In Re the Adoption of J.M.H.

I dissent from the majority opinion.

A natural parent has a “fundamental liberty interest” in his continuing parental relationship with his children. Santosky v. Kramer (1982), 455 U.S. 745, 753, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 1394-95, 71 L. Ed. 2d 599, 606; see Matter of R.B., Jr. (1985), 217 Mont. 99, 103, 703 P.2d 846, 848. While allowing for the fact that there is great variation in the quality of parent-child relationships, it still may be the most important human relationship that exists. It is for that reason that our courts and legislatures have allowed termination of that relationship without a…