Opinion ID: 2636685
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Juvenile Court Considered Mr. Nuosci's Present Ability to Function as a Parent

Text: ¶ 29 The juvenile court did not disregard Mr. Nuosci's present ability and willingness to function as a parent when it terminated his rights. [T]he juvenile court must consider a parent's ability at the time of the termination hearing in determining whether termination is appropriate. State ex rel. M.L., 965 P.2d at 561. However, the court must consider a parent's present ability in light of the parent's past conduct and its debilitating effect on the parent-child relationship. Id. at 562. In considering Mr. Nuosci's present ability to parent, the juvenile court noted the discrepancy between the $5000 per month income he testified that he received and the fact that he had applied for indigent status with the court just weeks prior to his testimony. Based on this conflicting testimony and Mr. Nuosci's past history of dishonesty, the juvenile court afforded no weight to Mr. Nuosci's testimony. The juvenile court properly considered Mr. Nuosci's present ability to parent and determined that it did not meet a minimum threshold of fitness.