Legal Question in Family Law in Minnesota

Terminating Parental Rights???

How hard is it to terminate a parents rights? I have heard that it is hard to do. But, what if you can prove different things to show the court that it would be in the best interest of the children to do so (i.e., Physical Child Abuse, Mental Abuse of a Child, Drug History Problems, etc.)? Pleas, any help and info would be greatly appreciated. My two children need this to happen.


Asked on 5/23/05, 9:57 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

J. Chris Carpenter Harvey and Carpenter

Re: Terminating Parental Rights???

Judges are reluctant to terminate parental rights because they view each parent as a source of financial support for a child. If the children's father is paying child support, the court would be much more willing to restrict parenting time than it would to terminate parental rights. If the children's father has not paid much child support, the court might entertain a motion to terminate parental rights, but I can't promise a favorable outcome.

If you now have a husband, he is willing to adopt the children, and the children's father is willing to relinquish parental rights, you could obtain a 'step parent adoption. Courts are willing to do this because it means that there is a second source of financial security for the children.

Our law firm frequently handles these sorts of cases. Please call us if you have any further questions.

Herbert C. Kroon

Chesley, Kroon, Chambers, Harvey, and Carpenter Attorney at Law

75 Teton Lane

P. O. Box 327

Mankato, MN 56002-0327

(507) 625-3000

fax: (507) 625-2002

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Answered on 5/24/05, 5:49 am


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