What Are the Steps to Give Up Your Parental Rights in Florida?
- A petition to terminate parental rights, or TPR petition, is the first step in giving up parental rights in Florida. The TPR petition requires you to choose a reason to terminate parental rights. In addition, you must sign the petition and then file it. Next, file the petition in a family law court in the county where the child resides. In addition, the court may charge a filing fee. For example in Pinellas County, the court charges $395 to file a petition for the termination of parental rights.
- After you file the petition, the court will schedule a hearing to address the matter of terminating parental rights before a judge. The other parent must receive a copy of the petition, along with notice of the date and time of the hearing. Whether the other parent consents to the relinquishment of parental rights or not, he or she has a legal right to receive a copy of the filed petition and summons.
- The parent requesting the termination of parental rights must attend the hearing before the family court judge. If the termination of parental rights is involuntary and a parent contests the relinquishment of her parental rights, she must attend the hearing to try to ensure that her legal rights are not terminated. She will have an opportunity to present evidence at the hearing to persuade the judge not to terminate her rights. At the end of the hearing, the judge will either approve or deny the requested termination of parental rights.
- Following the court’s approval of a petition requesting the termination of parental rights, you will no longer have any legal rights and responsibilities concerning the child. For example, you will no longer have any requirement to pay monthly child support. In addition, you will have no further contact with the child and cannot provide input regarding the child’s education or other activities. Therefore, a petition requesting the termination of parental rights should be considered carefully.
