The father of the child wants to relinquish his parental right. He has had issues with drug use and drinking. My current husband would like to adopt the child. What can i do to start of the process to terminate parental rights? I have been pro se for years now, and would prefer to not hire a lawyer if not necessary.
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Relinquish Parental rights and adoption
- Thread Starter CookMomma
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shrinkmaster
Well-Known Member
It is far easier and faster to use a Lawyer. However if not the Court Clerk at the Family Law courthouse should have the paperwork. Its a very long process read more here http://www.parentnook.com/step-parent-adoptions/ and you should do both the TPR (Termination of Parental Rights) and adoption at same time. this will likely take a year and if you make any errors even longer. When you go to courthouse for paperwork ask Clerk if there is a "Facilitator" who can help you. This a Lawyer who can guide your through paperwork but cannot provide legal advice
army judge
Super Moderator
Fathers or mothers can't give away their children like they would a car, a home, or a puppy.
That said, the child's father is required by law to support his children.
The State of Indiana won't easily allow him to just walk away from his obligations and responsibilities to support his offspring.
If it was that easy, taxpayers would get stuck raising more children that they do today.
In your state, Indiana, a parent does not have the authority to file directly for termination of his/her parental rights because a parent has the duty to support and care for the child until the child is emancipated.
A procedure for voluntary termination of the parent-child relationship can be initiated when a child placing agency or the office of family and children accepts a parent's consent to the termination of the parent-child relationship and files the necessary petition with the juvenile court.
That action only starts the process.
Ultimately the court will hold a hearing on the matter, and will permit such termination or deny it.
The process to attempt what he and you have decided is best for your children starts here:
http://www.in.gov/dcs/files/6.13_Voluntary_Termination_of_Parental_Rights_(TPR)F.pdf
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2014/ic/
http://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/58/termination-parental-rights
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