Termination of Parental Rights Attorney in Scottsdale

The termination of parental rights in Scottsdale is a delicate matter that often requires assistance from an attorney. At Guymon Law, we can help you with this legal process using high-quality legal services. We can explain the legal process behind the termination of parental rights in Arizona, help you petition the courts for this order or represent you if someone else is trying to terminate your parental rights. Contact our Scottsdale family law attorneys today for more information.

Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights in Scottsdale

Parental rights refer to the rights of a parent or legal guardian to make important decisions on behalf of a child, such as the child’s residence, religion, health care and education. It also refers to the right to physical custody of a child. In Arizona, the courts will terminate parental rights if there is a good reason to do so, such as for the health and safety of the child. The courts in Arizona might terminate parental rights if any of the following are true:

• The parent wishes to voluntarily terminate his or her parental rights and the child is up for adoption.
• The parent has abandoned the child (no contact or financial support for at least six months).
• The parent has neglected the child, meaning he or she has failed to provide food, shelter and other necessities.
• The parent is unfit to care for the child or has made minimal effort to care for and support the child.
• There is a serious risk of the child suffering physical, emotional or mental injury with the parent.
• The parent has failed to adjust his or her household after Child Protective Services removed the child from the home.
• The parent has been convicted of sexual assault in connection to the conception of the child.

Terminating parental rights is a decision that the courts take very seriously, as they generally hold that a child is better off remaining in contact with both parents. The termination of parental rights means that that the individual is legally no longer the child’s parent. The individual will not get to raise the child, see or visit with the child, or have the right to custody or visitation. The individual will also not be responsible for paying child support.

How to Terminate Scottsdale Parental Rights

If you wish to terminate someone’s parental rights in Scottsdale, you must submit a petition to the District Court in the county where the child or one of the parents lives. The individual in question must be served a copy of the legal petition that you have filed. If you don’t know where the other parent is, you must do everything that you can to find them before a judge will terminate their rights.

Next, you will need to go to court to prove why you believe the person’s parental rights should be terminated. If you wish to defend yourself from the termination of your parental rights, you will need to prove that you are a fit parent. An attorney can help you with this complicated and sensitive legal matter from either side of a case.

How an Attorney Can Help

The termination of Scottsdale parental rights is one of the most serious decisions made in the family courts in Arizona. As the petitioner or respondent, it is important to protect yourself with support from a professional attorney. An attorney can help you build the strongest and most compelling case possible to present to the courts. Your attorney can guide you through the legal process using personalized legal strategies, improving your peace of mind during a difficult time. Hiring an attorney increases the odds of achieving the outcome that you desire when something as important as parental rights is on the line.

Contact a Termination of Parental Rights Attorney in Scottsdale Today

For more information about the termination of parental rights in Arizona, whether you wish to protect yourself from this possibility or file a petition against someone, contact Guymon Law for an initial consultation. We are experienced, compassionate and committed family law attorneys in Scottsdale who can help you work through your case. Call (480) 553-9782 today.