Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
Involuntary termination of parental rights
My daughters father has had no contact whatsoever with her for over 6 years. i have remarried and she considers my husband as her daddy. My husband wants to adopt. How can we file for Involuntary termination of parental rights so that this can happen? We have no knowledge of where her biological father lives or anything.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Involuntary termination of parental rights
You stated that you have had no contact at all from your daughter's father in 6 years. I presume that means he has not paid any child support in all that time as well and that he knew how to find you. Those are valid reasons to request involuntary termination of his parental rights. However, your Order of Termination will be much stronger if you give him actual notice of the suit. Further, you must make every reasonable attempt to locate him in order to get your suit started. Follow up on all leads and do an internet search for him in an honest diligent search for him. If you find him, ask him if he would be willing to sign papers to voluntarily terminate his rights. The suit is fairly complicated, so you should hire an attorney to help you with it. If you would like to hire me, call 210-655-9090 for an interview.