This informational guide reviews state laws that detail the specific circumstances that must be present when a court terminates the legal parent-child relationship.
New Hampshire Grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights: In New Hampshire, the termination of parental rights is considered as a serious step that can only be pursued under specific grounds listed in the state's Child Protection Act. The primary objective behind involuntary termination is to ensure the safety, welfare, and best interests of the child. 1. Abuse or Neglect: The first ground for involuntary termination is when a parent has subjected their child to abuse or neglect, resulting in detrimental physical, mental, or emotional harm to the child. 2. Abandonment: If a parent has left their child without any reasonable communication, support, or contact for a period of at least six months, it may be considered as abandonment. This can be a ground for the termination of parental rights. 3. Failure to Correct: When a child is placed outside the home and the parent fails to correct the conditions leading to the child's initial removal, it can be a ground for involuntary termination. The parent needs to demonstrate a lack of effort or inability to overcome the circumstances that led to their child's placement. 4. Severe or Chronic Substance Abuse: If a parent's severe or chronic substance abuse interferes with their ability to adequately care for their child or poses a threat to the child's safety and well-being, it may be considered as grounds for termination. 5. Sexual Abuse: In cases where a parent has sexually abused their child or consented to or allowed another individual to sexually abuse the child, the courts may deem it necessary to terminate parental rights. 6. Conviction of Certain Crimes: If a parent is convicted of specific crimes such as rape, sexual assault, murder, or involvement in drug-related activities that endanger the child, it may be grounds for involuntary termination. 7. Failure to Support: If a parent has willfully failed to provide financial support for their child, without justifiable cause, for a continuous period of six months or more, it can be considered as grounds for termination. 8. Mental Illness or Incapacity: In situations where a parent's mental illness or incapacity significantly impairs their ability to provide for the child's physical, emotional, or mental needs, it may constitute grounds for the termination of parental rights. It is important to note that every child protection case is unique, and the final decision of whether to terminate parental rights is made by the court after carefully considering the evidence and circumstances of each case. The well-being and safety of the child remain the foremost priority throughout the process.
