Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

One can ask a court to terminate one's parental rights, and the court can say "yes" or it can say "no." There's really no such thing as "giving up one's parental rights."

In connection with a pending petition for termination of one's rights, one can sign an Affidavit of Relinquishment of Parental Rights.

I have, on two memorable occasions, been in court when the father AND the mother asked the Court to terminate Dad's rights, and the court said "no" - because it wasn't in the best interest of the child.