What qualifies as grounds for termination of parental rights?

An unfit parent may have parental rights terminated based on state or federal grounds. The termination is generally ordered by a court after sufficient evidence establishes that the parent is unfit to care for his or her children.

Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights

The grounds for involuntary termination of parental rights are circumstances under which the child cannot safely be returned home because of risk of harm by a parent or inability of a parent to provide for the child’s basic needs. Each State has state specific statutory grounds for termination of parental rights. The most common grounds for finding a parent
unfit include:

• Severe or chronic abuse or neglect
• Established abuse or neglect of other children in the household
• Abandonment of the child
• Felony conviction of the parent for a crime against the child or another family member.
• Long-term mental illness or deficiency of a parent who is the primary caregiver
• Long-term alcohol or drug-caused incapacity of a parent who is the primary caregiver
• Failure to support or maintain contact with the child
• Involuntary termination of the rights of the parent to another child

Getting Legal Advice

If you are concerned about an unfit parenting situation, the best thing you can do to protect the children and your rights is to consult with a family law attorney immediately. An attorney can help you to figure out the best approach to a difficult situation. You will need to rely on someone who understands how the legal system works and can advocate for you.