Court Opinion

ID: 9626039
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 07:59:58.799307+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:06:19.942346
License: Public Domain

SMITH, Judge.
Respondent offers three arguments in support of his contention that the trial court erred by terminating his parental rights. For the following reasons, we believe there is no merit to any of respondent’s assignments of error.
We note preliminarily that respondent failed to comply with several provisions of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure in preparing his record on appeal, most notably Rule 28(b)(5). Failure to comply with Rule 28 subjects the appeal to dismissal. Northwood Homeowners Assn. v. Town of Chapel Hill, 112 N.C. App. 630, 436 S.E.2d 282 (1993). Because of the serious consequences of a proceeding to terminate parental rights, we nonetheless consider the merits of respondent’s arguments. See In re Pierce, 67 N.C. App. 257, 312 S.E.2d 900 (1984).
First, respondent argues that petitioner should have been estopped from alleging that respondent failed to satisfy the elements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-289.32(6)(a)-(d) (1995). He contends petitioner had knowledge of the grounds upon which she could petition the court to terminate respondent’s parental rights, and she concealed that knowledge from him. Respondent cites no authority and we find none to support the proposition that petitioner had a duty to inform him of his rights under the law.
The record shows that there was a child support agreement in place between petitioner and respondent. Respondent made three *373child support payments totalling $150.00, under this agreement, and provided $800.00 on another occasion. Respondent attempted to legitimate the child through judicial proceedings and, with the assistance of counsel, voluntarily dismissed that action. Respondent and petitioner each testified that they spoke of marriage to one another on several occasions. There was sufficient evidence from which the court could conclude that respondent was aware of his legal and moral duty to support his child.
Next, respondent argues that the trial court’s findings of fact were not supported by clear and convincing evidence. Respondent failed to make proper objections to these findings of fact. Ordinarily, this would preclude respondent from raising this issue on appeal, and the only question presented for review would be whether the findings support the conclusions of law. Pierce, 67 N.C. App. 257, 312 S.E.2d 900. Again, given the serious consequences, we review the merits of respondent’s argument.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-289.32(6)(a)-(d) provides for the putative father to legitimate his child through any one of four possible ways: (1) establish paternity judicially or by affidavit filed in a central registry maintained by the Department of Human Resources; (2) legitimate the child pursuant to provisions of G.S. 49-10, or file a petition for this specific purpose; (3) legitimate the child by marriage to the mother of the child; or (4) provide substantial financial support or consistent care with respect to the child and mother. Upon a finding that the putative father has not attempted any of the four possible ways to legitimate his child, the trial court may terminate parental rights.
The trial court found that respondent failed to legitimate his child in any of the aforementioned ways. The record clearly establishes that respondent failed to establish paternity through judicial process, affidavit, or marriage. Respondent’s testimony establishes that any care he provided his child was not consistent. The only possible manner in which he could legitimate his child under the statute is to show that his support was substantial. Even viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to respondent, he provided his child with less than $1,000.00 over a three year period. This was not “substantial” support sufficient to avoid termination of respondent’s paternal rights.
Finally, respondent contends that the trial court should not have found that he did not provide substantial support to the child without *374also finding that he had the means and ability to do so. This argument is also without merit.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-289.32(6)(d) does not require a finding that the putative father had the means and ability to pay child support. The statute only requires a showing that he in fact did not provide substantial support or consistent care to the child or the mother. More importantly, the order entered shows the trial court did find that respondent had the means and ability to support his .child and did not.
The trial court did not err, and its order is affirmed.
Affirmed.
Judge WYNN dissents.
Judge JOHN concurs.