ÿWPC©0 ©Ç–\|Õœ#+ÔÌ£‰×?o {=Ì-ùû'¿&ÿ3æ`{èWƒã©“§’=ø(SŽNZÃêÒ wÈ€CÅ4£]Tþ4”®þÿÝOÄÔ*U³—“ŒMà!ÄùF ¤È¹ZçÀUñ~f, 2p}ÇLídC–G eέyäý2F1Ì‘ô·±8ñFh'ëhØQÁUÊù픨Áõz»Âé%ù(Np™èô¾’9›]ÔªŠ¾bÏÅâHNÐÞﮜ„ôªc®ÈVŽ66ü; ŽQߧÍeq*Ì­ÂÁ{ÐÉÁÞ)¿~rÐ÷×…³*K…cVù gTC½Âr&ŽÃyö÷›LÖ ³Ís€P#–þ&MÒã|ó"­tW4hÏ-ËSé é²tíã¥ð$ÑŸ¸Â¬“56JLÞxÀd˜†)|ˆ'†à¹òüd¢¬^¡€»M‹RBÇoÎÁ Ä3,J•×̾äæÚaª ÌUÀzb*‰+Ú:G2÷Ý뮨“„$OÓKÍ—)7ĘžàimrLå¿Ôú½ @ËŠ#\wþb %\Nb 0ˆdU5Nì: zL ÒÆ z˜ Ò ^ ä wð 4ô ÆÆÝÆ£Æi/N1 m3#ÁJE  0 D GQ˜-­éÚ‘ÃUNT¢Û¸ã“!lv(v(v(v(ºâ)â)â)â)â)â)â)â)â)bœ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+œ+ 0 ë¤+¤+¤+¤+ B,, 0¤¬, D5P- D-…- 0K²-²- ASý-ÆP. 0¤/ 0Dº/ A«þ/»(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular Ý ƒR4+$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òó óIn€addition€to€ordering€Father€to€continue€making€payments€directly€to€Mother,€the€trial€court€also€orderedÐ ° Ðthat€the€case€be€referred€to€LeBonheur€Center€for€Children€in€Crisis€for€evaluation,€and€ordered€the€parties€and€theirÐ xÈ Ðchildren€to€submit€to€evaluation€through€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.€€The€trial€court€also€ordered€thatÐ @ Ðvisitation€be€exercised€on€certain€dates,€and€then€reserved€all€other€pending€matters.€€Finally,€the€trial€court€set€the€caseÐ X Ðfor€review,€pending€receipt€of€the€evaluation€from€LeBonheur€Center€for€Children€in€Crisis.€€˜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.wpt ˜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.wptiq’-s ¦[ƒ-b013c13|xLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4 Plus,ð,,,,,ð0(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó =Ý ƒR4+$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔSection€71„3„124(c)(1)€of€the€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€states:€ð ðUpon€the€filing€of€an€application€by€anÐ ° Ðindividual€not€otherwise€eligible€for€support€services€under€this€section,€the€department€may€initiate€support€actions€forÐ xÈ Ðan€individual,€in€accordance€with€the€provisions€of€Title€IV„D€of€the€Social€Security€Act,€as€amended.ðð€€Tenn.€CodeÐ @ ÐAnn.€ðð€71„3„124(c)(1)€(Supp.€2000). Ý ƒR4+$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔSection€36„5„101(a)(4)(A)(ii)€states:€ð ð[I]n€all€Title€IV„D€child€or€spousal€support€cases€in€which€payment€ofÐ ° Ðchild€or€spousal€support€is€to€be€made€by€income€assignment,€or€otherwise,€.€.€.€[payment]€must€be€made€to€the€centralÐ xÈ Ðcollection€and€disbursement€unit€as€provided€by€ðð€36„5„116€.€.€.€.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„101(a)(4)(A)(ii)€(2001). #Ý ƒR4+$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔDuring€the€months€of€August€and€September€1999,€Mother€also€moved€(1)€to€have€a€portion€of€the€divorceÐ ° Ðdecree€clarified,€(2)€to€modify€visitation€because€Father€was€not€being€adequately€monitored€during€visitation€so€as€toÐ xÈ Ðprotect€the€children,€and€(3)€to€order€Father€to€continue€providing€medical€insurance€for€the€partiesðð€minor€andÐ @ Ðhandicapped€children.€ ßÝ ƒR4+$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFather€also€moved€to€compel€Mother€to€comply€with€visitation€orders€and€to€find€Mother€in€contempt€forÐ ° Ðfailure€to€pay€certain€marital€debts.€€The€trial€court€ordered€visitation€to€continue€as€scheduled,€and,€finding€that€MotherÐ xÈ Ðwas€in€contempt€for€failure€to€pay€marital€debts,€ordered€Mother€to€pay€those€debts.€ ‡Ý ƒR4+$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€also€adjudicated€the€following€additional€issues:€Motherððs€continued€custody€of€the€childrenò òó ó;Ð ° Ðenrollment€of€ò òó ótwo€of€the€children€in€counseling€at€LeBonheur€Childrenððs€Medical€Center;€visitation€under€supervisionÐ xÈ Ðof€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€contingent€upon€Fatherððs€enrollment€in€counseling;€finding€thatÐ @ ÐFather€was€not€underemployed;€DNA€testing€to€determine€the€parentage€of€one€of€the€partiesðð€children;€health€and€dentalÐ X Ðinsurance;€money€Mother€owed€Father€from€prior€contempt€matter;€execution€of€a€quitclaim€deed€so€that€Mother€couldÐ Ð  Ðrefinance€the€home;€and€reservation€and€abeyance€of€various€other€issues.(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular Ñ e Ñ ÑÝ ƒR4+$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAlthough€Father€testified€that€he€was€current€in€his€child€support€payments,€his€failure€to€tender€his€supportÐ ° Ðpayments€to€the€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit,€as€prescribed€by€law,€made€him€ð ðin€arrearsðð€and€triggered€theÐ xÈ Ðadministrative€orders€for€wage€assignment€and€income€tax€refund€offset.€€ ÙÝ ƒR4+$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÔ‡ôÒsòòô†dÔó óUnder€section€36„5„1002(a)(9)€of€the€Tennessee€Code€Annotated,€ð ðreview€of€income€tax€refund€intercepts€shallÐ ° Ðbe€conducted€pursuant€to€the€[Tennessee€Department€of€Human€Servicesðð]€existing€rules€or€as€they€may€be€furtherÐ |Ì Ðamended;€.€.€.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„1002(a)(9)€(2001).€€Chapter€1240„2„3„.2(3)€of€the€Rules€of€the€TennesseeÐ @ ÐDepartment€of€Human€Services,€Child€Support€Services€Division€states:€ð ðAny€individual€who€has€received€notice€thatÐ T Ðhis/her€federal€tax€refund€is€or€will€be€intercepted€and€applied€to€a€past€due€support€obligation,€may€request€and€receiveÐ È Ða€fair€hearing€.€.€.€.ðð€€Rules,€Tenn.€Dept.€of€Human€Ô_ÔServsÔ_Ô.,€Child€Support€Ô_ÔServsÔ_Ô.€Div.,€Chapter€1240„2„3„.2(3).€€SectionÐ ŒÜ Ð36„5„1003€of€the€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€refers€to€a€judicial€review€of€the€outcome€of€such€an€administrative€hearing.€Ð P   Ðòòò òSee€ó óóóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„1003€(2001).€€In€addition,€the€third€paragraph€of€Fatherððs€Notice€of€Administrative€OffsetÐ  d Ðand€Federal€Tax€Refund€Offset€states:€ð ðYou€have€the€right€to€contest€our€determination€that€this€amount€of€past„dueÐ Ú * Ðsupport€is€due,€and€you€may€request€an€administrative€review.€€To€request€an€administrative€review,€you€must€contactÐ ž î  Ðus€within€fifteen€(15)€days€of€the€date€of€this€notice€.€.€.€.ððÐ b ²  ÐÔ#†ô†dòòôÒs#Ô bÝ ƒR4+$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTo€the€credit€of€counsel€for€Father,€Fatherððs€appellate€brief€supports€the€decisions€of€the€trial€court€butÐ ° Ðacknowledges€that€there€is€no€law€against€the€positions€on€appeal€taken€by€Mother€and€by€Maximus. MILLARDHaywood COALillard P.J. W.S.McMullenMiddlebrooks T.E.LeBonheurT.C.A.DraulicsEnggEldridge I]nspousal ExhSadlernoncustodialdispositiveobligorconclusory- ù-(|G24+$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€æ<»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô†dò»»Ô d(|39$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€æ<»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|39$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€æ<»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€æ<»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼æ<»»»ÔÑ8€òëXXdð»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€ïO Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î©Ïæ<ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼æ<»îî©Ï#ԈРÜ, ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€On€Brief€May€22,€2002Ð X ÐÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<ÔÌò òÔ#†¼æ<»XXòë #ÔòòLARRY€MILLARD€BUTLER€v.€STATE€OF€TENNESSEE€ex€rel.Ð  ` ÐGWENDOLYN€ELIZABETH€BUTLERóóÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<Ôó óÐ ( x ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Haywood€CountyÐ 0 € Ðà@@øøìàNo.€11778€€€€€€George€R.€Ellis,€ChancellorÐ  p ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<ï` AßÐ ð@  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2001„01137„COA„R3„CV€„€Filed€December€18,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ï?  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Î` AßÐ Ï Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€is€a€contempt€of€court€case.€€The€father€and€mother€were€divorced€in€August€1999.€€The€fatherÐ Î Ðwas€ordered€to€make€child€support€payments€to€the€mother.€€The€mother€later€filed€a€motion€toÐ ¾ Ðrequire€the€father€to€pay€his€child€support€obligation€through€income€assignment.€€The€mother€thenÐ ®þ Ðsought€the€assistance€of€a€state„authorized€child€support€enforcement€contractor€to€assist€her€inÐ žî Ðobtaining€an€increase€in€child€support.€€This€act€triggered€statutory€provisions€associated€with€TitleÐ ŽÞ ÐIV„D€of€the€Social€Security€Act.€€The€trial€court€denied€the€motherððs€motion€to€require€incomeÐ ~Î Ðassignment,€and€ordered€that€the€child€support€payments€continue€to€be€paid€directly€to€the€mother.€Ð n¾ ÐThe€child€support€contractor€then€caused€a€child€support€payment€coupon€to€be€sent€to€the€father,€andÐ ^® Ðalso€ò òó óissued,€on€behalf€of€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Human€Services,€an€administrative€order€toÐ Nž Ðredirect€the€child€support€payments€to€the€Stateððs€child€support€collection€and€disbursement€unit.€Ð >Ž ÐIn€response,€the€father€filed€a€motion€to€hold€the€mother€in€civil€contempt€for€taking€actions€to€haveÐ .~ Ðthe€child€support€payments€made€by€income€assignment,€and€also€sought€an€order€enjoining€theÐ n Ðmother€from€utilizing€the€child€support€contractor.€€The€trial€court€ordered€that€the€administrativeÐ ^ Ðorder€be€set€aside.€€The€mother€then€filed€another€motion,€inter€alia,€to€have€the€father€pay€childÐ þN Ðsupport€by€income€assignment€through€the€Stateððs€central€child€support€collection€and€disbursementÐ î > Ðunit.€€The€father€filed€another€motion€to€have€the€mother€and€the€child€support€contractor€cited€forÐ Þ!.  Ðcontempt€of€court.€€The€trial€court€held€the€mother€and€the€child€support€contractor€in€contempt,Ð Î"! Ðfined€each€of€them,€ordered€that€they€reimburse€the€father€for€the€administrative€fees€and€hisÐ ¾#" Ðattorneyððs€fees,€and€pay€court€costs.€€We€reverse,€holding€that€the€finding€of€contempt€by€the€trialÐ ®$þ# Ðjudge€was€an€abuse€of€discretion€because€the€original€order€was€contrary€to€Tennessee€law;€Ð ž%î $ ÐTennessee€statutes€require€the€fatherððs€child€support€payments€to€be€redirected€through€the€StateÐ Ž&Þ!% Ðchild€support€collection€and€disbursement€unit,€and€the€record€does€not€include€evidence€supportingÐ ~'Î"& Ðan€exemption€from€the€statutory€requirement€that€the€payments€be€made€by€income€assignment.€€Ð n(¾#' ÐÓÜÓÌò òTenn.€Rule€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Reversedó óÐ N*ž%) ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼æ<»àXòë·#ÔÔ‡XòëX.¼æ<ÔÌÐ -n(,ý ÐÔ_ÔHolly€Kirby€Lillard,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,Ð ° ÐW.S.,€óóand€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð  ð ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€and€Stuart€F.€Wilson„Patton,€Senior€Counsel,Ð €Ð ÐOffice€of€the€Attorney€General,€for€appellant,€State€of€Tennessee.Ð pÀ ÐÌScott€K.€Haynes€and€Austin€L.€McMullen,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€appellant,€Maximus,€Inc.Ð P   ÐÌMary€Jo€Middlebrooks,€Jackson,€Tennessee,€for€appellee,€Larry€Millard€Butler.Ð 0 € ÐÓ ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼æ<»XXòëO#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<ÔÐ `  ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼æ<»XXòë2#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<ÔÓ  ÓÓ Óà  àOn€August€12,€1999,€Defendant/Appellant€Gwendolyn€Elizabeth€Butler€(ð ðMotherðð)€andÐ ð@  ÐPlaintiff/Appellee€Larry€Millard€Butler€(ð ðFatherðð)€were€granted€a€divorce.€€Among€other€issues,Ð à0  ÐFather€was€ordered€to€pay€child€support€directly€to€Mother.€Ð Ð  Ðà  àOn€September€17,€1999,€Mother,€through€her€attorney,€filed€a€motion€to€require€Father€to€payÐ ° Ðadditional€child€support.€€Mother€asserted€that€Father€had€previously€mislead€the€trial€court€regardingÐ  ð Ðhis€income,€and€therefore€the€amount€of€the€child€support€payments€should€be€increased.€€ThisÐ à Ðmotion€was€not€heard€immediately.€€While€the€motion€to€increase€the€child€support€payments€wasÐ €Ð Ðpending,€on€November€5,€1999,€Mother€filed€a€motion€seeking€to€have€the€child€support€paymentsÐ pÀ Ðmade€by€income€assignment€because€Father€had€failed€to€pay€child€support€in€a€timely€manner.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€OnÐ `° ÐJanuary€3,€2000,€Mother€visited€ò òó óAppellant€Maximus,€Inc.€(ð ðMaximusðð),€a€state„authorized€childÐ P  Ðsupport€enforcement€agency,€to€obtain€assistance€in€increasing€the€amount€child€support€she€receivedÐ @ Ðfrom€Father.€€On€January€10,€2000,€Father€filed€a€motion€to€have€Mother€held€in€civil€contempt,Ð 0€ Ðarguing€that€she€failed€to€abide€by€the€partiesðð€divorce€decree€with€regard€to€his€scheduled€visitationÐ  p Ðwith€the€minor€children.€€A€hearing€was€held€on€Fatherððs€motion€on€January€13,€2000.€€ò òó óOn€MarchÐ ` Ð29,€2000,€the€trial€court€entered€a€written€order€that,€among€other€issues,€required€Father€to€continueÐ P Ðmaking€his€child€support€payments€directly€to€Mother.׃°×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ð@ Ðà  àAfter€the€hearing,€Father€received€from€Maximus€a€child€support€coupon,€in€effect,€an€invoiceÐ Ð  Ðfor€a€child€support€payment€that€has€attached€a€payment€coupon€to€be€mailed€back€to€the€State€ofÐ À! ÐTennessee€Office€of€Child€Support€Enforcement€along€with€the€obligorððs€child€support€payment.€Ð °"  ÐThe€coupon€was€sent€to€Father€as€a€result€of€Motherððs€application€for€assistance€from€Maximus€inÐ ° Ðthe€beginning€of€January€2000.€€After€Father€received€the€payment€coupon,€Fatherððs€attorney€sentÐ  ð Ða€letter€to€Maximus€reminding€Maximus€that€the€trial€court€had€ordered€Father€to€make€the€childÐ à Ðsupport€payments€directly€to€Mother.€€The€letter€to€Maximus€from€Fatherððs€attorney€also€assertedÐ €Ð Ðð ðthat€the€Chancellor€would€be€outraged€to€learn€that€his€direct€orders€are€being€contravened.ðð€Ð pÀ ÐMaximus€responded€to€the€letter,€noting€that,€under€section€71„3„124€of€the€Tennessee€CodeÐ ` ° ÐAnnotated,€as€a€Title€IV„D€Agency,€it€was€not€permitted€to€refuse€Motherððs€application€forÐ P   Ðassistance.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€its€response,€Maximus€explained€that,€once€the€case€qualifies€as€a€Title€IV„D€childÐ @  Ðsupport€case,€Tennessee€law€does€not€permit€direct€payment€of€child€support€from€Father€to€Mother.׃°×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р0 € Ðà  àOn€April€24,€2000,€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Human€Services,€through€Maximus,€sentÐ `  ÐFather€an€Administrative€Order€to€Redirect€Child€Support€Payments,€ordering€Father€to€send€allÐ P  Ðchild€support€payments€to€the€Central€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit,€which€is€the€Stateððs€centralÐ ð@  Ðchild€support€collection€and€disbursement€unit.€€On€May€12,€2000,€Father€moved,€inter€alia,€to€enjoinÐ à0  ÐMaximus€from€any€further€action€as€Motherððs€agent.׃Ð×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀РР Ðà  àOn€May€23,€2000,€two€days€prior€to€the€hearing€to€enjoin€Maximus€from€acting€as€MotherððsÐ ° Ðagent,€Father€and€his€employer€each€received€an€administrative€income€assignment€order,€issued€byÐ  ð Ðthe€Tennessee€Department€of€Human€Services,€again€through€Maximus.€Ô#†¼æ<»XXòë#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<Ô€This€order€required€FatherððsÐ à Ðemployer€to€withhold€Fatherððs€child€support€obligation€from€his€paycheck€and€to€remit€those€fundsÐ €Ð Ðto€the€Central€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit.ò òÐ pÀ Ðó óà  àò òó óÔ#†¼æ<»XXòë±%#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<Ôò òÔ‡X&· XXXòëÔó óAt€the€hearing€held€shortly€after€that€on€May€25,€2000,€Father€testified€that€both€he€and€hisÐ P  Ðemployer€received€letters€informing€them€that€Fatherððs€wages€were€to€be€garnished€the€followingÐ <Œ Ðweek€to€pay€his€child€support€obligations.€€Mother€testified€that€she€went€to€Maximus€only€to€seekÐ (x Ðhelp€to€obtain€an€increase€in€child€support€payments,€not€for€the€purpose€of€instituting€a€wageÐ d Ðassignment€that€would€garnish€Fatherððs€wages.€€The€Stateððs€attorney,€representing€Maximus,€opposedÐ P ÐFatherððs€motion€to€enjoin€Maximus€from€acting€as€Motherððs€agent,€stating€that€Maximus€was€not€aÐ ì< Ðparty€to€the€action,€nor€did€it€act€as€an€attorney€or€agent€for€Mother.€€The€attorney€explained€to€theÐ Ø( Ðtrial€court€that€when€Mother€sought€help€from€Maximus,€Motherððs€case€fell€under€Title€IV„D€of€theÐ Ä ÐSocial€Security€Act,€and€accordingly,€pursuant€to€statute,€Fatherððs€payments€could€not€be€madeÐ °  Ðdirectly€to€Mother,€but€had€to€be€paid€to€the€Central€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit.€€Counsel€forÐ ° ÐMaximus€also€argued€that€Father€failed€to€exhaust€his€administrative€remedies€before€seeking€reliefÐ œì Ðfrom€the€trial€court.€€Maximus€cited€to€the€trial€court€the€applicable€federal€and€state€statutes€as€wellÐ ˆØ Ðas€Tennessee€caselaw.Ð tÄ Ðà  àFollowing€the€partiesðð€arguments,€the€trial€court€issued€an€oral€ruling,€stating€that€althoughÔ#†XòëX XX&·'#ÔÔ#†¼æ<»XXòëû&#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<ÔÐ L œ Ðà8  àMaximus€Child€Support€Services€issued€an€administrative€order€pursuant€to€statute,Ð $ t Ðthe€Court€finds€that€there€is€no€evidence€that€the€father€is€or€ever€has€been€in€arrearsÐ  d Ðon€the€support€as€ordered€by€this€Court.€€The€Court€therefore€finds€that€under€T.C.A.Ð  T  Ð[ðð]€36„5„501€that€the€same€shall€be€set€aside.€€And€the€Court€finds€that€itððs€in€the€bestÐ ô D  Ðinterest€of€the€children€that€the€child€support€payments€shall€continue€to€be€paid€asÐ ä4  Ðordered€by€this€Court€until€the€hearing€of€July€the€27thòòóó€when€this€Court€will€receiveÐ Ô$  Ðthe€evaluation€of€all€the€parties€concerning€the€issues€of€the€custody€and€visitation.€ÐÄ Ð Ð  ÐThe€trial€court€then€ordered€that€the€Administrative€Order€filed€by€Maximus,€pursuant€to€TennesseeÐ ¤ô  Ðstatute,€be€set€aside.Ð ”ä Ðà  àOn€July€11,€2000,€Father€filed€a€motion€to€have€his€child€support€obligation€reduced,€allegingÐ tÄ Ða€decrease€in€his€income.€€On€July€27,€2000,€Maximus€filed€a€motion€on€Motherððs€behalf€to€increaseÐ d´ Ðthe€amount€of€child€support,€based€on€Fatherððs€failure€to€exercise€standard€visitation€as€contemplatedÐ T¤ Ðin€the€Tennessee€Child€Support€Guidelines.€€The€motion€also€sought€an€order€requiring€that€all€futureÐ D” Ðchild€support€payments€be€paid€through€the€Central€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit.€€On€August€9,Ð 4„ Ð2000,€the€trial€court€heard€the€cross€motions.€€Among€many€other€issues,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€trial€court€reducedÐ $t ÐFatherððs€child€support€payments€to€$89€per€week€for€two€of€the€minor€children,€and€again€orderedÐ d ÐFather€to€pay€child€support€directly€to€Mother.€€This€order€was€entered€on€September€12,€2000.€Ð T Ðà  àOn€October€15,€2000,€Father€received,€from€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Human€Services,Ð ä4 Ða€ð ðNotice€of€Administrative€Offset€and€Federal€Tax€Refund€Offset,ðð€based€on€a€$5,302€child€supportÐ Ô$ Ðarrearage,€stating€that€any€federal€income€tax€refund€to€which€Father€might€be€entitled€would€beÐ Ä Ðintercepted€to€satisfy€his€child€support€debt.€€In€response,€on€October€27,€2000,€ò òó óFather€filed€a€motionÐ ´  Ðto€hold€Mother€and€Maximus€in€civil€contempt.€€Fatherððs€motion€again€sought€to€enjoin€MaximusÐ ¤!ô Ðfrom€taking€further€action€against€Father,€and€to€rescind€any€pending€actions€taken€against€him.€€InÐ ”"ä  Ðhis€motion,€Father€asserted€that€his€child€support€obligations€were€current€and€that€he€had€made€hisÐ „#Ô! Ðpayments€in€a€timely€manner.€€€The€State€answered€Fatherððs€motion€on€Motherððs€behalf,€and€movedÐ t$Ä" Ðto€dismiss€Fatherððs€claim€for€lack€of€subject€matter€jurisdiction.€€In€this€response,€Mother€argued€thatÐ d%´ # Ðthe€trial€court€did€not€have€subject€matter€jurisdiction€because€Father€did€not€properly€exhaust€hisÐ ° Ðadministrative€remedies€as€required€by€law.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р ð Ðà  àOn€December€14,€2000,€the€trial€court€heard€the€partiesðð€arguments€with€regard€to€multipleÐ €Ð Ðissues€but€reserved€the€contempt€issues€for€a€later€date.€€On€March€2,€2001,€the€State€moved€toÐ pÀ Ðdismiss€Maximus€from€the€motion€for€civil€contempt€because€Maximus€was€not€a€party€to€the€actionÐ ` ° Ðand€had€not€been€properly€served€as€required€by€law.€€On€March€7,€2001,€the€trial€court€heard€theÐ P   Ðpartiesðð€arguments€regarding€Fatherððs€motion€for€civil€contempt,€Motherððs€motion€to€dismiss,€andÐ @  Ðò òó óthe€Stateððs€motion€to€dismiss€the€contempt€portion€against€Maximus.€€ò òÐ 0 € Ðó óà  àò òÔ‡X&· XXXòëÔó óAt€the€hearing,€Father€testified€that,€with€the€exception€of€a€check€not€signed€and€a€check€lostÐ `  Ðin€the€mail,€he€had€never€been€behind€in€his€child€support€payments.€€The€Stateððs€attorney,Ð üL  Ðrepresenting€Maximus,€explained€at€length,€that,€regardless€of€Fatherððs€timely€payments€to€Mother,Ð è8  Ðonce€Mother€enlisted€Maximusððs€services,€Father€was€obligated€under€state€and€federal€law€to€beginÐ Ô$  Ðmaking€his€payments€through€the€Central€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit.€€The€Stateððs€attorney€notedÐ À  Ðthat€Maximus€was€ð ðbetween€a€rock€and€a€hard€placeðð€because€it€had€two€opposing€directives;€on€oneÐ ¬ü  Ðhand,€the€trial€courtððs€previous€order€requiring€Father€to€make€support€payments€directly€to€Mother,Ð ˜è Ðand€on€the€other€hand,€the€state€and€federal€regulations€requiring€Father€to€make€his€paymentsÐ „Ô Ðdirectly€to€the€State.€€Maximusððs€Project€Manager€and€Title€IV„D€Administrator€for€Motherððs€districtÐ pÀ Ðtestified€that€Maximus€did€not€represent€Mother,€but€rather€the€childrenððs€best€interests,€and€that€itÐ \¬ Ðhad€no€choice€but€to€assist€the€Mother€when€she€requested€the€services€of€Maximus.€€The€ProjectÐ H˜ ÐManager€also€noted€that€Father€had€not€pursued€the€administrative€appeal€available€to€him.€€At€theÐ 4„ Ðend€of€the€partiesðð€presentation€of€proof,€the€trial€judge€issued€an€oral€order€that€found€Maximus€andÐ  p ÐMother€to€be€in€civil€contempt,Ô#†XòëX XX&·æ=#ÔÔ#†¼æ<»XXòë½-#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<Ô€ò òó ófined€them€each€$50,€ordered€them€to€reimburse€Father€$35.50€inÐ  \ Ðadministrative€fees,€and€pay€Fatherððs€attorney€fees€of€$2,097.64€for€the€contempt€hearing,€as€wellÐ  \ Ðas€court€costs.€€On€April€12,€2001,€the€trial€court€issued€a€written€order€setting€forth€the€same€termsÐ üL Ðthat€were€in€the€March€7,€2001€oral€ruling.€€From€this€written€order,€Mother€and€Maximus€nowÐ ì< Ðappeal.€Ô#†¼æ<»XXòë”D#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<ÔÐ Ü, Ðà  àOn€appeal,€Mother€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€require€Father€to€pay€his€childÐ ¼  Ðsupport€obligation€to€the€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit€through€an€income€assignment,€and€that€theÐ ¬ ü Ðtrial€court€lacked€jurisdiction€to€set€aside€the€Stateððs€administrative€order€for€income€assignment.€Ð ° ÐMother€also€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€Mother€in€contempt,€and€that€it€erroneouslyÐ  ð Ðordered€Mother€to€pay€a€fine,€costs,€and€attorneyððs€fees.€€Maximus,€on€appeal,€argues€that€the€trialÐ à Ðcourt€erred€in€finding€Maximus€in€contempt€because€Maximus€was€not€under€a€court€order€requiringÐ €Ð Ðor€prohibiting€anything,€and€that€even€if€it€was,€such€an€order€could€not€be€lawful.׃!×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€Ð pÀ Ðà  àQuestions€of€law€are€reviewed€de€novo,€with€no€presumption€of€correctness€given€to€theÐ P   Ðdecision€of€the€court€below.€€òòò òSee€Barge€v.€Sadleró óóó,€70€S.W.3d€683,€686€(Tenn.€2002).€€TheÐ @  Ðdetermination€of€a€contempt€order€is€within€the€sound€discretion€of€the€trial€court,€subject€to€theÐ 0 € Ðabsolute€provisions€of€the€law.€€ò òòòRobinson€v.€Air€Draulics€Engððg€Co.óóó ó,€377€S.W.2d€908,€911„12Ð  p  Ð(Tenn.€1964).€€Ô#†¼æ<»XXòë F#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<ÔTherefore,€a€contempt€order€is€final,€unless€its€issuance€was€a€plain€abuse€ofÐ `  Ðdiscretion.€€ò òòòId.€óóó ó(citation€omitted).€€Ô‡X&· XXXòëÔA€trial€court€abuses€its€discretion€when€it€reaches€a€decisionÐ P  Ðagainst€logic€that€causes€a€harm€to€the€complaining€party€or€when€the€trial€court€applies€an€incorrectÐ P  Ðlegal€standard.€€ò òòòEldridge€v.€Eldridgeóóó ó,€72€S.W.3d€82,€85€(Tenn.€2001)€(citing€òòò òState€v.€Shirleyó óóó,€6Ð ì<  ÐS.W.3d€243,€247€(Tenn.€1999)).€€The€decision€of€the€trial€court€ð ðwill€be€upheld€so€long€as€reasonableÐ Ø(  Ðminds€can€disagree€as€to€the€propriety€of€the€decision€[of€the€trial€court].ðð€€òòò òState€v.€Scottó óóó,€33€S.W.3dÐ Ä Ð746,€751€(Tenn.€2000).Ô#†XòëX XX&·@M#ÔÔ#†¼æ<»XXòëŒL#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<ÔÐ ° Ðà  àIn€order€to€evaluate€the€trial€courtððs€order€of€contempt,€we€must€first€examine€the€decisionsÐ ˆØ Ðwhich€underlie€it.€€The€trial€courtððs€finding€of€contempt€came€after€Father€had€received€from€theÐ xÈ ÐTennessee€Department€of€Human€Services€a€ð ðNotice€of€Administrative€Offset€and€Federal€TaxÐ h¸ ÐRefund€Offset,ðð€based€on€an€alleged€child€support€arrearage.€€The€finding€of€contempt€apparentlyÐ X¨ Ðresulted€from€the€trial€courtððs€belief€that€Mother€and€Maximus,€in€taking€actions€that€culminated€inÐ H˜ Ðthe€offset€notice€being€sent€to€Father,€had€contravened€its€earlier€orders€directing€Father€to€makeÐ 8ˆ Ðchild€support€payments€directly€to€Mother,€rather€than€by€income€assignment€through€the€CentralÐ (x ÐChild€Support€Receipting€Unit.€€Therefore,€we€must€scrutinize€the€trial€courtððs€order€directing€FatherÐ h Ðto€make€the€child€support€payments€directly€to€Mother.Ð X Ðà  àA€tutorial€in€the€statutes€governing€child€support€payments€in€Title€IV„D€cases€is€providedÐ è8 Ðin€the€opinion€by€Judge€William€Koch€of€this€Court€in€ò òòòBaker€v.€State€ex€rel.€Bakeró óóó,€No.€01A01„Ð Ø( Ð9509„CV„00428,€1997€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€856€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€5,€1997).ò òó ó€€In€ò òòòBakeró óóó,€theÐ È  Ðnoncustodial€parent,€the€mother,€subject€to€a€child€support€order,€petitioned€the€trial€court€to€modifyÐ ¸! Ðher€child€support€obligation.€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€at€*3.€€Neither€the€mother€nor€the€father€received€public€assistance.€Ð ¨"ø  ÐChild€Support€Services€of€Davidson€County€responded€on€behalf€of€the€father,€asserting€that€theÐ ˜#è! Ðmother€was€in€arrears€in€her€child€support€obligation€and€seeking€an€increase€in€the€amount€of€theÐ ˆ$Ø" Ðchild€support€payments.€€ò òòòId.€ó óóóat€*3„4.€€Child€Support€Services€was€a€private€entity€that€had€contractedÐ x%È # Ðwith€the€Department€of€Human€Services€to€provide€Title€IV„D€child€support€collection€services.€€ò òòòId.ó óóóÐ h&¸!$ Ðâ âat€*3,€fn.€2.€€The€trial€court€modified€the€child€support€payments€and€directed€the€mother€to€pay€aÐ X'¨"% Ðmonthly€amount€toward€the€outstanding€arrearage.€€It€did€not€impose€a€wage€assignment,€nor€did€itÐ ° Ðrequire€the€mother€to€make€her€child€support€payments€through€the€clerk€of€the€trial€court.€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€at€*5.Ð  ð Ðâ âà  àIn€response,€Child€Support€Services€asked€the€trial€court€to€require€the€mother€to€make€herÐ €Ð Ðchild€support€payments€through€the€clerk€of€the€trial€court.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€The€trial€court€declined€to€do€so,Ð pÀ Ðstating€that€no€wage€assignment€was€necessary,€and€asserting€that€a€wage€assignment€would€beÐ ` ° Ðutilized€by€the€father€to€alienate€the€children€from€their€mother.€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€at€5„6.€€The€Attorney€GeneralÐ P   Ðappealed.€€Consequently,€the€ò òòòBakeró óóó€court€considered€on€appeal€ð ðwhether€the€trial€court€may,€in€itsÐ @  Ðdiscretion,€excuse€an€obligor€parent€from€paying€child€support€through€the€trial€court€clerk.ðð€€ò òòòId.€óóó óatÐ 0 € Ð6.ò òòòÐ  p  Ðà  àó óóóThe€ò òòòBakeró óóó€court€explained€that€the€child€support€enforcement€statutes€at€issue€arose€fromÐ P  ÐCongressððs€concern€about€an€increase€in€spending€pursuant€to€the€Aid€to€Families€with€DependentÐ ð@  ÐChildren€(ð ðAFDCðð)€program:Ð à0  Ðà8  àResponding€to€the€significant€increases€in€AFDC€spending,€Congress€enacted€theÐ À ÐSocial€Service€Amendments€of€1974€which€include€Title€IV,€Part€D€of€the€SocialÐ ° ÐSecurity€Act.€€The€Title€IV„D€program€is€designed€to€provide€incentives€for€states€toÐ  ð Ðimprove€their€own€laws€and€programs€aimed€at€collecting€child€support€from€absentÐ à Ðparents.€€For€states€that€bring€their€laws€and€programs€into€compliance€with€federalÐ €Ð Ðstandards,€Title€IV„D€provides€increased€federal€matching€funds.€€States€who€do€notÐ pÀ Ðcomply€with€the€federal€requirements€face€the€prospect€of€reduced€AFDC€matchingÐ `° Ðfunds.€€ÐP Ð Ð  Ðò òòòId.ó óóó€at€7„8€(footnote€omitted).€€In€order€to€avoid€custodial€parents€being€forced€to€seek€AFDCÐ 0€ Ðassistance,€the€Title€IV„D€program€was€set€up€to€require€states€to€provide€child€support€collectionÐ  p Ðassistance€ð ðto€all€custodial€parents,€not€just€those€who€were€receiving€AFDC€assistance.ðð€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€at€*9.Ð ` ÐIn€response,€Tennessee€enacted€statutes€that€complied€with€federal€requirements:Ð P Ðà8  àThe€General€Assembly€responded€to€Congressððs€changes€in€the€Title€IV„D€programÐ à0 Ðby€enacting€the€Child€Support€Enforcement€Act€of€1985.€€Among€other€things,€thisÐ Ð  ÐAct€requires€that€child€support€in€Title€IV„D€cases€must€be€paid€through€the€Clerk€ofÐ À! Ðthe€trial€court€.€.€.€.€€The€Act€also€established€procedures€for€wage€assignments.€.€.€.€Ð °"  ÐIn€1994,€the€General€Assembly€reiterated€that€child€support€payments€in€all€Title€IV„Ð  #ð! ÐD€cases€must€be€paid€either€to€the€trial€court€clerk€or€to€the€Department€of€HumanÐ $à" ÐServices€.€.€.€and€that€the€trial€court€clerks€were€entitled€to€a€fee€for€their€collectionÐ €%Ð # Ðand€distribution€services.€.€.€.Ðp&À!$Ð Ð  Ðà8  àTwo€dispositive€conclusions€can€be€drawn€from€the€federal€and€state€legislationÐ P( #& Ðinvolving€the€Title€IV„D€program.€€First,€Title€IV„D€child€support€collection€servicesÐ @)$' Ðare€available€to€all€custodial€parents€notwithstanding€their€financial€status.€.€.€.€Ð 0*€%( ÐSecond,€a€Title€IV„D€proceeding€is€commenced€when€a€custodial€parent€applies€toÐ  +p&) Ða€Title€IV„D€service€provider€for€assistance€in€establishing,€modifying,€or€collectingÐ ,`'* Ðchild€support.€€For€the€purposes€of€the€Title€IV„D€program,€it€makes€no€differenceÐ ° Ðwhether€the€proceeding€began€as€a€Title€IV„D€proceeding€or€whether€the€custodialÐ  ð Ðparent€initiated€the€proceeding€or€is€responding€to€the€obligor€parentððs€petition€toÐ à Ðmodify€or€eliminate€an€existing€child€support€obligation.ЀÐÐ Ð  Ðò òòòId.ó óóó€at€*11„13.€€The€ò òòòBakeró óóó€court€found€that,€even€though€the€case€had€not€begun€as€a€Title€IV„DÐ ` ° Ðproceeding,€it€became€one€when€the€custodial€parent€sought€the€assistance€of€Child€Support€Services,Ð P   Ðan€entity€that€contracted€with€the€Department€of€Human€Services€to€provide€Title€IV„D€child€supportÐ @  Ðcollection€services.€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€at€*14.€€Once€the€case€became€a€Title€IV„D€proceeding,€ð ðthe€trial€court€lostÐ 0 € Ðits€discretion€to€determine€how€[the€obligor€parent]€should€make€her€child€support€payments.ðð€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€Ð  p  ÐThe€ò òòòBakeró óóó€court€concluded€that€Tennessee€statutes€required€the€obligor€parent,€there€the€mother,€toÐ `  Ðpay€child€support€through€the€trial€court€clerk€and€pay€the€processing€fee€to€the€clerk.€€ò òòòId.ó óóóÐ P  Ðà  àIn€the€case€at€bar,€Mother€was€entitled,€under€the€Tennessee€statutes€enacted€to€comply€withÐ à0  ÐTitle€IV„D€requirements,€to€seek€the€assistance€of€a€state„authorized€Title€IV„D€child€supportÐ Ð  Ðservices€contractor€such€as€Maximus.€€Once€she€did€so,€the€proceeding€became€a€Title€IV„DÐ À Ðproceeding.€€òòò òSee€Bakeró óóó,€1997€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS,€at€*14.€€When€a€party€seeks€the€assistance€of€aÐ ° Ðstate„authorized€Title€IV„D€provider,€from€that€point€forward,€all€payments€must€be€made€throughÐ  ð Ðthe€state€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit.€€42€U.S.C.€ðð€6546;€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„116(a)(1)Ð à Ð(2001).€€Consequently,€once€Mother€sought€assistance€from€Maximus€to€increase€her€child€supportÐ €Ð Ðpayments,€the€trial€court€lost€its€discretion€to€order€Father€to€make€child€support€payments€directlyÐ pÀ Ðto€Mother.Ð `° Ðà  àMoreover,€under€Tennessee€statutes,€as€well€as€federal€statutes,€with€few€exceptions,€suchÐ @ Ðchild€support€payments€must€be€made€by€income€assignment.€€42€U.S.C.€ðð€666(a)(1)(A),(B);€Tenn.Ð 0€ ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36„5„501(a)(1)€(2001).€€Section€36„5„501(a)(1)€of€the€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€statesÐ  p Ðin€part:€€ð ðFor€any€order€of€child€support€issued,€modified,€or€enforced€on€or€after€July€1,€1994,€theÐ ` Ðcourt€shall€order€an€immediate€assignment€of€the€obligorððs€income€.€.€.€.€€The€order€of€assignmentÐ P Ðshall€issue€regardless€of€whether€the€support€payments€are€in€arrears€on€the€effective€date€of€theÐ ð@ Ðorder.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„501(a)(1)€(2001).€€The€statute,€however,€permits€a€few€limitedÐ à0 Ðexceptions€from€the€general€rule:Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(2)€Income€assignment€under€this€subsection€shall€not€be€required:а" Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(A)€If,€in€cases€involving€the€modification€of€support€orders,€uponÐ $à" Ðproof€by€one€party,€there€is€a€written€finding€of€fact€in€the€order€of€theÐ €%Ð # Ðcourt€that€there€is€good€cause€not€to€require€immediate€incomeÐ p&À!$ Ðassignment€and€the€proof€shows€that€the€obligor€has€made€timelyÐ `'°"% Ðpayment€of€previously€ordered€support.€€ð ðGood€causeðð€shall€only€beÐ P( #& Ðestablished€upon€proof€that€the€immediate€income€assignment€wouldÐ @)$' Ðnot€be€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child.€€The€court€shall,€in€its€order,Ð 0*€%( Ðstate€specifically€why€such€assignment€will€not€be€in€the€childððs€bestÐ  +p&) Ðinterests;€orÐ,`'*` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(B)€If€there€is€a€written€agreement€by€both€parties€that€provides€forÐ ° Ðalternative€arrangements.€€Such€agreement€must€be€reviewed€by€theÐ  ð Ðcourt€and€entered€in€the€record.Ðà` x` x ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„501(a)(2)(A)€and€(B).€€Thus,€income€assignment€is€not€required€if€theÐ pÀ Ðparties€have€a€written€agreement€to€the€contrary,€or,€under€certain€circumstances,€if€the€trial€courtÐ ` ° Ðfinds€that€income€assignment€is€not€in€the€best€interests€of€the€children.Ð P   Ðà  àIn€this€case,€although€the€divorce€decree€issued€by€the€trial€court€ordered€Father€to€make€childÐ 0 € Ðsupport€payments€directly€to€Mother,€there€was€no€agreement€by€both€parties€as€contemplated€inÐ  p  Ðsection€36„5„501(a)(2)(B).€€Therefore,€this€exception€to€the€requirement€of€wage€assignment€is€notÐ `  Ðapplicable.€€Ð P  Ðà  àThe€second€exception€to€the€requirement€of€wage€assignment,€set€forth€in€section€36„5„Ð à0  Ð501(a)(2)(A),€is€applicable€when€such€a€wage€assignment€is€not€in€the€best€interests€of€the€children,Ð Ð  Ðprovided€certain€requirements€are€met,€as€quoted€above.€€Indeed,€in€its€order€of€July€13,€2002,€theÐ À Ðtrial€court€found€that€Father€had€made€timely€payments€and€that€it€was€in€the€best€interests€of€theÐ ° Ðchildren€to€waive€the€requirement€of€income€assignment.€€This€order€required€Father€to€make€theÐ  ð Ðchild€support€payments€directly€to€Mother.€€Section€36„5„501(a)(2)(A),€however,€requires€more€thanÐ à Ða€mere€conclusory€finding€that€wage€assignment€is€not€in€the€best€interests€of€the€children.€€TheÐ €Ð Ðstatute€states€expressly€that€there€must€be€proof€in€the€record€supporting€a€written€finding€of€fact€thatÐ pÀ Ðthere€is€good€cause€not€to€require€an€immediate€income€assignment.€€The€statute€specifies€further€thatÐ `° Ðthe€trial€court€must,€in€its€order,€ð ðstate€specifically€why€such€assignment€will€not€be€in€the€childððsÐ P  Ðbest€interests€.€.€.€.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36„5„501(a)(2)(A).€€The€record€in€this€case€includes€no€suchÐ @ Ðproof,€nor€does€the€trial€courtððs€order€state€why€such€an€income€assignment€would€not€be€in€theÐ 0€ Ðchildrenððs€best€interests.€€Consequently,€the€requirements€of€this€exception€are€not€met,€and€wageÐ  p Ðassignment€is€mandated.Ð ` Ðà  àò òÔ‡X&· XXXòëÔó óThe€trial€court€found€Maximus€in€contempt€of€court€after€Father€received€the€AdministrativeÐ ð@ ÐOrder€to€Redirect€Child€Support€Payments.€€Section€71„3„124€of€the€Tennessee€Code€Annotated,Ð Ü, Ðhowever,€permits€Department€of€Human€Services€contractors€such€as€Maximus€to€ð ð.€.€.€initiate€anyÐ È  Ðsupport€action€in€its€own€name€or€in€the€name€of€the€recipient€under€existing€laws€of€this€state,ðð€andÐ ´! Ðstates€that€such€a€contractor€may€also€ð ðinitiate€support€actions€.€.€.€in€accordance€with€the€provisionsÐ  "ð  Ðof€Title€IV„D€of€the€Social€Security€Act,€as€amended.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€7„3„124(a)(4)€&€(c)(1)Ð Œ#Ü! Ð(Supp.€2001).€€Similarly,€with€regard€to€the€order€of€income€assignment,€section€36„5„501€of€theÐ x$È" ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€states€that€Ð d%´ # Ðà8  à.€.€.€when€the€obligor€becomes€in€arrears€.€.€.€[and]€the€support€is€paid€through€theÐ <'Œ"% Ð[Central€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit]€.€.€.€then€the€.€.€.€contractor€in€Title€IV„DÐ ((x#& Ðchild€support€cases€shall,€without€the€necessity€of€an€affidavit€of€the€obligee,€issueÐ )d$' Ðan€order€of€income€assignment€to€the€employer€of€the€obligor€.€.€.€.€€No€court€orderÐ *P%( Ðexpressly€authorizing€an€income€assignment€shall€be€required€under€this€Ô_Ôparagraph.Ðì*<&)Ð Ð  ЇTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„501(b)(1)(B)€(2001).׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Thus,€Maximus€acted€pursuant€to€Tennessee€lawÐ ° Ðwhen€it€issued€the€administrative€order€to€redirect€payment€to€the€Child€Support€Receipting€Unit€asÐ œì Ðwell€as€the€order€of€wage€assignment.Ð ˆØ Ðà  àIt€should€be€noted€that€section€36„5„116(a)(1)€states€in€part:€Ð `° Ðà8  à.€.€.€[Ô_Ôa]llÔ_Ô€order€[sic]€in€Title€IV„D€support€cases,€and€all€orders€for€incomeÐ 8 ˆ Ðassignments€which€have€directed€support€to€be€paid€to€the€clerk€of€any€court,€andÐ $ t Ðwhich€are€subject€to€the€provisions€of€[the€Social€Security€Act],€shall€be€deemed€toÐ  ` Ðrequire€that€the€support€be€sent€to€the€central€collection€and€disbursement€unit,€òòanyÐ ü L  Ðorder€of€the€court€notwithstandingóó.Ðè 8 Ð Ð  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„116(a)(1)€(2001)€(emphasis€added).€Ô#†XòëX XX&·?ƒ#ÔÔ#†¼æ<»XXòëP#ÔÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<ÔÐ À  Ðà  àTherefore,€the€order€underlying€the€finding€of€contempt€(i.e.,€the€order€directing€Father€toÐ ˜è  Ðmake€child€support€payments€directly€to€Mother),€was€clearly€in€contravention€of€Tennessee€statutesÐ ˆØ  Ðmandating€that€such€payments€be€made€through€wage€assignment€to€the€State€Child€SupportÐ xÈ ÐReceipting€Unit.€€Without€question,€Mother€was€entitled€under€Tennessee€law€to€seek€the€assistanceÐ h¸ Ðof€a€Title€IV„D€child€support€services€contractor€such€as€Maximus,€and€the€trial€court€clearly€abusedÐ X¨ Ðits€discretion€in€finding€her€in€contempt€of€court€for€doing€so.€€Likewise,€once€Mother€sought€theÐ H˜ Ðassistance€of€Maximus,€Maximus€was€required€to€take€the€actions€for€which€it€was€found€inÐ 8ˆ Ðcontempt€of€court,€and€the€trial€court€abused€its€discretion€in€finding€Maximus€in€contempt€of€court.€Ð (x Ѐò òó óà  àTherefore,€the€trial€courtððs€finding€of€contempt€against€both€Mother€and€Maximus€is€reversed.€Ð X ÐThe€order€requiring€the€payment€of€the€fine,€the€administrative€fees,€the€court€costs,€and€FatherððsÐ øH Ðattorneyððs€fees€is€reversed€as€well.€€The€cause€is€remanded€with€directions€to€the€trial€court€to€enterÐ è8 Ðan€order€providing€for€payment€of€the€child€support€obligations€through€wage€assignment,€unlessÐ Ø( Ðevery€requirement€of€a€statutory€exception€is€fully€met,€and€requiring€that€such€payments€be€directedÐ È Ðto€the€appropriate€State€disbursement€unit.ò òÐ ¸ Ðòòóóó óà  àThe€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€reversed€and€the€cause€is€remanded€for€further€proceedingsÐ ˜ è Ðconsistent€with€this€Opinion.€€Costs€are€taxed€to€the€appellee,€Larry€Ô_ÔMillardÔ_Ô€Butler,€for€whichÐ ˆ!Ø Ðexecution€may€issue,€if€necessary.€Ô_ÔÔ#†¼æ<»XXòë‚#ÔÔ_ÔÐ x"È  ÐÓ Óà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àÔ‡XòëX»¼æ<Ô___________________________________€Ð X$¨" Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€JUDGEÔ#†¼æ<»XXòë–#ÔÐ H%˜ # Ð