In re Adoption of Angela E.

Since their divorce in 2001, Father and Mother litigated their rights and responsibilities relative to their three children, including a prior appeal in which Father succeeded in overturning a voluntary termination of his parental rights. On remand, the trial court declined to terminate Father's parental rights, finding that Mother and Stepfather had not proven either proffered ground for abandonment by clear and convincing evidence. The court of appeals reversed, concluding that the evidence clearly and convincingly established abandonment by both willful failure to visit and willful failure to support. The Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part, holding that Mother and Stepfather established by clear and convincing evidence abandonment by willful failure to visit but failed to establish willful failure to support. Remanded for consideration of whether termination was in the best interests of the children. View "In re Adoption of Angela E." on Justia Law