TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS

When this process is voluntary, it is often referred to as "relinquishment." A court can also order termination of rights involuntarily in certain limited circumstances such as when abuse or neglect has occurred, or when a parent is absent or fails to support a child for an extended period of time. The Court must find that one of the grounds for termination listed in the Family Code has been met, and that termination of parental rights is in the child's best interest, which is a very high standard of proof.