee€trial€court€retained€jurisdiction€inÐ ˆØ Ðthe€case€in€spite€of€Motherððs€Texas€action.€Ð tÄ Ðà  àOn€December€2,€1997,€the€Texas€court€issued€an€order€granting€Mother€custody€of€JessicaÐ L œ Ðand€awarding€Father€visitation.€€The€Texas€court€ordered€Father€to€pay€child€support€of€$338.00€perÐ 8 ˆ Ðmonth€through€the€Texas€court.€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘$#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔThe€Texas€court€expressly€found€that€it€had€jurisdiction€in€the€caseÐ $ t Ðð ðand€that€no€other€court€has€continuing€exclusive€jurisdiction.ððÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘x&#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ  ` Ðà  àOn€December€29,€1997,€in€the€Tennessee€trial€court,€Mother€renewed€her€motion€to€dismissÐ è 8  Ðfor€lack€of€jurisdiction,€citing€the€issuance€of€the€Texas€courtððs€order€on€December€2,€1997.€€In€theÐ Ô$  Ðmotion,€Mother€maintained€that€Texas€was€Jessicaððs€home€state€based€on€the€childððs€continuedÐ À  Ðresidency€in€that€state.€€Mother€asserted€thatÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘Y'#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€the€Texas€court€had€assumed€jurisdiction€in€the€caseÐ ¬ü  Ðconcerning€all€questions€of€law€and€fact€pertaining€to€Jessicaððs€custody,€visitation,€and€child€support.€Ð ˜è  Ðà  àOn€December€31,€1997,€Father€filed€a€motion€asking€the€Tennessee€trial€court€to€contact€theÐ pÀ ÐTexas€court€to€determine€whether€the€Texas€court€had€properly€exercised€jurisdiction€in€the€case.€Ð \¬ ÐIn€his€motion,€Father€asserted€that€the€Tennessee€trial€court€acquired€jurisdiction€in€the€case€prior€toÐ H˜ ÐMotherððs€petition€in€the€Texas€court.€€On€January€9,€1998,€Mother€responded€to€Fatherððs€motion,Ð 4„ Ðasserting€that€the€Texas€court€had€properly€exercised€jurisdiction€because€Texas€was€now€JessicaððsÐ  p Ðð ðhome€stateðð€under€28€U.S.C.€ðð€1738A€and€the€Parental€Ô_ÔKidnappingÔ_Ô€Prevention€Act€of€1980,€Pub.Ð  \ ÐL.€96„611,€94€Stat.€3508.€€On€January€20,€1998,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€entered€an€order€stating€thatÐ øH Ðit€would€contact€the€Texas€court€to€discuss€which€court€had€properly€exercised€jurisdiction€in€theÐ ä4 Ðcase.€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘K)#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ Ð  ÐÒû°Òà  àOn€November€2,€1999,€the€Tennessee€trial€judge€held€a€hearing€in€which€he€told€attorneysÐ ¨ø Ðfor€both€Mother€and€Father€that€he€had€spoken€with€Judge€Deborah€Richardson€of€the€Texas€courtÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘P.#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô.€Ð ”ä ÐThe€Tennessee€trial€judge€informed€the€attorneys€that€Judge€Richardson€had€told€him€that€Texas€hadÐ €Ð Ðnever€accepted€jurisdiction€over€Jessica,€that€Judge€RichardsonÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘Œ/#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€did€not€consider€Texas€to€be€theÐ l¼ Ðchildððs€home€state,€and€that€Texas€was€declining€jurisdiction€in€the€case.€€The€Tennessee€trial€judgeÐ X ¨ Ðstated€that€Judge€Richardson€planned€to€enter€an€order€to€that€effect€and€would€send€a€copy€of€theÐ D!” Ðorder€to€the€Tennessee€trial€court.€€A€letter€from€Judge€RichardsonÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘›0#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€subsequently€received€by€theÐ 0"€  ÐTennessee€trial€court€stated:Ð #l! Ðà8  à.€.€.€we€have€no€pending€matters€regarding€the€Child,€Jessica€Elizabeth€Wilson€inÐ ô$D # ÐCause€Number:€97„11841€in€the€226th€Judicial€District€Court€in€Travis€County,Ð à%0!$ ÐTexas.€€The€Tennessee€divorce€decree€was€modified€in€that€cause€number€by€defaultÐ Ì&"% Ðhere€on€December€2,€1997€under€Texasðð€old€UCCJA€Statute.€€Texas€enacted€a€newÐ ¸'#& ÐUCCJEA€Statute€on€September€1,€1999€.€.€.€.€€Under€the€new€statute,€TexasÐ ¤(ô#' Ðrecognizes€exclusion€[sic]€continuing€jurisdiction€for€the€state€entering€the€decree.Ð)à$(… …  ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘J2#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔNo€order€from€the€Texas€court€declining€jurisdiction€appears€in€the€record€on€appeal.€€On€NovemberÐ ° Ð15,€1999,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€entered€an€order€stating€that€it€was€accepting€jurisdiction€in€theÐ œì Ðcase€as€Jessicaððs€home€state.€€The€Tennessee€order€set€a€hearing€date€on€December€16,€1999Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘v5#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô,€toÐ ˆØ Ðconsider€Fatherððs€petitions€for€contempt€and€for€custody€of€Jessica.€€The€Tennessee€order€stated€thatÐ tÄ Ðð ðcounsel€for€Mother€must€notify€his€client€personally€to€be€present€on€this€date€and€if€she€is€notÐ `° Ðpresent€or€elects€not€to€be€present€on€that€date,€that€she€must€have€the€child€present€on€[that€date].€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘7#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ L œ Ðà  àOn€December€16,€1999,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€held€a€hearing€to€consider€FatherððsÐ $ t Ðpetitions€for€contempt€and€for€a€change€of€custody.€€Father€was€present€at€the€hearing,€but€neitherÐ  ` ÐMother€nor€Jessica€appeared.€€Motherððs€attorney€stated€that€he€felt€that€Mother€did€not€appearÐ ü L  Ðbecause€she€believed€that€she€had€custody€of€the€partiesðð€child€through€a€valid€order€from€the€TexasÐ è 8  Ðcourt,€that€the€Tennessee€trial€court€did€not€have€jurisdiction€in€the€case,€and€that€Mother€feared€theÐ Ô$  ÐTennessee€trial€courtððs€custody€decision€would€be€unfavorable.€€Motherððs€attorney€renewedÐ À  ÐMotherððs€objection€to€the€Tennessee€trial€courtððs€jurisdiction€to€hear€the€case.€€The€Tennessee€trialÐ ¬ü  Ðcourt€proceeded€with€the€hearing€in€Motherððs€absence.Ð ˜è  Ðà  àAt€the€hearing,€Father€testified€that€he€lives€in€Madison,€Tennessee,€just€outside€ofÐ pÀ ÐNashville,€in€a€home€with€his€mother€and€sister.€€Father€stated€that€he€is€an€audio€engineer€and€thatÐ \¬ Ðhis€work€requires€overnight€travel€for€four€days€each€week.€€Ð H˜ Ðà  àFather€testified€that€Mother€had€told€him€on€numerous€occasions€that€he€would€be€permittedÐ  p Ðto€see€Jessica,€only€to€later€renege.€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘À8#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔFather€stated€that,€in€April€1997,€he€and€Mother€madeÐ  \ Ðarrangements€for€Mother€to€bring€Jessica€to€Tennessee€to€visit€for€two€weeks.€€Father€said€the€visitÐ øH Ðnever€occurred.€€Father€testified€that€he€made€arrangements€through€his€attorney€to€travel€to€TexasÐ ä4 Ðto€see€Jessica€in€October€1997.€€He€stated€that€he€purchased€airline€tickets€and€rented€a€car€and€aÐ Ð  Ðhotel€room€but€that€Jessica€was€not€there€when€he€attempted€to€see€her.€€Father€stated€that€MotherÐ ¼  Ðalso€told€him€that€he€could€see€Jessica€on€Thanksgiving€of€1999€but€that€he€was€eventually€notÐ ¨ø Ðallowed€to€do€so.Ð ”ä Ðà  àFather€testified€that€he€enjoys€a€good€and€loving€relationship€with€Jessica€in€spite€of€theÐ l¼ Ðlimited€time€he€has€been€allowed€to€spend€with€her.€€He€stated€that€he€talks€with€Jessica€over€theÐ X ¨ Ðtelephone€when€Mother€allows€him€to€do€so.€€Father€stated€that€he€tried€on€numerous€occasions€toÐ D!” Ðwork€out€a€visitation€schedule€with€Mother,€but€that€she€refused€to€cooperate,€asserting€that€theÐ 0"€  ÐTexas€court€has€jurisdiction.Ð #l! Ðà  àOn€December€22,€1999,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€entered€an€order€denying€Motherððs€motionÐ ô$D # Ðto€dismiss€for€lack€of€jurisdiction€and€granting€Fatherððs€petition€to€change€custody.€€In€the€order,€theÐ à%0!$ ÐTennessee€trial€court€noted€that€Motherððs€arguments€at€the€December€16,€1999€hearing€concerningÐ Ì&"% Ðjurisdiction€were€the€same€as€those€preceding€the€Tennessee€trial€courtððs€orders€in€October€1997€andÐ ¸'#& ÐNovember€1999,€in€which€the€Tennessee€trial€court€had€determined€that€it€had€Ð  ¤(ô#' Ðjurisdiction€over€the€case.€€The€Tennessee€trial€court€again€found€that€it€had€jurisdiction€as€JessicaððsÐ ° Ðhome€state.€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘™>#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔRegarding€Fatherððs€petition€to€change€custody,€the€Tennessee€trial€court€stated:Ð œì Ðà8  àThe€Court€finds€from€the€testimony€of€the€Father€and€a€review€of€the€record€in€thisÐ tÄ Ðmatter€that€the€Petition€to€Change€Custody€is€well€taken.Ð`°… …  ÐÓ  Ó*€*€*Ð 8 ˆ ÐÓßGÓà8  àThe€Court€specifically€finds€that€there€has€been€a€material€and€substantial€change€inÐ  ` Ðcircumstances€justifying€a€change€in€custody€and€that€such€a€change€is€in€the€bestÐ ü L  Ðinterest€of€the€minor€child.€€The€Court€finds€the€testimony€as€concerns€the€changeÐ è 8  Ðof€custody€is€undisputed,€that€Mother€has€attempted€and€has€actually€destroyed€theÐ Ô$  Ðbond€between€Father€and€.€.€.€Jessica€.€.€.€.€€The€Court€finds€that€Mother€hasÐ À  Ðcontinuously€engaged€in€a€course€of€conduct€that€has€precluded€the€father/daughterÐ ¬ü  Ðrelationship€from€continuing.€€It€is€further€the€Courtððs€finding€that€such€activity€onÐ ˜è  Ðthe€part€of€Mother,€in€conjunction€with€the€affirmative€efforts€on€the€part€of€FatherÐ „Ô  Ðto€continue€his€relationship€does,€in€fact,€constitute€a€material€and€substantial€changeÐ pÀ Ðin€circumstances€from€the€date€of€the€original€order€.€.€.€on€September€25,€1996,€toÐ \¬ Ðpresent€to€justify€a€change€in€custody.ÐH˜… …  ÐThe€Tennessee€trial€court€found€Mother€in€contempt€for€her€obstruction€of€Fatherððs€visitation.€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘ŒF#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔItÐ  p Ðalso€noted€that€Mother€did€not€appear€at€the€hearing€after€being€personally€notified€by€her€attorneyÐ  \ Ðof€the€Tennessee€trial€courtððs€requirement€that€she€do€so.€€The€Tennessee€trial€court€ordered€MotherÐ øH Ðto€deliver€Jessica€to€Fatherððs€custody€in€Nashville,€Tennessee,€on€or€before€December€24,€1999.Ð ä4 Ðò òó óFrom€this€order,€Mother€now€appeals.Ð Ð  Ðà  àOn€appeal,€Mother€argues€that€the€Tennessee€trial€court€lacked€jurisdiction€to€hear€FatherððsÐ ¨ø Ðpetition€to€change€custody.€€Mother€contends€that,€under€Tennesseeððs€Uniform€Child€CustodyÐ ”ä ÐJurisdiction€Act,€Texas€is€Jessicaððs€ð ðhome€stateðð€and,€thus,€Tennessee€does€not€have€jurisdictionÐ €Ð Ðto€hear€Fatherððs€petition.€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘M#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€Mother€states€that€Jessica€had€resided€in€Texas€more€than€one€year€priorÐ l¼ Ðto€the€filing€of€Fatherððs€petition€to€change€custody.€€She€also€asserts€that€the€Texas€court€properlyÐ X ¨ Ðexercised€jurisdiction€over€her€petition€in€that€court€and€that€it€did€not€expressly€decline€jurisdictionÐ D!” Ðin€its€letter€to€the€Tennessee€trial€court.Ð 0"€  Ðà  àFather€argues€thatÔ‡ X ‘XXX ‘Ô€the€Tennessee€trial€court€had€jurisdiction€to€hear€his€petition€to€changeÐ $X" Ðcustody€based€on€the€Tennessee€trial€courtððs€September€1996€and€December€1996€ordersÔ#†X ‘XX X ‘mR#ÔÔ‡ X ‘XXX ‘ÔÔ#† ¼B=»X X ‘—P#ÔÔ‡ X ‘X» ¼B=ÔÐ ô$D # Ðestablishing€Fatherððs€visitation€rights.€€Father€contends€that€jurisdiction€is€proper€in€TennesseeÐ à%0!$ Ðbecause€Mother€voluntarily€filed€her€original€petitions€to€establish€paternity€and€for€adoption€inÐ Ì&"% ÐTennessee,€because€Jessica€was€born€in€Tennessee,€and€because€Father€continues€to€reside€inÐ ¸'#& ÐTennessee.€€Father€also€asserts€that€the€Texas€court€declined€jurisdiction€in€its€discussion€with€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðâ âTennessee€trial€judge.Ô#†X ‘XX X ‘eS#ÔÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘§S#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ )à$( Ðà  àSince€this€case€was€tried€by€the€trial€court€sitting€without€a€jury,€we€review€the€case€òòde€novoóóÐ ° Ðâ âupon€the€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court.€€òòò òSeeó óóóÐ œì ÐTenn.R.App.P.€13(d).Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘V#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€€We€review€questions€of€law€with€no€presumption€of€correctness€in€the€trialÐ ˆØ Ðcourtððs€decision.€€ò òòòSeeóóó ó€òòò òState€v.€Levandowskió óóó,€955€S.W.2d€603,€604€(Tenn.€1997).Ð tÄ Ðà  àÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘šW#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔSection€36„6„203(a)(3)€of€Tennesseeððs€version€of€the€Uniform€Child€Custody€JurisdictionÐ L œ ÐAct€(ð ðUCCJAðð)Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘ÇX#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„201€through€„225€(1996)€(repealed€1999),׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘‹Y#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€provides€thatÐ 8 ˆ Ða€court€of€this€state€has€jurisdiction€to€make€a€child€custody€determination€by€modification€decreeÐ $ t Ðif:€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘dZ#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô(1)€all€other€states€have€refused€jurisdiction€on€the€ground€that€Tennessee€is€the€more€appropriateÐ  ` Ðforum€to€determine€child€custody,€and€(2)€it€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€that€a€court€of€thisÐ ü L  Ðstate€assume€jurisdiction.€€òòò òSeeó óóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„203(a)(3).Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘F[#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ è 8  Ðà  àIn€this€case,€the€Texas€courtððs€letter€to€the€trial€court€states€that€it€had€no€pending€mattersÐ À  Ðregarding€Jessica€and€that,€under€Texasðð€new€child€custody€jurisdiction€statute,€the€UCCJEA,€itÐ ¬ü  Ðrecognizes€exclusive€jurisdiction€for€the€state€entering€the€decree.€€The€letter€from€the€Texas€courtÐ ˜è  Ðdoes€not€indicate€whether€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘Ë\#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔTexas€recognized€the€Tennessee€trial€courtððs€exclusive€jurisdiction€underÐ „Ô  Ðthe€old€statute,€the€UCCJA.€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘°^#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔNo€order€from€the€Texas€court€expressly€declining€jurisdiction€appearsÐ pÀ Ðin€the€record€on€appeal.€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘p_#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔNevertheless,€the€Tennessee€trial€judge€informed€the€partiesðð€attorneys€ofÐ \¬ Ðhis€discussion€with€the€Texas€judge€in€which€the€Texas€judge€stated€that€Texas€had€never€acceptedÐ H˜ Ðjurisdiction€over€Jessica,€thatÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘'`#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€Texas€was€not€the€childððs€home€state,€and€that€Texas€was€decliningÐ 4„ Ðjurisdiction€in€the€case.׃,×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘`a#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘ib#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔMother€chose€to€file€her€original€petitions€to€establish€paternity€and€forÐ  p Ðadoption€in€Tennessee.€€Father,€who€had€repeatedly€attempted€to€exercise€visitation€with€JessicaÐ  \ Ðconsistent€with€the€Tennessee€trial€courtððs€September€1996€and€December€1996€orders,€continuesÐ øH Ðto€reside€in€Tennessee.€€Consequently,€we€find€that€the€Tennessee€trial€court€did€not€err€in€assumingÐ ä4 Ðjurisdiction€under€Section€36„6„203(a)(3)€of€the€UCCJA€to€consider€Fatherððs€petition€to€changeÐ Ð  Ðcustody.€€We€affirm€the€trial€court€on€this€issue.Ð ¼  Ðà  àMother€argues€that€the€Tennessee€trial€court€erred€in€changing€custody€of€Jessica€to€Father.€Ð ”ä ÐMother€contends€that€the€only€evidence€presented€at€trial€concerned€her€failure€to€comply€with€theÐ €Ð Ðvisitation€provisions€of€the€Tennessee€trial€courtððs€orders.€€She€asserts€that€such€evidence€isÐ l¼ Ðinsufficient€to€warrant€a€change€of€custody.€€Father€argues€that€the€evidence€produced€at€the€hearing€Ð X ¨ Ðin€Tennessee€supports€a€finding€that€Motherððs€denial€of€Fatherððs€visitation€rights€created€aÐ D!” ÐÑOYÑâ âѰ°Ñâ âÑ  Ñsubstantial€change€of€circumstances€warranting€a€change€of€custody€and€that€a€continuedÐ ° Ðrelationship€between€Father€and€Jessica€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘­b#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ œì Ðà  àThe€issue€of€child€custody€is€reviewed€òòde€novoóó,€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€in€the€trialÐ tÄ Ðcourtððs€findings€of€fact,€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€them.€€ò òòòSeeóóó ó€Tenn.R.App.P.€13(d).€Ð `° ÐThe€best€interest€of€the€child€is€the€primary€concern.€€ò òòòSeeóóó ó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106€(Supp.Ð L œ Ð1999);€ò òòòWhitaker€v.€Whitakeró óóó,€957€S.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€€The€trial€court€mustÐ 8 ˆ Ðalso€consider€the€factors€set€forth€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106€(Supp.€1999).׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘Ìh#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔIn€aÐ $ t Ðproceeding€involving€a€petition€to€modify€a€prior€custody€order,€the€party€seeking€a€change€ofÐ  ` Ðcustody€has€the€burden€of€proving€a€material€change€in€circumstances€compelling€enough€to€warrantÐ ü L  Ðsuch€a€change.€€òòò òSeeó óóó€ò òòòMusselman€v.€Acuffóóó ó,€826€S.W.2d€920,€922€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991);€ò òòòsee€alsoóóó óÐ è 8  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-6-101(a)(1)€(providing€that€custody€orders€remain€within€the€control€of€theÐ Ô$  Ðcourt€and€subject€to€such€changes€or€modification€as€the€exigencies€of€the€case€may€require).€€AÐ À  Ðchange€of€circumstances€warranting€a€modification€of€custody€includes€ð ðany€material€change€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðcircumstances€affecting€the€welfare€of€the€childðð€and€requires€a€showing€of€ð ðnew€facts€or€changedÐ ˜è  Ðconditions€which€could€not€be€anticipated€by€the€former€decree.ðð€€ò òòòMcReynolds€v.€McReynoldsóóó óÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘ßk#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô,Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘þo#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô€No.Ð „Ô  Ð01A01-9702-CH-00064,€1997€WL€607516Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘Ap#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô,€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘¿p#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ôat€*4€(citing€ò òòòDalton€v.€Daltonóóó ó,€858€S.W.2d€324,€326Ð pÀ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1993)).Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘q#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ \¬ ÐÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘¯q#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ôà  àIn€this€case,€the€facts€concerning€Motherððs€custody€of€Jessica€from€the€time€of€the€TennesseeÐ ° Ðtrial€courtððs€initial€order€until€Father€filed€his€petition€to€change€custody€Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘r#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ôare€sparse,€in€large€partÐ œì Ðbecause€of€Motherððs€failure€to€appear€at€trial€or€to€allow€Jessica€to€appear€at€trial.€€On€the€otherÐ ˆØ Ðhand,€the€record€on€appeal€reflects€that€Father€has€made€continued€efforts€to€maintain€a€relationshipÐ tÄ Ðwith€his€daughter€and€that€Mother€has€actively€obstructed€Father€from€seeing€Jessica.€€FatherÐ `° Ðtestified€that€he€has€a€good€relationship€with€Jessica,€despite€the€limited€time€the€two€have€spentÐ L œ Ðtogether.€€Father€also€testified€that€he€is€employed€and€has€a€good€home€for€Jessica€in€Tennessee.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р8 ˆ ÐÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘s#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔBased€on€the€evidence€contained€in€the€record,€this€Court€cannot€find€that€the€trial€court€erredÐ $ t Ðdetermining€that€Motherððs€obstruction€of€Fatherððs€exercise€of€his€visitation€rights€represents€aÐ  ` Ðchange€of€circumstances€justifying€a€change€of€custody€and€that€an€award€of€custody€to€Father€isÐ ü L  Ðin€the€childððs€best€interest.€€Consequently,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€custody€award€to€Father.Ô#†¼B=»XX ‘5v#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ è 8  ÐÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘Cx#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ôà  àIn€summary,€we€find€that€the€Tennessee€trial€court€had€jurisdiction€to€consider€FatherððsÐ À  Ðpetition€to€change€custody.€€We€cannot€conclude€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€that€MotherððsÐ ¬ü  Ðdenial€of€Fatherððs€visitation€rights€created€a€substantial€change€of€circumstances€warranting€aÐ ˜è  Ðchange€of€custody€to€Father,€and€that€an€award€of€custody€to€Father€is€in€the€childððs€best€interestÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘šx#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=Ô.€Ð „Ô  ÐThe€trial€courtððs€award€of€custody€to€Father€is€affirmed.Ð pÀ ÐÔ‡ X ‘XXX ‘Ôà  àThe€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Costs€are€assessed€against€the€Appellant,Ð H˜ ÐKimberly€Tittle,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ô#†X ‘XX X ‘7{#ÔÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘°z#ÔÔ‡X ‘X»¼B=ÔÐ 4„ ÐÌÓ Óà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ ä4 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARDÐ Ð  ÐÔ#†¼B=»XX ‘P|#ÔÔ€X ‘X»¼B=Ô