Termination of Parental Rights

When families fail to care for and protect children, states have the authority, when granted legal jurisdiction by the court, to initiate family services and to provide substitute care for the children. The prevailing legal standard for the care and protection of children is the best interest standard. The state is expected to act in the best interest of the child. Termination of parental rights is a legal action initiated in state family or juvenile court by the state's child protective services department. It typically follows a series of care and protection hearings and interventions designed to protect children within the confines of child welfare laws and regulations promoting child safety, family life, and parental rights. Cases of severe maltreatment, defined by statute, may move ...