Termination of parental rights does not automatically end an obligation of support.

The Legislature has statutorily specifically defined parental rights and parental obligations such that issues involving parental rights are distinct from parental obligations.  Nothing in the statutory structure indicates that the loss of parental rights automatically results in the loss of parental obligations. Rather, a parental support obligation continues unless a court of competent jurisdiction, in the exercise of its discretion, modifies or terminates the obligation. In re Beck, ___ Mich ___ (#140842, 12/20/2010)