Parental rights are a fundamental aspect of family law. A person who is legally recognized as a child's parent will have the right to have an ongoing relationship with the child, and they will also have the obligation to provide support and ensure that the child's needs are being met. However, in certain circumstances, parental rights can be terminated. This will usually be an issue that will be addressed in adoption cases, since before a child can be adopted by another party, the parental rights of one or both of their biological parents must be terminated.
The termination of parental rights may also be an issue in cases involving Child Protective Services (CPS). If CPS decides to remove a child from a parent's custody because of issues such as domestic violence or substance abuse, it may take action to terminate a parent's rights, place the child in foster care, and arrange for the adoption of a child by foster parents or other parties. Because issues related to the termination of parental rights can be complex, it is important for parents and other involved parties to understand when a parent's rights can be terminated and the procedures that will be followed in these cases.
Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights in Texas
There are some situations where a parent may voluntarily agree to give up their parental rights. This is often a factor in stepparent adoption cases, and when a stepparent wishes to become a child's legal parent, the child's other biological parent may agree to the termination of their rights. However, if a parent is not willing to give up their rights, if they refuse to participate in legal proceedings related to adoption, or if they cannot be located, steps may be taken to have the parent's rights involuntarily terminated. Involuntary termination may also be appropriate in situations where children are removed from a parent's custody due to issues that could affect their health, safety, and well-being.
...