In Texas termination of parental rights means the parent loses the rights and duties of a parent. There are many reasons that the court may terminate parental rights.
The following are some of the ways a parent may lose their rights and duties of parenthood. We have classed them in two categories, abandonment and endangerment.
Termination of Parental Rights For Abandonment
The court may order termination of the parent-child relationship. This happens when the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parent:
- voluntarily abandoned the child and expressed an intent not to return;
- abandoned the child without expressing an intent to return, without providing for the adequate support of the child, and remained away for a period of at least three months;
- voluntarily abandoned the child without providing adequate support of the child and remained away for a period of at least six months;
- abandoned the child without providing a way to identify the child;
- voluntarily, and with knowledge of the pregnancy, abandoned the mother of the child beginning at a time during her pregnancy with the child and continuing through the birth.
Termination of Parental Rights For Endangerment
The court may order termination of the parent-child relationship. The court may do so when it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parent:
- knowingly allowed the child to remain in conditions which endanger the physical or emotional well-being of the child;
- engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in conduct which endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the child;
- been convicted for the death or serious injury of a child;
- failed to support the child in accordance with the parent’s ability during a period of one year ending within six months of the date of the filing of the petition;
- had his or her parent-child relationship terminated;
- been the cause of the child being born addicted to alcohol or a controlled substance, other than a controlled substance legally obtained by prescription.
Conclusion
If you need help suspending the other parents parental rights, contact an experienced family law attorney. If they are trying to suspend your rights, call right away.
