For some parents, being responsible for a child is not a possibility or a desire. In such cases, terminating parental rights may be what’s best for both the child and the parent.
Whether you’re thinking about terminating the rights of your child’s other parent or you wish to keep your rights from being terminated, here’s what you need to know about Texas law on termination of parental rights.
How to File for Termination of Parental Rights in Texas
The process of how to terminate parental rights in Texas depends on the circumstances. Filing to terminate your own rights will go a little differently than when you file for involuntary termination of parental rights in Texas.
Regardless of your situation, make sure you get the right legal guidance from our termination of parental rights lawyers at The Moffett Law Firm.
Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights – Texas
If you’re planning to terminate the rights of your child’s other parent, you can start the process by contacting the Texas Department of Child Protective Services. You will need to let the department know why you want to file a petition to terminate parental rights in Texas, at which point the department will investigate the situation before making a decision. Contact the Moffett Law Firm CPS lawyers in Houston if you need representation during this part of the process.
You will also need to talk to the clerk of the Court in the county where your child lives, because you’ll likely need to fill out county-specific forms for termination of parental rights in Texas.
Finally, be sure to contact Houston family law attorneys at The Moffett Law Firm for legal representation throughout the process.
Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights in Texas
There are certain grounds for termination of parental rights in Texas. This means the judge will only make this decision if you can show there is good reason for it.
Some of the most common grounds for termination of parental rights in Texas include:
- neglect or abuse
- parental abandonment
- putting the child in a dangerous environment
- killing or seriously hurting another child
Basically, if it’s clearly in the best interest of the child to no longer have contact with one or both parents, termination of parental rights in Texas may be the outcome.
Petition to Terminate Parental Rights Texas
It is possible to terminate your own rights to the child, but this is typically only done when you can prove you are not the biological parent. For example, if you recently found out you are not the biological father of a child you thought was yours, you might petition to terminate parental rights in Texas courts.
Keep in mind you must file the proper forms within two years of the date you discovered the child was not yours. You’ll need the help of a family law lawyer to navigate this complex issue, so contact The Moffett Law Firm for help navigating this process.
How Much Does It Cost to Terminate Parental Rights?
If you’re the parent who will be filing a petition with the court, you’re likely wondering – how much does it cost to terminate parental rights? The answer depends on which county you’re filing in, since each county has its own filing fees.
In general, expect to pay a few hundred dollars in fees. You might have additional costs, such as service fees and issuance fees if you must get the court to serve papers to the other parent.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to file for termination of parental rights in Texas, contact The Moffett Law Firm today for help from experienced Houston family law attorneys.
