ÿWPCA …# VUNa %¯ 0(µbÝw:å4 3 B 0JJ 0T” 0^è 0hF 0r® 0| 0†œ 0" 1u² 0d' U>‹ B)É DCò AM5U*‚¬v~» B9vÓV D3) 0@\ AOœÆë 0D± D/õ B$˜HP LaserJet 4Si/4SiMX PS 600dpiPSCRIPTÈÚØÚÚØÈÚ0nLHÎ(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡- ù- +U,D-U.[/U0Ó€:;D<DÒ x93|x<2 ÿÿ0Indent1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô2" ÿÿ0Indent2à0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2, ÿÿ0Indent3à0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô26 ÿÿ0Indent4à0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2@ ÿÿ0Indent5à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2J ÿÿ0Indent6à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2T ÿÿ0Indent7à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2^ ÿÿ0Indent8à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô ÿÿ?AGMSYaioIndent0I.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)P ÿÿ8Mac DefaultMac DefaultÓ ` °šXÓ< Œ 9p`(&Times New Roman% Line 7 d7Border 1dd€- Cþÿ << Gÿÿ< Œ 9p`(Arial Ý ƒ!ÝÑ  ÑÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÔ€"ÔÔ€"ÔÓ  Óò òÔ YYY ÔFILEDÔ€"XÔÌÌAugust€29,€1997ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔ  Ôó óPtPtHHÚ(ÿáÿâùFG(üHHÚ(d'h dStyl{WP}01•ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ãà Ãà Ãà Ãà ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÐ ÐÐHHÐÐ  ÐÐ2ÐÐÿÿ¸æ$ÿÐÐHHÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ  ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÑÑÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÑ € ÑÑ<Px–ÈÑÒÒÒ443!#4ÒÒ$ *$ÒÒ$*$ÒÒ ÿKK ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÓ.,ÓÓÓÓ6ÓÓ ÓßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÒ  h HD: Geneva ÒÒ  h HD: Geneva Ò%%%%'ÿÿdxd("ÿÿ$££Ò  ÒÒ  Ò€-‚ƒCþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó„„'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ!ÝÔ . ÔÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÑ  ÑÒ  ÒÒ ° ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ€ÑÑ7€²žXXdêdÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÑ  Ñò ò›Þ ÞÌSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,€ex€rel.,à àà à)ÌSHEILA€GRANT,à àà àà àà à)à àJuvenile€Court€of€DavidsonÏCountyÌà àà àà àà àà àà à)à à9419„10587Ìà àPlaintiffs/Appellees,à àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àÌVS.à àà àà àà àà àà à)à àà àà àà àÌœ›à àà àà àà àà àà à)à àÌDR.€LAWRENCE€JOSEPH€œPROGRAIS,)›à àAppeal€No.̜ـ€ÙßR€!# A1-j|L¼` ç `€€@ÿRßSR.,›à àà àà àà àà àà à)à àœ01A01„9610„JV„00469Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)›Ìà àDefendant/Appellant.à àà à)ÌÌÌà@ àIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÌà@ àMIDDLE€SECTION€AT€NASHVILLEÌÌà@ àAPPEAL€FROM€JUVENILE€COURT€OF€DAVIDSON€COUNTY,€Ìà@ àAT€NASHVILLE,€TENNESSEEÌÌà@ àHONORABLE€ANDREW€J.€SHOOKHOFF,€JUDGEÌó óÌÌJohn€Knox€WalkupÌAttorney€General€&€ReporterÌÌLisa€Cowan,€#12035ÌChild€Support€Services€of€Davidson€CountyÌ222€Second€Avenue€North,€Suite€210ÌNashville,€TN€37201ÌATTORNEYS€FOR€DEFENDANTS/APPELLEESÌÌCharles€R.€Ray,€#3188Ì211€Third€Avenue€NorthÌNashville,€TN€37201ÌATTORNEY€FOR€PLAINTIFF/APPELLANTÌÌÌò òÓ  ÓÔ€¼ÔAFFIRMED€IN€PART,ÌVACATED€IN€PART,€REMANDED.ó óÔ€XÔÌÓ  ÓÌÌÌà àà àà àà àà àHENRY€F.€TODDÌà àà àà àà àà àPRESIDING€JUDGE,€MIDDLE€SECTIONÌÌÌÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€JUDGEÌWILLIAM€B.€œCAIN,›€œSPECIAL€JUDGE›ÌÌÌÌÌÌÌò òSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,€ex€rel.,à àà à)ÌSHEILA€GRANT,à àà àà àà à)à àJuvenile€Court€of€DavidsonÏCountyÌà àà àà àà àà àà à)à à9419„10587Ìà àPlaintiffs/Appellees,à àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àÌVS.à àà àà àà àà àà à)à àà àà àà àÌà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àÌDR.€LAWRENCE€JOSEPH€PROGRAIS,à à)à àAppeal€No.ÌœSR.,›à àà àà àà àà àà à)à àœ01A01„9610„JV„00469Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)›Ìà àDefendant/Appellant.à àà à)ÌÌó óÌà@ àòòò òÔ€„ÔO€P€I€N€I€O€NÔ€XÔóóó óÌÌÌÓÓÓ  Óà àIn€this€paternity/child€support€case,€the€respondent,€Lawrence€Joseph€Prograis,€hasÏappealed€from€non„jury€a€judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Judge€of€Davidson€County€awarding€to€theÏpetitioner,€Sheila€Veleria€Grant,€a€judgment€for€$120,313.00€delinquent€child€support.ÌÓ  ÓÌÓ  Óà àThe€appellant€presents€two€issues€for€review€as€follows:ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒÓÓ1.à àThe€Trial€Court€erred€in€holding€that€the€doctrine€ofÏlaches€does€not€apply€to€the€instant€case.ÌÌ2.à àThe€Trial€Court€erred€in€not€deviating€from€the€childÏsupport€guidelines€on€the€basis€of€economic€hardship.ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÓ  ÓÌÓ  Óà àThe€appellee€presents€the€issues€in€the€following€form:ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒÓÓœ1.à àAwards›€œmade›€by€the€Trial€Court€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€œÌðð€36„2„108›€for€child€support€prior€to€the€order€for€paternityÏand€support€are€discretionary.€€Absent€a€finding€of€abuse€ofÏdiscretion,€the€Trial€Courtððs€award€should€not€be€disturbed.ÌÌà àWas€the€Trial€Courtððs€award€of€child€support€for€theÏtime€period€preceding€the€order€of€paternity€and€support€anÏabuse€of€discretion?ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌò òÓ  ÓI.ÌòòTrial€Court€Proceedingsóóó óÌÓ  Ӝ̛à àOn€August€24,€1994,€a€ð ðPetition€to€Establish€Paternity€and€Set€Supportðð€was€filed€inÏJuvenile€Court,€by€ð ðChild€Support€Services.ðð€€The€caption€and€first€sentence€of€the€petitionÏœwere:Ì›ÌÒ  ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ  ÒÒ ¸ ÒÓÓState€of€Tennessee,€ex€rel.€Wakeela€A.ÏGrant,€a€minor,ÌÌœVS.›ÌÌDr.€Lawrence€Joseph€Prograis,€Sr.ÌandÌMustafa€Abadal„Khallaq€€ÌÒ  ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌÒ ¸ ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` Òà àComes€now€the€Petitioner,€State€of€Tennessee€ex€rel,ÏSheila€Veleria€Grant,€by€and€through€Child€Support€ServicesÏfor€Davidson€County,€Tennessee€pursuant€to€TennesseeÏCode€Annotated€(TCA)€Section€36„2„101€et€seq,€andÏrespectfully€shows€to€this€Honorable€Court€as€follows:ÌÌ1.à àThat€the€Mother,€Sheila€Veleria€Grant,€is€a€€residentÏof€Davidson€County,€Tennessee.ÌÌ2.à àThat€the€Mother,€Sheila€Veleria€Grant,€and€theÏRespondent,€Dr.€Lawrence€Joseph€Prograis,€Sr.,€althoughÏnot€married€to€each€other,€had€sexual€intercourse€on€or€aboutÏOctober,€1976,€in€the€State€of€Tennessee.ÌÌ3.à àThat€the€Mother,€Sheila€Veleria€Grant,€and€theÏRespondent€Mustafa€Abadal„Khallaq,€had€sexual€intercourseÏon€or€about€September,€1976,€in€the€State€of€Tennessee.ÌÌ4.à àThat€as€a€result€of€said€sexual€intercourse€with€one€ofÏthe€Respondents,€the€Mother,€Sheila€Veleria€Grant,€gaveÏbirth€to€the€following€live€infant.ÌÌà àWAKEELA€A.€GRANT€born€on€July€26,€1977ÌÌ5.à àThat€the€aforementioned€minor€child€now€residesÏwith€the€Mother,€and€is€a€public€charge€of€the€State€ofÏTennessee.ÌÌ6.à àThe€Petitioner€and/or€the€State€of€Tennessee€is/areÏentitled€to€child€support€and€a€judgment€for€back€support€andÏall€necessary€expenses€as€provided€in€TCA€36„2„108(b).ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌà àThe€petition€further€alleged€that€the€mother€of€the€minor€was€Sheila€Grant€and€the€fatherÏwas€either€the€respondent,€Prograis€or€the€respondent€Abadal„Khallaq;€that€the€child€was€aÏpublic€charge;€and€that€ð ðThe€petitioner€and/or€the€State€of€Tennessee€is/are€entitled€to€back€òòchildÏsupportóó€as€provided€by€TCA€ðð€36„2„108(b).ðð€€(Emphasis€supplied)ÌÌà àThe€petition€prayed€ð ðthat€the€petitioner€and/or€the€State€of€Tennessee€be€granted€aÏjudgment€for€back€supportðð€and€birth€expenses€and€that€Sheila€Veleria€Grant€be€grantedÏcustody€and€current€child€support.ÌÌà àThe€petition€is€signed€by€counsel€on€behalf€of€ð ðChild€Support€Services€of€DavidsonÏCountyðð€the€nature€and€identity€of€which€is€not€disclosed€in€the€petition.ÌÌà àThereafter,€on€an€illegible€date,€the€Respondent,€Lawrence€J.€Prograis€filed€an€answerÏunder€the€following€caption:ÌÒ ¸ ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓState€of€Tennessee€ex€relÌSheila€V.€Grant€(Mother)€andÌMakeela€A.€Grant,€a€minorÌ397€Kingview€Dr.ÌNashville,€Tennessee€37218ÌÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌà àOn€March€20,€1995,€a€Juvenile€Court€Referee€entered€an€order€adjudging€appellant€toÏbe€the€father€of€Wakeela€A.€Grant,€born€on€July€26,€1977.€€The€caption€above€this€order€listsÏthe€Petitioner€as€follows:ÌÌà àState€ex€rel€Sheila€Veleria€Grant,€omitting€Makeela€A.€Grant€as€shown€in€the€complaint.€ÏThe€record€does€not€disclose€any€proceeding€authorizing€this€change€at€this€stage€of€theÏproceedings.€ÌÌà àOn€April€25,€1995,€the€Referee€entered€a€wage€assignment€order€for€$477.10€each€twoÏweeks.€The€caption€of€this€order€reads€as€follows:ÌÒ ¸ ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓState€of€TennesseeÌIn€the€Matter€of:ÌSheila€GrantÌvs.ÌLawrence€PrograisÌÌÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÌÓÓà àOn€June€1,€1995,€the€ð ðChild€Support€Services€of€Davidson€Countyðð€addressed€to€theÏClerk€of€the€Juvenile€Court€the€following€letter:ÌÓÓÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒThis€is€to€advise€your€office€that€the€AFDC€caseÏcorresponding€to€the€above„styled€case€in€your€court€hasÏbeen€closed€by€the€local€office€of€the€Department€of€HumanÏServices.€€The€Family€will€receive€their€last€AFDC€check€onÏ05/01/95.€€This€correspondence€will€authorize€you€to€releaseÏchild€support€payments€to€the€family.ÌÌYour€continued€cooperation€in€the€Title€IV„D€Child€SupportÏProgram€is€greatly€appreciated.ÌÒ ¸ ÒÒ „ ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌà àOn€June€26,€1995,€the€same€ð ðChild€Support€Servicesðð€moved€the€Juvenile€Court€to€setÏthe€cause€for€hearing.€€The€caption€on€this€motion€read€as€follows:ÌÓÓÒ ¸ ÒÒ „ ÒState€of€Tennessee€ex€relÌÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ „ ÒSheila€Veleria€GrantÌ397€Kingview€DrÌNashville,€TN€œ37218Ì›Ìà àPetitionerÌvs.ÌœÌDr.›€Lawrence€Joseph€PrograisÌÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌà àOn€November€22,€1995,€the€Referee€entered€an€order€under€the€same€caption€andÏreading€in€pertinent€part€as€follows:à àÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒÓÓ2.à àThe€birth€certificate€of€the€child,€Wakeela€AminahÏGrant,€born€on€July€26,€1977€shall€be€changed€to€reflect€thatÏthe€Respondent€is€the€father€of€the€child.ÌÌ3.à àThe€State€of€Tennessee€paid€$210.00€for€bloodÏtesting€and€the€Respondent€shall€reimburse€the€State€for€thatÏamount.ÌÌà àIt€is,€therefore,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED,€ANDÏDECREED€that:ÌÌ1.à àòòThe€State€of€Tennessee€is€granted€a€judgment€againstÏthe€Respondent€in€the€amount€of€$122,355.00€plus€$210.00Ïfor€blood€test€reimbursement€for€a€total€judgment€ofÏ$122,565.00€as€of€April€30,€1995óó.€€Said€judgment€includesÏany€credits€referenced€herein.ÌÌ2.à àBeginning€November€7,€1995,€the€Respondent€shallÏliquidate€the€judgment€granted€herein€at€the€rate€of€$2,242.00Ïper€month€(plus€Clerkððs€fee)€which€shall€be€payable€inÏincrements€of€$1,034.77€(plus€$51.74€as€the€Clerkððs€lawfulÏcommission)€for€a€total€of€$1,086.51€per€two€weeksÏcontinuing€until€the€judgment€is€liquidated.ÌÌ6.à àThe€Clerk€shall€disburse€arrearage€payments€œto:Ì›ÌÌà àTennessee€Department€of€Human€ServicesÌà àFiscal€Services€SectionÌà àLawrence€PrograisÌà àIV„D€#€3274519€01Ìà àP.O.€Box€198243Ìà àNashville,€Tennessee€37219„8243ÌÌ10.à àAny€money€paid€by€the€Respondent€to€the€petitioner,Ïor€anyone,€directly,€and€not€paid€through€the€Clerk€of€theÏCourt,€will€be€considered€a€gift€from€the€Respondent,€andÏthe€Respondent€will€not€receive€any€credit€for€said€directÏpayments€in€calculating€whether€or€not€child€support€arrearsÏexist,€regardless€of€to€whom€the€clerk€is€ordered€to€disburseÏpayments.ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌà àOn€November€17,€1995,€the€respondent,€Prograis€filed€a€motion,€pertinent€portions€ofÏwhich€were:ÌÓÓÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒState€of€Tennessee€ex€relÌSheila€V.€Grant€(Mother)€andÌMakeela€A.€Grant,€a€minorÌ397€Kingview€DriveÌNashville,€Tennessee€37218ÌÌà àPETITIONERÌÌvs.ÌÌDr.€Lawrence€Joseph€Prograis,€Sr.ÌandÌMustafa€Abadal„KhallaqÌÌà àRESPONDENTSÌÌà àò òMOTION€TO€RECONSIDER€INTERIMÏORDERó óÌÌComes€Lawrence€Prograise€(sic),€through€counsel,€andÏwould€move€this€Honorable€Court€to€reconsider€itððs€FinalÏOrder€in€this€case.ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌà àOn€November€30,€1995,€substitute€counsel€filed€the€following€notice:ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒÓÓState€of€Tennessee€ex€relà àà à)ÌSheila€Veleria€Grantà àà àà à)Ì397€Kingview€Driveà àà àà à)ÌNashville,€TN€37218à àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àPetitioner,à àà àà àœ)ÌÌÌ›ÌÌvs.à àà àà àà àà à)à àDocket€No.Ïà àà àà àà àà à)à à9419„10587ÌDr.€Lawrence€Joseph€Prograis,à à)ÌSolar€Building,€Room€4A16à àà à)Ì6003€Executive€Boulevardà àà à)ÌRockville,€MD€20892,à àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àRespondent.à àà àà à)ÌÌà àà àòòò òNOTICE€OF€APPEARANCEó óóóÌÌà àComes€the€undersigned,€Charles€R.€Ray,€and€givesÏnotice€that€he€is€the€lead€counsel€of€record€for€theÏRespondent€in€this€matter.ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌ€€à àOn€the€same€date€substitute€counsel€filed€motions€to€alter€or€amend€and€to€set€aside€theÏjudgment€under€the€same€caption.ÌÌà àBoth€motions€were€overruled€by€the€Referee.ÌÌà àOn€December€13,€1995,€ð ðChild€Support€Services€of€Davidson€Countyðð€addressed€theÏfollowing€letter€to€the€Clerk€of€the€Juvenile€Court:ÌÒ ¸ ÒÒ „ ÒDear€Sir:ÌÓÓÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒRe:à àNotice€of€AFDC€Case€ClosureÌà àSHEILA€VELERIA€GRANTÌà à397€Kingview€Dr.Ìà àNashville,€TN€37218ÌÌà àIV„D€No.:€3274519„01Ìà àIV„A€No.:€0009176951ADCR01̛̜à àvs.̛̜à àLawrence€Joseph€Prograis€Sr.Ìà àDocket€No.:€9419„10587Ìà àFile€No.:€208142ÌÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌÓÓÒ ¸ ÒÒ „ ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` Òà àThis€is€to€advise€your€office€that€the€AFDC€caseÏcorresponding€to€the€above„styled€case€in€your€court€hasÏbeen€closed€by€the€local€office€of€the€Department€of€HumanÏServices.€€The€Family€will€receive€their€last€AFDC€check€onÏ5/1/95.€€This€correspondence€will€authorize€you€to€releaseÏchild€support€payments€to€the€family€any€time€after€theÏmonth€cited€above.ÌÌà àYour€continued€cooperation€in€the€Title€IV„D€ChildÏSupport€Program€is€greatly€appreciated.ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌœà àOn›€the€same€date,€the€respondent,€Prograis,€filed€the€following€motion:à àÌÓÓÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒState€of€Tennessee€ex€relà àà à)ÌSheila€Veleria€Grantà àà àà à)Ì397€Kingview€Driveà àà àà à)ÌNashville,€TN€37218à àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àPetitioner,à àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà à)Ìvs.à àà àà àà àà à)à àDocket€No.Ïà àà àà àà àà à)à à9419„10587ÌDr.€Lawrence€Joseph€Prograis,à à)ÌSolar€Building,€Roo€4A166à àà à)Ì6003€Executive€Boulevardà àà à)ÌRockville,€MD€20892,à àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àRespondent.à àà àà à)ÌÌòòò òÓ  ÓMOTION€TO€VACATE€ORDER€FOR€PAYMENTÏOF€CURRENT€CHILD€SUPPORT€AND€APPLYÏTOWARD€ARREARAGEÌÓ  Óó óóóÌà àComes€the€Respondent,€Lawrence€Joseph€Prograis,Ïthrough€undersigned€counsel€and€respectfully€moves€theÏcourt€to€vacate€the€prior€order€for€payment€of€current€childÏsupport€to€Wakeela€A.€Grant€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€36„2„108(b)€on€the€grounds€that€on€July€26,€1995,€Ms.€GrantÏreached€the€age€of€majority.€€Respondent€further€requestsÏthat€all€child€support€paid€after€July€26,€1995,€be€applied€toÏthe€amount€ordered€to€be€paid€as€arrearage.ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓÌà àOn€the€same€date€and€caption,€the€same€respondent€filed€the€following€motion:ÌÓÓÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒòòÓ  ÓNotice€of€Appeal€of€the€Refereeððs€OrderóóÌÓ  ÓÌà àOn€December€13,€1995,€Referee€Robert€GreeneÏdenied€Respondent€Lawrence€œPrograis›€Rule€59€motion€toÏalter€or€amend€the€judgment€establishing€paternity€and€settingÏsupport.€€Comes€now€the€Respondent,€through€undersignedÏcounsel€and€respectfully€requests€an€appeal€of€this€matterÏbefore€the€judge€of€the€Juvenile€Court€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ððÏ37„1„107€and€Rule€37€of€Juvenile€Court€of€DavidsonÏCounty.ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÌÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ ° Òà àOn€December€18,€1995,€ð ðChild€Support€Servicesðð€filed€the€following€œnotice:ÌÌÌÌ›ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒÌState€of€Tennessee€ex€relÌSheila€Veleria€GrantÌ397€Kingview€Dr.ÌNashville,€TN€37210ÌÌà àPetitionerÌÌvs.ÌÌÌMustafa€Abadal„KhallaqÌ323€Petronia€StreetÌApt.€AÌKey€West,€FL€33040„ÌÌà àRespondentÌÌDr.€Lawrence€PrograisÌSolar€Bldg.€Room€4A16Ì6003€Executive€Blvd.ÌRockvale,€MD€20892ÌÌà àRespondentÌÌÌÓ  ÓNotice€of€Voluntary€Non„Suit€with€Regard€to€theÏRespondent€Mustafa€Abdal„Khallaqò òÌÓ  Óó óÌà àPursuant€to€Rule€41„01€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€ofÏCivil€Procedure,€the€Petitioner€by€and€through€the€ChildÏSupport€Services€of€Davidson€County,€hereby€gives€noticeÏthat€it€is€voluntarily€dismissing€this€cause€without€prejudiceÏwith€regards€to€the€Respondent€Mustafa€Abadal„Khallaq.ÌÌÌÓ  ÓCERTIFICATE€OF€SERVICEÌÌÓ  Óà àI€hereby€certify€that€a€copy€of€the€foregoingÏdocument€has€been€mailed€to€the€Petitioner.ÌÌSheila€GrantÌ397€Kingview€Dr.ÌNashville,€TN€37218ÌÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÌÌà àOn€January€18,€1996,€the€following€letter€was€written:ÌÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒState€of€TennesseeÌDEPARTMENT€OF€HUMAN€SERVICESÌ400€Deaderick€Streetà àÌCitizens€Plaza€BuildingÌNashville,€TN€37210ÌÌJanuary€5,€1996ÌÌSharon€Zwain,€AdministratorÌ222€2nd€Avenue€North,€Suite€210ÌNashville,€TN€37201ÌÌœReà àSheila›€Grant€vs.€Lawrence€Prograis,€Sr.Ìœà àIV„D›€#3274519„01ÌÌDear€Ms.€Zwain:ÌÌI€am€writing€in€reply€to€Ms.€Grantððs€telephone€inquiry€toÏMs.€Way€of€my€office€regarding€the€distribution€of€theÏarrearage€payments€forwarded€to€DHS€relative€to€the€aboveÏchild€support€case.€€Please€be€advised€that€our€records€showÏSheila€Grant€began€receiving€an€afdc€grant€on€behalf€of€Mr.ÏPrograis,€Srððs€minor€child,€in€July€1994.€€Ms.€Grantððs€afdcÏcase€was€closed€June€1,€1995.€€The€afdc€expenditures€ofÏ$1,562.00€have€been€reimbursed.€€ò òPlease€notify€theÏcourt€clerkððs€office€that€future€arrearage€paymentsÏcan€be€forwarded€directly€to€Sheila€Grant.ó óÌÌThank€you€for€your€assistance.ÌÌSincerely,ÌÌ(Signature)ÌÌRichard€L.€PaigeÌFiscal€Director€2ÌÌRLP:JW:vbÌÌcc:€Sheila€Grant,€Custodial€ParentÌDHS€Fiscal€Services,€File€CopyÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÌÌÌÓÓà àRespondent€filed€other€motions€which€were€discussed€and€disposed€of€in€the€7„pageÏfinal€order€of€the€Juvenile€Judge€which€is€the€subject€of€this€appeal.€€The€order,€which€does€notÏreflect€entry,€contains€the€following€caption€and€pertinent€provisions:ÌœÒ ¸ ÒÒ „ ÒÓÓState€of€TennesseeÌIn€the€Matter€of:ÌSheila€GrantÌÌvsÌÌLawrence€J.€Prograisà àà àFile€No.€9419„10587›ÌÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓœÌORDERÌ›ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ ¸ ÒÒ ` ÒÓ  Óà àThe€sole€issue€upon€which€rehearing€is€sought€is€theÏamount€of€the€judgment€for€support€of€the€child€for€theÏperiod€from€the€date€of€the€childððs€birth€to€April€24,€1995,Ïthe€date€that€the€Referee€set€child€support.ÌÓ  ÓÌÓ  Óà àThe€petitioner€asserts€that€the€law€entitles€her€to€aÏjudgment€in€an€amount€calculated€by€applying€the€childÏsupport€guidelines€to€the€respondentððs€income€during€theÏperiod.ÌÓ  ÓÌÓ  Óà àNevertheless,€the€petitioner€states€that€she€is€onlyÏseeking€an€award€in€the€amount€determined€by€€applying€theÏguidelines€to€the€income€of€the€respondent€for€the€period€ofÏ1986€through€the€day€of€the€child€support€order.€€She€furtherÍproposes€that€a€significant€portion€of€that€judgment€beÏspecifically€designated€as€an€educational€fund€for€the€child.ÌÌà àThe€respondent€asserts€that€the€petitionððs€claim€isÏbarred€by€the€doctrine€of€laches€and€that€she€is€not€entitled€toÏany€judgment€for€any€period€preceding€the€entry€of€the€childÏsupport€order€and€perhaps€should€have€been€barred€fromÏproceeding€at€all.€€Notwithstanding€this,€he€proposes€that€aÏjudgment€be€awarded€to€the€petitioner€in€an€amount€equal€toÏwhat€he€has€thus€far€paid€under€the€refereeððs€order,€but€thatÏno€further€payments€for€expenses€for€the€raising€of€the€childÏprior€to€the€date€of€the€child€support€order€should€be€requiredÏof€him.ÌÓ  Ó„€„€„„ÌÓ  Óà àIt€is€the€public€policy€of€the€State€of€Tennessee€toÏinsure€that€all€children€receive€the€economic€support€of€theÏparents€who€bring€them€into€the€world.€€Tennessee€lawÏrequires€a€non„custodial€parent€to€bear€the€responsibility€forÏsupport€in€an€amount€based€upon€his€or€her€income.ÌÓ  Ó„€„€„€„ÌÓ  Óà àThe€respondentððs€income€is€in€the€excess€ofÏ$114,000€a€year.ÌÓ  Ó„€„€„€„ÌÓ  Óà àThe€Court€can€assure€that€this€child€get€some€benefitÏfrom€the€fact€that€her€fatherððs€skills,€intelligence€and€hardÏwork€have€generated€economic€wealth€that€she€is€by€lawÏentitled€to€share€in.€€The€absence€of€her€fatherððs€supportÏresulted€in€the€child€having€less€as€she€grew€up€andÏprevented€her€mother€from€being€able€to€provide€the€level€ofÏfuture€economic€security€she€would€have€been€able€toÏprovide€her€daughter€had€she€had€the€fatherððs€support.€€TheÏpetitioner€will€now€be€able€to€provide€at€least€some€of€that.ÌÌà àThe€Court€grants€the€petitioner€a€judgment€against€theÏrespondent€in€the€amount€requested:€$120,313.€€This€is€aÏdownward€departure€from€the€child€support€guidelines€inÏthat€it€only€represents€respondentððs€child€support€obligationÏfrom€1986€on.€€The€basis€for€departing€from€the€guidelinesÏis€the€petitionerððs€request€that€the€Court€do€so.€€PaymentsÏreceived€based€on€the€previous€order€of€the€referee€shall€beÏapplied€to€that€arrearage.€€This€judgment€shall€accrue€interestÏat€the€statutory€rate€of€12%€per€annum.€€In€keeping€with€theÏrequest€of€the€petitioner€to€designate€a€portion€of€theÏpayments€on€the€judgment€to€specifically€be€used€forÏeducation,€four€hundred€dollars€of€each€payment€shall€beÏapplied€to€educational€expenses€and€related€living€expensesÏof€the€child,€for€as€long€as€the€child€is€pursuing€higherÏeducation.ÌÒ  ÒÒ ` ÒÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÌÌÓÓà àOn€appeal,€the€only€brief€supporting€the€judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€is€filed€by€theÏAttorney€General€and€Reporter€on€behalf€of€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€HumanÏServices.€€The€record€reflects€no€interest€or€participation€in€the€Trial€Court€by€the€Department€ofÏHuman€Services,€except€the€letters€of€disclaimer€quoted€above.ÌÌà àIn€summary,€an€unidentified€entity€whose€authority€to€do€so€is€not€alleged,€has€filedÏover€the€signature€of€its€counsel€a€petition€by€the€State€ð ðon€relation€ofðð€a€minor€for€adjudicationÏof€parentage€and€support,€but€the€text€of€the€petition€states€that€it€is€brought€by€the€mother.€€ByÏa€series€of€changes€in€caption,€the€mother€became€the€petitioner€and€was€substituted€for€theÏchild€as€relator.ÌÌà àThe€final€judgment€directs€the€payment€of€substantial€sums€of€money€to€ð ðthe€petitionerððÏwithout€specifiying€the€person€who€is€the€petitioner,€except€by€the€caption€which€does€notÏappear€to€have€been€authorized€by€the€Trial€Court.Ìœò òÓ  ÓÌVI.›ÌòòThe€Nature€of€ð ðChild€Supportðð€and€the€Right€to€Recover€Sameóóó óÌÓ  Ӝ̛à àParents€are€the€joint€natural€guardians€of€their€minor€children€and€are€equally€and€jointlyÏcharged€with€their€care,€nurture,€welfare,€education,€and€support€and€also€with€the€careÏmanagement€and€expenditure€of€their€estates.€€TCA€€ðð€34„11„102(a),€formerly€TCA€€ðð€34„11„101.€€òòSmith€v.€Goreóó,€Tenn.€App.€1978,€728€S.W.2d€738,€òòHall€v.€Jordanóó,€Tenn.€App.€1950,Ï227€S.W.2d€35.ÌÌà àThe€extent€of€the€duty€to€support€is€the€duty€to€support€in€a€manner€commensurate€withÏthe€means€and€station€in€life€of€the€parents.€€òòBrooks€v.€Brooksóó,€166€Tenn.€App.€255,€61ÏS.W.2d€654€(1933).ÌÌà àIf€a€child€is€not€receiving€support€from€its€parents,€a€stranger€may€provide€it€andÏrecover€reimbursement€from€the€parents€upon€an€implied€contract.ÌÌà àœIf€necessary,›€the€duty€of€support€is€to€be€apportioned€between€parents€in€accordanceÏwith€the€respective€abilities€to€provide€support.€€òòGotwald€v.€Gotwaldóó,€Tenn.€App.€1988,€768ÏS.W.2d€689;€òòAllison€v.€Allisonóó,€Tenn.€App.€1982,€638€S.W.2d€394.ÌÌà àThe€parent€who€provides€support€has€the€right€to€recover€from€the€non„supportingÏparent€just€reimbursement€for€the€amount€of€support€supplied€in€excess€of€the€apportionedÏshare€of€the€supporting€parent.€€òòState€ex€rel,€Coleman€v.€Clayóó,€Tenn.€App.€1991,€805€S.W.2dÏ763;òò€Brooks€v.€Brooks,€Supraóó.€€The€right€of€the€supporting€parent€to€reimbursement€begins€atÏthe€birth€of€the€child€and€does€not€appear€to€be€subject€to€any€statute€of€limitation,€òòColeman€v.ÏClay,€Supraóó.à àÌà àAlthough€actions€for€reimbursement€are€usually€brought€in€the€name€of€the€supportingÏparent,€the€proceeding€is€primarily€and€basically€on€behalf€of€the€minor€child.€€òòGraham€v.ÏGraham,óó€140€Tenn.€App.€328,€204€S.W2d.€987€(1918).ÌÌà àA€special€situation€is€presented€where€the€income€or€the€non„supporting€parent€wasÏsufficient€to€provide€higher€standard€of€living€than€the€supporting€parent€was€able€to€provide.€ÍIn€this€situation,€it€would€be€unjust€to€limit€the€duties€of€the€non„supporting€parent€to€the€abilityÏof€the€supporting€parent.€€It€would€also€be€unjust€to€reimburse€the€supporting€parent€for€thatÏwhich€was€not€furnished.ÌÌœà àUnder€these€special€circumstances,€it€would€have€been€advisable€to€provide€a€guardianÏad€litem€to€protect€the€interests€of€the€minor€child€in€the€retroactive€award.€€Since€the€child€hasÏnow€reached€majority,€the€participation€of€a€guardian€ad€litem€would€now€appear€to€beÏunnecessary.Ì›Ìà àIn€the€present€case,€œpart›€of€the€retroactive€support€should€be€awarded€to€the€mother€to€Ïreimburse€her€for€the€support€supplied€by€her€in€excess€of€her€apportioned€duty.€€If,€because€œÌthe›€mother€was€unable€to€support€the€child€according€to€the€income€of€the€father,€the€child€wasÏdeprived€of€the€standard€or€level€to€which€œshe›€was€entitled,€then€the€child€doubtless€suffered€aÏdeprivation€of€lasting€effect€for€which€the€child€should€receive€œcompensation.̛̀à àIf,€upon€remand,€the€court€finds€the€situation€to€be€as€above€suggested,€then€the€awardÏof€retroactive€support€should€be€divided.€€First,€the€wife€should€be€reimbursed€for€the€cost€ofÏfurnishing€more€support€than€she€had€a€duty€to€support.€€The€remainder€of€the€€retroactiveÏsupport€should€be€awarded€to€the€child€for€whose€benefit€the€proceeding€was€initiated.ÌÌà àThe€father€insists€that€the€right€of€action€for€retroactive€child€support€is€barred€by€theÏstatute€of€limitations.€€The€suit€of€a€third€party€for€reimbursement€on€the€theory€of€impliedÏcontract€might€be€subject€to€a€statute€of€limitations,€but€this€action,€on€behalf€of€the€minor€childÏis€not€barred€because€of€the€minority€of€the€child€at€the€time€this€proceeding€was€initiated.€€TCA€Íðð€28„1„106,€òòArnold€v.€Davisóó,€Tenn.€App.€1973,€503€S.W.2d€100;€òòWhirley€v.€Whitemanóó,€38ÏTenn.€App.€610€(1858).€€ÌÌà àThe€father€also€claims€estoppel€because€of€the€long€delay€in€claiming€retroactiveÏsupport.€€Mere€delay€in€asserting€a€legal€right€does€not€of€itself€work€an€estoppel.òò€€Johnson€v.ÏDe€Soto€Hardware€Flooring€Co.óó,€167€Tenn.€App.€145,€œ67›€S.W.2d€143€œ(1934).€€To›€give€riseÏto€estoppel€by€silence€or€inaction,€there€must€be€not€only€an€opportunity€to€speak€or€act,€butÏalso€an€obligation€or€duty€to€do€so.€€It€does€not€appear€reasonable€to€impose€upon€a€minor€anÏobligation€to€speak€or€take€action€so€long€as€œhe€or€she›€is€under€the€disability€of€minority.€€ÌÌà àEstoppels€are€not€favored€in€the€law.€€òòSturkie€v.€Bottomsóó,€203€Tenn.€App.€237,€310ÏS.W.2d€451€(1958);€òòA.G.C.€Inc.€v.€Southeast€Elevator,€Incóó.,€Tenn.€App.€1995,€912€S.W.2dÏ163.ÌÌòòò òÓ  ÓDecision€of€this€CourtÌœÓ  Óó óóóÌ›à àThe€judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€as€to€the€œtotal›€amount€of€retroactive€support€to€be€paidÏis€affirmed.€€However,€the€judgment€as€to€the€œamount€of€retroactive€support€to€be€paid€to€theÏmother€is€vacated,›€œand€the€cause€is€remanded€for€further€proceedings€to€determine€the€fairÏamount€to€be€received€by€the€mother€as€reimbursement€of€support€actually€furnished€by€her.ÏThe€remainder€of€the€retroactive€support€should€be€awarded€to€the€child,€who€is€now€an€adult.€€›ÏCosts€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€against€the€appellant€and€his€surety.ÌÓÓœò òÓ  ÓÔ€¼ÔÌAFFIRMED›€IN€PART,€ÌVACATED€IN€PART,€REMANDED.Ô€XÔó óÌÌÓ  Ӝ̛Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à___________________________________Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àHENRY€F.€TODDÌà àà àà àà àà àà àPRESIDING€JUDGE,€MIDDLE€SECTIONÌÌœÌÌCONCUR:›ÌœÌÌ›Ì______________________________________ÌBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€€JUDGE̛̜̜______________________________________›ÌWILLIAM€B.€œCAIN,›€œSPECIAL›€JUDGEÌÌÌÌÌÌ