Recovering From The Loss Of Parental Rights
As a parent, you want what is best for your children. Unfortunately, there are situations in which that means being forced to spend time apart from them. In child time sharing proceedings, there are numerous factors a court considers in determining the rights of each party and the best interests of the child. In some cases, circumstances in your past or those you are currently facing could put your parental rights in jeopardy. Our Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer explains how to recover from this difficult and painful situation.
The Loss Of Parental Rights
Loss of parental rights can happen in cases involving divorced or single parents. While the Florida Statutes generally encourage child time sharing arrangements that allow both parents to remain active and involved in their child’s life, the court may have determined that there were circumstances in your case that made frequent and ongoing contact not in your child’s best interests. Situations in which this is likely to happen include:
- When one of the parent previously abandoned the child;
- When their physical or mental health is likely to prevent them from providing the love and attention the child needs;
- When they have failed to comply with the terms of a previously issued child time sharing order;
- When they are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction;
- When they are engaged in criminal activity;
- When there are allegations of child abuse or neglect.
Regaining Your Parental Rights
Losing your parental rights or having restrictions placed on the amount of time you spend with your child is a frustrating and painful situation. As a parent, you may feel like a failure and are likely to be bombarding yourself with guilt and shame over the situation. The first steps in recovery involve accepting the situation, acknowledging why it happened, and determining what you can do differently moving forward.
It is important to speak with our Fort Lauderdale child time sharing lawyer about the circumstances surrounding your case and the reasons why your parental rights were restricted. Actions that can help regain your rights and regular access to your child include:
- Complying with the terms of any current orders issued through the Broward County Court;
- Following a judge’s recommendations, such as obtaining counseling or attending drug and alcohol classes;
- Consistently choosing right actions and showing changed behavior/attitudes;
- Cutting ties with bad influences, which may include changing your lifestyle or living environment;
- Paying financial support for your children, which was likely ordered by the court;
- Communicating regularly and appropriately with them in any ways that are allowed, such as phone calls or supervised visits.
Our Fort Lauderdale Child Time Sharing Lawyer Is Here To Help You
You can overcome past difficulties, regain parental rights, and move on to establish a close and loving relationship with your child. As an experienced Fort Lauderdale time sharing lawyer, Vanessa L. Prieto is here to help. Reach out and call our office or contact us online and request a confidential, one-on-one consultation to discuss your options today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html#:~:text=change%20of%20circumstances.-,1.,%2C%20and%20joys%2C%20of%20childrearing.
browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family