In contrast, custody trials in family court often last for the child’s remaining lifetime as a minor. Trials in juvenile dependency courts can last a year, starting from the time the State of California removes the child from his/her home. Children remain in California’s custody/foster care for an average of 17 months before their parents’ rights to them are permanently terminated and they find “permanent” placement. However, we are starting to see far too many “adoptive” parents place their children back into the system because of divorce, stress, finances, etc. Possibly as many as 1 out of 20 “permanently placed” children get rejected by their new parents and become “second chance” adoptions. The State of California doesn’t have adequate records because many of these “second chance” adoptions are completely private.