Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1108 – Order of termination and transfer of parental rights
(a) If the Court finds by clear and convincing evidence both that a ground exists for the termination of existing parental rights and termination and transfer of the rights is in the child‘s best interest, the Court shall order the termination of the rights in the parent, person, or organization in which the rights have existed and transfer the rights to another person, DSCYF, or a licensed agency, as the Court determines is best qualified to receive the rights.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1108
- Child: means as defined in § 302 of Title 1. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1101
- Court: means the Family Court of the State of Delaware. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1101
- DSCYF: means the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families of this State. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1101
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Individual: means a human being. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1101
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Licensed agency: means an agency to which the Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing has granted a license to place children for adoption. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1101
- Parent: means as defined in § 8-102 of this title. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1101
- Party: means a party in a termination of parental rights proceeding under this chapter. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1101
(b) (1) In a proceeding under § 1103(a)(1) of this title in which each individual entitled to consent has waived notice of hearing and the right to appear at the hearing under § 1106(e) of this title, the Court shall issue its decision and order within 30 days after the filing of the petition and social report.
(2) In a proceeding under this chapter that does not qualify under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the Court shall issue its decision and order within 30 days following the conclusion of the proceeding.
(c) An irregularity in a proceeding under this chapter is deemed cured on the expiration of 6 months from the date of the entry of the order of termination of parental rights of a parent, and a party over whom the Court established personal jurisdiction may not attack the validity of the order, either through a collateral or direct proceeding.
48 Del. Laws, c. 135, § ?7; 13 Del. C. 1953, § ?1108; 50 Del. Laws, c. 17, § ?1; 56 Del. Laws, c. 300; 64 Del. Laws, c. 108, § ?6; 68 Del. Laws, c. 276, § ?1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 345, § ?1; 83 Del. Laws, c. 226, § 11;