"By statute as well as case law, the welfare and best interests of the child are the paramount concern in custody, visitation, and residential placement determinations, and the goal of any such decision is to place the child in an environment that will best serve his or her needs." Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899, 908 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007) (quoting Cummings v. Cummings, No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at *5 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004)).

"[T]he fault a parent bears for the breakup of the marriage is not relevant for the purposes of a custody determination, except insofar as that parent's conduct bears on his or her fitness for parental responsibilities." Cummings v. Cummings, No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at *8 n.5 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004) (citing Mimms v. Mimms, 780 S.W.2d 739, 745 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1989)). Therefore, in creating parenting plans, "[t]he needs of the children are paramount; the desires of the parents are secondary."

"It is entirely permissible for the trial court on remand to allow the parties to attempt to reach an agreement regarding custody of [the child] consistent with this [O]pinion." Darvarmanesh, 2005 WL 1684050, at *8 n.4 (citing Cummings v. Cummings, No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at*10 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004)). If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the trial court shall implement a parenting plan consistent with this Opinion.

"By statute as well as case law, the welfare and best interests of the child are the paramount concern in custody, visitation, and residential placement determinations, and the goal of any such decision is to place the child in an environment that will best serve his or her needs." Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899, 908 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007) (quoting Cummings v. Cummings, No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at *5 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004)).

As mentioned, supra, every permanent parenting plan shall also include a residential schedule, "which designates the primary residential parent and designates in which parent's home the child will reside on given days during the year." Cummings v. Cummings, No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at *7 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004); see also Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-402(5). In any proceeding concerning child custody and visitation, "the best interests of the child shall be the standard by which the court determines and allocates the parties' parental responsibilities."

Courts have authority to sanction perjury though a variety of means. Cummings v. Cummings, No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at *20 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004). An award of attorney's fees to the opposing party is but one option.

Indeed, "by statute as well as case law, the welfare and best interests of the child are the paramount concern in custody, visitation, and residential placement determinations, and the goal of any such decision is to place the child in an environment that will best serve his or her needs." Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899, 908 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007) (quoting Cummings v. Cummings, No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at *5 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004)). As such, "trial courts have broad discretion to fashion custody and visitation arrangements that best suit the unique circumstances of each case, and the appellate courts are reluctant to second-guess a trial court's determination regarding custody and visitation."

Indeed, "[b]y statute as well as case law, the welfare and best interests of the child are the paramount concern in custody, visitation, and residential placement determinations, and the goal of any such decision is to place the child in an environment that will best serve his or her needs." Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899, 908 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007) (quoting Cummings v. Cummings, No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at *5 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004)). As such, "[t]rial courts have broad discretion to fashion custody and visitation arrangements that best suit the unique circumstances of each case, and the appellate courts are reluctant to second-guess a trial court's determination regarding custody and visitation."

residential placement determinations, and the goal of any such decision is to place the child in an environment that will best serve his or her needs." Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899, 908 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007) (quoting Cummings v. Cummings, No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at *5 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004)). As such, "trial courts have broad discretion to fashion custody and visitation arrangements that best suit the unique circumstances of each case, and the appellate courts are reluctant to second-guess a trial court's determination regarding custody and visitation."

Indeed, "[b]y statute as well as case law, the welfare and best interests of the child are the paramount concern in custody, visitation, and residential placement determinations, and the goal of any such decision is to place the child in an environment that will best serve his or her needs." Burden v. Burden , 250 S.W.3d 899, 908 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007) (quoting Cummings v. Cummings , No. M2003-00086-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 2346000, at *5 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2004) ). As such, "[t]rial courts have broad discretion to fashion custody and visitation arrangements that best suit the unique circumstances of each case, and the appellate courts are reluctant to second-guess a trial court's determination regarding custody and visitation."