Study of Termination of Parental Rights: An Analysis of Israeli Court Decisions in Favor or Against Termination of Parental Rights

A court decision to terminate parental rights and declare a child eligible for adoption (TPR) has far-reaching consequences. However, little is known about the legal decision-making process involved. This study aims to fill this gap and identify the main considerations taken into account by the courts in TPR cases. After analyzing the contents of 261 court decisions, the study found differences between decisions in favor or against TPR based on the characteristics of the child–parent relationship, the parents and the child. Predictors of TPR decisions were also identified. The study discusses the findings and their implications for social work and legal practices and suggests directions for future research.