[Mom2threebabes]

In foster care, birthparents are given time to work their treatment plan. Usually it is a 12 month time frame. However, if the parents are making any kind of attempt at working their plan, the case drags on and on and on. Until finally the team (caseworker, attorneys, juvenile office, etc...) agrees that Termination should be the goal. Once termination is the goal, the juvenile office files the TPR Petition with the Courts. The parents are "served" the petition and a court date is set. This usually takes months to get done. At the tpr hearing, the parents atty presents the parents side and the children's division presents their side. The judge rules as to whether or not termination is in the best interest of the child(ren). If the TPR is granted, then the judge has to sign a TPR Order. Again, this can take several months. The parents then have 30 days to say they are going to appeal the tpr. Then they are given another 2 weeks, I believe, to actually file a tpr appeal with the court of appeals. In Missouri, it takes 9-12 months for the appeals court to hear the case and make a ruling. The parents can then take it to the supreme court of appeals where there is another waiting period for a final determination. It is a long process and you have to be patient. Our little girl just turned 3. We picked her up at 2 days old and we're just now in the 30 day waiting period after rights were terminated. We're keeping our fingers crossed and praying really hard that mom or dad doesn't appeal. We're ready to get this over with! Hope my post helps. Again, this is how it is done in Missouri. Your state may be different.
8/03 Baby Born
8/04 Permenancy Hearing - Reunification still
the goal
9/04 2nd Permenancy Hearing - Reunification
still the Goal (with exceptions)
10/04 3rd Permenmancy Hearing - Judge rules to
start TPR Procedures.
4/05 TPR Petition delivered to all parties
3/06 TPR Hearing - judge agreed to termination
7/18 TPR Order Signed by Judge

Mom has 10 more days to notify atty if she will appeal. If no appeal, we're going to file for adoption end of this month and finalize the adoption end of next month!