Legal Insights: Child Support After Termination of Parental Rights
Hello. My name is Dylan Savage of Wirth Law Office, and today we are going to discuss whether or not you have to continue paying child support once your rights as a parent are terminated. So, the answer could be yes or it could be no. It is up to the circumstance and type of case in which your rights were terminated.
Child Support in Adoption Cases
Let’s first look at adoption cases. If your rights were terminated through an adoption, in all likelihood, you are not going to have to continue paying child support. However, that’s only if the case has been finalized. If you are still waiting on a final adoption order, you are going to continue paying child support until that final adoption order comes through.
Once that adoption order comes through, it will be presented to the judge, who will ensure that all obligations regarding child support cease. It’s important to keep track of the adoption process to know when your responsibilities change.
Termination of Rights Without Adoption
Now, let’s look at situations where it is not an adoption case. For example, if DHS has had to get involved and your rights as a parent have been terminated either through acceptance of a termination of your rights, or if they were involuntarily terminated, you will still have that obligation. You can find more information about this in Title 10, Section 7505 and Section 7503, which detail that just because your rights are terminated does not mean you’re free from your child support obligations.
It’s crucial to understand that, even after termination, the legal responsibilities towards your child may remain intact. The nuances of each case can drastically change your obligations and it’s always best to seek professional advice.
Get Professional Guidance Today
If you found this information helpful and believe it could benefit someone else, please visit theoklahomaattorney.com. My name is Dylan Savage, and I am an attorney for Wirth Law Office in Oklahoma County. If you have questions about your specific situation, I invite you to reach out for a low-cost consultation with a child support attorney in OKC. Call us at 405-888-5400 today!
