NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110 (2026)

Determination of best interests of the juvenile

✓ current as of July 2026

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(a) After an adjudication that one or more grounds for terminating a parent's rights exist, the court shall determine whether terminating the parent's rights is in the juvenile's best interest. The court may consider any evidence, including hearsay evidence as defined in G.S. 8C-1, Rule 801, that the court finds to be relevant, reliable, and necessary to determine the best interests of the juvenile. In each case, the court shall consider the following criteria and make written findings regarding the following that are relevant:

(1) The age of the juvenile.

(2) The likelihood of adoption of the juvenile.

(3) Whether the termination of parental rights will aid in the accomplishment of the permanent plan for the juvenile.

(4) The bond between the juvenile and the parent.

(5) The quality of the relationship between the juvenile and the proposed adoptive parent, guardian, custodian, or other permanent placement.

(6) Any relevant consideration.

Any order shall be reduced to writing, signed, and entered no later than 30 days following the completion of the termination of parental rights hearing. If the order is not entered within 30 days following completion of the hearing, the clerk of court for juvenile matters shall schedule a subsequent hearing at the first session of court scheduled for the hearing of juvenile matters following the 30-day period to determine and explain the reason for the delay and to obtain any needed clarification as to the contents of the order. The order shall be entered within 10 days of the subsequent hearing required by this subsection.

(b) Should the court conclude that, irrespective of the existence of one or more circumstances authorizing termination of parental rights, the best interests of the juvenile require that rights should not be terminated, the court shall dismiss the petition or deny the motion, but only after setting forth the facts and conclusions upon which the dismissal or denial is based.

(c) Should the court determine that circumstances authorizing termination of parental rights do not exist, the court shall dismiss the petition or deny the motion, making appropriate findings of fact and conclusions.

(d) Counsel for the petitioner or movant shall serve a copy of the termination of parental rights order upon the guardian ad litem for the juvenile, if any, and upon the juvenile if the juvenile is 12 years of age or older.

(e) The court may tax the cost of the proceeding to any party. (1977, c. 879, s. 8; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1131, s. 1; 1983, c. 581, s. 3; c. 607, s. 3; 1998-202, s. 6; 1999-456, s. 60; 2000-183, s. 10; 2001-208, s. 23; 2001-487, s. 101; 2005-398, s. 17; 2011-295, s. 16.)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 750 cases (255 in the last 5 years), 2000–2026 · leading case: In re E.H.P., 831 S.E.2d 49 (N.C. 2019).

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In re E.H.P., 831 S.E.2d 49 (N.C. 2019). · cites it 10× “2d at 133 ; see also N.C.G.S. § 7B-1110(a). Therefore, we need not address respondent's contention that the trial court erred in determining that grounds likewise existed to support termination based on willful failure to pay child support.”

In re D.H., 753 S.E.2d 732 (N.C. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 22× “Respondent next argues that the trial court erred by failing to make findings pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(3), concerning whether termination would aid in the accomplishment of the permanent plan for the juveniles, which in this case is adoption.”

In re J.L.H., 741 S.E.2d 333 (N.C. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 36× “Specifically, respondent contends that the trial court failed to make the necessary findings of fact required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110. We agree. The determination of whether termination is in the best interests of the minor child is governed by N.”

In re K.J.L., 677 S.E.2d 835 (N.C. 2009). · cites it 20× “Section 7B-1110(a) does not address adjudication orders, however; *351 rather, N.C.G.S. § 7B-1110 addresses termination of parental rights proceedings and requires the trial court to determine that one or more of the grounds for termination exists.”

In re L.M.T., 752 S.E.2d 453 (N.C. 2013). · cites it 14× “(5) The quality of the relationship between the juvenile and the proposed adoptive parent, guardian, custodian, or other permanent placement.”

In re T.N.H., 831 S.E.2d 54 (N.C. 2019). · cites it 6× “Troy was born prematurely at thirty weeks and respondent tested positive for both cocaine and marijuana at Troy's birth. Another child of respondent's was born prematurely at twenty-seven weeks and tested positive for cocaine at birth.”

In Re Mitchell M, 559 S.E.2d 237 (N.C. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 32× “This assignment of error is overruled. IV. Termination of Parental Rights Termination of parental rights proceedings are conducted in two phases: (1) the adjudication phase which is governed by N.”

In re Z.L.W., 831 S.E.2d 62 (N.C. 2019). · cites it 7× “In this case, the trial court made extensive findings regarding the strong bond between respondent and Zena and Zadie. The trial court also found, however, that the bond had diminished over the long time that Zena and Zadie had spent in foster care.”

In re A.D.L., 612 S.E.2d 639 (N.C. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 13× “") N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-1110(a) provides: Should the court determine that any one or more of the conditions authorizing a termination of the parental rights of a parent exist, the court shall issue an order terminating the parental rights of such parent with respect to the…”

In Re Mills, 567 S.E.2d 166 (N.C. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 18× “Termination of Parental Rights Trial courts conduct termination of parental rights proceedings in two phases: (1) the adjudication phase governed by N.”

In re S.C.R., 679 S.E.2d 905 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 9× “We first note both respondent-father and respondent-mother contend the trial court erred in finding that neither party filed a responsive pleading to the motion to terminate parental rights. The parties’ contentions are not without merit because the record shows that both…”

In Re Y.Y.E.T., 695 S.E.2d 517 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 12× “16) Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110, it is in the juvenile’s best interest that the parental rights of respondent-mother and respondent-father be terminated in order for the juvenile to be cleared for adoption.”

Show all 750 citing cases →

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(2) — 1 case

In re: A.M.B. (N.C. Ct. App. 2025).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(3) — 1 case

In re D.H., 753 S.E.2d 732 (N.C. Ct. App. 2014). “Respondent next argues that the trial court erred by failing to make findings pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(3), concerning whether termination would aid in the accomplishment of the permanent plan for the juveniles, which in this case is adoption.”

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(5) — 1 case

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a) — 604 cases

In re E.H.P., 831 S.E.2d 49 (N.C. 2019). “2d at 133 ; see also N.C.G.S. § 7B-1110(a). Therefore, we need not address respondent's contention that the trial court erred in determining that grounds likewise existed to support termination based on willful failure to pay child support.”

In re K.J.L., 677 S.E.2d 835 (N.C. 2009). “Section 7B-1110(a) does not address adjudication orders, however; *351 rather, N.C.G.S. § 7B-1110 addresses termination of parental rights proceedings and requires the trial court to determine that one or more of the grounds for termination exists.”

In re Z.L.W., 831 S.E.2d 62 (N.C. 2019). “In this case, the trial court made extensive findings regarding the strong bond between respondent and Zena and Zadie. The trial court also found, however, that the bond had diminished over the long time that Zena and Zadie had spent in foster care.”

In Re Mitchell M, 559 S.E.2d 237 (N.C. Ct. App. 2002). “This assignment of error is overruled. IV. Termination of Parental Rights Termination of parental rights proceedings are conducted in two phases: (1) the adjudication phase which is governed by N.”

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(1) — 42 cases

In re: J.T.C. (N.C. Ct. App. 2020).

In re N.C.E. & N.D.C. (N.C. 2021).

In re N.C.E. (N.C. 2021).

In Re: N.e.s., N.L.M. (N.C. Ct. App. 2025).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(2) — 27 cases

In re: D.E.M., 802 S.E.2d 766 (N.C. Ct. App. 2017).

In the Matter of C.M., 644 S.E.2d 630 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

In re H.N.H., 824 S.E.2d 211 (N.C. Ct. App. 2019).

In re S.M.M. (N.C. 2020).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(2001) — 1 case

In Re Mills, 567 S.E.2d 166 (N.C. Ct. App. 2002). “Termination of Parental Rights Trial courts conduct termination of parental rights proceedings in two phases: (1) the adjudication phase governed by N.”

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(2003) — 2 cases

In re A.D.L., 612 S.E.2d 639 (N.C. Ct. App. 2005). “") N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-1110(a) provides: Should the court determine that any one or more of the conditions authorizing a termination of the parental rights of a parent exist, the court shall issue an order terminating the parental rights of such parent with respect to the…”

In Re Adl, 612 S.E.2d 639 (N.C. Ct. App. 2005).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(2005) — 2 cases

In re C.T., 643 S.E.2d 23 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

In Re Ct, 643 S.E.2d 23 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(2007) — 10 cases

In Re Jdl, 681 S.E.2d 485 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

In re J.D.L., 199 N.C. App. 182 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

In Re N.b., I.b., & A.F., 688 S.E.2d 713 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

In Re Dh, 667 S.E.2d 341 (N.C. Ct. App. 2008).

In Re Nb, 688 S.E.2d 713 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(2009) — 1 case

In Re Zadk, 692 S.E.2d 194 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(2011) — 1 case

In re J.L.H., 741 S.E.2d 333 (N.C. Ct. App. 2012). “Specifically, respondent contends that the trial court failed to make the necessary findings of fact required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110. We agree. The determination of whether termination is in the best interests of the minor child is governed by N.”

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(3) — 21 cases

In the Matter of C.M., 644 S.E.2d 630 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

In re T.L.M., 803 S.E.2d 867 (N.C. Ct. App. 2017).

In re: J.T.C. (N.C. Ct. App. 2020).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(4) — 25 cases

In re S.C.H., 682 S.E.2d 469 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

In re S.R., 698 S.E.2d 535 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010).

In Re C.V.D.C. (N.C. 2020).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(5) — 18 cases

In re D.W.C., 698 S.E.2d 79 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010).

In re N.C.E. & N.D.C. (N.C. 2021).

In re N.C.E. (N.C. 2021).

In Re M.a., B.a., A.A. (N.C. 2020).

In re M.A. (N.C. 2020).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(6) — 41 cases

In Re: A.l.l., R.j.m., R.a.m., A.o.z., D.A.M., 802 S.E.2d 598 (N.C. Ct. App. 2017).

In re M.Z.M., 796 S.E.2d 22 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016).

In re R.D. (N.C. 2020).

In re A.U.D. (N.C. 2019).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(a)(l) — 2 cases

In re S.C.H., 682 S.E.2d 469 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

In re C.I.M., 715 S.E.2d 247 (N.C. Ct. App. 2011).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(b) — 6 cases

Routten v. Routten, 822 S.E.2d 436 (N.C. Ct. App. 2018).

In Re Blackburn, 543 S.E.2d 906 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001).

In Re Matherly, 562 S.E.2d 15 (N.C. Ct. App. 2002).

In re M.Z.M., 796 S.E.2d 22 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016).

Routten v. Routten (N.C. Ct. App. 2018).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(c) — 8 cases

In re K.R.C. (N.C. 2020).

In re B.F.N. & C.L.N. (N.C. 2022).

In re B.F.N. (N.C. 2022).

In Re N.w., J.w., L.W. (N.C. 2022).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(d) — 2 cases

In Re Brown, 539 S.E.2d 366 (N.C. Ct. App. 2000).

In re B.E. (N.C. 2020).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(e) — 1 case

Burr v. Burr, 570 S.E.2d 222 (N.C. Ct. App. 2002).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110(f) — 2 cases

In re D.T.H. (N.C. 2021).

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