Termination of Parental Rights in California

Appeals Court Upholds Involuntary Termination of Father's Parental Rights in California on the Basis of Mental Disability

Recent tragedies such as the Newtown school shooting have sparked debate over our nation’s health-care system and our failure to meet the needs of those struggling with mental illness. Many parents struggling with mental illness end up in the legal system fighting to prevent the involuntary termination of their parental rights.

A California appellate court recently upheld a trial court decision by Los Angeles Family Court Judge, John L. Henning, terminating the parental rights of a father due to his mental illness.

The Arguments of the Father Included:

1. Argued the court committed reversible error by failing to order and consider an investigation by a licensed clinical social worker under California Family Code Section 7850.
2. Claimed that the Court was required to consider a report by that social worker under Section 7851.
3. Insisted that the trial court should only terminate parental rights under extreme circumstances when an adoption is pending.

In this case, there was no adoption pending at the time the mother filed her petition to terminate the father’s parental rights.

The Bases of the Appellate Court's Ruling:

1. The appellate court reviewed the case and concluded that the mandatory requirements of investigation and reporting by a licensed clinical social worker under Family Code Section(s) 7850 & 7851 did not apply to the mother’s 7827 petition to terminate the father’s parental rights on the basis of mental disability.
2. The Court further held that Father had “forfeited” his right to assert these claims by failing to raise the issue at trial, and that there was no showing of ineffective assistance of counsel or that he suffered any prejudice as a result of the trial court decision.

In it’s ruling on Father’s appeal, the appellate court stated,

“In this case, the trial court ordered examinations by and considered reports from two psychiatrists and a psychologist. It also appointed separate counsel for the minor and father, as well as a guardian ad litem for father. At no point, however, did father’s counsel suggest or imply that an additional investigation and a report from a licensed clinical social worker be ordered, much less suggest that such an investigation and a report were mandatory under sections 7850 and 7851. Had father’s counsel requested an investigation and a report, both the trial court and mother’s counsel would have had an opportunity to consider and respond to father’s request. Because father failed to afford the trial court and mother’s counsel that opportunity, he forfeited any issue under sections 7850 and 7851 on appeal.”

Interest of the Child vs. the Rights of a Parent

Terminating one of the most fundamental liberty interests of an adult – the right to care for one’s child – is a matter reserved for some of the most extreme circumstances. Family Court Judges who must remove children from the homes of parents suffering from a mental disability struggle to make the right decision. Often, it is the best interest of the child that must give way to a parent who is failing and unable to provide adequate care for the child.

If you have a question about the termination of parental rights in California, or if you have a family law concern, request a FREE initial consultation with a Los Angeles Family Law Attorney at Castellanos & Associates, APLC at (323) 655-2105. We look forward to helping you move on!