Houston Parental Rights Termination Lawyers Assisting Individuals Looking to File a Claim Terminating Parental Rights
Termination of someone’s parental rights is a difficult and often emotional decision for all parties involved. An individual may want to voluntarily give up their parental rights for many reasons, and in some cases, another person may petition the court to have someone’s parental rights terminated in the best interest of the child. Our parental rights termination attorneys have handled many similar cases and can offer a few basic insights into the process of giving up parental rights in Texas.
What Is Parental Rights Termination in Texas?
Parental rights termination is a process in which a court ends the legal relationship between a child and one or both parents. Once the child’s parents have their parental rights terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights or obligations to the child.
Parental rights can only be terminated by a court. Even when a parent signs a document (called an affidavit of voluntary relinquishment) agreeing that a court should terminate their parental rights and giving up any interest in the child, parental rights are only truly terminated after a judge signs the appropriate court order.
Who Can File for Parental Rights Termination?
The mother or the father of the child (or both) may file for parental rights termination as long as certain legal requirements are met. Certain individuals who are not the birth parents of the child may also file under specific circumstances.
A person who is not a birth parent may ask the court to terminate someone else’s parental rights if that person already has court-ordered access or visitation to the child (ordered by a court located in a different state or another country). Other special scenarios may qualify someone to petition for parental rights termination – if you are planning to initiate this process and are unsure whether you meet the requirements, talk to an attorney.
What Is the Difference Between Voluntary and Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights?
Termination of parental rights can be done voluntarily or involuntarily. When a petition to terminate parental rights is initiated by one or both parents of a child, the petition is considered voluntary, a process known by the courts as “relinquishment”. The individual requesting the termination must show sufficient reasons for doing so, such as inability to provide proper financial support for the child or discovering that they are not the child’s biological parent.
Involuntary termination of parental rights usually takes place in situations such as when DFPS decides that the child is being exposed to certain conducts or environments that endanger the child’s physical and/or emotional well-being. Examples include parents who fail to tend to the child’s basic needs or are involved in substance abuse, criminal acts, or exposing the child to sexual predators. In addition, abandonment of the child and/or neglect can also be grounds for involuntary termination.
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Why Should I Work With a Parental Rights Termination Attorney?
If you are looking to voluntarily terminate your parental rights or are considering asking the court to terminate someone else’s parental rights, you will need to rely on an attorney that is knowledgeable about the process and can guide you in the right direction. These situations can often be emotionally-charged, and working with an attorney can ease the burden that comes with this type of case. From filing the appropriate forms to making court appearances, an attorney can be a valuable resource to help you achieve a favorable outcome. At ALP Law Firm, we have the right legal team for your Texas parental rights termination case.
Contact our Houston, TX office to discuss your case: (346) 536-9842.
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