Abuse, Neglect, Dependency, and the Termination of Parental Rights, 2023 Edition

This manual is written for legal professionals involved in abuse, neglect, dependency, and related termination of parental rights proceedings in North Carolina. It provides easily accessible information about the laws, procedures, and concepts that apply to these proceedings. Topics are organized into fourteen chapters that address the different stages of these proceedings from the receipt of a report of suspected abuse, neglect, or dependency through the achievement of a permanent plan for the child. North Carolina’s child welfare system, jurisdictional issues, evidence, appeals, confidentiality, and applicable federal laws are also discussed. Each chapter combines statutes, case summaries, additional resources, and practical explanations. Nine checklists address the various types of hearings that are involved in these proceedings.

The 2023 edition updates the six previous editions and incorporates legislative changes, more than 100 new appellate opinions, and additional resources available as of December 31, 2023.

Production of this manual was made possible with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and by the Court Improvement Program of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts.

A digital version of this manual is available online, free of charge, at the Abuse, Neglect, Dependency, and Termination of Parental Rights microsite.