What Is the Legal Process for Terminating Your Spouse’s Parental Rights? What Must You Show to Successfully Terminate Parental Rights?
As a parent, you have a responsibility to safeguard the health and welfare of your children. Unfortunately, you may need to take steps to keep them safe from your former spouse. Can you legally terminate the rights of your child’s other parent? How do you terminate a father’s parental rights in Texas?
Can You Successfully Suspend or Terminate Another Parent’s Rights with Respect to Your Children?
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than one million children are affected every year by the divorce of their parents. Studies show that in about one of every eight cases, there are allegations of parental abuse or neglect.
A mother or a father may have parental rights terminated in Texas, but only pursuant to a court order. The process may be voluntary or involuntary. However, even if the parties agree to the termination of rights, the court must review the circumstances and issue an order.
How Do You Terminate Your Children’s Father’s Rights in Texas?
There are generally two ways that parental rights can be terminated in Texas:
- A parent may voluntarily relinquish parental rights, typically by signing an affidavit of voluntary relinquishment. The court must still review the case and issue an order terminating parental rights.
- A parent may file a request for involuntary termination of parental rights. Courts are generally reluctant to terminate parental rights, so typically require “clear and convincing evidence” that doing so is in the best interests of the child. Among the reasons why a court may terminate parental rights are:
- Abandonment
- Criminal activity
- Abuse or neglect of another child
- Child endangerment
- Demonstrated lack of parental fitness
- Imprisonment for more than two years
- Intentionally keeping a child out of school or away from home
We Can Help You Protect Your Children by Terminating a Spouse’s Parental Rights
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At DTX Family Law, we built our successful practice by always putting our clients’ needs first. We know that the legal process can be complex and confusing, and we’ll carefully explain your rights and options, as well as your chances of success, so that you can make good decisions for you and your family. Chrysandra is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, an honor earned by less than one of every ten family law attorneys in the state. To schedule an appointment with a proven and effective Texas family lawyer, visit our new website or call our offices at 940-566-0606. When appropriate, we can help you protect your minor children by terminating your spouse’s parental rights.
Handling Divorce and Family Law Matters throughout Denton and the surrounding communities, including Denton, Collin, Wise, Tarrant and Cooke counties, as well as the cities of Flower Mound, Highland Village, Bartonville, Lake Dallas, Corinth, Frisco, Northlake, Trophy Club, Haslet, Justin, Ponder, Coppell, The Colony, Lantana, Argyle, Roanoke, Copper Canyon, Hickory Creek, Lewisville, Little Elm, McKinney, Allen, Princeton, Anna, Lavon, Melissa, Parker, Lavon, Westminster and Weston