Gonsalves v. Roberts
This case originated from a petition to modify a final divorce decree, seeking an increase in child support. The primary legal question addressed was whether permanent partial disability benefits from workers' compensation should be considered as income for calculating child support obligations. Both the trial court and the Court of Appeals ruled that only temporary total disability payments, received in lieu of wages, should be included, excluding permanent disability settlements. However, the Supreme Court reversed this decision, clarifying that under T.C.A. § 50-6-223, courts possess the discretion to assign portions of periodic or lump sum workers' compensation awards to fulfill both present and prospective child support obligations, as well as to satisfy judgments for arrearages. The case was remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.