Terminating parental rights is a major decision, and one that should be taken seriously. There are only a few primary reasons for terminating parental rights, but in either case, you should consult a family law attorney who is familiar with the process. Despite the reasons why you may persue parental rights termination, it is not intended as a means to avoid child support. A parent ordered to pay support cannot avoid this by terminating parent rights unless there is a step-parent prepared to adopt the child and take the financial responsibility.
That leads to one of the most common reasons to seek a termination of parental rights. If the custodial parent is remarried and the step-parent wants to adopt, the biological parent's rights must be terminated. Also, the state can pursue termination in the event that there is evidence of neglect or illegal activity on the part of the parents. Parental rights can be terminated through either a determination that the parent is unfit or by voluntarily signing away those rights. It is important to note that terminating parental rights means that the parent has no legal claim or right to the child. Contact Richard Ross Associates for a divorce attorney who can help you with your case.