I need to know the criteria to revoke parental rights.  I'm a single custodial father of three ages 5, 3 and 3
407517
Terminating parental rights is not easy.  The courts don't like to terminate parental rights unless it is to allow an adoption.  This is because if something happens to the remaining parent, the children become orphans.  Although I understand that sometimes that is better than going to the other parent-as in the case with my son and his father.\n\nAnyway, you will have to show an extensive absence of contact, child support, and interest in the children.  Unfortunately some of the answers above are wrong.  Harmful behavior towards oneself, criminal activity, nothing is sufficient in itself to justify TPR.  You will need to prove an overall package of neglect and disinterest.\n\nIt will help if you can prove their mother is involved in anything illegal, or dangerous to the kids.  Or any type of physical or mental abuse. But again, its not always enough.  Her visitation can be terminated or made supervised, but terminating rights is difficult.\n\nThe evidence I used against my son's father was absence of visitation, contact, or child support for 1 year (the entire life of my child). Including a signed waiver of rights from the father.   However, had I not known the attorneys, guardian ad litem, and judge, I wouldn't have gotten it.  Normally you need an absence of the three for several years.  And again, even that is not a definite.\n\nCan you get the mother to waive her rights?  That helps a great deal.\n\nIf you are not ready yet, I would suggest starting a journal about anything that has to do with the kids.  Any lack of contact or support, missed holidays and birthdays, etc.  Anything that will help you show the mother neglects her children.\n\nOh yeah, and a good lawyer is invaluable.\n\nIf you have the extra cash, there is a book called that comes highly recommended.  Its about custody, but the principles apply to TPR.  But its about $100.\n\nhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1587470845/102-3592877-8704106?v=glance&n=283155\n\nGood luck.
353627
you have 6 month from the time your divorce was filed here in ca.  If I were you, I would consult a Lawyer.  He has no business being a father.  He sounds very unfit.  Sounds like you have very good grounds.  First though what I would recommend is documenting. for example, I keep all emails I send to my ex that way if need being I have the written proof for the court.  basically say to him, that he was scheduled to pick so and so up, but you got a call from the school saying no-one pick her up.  something along those lines.  without documentation, you won't have a chance.
1173113
they will not take all of your children if they believe that it is only happening to that one boy...or if your other children or close to or of age...also yes the judge can do that..he can make it longer then 21 days...i believe that your case is serious since ussually when DCFS is called they will only comne to talk to the boy an then to you..an then they would usually leave a send you a report stating whearther or not the abuse was indidcted ..meaning was true or unfounded ..not true..but since they took him out this case is very erious an it looks like you child may end up going into the system...foster care...if this is true then your son will become a ward of the states an your parental rights will be terminated an someone else will get guardianship over your boy...my advice to you would be to contact a legal reprsentative.
512840
Your playing with fire there. The court could very well take them away from all of you. You want child support from the biological father you file for it at the prosecutors office, and they handle it.
1182377
You will have to get the father to relinquish his parental rights.....then you will be able to proceed with the adoption.  With the right lawyer you might can get his right dissolved based on abandonment.  In any case check with your lawyer.
205706
As a social worker you are not the priority and even if it is a private agency you are not a customer, at least as far as agency policy goes.  The mother may have changed her mind and or her rights are not completely severed until 30 days after the child is born she can change her mind.  As far as getting your money back i don't think there is a way sorry
1087168
You cannot just go to court and get a "divorce" from your parents. There was the case of Patrick Holland who "divorced" his dad. But, what they really did was terminate his parental rights so the boy could be adopted. People's parental rights get terminated everyday, but not for just any reason. It takes a lot of time and a lot of work to get a parents rights terminated. You have to have a pretty good court documented reason!
379045
Call a lawyer and get a "Guardian Ad Litem".  This is a lawyer for your child to protect her and her rights.  She is of legal age to tell a judge that she no longer wishes to see her father and tell them why.  She is old enuff where the courts will recognize that she is speaking for herself and not for your wishes.  This lawyer will help her do this.\nGood Luck.
137146
It mostly depends on what the court said (or you set up) at the time of the divorce and the awarding of custody.  It is possible you have no rights at all, right now.  But you can always go to court to modify the existing arrangement, and you should do so to guarantee you have visitation rights if you have no formal, legal agreement.\n\nThe California Supreme Court issued a ruling just recently which made it easier for a court to allow a custoiial parent to move out of state with the child.
197694
Yes.  If your not legally divorced yet.  Even though it's not fair, he has the exact same rights as if he was the person that had custody of them.   Unless you file for sole custody of the children, he has the right.
480245
I think you are stuck.  Your rights as a mother are no stronger than his rights as a father.  You both have rights as parents, and that means that neither of you can pick up the child and move out of state without the permission of the other.  Would you like it if he decided to move to California with your son but not you?
321031
Go to your local court clerks office and ask for papers to file for legal guardianship of a child/ren. That worked for me when I got guardianship of four of my friends children, whom I have been raising now for ten years.\n\nIf that does not work, go to the bookstore and ask if there are any books on legal guardianship. There are books with forms and everything you need for divorce, child custody, wrongfull eviction, wrongfull employment termination, and many others.\n\nIf that doesn't work, just call a local attorney who does guardianships, explain your situation, and you just might be given the paperwork you need.\n\nGood luck in finding what you need. Good for you for stepping up and taking care of children who need a decent, safe and loving home. Fostercare, while sometimes provides some decent homes, is a corrupt system which steals children from their families, often making it too difficult for even other family members to take their own blood into their homes. The child welfare system needs total revamping and changes.\n\nGod bless and happiness always
29121
I don't know where you live but I live in Ontario Canada and I had custody of my children. The reason being that I requested the court to appoint the children their own lawyer, it did and because our chidren have rights here they choose to be with me. The childrens female lawyer and my female lawyer fought my ex's femail lawyer and what it all boiled down to was the childrens right to be with the parent they wanted to be with. If a child has the capability of choosing then the courts will or at least should listen to them. I did have a male lawyer but because my ex wife had a female lawyer my lawyer recomended that I have a female lawyer fight for me and for the kids. I won custody and my ex had to pay me support for the raising of the children. More and more fathers are getting custody now cause here there finding out that the mothers do not stay at home with the children as much as they first thought. Aparently the fathers do stay home and do spend more time with their children when they have custody. Don't give up your fight and good luck
210744
As in you want to release someone from support obligations or you feel its' time you stopped paying child support?\n\nThe answer to your question is probably going to be "court order".\n\nIn any event I'd recommend contacting your county courthouse and requesting the information from an authority.\n\nBest of Luck,\nArmus
208095
Hmmm...I'm 34 w/ 4 kids and paying soooooooooo much, and I'm the mom. Long story but no I'm not a derelict I just was sick of family court. A lawyer is good advice but also unrealistic when it comes down to it. Get on the internet (whatever state you're in) and download all your paperwork. They're making it so much easier than it used to be. Get your support reduced and pay and they'll give you your license.
614882
There is a lot involved with surrendering your parental rights.  You can do so to your spouse in the event of a divorce, however this would not exempt anyone from child support it just means that you can't have custody or make parental decisions for the child.  I hope you reconsider, however you will need an attorney if you decide to move forward with this act.
32902
You do have rights, where do you live, would assist if local. If money is holding you up in the battle, try locating a DADS or POPS in your area, I recommend DADS over Pops though. DADS can steer to to legal de facto or Ex Parte soulutions.