Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
If a parent gives up his or her parental rights, can the other parent still file for child support, and does that parent have any legal visitation rights to the child.
Asked on 10/13/09, 8:44 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Dunn
Mark D. Dunn
If a judge actually ORDERS the termination of parental rights (merely filing for it isn't enough - a parent can't just give up his rights - a judge must make a decision that termination of the parental rights is in the child's best interest) - there will be no ongoing child support (with a VERY few exceptions). The "terminated" parent will (generally - 99% of cases) have no legal rights to the child at all, and no "visitation." Generally, an order terminating parental rights does NOT eliminate past-due child support.
Answered on 10/19/09, 3:50 pm