How to Defend Against a Termination of Parental Rights

The termination of parental rights, also known as TPR, is as serious a charge as can be made against a family. In essence, the TPR ceases a parent’s responsibility of caring for a child. These include providing necessities for a child, such as shelter and food.

Instructions

Defending Against a Termination of Parental Rights

1. Getting a lawyer who specializes in family law is crucial in defending against a TPR. Such a lawyer will be better suited to navigate the legal system, and better spot relevant issues.

2. Show that you are fit to be the child's parent. This requires that you demonstrate that you are both physically and mentally capable of providing for your child.

3. Abusing and neglecting the child coincides with Step 2. Performing mental and/or physical abuse on your child is grounds for a TPR. By showing that you have not conducted such harm, you can defend against a TPR claim.

4. The best interest of the child is the general standard set in TPR cases. In defending against the TPR, the parent would have to show that by having the child remain in his custody, that child’s best interests are being served. The best interest of the child standard can be loosely construed. As such, any feasible factor can be taken into account.