How to Win Termination of Parental Rights
The relationship between a parent and their child isn’t always in the child’s best interest. That is why Family Courts can terminate parental rights, a drastic measure that can be stressful for everyone involved. Learn more about the reasons for terminating a parent’s rights and how to win a Termination of Parental Rights case.
What is a Termination of Parental Rights?
This is the legal process required to end the parent-child relationship between a child and one or both parents. Once the termination is granted, the parent has no legal rights to the child, no visitation of any kind, and no right or obligation to pay Child Support from that point forward.
Grounds for Terminating a Parent’s Rights
Some key reasons to bring a Termination of Parental Rights case against a parent include:
- Abandonment
- Neglect
- Abuse
- Unfitness
- Risk of Harm
- Token Efforts
- Sexual Assault
- Best interest of the Child(ren)
How to Fight Termination of Parental Rights
If you’re faced with having your parental rights terminated, work with a lawyer to increase your chance of success. A legal professional can help you with the following:
- Evaluate what went wrong: The court must act in the child’s best interest, so assessing the factors that may contribute to the judge’s decision can help you determine what changes can reverse it.
- Explore contingencies: Discuss with your lawyer whether parenting classes, drug or alcohol addiction programs, counseling, or mediation could help reinstate your custody.
- Request a child custody evaluation: An up-to-date review of your home and living arrangements could help you win back custody.
- Follow court orders: Take any instructions you receive very seriously. This includes attending all hearings, keeping appointments with court-appointed mediators, and complying with the rules of supervised visits with your child.
- Be patient and cooperative: Exercise your visitation rights while waiting for your case to be decided. Avoid arguing with the child’s current guardian and cooperate and comply with court orders.
At Smith Legal Group, we have represented and assisted in hundreds of Termination of Parental Rights cases in Henderson and Las Vegas, NV. Let us guide you through this complicated legal process, whether your goal is to terminate the parental rights of the child’s other parent, relinquish your own parental rights, or reverse an inappropriate parental rights termination. Contact us online or call us at 702-410-5001 today for more information about how to start building your case.