Opinion ID: 1057970
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Trust Fund

Text: At the time of the modification hearing, Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-5-101(e)(1)(B) provided that if the obligee's monthly net income exceeded $10,000.00, the custodial parent must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the additional child support is reasonably necessary to provide for the minor child's needs. [6] The trial court applied this statute to the fixed provision and made appropriate findings of fact in determining that an additional $959.05 per month should be paid directly to Ms. Kesser due to the child's enrollment in a private school. The trial court also modified the 21% provision by ordering that the child support due from Mr. Kesser's severance pay be placed in a trust rather than be paid directly to Ms. Kesser. The Guidelines in effect at the time of both the final decree of divorce and the modification hearing permitted the establishment of such a trust. See Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs., ch. 1240-2-4-.03 (1997), -.04(3) (1994); Nash v. Mulle, 846 S.W.2d 803, 806 (Tenn.1993). The trial court, however, ordered the creation of the trust without first determining whether Ms. Kesser proved by a preponderance of the evidence that the additional child support is reasonably necessary to provide for the needs of the child. See Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-5-101(e)(1)(B) (Supp.2001). Accordingly, we remand the case to the trial court for such findings.