Legal Advocacy in Child Dependency and Parental Rights Cases

280 Pages·2008·1.03 MB·English

LEGAL ADVOCACY IN
CHILD DEPENDENCY AND
PARENTAL RIGHTS CASES

Sixth Edition
2007

William M. Barker Elizabeth A. Sykes
Chief Justice Director

Tennessee Supreme Court
Administrative Office of the Courts

Leslie Barrett Kinkead, J.D., Coordinator
Nyasha N. Justice, J.D., Court Improvement Attorney

Tennessee Court Improvement Program

Produced under the auspices of the Tennessee Court Improvement Program of the Tennessee Supreme
Court, Administrative Office of the Courts, and the provisions of Section 13712 of Subchapter C, Part I of
the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993: Grants for State Courts
LEGAL ADVOCACY IN
CHILD DEPENDENCY AND
PARENTAL RIGHTS CASES

Sixth Edition
2007

Edited by:
Leslie Barrett Kinkead, J.D, Coordinator
Nyasha N. Justice, J.D., Court Improvement Attorney
Stacy L. Miller, J.D., Court Improvement Specialist
Mary Rose Zingale, J.D., Former Court Improvement Specialist
Cindy Wood MacLean, J.D, Former Coordinator
Tennessee Court Improvement Program

Produced under the auspices of the Tennessee Court Improvement Program of the Tennessee
Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts, and the provisions of Section 13712 of
Subchapter C, Part I of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993: Grants for State Courts.

The Tennessee Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts, and the Court Improvement
Program are grateful to the following persons and entities for their
contributions to the first edition of this manual:
Karen Dennis, Jane Jarvis, David Kozlowski, Jeanah McClure, Janet Richards, Andrew
Shookhoff, Mary Walker, and the Tennessee Association of Legal Services.

For more information about the Court Improvement Program, contact:

Leslie Barrett Kinkead, Court Improvement Coordinator
511 Union Street, Suite 600, Nashville, TN 37243-0607
Phone: [phone]; FAX: [phone]
Legal Advocacy in Child Dependency and Parental Rights Cases

LEGAL ADVOCACY IN JUVENILE DEPENDENCY AND
PARENTAL RIGHTS CASES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

1.0 The Right to Representation in Juvenile Dependency and Termination of
Parental Rights Proceedings..........................................................................................................1

2.0 Dependency Proceedings: Causes of Action, Jurisdiction and Venue.....................................14

3.0 Initiation of Dependency Cases: Petition; Summons; Referral to DCS..................................17

4.0 Emergency Removal....................................................................................................................21

5.0 Reasonable Efforts Inquiry; Reasonable Efforts Requirement;
Exceptions to Reasonable Efforts Requirement........................................................................23

6.0 Preliminary Hearing Following Emergency Removal..............................................................26

7.0 Discovery ......................................................................................................................................28

8.0 Assessment, Evaluation, and Treatment of a Child Pending Hearing....................................29

9.0 The Adjudicatory Hearing..........................................................................................................32

10.0 The Dispositional Hearing...........................................................................................................37

11.0 Review of Decisions of the Referee in Dependency Proceedings..............................................41

12.0 The Permanency Process.............................................................................................................42

13.0 Permanency Guardianship..........................................................................................................49

14.0 The Permanency Hearing............................................................................................................53

15.0 Petitions to Modify or Vacate Orders.........................................................................................56

16.0 Appeal to Circuit Court ..............................................................................................................58

17.0 Habeas Corpus .............................................................................................................................62

18.0 Certiorari and Supersedias ........................................................................................................64

19.0 Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings: Causes of Action, Jurisdiction and Venue....68

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20.0 Initiation of Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings ......................................................73

21.0 Pretrial Procedures in Termination of Parental Rights; Discovery; Authorization to Order
Examination of Child and/or Parent..........................................................................................76

22.0 Conduct of Termination of Parental Rights Hearing...............................................................77

23.0 Appeals in Termination of Parental Rights Cases; Procedures for Expediting Appeals ......78

PART II: CASE LAW (Current through December, 2005)

1.0 Jurisdiction of Juvenile Court in Dependency and Termination of Parental
Rights Proceedings.........................................................................................................................1

2.0 Fundamental Liberty Interests of Parents...................................................................................9

3.0 Evidentiary and Procedural Issues.............................................................................................21

4.0 Legal Grounds for Finding of Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights..................31

5.0 Miscellaneous................................................................................................................................68

PART III: RESOURCES

Practice Tips................................................................................................................................................1

Department of Children’s Services – Flexible Funds...............................................................................3

Department of Children’s Services – Health Unit Staff.........................................................................11

Department Of Children’s Services – Independent Living Specialists................................................14

Department Of Children’s Services – Education Specialists/Education Attorneys............................15

Summary Of The Brian A. Settlement....................................................................................................18

Brian A. Implementation Monitors.........................................................................................................23

Power of Attorney for Care of a Minor Child Act.................................................................................24

PART IV: SAMPLE FORMS

Sample Motions and Orders for Compensation and Reimbursement of Appointed Counsel

Order Appointing Counsel for Indigent Party in Dependency
or Termination of Parental Rights Proceeding...................................................................................1

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Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem and Allowing Discovery...........................................................2
Uniform Affidavit of Indigency............................................................................................................3
Motion for Funds for Expert Witness...................................................................................................5
Motion for Reimbursement of Costs of Trial Transcript......................................................................6
Order Authorizing Reimbursement for Costs of Trial Transcript.........................................................7
Motion to Declare Case Complex and/or Extended..............................................................................8
Order Declaring Case Complex and/or Extended...............................................................................10

Sample Motions and Orders for Dependency Litigation

Notice of Protective Custody..............................................................................................................11
Petition for Temporary Custody..........................................................................................................12
Affidavit of Reasonable Efforts..........................................................................................................14
Protective Custody Order....................................................................................................................16
Notice of Revocation of Waiver of Preliminary Hearing....................................................................18
Motion to Set.......................................................................................................................................19
Notice of Objection to Permanency Plan and Motion to Set Hearing on Plan....................................20
Petition to Vacate or Modify Order Approving Permanency Plan......................................................21
Direct Referral For Judicial Review By Foster Care Review Board...................................................23
Motion and Request for Rehearing Before the Juvenile Court Judge.................................................24
Petition to Vacate or Modify Order.....................................................................................................25
Motion for Order Requiring DCS to Provide Adoption Services.......................................................27
Notice of Appeal to Circuit Court for De Novo Hearing Pursuant to T.C.A. ' 37-1-159..................28
Petition to Terminate Parental Rights.................................................................................................29
Affidavit of Diligent Efforts to Locate Parent or Legal Guardian......................................................37
Motion for Publication........................................................................................................................39
Order for Publication ..........................................................................................................................40
Notice of Appeal (to Court of Appeals)..............................................................................................41

Miscellaneous

Victim’s Compensation for Children....................................................................................................42
Petition to Establish Trust for Benefit of the Minor Child.............................................................44
Order Establishing Trust for the Benefit of The Minor Child........................................................46
Motion To Encroach.......................................................................................................................47
Order To Encroach.........................................................................................................................48
Power of Attorney for Care of a Minor Child................................................................................49
Revocation of Power of Attorney for Care of a Minor Child.........................................................52

PART V: APPENDICES

Checklists for Dependency Proceedings (Adopted from the Resource Guidelines)

Emergency Removal Hearing.................................................................................................................1
Ratification of the Permanency Plan.......................................................................................................2
Adjudicatory Hearing.............................................................................................................................3
Dispositional Hearing.............................................................................................................................4
Periodic Review Hearing........................................................................................................................5
Permanency Hearing...............................................................................................................................6
Termination of Parental Rights Hearing.................................................................................................7

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Glossary of Selected Terms........................................................................................................................8

Reasonable Efforts Checklist ..................................................................................................................15

Table of Required Hearings in Juvenile Dependency Cases.................................................................16

Timeline of Major Federal Child Abuse/Neglect Policy Enactments...................................................17

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Part I: Practice and Procedure

PART I: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Contents

Section Page

1.0 The Right to Representation in Juvenile Dependency and Termination of
Parental Rights Proceedings..........................................................................................................1

1.01 The Parents’ Right to Counsel............................................................................................1
1.02 The Child’s Right to Representation ..................................................................................3
1.03 Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 40: Guidelines for Guardians Ad Litem..........................3
1.04 Compensation for Counsel and Guardian ad Litem ...........................................................8
1.05 Reimbursement of Expenses Incident to Representation....................................................9
1.06 Appointment of Court Appointed Special Advocate........................................................13

2.0 Dependency Proceedings: Causes of Action, Jurisdiction and Venue.....................................14

2.01 Dependency Causes of Action..........................................................................................14
2.02 Jurisdiction in Dependency Proceedings...........................................................................15
2.03 Venue in Dependency Proceedings; Transfer Between Courts.........................................15

3.0 Initiation of Dependency Cases: Petition; Summons; Referral to D.C.S................................17

3.01 The Filing of a Petition; Who May File; Contents............................................................17
3.02 Requirement of D.C.S. Referral in Cases Where DCS is Not Petitioner..........................18
3.03 Issuance of Summons........................................................................................................18
3.04 Service of Summons; Who May Serve.............................................................................19
3.05 Waiver of Service of Summons........................................................................................19
3.06 Special Summons Endorsements: Requiring the Child to Be Taken Into
Custody and Brought to Court..........................................................................................19
3.07 Attachment Option When Summons Ineffectual..............................................................20
3.08 Service by Publication: Diligent Search Requirement; Provisional Hearing
Option; Interlocutory Orders.............................................................................................20

4.0 Emergency Removal....................................................................................................................21

4.01 Conditions Justifying Emergency Removal......................................................................21
4.02 Persons Authorized to Make Emergency Removal...........................................................21
4.03 Notice Requirements Following Emergency Removal: Petition Requirement
Setting of Preliminary Hearing.........................................................................................22

5.0 Reasonable Efforts Inquiry; Reasonable Efforts Requirement;
Exceptions to Reasonable Efforts Requirement........................................................................23

5.01 Reasonable Efforts Defined..............................................................................................23

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Part I: Practice and Procedure

5.02 Reasonable Efforts Requirement.......................................................................................23
5.03 Exceptions To Reasonable Efforts Requirements.............................................................24
5.04 Reasonable Efforts in the Context of the Permanency Process.........................................25
5.05 Legal Consequences of Failure to Make Reasonable Efforts............................................25

6.0 Preliminary Hearing Following Emergency Removal..............................................................26

6.01 Time Limit for Preliminary Hearing.................................................................................26
6.02 Notice of Preliminary Hearing..........................................................................................26
6.03 Waiver of Preliminary Hearing; Revocation of Waiver....................................................26
6.04 Conduct of the Preliminary Hearing.................................................................................26
6.05 Required Findings and Orders at Preliminary Hearing.....................................................26
6.06 Permanency Plan Requirements if Child Remains in DCS Custody................................27

7.0 Discovery.......................................................................................................................................28

8.0 Assessment, Evaluation, and Treatment of a Child Pending Hearing....................................29

8.01 Department of Children’s Services Assessment...............................................................29
8.02 Court Ordered Medical Examination and Treatment........................................................29
8.03 Court Ordered Evaluation for Mental Illness or Mental Retardation................................29
8.04 Predispositional Evaluation and Assessment with Child in Custody of DCS...................30
8.05 Predispositional Report/Social History.............................................................................30
8.06 Evidentiary Issues Regarding Court Ordered Assessments and Evaluations....................31

9.0 The Adjudicatory Hearing..........................................................................................................32

9.01 Time Limits for Scheduling of Adjudicatory Hearings.....................................................32
9.02 Conduct of Adjudicatory Hearing.....................................................................................32
9.03 Beginning the Adjudicatory Hearing................................................................................32
9.04 Hearsay Exceptions...........................................................................................................33
9.05 Standard of Proof at the Adjudicatory Hearing.................................................................35
9.06 Required Findings of Fact.................................................................................................35
9.07 Setting the Case for Dispositional Hearing; Time Limits; Predispositional Orders..........35
9.08 Interim Orders; Child Support...........................................................................................36

10.0 The Dispositional Hearing...........................................................................................................37

10.01 Evidence Admissible at the Dispositional Hearing...........................................................37
10.02 Dispositional Options........................................................................................................38
10.03 Reasonable Efforts Findings at the Dispositional Hearing; Provisions for
Child Support for Child in State Custody.........................................................................38
10.04 Special Procedures for Return of Custody Where Brutality or Abuse Found...................39
10.05 Authority of Department of Children’s Services Over Placement of Children in Custody;
Procedures For Return of Child to Home By Department................................................39
10.06 Advisement of Right to Appeal.........................................................................................40

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Part I: Practice and Procedure

11.0 Review of Decisions of the Referee in Dependency Proceedings..............................................41

11.01 Appealable Orders.............................................................................................................41
11.02 Manner of Appeal to Juvenile Judge; Time Limits...........................................................41
11.03 Effect of Decisions of Referees Pending Appeal; Stays...................................................41
11.04 Appeal from the Referee to Circuit Court.........................................................................41

12.0 The Permanency Process.............................................................................................................42

12.01 Development of the Permanency Plan..............................................................................42
12.02 Contents of the Permanency Plan......................................................................................43
12.03 Requirement of Judicial Approval or Ratification of the Permanency Plan.....................43
12.04 Miscellaneous Provisions Affecting the Development and Implementation
of the Permanency Plan.....................................................................................................44
12.05 Judicial Authority to Monitor the Implementation of the Permanency Plan.....................44
12.06 Parental Rights Related to the Permanency Plan..............................................................45
12.07 Timetables of Review Hearings and Reports Required....................................................45
12.08 Procedures at Review Hearings.........................................................................................46
12.09 Necessary Persons at Review Hearings.............................................................................46
12.10 Foster Care Review Board................................................................................................47
12.11 Rehearing Issues Involving Foster Care Review..............................................................47
12.12 Methods of Review...........................................................................................................47

13.0 Permanent Guardianship............................................................................................................49

13.01 The Authority to Appoint a Permanent Guardian.............................................................49
13.02 Who May Serve as a Permanent Guardian........................................................................49
13.03 Criteria and Required Findings for Permanent Guardianship...........................................49
13.04 Effect of an Award of Permanent Guardianship...............................................................50
13.05 Rights and Responsibilities of the Permanent Guardian...................................................51
13.06 Modifying or Terminating the Order of Permanent Guardianship....................................51

14.0 The Permanency Hearing............................................................................................................53
14.01 Nature and Purpose of the Permanency Hearing...............................................................53
14.02 Conduct of the Permanency Hearing.................................................................................54
14.03 Requirement of Dispositional Order after Permanency Hearing......................................55
14.04 Subsequent Hearings.........................................................................................................55

15.0 Petitions to Modify or Vacate Orders.........................................................................................56

15.01 Grounds for Modifying or Vacating Orders......................................................................56
15.02 Who May File .................................................................................................................56
15.03 Contents of Petition...........................................................................................................56
15.04 Time Limits for Hearing on Petition.................................................................................57
15.05 Notice to Parties................................................................................................................57
15.06 Conduct of Hearing; Applicable Procedures and Rules of Evidence................................57
15.07 Modification of Agreed Order...........................................................................................57

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Part I: Practice and Procedure

16.0 Appeal to Circuit Court...............................................................................................................58

16.01 Appealable Orders; Notice of Appeal; Time Limits.........................................................58
16.02 Record on Appeal..............................................................................................................58
16.03 Effect of Juvenile Court Judgment Pending Appeal; Stays...............................................58
16.04 Setting of Case for Trial De Novo; Time Limits...............................................................58
16.05 Pretrial Procedures; Discovery; No Right to Jury Trial....................................................59
16.06 Conduct of De Novo Hearing............................................................................................59
16.07 Effect of Filing of Other Action in Juvenile Court While Appeal Pending......................59
16.08 Judgment of Court; Remand for Enforcement..................................................................60
16.09 Appeal from Circuit Court................................................................................................60
16.10 Expedited Appeals to the Court of Appeals .....................................................................60
16.11 Obligation of Counsel with Respect to Appeal.................................................................60

17.0 Habeas Corpus..............................................................................................................................62

17.01 Introduction.......................................................................................................................62
17.02 Place of Filing; Pauper's Oath; Contents of Petition.........................................................62
17.03 Dismissal of Meritless Petition; Setting of Case for Hearing............................................63
17.04 Service of Petition; Response; Issuance of Precept; Arrest of Respondent......................63
17.05 Conduct of Hearing...........................................................................................................63
17.06 Judgment of Court; Costs..................................................................................................63
17.07 Appeal ..............................................................................................................................63

18.0 Certiorari and Supersedeas.........................................................................................................64

18.01 Introduction.......................................................................................................................64
18.02 Procedure to Obtain Writ: Where to File; Contents of Petition........................................65
18.03 Filing Fees; Security for Costs; Pauper’s Oath.................................................................65
18.04 Time Limits.......................................................................................................................66
18.05 Procedure Following Filing of Petition; Issuance of Writ
Returnable to Circuit Court...............................................................................................66
18.06 Procedure in Circuit Court; Motion to Dismiss.................................................................66
18.07 Certiorari from Final Judgment.........................................................................................66
18.08 Hearings in Common Law Certiorari Cases Involving Interlocutory Orders...................67
18.09 Appeal from Circuit Court................................................................................................67

19.0 Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings: Causes of Action,
Jurisdiction, and Venue...............................................................................................................68

19.01 Termination of Parental Rights Causes of Action.............................................................68
19.02 Grounds for Termination...................................................................................................68
19.03 Best Interest Determination at the Termination Hearing..................................................70
19.04 Requirements Under ASFA for DCS to Initiate Termination Proceedings.......................71
19.05 Jurisdiction........................................................................................................................71
19.06 Venue................................................................................................................................71

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