Justia Family Law Opinion Summaries

The Supreme Court remanded this termination of parental rights matter for further proceedings, holding that the findings of fact supported by clear, cogent and convincing evidence in the record were insufficient to support the trial court's conclusion that Father's parental rights in his daughter Annie were subject to termination.Petitioners sought to terminate Father's parental rights based on the fact that he failed some of the drug screens he admitted to between 2018 and 2020 and failed to submit to others. The trial court, however, found Father to have completed a required substance abuse assessment, completed twenty hours of substance abuse treatment, attended visits with his daughter, and completed a parenting program, among other things. The trial court terminated Father's parental rights in his daughter. At issue on appeal was whether the findings of fact that were supported by clear, cogent and convincing evidence in the record were sufficient to support the trial court’s conclusion that grounds existed to terminate Father’s parental rights for neglect and failure to make reasonable progress. The Supreme Court remanded the matter, holding that the trial court's findings of fact were insufficient to support its termination decision. View "In re A.N.H." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the court of appeals affirming in part and reversing in part a permanency planning order awarding legal guardianship of Mother's two minor children to Grandmother, holding that the court of appeals did not err.After a hearing, the trial court awarded guardianship of the two children to Grandmother, concluding that placement of the children with Mother would be contrary to their health, safety, welfare and best interest. The court of appeals affirmed the trial court's decision that the best interest of the child supported an award of guardianship to Grandmother. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) the trial court's factual findings sufficed to support its conclusion that Mother had acted inconsistently with her constitutionally-protected right to parent her children; and (2) the trial court did not err in applying the best interest of the child standard in awarding guardianship of the children to Grandmother. View "In re B.R.W." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the trial court terminating Father's parental rights to his minor child, holding that there was no error or abuse of discretion.After a termination hearing, the trial court entered an order terminating Father's parental rights on grounds of neglect and willful failure to make reasonable progress, see N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-1111(a)(1). The court further found that termination of Father's parental rights was in the child's best interests. On appeal, Father argued that the trial court's unchallenged findings did not fully support its adjudication of neglect as grounds for termination. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the trial court did not err by concluding that there was a likelihood of repetition of neglect and terminating Father's parental rights on this ground. View "In re K.Q." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the trial court terminating Father's parental rights in his three children based on neglect and failure to show reasonable progress in correcting the conditions that led to the removal of the children from the home, holding that there was no error or abuse of discretion.After a termination hearing, the trial court determined that grounds existed to terminate Father's parental rights under N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-1111(a)(1) and (2) and that it was in the children's best interests that Father's parental rights be terminated. On appeal, Father challenged the trial court's conclusion that it was in the children's best interests to terminate Father's parental rights. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that there was no abuse of discretion in the court's determination that termination of Father's parental rights was in the children's best interests. View "In re A.N.D." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the trial court terminating Father's parental rights to his child, holding that the trial court did not err in finding past neglect or in determining that there was a likelihood of future neglect and that termination was in the child's best interests.After a termination hearing, the trial court adjudicated that a ground existed to terminate Father's parental rights for neglect and that terminating Father's parental rights was in the child's best interests. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the trial court (1) did not err when it adjudicated that a ground existed to terminate Father's parental rights under N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-1111(a)(1); and (2) did not abuse its discretion when it determined that the termination of Father's parental rights was in the child's best interests. View "In re C.S." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the orders of the trial court terminating Mother's parental rights in her two minor children, holding that the trial court did not err in determining that there was a likelihood of a repetition of neglect.After a termination hearing, the trial court entered an order adjudicating that grounds existed to terminate Mother's parental rights to her children based on neglect and dependency. See N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-1111(a)(1) and (6). On appeal, Mother challenged this determination. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the findings provided overwhelming support for the trial court's determination that there was a likelihood of a repetition of neglect. View "In re V.S." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the trial court terminating Father's parental rights to his minor child, Daniel, holding that there was no merit to Father's arguments on appeal.After a termination hearing, the trial court concluded that Father had neglected Daniel and that there was a substantial likelihood of repetition of neglect by Father. See N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-1111(a)(1). The trial court further concluded that it was in Daniel's best interests that Father's parental rights be terminated. On appeal, Father challenged only the trial court's determination that there was a substantial likelihood of repetition of neglect if Daniel was returned to Father's care. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that Father's argument was without merit. View "In re D.I.L." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the trial court terminating Father's parental rights to Rob, holding that there was no error.After a termination hearing, the trial court terminated Father's parental rights to three of his children, including Rob. The court found that grounds existed for termination of Father's parental rights for neglect and failure to make reasonable progress and that termination of Father's parental rights was in the children's best interests. On appeal, Father alleged that the trial court abused its discretion in its best interests determination as to Rob. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by concluding that termination of Father's parental rights was in Rob's best interests. View "In re K.N.L.P." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the trial court terminating Father's parental rights in his child, holding that there was no error.After a termination hearing, the trial court entered an order terminating Father's parental rights on the grounds of neglect and willfully leaving the child in foster care for more than twelve months without a showing of reasonable progress to correct the conditions that led to the child's removal. See N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-1111(a)(1) and (2). The trial court also determined that it was in the child's best interests that Father's parental rights be terminated. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the trial court did not err in determining that there was a probability of a repetition of neglect if the child was returned to Father's custody and that this ground was sufficient to support the termination of Father's parental rights. View "In re A.E.S.H." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the trial court terminating Mother's parental rights to her minor child, holding that the trial court did not commit reversible error in concluding that grounds existed to terminate Mother's parental rights.After a termination hearing, the trial court concluded that grounds existed to terminate Mother's parental rights to her child under N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-1111(a)(1) and (a)(2) and determined that termination was in the child's best interests. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) the trial court based its findings of fact and conclusions of law on sufficient evidence and appropriately terminated Mother's parental rights under section 7B-1111(a)(2); and (2) termination was in the child's best interest. View "In re D.D.M." on Justia Law