Terminating Parental Rights through Adoption

Terminating parental rights through an adoption is often the best way to provide for a child.  This is done when a grandparent, step parent and/or other parent is caring for a child instead of the missing, uninvolved or dead beat parent.   

What kind of parent can have their parent rights terminated through an adoption?

Many of these parents, often referred to as “dead beat” ; “dead beat mother” ; or “dead beat father,” are unwilling or unfit to parent his or her child. It is not necessary that both parents be terminated, simply the “problem parent” can be terminated by the adoption.   In many cases, if something were to happen to the fit parent, the other, perhaps unfit parent, stands to receive immediate custody of the child or children, especially if the fit parent dies. 

We have been involved in at least three (3) separate cases where the uninvolved parent has come to the funeral of the death of the involved parent and removed the child(ren) from the care of grandparents or a step parent.  In at least two (2) of these case, the child(ren) did not have any memory of the uninvolved parent. 

In Indiana, through the adoption process, parental rights can be terminated due to long-time failure to pay child support; failure to maintain contact or legal abandonment of the child. While this can be a difficult process, we have successfully pursued these kinds of cases for over twenty years and will assist you in situations where termination of parental rights is appropriate.  The Indiana statute which addresses the issue of a parent’s consent not required is IC 31-19-9-8. 

How we can help:

Michelle will guide you through every step of the process.  They will make sure that the best interests of your child are protected. If you believe that you have a situation that may call for the termination of parental rights through adoption, please contact our firm to discuss your specific situation and set up a consultation.  All our consultations are free unless you hire us.