Anyone in Wisconsin who cares for children on a regular basis understands how challenging it can be. Today’s world presents so many types of obstacles, problems and situations that were extremely rare or non-existent several decades ago. Some people say advanced technology is a crucial leading factor in the changing landscape of parenting and family life throughout the nation.
Regardless of what has caused such changes, the fact remains that raising children in 2017 may be a rewarding experience indeed, but is also often wrought with complicated issues that make parents, grandparents and other caregivers feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for help. Sometimes, the gravity of a particular situation may lead to parental rights termination.
Why would the court terminate a parent’s rights?
There are many reasons a mother or father may lose parental rights. The court may issue such a ruling in relation to an individual incident or ongoing problem. Then too, it is sometimes one parent asking the court to terminate the rights of the other parent. Below, are some of the most frequently cited reasons for involuntary termination of parental rights:
- Abandonment: If a parent literally walks away from a child and refuses to care for him or her, it may give the court cause to terminate parental rights.
- Failure to support: Any parent who refuses to provide financial and/or temporal support for a child is at risk for involuntary termination of parental rights.
- Abuse or neglect: Evidence of physical or mental abuse against one or more children in a home is typically grounds for parental rights termination.
- Impaired ability to parent: This type of situation might include drug or alcohol addiction, or some type of mental illness that renders a parent incapable of taking care of children.
If the court hands down a felony conviction against a parent in court resulting in a long incarceration, this too may be cause for terminating parental rights. In such situations, children are often severely negatively impacted, sometimes for the rest of their lives. Many enter foster care programs. In other circumstances, a grandparent may seek legal guardianship so a child/children can remain within the family. When one parent is entangled in a difficult situation against the other, obtaining successful results in court often hinges on the type of legal representation one secures.
The court always seeks the best interests of children, no matter how devastating a particular situation happens to be. The process can be lengthy and stressful to say the least. If you’re involved in a parental rights situation in Wisconsin and would like to discuss your legal options, you can request a private meeting with an experienced family law attorney.