ÿWPCŽ, ¿ÀTåoØ8ÙT‘®¥ä”ýÝU¦mÈ"´é¦„ôb„·2"ªJmñ¬'ðmôW3*Ð,SžMrcY@ÛÞ:ÿ|c$W-¸Âb‡nÔ 79£û÷éiLFc¹ü¢èšêN‘t ¯ en¾kµa¹níÑ•ÖY—SšÙ¢½¥brZ³äô]%zqÊ× B‡“8Œf½†”à¿ ðVAÙ`Ô$Niråáè㈥@:rc@Îíùvë×7¼ vòe°V,”UÊO°>aBp³Å)…µÈ‹–`®[_*,5=z7ôì'¤*ˆÖÔvK5!½Þå ÷:>³¥¦ˆñq +þw Å=<3f2¾Dæë$ÝŠÁÓ…)Û)sãü)¡ R—£—ïRÀ€aT KϵI gÏn9lYÛªùðP¾ðÑê{&²RWjøB}»é<µ9VŸ µ Wl1ozn¸P„LÛõA6&¯4¥%ú_‘Ñó"‡  ½Èû.a»Tµ¦¡E˜†æÅh×?…~9¤*ÃØ'*îÐlãæíáŠVo#£=Ó ¬ª .õx·¨11TÞ>ïP¥Ï•ÙýÁ`\_ð*5Ýfa}VC¾†Tý±E©"Cb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ U4N· w 4 z Ò— i x mz UN‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1÷N U@ UNME› 0DÔá>µióU>\š·´ k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#b'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 0ë‰'‰'‰'‰' Bt(t( 0¤‘( D55) D-j) 0K—)—) ASâ)Æ5* 0¤û* 0DŸ+ A«ã+˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»k— -s (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular9‚±, ¡ ™¡ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5  No.(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman (ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ÊÝ ƒR1V$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWe€are€aware€that€this€court€has€reached€an€apparently€opposite€conclusion€in€at€least€one€other€case.€€InÐ ° ÐòòRainey€v.€Headóó,€No.€W2000„005„4„COA„R3„CV,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€190€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€20,€2001)€(noÐ tÄ ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed),€the€mother€of€a€child€born€out€of€wedlock€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€the€parentalÐ 8ˆ Ðrights€of€the€childððs€father,€and€no€adoption€was€involved.€€The€father€signed€a€consent€order€terminating€his€rights,€whichÐ üL Ðwas€entered€by€the€court.€€The€father€later€attempted€to€have€that€order€set€aside€and€asserted,€in€part,€that€the€trial€courtÐ À Ðwas€required€to€find,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that€grounds€for€termination€exist€and€that€the€termination€wasÐ „Ô Ðin€the€childððs€best€interest.€€This€court€held€that€because€the€father€had€entered€into€a€consent€order,€ð ðit€was€thusÐ H ˜ Ðunnecessary€for€the€trial€court€to€make€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€as€to€whether€[the€fatherððs]€parental€rightsÐ  \ Ðshould€be€terminated.ðð€€Although€the€court€noted€that€the€trial€court€had€appointed€a€guardian€ad€litem€who€found€thatÐ Ð  Ðtermination€was€in€the€childððs€best€interest,€it€reaffirmed€that€€the€consent€of€the€father€eliminated€the€need€for€the€courtÐ ” ä  Ðto€make€the€necessary€statutory€findings.€€We€simply€disagree.€€òòSee€Castleman€v.€Castlemanóó,€No.€M2000„00270„COA„Ð X ¨  ÐR3„CV,€2000€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€820€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€21,€2000)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)€(holdingÐ  l  Ðthat€a€default€judgment€without€taking€evidence€is€inappropriate€when€court€is€required€to€award€custody€on€the€basisÐ à 0  Ðof€the€childððs€best€interest).€€ 4Ý ƒR1V$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔPursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(c),€an€order€of€termination€entered€by€a€juvenile€court€has€the€sameÐ ° Ðeffect€as€set€out€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113. _Ý ƒR1V$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔInòò€Woolfóó,€the€father€had€voluntarily€relinquished€custody€of€one€of€his€children€to€an€agency€who€intended€toÐ ° Ðmove€for€termination€of€the€motherððs€parental€rights€and€have€the€child€adopted.€€That€plan€was€halted€when€the€motherÐ tÄ Ðremoved€the€child€from€his€foster€home.€€The€state€public€assistance€agency€sought€to€have€the€father€pay€support€forÐ 8ˆ Ðthe€child,€and€the€father€defended€on€the€basis€he€had€voluntarily€relinquished€his€parental€rights€and€was€consequentlyÐ üL Ðrelieved€of€any€duty€to€support.€€The€court€rejected€the€fatherððs€statutory€construction€argument,€as€well€as€finding€hisÐ À Ðposition€contrary€to€public€policy.ô\  `‹&Times New Roman Ý ƒR1V$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€a€concurring€opinion€in€òòSorrells€v.€Sorrellsóó,€No.€E1999„01658„COA„R3„CV,€2000€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€675Ð ° Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€5,€2000)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed),€one€member€of€this€court€pointed€out€that€aÐ tÄ Ðmother€who€was€not€attempting€to€facilitate€an€adoption€through€the€termination€proceeding€lacked€standing€to€seekÐ 8ˆ Ðtermination€of€her€former€husbandððs€parental€rights€on€the€basis€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(b),€which€identifies€thoseÐ üL Ðpersons€with€standing€to€bring€a€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€as€ð ðprospective€adoptive€parent(s)€of€the€child,Ð À Ðany€licensed€childplacing€agency€having€custody€of€the€child,€the€childððs€guardian€ad€litem,€a€court€appointed€specialÐ „Ô Ðadvocate€(CASA)€agency,€or€the€department€[of€childrenððs€services].ðð ­Ý ƒR1V$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ôáÅòòôáÅÔOur€legislature€has€listed€some,€but€not€all,€of€the€factors€a€court€is€to€consider€when€determining€whetherÐ ° Ðtermination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€Ô#†ôáÅòòôáÅ~#ÔÔ‡ôáÅòòôáÅÔ€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i).€€Included€in€that€list€is€whether€the€parentÐ tÄ Ðhas€paid€child€support.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)Ô#†ôáÅòòôáÅs#ÔÔ‡ôáÅòòôáÅÔ(9).Ð 8ˆ ÐÔ#†ôáÅòòôáÅR#Ô Ý ƒR1V$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€waiver€is€sufficient€if€it€contains€a€statement€waiving€any€rights€and€including€language€similar€to€theÐ ° Ðfollowing:Ð tÄ ÐÌà8  àI€.€.€.€understand€that€the€mother€has€placed€or€wishes€to€place€this€child€for€adoption€or€that€the€childÐ üL Ðis€the€subject€of€legal€proceedings€leading€to€the€childððs€adoption€or€leading€to€a€determination€of€theÐ À Ðchildððs€legal€custody€or€guardianship.€€€I€am€not€necessarily€admitting€or€saying€that€I€am€the€fatherÐ „Ô Ðof€this€child,€but€if€I€am,€I€do€not€wish€to€provide€care€for€this€child,€and€I€feel€it€would€be€in€theÐ H ˜ Ðchildððs€best€interest€for€this€adoption€to€occur,€or€for€other€custody€or€guardianship€proceedings€toÐ  \ Ðoccur€in€the€childððs€best€interests.ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„111(w)(5).- ù-(|G21V$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€@]»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÅò»»Ô d(|3 U$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€@]»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3 U$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€@]»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€@]»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼@]»»»ÔÑ8€XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îGÜ@]ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼@]»îîGÜ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓMarch€20,€2002€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XX»¼@]ÔÌò òÔ#†¼@]»XXó#ÔC.€J.€H.€v.€A.€K.€G.Ô‡XX»¼@]Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Giles€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€1356„J€€€€€€John€P.€Damron,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2001„01234„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„JV€„€Filed€August€9,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓIn€this€appeal€the€mother€and€father€of€a€young€child€appeal€the€order€of€the€trial€court€denying€theÐ xÈ  Ðtermination€of€the€fatherððs€parental€rights.€€An€order€establishing€the€fatherððs€paternity€had€been€Ð d´ Ðentered€after€the€childððs€birth,€and€the€father€was€ordered€to€pay€child€support€and€granted€visitation.€Ð P  ÐWhile€the€father€has€met€his€monetary€obligations,€he€has€not€seen€his€daughter€since€her€birth,€orÐ <Œ Ðattempted€to€see€her,€and€has€no€interest€in€establishing€a€relationship€with€his€daughter.€€The€motherÐ (x Ðand€father€submitted€a€joint€petition€to€terminate€the€fatherððs€parental€rights,€and€the€trial€courtÐ d Ðdenied€this€petition,€finding€that€termination€was€not€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€The€partiesÐ P Ðappeal€that€denial€to€this€court.€€We€affirm.Ð ì< ÐÓ‡ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€CourtÐ Ä ÐAffirmed€and€Remandedó óÐ ° ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼@]»àXM#ÔÔ‡XX.¼@]ÔPatricia€J.€Cottrell,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Cantrellóó,€P.J.,€M.S.,€Ð ˆØ Ðand€òòHamilton€V.€Gayden,€Jr.,€Sp.€J.óó,€joined.Ð tÄ ÐÌTimothy€P.€Underwood€&€Rogers€N.€Hayes,€Pulaski,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellants,€C.J.H.€andÐ L œ ÐA.K.G.Ð 8!ˆ  ÐÓØÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼@]»XX #ÔÔ‡XX»¼@]ÔÐ #`" ÐÌÓ  ÓÓ  Óà  àThe€mother€(ð ðMotherðð)€and€father€(ð ðFatherðð)€of€a€daughter€filed€a€joint€petition€in€theÐ è$8 $ ÐJuvenile€Court€for€Giles€County€seeking€the€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights.€€After€a€hearingÐ Ô%$!% Ðon€the€matter,€the€court€found€that€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€was€not€in€the€best€interestÐ À&"& Ðof€the€minor€child€and,€therefore,€denied€the€petition.€€It€is€from€that€order€that€the€parties€appeal.Ð ¬'ü"' ÐÌÓü Óà@°°&ìàI.€€FactsˆÐ „)Ô$) ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼@]»XX» #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€XX»¼@]ÔÔ‡ XXXXÔà  àFather€and€Mother€did€not€date€for€any€significant€length€of€time€and€were€never€married.€Ð \+¬&+ ÐAfter€a€brief€relationship,€a€daughter€was€born€on€July€14,€2000.€€Father€and€Mother€have€had€noÐ H,˜', Ðrelationship€since€their€brief€affair.€€After€a€DNA€test€was€performed€proving€the€paternity€of€theÐ 4-„(-ý÷ Ðchild,€the€parties€filed€a€Joint€Petition€for€Legitimation.€€The€Petition€was€granted,€and€Father€wasÐ ° Ðordered€to€pay€child€support€in€the€amount€of€$91.45€per€week€and€to€reimburse€Mother€$66.23€perÐ œì Ðmonth€for€the€daughterððs€health€insurance.€€The€court€also€awarded€Father€reasonable€visitation.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àIn€an€affidavit€to€the€court€in€the€proceedings€herein€Father€stated€that€he€had€not€visited€hisÐ `° Ðdaughter€or€had€any€contact€with€her€since€her€birth€and€that€he€did€not€desire€to€establish€anyÐ L œ Ðparental€relationship.Ô#†XXX Xœ #Ô€Father€also€said€he€had€ð ðfailed€to€seek€reasonable€visitation€with€the€minorÐ 8 ˆ Ðchild€in€spite€of€the€granting€of€the€same€and€does€not€intend€to€participate€in€this€manner.ðð€€Ô‡ XXXXÔ€€Further,Ð $ t Ðhe€stated€that€the€consequences€of€terminating€his€parental€rights€were€explained€to€him€and€that€suchÐ  ` Ðtermination€was€in€the€best€interests€of€his€daughter.€€Father€was€present€at€the€hearing€on€theÐ ü L  Ðpetition,€but€did€not€testify.Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àThe€only€testimony€given€at€the€hearing€was€that€of€Mother€and€is€summarized€in€a€StatementÐ À  Ðof€the€Evidence.€€Mother€testified€that€the€parties€were€in€agreement€as€to€the€termination€of€FatherððsÐ ¬ü  Ðparental€rights€and€that€she€understood€the€impact€of€the€decision.€She€also€testified€that€she€wasÐ ˜è  Ðmore€than€adequately€employed€to€financially€care€for€the€child€and€that€she€had€strong€familyÐ „Ô  Ðsupport€to€assist€her.€€Mother€testified€that€she€had€not€seen€or€talked€to€Father€since€she€wasÐ pÀ Ðpregnant€with€the€child€and€that€he€had€never€exercised€his€right€to€visitation.€€Further,€the€extendedÐ \¬ Ðfamilies€on€both€sides€did€not€get€along€and€Father€had€since€remarried.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court,€in€its€final€order,€stated€it€had€considered€the€joint€petition,€Fatherððs€affidavit,Ð  p ÐMotherððs€testimony,€statements€of€counsel,€and,€based€on€the€entire€record€found€ð ðthat€theÐ  \ Ðtermination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€is€not€in€the€best€interest€of€the€minor€child.ðð€€Accordingly,Ð øH Ðthe€trial€court€ordered€that€the€Joint€Petition€be€denied.€€The€parties€are€before€this€court€on€appealÐ ä4 Ðfrom€that€order.Ð Ð  ÐÌà@$$ìàII.€€Termination€of€Rights€and€DutiesˆÐ ¨ø ÐÔ#†XXX X†#ÔÌà  àÔ‡ XXXXÔParents€whose€rights€are€terminated€become,€under€the€law,€ð ðcomplete€strangersðð€to€the€child.€Ð €Ð ÐòòOððDaniel€v.€Messieróó,€Ô#†XXX X»#Ô905€S.W.2d€182,€186€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995)Ô‡ XXXXÔ.Ô#†XXX X½#Ô€€An€order€terminating€parentalÐ l¼ Ðrights€severs€all€legal€rights€and€obligations€of€the€parent€toward€the€child,€Tenn€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð X ¨ Ð113(òòlóó)(1).€€In€the€usual€case€coming€before€an€appellate€court,€a€parent€facing€involuntary€terminationÐ D!” Ðof€parental€rights€opposes€such€termination.€€Therefore,€most€appellate€decisions€focus€on€the€rightsÐ 0"€  Ðof€the€parent.€€Ð #l! ÐÌà  àUnder€the€Tennessee€and€the€United€States€Constitutions,€a€parent€has€a€fundamental€rightÐ ô$D # Ðto€the€ð ðcustody€and€upbringing€of€his€or€her€child.ðð€€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,€2€S.W.2d€3d€180,€187€(Tenn.Ð à%0!$ Ð1999)€(citing€òòStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405€U.S.€645,€92€S.€Ct.€1208€(1972)€and€òòNale€v.€Robertsonóó,€871Ð Ì&"% ÐS.W.2d€674,€678€(Tenn.€1994)).€€Consequently,€termination€of€parental€rights€by€a€court€affects€aÐ ¸'#& Ðparentððs€fundamental€constitutional€rights.€€òòOððDanielóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€186.€€The€rights€of€a€biologicalÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfather€of€non„marital€children€ð ðare€entitled€to€the€same€constitutional€protection€as€the€rights€ofÐ )à$( Ðâ âmarried€parents€and€divorced€custodial€parents,€as€long€as€the€biological€father€has€established€aÐ |*Ì%) Ðsubstantial€relationship€with€the€child.ðð€€òòState€ex€rel.€Chilar€v.€Crawfordóó,€39€S.W.3d€172,€182€(Tenn.Ð ° ÐCt.€App.€2000).€€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àEven€though€a€parentððs€rights€are€constitutionally€protected,€they€may€be€terminated,€but€€onlyÐ tÄ Ðusing€a€heightened€standard€of€proof€to€determine€that€termination€is€justified€under€the€statute.€€Ð `° ÐòòOððDanielóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€187;€òòIn€re€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€€ð ðThisÐ L œ Ðheightened€standard€.€.€.€serves€to€prevent€the€unwarranted€termination€or€interference€with€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðbiological€parentsðð€rights€to€their€children.ðð€€òòIn€re€M.W.A.óó,€980€S.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð $ t Ð1998).€€Thus,€termination€requires€proof,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€(1)€of€the€existence€ofÐ  ` Ðone€or€more€of€the€statutory€grounds€and€(2)€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child.€Ð ü L  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c).€€Evidence€which€satisfies€the€clear€and€convincing€standardÐ è 8  Ðð ðeliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€to€beÐ Ô$  Ðdrawn€from€the€evidence.ðð€€òòOððDanielóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€188.Ð À  ÐÌà8  à.€.€.€this€Court€has€held€that€the€Tennessee€Constitution€provides€for€a€parental€rightÐ ˜è  Ðto€privacy€to€care€for€children€without€unwarranted€state€intervention€unless€there€isÐ „Ô  Ða€substantial€danger€of€harm€to€the€children.€€This€Court€has€also€held€that€the€StateÐ pÀ Ðand€federal€constitutions€require€an€unwed€biological€fatherððs€parental€rights€to€beÐ \¬ Ðdetermined€before€the€court€may€proceed€with€the€issue€of€adoption.€€Ô‡XXXXÔIt€is€thereforeÐ H˜ Ðbeyond€question€that€before€a€parentððs€rights€can€be€terminated,€there€must€be€aÐ 4„ Ðshowing€that€the€parent€is€unfit€or€that€substantial€harm€to€the€child€will€result€ifÐ  p Ðparental€rights€are€not€terminated.òòÐ \Ð Ð  ÐÌSwansonóó,€2€S.W.3d€at€187„88€(citations€and€footnotes€omitted).Ð ä4 ÐÔ#†XXXX¦'#ÔÔ‡XXXXÔÌà  àIn€the€case€before€us,€Father€does€not€oppose€termination€of€his€parental€rights,€does€notÐ ¼  Ðassert€any€violation€of€his€constitutional€rights,€and,€in€fact,€has€joined€with€Mother€in€the€trial€courtÐ ¨ø Ðand€in€this€court€in€seeking€termination€of€his€rights.€€Although€most€cases€address€the€issue€ofÐ ”ä Ðtermination€from€the€perspective€of€the€impact€on€the€parentððs€rights,€there€is€more€at€stake.€€Ô#†XXXXz)#ÔÔ‡XXXXÔAnÐ €Ð Ðorder€terminating€parental€rights€also€terminates€a€parentððs€responsibilities€or€obligations€to€the€childÐ l¼ Ðand€eliminates€the€childððs€rights€toward€that€parent.€€Such€an€order€has€the€effect€of:Ð X ¨ ÐÌÔ#†XXXX+#ÔÔ‡ XXXXÔà8  àsevering€forever€all€legal€rights€and€obligations€of€the€parent€or€guardian€of€the€childÐ 0"€  Ðagainst€whom€the€order€of€termination€is€entered€and€of€the€child€who€is€the€subjectÐ #l! Ðof€the€petition€to€that€parent€or€guardian.€€The€parent€or€guardian€shall€have€no€furtherÐ $X" Ðright€to€notice€of€proceedings€for€the€adoption€of€that€child€by€other€persons€and€shallÐ ô$D # Ðhave€no€right€to€object€to€the€childððs€adoption€or€thereafter€to€have€any€relationship,Ð à%0!$ Ðlegal€or€otherwise,€with€the€child.€It€shall€terminate€the€responsibilities€of€that€parentÐ Ì&"% Ðor€guardian€under€this€section€for€future€child€support€or€other€future€financialÐ ¸'#& Ðresponsibilities€even€if€the€child€is€not€ultimately€adopted;€.€.€.€.Ф(ô#'Ð Ð  Ðâ âÐ )à$( ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(òòlóó)(1).Ô#†XXX XÚ,#Ô׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô‡XXXXÔÐ ° Ðâ âÌÔ#†XXXX1#ÔÔ‡XXXXÔà  àThe€impact€of€a€termination€order€upon€a€child€is€appropriately€considered€in€the€requirementÐ ˆØ Ðthat,€in€addition€to€the€existence€of€grounds,€there€must€be€a€determination€of€that€termination€is€inÐ tÄ Ðthe€childððs€best€interest.€€Because€termination€requires€both€grounds€and€best€interest,€it€cannot€beÐ `° Ðpresumed€that€the€existence€of€grounds€necessarily€leads€to€the€conclusion€that€termination€isÐ L œ Ðwarranted.€€Termination€of€a€personððs€constitutionally„protected€rights€to€parent€a€child€requires€anÐ 8 ˆ Ðindividualized€consideration€based€on€the€facts€of€a€particular€situation,€including€an€individualizedÐ $ t Ðdetermination€of€a€childððs€best€interest.€€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àIn€the€case€before€us,€the€trial€court€denied€termination€because€it€found€that€it€was€not€in€theÐ è 8  Ðchildððs€best€interests.€€Ô#†XXXX1#ÔWe€must€review€the€trial€courtððs€findings€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€R.€App.Ð Ô$  ÐP.€13(d).€€The€review€is€òòde€novoóó,€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€for€the€trial€courtððs€findings€ofÐ À  Ðfact,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€Then,€we€mustÐ ¬ü  Ðdetermine€whether€the€facts€make€out€a€clear€and€convincing€case€in€favor€of€termination.€€òòIn€reÐ ˜è  ÐDrinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€at€97.€€The€trial€court€herein€made€no€underlying€findings€of€fact,€merelyÐ „Ô  Ðconcluding€that€termination€was€not€in€the€childððs€best€interests.€Ð pÀ ÐÌà@˜ ˜ ìàII.€€A€Childððs€Best€Interest€and€the€Parentððs€Duty€to€SupportˆÐ H˜ ÐÌà  àAs€Ô‡ XXXXÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(òòlóó)(1)Ô#†XXX X§8#Ô,€quoted€above,€makes€clear,€one€specific€and€importantÐ  p Ðparental€duty€eliminated€by€a€termination€order€is€the€parentððs€duty€to€support€his€or€her€child.€€AÐ  \ Ðtermination€order€also€extinguishes€the€childððs€right€to€such€support.€€Ô‡ XXXXÔAbsent€such€an€order,€everyÐ øH Ðparent€is€obligated€to€support€his€or€her€child€during€the€childððs€minority.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€34„11„Ð ä4 Ð102.€€The€obligations€of€parents€to€support,€care€for€and€nurture€their€children€are€joint,€and€theÐ Ð  Ðextent€of€their€duty€to€support€depends€on€their€ability€to€provide€that€support.€€òòState€ex€rel.€GrantÐ ¼  Ðv.€Prograisóó,€979€S.W.2d€594,€600„601€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€€Relevant€statutes€and€regulationsÐ ¨ø Ðgoverning€child€support€are€intended€ð ðto€assure€that€children€receive€support€reasonably€consistentÐ ”ä Ðwith€their€parent€or€parentsðð€financial€resources.ðð€€òòÔ#†XXX X%:#ÔÔ‡XXXXÔState€ex€rel.€Vaughn€v.€Kaatrudeóó,€21€S.W.3d€244,Ð €Ð Ð248„49€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€In€the€situation€of€unmarried€parents:€Ô#†XXXX==#ÔÐ l¼ ÐÌà8  àOur€paternity€and€child€support€statutes€and€the€Child€Support€Guidelines€evince€aÐ D!” Ðpolicy€that€children€should€be€supported€by€their€fathers.€€The€paternity€statutesÐ 0"€  Ðprovide€a€process€by€which€the€putative€father€can€be€identified.€€Once€identified,€theÐ #l! Ðfather€is€required€to€furnish€support€and€education€for€the€child.€€Ð$X"Ð Ð  ÐÌòòBerryhillóó€òòv.€Rhodesóó,€21€S.W.3d€188,€190€(Tenn.€2000)€(footnote€omitted).€€It€is€clear€that€both€stateÐ à%0!$ Ðand€federal€policy€seek€to€ensure€that€all€parents€support€their€children€and€that€children€benefit€fromÐ Ì&"% Ðenforceable€orders€of€support,€as€evidenced€by€the€many€pieces€of€legislation€designed€to€enhanceÐ ¸'#& Ðenforcement€efforts.Ð ¤(ô#' Їà  àBecause€Tennessee€has€a€strong€policy€that€parents€will€support€their€children,€the€TennesseeÐ ° ÐSupreme€Court€has€held€that€private€agreements€between€parents€which€circumvent€the€supportÐ œì Ðobligations€established€by€law€contravene€public€policy.€€òòBerryhillóó,€21€S.W.3d€at€192.€€In€òòBerryhillóó,Ð ˆØ Ðthe€Court€observed€that€courts€in€several€jurisdictions€had€similarly€held€that€ð ða€childððs€right€toÐ tÄ Ðsupport€cannot€be€bargained€away€by€a€parent€to€the€childððs€detriment.ðð€òò€Idóó.€at€191.€€Finding€thoseÐ `° Ðholdings€persuasive,€the€Court€held€that€a€òòóóprivate€agreement€between€parents€which€attempts€toÐ L œ Ðeliminate€or€reduce€a€childððs€right€to€support€is€void€because€it€violates€public€policy.€€€òòIdóó.;€òòsee€alsoÐ 8 ˆ ÐWitt€v.€Wittóó,€929€S.W.2d€360€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€Consequently,€our€courts€will€not€enforce€anyÐ $ t Ðsuch€agreement.€€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àCourts€in€other€states€have€viewed€attempts€to€voluntarily€surrender€parental€rights€and€jointÐ è 8  Ðattempts€to€terminate€rights€in€the€same€way€they€have€viewed€agreements€to€eliminate€child€support.€Ð Ô$  ÐWhen€so€viewed,€courts€have€found€that€parents€cannot€use€the€termination€procedure€or€statutes€toÐ À  Ðavoid€their€obligation€of€child€support€because€it€would€be€against€public€policy.€€In€òòIn€re€Bruce€Róó.,Ð ¬ü  Ð662€A.2d€107,€211„12€(Conn.€1995),€the€Supreme€Court€of€Connecticut,€after€a€thorough€review,Ð ˜è  Ðconcluded€that€ð ðcourts€of€our€sister€states€universally€have€held€that€parents€may€not€voluntarilyÐ „Ô  Ðterminate€their€parental€rights€simply€to€avoid€their€responsibility€to€support€their€children.ðð€€òòIdóó.€atÐ pÀ Ð116€(citing€cases€from€a€number€of€other€states).€€In€considering€the€practical€result€of€allowing€aÐ \¬ Ðvoluntary€termination€of€rights€to€eliminate€the€duty€to€support,€one€court€stated:Ð H˜ ÐÌà8  àClearly,€if€[parent]€is€successful€in€this€case,€he€will€have€created€a€simple€vehicle€forÐ  p Ðthe€avoidance€of€support€obligation€by€a€parent€in€[Pennsylvania].€€We€cannot€findÐ  \ Ðthat€the€Legislature€intended€to€create€such€a€vehicle€in€its€passage€of€the€AdoptionÐ øH ÐAct.€€We€have€consistently€held€that€a€childððs€entitlement€to€support€is€a€right€thatÐ ä4 Ðarises€from€the€parent„child€status;€it€is€not€a€property€right,€and€cannot€be€ð ðbargainedÐ Ð  Ðawayðð€by€contract.€€It€is€clear€that€the€Adoption€Act€was€not€designed€to€permit€aÐ ¼  Ðparent€to€avoid€a€support€obligation€by€the€mere€filing€of€a€petition€to€terminateÐ ¨ø Ðparental€rights,€any€more€than€a€parent€is€permitted€to€ð ðbargain€awayðð€the€obligationÐ ”ä Ðby€any€other€means.òòЀÐÐ Ð  ÐÌCommonwealth€ex€rel.€Hager€v.€Woolfóó,€419€A.2d€535,€538€(Pa.€Super.€Ct.1980)€(citations€omitted).׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀РX ¨ ÐÌà  àSimilarly,€the€Supreme€Court€of€Iowa€rejected€a€fatherððs€argument€that€his€parental€rightsÐ 0"€  Ðmust€be€terminated€because€he€proved€the€existence€of€the€statutory€ground€of€abandonment€byÐ #l! Ðtestifying€he€had€no€regard€for€his€biological€son€and€intended€to€show€no€interest€in€him.€€The€fatherÐ $X" Ðunsuccessfully€argued€that€proof€of€grounds€required€termination€and€that€no€separate€determinationÐ ô$D # Ðof€the€childððs€best€interests€should€be€made.€€After€holding€that,€in€fact,€the€best€interests€of€the€childÐ à%0!$ Ðare€paramount€in€a€termination€decision,€the€court€also€considered€the€public€policy€implications,Ð ° Ðstating:Ð œì ÐÌÔ‡ XXXXÔà8  àAcceptance€of€[the€fatherððs]€argument€ultimately€would€open€a€hatch€for€a€parent€toÐ tÄ Ðescape€his€or€her€duty€to€support€a€child.€€We€cannot€be€persuaded€that€the€legislatureÐ `° Ðintended€[the€statute]€to€alter€so€radically€the€parental€support€obligation.€€OurÐ L œ Ðdetermination€is€reinforced€by€decisions€from€other€jurisdictions€holding€a€parentÐ 8 ˆ Ðmay€not€voluntarily€avoid€a€duty€to€support€his€or€her€child.€€Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌòòIn€re€Ô_ÔD.W.K.Ô_Ôóó,€365€N.W.2d€32,€34„35€(Iowa€1985)€(citations€omitted).Ð ü L  ÐÌÔ#†XXX X8Q#Ôà  àThe€Alabama€Supreme€Court€has€addressed€the€issue€of€ð ðwhether€a€parentððs€child€supportÐ Ô$  Ðobligations€may€be€waived€by€a€joint€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights,ðð€in€a€case€where€theÐ À  Ðmother€sought€termination€of€her€ex„husbandððs€parental€rights€in€order€to€avoid€future€disagreementsÐ ¬ü  Ðor€a€custody€conflict€and€testified€the€father€had€shown€little€interest€in€his€son.€€The€father€testifiedÐ ˜è  Ðhe€disagreed€with€his€former€wife€over€child„rearing,€but€that€he€had€no€interest€in€visiting€his€sonÐ „Ô  Ðand€agreed€the€childððs€best€interests€would€be€served€by€a€termination€of€his€parental€rights.€€TheÐ pÀ Ðchildððs€guardian€ad€litem€opposed€termination€as€contrary€to€public€policy€and€contrary€to€legislativeÐ \¬ Ðintent€when€no€adoption€is€contemplated.€€In€deciding€the€issue€based€on€the€best€interest€of€the€childÐ H˜ Ðtest,€the€court€held:Ð 4„ ÐÌà8  àNo€evidence€was€produced€at€trial,€and€no€argument€has€been€made,€that€[the€father]Ð  \ Ðhas€harmed€or€has€in€any€way€interfered€with€[the€motherððs]€custody€of€the€child.€Ð øH ÐTermination€of€the€fatherððs€parental€rights€in€this€case€would€seem€to€us€to€be€anÐ ä4 Ðunnecessarily€drastic€action€not€supported€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€Ð Ð  ÐAlthough€we€agree€that€[the€fatherððs]€conduct€toward€his€son€may€satisfy€theÐ ¼  Ð[statutory]€criteria€.€.€.€constituting€ð ðabandonment,ðð€termination€of€his€parental€rightsÐ ¨ø Ðappears€to€be€overwhelmingly€for€the€convenience€of€the€parents.€€By€mutual€consent,Ð ”ä Ð[the€mother€and€the€father]€seek€to€waive€[the€childððs]€right€to€receive€support€fromÐ €Ð Ðhis€father€although€the€child€would€receive€nothing€in€return.€€Ðl¼Ð Ð  ÐÌà  à.€.€.€.Ð D!” ÐÌà8  àEven€if€[the€father]€chooses€not€to€establish€contact€with€his€son,€the€sonððs€right€toÐ #l! Ðreceive€support€from€his€father€remains.€€The€Child€Protection€Act€of€1984,€as€weÐ $X" Ðhave€noted,€was€not€intended€as€a€means€for€allowing€a€parent€to€abandon€his€childÐ ô$D # Ðand€thereby€to€avoid€his€obligation€to€support€the€child€through€termination€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðparental€rights.€€The€courts€of€this€state€will€not€be€used€in€the€furtherance€of€such€aÐ Ì&"% Ðpurpose.и'#&Ð Ð  ÐÌòòEx€parte€Brooksóó,€513€So.€2d€614,€617€(Ala.€1987),€òòoverruled€on€other€groundsóó€òòbyóó€òòEx€parte€Beasleyóó,Ð )à$( Ð564€So.€2d€950€(Ala.€1990).€€Consequently,€the€court€determined€the€childððs€best€interests,Ð |*Ì%) Ðparticularly€his€right€to€support,€would€not€be€protected€by€termination€of€the€fatherððs€parental€rights.Ð h+¸&* Їà  àSimilarly,€Ô‡ XXXXÔthe€Utah€Court€of€Appeals€has€held€that€an€adoptive€father€could€not€voluntarilyÐ ° Ðterminate€his€parental€rights€because€it€was€not€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child.€€Ð œì ÐÌà8  àCourts€in€other€states€have€held€that€parents€may€not€voluntarily€terminate€theirÐ tÄ Ðparental€rights€simply€to€avoid€their€responsibility€to€support€their€children.€€ð ðSurelyÐ `° Ðthe€legislature€did€not€intend€that€[the€statute]€be€used€as€a€means€for€a€parent€toÐ L œ Ðavoid€the€obligation€to€support€his€or€her€children.ðð€€Unlike€an€adoption€case€whereÐ 8 ˆ Ða€parent€waives€his€or€her€parental€rights€to€a€child€in€order€that€another€may€assumeÐ $ t Ðthose€rights€and€obligations,€this€is€a€case€where€allowing€the€adoptive€father€toÐ  ` Ðvoluntarily€terminate€his€right€and€obligations€would€leave€R.N.J€with€only€one€legalÐ ü L  Ðparent.€Ðè 8 Ð Ð  ÐÌòòIn€re€R.N.J.óó,€908€P.2d€345,€351„52€(Utah€Ct.€App.€1995)€(citations€and€footnotes€omitted)€(citingÐ À  Ðcases€from€other€states€in€n.2).Ð ¬ü  ÐÔ#†XXX XÔ_#ÔÌà  àWe€find€persuasive€these€holdings€and€the€reasoning€that€supports€them.€€They€reflectÐ „Ô  Ðprinciples€underlying€Tennesseeððs€public€policy€and€its€law€on€termination€of€parental€rights.€Ð pÀ ÐWhether€the€basis€for€the€decision€lies€in€the€well„established€public€policy€ensuring€support€toÐ \¬ Ðchildren€or€in€an€analysis€of€the€childððs€best€interest€in€a€particular€situation,€these€holdings€provideÐ H˜ Ðappropriate€guidance€in€weighing€all€the€relevant€factors,€including€the€impact€of€the€loss€of€futureÐ 4„ Ðsupport.Ð  p ÐÌà  àWhile€all€terminations€involve€extinction€of€the€duty€to€support,€the€consequence€to€the€childÐ øH Ðof€the€loss€of€the€support€must€be€weighed€against€the€benefits€to€the€child€of€the€termination€in€theÐ ä4 Ðoverall€context€of€the€childððs€best€interest.€€Orders€terminating€parental€rights€are€entered€and€upheldÐ Ð  Ðin€spite€of€the€loss€of€support€where€other€interests€are€more€significant.€€For€example,€becauseÐ ¼  Ðtermination€is€justified€where€substantial€harm€to€the€child€will€result€otherwise,€€òòSwansonóó,€2€S.W.3dÐ ¨ø Ðat€188,€the€best€interest€of€the€child€in€avoiding€such€harm€may€overcome€the€loss€of€support.€Ð ”ä ÐSimilarly,€in€another€common€situation,€termination€of€parental€rights€is€the€prerequisite€to€adoption,Ð €Ð Ðor€availability€for€adoption,€and,€therefore,€to€the€childððs€opportunity€to€be€integrated€into€a€stableÐ l¼ Ðand€nurturing€environment.€€In€addition€to€these€most€significant€benefits€to€the€child,€an€adoptiveÐ X ¨ Ðparent€undertakes€parental€responsibilities,€including€the€duty€toÔ‡ XXXXÔ€support.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð D!” Ð121€(stating€that€adoption€establishes€the€relationship€of€parent€and€child€for€all€legal€consequencesÐ 0"€  Ðand€incidents€of€the€biological€relationship€of€parent€and€child);€òò€OððDanielóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€186Ô#†XXX XËk#ÔÐ #l! Ð(Ô‡ XXXXÔholding€that€adoptive€parents€acquire€all€parental€rights€and€responsibilities).Ô#†XXX X@m#ÔÐ $X" ÐÌà  àConsequently,€we€agree€that€ð ðlegislative€and€judicial€efforts€to€hold€parents€to€their€financialÐ à%0!$ Ðresponsibility€to€support€their€children€would€be€eviscerated€if€we€were€to€allow€an€unfettered€legalÐ Ì&"% Ðavenue€through€which€a€parent€òòwithout€regard€to€the€best€interest€of€the€childóó€could€avoid€allÐ ¸'#& Ðresponsibility€for€future€support.ðð€òòIn€Re€Bruce€Róó.,€662€A.2d€at€117€(emphasis€added).€€We€also€agreeÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthat€child€support€policyòòóó€ð ðmust€not€be€undermined€by€allowing€absent€fathers€to€get€out€of€payingÐ )à$( Ðchild€support€by€voluntarily€terminating€their€parental€rights,€òòin€the€absence€of€it€being€in€the€bestÐ |*Ì%) Ðinterests€of€the€child.óóðð€€Ô_ÔKhristineÔ_Ô€Ann€Ô_ÔHeisingerÔ_Ô,€Note,€òòChild€Support€Properly€a€Factor€inÐ h+¸&* ÐDetermining€the€Best€Interests€of€Child€in€Voluntary€Termination€of€Parental€Rightsóó,ðð€58€òòMo.€L.Ð ° ÐRevóó.€969,€987€(1993)€(emphasis€added.)Ð œì ÐÌà  àWe€hold€that€the€loss€of€a€childððs€right€to€future€support€from€a€parent€is€an€appropriate€factorÐ tÄ Ðto€consider€in€determining€whether€termination€of€that€parentððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€childððs€bestÐ `° Ðinterest.€€It€must€be€weighed,€along€with€all€other€relevant€factors,€in€making€that€determination.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð L œ ÐÌà@“ “ ìàIII.€€Statutory€Policy€on€Voluntary€TerminationˆÐ $ t ÐÌà  àLike€many€of€the€courts€quoted€above,€we€find€no€basis€for€concluding€that€our€legislatureÐ ü L  Ðintended€that€the€termination€of€parental€rights€statute,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113,€which€is€partÐ è 8  Ðof€our€adoption€laws,€be€used€to€avoid€the€parental€responsibility€of€support€which€is€so€stronglyÐ Ô$  Ðenforced€by€other€provisions.€€Although€our€statutes€allow,€in€some€circumstances,€for€a€voluntaryÐ À  Ðsurrender€of€parental€rights,€and€its€concomitant€duty€to€support,€those€circumstances€appear€to€beÐ ¬ü  Ðpresent€only€in€the€context€of€an€adoption.€Ô‡ XXXXÔ€A€surrender,€a€confirmed€parental€consent,€or€a€waiverÐ ˜è  Ðof€interest€executed€in€accordance€with€law€has€the€effect€of€terminating€the€parentððs€rights.€€Tenn.Ð „Ô  ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36„1„111(r)(1)(A).€€Ô#†XXX Xw#ÔÔ‡XXXXÔHowever,€there€is€no€statutory€authority€for€use€of€these€proceduresÐ pÀ Ðoutside€the€context€of€an€adoption€or€a€plan€for€an€adoption.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àð ðSurrenderðð€means€a€document€executed€under€the€provisions€of€ðð€36„1„111€or€under€the€lawÐ 4„ Ðof€another€state€or€territory€or€country,€by€the€parent€or€guardian€of€a€child,€by€which€that€parent€orÐ  p Ðguardian€relinquishes€all€parental€or€guardianship€right€of€that€parent€or€guardian€to€a€child,€toÐ  \ Ðanother€person€or€public€child€care€agency€or€licensed€child„placing€agency€òòfor€the€purposes€ofÐ øH Ðmaking€that€child€available€for€adoptionóó.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(47)€(emphasis€added).€Ð ä4 ÐSimilarly,€according€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(15),€Ô#†XXXX3x#ÔÔ‡XXXXÔð ðConsentðð€means:Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(B)€the€written€permission€of€a€parent€pursuant€to€ðð€36„1„117(f)€to€permit€theÐ ¨ø Ðadoption€of€that€parentððs€child€by€that€parentððs€relative€or€by€the€parentððs€spouse€whoÐ ”ä Ðis€the€childððs€stepparent;ЀÐÐ Ð  ÐÔ#†XXXXÀ{#ÔÔ‡ XXXXÔÌà8  à(C)€The€process€as€described€in€Ô#†XXX XQ}#ÔÔ‡XXXXÔðð€36„1„117Ô#†XXXXÀ}#ÔÔ‡ XXXXÔ(g)€by€which€a€parent€co„signs€an€adoptionÐ X ¨ Ðpetition,€with€the€prospective€adoptive€parents,€for€the€purpose€of€making€the€childÐ D!” Ðavailable€for€adoption€by€the€co„petitioning€prospective€adoptive€parent,€and€whichÐ 0"€  Ðpermits€the€court€to€enter€an€order€of€guardianship€to€give€the€adoptive€parentsÐ #l! Ðcustody€and€supervision€of€the€child€pending€the€completion€or€dismissal€of€theÐ $X" Ðadoption€proceedings€or€pending€revocation€of€the€consent€by€the€parent.€€ThisÐ ô$D # Ðprocess€shall€be€called€a€ð ðparental€consent.ððÔ#†XXX X~#ÔÐà%0!$Ð Ð  ÐÐ Ì&"% Ðà  àA€surrender€or€parental€consent€may€only€be€made€or€given€to€a€prospective€adoptive€parent,Ð ° Ðthe€department€of€childrenððs€services,€or€a€licenced€child„placing€agency.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð œì Ð111(c).Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àFinally,€a€waiver€of€interest€is€available€only€before€paternity€has€been€established,€and€allowsÐ `° Ða€putative€father€to€waive€any€parental€rights€he€might€have.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€36„1„111(w)€andÐ L œ Ð36„2„318.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€waiver€obviates€the€need€to€give€notice€to€the€putative€father€of€any€adoption€orÐ 8 ˆ Ðcustody€proceedings.€€However,€a€final€order€of€adoption€is€required,€in€conjunction€with€the€waiver,Ð $ t Ðto€terminate€the€alleged€biological€fatherððs€rights.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„111€(w)(2)(A).€€If€a€finalÐ  ` Ðorder€of€adoption€is€not€entered,€a€parentage€action€may€be€initiated,€and€the€biological€fatherððsÐ ü L  Ðobligation€for€support€€may€be€imposed.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„111(w)(2)(B).€€A€waiver€ofÐ è 8  Ðinterest€is€not€available€for€use€by€a€person€who€has€been€adjudicated€the€legal€father€of€a€child.€Ð Ô$  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„111(w)(3).à h àÐ À  ÐÌà  àThus,€none€of€the€statutory€procedures€for€relinquishment€of€parental€rights€would€beÐ ˜è  Ðavailable€to€Father€in€the€case€before€us.€€No€adoption€is€contemplated.׃ü ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€We€are€aware,€of€course,Ð „Ô  Ðthat€Father€did€not€unilaterally€seek€to€terminate€his€parental€rights.€€He€and€Mother€agreed€to€pursueÐ pÀ Ðtermination€jointly.€€One€effect€of€that€agreement,€if€approved€by€the€courts,€would€be€to€waive€theÐ \¬ Ðchildððs€right€to€support€from€her€father.€€òòEx€Parte€Brooksóó,€513€So.2d€at€617.€€Just€as€a€childððs€rightÐ H˜ Ðto€support€cannot€be€bargained€away€by€a€parent€to€the€detriment€of€the€child,€òòBerryhillóó,€21€S.W.3dÐ 4„ Ðat€191„92,€parents€cannot€agree€to€terminate€parental€rights€if€such€termination€is€not€in€the€bestÐ  p Ðinterest€of€the€child.€€An€action€to€terminate€parental€rights€in€this€situation€is€subject€to€the€sameÐ  \ Ðâ âstatutory€requirements€as€one€that€is€opposed:€proof€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€groundsÐ øH Ðexist€and€that€the€childððs€best€interests€are€served€by€the€termination.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€It€is€the€duty€of€the€courts€toÐ ° Ðâ âexamine€the€entire€set€of€circumstances€and€make€those€determinations.Ð œì ÐÌà@rr#ìàIV.€€ConclusionˆÐ tÄ ÐÌà  àIn€the€case€before€us,€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€thatÐ L œ Ðtermination€is€not€in€the€childððs€best€interests.€€We€find€no€factor€which€outweighs€the€loss€the€rightÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€support€in€determining€the€childððs€best€interests.€€There€is€no€proof€in€the€record€that€Father€hasÐ $ t Ðinterfered€with€Motherððs€custody€or€rearing€of€their€child.€€There€is€no€proof,€certainly€none€meetingÐ  ` Ðthe€clear€and€convincing€standard,€that€the€child€will€be€substantially€harmed€if€termination€is€notÐ ü L  Ðgranted.€While€Mother€might€genuinely€seek€to€avoid€future€interference€by€Father€and€possibleÐ è 8  Ðinterfamilial€conflicts,€the€Motherððs€interests€are€not€determinative.€€Mother€might€genuinely€believeÐ Ô$  Ðher€childððs€interests€are€served€by€elimination€of€a€disinterested€Father€from€any€potential€futureÐ À  Ðinvolvement€in€the€childððs€life€and€the€potential€emotional€upheavals€that€might€bring.€€However,Ð ¬ü  Ðthe€record€does€not€support€a€finding€that€there€is€substantial€risk€of€such€occurrences.€€MotherÐ ˜è  Ðcurrently€might€also€be€able€to€support€the€child€without€assistance€from€Father.€€However,€a€childÐ „Ô  Ðis€entitled€to€support€from€both€parents,€and€no€one€can€ensure€Motherððs€continued€ability€to€provideÐ pÀ Ðfull€support.€Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àWe€affirm€the€decision€of€the€trial€court€denying€termination€of€parental€rights.€€Costs€areÐ 4„ Ðassessed€to€the€appellants.Ð  p ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð Ð  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGE