Legal Opinion
Petition of the Department of Social Services to Dispense With Consent to Adoption
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Decided May 29, 1986PublishedCited by 15 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtHennessey, C.J.
The parents of three minor children appeal from a decision of the Probate and Family Court to dispense with the need for their consent to the adoption of their children. In their challenge to the decision, the parents contend that the trial judge erroneously admitted testimony of a social worker privileged pursuant to G. L. c. 112, § 135, and that the Department of Social Services (department) failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the parents are presently unfit to care and provide for their children. We transferred the cases here on our own motion and now affirm.
The three…
2Cases cited13 opinions
- Santosky v. KramerSupreme Court of the United States · 1982
- Wyman v. JamesSupreme Court of the United States · 1971
- Lehman Ex Rel. Lehman v. Lycoming County Children's Services AgencySupreme Court of the United States · 1982
- Custody of a MinorMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1979
- Custody of Two MinorsMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1986
8 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by15 opinions
- Custody of EleanorMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1993
- Care & Protection of StephenMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1987
- Adoption of FrederickMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1989
- Adoption of HelenMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1999
- Petitions of the Department of Social Services to Dispense With Consent to AdoptionMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1987
10 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.