Roswell, GA asked in Criminal Law for Georgia

Q: Could I file abandonment charges and get my ex husbands parental rights removed while he’s in jail?

He is ordered child support and had not been paying that for sometime before going to jail for drug and theft charges.

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3 Lawyer Answers
Forrest Clinton Barbour
Forrest Clinton Barbour
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Fayetteville, GA
  • Licensed in Georgia

A: Terminating a parent's rights is very difficult. Whether you can be successful in doing it depends on a number of factors - I need more information.

David Edward Boyle
David Edward Boyle
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Monroe, GA
  • Licensed in Georgia

A: You can file for abandonment, but if he is in jail then he cannot pay. Terminating rights involves a court finding that he is an unfit parent, a very high burden to overcome. Obtaining such a finding will be expensive and if successful would terminate his obligation to pay child support.

Ecleynne Mercy
Ecleynne Mercy
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Licensed in Georgia

A: You may want to think hard about the termination of rights. Because if you do that then he will not be responsible for any more child support. In addition, if you want his rights terminated/ceased, there is an option in which he can sign his rights away.

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