VOLUNTARY PATERNITY ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND PARENTING AGREEMENT

(Tennessee)

[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted for use in Tennessee. Replace all bracketed text with the parties’ specific information and attach additional schedules if necessary.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Operative Provisions
4. Representations & Warranties
5. Covenants & Restrictions
6. Default & Remedies
7. Risk Allocation
8. Dispute Resolution
9. General Provisions
10. Execution Block

VOLUNTARY PATERNITY ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND PARENTING AGREEMENT

(State of Tennessee)

[// GUIDANCE: Replace all bracketed placeholders before execution. Attorneys should review for client-specific modifications and file the executed Acknowledgment of Paternity (“AOP”) with the Tennessee Office of Vital Records or hospital staff as applicable.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Operative Provisions
IV. Representations & Warranties
V. Covenants & Restrictions
VI. Default & Remedies
VII. Risk Allocation
VIII. Dispute Resolution
IX. General Provisions
X. Execution Block
Schedules
• Schedule A – Permanent Parenting Plan (optional)
• Schedule B – Child Support Worksheet (optional)

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

1. Parties.
   a. Mother: [MOTHER LEGAL NAME], residing at [MOTHER ADDRESS] (“Mother”).
   b. Father: [FATHER LEGAL NAME], residing at [FATHER ADDRESS] (“Father”).
   c. Child: [CHILD FULL LEGAL NAME], born on [DOB] in [COUNTY], Tennessee (the “Child”).

2. Effective Date. This Agreement is effective on the later of (i) the date last signed below or (ii) the date the fully executed Acknowledgment of Paternity is filed with the Tennessee Office of Vital Records (the “Effective Date”).

3. Governing Law & Jurisdiction. This Agreement is governed by Tennessee parentage and child-support law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tennessee state court having family-law jurisdiction in [DESIGNATED COUNTY] (the “Family Court”).

4. Purpose & Consideration. The Parties desire (i) voluntarily to establish the legal parent-child relationship between Father and Child, (ii) to set forth their initial agreements concerning parental rights, responsibilities, and financial support, and (iii) to provide for the Child’s best interests. Mutual promises set forth herein constitute good and sufficient consideration.

II. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:

“Acknowledgment” means the Tennessee Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form executed concurrently herewith and filed with the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.

“Child Support Guidelines” means the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines promulgated by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (currently Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. § 1240-02-04 et seq.).

“Department” means the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Child Support Division, or any successor agency.

“Genetic Testing” means DNA testing performed by a laboratory accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks or successor accrediting body.

“Parenting Plan” means a permanent parenting plan compliant with Tenn. Code Ann. Title 36, Chapter 6, Part 4, substantially in the form attached as Schedule A (if utilized).

“Rescission Period” means the period during which either Parent may rescind the Acknowledgment, currently sixty (60) days from the date of execution or until entry of a court order related to parentage, whichever occurs first.

“Support Obligation” means the ongoing child-support, medical-support, and related obligations calculated under the Child Support Guidelines.

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity.
a. Mother and Father each acknowledge under penalty of perjury that Father is the Child’s biological and legal father.
b. The Parties shall sign and file the Acknowledgment immediately upon execution of this Agreement or at the Child’s birth facility.
c. Father acknowledges that, upon the Effective Date and expiration of the Rescission Period (absent rescission), the Acknowledgment has the same force and effect as a judicial order of paternity.

3.2 Genetic Testing Rights and Waiver.
a. Each Party has been informed of the right to request Genetic Testing prior to executing the Acknowledgment.
b. [ SELECT ONE ] The Parties (i) waive Genetic Testing by initialing here [M_ / F_] OR (ii) agree that Genetic Testing shall be completed and satisfactory results received before filing the Acknowledgment.
c. Nothing herein limits the Family Court’s authority to order testing should the Acknowledgment be timely rescinded or set aside for fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.

3.3 Child’s Legal Name & Birth Certificate.
a. The Child’s legal name shall be [LEGAL NAME].
b. Mother authorizes the Tennessee Office of Vital Records to add Father’s name to the Child’s birth certificate upon filing of the Acknowledgment.

3.4 Custody & Parenting Time.
a. The Parties intend to designate [PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL PARENT] as the Primary Residential Parent (“PRP”) and [ALTERNATE RESIDENTIAL PARENT] as the Alternate Residential Parent (“ARP”) pending entry of a Permanent Parenting Plan by the Family Court.
b. A detailed Parenting Plan, if agreed, is attached as Schedule A and shall be submitted for court approval within ninety (90) days of the Effective Date.

3.5 Decision-Making Authority. Unless otherwise provided in an approved Parenting Plan:
(i) Day-to-day decisions rest with the parent then exercising parenting time; and
(ii) Major decisions (education, non-emergency healthcare, religious upbringing) require joint agreement, subject to the Child’s best interests.

3.6 Child Support.
a. Father shall pay child support in an amount calculated pursuant to the Child Support Guidelines, as shown on the completed worksheet attached as Schedule B.
b. Support payments shall be made [FREQUENCY] commencing [START DATE] via wage assignment or the centralized collections unit, as required by law.
c. Parties shall exchange updated income information annually and cooperate in recalculating support when a significant variance exists.
d. Support is modifiable only as permitted under Tennessee law and is not subject to contractual limitation or waiver.

3.7 Healthcare Coverage & Uninsured Expenses.
a. [INSURANCE-RESPONSIBLE PARENT] shall maintain comprehensive health insurance for the Child and provide proof annually.
b. Uninsured medical, dental, vision, and psychological expenses shall be allocated [ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE, e.g., 50/50], payable within thirty (30) days of receipt of documentation.

3.8 Birth-Related Costs. Father shall reimburse Mother for unreimbursed pregnancy and birth expenses totaling $[AMOUNT] within [TIMEFRAME] of the Effective Date.

3.9 Tax Exemption. Unless modified by court order, the Parties agree that the Child’s federal and state income-tax dependency exemption will be claimed in [ODD/EVEN] years by Father and in the alternate years by Mother, conditioned upon Father being current in support as of December 31 of the relevant tax year.

3.10 Life Insurance. Each Party shall maintain, at his or her sole cost, life insurance on his or her life in a face amount of not less than $[AMOUNT], naming the Child (or a trust for the Child’s benefit) as irrevocable beneficiary until the Child reaches the age of majority.

3.11 Education & Extracurricular Activities. The Parties shall confer in good faith regarding the Child’s enrollment in extracurricular activities and allocation of related costs, which shall be shared [PERCENTAGE] unless otherwise agreed in writing.

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

4.1 Mutual Representations. Each Party represents, warrants, and covenants that:
a. Capacity. He or she is at least eighteen (18) years of age and legally competent.
b. Marital Status. Mother was unmarried at the time of conception and birth OR any prior presumed, adjudicated, or putative father has executed a valid denial of paternity (attach if applicable).
c. Voluntariness. Execution of this Agreement and the Acknowledgment is voluntary, free of duress, fraud, or material mistake of fact.
d. Legal Advice. Each Party has had the opportunity to seek independent legal counsel.
e. Full Disclosure. All financial information provided for support calculations is complete and accurate to the best of that Party’s knowledge.

4.2 Survival. All representations and warranties survive execution and remain in effect for the duration of the Child’s minority.

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

5.1 Cooperation in Filings. Each Party shall execute any additional documents or consents reasonably required to effectuate this Agreement and comply with Tennessee parentage procedures.

5.2 Relocation Notice. A parent intending to relocate more than fifty (50) miles from the Child’s current residence, or outside the state, shall provide the other parent with written notice at least sixty (60) days in advance, consistent with Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-108.

5.3 Non-Disparagement. Neither Party shall disparage the other in the presence or hearing of the Child.

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

6.1 Events of Default. The following constitute an “Event of Default”:
a. Failure to pay any Support Obligation when due;
b. Material breach of a Parenting Plan or custodial provision;
c. Violation of relocation notice requirements; or
d. Filing false information with the Department or Family Court.

6.2 Notice & Cure. Except for support arrearage (which may be enforced immediately by operation of law), the non-defaulting Parent shall give written notice specifying the default. The defaulting Parent has ten (10) days to cure.

6.3 Remedies. Upon an uncured Event of Default, the non-defaulting Parent may seek:
a. Income withholding, tax-refund intercept, and license suspension for support arrears;
b. Contempt sanctions, make-up parenting time, or modification of custodial allocation;
c. Reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs incurred in enforcing this Agreement.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

7.1 Indemnification. [NOT APPLICABLE – intentionally omitted per Metadata.]

7.2 Limitation of Liability. Nothing herein limits, excuses, or defers either Parent’s statutory Support Obligation or the Family Court’s authority regarding child support, custody, or parenting time.

7.3 Force Majeure. Failure to exercise parenting time due to events beyond a Parent’s reasonable control (e.g., severe weather, natural disaster, public health emergency) does not constitute default, provided that Parent gives prompt notice and resumes compliance as soon as practicable.

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Governing Law. This Agreement and all disputes hereunder are governed by Tennessee substantive and procedural law.

8.2 Exclusive Forum. The Parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Family Court in [DESIGNATED COUNTY, TENNESSEE].

8.3 Arbitration. Arbitration of paternity, custody, or child-support issues is not available under Tennessee law; any such disputes shall be resolved by the Family Court.

8.4 Jury Waiver. Issues of paternity, custody, and child support are non-jury matters under Tennessee law. To the extent a jury trial could otherwise be demanded, each Party irrevocably waives such right.

8.5 Injunctive Relief. Nothing herein limits either Parent’s ability to seek emergency or injunctive relief from the Family Court to enforce or protect the Child’s welfare or Support Obligation.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Amendment & Waiver. No amendment or waiver of any provision is effective unless in writing, executed by both Parties, and, where required, approved by the Family Court.

9.2 Assignment. Parental rights and obligations are personal and not assignable.

9.3 Successors & Assigns. This Agreement binds and inures to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, and permitted assigns.

9.4 Severability. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force, and the unenforceable provision shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to comply with governing law.

9.5 Integration/Merger. This Agreement (including Schedules) and the executed Acknowledgment constitute the entire understanding of the Parties on the subject matter and supersede all prior agreements, written or oral.

9.6 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which is deemed an original, and all of which together constitute one instrument. Signatures transmitted electronically (e.g., PDF, facsimile, or approved e-signature platform) are deemed originals.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment and Parenting Agreement as of the Effective Date.

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

State of Tennessee )
County of ____ )

On this _ day of _, 20__, before me, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared [MOTHER LEGAL NAME], known or proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that she executed the same for the purposes therein contained.

____
  Notary Public
  My Commission Expires: _

State of Tennessee )
County of ____ )

On this _ day of _, 20__, before me, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared [FATHER LEGAL NAME], known or proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes therein contained.

____
  Notary Public
  My Commission Expires: _

SCHEDULE A – PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN

[// GUIDANCE: Use current Tennessee Supreme Court-approved parenting-plan form or include detailed provisions here.]

SCHEDULE B – CHILD SUPPORT WORKSHEET

[// GUIDANCE: Attach completed Tennessee Child Support Worksheet reflecting incomes, adjustments, and final support amount.]