The road can be rough for children in Texas who are living in an unstable family situation. In some cases, the courts may decide to terminate parental rights for the children’s protection and well-being. If this occurs, other complications may arise, and it is important that a child you love be given the support and security he or she needs in such a situation.
Family law courts tend to prefer that guardianship is given to a close relative if the parents lose custody, explains FindLaw. You may be a grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin with an interest in caring for the children when their parents are no longer able or allowed. First, it can help to understand the various reasons a parent may have his or her rights terminated. This often occurs if the parents are using drugs or have been found guilty of child abuse, after other avenues to assist the family have failed. A parent may have been in an accident and incapacitated, or deemed mentally unfit to raise the children. Some parents voluntarily sign over their parental rights.
As you may imagine, it can be devastating for a child who has lost his or her parents to a court order, even if the parents were abusive. When children up a certain way, including in an abusive or dysfunctional household, it is all they know and changing their way of life can be traumatic. If you obtain guardianship over children whose parents lost their rights, you may need to seek assistance from counselors and social programs to help them adjust. The information in this blog is meant to educate you, but should not replace the advice of a lawyer.