Family & Safety

Terminating parental rights is something courts take very seriously. The law prefers kids to have two parents. Judges do not like terminating one parent’s rights without having someone else step in and take their place. Otherwise, lots of parents who want to avoid child support Money paid by a parent to help another parent support a minor child or an adult child with a disability would be more than willing to give up their parental rights.

One way parental rights can be terminated is through an adoption case, but usually only when someone new is willing to step into the shoes of the parent whose rights are terminated. For instance, one parent has a new spouse who would like to adopt the child.  The parent could terminate the rights of the other parent and transform the new spouse from step-parent to adoptive parent.  

Another way parental rights can be terminated is as part of a juvenile For misdemeanor offenses, a defendant is considered a juvenile if the offense occurred when they were 17 or younger.For felony offenses, a defendant is considered a juvenile if the offense occurred when they were 16 or younger. case.  For that to happen, there must be serious abuse or neglect When a person acts with less care or caution than a regular person would have in the same situation . Juvenile cases are filed by the State of Illinois so it's not something a parent or their lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice can file.