Legal Question in Family Law in Oregon

Parental Rights

What legal form or forms are there for me to have the non-custodial parent to sign off all of his parental rights? are there even forms for this?


Asked on 1/30/04, 3:59 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Lawrence D. Gorin, Atty. Law Offices of Lawrence Gorin

"Signing-off" parental rights? No, not in Oregon.

YOUR POST:

What legal form or forms are there for me to have the non-custodial parent to sign off all of his parental rights? are there even forms for this?

ANSWER:

A parent may not voluntarily "sign-off" parental rights. (And there is no form for doing so).

If a father could sign-off his parental rights, it would effectively result in the child being fatherless. The law frowns on "bastardizing" children, which would be the result of the action you are suggesting.

By the way, what would happen if BOTH parents decided to voluntarily sign-off their parental rights? Who would then take care of the child (and pay the costs for doing so)?

There is, of course, one way in which parental rights CAN be voluntarily relinquished. And that is when it is done in connection with an adoption proceeding. In essence, a father CAN voluntarily sign-off his parental rights IF there is another man ready, willing and able to immediately take over and assume all parental responsibilities (and rights) of fatherhood in place of the father who is "signing-off."

LDG

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Answered on 1/31/04, 3:52 am


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