Petition by Stepfather and Natural Mother to Terminate Natural Fathers Parent / Child Relationship for Failure to Support Child - Release of Parental Rights
Overview of this form
This form is a petition by a stepfather and the natural mother to terminate the natural father's parent-child relationship due to his failure to financially support the child. It is specifically designed for cases where the mother's new partner seeks to legally sever the biological father's rights. This petition sets forth the grounds for the termination, focusing on the lack of financial support, and is essential for protecting the child's best interests.
What’s included in this form
- Identification of petitioners and respondent, including contact details.
- Background information about the child and custody arrangements.
- Details of financial support failures by the natural father.
- Request for appointment of a guardian ad litem to represent the minor's interests.
- Legal grounds for termination of the parent-child relationship.
Situations where this form applies
This petition should be used when the natural father has not provided financial support for the child over a significant period. It is applicable in situations where the stepfather and natural mother want to formalize the stepfather's role and protect the child's rights. Typical scenarios include divorce cases where custody has been awarded to the mother, and the biological father has failed to fulfill his financial responsibilities.
Intended users of this form
- Stepparents seeking to terminate the parental rights of a biological parent due to neglect or failure to support.
- Natural mothers wanting to ensure the financial and emotional stability of their children.
- Families involved in custody disputes requiring legal documentation of support failures.
Steps to complete this form
- Identify the petitioners (stepfather and natural mother) and respondent (natural father) by entering their names and addresses.
- Fill in the child's details, including name, date of birth, and current living arrangements.
- State the history of financial support failure and specify the relevant dates.
- Attach necessary documents, such as divorce decrees and custody arrangements, as exhibits.
- Sign the petition and have it filed in the appropriate court.
Notarization guidance
Notarization is not commonly needed for this form. However, certain documents or local rules may make it necessary. Our notarization service, powered by Notarize, allows you to finalize it securely online anytime, day or night.
Mistakes to watch out for
- Failing to provide complete information about the financial support history.
- Not attaching necessary exhibits, such as custody orders or divorce decrees.
- Incorrectly identifying parties involved in the case, leading to invalid petitions.
Why use this form online
- Convenience of downloading the form instantly from anywhere.
- Editability that allows you to customize the document to fit your specific circumstances.
- Access to professionally drafted templates that ensure legal compliance.
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FAQ
You may voluntarily give up your parental rights if someone else wants to adopt the child, or if someone else has filed a petition to terminate your rights. You will typically need to go to a court hearing to let the judge know your wishes in person.
Absent parent: If a parent has been absent for 6 months or more, the law allows the other, more responsible parent, to petition to terminate parental rights. Not just parents can terminate: in fact, anyone with an interest in the well-being of a child can attempt to terminate one or both parents' rights.
In the parent-child relationship, parents have some basic rights and responsibilities.However, a court can take these rights away from a parent if either one violates the law or if the father fails to claim paternity. A parent also may voluntarily terminate these rights.
Child abandonment occurs when a parent, guardian, or person in charge of a child either deserts a child without any regard for the child's physical health, safety or welfare and with the intention of wholly abandoning the child, or in some instances, fails to provide necessary care for a child living under their roof.
Parents will have to file a petition with their local court requesting a hearing to determine parental rights. Once a petition is filed, parents need to attend a hearing before the judge who will determine whether rights will be granted/terminated.
As such, the termination of parental rights is very rare. While you may feel that your deadbeat ex isn't worthy of the privilege of time with your child, the courts look on the matter differently, taking a child's needs and well-being into account over a parent's personal grievances.
In order to terminate their rights, a petition to terminate an absent parent's parental rights will need to be filed in family court. The judge will then proceed to review the case and the circumstances and determine whether parental rights should be terminated.
Generally, the only way to remove parental responsibility from someone is to make an application to the Court. Although if someone has been given parental responsibility through a court order, then that responsibility would end once the court order is no longer in force.