In re John Kevin B.

This appeal from the Strafford County Probate Court’s (Cassavechia, J.) dismissal of a mother’s petition to terminate a father’s parental rights raises the issue whether under RSA chapter 170-C the probate court has the power to terminate the parental rights of one parent if no adoption is then contemplated. We hold that contemplation of adoption is a factor to be considered in RSA chapter 170-C proceedings, not a prerequisite to those proceedings, and we reverse and remand.

Petitioner, Ann Marie B., married respondent, Charles W. B., on June 25, 1975. Their son, John Kevin B., was born on…