Opinion ID: 4426339
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dispositional Phase

Text: Respondent’s final argument is that the trial court erred by concluding the termination of his parental rights is in the children’s best interests. He asserts that he is “now able to meet his legal and financial obligations” and contends that in the event his parental rights are terminated and the children are not adopted by their stepfather “they will lose any benefits they could have received from [respondent].” Once again, we disagree. Prior to the 17 October 2018 termination hearing, the guardian ad litem appointed for each child submitted written reports to the court recommending that respondent’s parental rights be terminated. At the hearing, the trial court heard testimony from the children’s stepfather, who attested to his love for the children and his desire to adopt them. -11- IN RE: E.H.P. AND K.L.P. Opinion of the Court In its termination orders, the trial court made detailed findings of fact addressing the dispositional criteria set forth in N.C.G.S. § 7B-1110(a). Specifically, the court found “there is a strong likelihood that the children will be adopted by their step[-]father” if respondent’s parental rights are terminated; that the children have “no bond” with respondent and are “extremely bonded with the Petitioner and their step[-]father”; and that the children have all of their “medical, physical and emotional needs . . . met” in their current environment. The trial court also made findings that “Respondent’s home is extremely unstable” and that his conduct “has been such as to demonstrate that he would not promote the healthy and orderly physical and emotional wellbeing of the [children].” Respondent has not challenged any of these findings, and they are therefore binding on appeal. See Koufman v. Koufman, 330 N.C. 93, 97, 408 S.E.2d 729, 731 (1991) (citing Schloss v. Jamison, 258 N.C. 271, 275, 128 S.E.2d 590, 593 (1962)). Thus, we are satisfied that the trial court’s findings reflect due consideration of the dispositional factors in N.C.G.S. § 7B-1110(a) and constitute a valid exercise of its discretion in determining that the termination of respondent’s parental rights is in the best interests of the children.