48.415 History
History: 1979 c. 330;
1983 a. 189 s.
329 (5);
1983 a. 326;
1983 a. 447 ss.
8,
67;
1983 a. 488,
538;
1987 a. 355,
383;
1989 a. 86;
1993 a. 235,
395;
1995 a. 77,
108,
225,
275;
1997 a. 35,
80,
237,
292,
294;
1999 a. 9,
32.
48.415 Annotation
Consent by the mother subsequent to the birth of the child to termination of her parental rights in its best interests so that the child might be placed for adoption constituted an abandonment, and although she was permitted to withdraw that consent by a previous decision of the supreme court, the best interests of the child require modification of the county court order to effect a termination of her parental rights. State ex rel. Lewis v. Lutheran Social Services,
68 Wis. 2d 36,
227 N.W.2d 643.
48.415 Annotation
A termination order was not supported by sufficient findings when the findings merely repeated statutory language and made no determination of the best interests of the child. Termination of Parental Rights to T. R. M.
100 Wis. 2d 681,
303 N.W.2d 581 (1981).
48.415 Annotation
A parent has constitutionally protected rights to the care, custody, and management of a child. In Interest of J. L. W.
102 Wis. 2d 118,
306 N.W.2d 46 (1981).
48.415 Annotation
The dismissal of termination proceedings on grounds of abandonment because only 2 of 6 dispositional orders contained statutory warnings was inappropriate. The warning is only required on one order. In Interest of K.K.
162 Wis. 2d 431,
469 N.W.2d 881 (Ct. App. 1991).
48.415 Annotation
The abandonment period under sub. (1) (a) 3. need not immediately precede filing of the petition; if abandonment is found termination is still discretionary. In Interest of T.P.S.
168 Wis. 2d 259,
483 N.W.2d 591 (Ct. App. 1992).
48.415 Annotation
While the CHIPS judge must notify the parents of possible termination grounds in the written dispositional order and repeat that information orally to any parent present in court, proof that the oral notice was given is not required in later termination proceedings under sub. (2) (a). In Interest of D.P.
170 Wis. 2d 313,
488 N.W.2d 133 (Ct. App. 1992).
48.415 Annotation
A developmentally disabled father's allegation that the county, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, did not take into account his disability in attempting to provide court ordered services was not a basis to attack a termination proceeding. The ADA did not place an added burden on the county to meet the requirements of sub. (2) (b). In Interest of Torrence P.
187 Wis. 2d 10,
522 N.W.2d 243 (Ct. App. 1994).
48.415 Annotation
A child "left with" another person under sub. (1) (a) 3. may have been actively placed with the other person by the parent or allowed to live with the other person with the parent's knowledge. Interest of Christopher D.
191 Wis. 2d 681,
530 N.W.2d 34 (Ct. App. 1995).
48.415 Annotation
"Disassociated" under sub. (1) (c) is not unconstitutionally vague. Disassociation means more than "failure to visit or communicate" under sub. (1) (a). Interest of Christopher D.
191 Wis. 2d 681,
530 N.W.2d 34 (Ct. App. 1995).
48.415 Annotation
The respondent in a TPR case has the right to meaningfully participate; whether physical presence is required must be determined on a case by case basis. Telephone participation may be adequate. Interest of Christopher D.
191 Wis. 2d 681,
530 N.W.2d 34 (Ct. App. 1995).
48.415 Annotation
A showing of abandonment under sub. (1) (a) 3. creates a rebuttable presumption that imposes on the parent the burden of disproving abandonment under sub. (1) (c) by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the parent has not disassociated himself or herself from the child. Odd S.-G v. Carolyn S.-G,
194 Wis. 2d 366,
533 N.W.2d 794 (1995).
48.415 Annotation
Termination under sub. (8) due to a murder occurring prior to the adoption of sub. (8) did not violate the prohibition against ex post facto laws and did not violate due process, equal protection, or double jeopardy protections. Winnebago County DSS v. Darrell A.
194 Wis. 2d 628,
534 N.W.2d 907 (Ct. App. 1995).
48.415 Annotation
It was a denial of due process to terminate parental rights on grounds substantially different from those that the parent was warned of under s. 48.356. State v. Patricia A.P.
195 Wis. 2d 855,
537 N.W.2d 47 (Ct. App. 1995).
48.415 Annotation
Sub. (5) does not require an assessment of present and future behavior. The statute refers to past behavior that was a threat to the child's welfare. Jerry M. v. Dennis L. M.
198 Wis. 2d 10,
542 N.W.2d 162 (Ct. App. 1995).
48.415 Annotation
For all terminations under sub. (5) there must be a showing that the parent has exhibited a pattern of abusive behavior and a showing under par. (a) or (b). A "conviction" under par. (a) is a conviction after the appeal as of right has been exhausted. Monroe County v. Jennifer V.
200 Wis. 2d 678,
548 N.W.2d 837 (Ct.. App. 1996).
48.415 Annotation
Sub. (7) is a constitutional part of a statutory scheme that is narrowly tailored to meet the State's compelling interests. State v. Allen M.
214 Wis. 2d 302,
571 N.W.2d 872 (Ct. App. 1997).
48.415 Annotation
Venue becomes an issue only in the event that it is contested. The county where a child "resides" is the county of domicile. The county where a child "is present" is the county where the child is present at the time a petition is filed. State v. Corey J. G.
215 Wis. 2d 394,
572 N.W.2d 845 (1998).
48.415 Annotation
When a parent is prohibited from visitation, communication by phone and letter is not prohibited and sub. (1) (b) does not apply. Periods in which there has been no contact whatsoever will be counted under sub. (1) (a) 2. and 3. Carol B. v. Timothy N.
228 Wis. 2d 695,
598 N.W.2d 924 (Ct. App. 1999).
48.415 Annotation
The rules of civil procedure apply to termination of parental rights proceedings and directed verdicts are permissible. Door County DHFS v. Scott S.
230 Wis. 2d 460,
602 N.W.2d 167 (Ct. App. 1999).
48.415 Annotation
A guardian ad litem's comments regarding the best interests of the child were not improper. Only when the jury is instructed that it should consider the best interests of the child is there reversible error. Door County DHFS v. Scott S.
230 Wis. 2d 460,
602 N.W.2d 167 (Ct. App. 1999).
48.415 Annotation
Process is constitutionally due a natural parent at a state-initiated parental rights termination proceeding. A 3-factor test is discussed. Santosky v. Kramer,
455 U.S. 745 (1982).
48.415 Annotation
Adoption and termination proceedings in Wisconsin: Straining the wisdom of Solomon. Hayes and Morse, 66 MLR 439 (1983).
48.417
48.417
Petition for termination of parental rights; when required. 48.417(1)(1)
Filing or joining in petition; when required. Subject to
sub. (2), an agency or the district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate official designated under
s. 48.09 shall file a petition under
s. 48.42 (1) to terminate the parental rights of a parent or the parents of a child, or, if a petition under
s. 48.42 (1) to terminate those parental rights has already been filed, the agency, district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate official shall join in the petition, if any of the following circumstances apply:
48.417(1)(a)
(a) The child has been placed outside of his or her home, as described in
s. 48.365 (1), for 15 of the most recent 22 months.
48.417(1)(b)
(b) A court of competent jurisdiction has found under
s. 48.13 (2) or under a law of any other state or a federal law that is comparable to
s. 48.13 (2) that the child was abandoned when he or she was under one year of age or has found that the parent abandoned the child when the child was under one year of age in violation of
s. 948.20 or in violation of the law of any other state or federal law, if that violation would be a violation of
s. 948.20 if committed in this state.
48.417(1)(c)
(c) A court of competent jurisdiction has found that the parent has committed, has aided or abetted the commission of, or has solicited, conspired or attempted to commit, a violation of
s. 940.01,
940.02,
940.03 or
940.05 or a violation of the law of any other state or federal law, if that violation would be a violation of
s. 940.01,
940.02,
940.03 or
940.05 if committed in this state, and that the victim of that violation is a child of the parent.
48.417(1)(d)
(d) A court of competent jurisdiction has found that the parent has committed a violation of
s. 940.19 (2),
(3),
(4) or
(5),
940.225 (1) or
(2),
948.02 (1) or
(2),
948.025 or
948.03 (2) (a) or
(3) (a) or a violation of the law of any other state or federal law, if that violation would be a violation of
s. 940.19 (2),
(3),
(4) or
(5),
940.225 (1) or
(2),
948.02 (1) or
(2),
948.025 or
948.03 (2) (a) or
(3) (a) if committed in this state, and that the violation resulted in great bodily harm, as defined in
s. 939.22 (14), or in substantial bodily harm, as defined in
s. 939.22 (38), to the child or another child of the parent.
48.417(2)
(2) Filing or joining in petition; when not required. Notwithstanding that any of the circumstances specified in
sub. (1) (a),
(b),
(c) or
(d) may apply, an agency or the district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate official designated under
s. 48.09 need not file a petition under
s. 48.42 (1) to terminate the parental rights of a parent or the parents of a child, or, if a petition under
s. 48.42 (1) to terminate those parental rights has already been filed, the agency, district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate official need not join in the petition, if any of the following circumstances apply:
48.417(2)(a)
(a) The child is being cared for by a relative of the child.
48.417(2)(b)
(b) The child's permanency plan indicates that termination of parental rights to the child is not in the best interests of the child.
48.417(2)(c)
(c) The agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child and the family under a court order, if required under
s. 48.355 (2) (b) 6. to make reasonable efforts to make it possible for the child to return safely to his or her home, has not provided to the family of the child, consistent with the time period in the child's permanency plan, the services necessary for the safe return of the child to his or her home.
48.417(3)
(3) Concurrent adoption efforts required. If a petition is filed or joined in as required under
sub. (1), the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order shall, during the pendency of the proceeding on the petition, work with the agency identified in the report under
s. 48.425 (1) (f) that would be responsible for accomplishing the adoption of the child in processing and approving a qualified family for the adoption of the child.
48.417(4)
(4) Notice to department. If a petition is filed or joined in as required under
sub. (1), the person who filed or joined in the petition shall notify the department of that filing or joinder.
48.417 History
History: 1997 a. 237.
48.42(1)(1)
Petition. A proceeding for the termination of parental rights shall be initiated by petition which may be filed by the child's parent, an agency or a person authorized to file a petition under
s. 48.25 or
48.835. The petition shall be entitled "In the interest of .......... (child's name), a person under the age of 18" and shall set forth with specificity:
48.42(1)(a)
(a) The name, birth date and address of the child.
48.42(1)(b)
(b) The names and addresses of the child's parent or parents, guardian and legal custodian.
48.42(1)(c)1.
1. A statement that consent will be given to termination of parental rights as provided in
s. 48.41.
48.42(1)(c)2.
2. A statement of the grounds for involuntary termination of parental rights under
s. 48.415 and a statement of the facts and circumstances which the petitioner alleges establish these grounds.
48.42(1m)(a)(a) If the petition filed under
sub. (1) includes a statement of the grounds for involuntary termination of parental rights under
sub. (1) (c) 2., the petitioner may, at the time the petition under
sub. (1) is filed, also petition the court for a temporary order and an injunction prohibiting the person whose parental rights are sought to be terminated from visiting or contacting the child who is the subject of the petition under
sub. (1). Any petition under this paragraph shall allege facts sufficient to show that prohibiting visitation or contact would be in the best interests of the child.
48.42(1m)(b)
(b) Subject to
par. (e), the court may issue the temporary order ex parte or may refuse to issue the temporary order and hold a hearing on whether to issue an injunction. The temporary order is in effect until a hearing is held on the issuance of an injunction. The court shall hold a hearing on the issuance of an injunction on or before the date of the hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights under
s. 48.422 (1).
48.42(1m)(c)
(c) Notwithstanding any other order under
s. 48.355 (3), the court, subject to
par. (e), may grant an injunction prohibiting the respondent from visiting or contacting the child if the court determines that the prohibition would be in the best interests of the child. An injunction under this subsection is effective according to its terms but may not remain in effect beyond the date the court dismisses the petition for termination of parental rights under
s. 48.427 (2) or issues an order terminating parental rights under
s. 48.427 (3).
48.42(1m)(e)1.1. Except as provided in
subd. 2., the court shall issue a temporary order and injunction prohibiting a parent of a child from visitation or contact with the child if the parent has been convicted under
s. 940.01 of the first-degree intentional homicide, or under
s. 940.05 of the 2nd-degree intentional homicide, of the child's other parent, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside or vacated.
48.42(1m)(e)2.
2. Subdivision 1. does not apply if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the visitation or contact would be in the best interests of the child. The court shall consider the wishes of the child in making that determination.
48.42(2)
(2) Who must be summoned. Except as provided in
sub. (2m), the petitioner shall cause the summons and petition to be served upon the following persons:
48.42(2)(a)
(a) The parent or parents of the child, unless the child's parent has waived the right to notice under
s. 48.41 (2) (d).
48.42(2)(b)
(b) If the child is a nonmarital child who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry under
s. 767.60 and paternity has not been established:
48.42(2)(b)2.
2. A person or persons alleged to the court to be the father of the child or who may, based upon the statements of the mother or other information presented to the court, be the father of the child unless that person has waived the right to notice under
s. 48.41 (2) (c).
48.42(2)(b)3.
3. A person who has lived in a familial relationship with the child and who may be the father of the child.
48.42(2)(c)
(c) The guardian, guardian ad litem and legal custodian of the child.
48.42(2)(d)
(d) Any other person to whom notice is required to be given by
ch. 822, excluding foster parents and treatment foster parents who shall be provided notice as required under
sub. (2g).
48.42(2)(e)
(e) To the child if the child is 12 years of age or older.
48.42(2g)(a)(a) In addition to causing the summons and petition to be served as required under
sub. (2), the petitioner shall also notify any foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in
s. 48.62 (2) of the child of all hearings on the petition. The first notice to any foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in
s. 48.62 (2) shall be written, shall have a copy of the petition attached to it, shall state the nature, location, date and time of the initial hearing and shall be mailed to the last-known address of the foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in
s. 48.62 (2). Thereafter, notice of hearings may be given by telephone at least 72 hours before the time of the hearing. The person giving telephone notice shall place in the case file a signed statement of the time notice was given and the person to whom he or she spoke.
48.42(2g)(am)
(am) The court shall give a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in
s. 48.62 (2) who is notified of a hearing under
par. (a) an opportunity to be heard at the hearing by permitting the foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian to make a written or oral statement during the hearing, or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing, relevant to the issues to be determined at the hearing. A foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in
s. 48.62 (2) who receives a notice of a hearing under
par. (a) and an opportunity to be heard under this paragraph does not become a party to the proceeding on which the hearing is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and opportunity to be heard.
48.42(2g)(b)
(b) Failure to give notice under
par. (a) to a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in
s. 48.62 (2) does not deprive the court of jurisdiction in the proceeding. If a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in
s. 48.62 (2) is not given notice of a hearing under
par. (a), that person may request a rehearing on the matter at any time prior to the entry of an order under
s. 48.427 (2) or
(3). If the request is made, the court shall order a rehearing.
48.42(2m)
(2m) Notice not required. Except as provided in this subsection, notice is not required to be given to a person who may be the father of a child conceived as a result of a sexual assault in violation of
s. 940.225 (1),
(2) or
(3),
948.02 (1) or
(2) or
948.025 if a physician attests to his or her belief that a sexual assault as specified in this subsection has occurred or if the person who may be the father of the child has been convicted of sexual assault as specified in this subsection for conduct which may have led to the child's conception. A person who under this subsection is not given notice does not have standing to appear and contest a petition for the termination of his parental rights. This subsection does not apply to a person who may be the father of a child conceived as a result of a sexual assault in violation of
s. 948.02 (1) or
(2) if that person was under 18 years of age at the time of the sexual assault.
48.42(3)
(3) Contents of summons. The summons shall:
48.42(3)(a)
(a) Contain the name and birth date of the child, and the nature, location, date and time of the initial hearing.
48.42(3)(b)
(b) Advise the party, if applicable, of his or her right to legal counsel, regardless of ability to pay under
s. 48.23 and
ch. 977.
48.42(3)(c)
(c) Advise the parties of the possible result of the hearing and the consequences of failure to appear or respond.
48.42(3)(d)
(d) Advise the parties that if the court terminates parental rights, a notice of intent to pursue relief from the judgment must be filed in the trial court within 30 days after the judgment is entered for the right to pursue such relief to be preserved.
48.42(4)
(4) Manner of serving summons and petition. 48.42(4)(a)(a) Personal service. A copy of the summons and petition shall be served personally upon the parties specified in
sub. (2), if known, at least 7 days before the date of the hearing, except that service of summons is not required if the party submits to the jurisdiction of the court. Service upon parties who are not natural persons and upon persons under a disability shall be as prescribed in
s. 801.11.
48.42(4)(b)1.1. If with reasonable diligence a party specified in
sub. (2) cannot be served under
par. (a), service shall be made by publication of the notice under
subd. 4.
48.42(4)(b)2.
2. If the child is a nonmarital child who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry under
s. 767.60 and paternity has not been acknowledged under
s. 767.62 (1) or a substantially similar law of another state or adjudicated, the court may, as provided in
s. 48.422 (6) (b), order publication of a notice under
subd. 4.
48.42(4)(b)3.
3. At the time the petition is filed, the petitioner may move the court for an order waiving the requirement of constructive notice to a person who, although his identity is unknown, may be the father of a nonmarital child.
48.42(4)(b)4.
4. A notice published under this subsection shall be published as a class 1 notice under
ch. 985. In determining which newspaper is likely to give notice as required under
s. 985.02 (1), the petitioner or court shall consider the residence of the party, if known, or the residence of the relatives of the party, if known, or the last-known location of the party. If the party's post-office address is known or can, with due diligence, be ascertained, a copy of the summons and petition shall be mailed to the party upon or immediately prior to the first publication. The mailing may be omitted if the petitioner shows that the post-office address cannot be obtained with due diligence. Except as provided in
subd. 5., the notice shall include the date, place and circuit court branch for the hearing, the court file number, the name, address and telephone number of the petitioner's attorney and information the court determines to be necessary to give effective notice to the party or parties. Such information shall include the following, if known:
48.42(4)(b)4.a.
a. The name of the party or parties to whom notice is being given;
48.42(4)(b)4.d.
d. The approximate date and place of conception of the child; and
48.42(4)(b)5.
5. The notice shall not include the name of the mother unless the mother consents. The notice shall not include the name of the child unless the court finds that inclusion of the child's name is essential to give effective notice to the father.
48.42(4)(c)1.
1. That the parental rights of a parent or alleged parent who fails to appear may be terminated;
48.42(4)(c)2.
2. Of the party's right to have an attorney present and that if a person desires to contest termination of parental rights and believes that he or she cannot afford an attorney, the person may ask the state public defender to represent him or her; and
48.42(4)(c)3.
3. That if the court terminates parental rights, a notice of intent to pursue relief from the judgment must be filed in the trial court within 30 days after judgment is entered for the right to pursue such relief to be preserved.
