Termination
Expert representation in termination of parental rights cases.
Termination of parental rights is a critical aspect of many family law cases. Whether pursuing or defending against termination, you can trust our skilled lawyers to protect your rights and keep your child's best interests at heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the grounds for terminating parental rights in Texas?
Family Code §161.001 lists them: abandonment (6+ months), failure to support (1 year), endangerment, criminal conduct against a child, drug use endangering the child, and imprisonment over 2 years — each requiring clear and convincing evidence plus a best-interest finding.
Can a parent voluntarily give up their rights?
Only with court approval. A parent can sign an affidavit of relinquishment, but a judge must still find termination in the child's best interest — courts routinely reject terminations sought just to escape child support with no adoption pending.
Does termination stop child support?
Future support ends when rights are terminated; arrears already owed survive. That trade — losing the parent-child relationship entirely — is why judges scrutinize support-motivated terminations closely.
Do I get a lawyer if CPS tries to terminate my rights?
Yes — indigent parents have the right to appointed counsel in state-filed termination suits. Ask at your first hearing, comply meticulously with your service plan, and never sign a relinquishment without independent legal advice.
Can terminated parental rights be restored?
Almost never. A narrow statute (§161.302) lets some parents in CPS cases seek reinstatement within specific windows if the child hasn't been adopted, but private terminations are permanent. Treat termination as irreversible.