In the Interest of K.G.M.

Termination-of-parental-rights cases are the “death penalty” cases of civil law. Termination is final and irrevocable, and lasts a lifetime. A parent is given one chance at overturning an adverse judgment on direct appeal. There is no post-termination collateral challenge available to a parent whose rights have been terminated after a short six-month statutory period, after which such judgments are final and unchallengeable. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.211 (Vernon 2002).

The natural right that exists between parents and their children is one of constitutional dimension. In re J.W.T., 872…