Involuntary Term. 402

1 hour TN General CLE

Grounds for TPR: Beyond Abandonment- Severe abuse, crimes, and other important grounds applicable to all parents, and grounds not applicable to legal parents

There are at least 20 grounds for termination of parental rights for all parents and 5 for non-legal parents, in addition to the 6 forms of abandonment covered in the previous course. Alleging the correct grounds can be outcome-determinative in a contested termination of parental rights. It is sad to read findings in an appellate opinion that support a ground that was not alleged, when the grounds alleged are reversed.

This class is a walk-through of all the Tennessee grounds for TPR other than abandonment, including those only for putative fathers. Proof problems and unique opportunities presented by the grounds are considered with emphasis on the grounds most often successfully pled.

Dawn also covers the determination of the elements of a case and then how to use the elements to direct trial prep, discovery, and craft solid findings.