Not all parents want to be parents or are fit to be parents. When a parent is not fit to be a child’s primary caretaker or they wish to voluntarily relinquish their parental rights, their rights can be terminated. Continue reading to find out why this may happen and the possible consequences.
What Are Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights?
There are quite a few reasons the court can decide to terminate a parent’s rights, such as:
- Severe or frequent abuse or neglect
- Sexual abuse
- Abuse or neglect of other kids living in the same household
- Abandonment
- Long-term mental illness or deficiency
- Long-term alcohol or drug-induced incapacity
- Failure to support or maintain contact with the child
- A felony conviction for violence against the child or a family member
What Happens When Someone Loses Their Parental Rights?
No parent wants to lose their rights as a parent. Not only does it result in a change of relationship, but also other consequences such as:
- The parent-child relationship no longer exists.
- The parent no longer gets to raise the child.
- The parent has no right to visit or talk with the child.
- The parent no longer must pay child support.
- The parent is removed from the child’s birth certificate.
- The child can be adopted without the parent’s permission.
