"Clear and convincing evidence" is an elevated standard of proof. In most civil cases the standard of proof is that of a "preponderance of evidence." That means in most civil cases where litigants are suing for money damages they must only show that it is more likely than not that they were harmed and are due compensation. In family matters the standard is elevated because we want to be absolutely certain before we infringe upon someone's constitutional rights and interfere with their right to parent their child. In essence, the law is written such that the scales are tipped in favor of a parent who has not previously been shown to be unfit. This places a heavy burden on DHR that must be scrutinized by the court.
Therefore DHR must show, by this elevated standard, that the parent is currently unwilling or unable to care for their children and that the parent will remain so for the foreseeable future. That means if DHR is trying to terminate your parental rights they must show that you have been unfit in the past, that you are unfit today, and that the evidence indicates that you will remain unfit in the future. If they cannot prove unfitness for each of these time periods then they should not succeed in terminating parental rights.
DHR must also show that there is no other alternative to termination of parental rights. If the children could have been placed with a relative, or if there is something else that could have been done to resolve the family's issues then the case is not ripe for termination. If you have had a case where you feel the court has wrongfully terminated your rights then you must act quickly. Your time for appeal is limited to 14 days. You must call an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and your family.