. . . .
Without making any reference to the statutory definition of "legal parent" in Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-1-113, the Court of Appeals determined that Mr. Y. was the legal father of T.K.Y. Relying on its decision in State ex rel. Cihlar v. Crawford, 39 S.W.3d 172 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2000), the Court of Appeals held that because Mr. Y. and Mr. P. both satisfied the presumptions in the paternity statute, Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-304(a), the question of legal parenthood was to be determined using a best-interests-type analysis, considering "the existence of a family unit, the stability of the family environment, sources of the child's support, the child's relationship with the presumptive father(s), and the child's physical, mental and emotional needs." See Cihlar, 39 S.W.3d at 185. However, as we have explained, that analysis omitted the critical step of recognizing that, pursuant to the statutory scheme, Mr. P. is not merely the biological father but he is also the legal father. Therefore, his parental rights may only be terminated pursuant to the statute, and a best-interests analysis is relevant if and only if termination is appropriate. Unless and until grounds for termination of Mr. P.'s rights have been proven, he is the legal father of T.K.Y.
. . . .
The decision to award retroactive child support lies within the discretion of the juvenile court. State ex rel Coleman v. Clay, 805 S.W.2d 752, 755 (Tenn. 1991). However, the trial court's discretion is cabined by the statutory requirement that it must presumptively apply the Child Support Guidelines. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101(e)(1)(A) (2005). The trial court's discretion is further limited by Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-2-311(a)(11)(A) (2005), which states a presumption that child support "shall be awarded retroactively to the date of the child's birth." See also Child Support Guidelines, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-2-4-.06.
. . . .
Rule 27. Content of Briefs.
. . . .
(h) Citation of Authorities.
Citation of cases must be by title, to the page of the
volume where the case begins, and to the pages upon which the pertinent matter
appears in at least one of the reporters cited. It is not sufficient to use
only supra or infra
without referring to the page of the brief at which the complete citation may
be found. Citation of Tennessee cases may be to the official or South Western
Reporter or both. Citation of cases from other jurisdictions must be to the
National Reporter System or both the official state reports and National Reporter
System. If only the National Reporter System citation is used, the court rendering
the decision must also be identified. All citations to cases shall include the
year of decision. Citation of textbooks shall be to the section, if any, and
page upon which the pertinent matter appears and shall include the year of publication
and edition if not the first edition. Tennessee statutes shall generally be
cited to the Tennessee Code Annotated, Official Edition, but citations to the
session laws of Tennessee shall be made when appropriate. Citations of supplements
to the Tennessee Code Annotated shall so indicate and shall include the year
of publication of the supplement.