Pisgah, AL asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Tennessee

Q: do I still have any parental rights as a mother if I willingly gave my father full custody of my children

the custody papers were done through my fathers private atty. my rights were never terminated to the best of my knowledge

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1 Lawyer Answer
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Columbia, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: Its is crucial that you know the difference between "termination of parental rights" and "custody." You should check the court clerk in the county where al this took place to verify. If, as you think, your parental rights were not terminated, then you definitely still have those parental rights. These rights would include "parenting time" ( this used to be called "visitation rights" ) and the right to petition the court to regain custody of your child. Of course, there is also the obligation to pay child support when someone else takes over your parental responsibilities. You don't explain much, but there was obviously some reason you agreed to let your father have custody, so if that problem has been fixed/corrected, you may be able to regain your children. However, if your rights got terminated, ( probably as part of an adoption), then its over. Hope this helps.

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