WPC= vv;kM!Db5 "Sߪhhip]s5=@$tCzAYX3k;rnnq3 fl;2?{{Je1e JKk䴣b.*k)4;\%M(cU,^DΣǍNyӸh1.ƌ&Эf+@^]d@G0v=d!"LbBǦ2B(Gr/=Hm-'|C&̅qUħƑȭ?+㏚Q8ʏr}t)lUJlkk?Oi 4nqjn<*-ޯ|/-Ñv_+Ͳҭ'/:xTЏ1E.Mu_tN md&T2!#$AnyѤ dZHrxhBe^#& % ^ 0 w U)N 4 z i;J mLcW 0 DoN 0U 0 E 0 0 0s 0, 0 0 03 0 0 0j 0 0 0q 0 0 0B 0 0 0_! 0" 0" 0]# 0#b$ 0$ 0-% 0% B-Z&&s' 0F((C**(/(/(/r2222A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5A5 0 <6<6<6<6 B'7'7 0D7 D37 D-8 0KH8H8 AS88 09 0DP: A:::::::::::(?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?;?; A[g=\\IB01S01\CLERK1NAS,,,,0/ (`$.8dd8    ("  Z6Times New Roman Regularqdj/U C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xU R4$      1  '  _Mr.Daltonhasnotappealedfromthetrialcourtsdecisionsregardingpastorprospectivechildsupport.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#$  0  *+ (_2623  ..*G+G (_25   /%` ` hp x /23  ../%` ` hp x /   *8+8 (_24  ," hp x ,23  ..," hp x ,  *5+5 (_23 ` ) hp x )23  ..) hp x ) ` *2+2 (_22  &hhp x &23  ..&hhp x &  */+/ (_21  #p x #23  ..#p x #  *,+, (_20 h  p x 23  .. p x h *)+) (_19  pp x 23  ..pp x   *&+& (_18   x 23  .. x   *AA (_17  5+ ` hp x 523  Ԁ5+ ` hp x 5  *GG (_16   /%` ` hp x /23  Ԁ/%` ` hp x /   *88 (_15  ," hp x ,23  Ԁ," hp x ,  *55 (_14 ` ) hp x )23  Ԁ) hp x ) ` *22 (_13  &hhp x &23  Ԁ&hhp x &  *// (_12  #p x #23  Ԁ#p x #  *,, (_11 h  p x 23  Ԁ p x h *)) (_10  pp x 23  Ԁpp x   (&& &_9   x 23  Ԁ x   (AA &_8  5+ ` hp x 523  5+ ` hp x 5  (GG &_7   /%` ` hp x /23  /%` ` hp x /   (88 &_6  ," hp x ,23  ," hp x ,  (55 &_5 ` ) hp x )23  ) hp x ) ` (22 &_4  &hhp x &23  &hhp x &  (// &_3  #p x #23  #p x #  (,, &_2 h  p x 23   p x h - -()) &_1  pp x 23  pp x   &&& $_   x 23   x   ({2~$ !.8Add8     )Hairline d R4$      2  '  _ThestatutorygroundsforterminatingparentalrightsarefoundinTenn.CodeAnn.361113(g).  R4$      6  '  _E.g.,Kendrickv.Shoemake,90S.W.3d566,570(Tenn.2002);Ganzevoortv.Russell,949S.W.2d293,296  (Tenn.1997).(n$ (  1  )   R4$      7  '  _Aparentwhofailstosupportachildbecauseheorsheisfinanciallyunabletodosoisnotwillfullyfailingto  supportthechild._ODaniel_Ԁv.Messier,905S.W.2d182,188(Tenn.Ct.App.1995);Piercev._Bechtold_,60Tenn.App. t 478,487,448S.W.2d425,429(1969). 9 R4$      4  '  _Thesedecisionsdrawadistinctionbetweenspecificfactsandthecombinedweightofthesefacts.Tenn.R.  App.P.13(d)requiresustodefertothetrialcourtsspecificfindingsoffactaslongastheyaresupportedbya t preponderanceoftheevidence.However,wemustthendeterminewhetherthecombinedweightofthesefactsprovides 8 clearandconvincingevidencesupportingthetrialcourtsultimatefactualconclusion.TheTennesseeSupremeCourt L usedthisapproachinInreValentinewhenitrecognizedthedifferencebetweentheconclusionthatabiologicalparent  hadnotcompliedsubstantiallywithherobligationsinapermanencyplanandthefactsrelieduponbythetrialcourtto  supportthisconclusion.InreValentine,79S.W.3dat54849;seealsoJonesv.Garrett,92S.W.3dat838.  R4$      8  '  _Conductthatamountstoasignificantrestraintorinterferencewithaparentseffortstosupportordevelopa  relationshipwithachildincludes(1)tellingamanheisnotthechildsbiologicalfather,(2)blockingaccesstothechild, t (3)keepingthechildswhereaboutsunknown,(4)vigorouslyresistingtheparentseffortstosupportthechild,or(5) 8 vigorouslyresistingaparentseffortstovisitthechild.Inre_S.A.B._,735So.2d523,524(Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1999);In L reAdoptionofChildrenby_G.P.B._,Jr.,736A.2d1277,1286(N.J.1999);_Panter_Ԁv.Ash,33P.3dat1031. RainesM.W.A.C.W.W.C.D.B.A.D.A.GarrettL.S.W.In In P.J.HolcombOglethorpeWhitedsD.L.B.iKendrickShoemakeGanzevoortirrebuttableWhitedCorcinoPaton G.T.A.E.T.MazzeoEarhartB.S.R.Teaschenko CCTBatemanFutchLeitchtriersAbsar R4$      3  '  _Thefactorstobeconsideredina bestinterestsanalysiscanbefoundinTenn.CodeAnn.361113(i).(|G24$ !.8Add8         0  ' d(|3$ !.8Add8     VVVV'dxd)!dxdx( $ Figure  1  ^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3$ !.8Add8     ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK  R4$      5  '  _Thiscourtappearstohavecondonedtheuseoforalfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawinatermination  caseinatleastoneunpublishedmemorandumopinion.WedeclinetociteorfollowthisopinioninlightofTenn.Ct. t App.R.10whichstatesthatamemorandumopinion shallnotbecitedorrelieduponforanyreasoninanyunrelated 8 case.X5ZO << deUU !.8Add8     _TRX3'Avery 3259 Embossed NoteX3' Letter3'Avery 5160 Address Note~TRX3'3'LetterT  A8aXXdd8  @ AINTHECOURTOFAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE  @kk$ATNASHVILLE#An#Ԉ &   November4,2003Session L XaXA #AXXaW#InreADOPTIONOFWILLIAMDREWMUIRXaXA  J @@ AppealfromtheCircuitCourtforMarionCounty  J @@No.13722BuddyPerry,Judge  6 @@*AV) ` dE< ` A    @@TTNo.M200202963COAR3CVFiledNovember25,2003 #AXXa#XaXA    AV) ` dE<` A      Thisappealinvolvestheterminationoftheparentalrightsofthebiologicalfatherofafiveyearold   child.ThechildsmotherandherhusbandfiledapetitionintheCircuitCourtforMarionCounty x  seekingtoterminatethebiologicalfathersparentalrightsandtoapprovethehusbandsadoption d ofthechild.Theyproceededwiththepetitionevenaftertheyweredivorced.Followingabench P trialinMay2002,thetrialcourtenteredanorderonDecember2,2002denyingthepetitiononthe < groundthatthemotherandherformerhusbandhadnotestablishedbyclearandconvincingevidence (x thatthebiologicalfatherhadabandonedthechild.Themotherhasappealed.Wehavedetermined d thattheDecember2,2002ordermustbevacatedbecausethetrialcourtfailedtomakethespecific P findingsoffactrequiredbyTenn.CodeAnn.361113(k)(Supp.2003). <   Tenn.R.App.P.3AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheCircuitCourtVacated     #AXa{#XaX.AWilliamC.Koch,Jr.,P.J.,M.S.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichPatriciaJ.  CottrellandFrankG.Clement,Jr.,JJ.,joined.  CharlesG.Jenkins,Sr.,Jasper,Tennessee,andLisaZ.Espy,Chattanooga,Tennessee,#AXXa #XaXAforthe ` appellant,AprilAnnMuirWhited. L  MarshallA.Raines,Jr.,Jasper,Tennessee,fortheappellee,DonaldRayDalton. $"t!   OPINION #AXXaF #XaXA #L#  I.  %$!%   #AXXa^ #XaXA  DonaldRayDaltonandAprilHolcombhadanonmaritalchildin1996.Mr.Dalton,who (#( wasnineteenatthetime,stoppedseeingMs.Holcombforapproximatelyeightmonths,andduring )$) thistime,hehadabriefaffairwithseventeenyearoldAprilAnnMuir.Mr.Daltonsdalliancewith p*%* Ms.MuirunderstandablypiquedMs.Holcomb,andsheandMs.MuircametoblowswhileMr. \+&+ DaltonandMs.Muirweredating.Mr.DaltonreturnedtoMs.Holcombsoonafterhelearnedthat H,', Ms.Muirwaspregnantwithhischild. 4-(-   .p). _  EventhoughMr.DaltonhadtakenbackupwithMs.Holcomb,hecontinuedarelationship  ofsortswithMs.Muir.Heaccompaniedheronseveralvisitstoherobstetrician,andhepurchased  achangingtableandcribforthebabybeforehewasborn.WhenWilliamDrewMuirwasbornin  FortOglethorpe,GeorgiainMarch1998,Ms.MuirpointedlydeclinedtoincludeMr.Daltonsname t onthebirthcertificate.Mr.DaltonbrieflyvisitedMs.Muirandthechildinthehospitalandhadfour ` otherbriefvisitswiththechild.Mr.DaltonslastvisitwithhissonoccurredinSeptember1998. L    Withinweeksafterhersonsbirth,Ms.MuirbegandatingDerrickE.Whitedwhomshehad $ t metshortlyafterMr.DaltonleftherforMs.Holcomb.SheandMr.Whitedbeganlivingtogether  ` inJanuary1999andmarriedinJune1999.Mr.WhitedfinanciallysupportedbothMs.Whitedand  L  hersonanddevelopedaparentalrelationshipwiththechildeventhoughtheboywasnothischild.  8  Eventually,theWhitedshadachildoftheirown. $    InJanuary2000,theWhitedsfiledapetitionintheCircuitCourtforMarionCountyseeking   toterminateMr.DaltonsparentalrightsandforthestepparentadoptionofWilliamDrewMuirby   Mr.Whited.Mr.Daltoncontestedthepetitiontoterminatehisparentalrights.Mr.Dalton   eventuallymarriedMs.HolcombinMay2000.HedidnotcontactMs.Whiteddirectlyabout p visitinghissonafterthepetitionwasfiled,andhislawyersinformaleffortstoarrangeforvisitation \ wererebuffed.BetweenAprilandJune2000,Mr.DaltonforwardedfoursupportcheckstoMs. H Whited,butshereturnedthemontheadviceofherlawyer. 4   EventhoughtheWhitedshadbeendivorcedinNovember2001,theyinsistedattheMay  \ 2002hearingthattheydesiredtoproceedwiththeadoptionbecauseMr.Whitedwastheonlyfather H WilliamDrewMuirhadeverknown.OnDecember2,2002,thetrialcourtfiledanorderdenying 4 thepetitiontoterminateMr.Daltonsparentalrightsbecause therehadnotbeenawillful   abandonmentbyDefendantDonaldRayDaltonastotheminorchildWilliamDrewMuir.On   March25,2003,thetrialcourtenteredanotherorderdirectingMr.DaltontopayMs.Whited  $20,534.07inbackchildsupportandchildbirthexpensesandtobeginpaying$78perweekin  prospectivechildsupport.TheorderalsoprovidedMr.Daltonwithdefined,althoughlimited,  visitationrights.Ms.WhitedhasappealedfromthetrialcourtsdecisiondecliningtoterminateMr. l Daltonsparentalrights.  #  1       X  @) II.  0"  @g g  TheStandardofReviewinTerminationCases  #l!   Proceedingstoterminateparentalrightsareentirelystatutory.Personsseekingtoterminate $D # aparentsrightswithregardtohisorherchildmustprovetwothings.First,theymustprovethe %0!$ existenceofatleastonestatutorygroundfortermination.3T #  2      ׀Tenn.CodeAnn.361113(c)(1);In &"% reD.L.B.,___S.W.3d___,___,2003WL22383609,at*6(Tenn.2003);Jonesv.Garrett,92 '#& S.W.3d835,838(Tenn.2002).Second,theymustprovethatterminatingtheparentsparentalrights (#' isinthechildsbestinterests.@ #  3      ׀Tenn.CodeAnn.361113(c)(2);InreA.W.,114S.W.3d541,544  (Tenn.Ct.App.2003);InreM.W.A.,Jr.,980S.W.2d620,622(Tenn.Ct.App.1998).    Inlightoftheconstitutionaldimensionofparentalrights,personsseekingtoterminatethese t rightsmustprovealltheelementsoftheircasebyclearandconvincingevidence.Tenn.CodeAnn. ` 361113(c);InreValentine,79S.W.3d539,546(Tenn.2002);InreA.W.,114S.W.3dat545. L  Thisheightenedstandardofreviewpreventsunwarrantedterminationorinterferencewitha 8  biologicalparentsparentalrights.InreC.W.W.,37S.W.3d467,474(Tenn.Ct.App.2000);Inre $ t M.W.A.,Jr.,980S.W.2dat622.Evidencethatsatisfiestheclearandconvincingevidencestandard  ` eliminatesanyseriousorsubstantialdoubtaboutthecorrectnessoftheconclusionsdrawnfromthe  L  evidence.InreValentine,79S.W.3dat546;Waltonv.Young,950S.W.2d956,960(Tenn.1997);  8  InreC.D.B.,37S.W.3d925,927(Tenn.Ct.App.2000).Itproducesinafactfindersmindafirm $  belieforconvictionregardingthetruthofthepropositionssoughttobeestablished.InreA.D.A.,   84S.W.3d592,596(Tenn.Ct.App.2002);Rayv.Ray,83S.W.3d726,733(Tenn.Ct.App.2001);   InreC.W.W.,37S.W.3dat474.   Ѐ     BecauseoftheheightenedburdenofproofrequiredbyTenn.CodeAnn.361113(c),we p mustadaptTenn.R.App.P.13(d)scustomarystandardofreviewforcasesofthissort.First,we \ mustreviewthetrialcourtsspecificfindingsoffactdenovoinaccordancewithTenn.R.App.P. H 13(d).Thus,eachofthetrialcourtsspecificfactualfindingswillbepresumedtobecorrectunless 4 theevidencepreponderatesotherwise.Second,wemustdeterminewhetherthefacts,eitherasfound  p bythetrialcourtorassupportedbythepreponderanceoftheevidence,clearlyandconvincingly  \ establishthegroundsforterminatingthebiologicalparentsparentalrights.Jonesv.Garrett,92 H S.W.3dat838;InreValentine,79S.W.3dat546;Rayv.Ray,83S.W.3dat733;InreL.S.W.,No. 4 M200001935COAR3JV,2001WL1013079,at*5(Tenn.Ct.App.Sept.6,2001),perm.app.   denied(Tenn.Dec.27,2001).7T #  4         @^^( III.   @MM  FindingsofFactandConclusionsofLawinTerminationCases     Atrialcourtsresponsibilitytomakefindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawintermination X  casesdiffersmateriallyfromitsresponsibilityinothercivilcases.Generally,trialcourts,sitting D! withoutjuries,arenotrequiredtomakefindingsoffactorconclusionsoflawunlessrequestedin 0"  accordancewithTenn.R.Civ.P.52.01.Terminationcases,however,areanothermatter.Tenn. #l! CodeAnn.361113(k)explicitlyrequirestrialcourtsto enteranorderwhichmakesspecific $X" findingsoffactandconclusionsoflawinterminationcases.Thus,trialcourtsmustprepareand  filewrittenfindingsoffactandconclusionslawwithregardtoeverydispositionofapetitionto  terminateparentalrights,whethertheyhavebeenrequestedornot.    Tenn.CodeAnn.361113(k)reflectstheTennesseeGeneralAssemblysrecognitionof ` thenecessityofindividualizeddecisionsinthesecases.InreSwanson,2S.W.3d180,188(Tenn. L  1999)(holdingthatterminationcasesrequire individualizeddecisionmaking).Italsoreflectsthe 8  GeneralAssemblysunderstandingthatfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawfacilitateappellate $ t reviewandpromotethejustandspeedyresolutionofappeals.Brucev.Bruce,801S.W.2d102,104  ` (Tenn.Ct.App.1990).BecauseofTenn.CodeAnn.361113(k),trialcourtscannotfollowthe  L  customarypracticeofmakingoralfindingsfromthebenchandlateradoptingthembyreferencein  8  theirfinalorder.l #  5      ׀ $    WhenatrialcourthasnotcompliedwithTenn.CodeAnn.361113(k),wecannotsimply   reviewtherecorddenovoanddetermineforourselveswherethepreponderanceoftheevidencelies   aswewouldinothercivil,nonjurycases.4 #  6      ׀InaccordancewithInreD.L.B.,___S.W.3dat___,   2003WL22383609,at*6#AXXa #XaXA,wemustremandthecaseforthepreparationofappropriatewritten p findingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw.Inthiscase,thetrialcourtmadenospecificfindingsoffact \ tosupportitsconclusionthatMr.DaltonhadnotwillfullyabandonedWilliamDrewMuir. H Therefore,wemustvacatetheDecember2,2002orderandremandthecasetothetrialcourtfor 4 preparationofthefindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawrequiredbyTenn.CodeAnn.361  p 113(k).  \ @dd) IV.  4 @ CriteriaForDeterminingWillfulnessUnderTenn.CodeAnn.361102(1)(A)      Becausewehaveremandedthiscaseforthepreparationoffindingsoffactandconclusions  oflaw,itwouldbewelltorevisitthelegalframeworkforanalyzingterminationclaims.The  thresholdissueineveryterminationcaseiswhethertheparentwhoserightsareatstakehasengaged  inconductthatconstitutesoneofthegroundsforterminationofparentalrightsinTenn.CodeAnn. l 361113(g).Iftheansweris yes,thetrialcourtmustthendeterminewhetherthechilds X  interestswillbebestservedbyterminatingtheparentsparentalrights.Iftheansweris no,the D! courtshouldproceednofurtherandshoulddismisstheterminationpetition.Thetrialcourtdidnot 0"  getpastthethresholdquestioninthiscasebecauseitdeterminedthatMr.Daltonsconductdidnot #l! warrantterminatinghisparentalrights. $X"   $D #   Ms.WhitedspetitiontoterminateMr.DaltonsparentalrightsrestssolelyonTenn.Code   Ann.361113(g)(1).Echoingthelanguageofoneofthestatutorydefinitionsof abandonment,  sheallegedthatMr.Daltonhadabandonedhissonbecause foraperiodoffour(4)consecutive  monthsimmediatelyprecedingthefilingof...[thepetition]....,[hehad]willfullyfailedtovisit t or...[had]willfullyfailedtosupportormakereasonablepaymentstowardthesupportofthechild. ` Ms.Whitedcouldnotrelyontheirrebuttablepresumptionofabandonmentforfailuretosupport L  foundinTenn.CodeAnn.361102(1)(D)(Supp.2000)becausetheTennesseeSupremeCourt 8  hadstruckdownthepresumptionin1999.InreSwanson,2S.W.3dat188. $ t   WhentheTennesseeSupremeCourtinvalidatedTenn.CodeAnn.361102(1)(D),it  L  reinstatedthepriordefinitionofabandonmentthatrequired intentwithregardtofailuretosupport  8  untiltheGeneralAssemblycuredtheconstitutionaldeficiencywiththestatute.InreSwanson,2 $  S.W.3dat189.TheGeneralAssemblyhadnotactedbythetimeMs.Whitedfiledherpetitionin   January2000.Accordingly,theelementsof abandonmentwerefoundinTenn.CodeAnn.361   102(1)(A)(i)(Supp.1994).InreSwanson,2S.W.3dat189n.14.TheGeneralAssemblyhasnow   correctedthestatutesconstitutionalshortcomings.Accordingly,anyreconsiderationofMs.   Whitedsabandonmentclaimmustbeguidedbycurrentlaw. p   ForthepurposesofMs.Whitedsabandonmentclaim,currentlawdefines abandonment H asfollows: 4 8  8`   Foraperiodoffour(4)consecutivemonthsimmediatelypreceding  \ thefilingofa...pleadingtoterminatetheparentalrightsofthe H parent(s)...ofthechildwhoisthesubjectofthepetitionfor 4 terminationofparentalrightsoradoption,thattheparent(s)...either   havewillfullyfailedtovisitorhavewillfullyfailedtosupportorhave   willfullyfailedtomakereasonablepaymentstowardthesupportof  thechild.` x` x Tenn.CodeAnn.361102(1)(A)(i).Inaddition,Tenn.CodeAnn.361102(1)(D)defines l  willfullyfailedtosupportas thewillfulfailure,foraperiodoffour(4)consecutivemonths,to X  providemonetarysupportorthewillfulfailuretoprovidemorethantokenpaymentstowardthe D! supportofthechild.Likewise,Tenn.CodeAnn.361102(1)(E)defines willfullyfailedtovisit 0"  as thewillfulfailure,foraperiodoffour(4)consecutivemonths,tovisitorengageinmorethan #l! tokenvisitation. $X"   Theconceptof willfulnessisatthecoreofthestatutorydefinitionofabandonment.For %0!$ thepurposeofTenn.CodeAnn.361102(1)(A)(i),aparentcannotbefoundtohaveabandoned &"% achildunlesstheparenteitherhas willfullyfailedtoengageinmorethantokenvisitationorhas '#&  willfullyfailedtoprovidemorethantokenmonetarysupporttothechild#AXXa6#XaXAforfourconsecutive (#' months. Willfullyisawordofmanymeanings,andsoeachuseofthewordmustbeinterpreted )$( withreferencetothestatutorycontextinwhichitappears.UnitedStatesv.SanchezCorcino,85 |*%) F.3d549,55253(11thCir.1996);GeorgeW.Paton,ATextbookonJurisprudence313n.2 h+&* (4thed.1972)(suggestingthatuseofthewordshouldbeavoidedbecauseofitsambiguities). T,'+ Ї  Willfulnessdoesnotrequirethesamestandardofculpabilityrequiredbythepenalcode.  G.T.v.AdoptionofA.E.T.,725So.2d404,409(Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1999).Nordoesitrequire  malevolenceorillwill.InreAdoptionofaMinor,178N.E.2d264,267(Mass.1961).Willful  conductconsistsofactsorfailurestoactthatareintentionalorvoluntaryratherthanaccidentalor t inadvertent.InreMazzeo,131F.3d295,299(2dCir.1997);UnitedStatesv.Phillips,19F.3d1565, ` 1576(11thCir.1994);InreAdoptionofEarhart,190N.E.2d468,470(OhioCt.App.1961);Meyer L  v.SkylineMobileHomes,589P.2d89,96(Idaho1979).Conductis willfulifitistheproductof 8  freewillratherthancoercion.Thus,apersonacts willfullyifheorsheisafreeagent,knowswhat $ t heorsheisdoing,andintendstodowhatheorsheisdoing.  `   Failuretosupportachildis willfulwhenapersonisawareofhisorherdutytosupport,  8  hasthecapacitytoprovidethesupport,makesnoattempttoprovidesupport,andhasnojustifiable $  excusefornotprovidingthesupport.6 #  7      ׀Shorterv.Reeves,32S.W.3d758,760(Ark.Ct.App.2000);   InreB.S.R.,965S.W.2d444,449(Mo.Ct.App.1998);InreEstateofTeaschenko,574A.2d649,   652(Pa.Super.Ct.1990);InreAdoptionofCCT,640P.2d73,76(Wyo.1982).Abiological   parentswillfulfailuretosupportorvisitisnotexcusedbyacustodialparentsorthirdpartys   conductunlesstheconducteitheractuallypreventstheparentfromperforminghisorherdutyto p supportorvisit,InreAdoptionofLybrand,946S.W.2d946,950(Ark.1997),oramountstoa \ significantrestraintorinterferencewiththeparentseffortstosupportordeveloparelationshipwith H hisorherchild.InreSerre,665N.E.2d1185,1189(OhioCt.C.P.1998);Panterv.Ash,33P.3d 4 1028,1031(Or.Ct.App.2001).9 #  8      ׀#AXXaM#XaXAThus,attemptsbyotherstofrustrateorimpedeaparentsvisitation  p donotnecessarilyprovideajustificationforfailingtofinanciallysupportachild.Batemanv.Futch,  \ 501S.E.2d615,617(Ga.Ct.App.1998);InreLeitch,732So.2d632,636n.5(La.Ct.App.1999). H   Thewillfulnessofparticularconductdependsupontheactorsintent.Intentisseldom   capableofdirectproof,andtriersoffactlacktheabilitytopeerintoapersonsmindtoassess   intentionsormotivations.AmericanCableCorp.v.ACIMgt.,Inc.,No.M199700280COAR3  CV,2000WL1291265,at*4(Tenn.Ct.App.Sept.14,2000)(NoTenn.R.App.P.11application  filed).Accordingly,triersoffactmustinferintentfromthecircumstantialevidence,includinga  personsactionsorconduct.SeeJohnsonCityv.Wolfe,103Tenn.277,282,52S.W.991,992 l (1899);Absarv.Jones,833S.W.2d86,8990(Tenn.Ct.App.1992);Statev.Washington,658 X  S.W.2d144,146(Tenn.Crim.App.1983);seealsoInreK.L.C.,9S.W.3d768,773(Mo.Ct.App. D! 2000).Apersonsdemeanorandcredibilityasawitnessalsoplayanimportantroleindetermining 0"  intent.Accordingly,trialcourtsarebestsuitedformakingwillfulnessdeterminations.InreD.L.B., #l! ___S.W.3dat___,2003WL22383609,at*6. $X" Ї  ItisessentiallyundisputedthatMr.Daltonneithersupportednorvisitedhischildforfifteen  consecutivemonthsbeforeMs.Whitedfiledtheterminationpetition.However,Ms.WhitedandMr.  Daltonpresenteddramaticallydifferentversionsoftheeventsduringthistime.Mr.Daltoninsisted  thathetelephonedMs.Whitedatleasttwiceamonthrequestingtovisithissonandthatsherebuffed t him.HealsostatedthathedidnottrytocontactMs.WhitedafterFebruary1999becauseMr. ` Whitedhadtoldhimtostopbotheringherandthat Will[already]hadafatherinhislife.Mr. L  Daltonalsoassertedthathepaid$150towardMs.Whitedschildbirthexpensesandthathehad 8  intendedtopaymorebutstoppedmakingthepaymentsafterMs.Whitedrefusedtopermithim $ t visitationwithhisson.HealsostatedthatMs.Whitedrefusedhisoffersoffinancialsupporton  ` otheroccasionsandthathetoldhertocallhimifsheeverneededmoney.Heofferednoexplanation  L  forfailingtosendhissonbirthdayorChristmaspresentsorfornotusingthecourtstoestablishhis  8  parentageand,thereby,tosecurehissupportobligationsandvisitationrights. $    Forherpart,Ms.WhitedinsistedthatshetelephonedMr.Daltonrepeatedlyand begged   himtovisittheirson.AccordingtoMs.Whited,Mr.Dalton alwayshadsomethingbettertodo.   ShealsotestifiedthatMr.Daltontoldherinearly1999thathe stilllovedmeandwantedtobewith   mebutthathecouldntseeWillbecauseof[Ms.Holcomb].Inaddition,Ms.Whiteddeniedever p preventingMr.Daltonfromvisitinghissonortellinghimthatshedidnotwantfinancialsupport \ fromhim.ShestatedthatsheheardlittlefromMr.Daltonduring1999andthatshewas H uncomfortableallowingWillaroundMs.HolcombbecauseMs.Holcombhadstatedthatshe hated 4 Ms.Whitedandherchild.  p   ThepivotalquestionsinthiscasearewhetherMr.Daltonwillfullyfailedeithertovisitorto H supporthissonforatleastfourconsecutivemonthsbeforeMs.Whitedfiledherpetitiontoterminate 4 hisparentalrights.Itisdifficulttodiscernthefactualbasisorthelegalrationaleforthetrialcourts   decisionthatMr.Daltonsfailuretosupportorvisithissonforfifteenconsecutivemonthswasnot   willful.However,itisnotourroletospeculateaboutthebasisforthetrialcourtsdecision.Itisthe  trialcourtsobligationinthefirstinstancetoprovidethisexplanation.  @) V.  l   WevacatetheDecember2,2002orderandremandthecasetothetrialcourtforfurther D! proceedingsconsistentwiththisopinion.Wetaxthecostsofthisappealinequalproportionsto 0"  AprilAnnMuirWhitedandhersuretyandtoDonaldRayDaltonforwhichexecution,ifnecessary, #l! mayissue. $X" #AXXabY#XaXA   `     h     ______________________________ &"%    `     h     WILLIAMC.KOCH,JR.,P.J.,M.S.