Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-124 (2026)

Contested terminations of parental rights and adoptions - Appeals - Expedited schedule

✓ current as of May 2026

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(a) In all cases where the termination of parental rights or adoption of a child is contested by any person or agency, the trial court shall, consistent with due process, expedite the contested termination or adoption proceeding by setting a scheduling conference within thirty (30) days of the filing of a response or answer to a petition for termination of parental rights or adoption and entering such scheduling orders as are necessary to ensure that the case is not delayed. The court shall give the case priority in setting a final hearing of the proceeding and shall be heard at the earliest possible date over all other civil litigation other than child protective services cases arising under title 37, chapter 1, parts 1, 4, and 6.

(b) In all cases that are appealed from the decision of a trial court, the appellate court shall, consistent with its rules, expedite the contested termination of parental rights or adoption case by entering such scheduling orders as are necessary to ensure that the case is not delayed, and such case shall be given priority over all other civil litigation in reaching a determination on the status of the adoption, other than child protective services cases arising under title 37, chapter 1, parts 1, 4 and 6.

(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that the permanency of the placement of a child who is the subject of a termination of parental rights proceeding or an adoption proceeding not be delayed any longer than is absolutely necessary consistent with the rights of all parties, but that the rights of the child to permanency at the earliest possible date be given priority over all other civil litigation other than child protective services cases arising under title 37, chapter 1, parts 1, 4 and 6.

(d) A notice of appeal in a termination of parental rights action must not be filed by an attorney who is not specifically authorized by the appellant to file a notice of appeal on the appellant's behalf.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 996,s 22, eff. 7/1/2024.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 996,s 21, eff. 7/1/2024.

Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 875, s 35, eff. 7/1/2018.

Acts 1995, ch. 532, § 1.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 69 cases (21 in the last 5 years), 2003–2026 · leading case: In Re Audrey S., 182 S.W.3d 838 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005).

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In Re Audrey S., 182 S.W.3d 838 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “'s motion offers no legal basis for delaying the resolution of her appeal, and we are statutorily required to expedite appeals in termination of parental rights cases to the extent consistent with the preservation of the rights of the parties.”

State Dept. of Child.'s Servs. v. VN, 279 S.W.3d 306 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 4× “As pertinent to this issue, Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-1-124 provides: 36-1-124.”

In Re: Zacharias T.M., 403 S.W.3d 212 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 4× “As pertinent to this issue, Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-1-124 provides: 36-1-124.”

In Re Dlb, 118 S.W.3d 360 (Tenn. 2003). · cites it 2× “See Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-1-124 (2001) (providing that contested terminations of parental rights and adoptions shall be expedited at trial and on appeal).”

In re D.L.B., 118 S.W.3d 360 (Tenn. 2003). “§ 36-1-124 (2001) (providing that contested terminations of parental rights and adoptions shall be expedited at trial and on appeal).”

In Re Mjb, 140 S.W.3d 643 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 2× “Separating the evidentiary wheat from the chaff is extremely difficult and time consuming, and impedes the court's efforts to expedite these appeals in accordance with Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-1-124(b). In the future, the contents of the record on appeal in all cases involving the…”

In Re Jayden R. - dissenting (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 28× “The majority opinion dismisses this case due to the failure of Mother and Father to sign the notice of appeal pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-124 (d). I recognize that the majority opinion is based on a prior Court of Appeals decision, but I respectfully disagree with the…”

In Re Homer D. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 14× “Effective July 1, 2016, the Tennessee Legislature amended Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-1-124 to add subsection (d), which states: “Any notice of appeal filed in a termination of parental rights action shall be signed by the appellant.”

In Re Nevaeh B. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 12× “Effective July 1, 2016, the Tennessee Legislature amended Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-1-124 to add subsection (d), which states: “Any notice of appeal filed in a termination of parental rights action shall be signed by the appellant.”

In Re Nevaeh B. - Dissent (2017). · cites it 11× “, the child’s mother, to sign the notice of appeal as required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-124 (d). The majority has concluded, “[i]n the absence of full compliance with the statutory requirements, this Court does not have subject-matter jurisdiction over the appeal.”

In Re Jabari B. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 10× “DCS argued in its responsive brief that this court lacks jurisdiction to consider the appeal because the notice of appeal is not signed personally by Mother as required by Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-1-124(d), which provides as follows: Any notice of appeal filed in a…”

In Re Bentley D., 537 S.W.3d 907 (2017). · cites it 3× “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-124 (d). On July 1, 2016, four and one-half months before Father filed his notice of appeal, the signature requirement of section 36-1-124(d) became effective.”

Show all 69 citing cases →

— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-124(a) — 7 cases

In Re Tyler G. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017).

In Re Bentley J. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022).

In Re Daxleigh F. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2024).

In Re Josiah T. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2019).

In re Ashlynn H. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2021).

— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-124(b) — 1 case

In Re Mjb, 140 S.W.3d 643 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004). “Separating the evidentiary wheat from the chaff is extremely difficult and time consuming, and impedes the court's efforts to expedite these appeals in accordance with Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-1-124(b). In the future, the contents of the record on appeal in all cases involving the…”

— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-124(c) — 1 case

In Re Josiah T. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2019).

— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-124(d) — 17 cases

In Re Homer D. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017). “Effective July 1, 2016, the Tennessee Legislature amended Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-1-124 to add subsection (d), which states: “Any notice of appeal filed in a termination of parental rights action shall be signed by the appellant.”

In Re Nevaeh B. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017). “Effective July 1, 2016, the Tennessee Legislature amended Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-1-124 to add subsection (d), which states: “Any notice of appeal filed in a termination of parental rights action shall be signed by the appellant.”

In Re Jabari B. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018). “DCS argued in its responsive brief that this court lacks jurisdiction to consider the appeal because the notice of appeal is not signed personally by Mother as required by Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-1-124(d), which provides as follows: Any notice of appeal filed in a…”

In Re Jayden R. - dissenting (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017). “The majority opinion dismisses this case due to the failure of Mother and Father to sign the notice of appeal pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-124 (d). I recognize that the majority opinion is based on a prior Court of Appeals decision, but I respectfully disagree with the…”

In Re Avery H. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2026).

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