ÿWPCB \öÆmG o:ŒVe:ŽV¸t²Yñ¬÷ zç$=Gy‹x*I<Ç»øÿš“v¬È}|ùXÙÞáã†îÀ7fSÞ$ Tƒ§Ôè„eYpGtŸªyôYv·2hrWH|îôJGŸÊúveoÛS.Ú£'JuìpÖÖÈßÆÞ·•ÚAñgËÓÔ[Ðê&ŒÇ›ÆÄäJ<·ò‰õdÂâJ¾¿Š©äåó(Dû(röUBp×üÜ¿¸Ïs˜#F\0"Šû`‚éY¦Œ©zUÈY¹u£>R•ž†3¨Xž>…· vùÒv5ÅhΞ”ÇË U —ÓT œž7§Ä%Õ‘öH•cDŽ P@‡q-<ä¼Ú Ó˜úHÆÑEYp+ñ¶2#¯æb‰MÖŽ¯žQHck5ØîÜTX5ƒ%Cã [5ìÍö M˜ëµ! ŽÜÕᎱöÓ¹·x÷7˜Ñ5Ñã“\µ4È[ób#É\ %% ^ + 0ˆ7 UN¿ w 4 z% ÒŸ q € m‚ ‚™ ÆÆáƧÆmmN333E555555555555555555555555b777777777777777777777777777777777777 0ë???? B** 0¤G D3ë D- 0KKK AS–Æé 0¤¯ 0DS A«—˜\\IB01S01\CLERK1NASÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»ÇxO1Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularéJE1B011C8 ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ TYREE COAT.C.A.ShookofftortiousFaganunrebuttedMulleparenspatriaeSneed S.W. L.EdKilvingtonL.R.A.Bockman Ct.Crim.App.OkfiliusnulliusLoeffler McWFla.Ct.AppSturakOzomaroMich.AppEvinkCregoDonesMich.Ct.AppBowermanBerryhillnoncustodialTenn.Comp.R. RegsBarabasTenn.Ct.AppFairclothTenn.R.App.P.VaughnKaatruderebuttableRhoadesobligor JahnWrzesniewskiobligeeSherrod WixexpousedCoppleOkla.Crim.AppAm.Jur"Fla.Dist.Ct.App renGorrellLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5- ù-(|G2»#$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€T»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôóò»»Ô d(|3Lj$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€T»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Lj$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€T»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€T»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼T»»»ÔÑ8€EXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îOLTÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼T»îîOL #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓApril€14,€2004€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XEX»¼TÔÌò òÔ#†¼T»XXEó#ÔLINDA€C.€GORRELLòòóó€v.€TYREE€B.€HARRIS,€IVÔ‡XEX»¼TÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€9619„27809€€€€€Max€D.€Fagan,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2003„00629„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„JV€ð!ð€ò òFiled€October€15,€2004ó óÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<€` AßÐ Ñ  ÐÌÓ  ÓThis€is€a€child€support€modification€case.€€The€child€involved€was€born€out€of€wedlock€to€the€partiesÐ |Ì  Ðon€June€13,€1996.€€Mother€brought€suit€in€the€Juvenile€court€of€Davidson€County€in€July€of€1996Ð h¸ Ðseeking€to€establish€paternity€of€the€father€and€to€establish€child€support.€€Both€parties€wereÐ T¤ Ðrepresented€by€counsel,€and€on€May€30,€1997,€the€juvenile€court€entered€an€Order€of€CompromiseÐ @ Ðand€Dismissal.€€The€parties€settled€the€case€by€Settlement€Agreement€under€which€Mr.€Harris€agreedÐ ,| Ðto€pay€to€Ms.€Clark€(now€Gorrell)€the€sum€of€$20,000€cash€for€any€and€all€claims€against€Mr.€HarrisÐ h Ðthrough€June€30€of€1998,€including€her€child€support€claims€as€to€the€minor€child.€€From€June€13,Ð T Ð1998€forward,€Mr.€Harris€agreed€to€pay€$12,000€per€year€as€child€support€together€with€medicalÐ ð@ Ðinsurance€until€the€child€reached€age€18.€€On€February€23,€2001,€Mother€filed€a€Petition€to€ModifyÐ Ü, Ðthe€child€support€in€order€to€bring€it€in€compliance€with€Child€Support€Guidelines.€€The€trial€courtÐ È Ðheld€the€Settlement€Agreement€to€be€void€and€set€prospective€child€support€but€declined€to€eitherÐ ´ Ðaward€retroactive€child€support€or€to€order€an€upward€deviation€in€child€support€because€of€failureÐ  ð Ðof€the€father€to€visit€the€child.€€We€affirm€the€ruling€of€the€trial€court€that€the€Settlement€AgreementÐ ŒÜ Ðis€void,€modify€prospective€child€support,€reverse€the€trial€court€on€retroactive€child€support,€denyÐ xÈ Ðan€upward€deviation€as€to€retroactive€support,€but€grant€such€deviation€as€to€future€support.€€The€caseÐ d´ Ðis€remanded€for€further€proceedings.Ð P   ÐÔ#†¼T»XXEf#ÔÔ‡XEX»¼TÔÓwÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€CourtÐ ("x! ÐAffirmed€in€Part,€Modified€in€Part,€and€Reversed€in€Partó óÐ #d" ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼T»àXEÝ #ÔÔ‡XEX.¼TÔWilliam€B.€Cain,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€PòòATRICIAóó€J.€CòòOTTRELLòòóóóó,€J.€and€R.E.Ð ì$< $ ÐLòòEEóó€DòòAVIESóó,€SòòP.óó€J.òòóó,€joined.Ð Ø%(!% ÐÌGeorge€Ellis€Copple,€Jr.,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Linda€C.€Gorrell.Ð °'#' ÐÌAlfred€H.€Knight,€Katherine€A.€Brown,€William€R.€Willis,€Jr.€and€Alan€Dale€Johnson,€Nashville,Ð ˆ)Ø$) ÐTennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Tyree€B.€Harris,€IV.Ð t*Ä%* ÐÓ¾ ÓÌÌÐ 8-ˆ(-ý ÐÔ_Ô‡ò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼T»XXEí #ÔÔ‡XEX»¼TÔÐ ° ÐÌÔ#†¼T»XXEq#ÔÓ  ÓÔ€XEX»¼TÔà  àLinda€C.€Clark€(now€Gorrell)€and€Tyree€B.€Harris,€IV€had€an€intimate€relationship€to€whichÐ ˆØ Ða€child€was€born€out€of€wedlock€on€June€13,€1996.€€Gorrell€brought€suit€to€legally€establish€theÐ tÄ Ðpaternity€of€Harris€in€the€Juvenile€Court€of€Davidson€County€in€July€of€1996.€€Both€parties€wereÐ `° Ðrepresented€by€counsel,€and€a€Contract€and€Settlement€Agreement€prepared€by€counsel€was€agreedÐ L œ Ðto€by€the€parties.€€Pursuant€thereto,€an€Order€was€entered€by€the€juvenile€court€on€May€30,€1997,Ð 8 ˆ Ðwhich€provided:Ð $ t ÐÌà8  àà ` àIt€appearing€to€the€Court,€as€evidenced€by€the€signatures€of€counsel€of€recordÐ ü L  Ðfor€the€respective€parties€herein,€that€all€matters€and€things€in€controversy€by€andÐ è 8  Ðbetween€the€Plaintiff,€Linda€Sue€Clark,€and€the€Defendant,€Tyree€B.€Harris,€IV,€inÐ Ô$  Ðthis€case€have€been€fully€and€finally€compromised€and€settled;ÐÀ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àò òIT€IS,€THEREFORE,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED€AND€DECREED€ó óthatÐ ¬ü  Ðall€prior€restraining€orders€in€this€case€are€dissolved€and€set€aside,€that€this€cause€isÐ œì  Ðhereby€expressly€dismissed€and€that€all€of€the€statutory€costs€of€this€cause€shall€beÐ ˆØ  Ðand€are€hereby€taxed€against€the€Defendant,€Tyree€B.€Harris,€IV,€for€which€executionÐ tÄ Ðmay€issue,€if€necessary,€but€in€no€event€shall€there€be€an€award€of€discretionary€costsÐ `° Ðto€or€on€behalf€of€either€of€the€parties€herein.ÐLœÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àPursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€37„1„107,€this€Order€becomes€the€final€judgment€of€theÐ 8ˆ ÐJuvenile€Court€if€an€appeal€is€not€filed€within€five€days,€excluding€Saturdays,Ð $t ÐSundays,€and€legal€holidays,€from€the€date€this€Order€is€entered.€€This€Order€may€beÐ ` Ðappealed€to€the€Juvenile€Court€by€filing€a€request€for€rehearing€with€the€JuvenileÐ üL ÐCourt€Clerk.€€This€Order€shall€be€obeyed€unless€or€until€the€Judge€rules€otherwise.€Ð è8 ÐANY€FAILURE€TO€COMPLY€WITH€THIS€ORDER€IS€PUNISHABLE€BYÐ Ô$ ÐCONTEMPT,€FOR€WHICH€THE€PENALTIES€MAY€INCLUDE€A€FINE€AND/ORÐ À ÐIMPRISONMENT.ЬüÐ Ð  Ðà  àà ` àò òENTERED€ó óthis€òòòò€€30€óóóó€day€of€May,€1997.Ð ˜è ÐÌThis€Order€was€signed€by€Juvenile€Judge€Andrew€Shookoff€and€entered€of€record.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àThe€Agreement€was€never€approved€by€the€trial€court€and,€as€far€as€the€record€shows,€wasÐ L!œ Ðnever€even€submitted€to€the€trial€court.€€Under€the€Agreement,€Clark€(Gorrell)€was€to€have€primaryÐ 8"ˆ  Ðcustody€of€the€minor€child,€and€Harris€was€to€have€reasonable€visitation.€€The€Agreement€furtherÐ $#t! Ðprovided:Ð $`" ÐÌÓ  ÓV.Ð è%8!$ ÐÓÓà8  àà ` àOn€the€date€of€the€execution€of€this€Contract€and€Settlement€Agreement,€Mr.Ð Ô&$"% ÐHarris€shall€pay€directly€to€Ms.€Clark€the€sum€of€Twenty€Thousand€DollarsÐ À'#& Ð($20,000.00)€and€by€its€receipt€Ms.€Clark€expressly€agrees€and€acknowledges€thatÐ ¬(ü#' Ðsuch€consideration€is€paid,€conveyed€and€accepted€in€full€settlement€of€any€and€allÐ ˜)è$( Ðclaims,€whether€contractual€or€tortious,€which€Ms.€Clark€may€have€as€and€against€Mr.Ð „*Ô%) ÐHarris€as€of€this€date€arising€out€of€the€subject€matter€of€this€instrument€and€extendsÐ p+À&* Ðto,€applies€to,€covers€and€includes€all€unknown,€unforeseen,€unanticipated€andÐ ° Ðunsuspected€injuries,€damages,€loss€and€liability€as€well€as€the€consequences€thereofÐ œì Ðwhether€or€not€ascertainable€at€the€time€of€the€execution€of€this€instrument€as€wellÐ ˆØ Ðas€those€now€disclosed€and€known€to€exist€and€further€expressly€agrees€andÐ tÄ Ðacknowledges€that€such€consideration€is€likewise€paid,€conveyed€and€accepted€in€fullÐ `° Ðsettlement€as€and€for€the€prospective€support€and€maintenance€of€Sydney€TyreeÐ L œ ÐHarris€Clark,€the€minor€child€of€Ms.€Clark€and€Mr.€Harris,€through€13€June€1998,Ð 8 ˆ Ðexcept€as€otherwise€provided€herein.Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌÓ  ÓVI.Ð ü L  ÐÌÓQ!Óà8  àà ` àFor€so€long€as€Ms.€Clark€shall€be€the€primary€physical€custodian€of€SydneyÐ Ô$  ÐTyree€Harris€Clark,€the€minor€child€of€Ms.€Clark€and€Mr.€Harris,€Mr.€HarrisÐ À  Ðexpressly€agrees€that€on€or€before€13€June€1998€and€on€or€before€that€same€day€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðeach€succeeding€calendar€year€through€the€year€2013€or€until€the€death€of€Mr.€Harris,Ð ˜è  Ðthe€marriage€of€Mr.€Harris€to€Ms.€Clark,€the€death€of€Sydney€Tyree€Harris€Clark,€theÐ „Ô  Ðminor€child€of€Ms.€Clark€and€Mr.€Harris,€or€until€Sydney€Tyree€Harris€Clark,€theÐ pÀ Ðminor€child€of€Ms.€Clark€and€Mr.€Harris,€is€adopted€by€a€third€party,€whichever€eventÐ \¬ Ðshall€first€occur,€Mr.€Harris€shall€pay€to€Ms.€Clark€the€sum€of€Twelve€ThousandÐ H˜ ÐDollars€($12,000.00)€as€and€for€the€prospective€annual€support€and€maintenance€forÐ 4„ Ðthe€minor€child,€Sydney€Tyree€Harris€Clark.Ð pÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€Agreement€contained€other€provisions€obligating€Harris€to€pay€medical€insurance€andÐ øH Ðmaintain€a€$250,000€life€insurance€policy€on€his€life€to€be€used€for€the€use€and€benefit€of€the€minorÐ ä4 Ðchild.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àOn€February€23,€2001,€Gorrell€filed€a€Petition€acknowledging€the€execution€of€the€AgreementÐ ¨ø Ðof€May€13,€1997,€and€the€Order€of€the€juvenile€court€of€May€30,€1997,€and€then€asserts:Ð ”ä ÐÌà8  àà ` à4.à ¸ àPetitioner€now€brings€this€action€to€modify€the€previous€$12,000€perÐ l¼ Ðyear€child€support€so€as€to€bring€it€into€line€with€the€requirements€of€the€TennesseeÐ X ¨ ÐChild€Support€Guidelines,€based€on€respondentððs€current€income.ÐD!”Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à5.à ¸ àSpecifically,€petitioner€alleges€that€respondent€has€an€income€inÐ 0"€  Ðexcess€of€$150,000€per€year,€although€petitioner€does€not€know€preciselyÐ #l! Ðrespondentððs€average€income€and€will€require€financial€documentation€to€proveÐ $X" Ðrespondentððs€relevant€average€monthly€income€in€order€to€calculate€the€proper€childÐ ô$D # Ðsupport.€€Petitioner€believes€and€alleges€that€respondentððs€income€is€in€excess€ofÐ à%0!$ Ð$150,000€per€year,€i.e.€in€excess€of€an€average€of€$12,500€per€month,€and€accordinglyÐ Ì&"% Ðhis€child€support€payments€for€one€child€under€Tennessee€Child€Support€GuidelinesÐ ¸'#& Ðwould€be€in€excess€of€$1,796€per€month.Ф(ô#'Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à6.à ¸ àSince€respondent€does€not€visit€with€the€minor€child,€petitioner€isÐ )à$( Ðentitled€to€an€upward€deviation€in€the€support€to€be€awarded€under€the€Child€SupportÐ |*Ì%) ÐGuidelines,€which€provide€in€pertinent€part€as€follows:€€ð ðFactors€justifying€upwardÐ h+¸&* Ðadjustment€for€support€include€.€.€.€.€less€than€average€overnight€visitation€beingÐ ° Ðexercised€by€the€parent€paying€support€.€.€.€.ðð€.€€Said€provision€in€the€Child€SupportÐ œì ÐGuidelines€is€attached€hereto€as€Exhibit€2.ЈØÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àAfter€the€trial€court€denied€a€Motion€to€Dismiss,€Harris,€on€September€19,€2001,€filed€anÐ `° ÐAnswer€and€a€cross„complaint€relying€primarily€on€the€validity€of€the€Settlement€Agreement€of€MayÐ L œ Ð13,€1997,€and€seeking€to€enjoin€Gorrell€from€alleged€personal€harassment.€€On€November€2,€2001,Ð 8 ˆ ÐGorrell€filed€an€Amended€Petition€asserting€that€the€private€Agreement€of€May€13,€1997€was€notÐ $ t Ðapproved€by€the€trial€judge€and€that€no€findings€were€made€that€the€child€support€referred€to€in€theÐ  ` ÐAgreement€was€in€accordance€with€the€Tennessee€Child€Support€Guidelines.€€This€Amended€PetitionÐ ü L  Ðfurther€sought€an€upward€deviation€in€child€support€and€retroactive€support.€€On€December€11,€2001,Ð è 8  ÐHarris€answered€the€Amended€Petition,€essentially€relying€on€the€May€13,€1997€Agreement€andÐ Ô$  Ðotherwise€denying€the€allegations€of€the€Petition.Ð À  ÐÌà  àFinal€hearing€was€held€December€28,€2001,€before€the€Honorable€Max€D.€Fagan,€JuvenileÐ ˜è  ÐJudge€sitting€by€interchange.€€At€the€conclusion€of€all€the€proof,€the€trial€court€took€the€matter€underÐ „Ô  Ðadvisement€and,€on€January€14,€2002,€entered€a€Final€Order€providing€in€pertinent€part:Ð pÀ ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€court€finds€that€the€previous€agreement€entered€into€by€the€parties€doesÐ H˜ Ðnot€bar€this€petition€as€òòres€judicataóó.€€Therefore€the€petition€to€modify€child€supportÐ 4„ Ðis€considered€in€reference€to€the€partiesðð€respective€situations€in€accordance€withÐ  p Ðapplicable€statutes.Ð \Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€parties€have€had€a€contentious€relationship€for€years,€and€it€is€clear€thatÐ øH Ðthe€animosity€they€share€has€made€their€dealings€with€each€other€considerably€moreÐ ä4 Ðdifficult.€€The€court€finds€that€the€father,€Mr.€Harris,€has€not€exercised€visitation€withÐ Ð  Ðthe€minor€child.€€However,€this€lack€of€visitation€has€been€precipitated€by€the€actionsÐ ¼  Ðof€the€mother,€Ms.€Gorrell,€in€that€she€has€threatened€the€father€and€otherwiseÐ ¨ø Ðharassed€and€antagonized€him€through€various€means,€including€contact€with€hisÐ ”ä Ðemployment€which€appears€to€be€for€the€purpose€of€embarrassing€and€humiliatingÐ €Ð ÐMr.€Harris.Ðl¼Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àWhile€the€Petitioner€has€sought€an€upward€deviation€from€the€child€supportÐ X ¨ Ðguidelines€due€to€a€lack€of€visitation,€the€court€finds€that€the€petitioner€has€directlyÐ D!” Ðcontributed€to€the€lack€of€visitation€by€her€conduct€toward€the€Respondent.€€TheÐ 0"€  Ðpetitioner€has€threatened,€harassed,€and€intimidated€the€Respondent€by€threateningÐ #l! Ðto€make€accusations€about€him€which€would€tarnish€his€reputation,€even€ifÐ $X" Ðunfounded.€€As€a€result,€the€court€in€its€discretion€finds€that€it€would€be€unjust€toÐ ô$D # Ðorder€an€upward€deviation.Ðà%0!$Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€court€finds€that€the€respondentððs€average€gross€income€over€the€yearsÐ Ì&"% Ð1997€through€2000€has€been€one€hundred€thirty€eight€thousand€six€hundred€thirty€fourÐ ¸'#& Ðdollars€($138,634.00).€€As€such,€the€amount€of€child€support€pursuant€to€the€childÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsupport€guidelines€would€equal€$1,671.00€per€month,€or€an€annual€total€of€20,052.00Ð )à$( Ðper€year.€€This€amount€is€due€and€payable€since€the€date€of€the€filing€of€the€petitionÐ |*Ì%) Ðin€this€cause,€as€the€court€finds€that€the€Petitioner€has€received€benefits€under€theÐ h+¸&* Ðprevious€agreement€which€are€not€so€equitably€dissimilar€to€the€above€amount€toÐ ° Ðmerit€a€judgment€beyond€the€date€of€filing.МìÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€petition€in€this€cause€was€filed€on€March€13,€2001.€€Therefore,€theÐ ˆØ Ðfollowing€tabulation€should€reflect€the€present€payment€accrual€versus€the€paymentÐ tÄ Ðhistory,€to€wit:Ð`°Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àòòò òPmt.€dueà  àà p àAmount€Dueóóó óÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àMarch€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00Ð `p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àApril€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00Ðü L p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àMay€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00Ðè 8 p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àJune€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00ÐÔ$ p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àJuly€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00ÐÀ p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àAug.€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00Ьü p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àSept.€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00Иè p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àOct.€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00Ð„Ô p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àNov.€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00ÐpÀp(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àDec.€2001à0  àà0p(#(#à$1,671.00Ð\¬p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àJan.€2002à0  àà0p(#(#àòò$1,671.00óóÐH˜p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àTOTAL€€€€€€€€€$18,381.00à0  àÐ4„ (# (# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àPayments€Credited€€€òò($15,000.00)óóÐ  p Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àNet€Arrearageà0  à€€€€€€€€€€$€€3,€381.00Ð \(#(# ÐÌà8  àà ` àIn€addition€to€the€child€support€and€the€arrearage€which€has€accrued€asÐ ä4 Ðoutlined€above,€the€court€finds€it€appropriate€for€the€Respondent€to€continue€to€coverÐ Ð  Ðthe€minor€child€on€his€medical€insurance€and€for€the€parties€to€divide€equally€any€co„Ð ¼  Ðpayments€and€uninsured€medical€and€dental€expenses.€€The€court€finds€that€each€partyÐ ¨ø Ðshould€alternate€claiming€the€child€for€purposes€of€federal€income€taxes€each€year,Ð ”ä Ðwith€the€Respondent€claiming€the€child€in€odd€numbered€tax€years€and€the€PetitionerÐ €Ð Ðclaiming€the€child€in€even€numbered€tax€years.€€The€court€also€finds€that€each€partyÐ l¼ Ðshould€be€responsible€for€the€payment€of€their€own€attorneys€fees.ÐX ¨Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àFinally,€in€considering€the€testimony€and€proof€in€this€mater,€the€court€findsÐ D!” Ðthat€the€Respondent€has€faithfully€performed€the€obligations€he€assumed€under€theÐ 0"€  Ðpartiesðð€prior€agreement,€and€that€the€Petitioner€has€engaged€in€inappropriate€conductÐ #l! Ðas€set€forth€above.€€Therefore,€the€court€finds€it€appropriate€that€the€Petitioner€beÐ $X" Ðrestrained€and€enjoined€from€coming€about€the€Respondent€at€his€home,€place€ofÐ ô$D # Ðemployment€or€otherwise,€and€that€she€be€prohibited€from€contacting€the€RespondentÐ à%0!$ Ðfor€the€purpose€of€harassing,€embarrassing,€intimidating€or€threatening€theÐ Ì&"% ÐRespondent,€or€for€any€other€purpose€except€through€counsel.и'#&Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àIT€IS€THEREFORE€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED€AND€DECREED€that€theÐ ¤(ô#' ÐRespondent€pay€child€support€in€the€amount€of€$1,671.00€per€month,€beginningÐ )à$( ÐFebruary€1,€2002.€€Said€amount€of€child€support€may€be€paid€annually€in€advance€atÐ |*Ì%) Ðthe€discretion€of€the€Respondent.€€The€Petitioner€is€granted€a€judgment€for€an€accruedÐ h+¸&* Ðarrearage€in€child€support€payments€in€the€amount€of€$3,381.00,€which€shall€be€paidÐ ° Ðon€or€before€August€1,€2002.€€The€respondent€shall€maintain€health€insurance€on€theÐ œì Ðminor€child,€and€the€parties€shall€divide€equally€any€co„payments€or€uninsuredÐ ˆØ Ðmedical€and€dental€expenses.€€Each€party€shall€be€responsible€for€their€own€attorneyÐ tÄ Ðfees.à8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àÐ`°` x` x Ðà  àà ` àÌà  àFollowing€post„trial€motions,€the€trial€court€modified€its€Final€Order€to€provide:Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€court€finds€that€the€previous€agreement€entered€into€by€the€parties€isÐ  ` Ðindeed€void€as€against€public€policy,€and€as€to€future€enforcement.€€The€court,Ð ü L  Ðhowever,€does€not€discount€or€ignore€the€benefits€which€have€been€provided€to€theÐ è 8  ÐPetitioner€by€the€Respondent€under€the€prior€agreement.€€The€court€has€consideredÐ Ô$  Ðthose€benefits€in€comparison€to€the€benefits€which€would€have€accrued€under€theÐ À  Ðchild€support€guidelines€in€determining€the€net€resulting€rights€and€responsibilitiesÐ ¬ü  Ðof€the€parties.€€As€such,€the€court€holds€that€the€benefits€which€have€actually€beenÐ ˜è  Ðpaid€or€provided€by€the€Respondent€to€the€Petitioner,€conform€economically€to€theÐ „Ô  Ðbenefits€which€would€have€accrued€had€the€guidelines€been€followed€in€lieu€of€theÐ pÀ Ðpartiesðð€private€agreement.€€As€such,€the€court€does€not€find€it€appropriate€to€makeÐ \¬ Ðadditional€adjustments€to€the€accrued€benefits€previously€paid.ÐH˜Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€Petitioner€has€requested€that€the€arrearage€award€be€clarified€to€explainÐ 4„ Ðthe€courtððs€calculation€and€credit€of€$15,000.00€toward€the€Respondentððs€obligation.€Ð  p ÐThe€court€has€determined€that€the€proper€guideline€amount€of€support€is€$1,671.00Ð  \ Ðper€month,€based€upon€the€Respondentððs€current€annual€income€of€approximatelyÐ øH Ð$138,634.00.€€The€Respondent€has€historically€paid€an€annual€sum€of€$12,000.00€inÐ ä4 ÐJune€of€each€year,€or€an€equivalent€amount€of€$1,000.00€per€month.€€Therefore,€theÐ Ð  Ðcourt€gives€credit€for€$1,000.00/month€for€the€months€of€March,€April€and€May€ofÐ ¼  Ð2001€(or€an€aggregate€sum€of€$3,000.00€for€those€months).€€Thereafter,€theÐ ¨ø ÐRespondent€paid€another€annual€sum€of€$12,000.00€in€June€of€2001.€€The€accruedÐ ”ä Ðbenefit€which€should€have€been€paid€at€a€rate€of€$1,671.00€(from€March€of€2001Ð €Ð Ðthrough€January€of€2002)€totaled€$18,381.00.€€The€court€gives€the€Respondent€creditÐ l¼ Ðfor€the€$3,000.00€paid€for€the€months€of€March,€April€and€May€of€2001€plus€theÐ X ¨ Ð$12,000.00€paid€in€June€of€2001€for€a€total€credit€of€$15,000.€ÐD!”Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€Petitioner€has€requested€an€upward€deviation€in€the€amount€of€childÐ 0"€  Ðsupport€ordered,€based€upon€the€proof€which€showed€that€the€Respondent€has€failedÐ #l! Ðto€exercise€ð ðstandardðð€visitation.€€However€the€court€finds€that€such€a€deviation,€inÐ $X" Ðthis€case,€is€inappropriate€based€upon€the€actions€and€misconduct€of€the€Petitioner.€Ð ô$D # ÐSpecifically,€the€unrebutted€proof€in€this€cause€indicated€that€the€Petitioner€hasÐ à%0!$ Ðthreatened€to€accuse€the€Respondent€of€child€abuse,€even€without€a€basis€for€suchÐ Ì&"% Ðallegation,€for€the€sole€purpose€of€damaging€the€Respondentððs€personal€andÐ ¸'#& Ðprofessional€reputation.€€The€Petitioner€has€exhibited€a€history€of€malicious€conductÐ ¤(ô#' Ðtoward€the€Respondent,€including€damage€to€the€Respondentððs€property,€threats€toÐ )à$( Ðand€assault€of€the€Respondent,€harassment,€fraud€in€the€conception€of€the€partiesððÐ |*Ì%) Ðminor€child€by€asserting€that€the€Petitioner€was€on€birth€control€when€indeed€she€hadÐ h+¸&* Ðdiscontinued€the€use€of€same€without€informing€the€Respondent,€defamation€of€theÐ ° ÐRespondent€by€fax€to€his€office€and€otherwise€as€evidenced€by€exhibit€and€testimonyÐ œì Ðoffered€at€the€trial€in€this€cause€and€otherwise.€€The€Petitionerððs€conduct€toward€theÐ ˆØ ÐRespondent€in€a€consistently€antagonistic€manner€over€a€period€of€years€is€a€basisÐ tÄ Ðupon€which€the€Respondent€might€reasonably€believe€that€he€would€be€subjected€toÐ `° Ðan€additional€risk€of€defamation€and€false€accusation(s)€by€the€Petitioner€if€he€did€notÐ L œ Ðattempt€to€minimize€the€provocation€of€the€Petitionerððs€ire€by€distancing€himself€fromÐ 8 ˆ Ðher.€Unfortunately,€the€Respondentððs€efforts€at€self€preservation€have€resulted€in€hisÐ $ t Ðforfeiture€of€a€relationship€with€his€daughter.€€Because€the€Petitionerððs€conductÐ  ` Ðtoward€the€Respondent€has€precipitated€his€lack€of€contact,€the€court€finds€itÐ ü L  Ðinappropriate€to€ð ðrewardðð€the€Petitioner€by€an€award€of€additional€compensationÐ è 8  Ðthrough€an€upward€deviation€in€the€amount€of€child€support€ordered.€€The€courtÐ Ô$  Ðfurther€finds€that€the€amount€of€child€support€ordered€is€sufficient€to€provide€for€theÐ À  Ðchildððs€needs,€as€a€result€of€the€Respondentððs€income€upon€which€such€award€isÐ ¬ü  Ðbased,€and€upon€the€expenses€which€are€incurred€on€behalf€of€the€child€by€theÐ ˜è  ÐPetitioner.€Ð„Ô Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€parties€have€each€incurred€expenses€in€this€litigation,€including€the€costÐ pÀ Ðof€the€fine€representation€afforded€to€each€party€by€their€respective€counsel.€€BecauseÐ \¬ Ðof€the€nature€of€the€dispute,€including€a€consideration€of€the€totality€of€theÐ H˜ Ðcircumstances€and€proof€presented€in€this€cause,€including€those€mentioned€above,Ð 4„ Ðthe€court€finds€it€appropriate€for€each€party€to€bear€the€expense€of€their€ownÐ  p Ðattorneyððs€fees.Ð \Ð Ð  ÐÌBoth€parties€timely€appealed.Ð ä4 ÐÌI.à0  àThe€contract.м (#(# ÐÌà  àThe€record€plainly€shows€that€each€of€these€parties€was€represented€by€competent€counselÐ ”ä Ðat€the€time€and€entered€into€the€May€17,€1997€Contract€and€Settlement€Agreement€for€the€supportÐ €Ð Ðof€their€minor€child€in€the€utmost€of€good€faith.€€With€equal€clarity€the€record€shows€that,€under€theÐ l¼ Ðprinciples€laid€down€in€òòBerryhill€v.€Rhodesóó,€21€S.W.3d€188€(Tenn.€2000),€the€Agreement€is€void€asÐ X ¨ Ðagainst€public€policy.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àThe€Child€Support€Guidelines€have€been€in€existence€in€Tennessee€since€long€before€the€MayÐ #l! Ð17,€1997€Agreement€of€the€parties,€and€they€have€the€force€of€law€under€a€legislative€mandate€fromÐ $X" Ðwhich€the€courts€are€not€authorized€to€deviate€except€in€the€manner€that€is€allowed€by€the€guidelinesÐ ô$D # Ðthemselves.€€òòNash€v.€Mulleóó,€846€S.W.2d€803€(Tenn.€1993);€òòBarnett€v.€Barnettóó,€27€S.W.3d€904€(Tenn.Ð à%0!$ Ð2000).€€Harris€asserts€that€the€Agreement€between€the€parties€was€supported€by€adequateÐ Ì&"% Ðconsideration€and€should€be€an€enforceable€contract€as€written,€particularly€since€the€decree€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðdismissal€of€the€action€in€1997€was€based€upon€the€existence€of€such€contract.€€Relying€on€òòBurtonÐ ¤(ô#' Ðv.€Burtonóó,€343€S.W.2d€867€(Tenn.€1961),€Harris€asserts€that€there€is€no€allegation€or€fact€showingÐ )à$( Ðfraud€or€mutual€mistake€and€that,€under€such€circumstances,€the€consent€decree€of€dismissal€cannotÐ |*Ì%) Ðbe€successfully€impeached.€€Harris€further€asserts:Ð h+¸&* Їà  àà8 ` àA€decree€is€frequently€made€by€consent€of€parties.€€In€such€a€case,€theÐ ° Ðcourt€does€not€inquire€into€the€merits€or€equities€of€the€decree,€norÐ œì Ðwhether€it€is€sustained€by€the€pleadings.€€The€only€questions€for€theÐ ˆØ Ðcourt€to€determine€are:€1)€are€the€parties€capable€of€bindingÐ tÄ Ðthemselves€by€consent;€and€2)€whether€they€have€consented,€or€doÐ `° Ðnow€consent,€to€the€proposed€decree.ÐL œ` x` x Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àòòGibsonððs€Suits€in€Chanceryóó,€Section€577€(4th€Ed.).Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àAll€these€assertions€are€in€fact€true,€and€no€effort€is€made€by€Gorrell€to€state€otherwise.€€IfÐ  ` Ðthe€case€were€to€be€determined€as€involving€the€parties€to€the€Agreement,€it€appears€that€HarrisÐ ü L  Ðwould€certainly€prevail,€as€no€basis€exists€in€this€record€to€impeach€the€Agreement€as€it€relates€to€theÐ è 8  Ðrights€of€the€parties€thereto.€€Since€the€early€common€law,€however,€the€state€has€stood€in€òòparensÐ Ô$  Ðpatriaeóó€of€minor€children€within€its€borders.€€In€the€context€of€òòhabeas€corpusóó,€the€supreme€courtÐ À  Ðsaid:Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà8  àà ` àUnder€the€change€of€government€from€a€monarchy€to€a€republic,€the€functionsÐ „Ô  Ðof€parens€patriae€did€not€cease€to€exist.€€Such€authority€passed€from€the€king€to€theÐ pÀ Ðgovernment€of€the€state€or€sovereign€people,€and€it€may€be€called€into€exercise€by€theÐ \¬ ÐLegislature,€the€representatives€of€the€people,€and€delegated€by€the€Legislature€toÐ H˜ Ðother€functionaries.€€òòEwell€v.€Sneedóó,€136€Tenn.€602,€624,€191€S.W.€131òòóó;€òòMormonÐ 4„ ÐChurch€Caseóó,€136€U.S.€1,€58,€10€Sup.€Ct.€792,€34€L.Ed.€481,€496.Ð pÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð øH ÐÌà8  àà ` àAs€it€affects€the€custody€of€infants,€the€writ€of€habeas€corpus€rests€on€theÐ Ð  Ðassumption€of€a€right€in€the€state,€paramount€to€any€parental€or€other€claim,€toÐ ¼  Ðdispose€of€such€children€as€their€best€interests€require.€€The€legal€rights€of€a€parentÐ ¨ø Ðare€very€gravely€considered,€but€are€not€enforced€to€the€disadvantage€of€the€child.€Ð ”ä ÐSuch€is€the€universal€practice,€and€it€has€been€followed€in€this€jurisdiction€from€òòState,Ð €Ð Ðex€rel.€v.€Paine,€supraóó,€to€òòState€ex€rel.€v.€Kilvingtonóó,€100€Tenn.€227,€45€S.W.€433,€41Ð l¼ ÐL.R.A.€284.ÐX ¨Ð Ð  ÐÌòòState,€ex€rel.€Jones€v.€Westóó,€201€S.W.€743,€744€(Tenn.€1918).Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àAt€remote€common€law,€a€child€born€out€of€wedlock€was,€to€a€large€measure,€excluded€fromÐ $X" Ðthe€scope€of€the€stateððs€òòparens€patriaeóó€oversight.€€A€father€of€such€child€had€neither€a€right€to€custodyÐ ô$D # Ðof€nor€an€obligation€to€provide€support€for€such€child.€€òòState€v.€Bostonóó,€102€P.2d€889,€892Ð à%0!$ Ð(Okla.Crim.App.€1940).€€The€development€of€the€law,€both€by€statute€and€by€common€law,€has€beenÐ Ì&"% Ðrapid€and€dramatic.€€Historically:Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà8  àà ` àAt€common€law€a€child€born€out€of€wedlock€was€said€to€be€òòfilius€nulliusóó,€theÐ )à$( Ðchild€of€nobody,€or€òòfilius€populióó,€the€child€of€the€people.€€The€putative€father€hadÐ |*Ì%) Ðneither€rights€nor€obligations€toward€the€child€and€was€precluded€from€establishingÐ h+¸&* Ðhis€paternity€of€the€child€in€a€legal€action.€€òòFord€v.€Loeffleróó,€363€So.2d€23,€24€(Fla.Ð ° Ð3d€DCA€1978).€€From€a€legal€standpoint,€such€a€child€simply€had€no€father€or€mother.€Ð œì Ð10€Am.Jur.2d€ðð€8€at€848.€€But€the€common€law€has€been€abrogated€by€statute€in€mostÐ ˆØ Ðjurisdictions,€affording€rights€both€to€the€child€and€to€the€parents.€€ÐtÄÐ Ð  ÐÌòòIn€Re:€Guardianship€of€D.A.€McW.óó,€429€So.2d€699,€702„703€(Fla.Dist.Ct.App.€1983).Ð L œ ÐÌà  àIn€a€decision€strongly€analogous€to€the€case€at€bar,€the€Court€of€Appeals€of€MichiganÐ $ t Ðexpressed€the€law€as€it€stands€today.€€This€case,€òòSturak€v.€Ozomaroóó,€606€N.W.2d€411€(Mich.Ct.App.Ð  ` Ð1999),€involved€a€putative€father€who€had€fully€performed€a€settlement€agreement€with€the€motherÐ ü L  Ðof€the€child,€and€thereafter,€the€mother,€by€petition€to€the€court,€sought€to€establish€paternity€and€setÐ è 8  Ðchild€support€both€retroactively€and€in€the€future.€€The€court,€basing€its€action€on€both€statutoryÐ Ô$  Ðgrounds€and€on€constitutional€equal€protection€grounds,€held:Ð À  ÐÌà8  àOnly€a€childððs€adoption€relieves€the€childððs€natural€parents€from€their€obligation€toÐ ˜è  Ðsupport€the€child.€€òòEvink,€supraóó€at€174,€542€N.W.2d€328.€€Furthermore,€as€the€CourtÐ „Ô  Ðrecognized€in€òòCrego€III,€supraóó€at€295,€591€N.W.2d€277€illegitimate€children€have€theÐ pÀ Ðsame€needs€for€support€as€other€children.€€òòSmith,€supraóó.€€As€this€Court€concluded€inÐ \¬ ÐòòCrego€III,€supraóó€at€296„297,€591€N.W.2d€277€Crego€II€òòsupraóó€at€818„821,€573Ð H˜ ÐN.W.2d€291€and€òòDones,€supraóó€at€676„679,€534€N.W.2d€221,€denying€plaintiffððs€sonÐ 4„ Ðthe€opportunity€to€seek€additional€support€constituted€a€denial€of€equal€protection.€Ð  p ÐSee€òòStanton,€supraóó€at€146„148,€253€N.W.2d€114€(The€Supreme€Court€in€òòStantonóóÐ  \ Ðretroactively€applied€another€Supreme€Court€decision€that€held€unconstitutional€aÐ øH Ðstatutory€provision€that€prevented€certain€agricultural€employees€from€receivingÐ ä4 Ðworkerððs€compensation€on€the€basis€that€the€statute€denied€these€employees€equalÐ Ð  Ðprotection,€and€despite€the€defendantsðð€arguments€that€they€had€relied€financially€onÐ ¼  Ðthe€unconstitutional€statute.).€€We€also€acknowledge€the€stateððs€interest€in€providingÐ ¨ø Ðfor€the€support€and€care€of€illegitimate€children,€òòCrego€III,€supraóó€at€294,€591€N.W.2dÐ ”ä Ð277€which€interest€is€reflected€in€the€announced€public€policy€of€this€state€to€treatÐ €Ð Ðchildren€born€out€of€wedlock€as€no€less€deserving€of€support€than€those€born€inÐ l¼ Ðwedlock.€€òòSmith,€supraóó€at€289,€283€N.W.2d€725.€€Although€defendant€enjoys€a€vestedÐ X ¨ Ðcontractual€right€that€formed€under€ðð3,€as€a€matter€of€public€policy,€the€overridingÐ D!” Ðinterest€of€the€illegitimate€child€must€prevail€when€defendantððs€contractual€rightÐ 0"€  Ðconflicts€with€the€childððs€right€to€support,€especially€when€the€childððs€right€to€supportÐ #l! Ðis€considered€in€conjunction€with€the€stateððs€interest€in€providing€for€these€children.Ð$X"Ð Ð  ÐÌòòSturak€v.€Ozomaroóó,€606€N.W.2d€411,€420„421€(Mich.Ct.App.€1999).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àIn€announcing€the€public€policy€of€the€State€of€Michigan€to€treat€children€born€out€of€wedlockÐ ¸'#& Ðas€no€less€deserving€than€those€born€in€wedlock,€the€court€observed:Ð ¤(ô#' Ðâ âÐ )à$( Ðà8  àThis€public€interest€is€a€longstanding€one.€€In€òòBowerman€v.€MacDonaldóó,€427€N.W.2dÐ ° Ð477€(Mich.1988),€the€Supreme€Court€traced€the€history€of€the€Paternity€Act€inÐ œì ÐMichigan:ЈØÐ Ð  Ðâ âÌà  àà8 ` àà ¸ àAt€common€law,€a€father€had€no€duty€to€care€for€his€child€bornÐ `° Ðout€of€wedlock.€€In€1846,€the€Legislature€enacted€the€Bastardy€Act€toÐ L œ Ðdefine€such€a€duty€and€provide€a€statutory€mechanism€by€which€heÐ 8 ˆ Ðcould€be€required€to€fulfill€it.€€The€act€was€said€to€have€two€purposes:Ð $ t Ðto€require€the€childððs€father€to€provide€support,€and€to€protect€societyÐ  ` Ðfrom€having€to€provide€that€support€in€his€stead.Ðü L ` x` x ÐòòÌBowermanóó,€427€N.W.2d€at€479€(citations€omitted).Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àThat€this€equality€of€obligation€to€support€applies€with€equal€force€in€Tennessee€is€settled:Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€child€support€guidelines€require€a€noncustodial€parent€to€pay€an€amountÐ „Ô  Ðof€child€support€based€on€the€noncustodial€parentððs€net€income€and€the€number€ofÐ pÀ Ðchildren€to€be€supported.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.Comp.R.€&€Regs.€r.€1240„2„4„.03(5)€(1994).€€Ð \¬ ÐThey€draw€no€distinction€between€children€whose€parents€are€or€were€married€andÐ H˜ Ðthose€whose€parents€were€never€married.€€Thus,€as€we€have€held€previously,€theÐ 4„ Ðguidelines€apply€not€only€in€divorce€cases€but€also€in€proceedings€in€which€oneÐ  p Ðunmarried€parent€is€seeking€child€support€from€the€other.€€òòSee€Shell€v.€Lawóó,€1997€WLÐ  \ Ð119581,€at€*2;€òòBarabas€v.€Rogersóó,€868€S.W.2d€283,€288€n.€5€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1993);Ð øH ÐòòFaircloth€v.€Lockeóó,€No.€01A01„9010„GS„00376,€1991€WL€259478,€at€*3Ð ä4 Ð(Tenn.Ct.App.€Dec.€11,€1991)€(No€Tenn.R.App.P.€11€application€filed).ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐòòÌState€ex€rel.€Vaughn€v.€Kaatrudeóó,€21€S.W.3d€244,€249€(Tenn.Ct.App.€2000).Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  à€It€is€against€this€historical€development€of€the€law€that€the€supreme€court€announced€itsÐ €Ð Ðdecision€in€òòBerryhill€v.€Rhodesóó,€21€S.W.3d€188€(Tenn.€2000).€€Unquestionably,€òòBerryhillóó€controlsÐ l¼ Ðthe€determination€of€the€case€at€bar.€€Except€insofar€as€Harris€is€entitled€to€credits€against€his€supportÐ X ¨ Ðobligations€of€those€amounts€of€money€which€he€has€paid€under€the€July€17,€1997€Agreement,€hisÐ D!” Ðliability€for€child€support,€both€prospective€and€retroactive,€is€mandated€by€òòBerryhillóó.€€His€relianceÐ 0"€  Ðon€and€good€faith€performance€of€his€obligation€under€the€Agreement€are€ineffective€to€modify€hisÐ #l! Ðsupport€obligations€under€the€guidelines.Ð $X" ÐÌà  àIn€òòBerryhillóó€it€is€provided:Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà8  àà ` àAlthough€this€Court€has€not€specifically€addressed€the€issue€of€the€validity€ofÐ ¸'#& Ða€private€agreement€for€payment€of€child€support,€other€states€that€have€consideredÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€issue€have€found€such€agreements€violate€public€policy.€.€.€.Ð)à$(Ð Ð  Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8  àà ` àCourts€in€several€jurisdictions€have€found€that€a€childððs€right€to€supportÐ ° Ðâ âcannot€be€bargained€away€by€a€parent€to€the€childððs€detriment.€.€.€.МìÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àWe€find€the€holdings€and€reasoning€of€these€courts€to€be€persuasive.€Ð tÄ ÐTennesseeððs€statutory€provisions€for€the€establishment€of€paternity€and€support€andÐ `° Ðthe€Child€Support€Guidelines€evince€(sic)€a€policy€that€fathers€will€support€theirÐ L œ Ðchildren.€€Private€agreements€used€to€circumvent€the€obligations€set€forth€in€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðstatutes€and€guidelines€contravene€that€policy.Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌòòBerryhillóó,€21€S.W.3d€at€191„192.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àAs€in€òòBerryhillóó,€the€Agreement€in€this€case€does€not€comply€with€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÐ Ô$  Ðsection€36„5„101(h)€in€that€the€Agreement€is€not€approved€by€a€court,€is€not€incorporated€in€a€courtÐ À  Ðorder€and€does€not€contain€an€acknowledgment€that€they€may€not€alter€the€Agreement€without€courtÐ ¬ü  Ðapproval.€€In€this€case,€the€Agreement€was€not€incorporated€in€the€Final€Order€of€the€juvenile€courtÐ ˜è  Ðnor€specifically€approved€by€that€court.€€Instead,€the€Final€Order€provided:€ð ðIt€appearing€to€the€Court,Ð „Ô  Ðas€evidenced€by€the€signature€of€counsel€of€record€for€the€respective€parties€herein,€that€all€mattersÐ pÀ Ðand€things€in€controversy€by€and€between€[the€parties]€have€been€fully€and€finally€compromised€andÐ \¬ Ðsettled.ðð€€This€language€is€not€sufficient,€even€if€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36„5„101(h)Ð H˜ Ðcould€be€stretched€to€support€a€private€agreement€that€is€clearly€contrary€to€the€child€supportÐ 4„ Ðguidelines.€€òòBerryhillóó,€21€S.W.3d€at€191.Ð  p ÐÌII.à0  àRetroactive€support.ÐøH(#(# ÐÌà  àThis€issue,€likewise,€is€foreclosed€by€òòBerryhill.€€óóThe€discussion€in€òòBerryhillóó€leaves€no€roomÐ Ð  Ðfor€the€kind€of€discretion€in€the€trial€court€that€would€allow€for€substantial€deviation€from€theÐ ¼  Ðguidelines.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€Court€of€Appeals€in€this€case€recognized€the€guidelines€apply€as€aÐ €Ð Ðrebuttable€presumption€regarding€the€amount€of€child€support€to€be€paid.€€The€court,Ð l¼ Ðhowever,€stated€that€the€presumption€is€not€to€be€construed€as€an€abrogation€of€thisÐ X ¨ ÐCourtððs€statement€in€òòColeman€v.€Clayóó,€805€S.W.2d€752,€755€(Tenn.€1991),€that€aÐ D!” Ðcourt€ð ðhas€broad€discretion€to€determine€the€amount€of€such€a€retroactive€award.ðð€Ð 0"€  ÐThis€Court€acknowledged€in€òòColeman€óóthat€a€father€is€responsible€for€the€support€ofÐ #l! Ðhis€child€and€that€this€obligation€arises€at€the€date€of€the€childððs€birth.€€òòId.óó€at€754„55.€Ð $X" ÐThis€Court€further€stated€that€a€juvenile€court€judge€has€broad€discretion€to€determineÐ ô$D # Ðthe€amount€of€such€a€retroactive€award.€€òòId.óó€at€755.Ðà%0!$Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€Child€Support€Guidelines,€however,€were€silent€as€to€retroactive€awardsÐ Ì&"% Ðwhen€this€Court€decided€òòColemanóó.€€Subsequent€to€the€decision€in€òòColemanóó,Ð ¸'#& Ðretroactivity€provisions€were€added€to€the€Child€Support€Guidelines.€€The€specificÐ ¤(ô#' Ðinclusion€of€these€provisions€in€1994€limited€the€courtsðð€discretion€in€setting€amountsÐ )à$( Ðâ âof€child€support.€€While€the€juvenile€court€continues€to€have€discretion€in€makingÐ |*Ì%) Ðawards€of€child€support,€that€discretion€must€be€exercised€within€the€strictures€of€theÐ ° ÐChild€Support€Guidelines.МìÐ Ð  Ðâ âÌòòId.€óóat€òòóó192„193.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court,€in€declining€to€set€retroactive€child€support€in€conformity€to€the€guidelines,Ð L œ Ðheld:Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà8  àThe€court,€however,€does€not€discount€or€ignore€the€benefits€which€have€beenÐ  ` Ðprovided€to€the€Petitioner€by€the€Respondent€under€the€prior€agreement.€€The€courtÐ ü L  Ðhas€considered€those€benefits€in€comparison€to€the€benefits€which€would€haveÐ è 8  Ðaccrued€under€the€child€support€guidelines€in€determining€the€net€resulting€rights€andÐ Ô$  Ðresponsibilities€of€the€parties.€€As€such,€the€court€holds€that€the€benefits€which€haveÐ À  Ðactually€been€paid€or€provided€by€the€Respondent€to€the€Petitioner,€conformÐ ¬ü  Ðeconomically€to€the€benefits€which€would€have€accrued€had€the€guidelines€beenÐ ˜è  Ðfollowed€in€lieu€of€the€partiesðð€private€agreement.€€As€such,€the€court€does€not€findÐ „Ô  Ðit€appropriate€to€make€additional€adjustments€to€the€accrued€benefits€previously€paid.ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àFirst€of€all,€the€comparison€of€benefits€under€the€Agreement€with€benefits€under€theÐ H˜ Ðguidelines€clearly€shows€that€the€contractual€benefits€do€not€ð ðconform€economically€to€the€benefitsÐ 4„ Ðwhich€would€have€accrued€had€the€guidelines€been€followed€in€lieu€of€the€partiesðð€privateÐ  p Ðagreement.ðð€€By€the€trial€courtððs€own€calculations,€the€contractual€benefit€is€$1,000€per€month€whileÐ  \ Ðthe€benefits€under€the€guidelines€as€set€by€the€trial€courtððs€Order€are€$1,671€per€month.€€òòBerryhillóóÐ øH Ðsimply€does€not€allow€such€deviation€from€the€provisions€of€the€child€support€guidelines€and€leavesÐ ä4 Ðvery€little€discretion€in€either€the€trial€court€or€the€appellate€courts.€€The€trial€court€offered€no€otherÐ Ð  Ðexplanation€that€would€support€an€allowable€deviation.€€To€the€extent€that€òòColeman€v.€Clayóó€can€beÐ ¼  Ðconstrued€to€the€contrary,€it€is€specifically€repudiated€by€òòBerryhillóó.Ð ¨ø ÐÌIII.à0  àCalculations€of€prospective€child€support.ЀÐ(#(# ÐÌà  àIn€setting€child€support€prospectively€to€begin€February€1,€2002,€the€trial€court€calculated€theÐ X ¨ Ðchild€support€on€a€basis€of€the€average€gross€income€of€Harris€over€the€years€1997€through€2000€andÐ D!” Ðestablished€such€average€annual€income€at€$138,634.€€This€resulted€in€a€monthly€support€obligationÐ 0"€  Ðof€$1,671.€€The€trial€court€does€not€state€nor€does€the€record€indicate€any€reason€for€calculatingÐ #l! Ðprospective€child€support€on€such€a€basis.€On€remand€prospective€child€support€will€be€calculatedÐ $X" Ðbased€on€actual€income€in€the€year€2000.Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àIt€is€well€settled€that€child€support€guidelines€have€the€force€of€law€and€must€be€followed.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà8  àà ` àChild€Support€Guidelines€have€the€force€of€law.€€òòJahn€v.€Jahnóó,€932€S.W.2dÐ ¤(ô#' Ð939,€943€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1996).€€Any€deviation€from€the€guidelines€must€be€explicitlyÐ )à$( Ðstated€on€the€record.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„5„101(e)(1).€€If€the€guidelines€are€notÐ |*Ì%) Ðfollowed,€the€court€must€make€written€specific€findings€that€their€application€wouldÐ h+¸&* Ðbe€unjust€or€inappropriate,€stating€the€amount€that€should€be€awarded€under€theÐ ° Ðguidelines,€along€with€justification€for€the€deviation.€€Tenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€Ch.Ð œì Ð1240„2„4„.02(7).ЈØÐ Ð  ÐÌòòState€ex€rel.€Wrzesniewski€v.€Milleróó,€77€S.W.3d€195,€197€(Tenn.Ct.App.€2001).Ð `° Ðà  àÌIV.à0  àChild€support€obligation€retroactively€from€the€birth€of€the€child€until€the€trial€court€OrderÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€January€14,€2002.Ð$ t(#(# ÐÌà  àThe€retroactive€support€obligation€must€be€ð ðcalculated€based€upon€the€guidelines€using€theÐ ü L  Ðaverage€income€of€the€obligor€over€the€past€two€years€and€is€presumed€to€be€correct€unless€rebuttedÐ è 8  Ðby€either€party.ðð€€Tenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€R.€1240„2„4„.04(1)(e)(1997).€€In€this€case,€the€proofÐ Ô$  Ðclearly€shows€that€the€child€was€born€in€July€1996€and€that€the€income€of€Mr.€Harris€at€that€time€wasÐ À  Ðsomewhat€less€than€the€average€income€that€would€result€from€calculating€his€gross€incomeÐ ¬ü  Ðaccording€to€his€experience€in€1999€and€2000.€€Thus,€as€was€the€case€in€òòBerryhillóó,€he€has€successfullyÐ ˜è  Ðrebutted€the€presumption€set€forth€in€the€Rule,€and,€on€remand,€his€obligation€for€retroactive€supportÐ „Ô  Ðwill€be€calculated€on€his€actual€gross€income€for€each€of€the€years€1996€through€1999.Ð pÀ ÐÌV.à0  àUpward€deviation€in€child€support€because€of€failure€to€visit.ÐH˜(#(# ÐÌà  àThe€child€support€guidelines€provide€as€follows:Ð  p ÐÌà8  àò ò1240„2„4„.04€CRITERIA€FOR€DEVIATION€FROM€GUIDELINESó óÐøHÐ Ð  Ðà8  à(1)€.€.€.€the€court€shall€increase€the€award€calculated€in€Rule€1240„2„4„.03€for€theÐ ä4 Ðfollowing€reasons;ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌà  à.€.€.€.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` Ð ` Ð àà ` à(b)à ¸ àif€the€child(ren)€are€not€staying€overnight€with€the€obligor€for€theÐ €Ð Ðaverage€visitation€period€of€every€other€weekend€from€Friday€eveningÐ l¼ Ðuntil€Sunday€evening,€two€weeks€during€the€summer,€and€two€weeksÐ X ¨ Ðduring€holiday€periods€throughout€the€year,€then€an€amount€shall€beÐ D!” Ðadded€to€the€percentage€calculated€in€the€above€rule€to€compensateÐ 0"€  Ðthe€obligee€for€the€cost€of€providing€care€for€the€child(ren),€for€theÐ #l! Ðamount€of€time€during€the€average€visitation€period€that€the€child(ren)Ð $X" Ðis/are€not€with€the€obligor.Ðô$D #¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌTenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€R.€1240„2„4„.04(1)(b)(1997).Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àThis€part€of€the€case€is€the€most€difficult€to€resolve.€€The€trial€court€was€not€impressed€withÐ ¤(ô#' ÐMs.€Gorrell,€and€for€good€reason.€€Her€testimony€and€her€attitude€from€the€birth€of€the€child€forwardÐ )à$( Ðdo€not€cast€her€in€a€favorable€light.€€The€trial€court€used€her€conduct€as€a€basis€for€refusing€upwardÐ |*Ì%) Ðdeviation€in€child€support.€€The€trial€court€found:Ð h+¸&* Їà8  àà ` àThe€parties€have€had€a€contentious€relationship€for€years,€and€it€is€clear€thatÐ ° Ðthe€animosity€they€share€has€made€their€dealings€with€each€other€considerably€moreÐ œì Ðdifficult.€€The€court€finds€that€the€father,€Mr.€Harris,€has€not€exercised€visitation€withÐ ˆØ Ðthe€minor€child.€€However,€this€lack€of€visitation€has€been€precipitated€by€the€actionsÐ tÄ Ðof€the€mother,€Ms.€Gorrell,€in€that€she€has€threatened€the€father€and€otherwiseÐ `° Ðharassed€and€antagonized€him€through€various€means,€including€contact€with€hisÐ L œ Ðemployment€which€appears€to€be€for€the€purpose€of€embarrassing€and€humiliatingÐ 8 ˆ ÐMr.€Harris.Ð$ tÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àWhile€the€Petitioner€has€sought€an€upward€deviation€from€the€child€supportÐ  ` Ðguidelines€due€to€a€lack€of€visitation,€the€court€finds€that€the€petitioner€has€directlyÐ ü L  Ðcontributed€to€the€lack€of€visitation€by€her€conduct€toward€the€Respondent.€€TheÐ è 8  Ðpetitioner€has€threatened,€harassed,€and€intimidated€the€Respondent€by€threateningÐ Ô$  Ðto€make€accusations€about€him€which€would€tarnish€his€reputation,€even€ifÐ À  Ðunfounded.€€As€a€result,€the€court€in€its€discretion€finds€that€it€would€be€unjust€toÐ ¬ü  Ðorder€an€upward€deviation.Иè Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThese€findings€are€clearly€borne€out€by€the€record.€€Typical€of€her€behavior€is€an€actionÐ pÀ Ðimmediately€after€August€3,€2001.€€She€forwarded€a€copy€of€a€health€care€dependent€audit€from€herÐ \¬ Ðcurrent€husbandððs€insurance€policy€to€Harris€and€to€his€attorney€with€a€handwritten€notation:€Ð H˜ Ðð ðAttention€Tyree€Harris€and€Bill€Willis:€I€am€so€tired€of€messing€with€this€insurance.€€As€a€deadbeatÐ 4„ Ðdad€please€handle€your€part!!ððÐ  p ÐÌà  àAll€this€communication€establishes€is€Ms.€Gorrellððs€abysmal€ignorance€about€deadbeat€dads.€Ð øH ÐMr.€Harris€has€complied€with€his€contractual€obligations€under€what€was,€after€all,€a€bilateralÐ ä4 Ðcontract€entered€into€by€both€Gorrell€and€Harris€with€the€benefit€of€counsel.€€Harris€has€been€guiltyÐ Ð  Ðof€no€bad€faith€and€has€acted€honorably€and€faithfully€in€his€monetary€obligations€to€his€child.€€WhileÐ ¼  ÐòòBerryhillóó€and€its€progeny€were€perhaps€foreordained€by€the€mandatory€language€of€the€child€supportÐ ¨ø Ðguidelines,€the€attorneys€acting€for€both€of€these€parties€in€July€of€1997€did€not€have€the€benefit€ofÐ ”ä ÐòòBerryhillóó,€and€it€serves€no€useful€purpose€to€second€guess€either€the€parties€or€their€attorneys€fromÐ €Ð Ðthe€lofty€level€of€pure€hindsight.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àAll€this€being€said,€the€mandatory€character€of€the€guidelines€relative€to€upward€deviationÐ D!” Ðbecause€of€lack€of€visitation€cannot€be€ignored,€at€least€as€to€prospective€support.€€We€do€not€chooseÐ 0"€  Ðto€disturb€the€trial€courtððs€refusal€of€upward€deviation€retroactively,€but€prospectively,€the€guidelinesÐ #l! Ðmust€be€applied.€€The€trial€court,€on€remand,€will€calculate€and€impose€an€upward€deviation€for€lackÐ $X" Ðof€visitation.€€Harris€has€a€right€to€establish€a€relationship€with€his€child€if€he€desires€to€do€so,€andÐ ô$D # Ðfurther€interference€by€Gorrell€with€any€efforts€he€might€make€to€establish€such€a€relationship€willÐ à%0!$ Ðremain€subject€to€the€supervisory€powers€of€the€trial€court.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌVI.à0  àAttorney€feesà ¸ àФ(ô#'(#(# ÐÌà  àThe€proof€establishes€that€Ms.€Gorrell€is€a€part„time€licensed€practical€nurse€and€can€ill€affordÐ |*Ì%) Ðthe€reasonable€attorney€fees€she€has€incurred€in€this€proceeding.€€It€must€be€remembered€that€theÐ h+¸&* Ðpurpose€of€such€awards€is€to€protect€the€childððs€rights,€not€those€of€the€custodial€parent.€€òòSherrod€v.Ð ° ÐWixóó,€849€S.W.2d€780€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1992).€€However€poorly€this€record€reflects€upon€Ms.€Gorrell,Ð œì Ðshe€is,€after€all,€enforcing€the€rights€of€the€child€of€the€parties€under€the€Tennessee€Child€SupportÐ ˆØ ÐGuidelines€and€has€been€successful€in€her€efforts.€€She€is€entitled€to€reasonable€attorney€fees€bothÐ tÄ Ðin€the€trial€court€and€on€appeal,€with€such€fees€to€be€determined€by€the€trial€court€on€remand.Ð `° ÐÌVII.à0  àConclusionÐ8 ˆ(#(# ÐÌà  àThe€results€of€this€case€may€seem€harsh€when€applied€to€a€father€of€a€child€born€out€ofÐ  ` Ðwedlock€who€has€acted€in€good€faith€at€all€times€and€has€fulfilled€his€obligations€under€a€privateÐ ü L  Ðchild€support€Agreement€entered€into€at€arms€length€with€the€mother€when€both€parties€wereÐ è 8  Ðrepresented€by€competent€counsel.€€However,€the€public€policy€expoused€in€òòBerryhillóó€cannot€beÐ Ô$  Ðcompromised€by€the€good€faith€of€the€parents.€€The€Tennessee€Child€Support€Guidelines€areÐ À  Ðmandatory,€and€the€rights€of€the€child€thereunder€cannot€be€compromised€because€of€the€acrimonyÐ ¬ü  Ðexisting€between€the€parents,€even€when€such€has€been€precipitated,€as€in€this€case,€in€large€measureÐ ˜è  Ðby€the€custodial€parent.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed€in€part€and€reversed€in€part.€€The€case€is€remandedÐ \¬ Ðto€the€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€in€conformity€with€this€opinion.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àCosts€of€the€cause€are€assessed€to€Appellee.Ð  p ÐÌà  àà ` àÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð Ð  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGE