Category: Parental Rights

The law favors keeping families together as long as it is in the best interest of the child. In this regard, only very specific actions can lead to the termination of parental rights in states like Florida, actions such as:

Written Surrender

Parents can voluntarily execute a written surrender of a child and consent to an order providing custody to the Florida Department of Children and Families. The surrender must be executed before two witnesses and a notary public or other authorized individual.

Abandonment

Abandonment is defined by statute as a situation in which the identity or location of one or both parents is unknown and cannot be ascertained within 60 days.

Safety & Well-Being of Child Threatened

When evidence indicates that one or both parents have engaged in conduct towards their child or other children which demonstrates that the continuing involvement of one or both parents threatens the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child, this can serve as grounds for the termination of parental rights.