In Re: Matter of Kaitlyn M.W., Nathan A.W. v. Crystal D.S.P. ( 2010 )


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  •                   IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
    AT JACKSON
    October 13, 2010 Session
    IN RE: MATTER OF KAITLYN M.W.1
    NATHAN A.W.
    v.
    CRYSTAL D.S.P.2
    Appeal from the Juvenile Court of Tipton County
    No. J 18964    William A. Peeler, Judge
    No. W2010-00301-COA-R3-CV - Filed December 28, 2010
    This is a child custody case. The mother and father were never married to each other; the
    child was born when both were teenagers. Under the parenting plan, the mother was
    designated as the primary residential parent and the father had parenting time every weekend.
    After the father married, disputes ensued; many were disputes between the father’s wife and
    the child’s mother. The father filed a petition to modify the parenting plan to designate him
    as the child’s primary residential parent. He alleged, among other things, that the child was
    often tardy or absent from school, that the mother lacked stability, and that mother prevented
    him from exercising his parenting time. The trial court found no material change in
    circumstances and declined to change custody. The father appeals. We affirm.
    Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Juvenile Court Affirmed
    H OLLY M. K IRBY, J.,, delivered the opinion of the Court, in which A LAN E. H IGHERS, P.J.,
    W.S., and D AVID R. F ARMER, J., joined.
    Thomas D. Forrester, Covington, Tennessee, for Petitioner/Appellant, Nathan A.W.
    Frank Deslauriers, Covington, Tennessee, for Respondent/Appellee, Crystall D.S.P.
    1
    The case was initially styled “In Re: Matter of Kaitlin M.W.” However, school records and other documents
    in the appellate record spell the child’s name as Kaitlyn, so we use that spelling in this Opinion.
    2
    The mother’s name is spelled various ways in the appellate record and in the parties’ briefs. For purposes
    of this Opinion, we will utilize the spelling as it appears in the mother’s signature.
    OPINION
    F ACTS AND P ROCEEDINGS B ELOW
    Respondent/Appellee Crystall D. S. P. (“Mother”) and Petitioner/Appellant Nathan A.W.
    (“Father”) began their relationship when they were thirteen and fifteen years old,
    respectively. The child at issue, Kaitlyn M.W., was born on February 23, 2001, when the
    parties were seventeen and nineteen years old. Neither party completed high school, but
    Mother later obtained her G.E.D. They lived together for several years after Kaitlyn was
    born, but were never married to one another. Father obtained employment as a truck driver.
    Mother worked a variety of low-wage jobs. She lived primarily with her mother and
    stepfather, but at times lived other places.
    In December 2005, after Father and Mother separated, they agreed on a permanent parenting
    plan. It was entered in the Tipton County Juvenile Court. Under the parenting plan, Mother
    was the primary residential parent and the child lived with Mother during the week. Father
    had residential parenting time every weekend. The parties agreed to split holidays and agreed
    that Father would receive two-week uninterrupted residential parenting periods with the child
    twice every summer. Major decisions were to be made jointly. The parenting plan provided
    that Father would pay Mother $40 in child support each week. The record indicates that the
    parties operated under this parenting plan reasonably harmoniously for a year or so.
    Mother married in June 2006. She and her husband separated within two years of their
    marriage.
    In February 2007, Father married Rhonda M.W. (“Stepmother”). Stepmother is employed
    as a respiratory therapist, and has custody of a son from a prior relationship; the son is several
    years younger than Kaitlyn. Father and Stepmother own a two-bedroom home in Covington,
    Tennessee.
    Disputes between the parties quickly followed Father’s marriage to Stepmother. Stepmother
    and, to a lesser extent, Father contacted the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
    (“DCS”) several times to report concerns about Kaitlyn’s disheveled appearance, her
    excessive absences from school, allegations that Mother was using marijuana, and concerns
    that Mother’s stepfather may have been molesting Kaitlyn. DCS investigated the allegations
    but apparently took no action. Stepmother and Father also contacted the local police about
    Mother numerous times; apparently these disputes stemmed primarily from disagreements
    between the parties over either Father’s residential parenting time or the place and time for
    exchanging Kaitlyn for visitation.
    -2-
    During the 2007-2008 school year, Kaitlyn missed eighteen days of school and was counted
    tardy twenty-six times. Consequently, in 2007, Mother met with the Tipton County Truancy
    Board. Subsequently, during the 2008-2009 school year Kaitlyn missed seven days of school
    and was counted tardy twelve times.3 Mother appeared before the county Truancy Board a
    second time, and was fined for her noncompliance.4
    In September 2008, Father filed a petition for modification of the parenting plan to designate
    him as Kaitlyn’s primary residential parent. Father alleged that a material and substantial
    change in circumstances had occurred since the entry of the permanent parenting plan. He
    asserted, inter alia, that the child’s educational needs were not being met by Mother, that
    under Mother’s care, she was excessively absent or tardy to school, that Mother did not have
    a stable home, that Mother would not cooperate with school officials’ request to have the
    child tested for attention deficit disorder, that Mother prevented Father from exercising his
    parenting time, that Mother allowed her boyfriend to spend the night at her home while the
    child was there, and that Mother “regularly use[d] illegal drugs.” Father claimed that it
    would be in the child’s best interest for the Court to designate him as the primary residential
    parent, with Mother as the alternative residential parent.
    Mother denied the allegations in Father’s petition for modification. She asserted that the
    child was appropriately cared for and doing well in school. Mother claimed that she and the
    child had lived in Tipton County with her mother and stepfather, except during the time
    period in which Mother was married. She maintained that changing the designation of
    primary residential parent would not be in Kaitlyn’s best interest.
    In November 2008, the parties entered into a consent order requiring both parties to be drug
    tested. Neither party tested positive.5
    In March 2009, the juvenile court entered an order requiring that Mother, Father, Stepmother,
    and Kaitlyn undergo psychological evaluations “for purposes of determining the parental
    3
    The record contains several different figures as to the number of absences and tardies Kaitlyn had in a given
    school year. For purposes of this Opinion, we will use the figures provided in testimony at trial by a Tipton
    County school official.
    4
    Mother was fined $240. Mother paid $60 of the fine; payment of the remaining $180 was suspended
    contingent on compliance.
    5
    The record contains only the results of Mother’s drug test. However, it is undisputed that Father was
    routinely drug tested for his employment as a truck driver and had never failed a drug test.
    -3-
    fitness of the parties concerning the care, custody, and/or visitation of the parties’ minor
    child.”6 These psychological evaluations were performed in March 2009.
    A bench trial was conducted on October 28, 2009. The trial court heard testimony from
    Mother, Father, Stepmother, and other witnesses. The psychologist’s report to the trial court
    was made an exhibit and entered into evidence.
    In his testimony, Father outlined the reasons why he sought to be designated as Kaitlyn’s
    primary residential parent. He noted Kaitlyn’s frequent absences and tardiness at school, and
    claimed that her attendance improved only after Father filed his petition for custody. Father
    also voiced concern that Kaitlyn had tested below grade level. He said that her grades had
    improved only because the teacher gave her private lessons. Father claimed that school
    officials wanted the child tested for ADHD, and that Mother refused to do so.
    Father also testified that Mother interfered with his weekly parenting time, and his summer
    parenting time as well. He said that Mother told him that she objected to him taking the child
    on family water recreation outings, ostensibly because the child was afraid of them, and that
    she unilaterally decided to keep Kaitlyn with her every other weekend instead of allowing
    Father’s regular every-weekend parenting time. Father stated that Kaitlyn enjoyed herself
    on the family water recreation outings, such as tubing, and he stressed that proper safety
    precautions were taken at all times, including the use of life jackets. Father also testified that
    Mother prevented him from seeing Kaitlyn on Halloween of 2008, despite an agreement
    between the parties that they both would see the child during the holiday. Father said that
    he was unable to talk to Mother without an argument, and he claimed that she was
    consistently uncooperative and argumentative.
    Father expressed concern over Mother’s lack of stable housing since entry of the parties’
    parenting plan. While she was married, Father said, Mother stayed with her husband’s
    mother. Apart from that, she lived with her own mother, and often stayed overnight with a
    boyfriend. Father also voiced concern regarding Mother’s lack of regular employment, and
    the fact that she was receiving food stamps.
    Father stated that he and Stepmother had contacted DCS several times regarding his
    concerns about Kaitlyn, including his belief that Kaitlyn’s stepfather may have molested her.
    Father conceded that DCS investigated and took no action. Father and Stepmother also
    contacted the police regarding Mother, at least ten times. Most of the complaints concerned
    6
    The order also required Father to maintain Kaitlyn on his medical insurance through his employer.
    Apparently a dispute arose concerning Mother’s refusal to cooperate when she asserted that she could not
    afford the insurance co-pays. This was resolved.
    -4-
    Mother’s refusal to allow Father his scheduled parenting time, or allegations that Mother was
    harassing Stepmother. Father conceded that the great majority of the calls to the police and
    to DCS were made by Stepmother. He explained that Stepmother was the one who made the
    calls because she was the one being harassed.
    Father maintained that the parenting plan should be modified to designate him as the primary
    residential parent. He conceded that, if the plan were modified, Kaitlyn would have to
    change schools, because he and Mother live in different school districts.
    Stepmother also testified, and generally corroborated Father’s testimony. She said that
    Father had experienced trouble from Mother in exercising his parenting time, on weekends
    and on holidays. Stepmother testified that Mother continuously exhibited an angry attitude
    towards her, which led Stepmother to file a criminal harassment complaint against Mother.7
    Stepmother acknowledged that she had contacted DCS multiple times for several reasons,
    including Kaitlyn’s excessive absences from school, and her disheveled appearance.
    Stepmother intimated that Mother used marijuana.
    Mother testified on her own behalf. Mother testified that, in addition to Kaitlyn, she had
    another child with her current husband, from whom she was separated. Her second child was
    three years old at the time of trial. Mother said that Kaitlyn had lived with Mother her entire
    life. At the time of trial, Mother and both children had been living with Mother’s mother and
    stepfather for approximately eighteen months.
    Mother conceded that, since 2006, her employment had been limited to a period of several
    months. At the time of trial, she was employed at a transmission business owned by her
    boyfriend, working from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day. For her work, Mother said, she
    was paid $140 per week in cash. The hours enabled her to bring Kaitlyn to school and pick
    her up each day. Mother said she also received $400 per month in food stamps. Mother
    testified about her plans to begin college and study psychology.
    Mother reported receiving a total of six visits from DCS. Mother was told these visits were
    to determine whether the house in which she and her children were living in was fit for a
    child, whether Mother’s stepfather had abused or molested Kaitlyn, and whether Mother was
    taking illegal drugs. Mother said DCS never placed any restrictions on her following these
    visits.
    Mother also addressed Kaitlyn’s frequent absences from school in her testimony. She stated
    that she initially read the school’s student handbook to mean that if a child became sick, then
    7
    The disposition of the harassment complaint is unclear from the record.
    -5-
    the child should remain home until completely well, and that no visit to a physician was
    required for an absence to be excused.8 Mother asserted that once the county Truancy Board
    explained the policy and requirements to her, Kaitlyn had no further attendance problems.
    She did not address why she went before the Truancy Board on two occasions in two separate
    academic years. At the time of trial, Kaitlyn had only missed four days of school and
    received one tardy during the current school year. All four absences were designated
    “excused.” Mother noted that Kaitlyn had received mostly A’s and B’s, with only one C on
    her most recent report card.
    Mother also addressed Father’s assertion that he did not receive his agreed-upon parenting
    time. She said that, from August 2008 until the beginning of October 2008, she only allowed
    Father to exercise his parenting time every other weekend because Father was bringing
    Kaitlyn on weekend water recreation excursions. She asserted that Kaitlyn came home from
    a weekend trip crying about falling off while tubing, and that Mother believed that the child
    was scared. Mother claimed that this was her reason for unilaterally limiting Father’s
    parenting time to every other weekend. Mother also claimed that, before the year preceding
    the trial, Father had not asked to exercise parenting time on Christmas morning or over
    Kaitlyn’s summer vacation.
    The clinical psychologist’s report on the evaluations of Mother, Father, Stepmother, and
    Kaitlyn was made an exhibit at the trial. The psychologist determined that Father was
    suffering from depression, and was prone to anxiety. He said that Stepmother appeared to
    be more open and extroverted in nature, with a higher level of anger or hostility. Mother
    exhibited anxiety about the direction her life was taking, and frustration concerning her
    interactions with Stepmother regarding Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn did not complain to the psychologist
    about Stepmother, but did complain about her parents’ smoking and inability to get along.
    The psychologist determined that the primary conflict was between Mother and Stepmother,
    with Father avoiding conflict wherever possible. That concluded the evidence presented at
    trial.
    On November 5, 2009, the trial court issued an oral ruling. It found no evidence of drug use
    by any party. The trial court also observed, “Schooling has not been a big priority, the Court
    believes, to either parent.” The trial court stated that it would adopt a “zero tolerance” policy
    concerning any subsequent unexcused school absence or tardies, and ordered that Kaitlyn
    8
    Mother explained: “You get the Student Handbook when school starts telling you that your child should
    be fever-free and diarrhea-free for twenty-four hours before they come to school, not that they have to go to
    a doctor for those reasons, but they have to be free of those obstacles, and so I abided by that 100 percent.
    If she woke up that morning with a slight fever, she did not go.”
    -6-
    receive the recommended testing for ADHD and for Mother to share the results of the testing
    with Father.
    The trial court found no material change in circumstances warranting a change in custody.
    It found that the primary problem was the continuing conflict between the parties. The trial
    judge warned Mother not to interrupt or interfere with Father’s scheduled parenting time.
    Father was instructed to deal directly with Mother, instead of leaving it to Stepmother to
    handle issues arising with Mother. Both parties were admonished not to fight or argue. The
    trial court made a minor modification to the parties’ permanent parenting plan, to address
    concerns raised in the proceedings on Father’s petition.9 Father’s request for an award of
    attorney fees was denied. Father now appeals.
    ISSUES ON A PPEAL AND S TANDARD OF R EVIEW
    Father asserts that the trial court erred in determining that there was not a material and
    substantial change in circumstances warranting a change in Kaitlyn’s custody. He claims on
    appeal that a change in the designation of primary residential parent is in Kaitlyn’s best
    interest.
    Addressing a petition to modify the custody of a child is a two-step process. “The threshold
    question is whether a material change in circumstances has occurred since the entry of the
    prior [custody] order.” Boyer v. Heimermann, 
    238 S.W.3d 249
    , 259 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007).
    Only if the court finds a material change in circumstances does it proceed to consider
    whether changing custody is in the child’s best interest. 
    Id. The determination
    of whether a material change in circumstances has occurred is a factual
    question. In re: T.C.D., 
    261 S.W.3d 734
    , 742 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). The trial court’s
    findings of fact are reviewed de novo on the record; those findings are presumed to be correct
    unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Kendrick v. Shoemake, 
    90 S.W.3d 566
    , 570 (Tenn. 2002); Hass v. Knighton, 
    676 S.W.2d 554
    , 555 (Tenn. 1984); T ENN. R. A PP.
    P. 13(d). In weighing the preponderance of the evidence, the trial court’s findings of fact that
    are based on witness credibility are given great weight, and they will not be overturned
    absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. In Re: Adoption of A.M.H., 
    215 S.W.3d 793
    , 809 (Tenn. 2002).
    9
    The permanent parenting plan was modified so that Mother and Father would alternate, rather than split
    holidays. No issue is raised on appeal about this modification to the existing parenting plan.
    -7-
    A NALYSIS
    Decisions involving the custody of a child are among the most important decisions faced by
    the Courts. Steen v. Steen, 
    61 S.W.3d 324
    , 327 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001). When faced with a
    request to modify custody, courts generally favor the existing custody arrangement, on the
    premise that children tend to thrive in a stable environment. Aaby v. Strange, 
    924 S.W.2d 623
    , 627 (Tenn. 1996); Hoalcraft v. Smithson, 
    19 S.W.3d 822
    , 828 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001).
    Thus, there is “a strong presumption in favor of continuity of placement” of a child. Morris,
    
    2002 WL 31059222
    , at *2 (quoting 
    Bah, 668 S.W.2d at 666
    ; see also T.C.A. § 36-6-
    106(a)(3) (listing continuity as a factor in custody decisions). An existing custody order is
    considered res judicata on the facts as they existed at the time the order was entered. 
    Steen, 61 S.W.3d at 327
    .
    However, “Tennessee courts are statutorily authorized to modify custody arrangements as
    necessitated by intervening changes in circumstances.” Conner v. Conner, No. W2007-
    01711-COA-R3-CV, 
    2008 WL 2219255
    , at *2 (Tenn. Ct. App. May 29, 2008). The statute
    governing requests for such a modification provides:
    If the issue before the court is a modification of the court’s prior decree
    pertaining to custody, the petitioner must prove by a preponderance of the
    evidence a material change in circumstances. A material change in
    circumstances may include, but is not limited to, failures to adhere to the
    parenting plan or an order of custody and visitation or circumstances that make
    the parenting plan no longer in the best interest of the child.
    Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-101(a)(2)(B) (2005). Therefore, under the statute, the party seeking
    modification of the parenting plan to change the designation of the primary residential parent
    has the burden of proving a material change in circumstances. See Taylor v. McKinnie, No.
    W2007-01468-COA-R3-JV, 
    2008 WL 2971767
    , at *3 (Tenn. Ct. App. Aug. 5, 2008) (citing
    
    Kendrick, 90 S.W.3d at 570
    ).
    The Supreme Court has explained that “[t]here are no hard and fast rules” in determining
    whether such a material change in circumstances has occurred:
    While “[t]here are no hard and fast rules for determining when a child’s
    circumstances have changed sufficiently to warrant a change of his or her
    custody,” the following factors have formed a sound basis for determining
    whether a material change in circumstances has occurred: the change “has
    occurred after the entry of the order sought to be modified,” the change “is not
    one that was known or reasonably anticipated when the order was entered,”
    -8-
    and the change “is one that affects the child’s well-being in a meaningful
    way.” We note that a parent’s change in circumstances may be a material
    change in circumstances for the purposes of modifying custody if such a
    change affects the child’s well being.
    
    Kendrick, 90 S.W.3d at 570
    (citation omitted). See 
    Boyer, 238 S.W.3d at 255-257
    (on
    evolution of the standard for finding a material change in circumstances). See also Blakes
    v. Sims, No. W2007-02129-COA-R3-CV, 
    2008 WL 5130425
    , at *4 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec. 5,
    2008) (on difference under amended statutes in material change in circumstances for
    modification of custody versus modification in parenting schedule). We note that “not all
    changes in the circumstances of the parties and the child warrant a change in custody.”
    Cosner v. Cosner, No. E2007-02031-COA-R3-CV, 2008WL 3892024, at *4 (Tenn. Ct. App.
    Aug. 22, 2008).
    On appeal, Father argues that the trial court erred in finding no material change in
    circumstances. He contends that several changes, considered together, amount to a material
    change in circumstances.
    First, Father asserts that Mother neglected the child’s schooling and educational needs
    because Kaitlyn missed or was tardy to school on a frequent basis during the past several
    years. Father notes that the child’s absenteeism did not improve until after Mother appeared
    before the county Truancy Board on two occasions, and Father filed a petition to change
    custody. Father also claims that Mother neglected Kaitlyn’s educational needs by refusing
    to have her tested for ADHD, as school officials had requested. Father asserts that Kaitlyn’s
    grades are satisfactory only because she receives special, individualized instruction from her
    teachers. Father cites several cases for the proposition that “a child’s poor attendance and
    a parent’s failure to provide and address the child’s education needs have been held on
    several occasions to be a material and substantial change in circumstances.” See Groce v.
    Groce, No. M2008-015160-COA-R3-CV, 
    2009 WL 3295269
    (Tenn. Ct. App. Sept. 16,
    2009); Bumpus v. Bumpus, No. W2007-00395-COA-R3-CV, 
    2008 WL 763780
    (Tenn. Ct.
    App. Nov. 8, 2007); Killion v. Sweat, No. E1999-0234-COA-R3-CV, 
    2000 WL 1424809
    (Tenn. Ct. App. Sept. 21, 2000).
    Second, Father alleges Mother does not have stability in her employment, her housing, or in
    her relationships with men. He asserts that this instability adversely affects Kaitlyn.
    Third, Father claims that Mother has interfered with his parenting time. He contends that
    Mother unilaterally prevented Kaitlyn from seeing Father every other weekend during the
    summer months, ostensibly because Father took Kaitlyn on water recreation outings. Father
    also claims that Mother interfered with his parenting time during holidays, despite the
    -9-
    parties’ agreement to share holidays. Father notes that T.C.A. § 36-6-101(a)(2)(B) provides
    that the failure of the primary residential parent to adhere to a parenting plan may constitute
    a material change in circumstances for purposes of changing custody.
    Finally, Father argues that Mother exhibits such “hostility, cursing, and attitude” in her
    dealings with Father and Stepmother that Stepmother filed harassment reports with the
    police.
    In the trial court below, the fact that the child had excessive absences and tardy days for two
    academic school years appears undisputed. It is unclear whether the trial court accepted
    Mother’s explanation that the cause of the child’s absenteeism was a misunderstanding over
    the interpretation of the school student handbook, an explanation that seems implausible
    given the period of time over which the absences occurred and the fact that Mother was
    summoned before the county Truancy Board on not one, but two occasions. Nevertheless,
    the trial court’s ruling indicated that it accepted Mother’s testimony that the situation had
    been remedied, necessitating only a stern warning against its re-occurrence. This finding by
    the trial court was based on its evaluation of the credibility of Mother’s testimony. The trial
    court’s evaluation of the witnesses’ credibility is given great weight on appeal, and will not
    be overturned absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. In re Adoption of
    A.M.H., 
    215 S.W.3d 793
    , 809 (Tenn. 2002). From our review of the record, according
    appropriate deference to the trial court’s findings on credibility, we find that the record
    supports the trial court’s finding that the child’s absenteeism problems, though serious, were
    largely resolved by the time of trial. On this basis, the cases cited by Father are
    distinguishable in that each involves a situation in which the child’s attendance issues
    remained unremedied as of the time of trial. See Groce, 
    2009 WL 3295269
    , at *4; Bumpus,
    
    2008 WL 763780
    , at *9-10; Killion, 
    2000 WL 1424809
    , at *1.
    The trial court appeared to agree with Father’s assertion at trial that Mother did not have
    stable employment and also had instability in her relationships with men. However, it
    seemed to conclude that this was a foreseeable result of the parties’ joint choice to embark
    on a sexual relationship at a young age. The trial court observed that, although neither party
    had completed high school,10 Father could more easily obtain a stable job that did not require
    an education. Thus, the trial court appeared to conclude that the issues surrounding Mother’s
    unstable work history and her relationships with men either existed at the time the original
    parenting plan was entered or were foreseeable at that time. Thus, Mother’s situation in this
    regard “was known or reasonably anticipated when the [parenting] order was entered,” and
    would not be a material change in circumstances for the purpose of modifying custody.
    
    Kendrick, 90 S.W.3d at 570
    .
    10
    The trial court recognized that Mother had obtained her G.E.D., but Father had not.
    -10-
    Finally, Father argues that Mother interfered with his parenting time and exhibited a hostile
    attitude in her dealings with both Father and Stepmother. Certainly, a parent’s failure to
    adhere to the parenting plan is statutorily recognized as a basis for a finding of a material
    change in circumstances. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-101(a)(2)(B). The trial court recognized
    that the arguing and tension between Mother and Father was detrimental to their daughter,
    and faulted Mother’s temper in part for the disputes. The trial court also found that the
    problems were exacerbated by Stepmother’s insertion of herself into the parties’ parenting
    relationship. This is a recognized hazard; see Schroedel v. Bumgarner, 
    2010 WL 4024931
    ,
    at *14 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 13, 2010) (“Stepmother has attempted to improperly insinuate
    herself into matters regarding the child’s custody and visitation. These actions are not in the
    best interest of the child.”).11
    Overall, while the trial court recognized that there were problems between the parties, it
    found that they did not amount to a material change in circumstances for purposes of
    changing the designation of the primary residential parent. Instead, the trial court addressed
    the issues by requiring the parties to attend counseling, admonishing Mother to refrain from
    actions that interfered with Father’s parenting time, instructing Stepmother to “stay out of
    this,” directing Father to communicate with Mother about Kaitlyn, and clarifying the
    parenting order on Father’s residential parenting time and holidays. (Vol. 2 at 136-143.)
    Overall, from our review of the record, and according appropriate deference to the trial
    court’s evaluation of the witnesses’ credibility, we must conclude that the evidence does not
    preponderate against the trial court’s finding that these facts did not rise to the level of a
    material change in circumstances for custody purposes.
    As noted above, the trial court may proceed to consider the child’s best interests only if a
    material change in circumstances is established. 
    Boyer, 238 S.W.3d at 259
    . Therefore, the
    above holding pretermits the other issues raised on appeal.
    11
    We note also that this Court has recognized that a party repeatedly involving the police in child custody
    disputes is inappropriate and can indicate that the party contacting the police is at fault for exacerbating the
    disputes. See Jackson v. Williams, No. W2008-00148-COA-R3-CV, 
    2009 WL 2986106
    , at *4-5 (Tenn. Ct.
    App. Sept. 18, 2009).
    -11-
    C ONCLUSION
    The decision of the trial court is affirmed. Costs on appeal shall be taxed to the Appellant
    Nathan A.W. and his surety, for which execution may issue, if necessary.
    _________________________________
    HOLLY M. KIRBY, JUDGE
    -12-
    

Document Info

Docket Number: W2010-00301-COA-R3-CV

Judges: Judge Holly M. Kirby

Filed Date: 12/28/2010

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 4/17/2021