Termination of Parental Rights in Texas and Its Impact on Parental Duties

The termination of parental rights is a decision that is not taken lightly by the Texas family courts. When a parent’s rights are terminated, that individual’s parental duties cease as well. Therefore, the family courts must have clear and convincing evidence that certain events have occurred before parental rights will be terminated, and the parental duties will end.

If a parent has abandoned the child and has expressed no intent to return, the courts may decide to terminate the parent’s rights. Additionally, if a parent either places or allows the child to stay in an environment that is dangerous, parental rights may be terminated. The family courts will also consider whether the parent has stopped supporting the child, whether the parent has been convicted of a crime involving the harm of a child, and whether the parent has signed an affidavit that expresses a desire to have parental rights terminated. Other events may also be considered.

If the family court determines that grounds for termination has occurred, the parent no longer has an obligation to support the child. This means that any child support orders will cease, and the parent may not be ordered to pay support in the future. It makes the parent (and the parent’s family members) “strangers” to the child which mean they will have no contact with the child.