Family Law Practice Area

Termination of Parental Rights

Rachel Li, Attorney at Law • Plano Divorce Attorney

When someone’s parental rights are terminated, he or she no longer has any legal relationship at all to the child or children involved. This is a very serious step to take, interfering with one of the most fundamental legal, social, and emotional relationships in our society. Recognizing that this is a drastic action, the legislature has set strict requirements that must be met before the state can ask a court to terminate someone’s parental rights involuntarily, that is, over his or her objection. If such an action is being taken against you, and you feel that it is being done in error, Rachel Li, can advise you on what your rights are and what your most effective response to this action would be. Once we know the facts of your case, we can represent you in court to assure that your rights are protected.

The most common situation in which someone might be asked to voluntarily terminate his or her parental rights is to allow a step-parent, currently married to the natural parent with primary custody of the child, to adopt the child. If you are the parent who is considering termination of your rights, we can advise you on the laws involved and how they will affect you and your child. If you decide to take that step, we can prepare and submit the proper documents for you. If you are the custodial parent, we can also advise you of how this action will affect you, your child, and the adopting step-parent, and prepare and file the appropriate legal documents once you have the agreement of the other parent.

Rachel Li, PLLC – Focused on your future