To have a child is one of life’s greatest joys. The view of what is considered the traditional family is ever changing as parents drift in and out of their children’s lives. Because of the emotional harm this may cause, one parent may seek to have the other parent’s parental rights terminated. In other instances, a single parent may wish to have parental rights removed so that a new spouse or partner can adopt the child. Children not living with their birth parents are not eligible for adoption until parental rights are terminated. Regardless of the reason for seeking termination of parental rights, the assistance of competent counsel is an absolute must.
The procedure for termination is set by statute. Although every case is different, the typical grounds for seeking termination on an involuntary basis are as follows:
- The child has been subjected to significant harm or is the sibling of a child subjected to this type of harm.
- The child was abandoned.
- The parent’s rights have been terminated for another child.
In addition to seeking involuntary termination of rights for one of the above reasons, adoption is the other most commonly stated reason for asking that rights be terminated. Once a parent’s rights to a child are terminated, that child is eligible for adoption.
Call an experienced Minnesota family lawyer for help with issues of parental rights. We are skilled in developing your case for termination, whether it be for abandonment, adoption or other issues. We listen to your case carefully and advise you as to the best course of action.
