2012 North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 7B - Juvenile Code.
Article 10 - Modification and Enforcement of Dispositional Orders; Appeals.
Section 7B-1001 - Right to appeal.

7B-1001. Right to appeal.

(a) In a juvenile matter under this Subchapter, appeal of a final order of the court in a juvenile matter shall be made directly to the Court of Appeals. Only the following juvenile matters may be appealed:

(1) Any order finding absence of jurisdiction.

(2) Any order, including the involuntary dismissal of a petition, which in effect determines the action and prevents a judgment from which appeal might be taken.

(3) Any initial order of disposition and the adjudication order upon which it is based.

(4) Any order, other than a nonsecure custody order, that changes legal custody of a juvenile.

(5) An order entered under G.S. 7B-507(c) with rights to appeal properly preserved as provided in that subsection, as follows:

a. The Court of Appeals shall review the order to cease reunification together with an appeal of the termination of parental rights order if all of the following apply:

1. A motion or petition to terminate the parent's rights is heard and granted.

2. The order terminating parental rights is appealed in a proper and timely manner.

3. The order to cease reunification is identified as an issue in the record on appeal of the termination of parental rights.

b. A party who is a parent shall have the right to appeal the order if no termination of parental rights petition or motion is filed within 180 days of the order.

c. A party who is a custodian or guardian shall have the right to immediately appeal the order.

(6) Any order that terminates parental rights or denies a petition or motion to terminate parental rights.

(b) Notice of appeal shall be given in writing by a proper party as defined in G.S. 7B-1002 and shall be made within 30 days after entry and service of the order in accordance with G.S. 1A-1, Rule 58.

(c) Notice of appeal shall be signed by counsel for the appealing party, if any, and shall be taken only by following direct instruction of the appealing party after the conclusion of the proceeding. In the case of an appeal by a juvenile, notice of appeal shall be signed by the guardian ad litem attorney advocate. (1979, c. 815, s. 1; 1998-202, s. 6; 1999-456, s. 60; 2001-208, s. 25; 2001-487, s. 101; 2005-398, s. 10; 2011-295, s. 11.)