Notice to Subscribers: When I began adding summaries of court decisions and other materials to this site, I included all cases decided through the Orphans’ Court, including cases on adoptions and parental rights. I now realize that this does not … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Termination of parental rights
The conclusion of the Orphans’ Court that there was a “reasonable probability” that a mother will be able to remedy conditions and regain custody of children was not supported by the record and ignored the requirements of the Adoption Act … Continue reading
It was error for the Orphans’ Court to fail to grant a continuance to a parent to obtain counsel in a proceeding to terminate his parental rights when the parent failed to request counsel from the court but three of … Continue reading
The Supreme Court has held that 23 Pa.C.S. § 2313(a), which requires the appointment of counsel for children involved in contested involuntary termination of parental rights, is not satisfied by the appointment of a guardian ad litem who is also … Continue reading
Parental rights of mother were terminated when mother failed to successfully complete any substance abuse, mental health, or parenting programs, has not maintained suitable housing for child, failed to maintain regular visitation with child, and failed to appear at the … Continue reading
Parental rights of father terminated when he was not able to provide stable housing or ensure the safety of the child, evidence showing that he had not made progress towards remaining drug and alcohol free, improving parenting skills, locating appropriate housing, … Continue reading
After termination of parental rights, child is still the “issue” of the biological parent for purposes of determining the beneficiaries of a trust, but will cease to be a beneficiary once adopted; no reformation or division of trust in order … Continue reading
Parental rights of father will be terminated when father has failed to perform parental duties for at least six months, had no contact with the child or the child’s mother for five years, the step-father wishes to adopt the child, and … Continue reading
Termination of parental rights was appropriate when there was clear and convincing evidence that father had failed to acquire proper housing and income and had failed to successfully address his substance abuse issues, and when termination would serve the best … Continue reading
Petition for termination of father’s parental rights was denied, despite father’s criminal history and current incarceration, because father had cooperated with child welfare agency and had achieved most of the objectives established for him by the agency. In re J.M.W., … Continue reading