Patrick Holland’s courageous attempt to terminate his father’s parental rights brought to light the importance of allowing children to play a more significant role in legal matters that greatly affect their lives. The media frenzy surrounding Patrick’s case, however, mischaracterized a common legal procedure used by the Massachusetts’ Department of Social Services (DSS) as well as the courts. The case grabbed the public’s attention because Patrick took the initial steps to terminate the legal relationship with his father, rather than the DSS. Initially, Patrick’s case could not go forward because of procedural roadblocks: neither Patrick nor his prospective adoptive parents had standing to bring the petition in Massachusetts courts. Ultimately, the DSS stepped in and prosecuted the case against Patrick’s father. Otherwise, Patrick’s new family could not have adopted him and he would have had to wait until he turned eighteen to be free of legal ties to his incarcerated father. . . .
