14-2-308. Definitions. (a) As used in this act: (i) “Abuse” means as defined by W.S. 14-3-202(a)(ii); (ii) “Authorized agency” means: (A) A public social service agency authorized to care for and place children; or (B) A private child welfare agency certified by the state for such purposes pursuant to W.S. 14-6-201 through 14-6-243, 14-4-101 through […]
14-2-309. Grounds for termination of parent-child relationship; clear and convincing evidence. (a) The parent-child legal relationship may be terminated if any one (1) or more of the following facts is established by clear and convincing evidence: (i) The child has been left in the care of another person without provision for the child’s support and […]
14-2-310. Parties authorized to file petition. (a) The petition for the termination of the parent-child relationship shall be filed with the court by: (i) Either parent, when termination of the parent-child legal relationship is sought with respect to the other parent; or (ii) The guardian or the legal custodian of the child; or (iii) An […]
14-2-311. Contents of petition. (a) The petition for the termination of the parent-child legal relationship shall state: (i) The legal name, sex, date and place of birth of the child, if known, and the jurisdictional facts; (ii) The name and residence of the petitioner and his relationship to the child; (iii) The name, address and […]
14-2-312. Hearing; appointment of guardian ad litem. After the petition has been filed, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child unless the court finds the interests of the child will be represented adequately by the petitioner or another party to the action and are not adverse to that party. If […]
14-2-313. Service of petition. (a) The petition shall be served on the following persons: (i) The parent of the child; (ii) The guardian ad litem; (iii) The guardian or next friend of the parent if the parent is a minor; (iv) The department of family services if the child is or has been supported by […]
14-2-314. Social study required; information to be shown; not excluded as hearsay. Upon the filing of a petition by anyone other than an authorized agency as defined by W.S. 14-2-308(a)(ii)(A), the court shall direct that a social study be made by the appropriate county office of public assistance and social services or by any authorized […]
14-2-315. Order terminating the parent-child legal relationship; contents. The order terminating the parent-child legal relationship shall be in writing and shall contain the findings of the court. If the court terminates the parent-child legal relationship of either one (1) or both parents, it shall fix the responsibility for the child’s support and appoint a guardian […]
14-2-316. Dismissal of petition; continuation of hearing. If the court does not terminate the parent-child legal relationship, it shall dismiss the petition or direct an authorized agency to continue to make efforts to rehabilitate the parent and continue the hearing for no longer than six (6) months. The authorized agency shall provide the court with […]
14-2-317. Effect of order of termination. (a) An order terminating the parent-child legal relationship divests the parent of all legal rights and privileges and relieves the child of all duties to that parent except: (i) The order does not divest that parent of duties and support obligations unless otherwise specifically ordered by the court or […]
14-2-318. Costs of proceedings; appointment of counsel. (a) The court may appoint counsel for any party who is indigent. Indigency shall be established by written affidavit signed and sworn to by the party or sworn testimony made a part of the record of the proceedings. The affidavit or sworn testimony shall state that the party […]
14-2-319. Determination of indigency; recovery of payment. (a) In determining whether a person is an indigent party for purposes of W.S. 14-2-318, the court shall consider in addition to any other relevant factors the person’s income, property owned, outstanding obligations and the number and ages of his dependents. In each case the person, subject to […]
