When Termination of Parental Rights is in the Best Interests of a Child
Voluntary Termination
A parent may relinquish their rights to their biological child for an adoption to take place. A parent may recognize their inability to provide for a child’s basic needs due to age, long-term mental health issues, financial issues, alcohol or substance abuse, or failure to maintain a relationship with the child. Voluntary termination negates any legal parental rights for decision-making, visitation, or financial obligation. The court will only grant these cases if there is reasonable cause to approve the request and it is in the child’s best interests.
Involuntary Termination
The court system may terminate parental rights without parental consent if there is evidence that the parent or parents are unfit. Often, an unfit parent has engaged in egregious conduct threatening the child’s life, safety, or physical, mental, or emotional health. Grounds for involuntary termination under Florida law are:
- Abuse, neglect, or abandonment
- Long-term alcohol or substance abuse and refusing to accept or complete treatment
- Sexual abuse of the child or a conviction as a sexual predator
- Long-term incarceration of a parent resulting in an inability to care for a child
- Lack of parent participation in court-ordered rehabilitative services for reunification
- Prior involuntary termination of another child
- Long-term mental illness or incapacitation of a parent
DeLand Legal is a Compassionate Legal Advocate in Troubled Times
The termination of parental rights is challenging from a legal perspective and emotionally overwhelming for all the parties involved. Whether it is an adoption proceeding or a dependency case, having an experienced family law attorney on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome. At Downer Law, our seasoned attorneys understand the stressors that families face. We bring a balance of skill and empathy during times of uncertainty to facilitate our clients’ goals.
If you are seeking to terminate parental rights or if you are in jeopardy of losing your parental rights, we can help. We believe in strong advocacy for the best interests of a child and the unification of the family.
