Legal Question in Family Law in South Carolina

Regaining Parental Rights

I'm writing this for a friend of mine who is in prison at the time. He is there because he was found guilty in court for child abuse and neglect. He is currently serving 11 months. Since he has been there, he has been going through classes that are required from Social Services. He has realized that what he did was wrong, and is trying to get his life together. He does want to live the rest of his life not being able to see his child. At this time his parents get to see this child every other weekend. He as a child was abused also and now realizes he needs help and is getting it. But in the meantime the same people that abused him spend every other weekend with his child. Can you please help in finding the right procedures to start trying to get his parental rights back? And can start these procedures from prison or does he have to wait?


Asked on 8/07/99, 7:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jonathan Schiff Self employed

Re: Regaining Parental Rights

First of all, make sure that he keeps in contact with the social worker assigned to the case (I assume the child is in foster care and the child is under a temporary commitment which means reunification is seen as the goal).

Although the prison classes are fine, much will depend on his communication with the system that is currently caring for the child and what he does to secure 1. housing 2. income 3. Whatever supplies needed for the child 4. making realistic future plans and most likely his ongoing plans for counseling. It's important that he not wait until he leaves prison to start getting involved in the process. Social workers adore clients that "get with the program."

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Answered on 8/12/99, 12:30 pm


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