Generally, parents who are seeking a divorce want to maintain a relationship with their children. In most instances, it is in the children’s best interest to keep both parents in their lives.
Sadly, there are situations where one parent seeks to deny parental visitation or custody rights to the other parent, and even some cases where both parents no longer want to have legal responsibility for their child(ren).
A parent incarcerated for a serious felony may be a terrible role model, and it is certainly understandable that a spouse divorcing a convicted felon may want their children also to have the choice not to see that parent ever again or to limit the interaction they do have to a safe and appropriate manner. When there are allegations of serious sexual or physical or emotional abuse, you may also wish to petition the court for termination of your spouse’s parental rights.
There are some instances where people enter into marriage with poor or non-existent parenting skills. Once they make a decision to seek a divorce, both parents may seek to put their minor children up for adoption as well. Terminating parental rights is a very serious matter. Once the decision is made by a judge, it is essentially irrevocable.
Hasty decisions sometimes lead to long-term consequences. One thing you may want to keep in mind is that if your petition to terminate your spouse’s parental rights is granted, you may no longer have the ability to collect child support from that person, since he or she is no longer considered legally responsible for your child.
Divorce puts a huge emotional and mental strain on anyone. It may be that the added stress of also raising children alone adds to the feeling of hopelessness and despair suddenly confronting you. There may be alternatives to signing away your parental rights, such as letting a parent or sibling care for your child until you have recovered your emotional equilibrium.
Hirsch Legal, LLC is well-equipped to advise you on the advantages and risks of filing to strip your spouse of parental rights, or of giving up custody for your own sake. In such cases, we are guided by a sense of what would be best for the child.
Carmina K. Hirsch, our principal attorney, is an experienced attorney in the areas of divorce and custody disputes in Connecticut. Whatever your situation, we are well-equipped to help you protect your rights and those of your children.
Hirsch Legal, LLC serves clients in New Haven and throughout Fairfield County (Bridgeport, Trumbull, Monroe Danbury, Milford, Waterbury). If you need assistance with a divorce or Family Court matter, we are here for you!