Adoption in Kansas: What does it mean to terminate parental rights?

When considering, researching, and choosing Kansas adoption, you are going to hear plenty of new terms and words. From distinguishing the difference between adoption agencies and adoption lawyers, to learning what an open adoption mean, to legal language such as “terminate parental rights”, Adoption Choices of Kansas is here to help you understand the language associated with your adoption process.

If you need adoption help now, please call us at 877-903-4488, text us at 316-209-2071, or visit us at Adoption Choices of Kansas.

What is a termination of parental rights?

Termination of parental rights is the legal process where the court ends the parent-child relationship between a child and one or both of the child’s parents. This means that the parent whose rights are terminated will have zero legal rights to the child.

When an expectant mother chooses adoption for her baby, she is voluntarily terminating her parental rights. Voluntary termination happens when the birth parents legally consent to adoption, relinquishing all of their parental rights and responsibilities. This type of termination of parental rights is most commonly associated with domestic infant adoptions. This is also known as Consent to Adoption.

Mothers who choose adoption for their babies have the right of consent. Birth fathers often must legally establish paternity before they have the right to consent to or contest an adoption. Laws and processes for establishing paternity vary by state. In most states, birth mothers must wait for a certain amount of time following the child’s birth before signing consent. In the State of Kansas the consents cannot be signed until at least 12 hours after the birth. Some states allow birth fathers to execute consent during the pregnancy. Most states require the consent to be in writing. Don’t worry, Adoption Choices of Kansas‘s legal team will make sure you paperwork is prepared.

It is important to understand that once a parent consents to adoption in Kansas, it is irrevocable unless the birth mother can show that the consent was signed under duress, undue influence or fraud. If she has signed her consent with her own attorney, it is nearly impossible to successfully claim that there was duress, undue influence or fraud. This is one of the many reasons that it is so important to ensure the birth mother has her own legal representation. A birth mother will always be legally represented with Adoption Choices of Kansas.

Termination of Parental Rights in Kansas

To proceed with an adoption in Kansas, the birth parents’ parental rights must first be terminated. Working with a trusted, licensed adoption agency is the best case scenario for a woman choosing adoption. Adoption Choices of Kansas serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call Us 877-903-4488 or Text Us 316-209-2071