NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507 (2026)

Juvenile placed in nonsecure custody of a department of social services

✓ current as of July 2026

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(a) An order placing or continuing the placement of a juvenile in the nonsecure custody of a county department of social services:

(1) Shall contain a finding that the juvenile's continuation in or return to the juvenile's own home would be contrary to the juvenile's health and safety.

(2) Shall contain specific findings as to whether a county department of social services has made reasonable efforts to prevent the need for placement of the juvenile. In determining whether efforts to prevent the placement of the juvenile were reasonable, the juvenile's health and safety shall be the paramount concern. The court may find that efforts to prevent the need for the juvenile's placement were precluded by an immediate threat of harm to the juvenile. A finding that reasonable efforts were not made by a county department of social services shall not preclude the entry of an order authorizing the juvenile's placement when the court finds that placement is necessary for the protection of the juvenile.

(3) Repealed by Session Laws 2015-136, s. 7, effective October 1, 2015, and applicable to actions filed or pending on or after that date.

(4) Shall specify that the juvenile's placement and care are the responsibility of the county department of social services and that the department is to provide or arrange for the foster care or other placement of the juvenile, unless after considering the department's recommendations, the court orders a specific placement the court finds to be in the juvenile's best interests.

(5) May order services or other efforts aimed at returning the juvenile to a safe home.

(b) through (d) Repealed by Session Laws 2015-136, s. 7, effective October 1, 2015, and applicable to actions filed or pending on or after that date. (1998-229, ss. 4.1, 21.1; 1999-456, s. 60; 2001-487, s. 2; 2005-398, s. 1; 2011-295, s. 3; 2013-129, s. 15; 2013-378, s. 1; 2015-136, s. 7.)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 152 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 2001–2022 · leading case: In re L.M.T., 752 S.E.2d 453 (N.C. 2013).

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In re L.M.T., 752 S.E.2d 453 (N.C. 2013). · cites it 110× “Nonetheless, the Court of Appeals determined that the cease reunification order contained “no finding explicitly linking those facts with any of the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507, including -2- In re L.”

In re C.M., 644 S.E.2d 588 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 23× “Respondent father argues the trial court erred by: (V) failing to make findings of fact that DSS should use reasonable efforts pursuant to N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-507 and (VI) failing to conduct a dispositional hearing within the statutory time pursuant to N.”

In Re Dula, 544 S.E.2d 591 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 28× “N.C.G.S. § 7B-507 (1999). The department of social services can also be relieved of the obligation of making reasonable efforts if a child has been in placement outside the home for the period of time and under the conditions referenced in section 7B-907(d).”

In re E.G.M., 750 S.E.2d 857 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 23× “It may also inform a court’s assessment of what constitutes “a reasonable period of time” for purposes of N.C.G.S. § 7B-507(b) (1), if warranted by tribal culture or childrearing practices.”

In re: P.T.W., 794 S.E.2d 843 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 14× “5 As the parties observe, the General Assembly amended N.C.G.S. § 7B-507 in 2015, and cessation of reunification is now governed by other statutory provisions.”

In re J.N.S., 704 S.E.2d 511 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 16× “Cessation of Reunification Respondent-mother additionally argues that, in its disposition order, the trial court ordered the cessation of reunification efforts with the minor children without making the findings required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507. We agree. When a trial court…”

In Re Weiler, 581 S.E.2d 134 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 8× “any order placing a juvenile in the custody or placement responsibility of a county department of social services, whether an order for continued nonsecure custody, a dispositional order, or a review order, the court may direct that reasonable efforts to eliminate the need for…”

In Re Padgett, 577 S.E.2d 337 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 9× “Specifically, respondent argues the Order on Review violated section 7B-507 of the North Carolina General Statutes in that it failed to make any finding of fact as to whether DSS should continue to make reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need for placement of the…”

In re B.W., 665 S.E.2d 462 (N.C. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 12× “" Although either of these conclusions is sufficient grounds to support a cessation of reunification efforts under N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-507(b), we have already herein upheld the trial court's determination that B.”

Everett v. Everett, 588 S.E.2d 579 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 18× “We agree. The purpose of a permanency planning hearing is “to develop a plan to achieve a safe, permanent home for the juvenile within a reasonable period of time.”

In re R.B.B., 654 S.E.2d 514 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 12× “N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-507 (2005). "Where efforts to prevent the need for the juvenile's placement were precluded by an immediate threat of harm to the juvenile, the court may find that the placement of the juvenile in the absence of such efforts was reasonable.”

In re D.C., 644 S.E.2d 640 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 10× “" N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-507 (2005) (emphasis added).”

Show all 152 citing cases →

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(a) — 19 cases

In re D.C., 644 S.E.2d 640 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007). “" N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-507 (2005) (emphasis added).”

In Re Padgett, 577 S.E.2d 337 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). “Specifically, respondent argues the Order on Review violated section 7B-507 of the North Carolina General Statutes in that it failed to make any finding of fact as to whether DSS should continue to make reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need for placement of the…”

In re T.K., 613 S.E.2d 739 (N.C. Ct. App. 2005).

In re J.N.S., 704 S.E.2d 511 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010). “Cessation of Reunification Respondent-mother additionally argues that, in its disposition order, the trial court ordered the cessation of reunification efforts with the minor children without making the findings required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507. We agree. When a trial court…”

In re D.S.A., 641 S.E.2d 18 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(a)(1) — 3 cases

In re L.T.R., 639 S.E.2d 122 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

In Re Ltr, 639 S.E.2d 122 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

In the Matter of Miw, 690 S.E.2d 768 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(a)(2) — 7 cases

In Re Dula, 544 S.E.2d 591 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001). “N.C.G.S. § 7B-507 (1999). The department of social services can also be relieved of the obligation of making reasonable efforts if a child has been in placement outside the home for the period of time and under the conditions referenced in section 7B-907(d).”

In re C.M.S., 646 S.E.2d 592 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

In Re Cms, 646 S.E.2d 592 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

In Re Hs, 647 S.E.2d 688 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

In re: A.P. (N.C. Ct. App. 2022).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(a)(3) — 4 cases

In re H.D.F., 677 S.E.2d 877 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

In re D.C., 644 S.E.2d 640 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007). “" N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-507 (2005) (emphasis added).”

In Re Hdf, 677 S.E.2d 877 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

In Re Dc, 644 S.E.2d 640 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b) — 71 cases

In re L.M.T., 752 S.E.2d 453 (N.C. 2013). “Nonetheless, the Court of Appeals determined that the cease reunification order contained “no finding explicitly linking those facts with any of the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507, including -2- In re L.”

In Re Weiler, 581 S.E.2d 134 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). “any order placing a juvenile in the custody or placement responsibility of a county department of social services, whether an order for continued nonsecure custody, a dispositional order, or a review order, the court may direct that reasonable efforts to eliminate the need for…”

In re C.M., 644 S.E.2d 588 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007). “Respondent father argues the trial court erred by: (V) failing to make findings of fact that DSS should use reasonable efforts pursuant to N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-507 and (VI) failing to conduct a dispositional hearing within the statutory time pursuant to N.”

In re E.C., 621 S.E.2d 647 (N.C. Ct. App. 2005).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b)(1) — 48 cases

In re: P.T.W., 794 S.E.2d 843 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016). “5 As the parties observe, the General Assembly amended N.C.G.S. § 7B-507 in 2015, and cessation of reunification is now governed by other statutory provisions.”

In re T.W., 796 S.E.2d 792 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016).

In Re Irc, 714 S.E.2d 495 (N.C. Ct. App. 2011).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b)(1)(2005) — 1 case

In Re Mm, 640 S.E.2d 446 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b)(2) — 3 cases

In re B.W., 665 S.E.2d 462 (N.C. Ct. App. 2008). “" Although either of these conclusions is sufficient grounds to support a cessation of reunification efforts under N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-507(b), we have already herein upheld the trial court's determination that B.”

Everett v. Everett, 588 S.E.2d 579 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). “We agree. The purpose of a permanency planning hearing is “to develop a plan to achieve a safe, permanent home for the juvenile within a reasonable period of time.”

In Re Bw, 665 S.E.2d 462 (N.C. Ct. App. 2008).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b)(2003) — 1 case

In Re Js, 598 S.E.2d 658 (N.C. Ct. App. 2004).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b)(2005) — 2 cases

In re N.G., 650 S.E.2d 45 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

In Re Ng, 650 S.E.2d 45 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b)(2007) — 1 case

In Re Cb, 662 S.E.2d 579 (N.C. Ct. App. 2008).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b)(3) — 2 cases

In Re Cm, 644 S.E.2d 588 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b)(4) — 1 case

In Re: X.M.E.R. (N.C. Ct. App. 2015).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b)(l) — 14 cases

In re E.G.M., 750 S.E.2d 857 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013). “It may also inform a court’s assessment of what constitutes “a reasonable period of time” for purposes of N.C.G.S. § 7B-507(b) (1), if warranted by tribal culture or childrearing practices.”

In re J.P., 750 S.E.2d 543 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013).

In re A.P.W., 741 S.E.2d 388 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013).

In Re Eckard, 559 S.E.2d 233 (N.C. Ct. App. 2002).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(c) — 25 cases

In re S.C.R., 679 S.E.2d 905 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

In re J.P., 750 S.E.2d 543 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013).

In re: J.A.K., 812 S.E.2d 716 (N.C. Ct. App. 2018).

In re A.P.W., 741 S.E.2d 388 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013).

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(d) — 1 case

In re J.J.L., 612 S.E.2d 404 (N.C. Ct. App. 2005).

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