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When we hear the term “terminate parental rights”, it usually refers to one of two things.  In the case of an adoption, parents will need to terminate their parental rights in order for the adoption to become legal.  But in criminal cases, where parents are charged with child abuse or neglect, they may lose their parental rights involuntarily. 

A court-imposed termination of parental rights is not necessary for parents who choose to forego visitation and live apart from their children.  Under most circumstances, the court would only gets involved in parental rights issues when a parent becomes a danger to his or her child. 

While the actual laws vary from one state to another, the most common reasons for a court to terminate parental rights include parental engagement in any type of criminal activity that puts the child in danger, abuse or neglect of the child by one or both parents, the inability to care for a child due to substance abuse problems, and the incarceration of both parents.

Before the state of Colorado can terminate parental rights, it must have made an effort to involve the parents in any proceedings leading up to this decision and work toward a constructive reunification between parent and child.  However, when these efforts fail and/or parents choose not to cooperate with the state, a termination of parental rights will occur.

When a parent loses his or her parental rights, they lose more than their custody and visitation rights.  The parent is also permanently prohibited from having the right to visit or contact the child, and no longer has the right to any input in decisions that are made for the child.  Of course, termination of parental rights also relieves the parent of any financial responsibility towards the child.

If you are facing a termination of parental rights case in Colorado, contact one of the experienced Colorado Springs parental rights attorneys at the Marrison Family Law LLC.