Legal Question in Family Law in Louisiana
I would like to know how to start the process of having papers served for my son's fathers to sign his parental rights away. I tried to contact the courts in New Orleans, LA however am unsuccessful with getting any information on the matter. I am curious to know if you need a lawyer, and about how much it usually costs.
2 Answers from Attorneys
It is always best to have legal counsel. There are a number of questions that need answers. Is the father willing to relinquish his rights? If not, the law is very specific as to when a parent can lose rights. Louisiana law favors children having access to both parents so it is not easy to lose parental rights. The cost of an attorney often depends on where the matter will need to be filed, the years of experience, and the complexity of the issues. You will more than likely need to consult with an attorney to find out what his/her fee will be.
A court will not terminate a father's rights unless there is another man willing to adopt, or if the child is in the custody of the State and they are terminating both parents' rights in order to free the child for adoption.