Children deserve the best from their parents, and this includes the provision of a nurturing and healthy environment for the child to grow up in. However, not all parents are capable of providing this and sometimes, it may lead to them losing their parental rights.
As a father in California, the law protects your parental rights as long as you are legally recognized as the father. However, these rights may be involuntarily revoked in certain situations. These include the following.
You have not made contact for over 6 months
If you, as the legally recognized father to a California child, fail to visit them or make contact for more than six months, you may risk losing your parental rights. This lack of contact can be interpreted as abandonment, which can lead to a court determining that it is in the child’s best interest to terminate your rights. The court typically assesses whether the absence of contact has negatively impacted the child’s well-being and development, and if there is a legitimate reason for the lack of communication.
You have been convicted of a felony
If you have a felony conviction, especially for crimes involving violence, abuse or serious drug offenses, it may indicate parental unfitness. The court will assess the nature of the crime and how it affects your ability to care for your child. If the court determines that your actions pose a risk to your child’s safety or emotional well-being, it may initiate proceedings to terminate your parental rights.
The court has terminated reunification services
If the court has removed your child from your care and terminated reunification services, that is a signal that you have not made sufficient progress in addressing issues that affect your parenting abilities. This can occur if you fail to comply with court-ordered programs, such as parenting classes, counseling or substance abuse treatment. When reunification services are terminated, the court believes that efforts to restore the parent-child relationship have not been successful, leading to a higher likelihood of terminating your parental rights.
If you are facing the possibility of losing your parental rights, obtaining legal guidance is essential to help you understand your options and protect your interests.