What is the process to sign over my parental rights?
Full Question:
Answer:
Parents do not cease to be parents when there is a divorce or separation between them; the ongoing obligations of a parent to provide for the emotional and physical well-being of a child only ends with the emancipation of the child, or the death of a parent or child, or the formal termination of parental rights. Termination of parental rights is a court order that severs the rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties and obligations between a parent and child. A termination of parental rights may be voluntary or involuntary. Even if the statutory grounds for termination of parental rights are established, the court need not terminate parental rights if such action is not in the childs best interests.
A juvenile court in Iowa may terminate a parents parental rights if the parents voluntarily and intelligently consent to the termination of parental rights and the parent-child relationship and for good cause desire the termination.
A petition for termination of parental rights shall include the following:
a. The legal name, age, and domicile, if any, of the child.
b. The names, residences, and domicile of any:
(1) Living parents of the child.
(2) Guardian of the child.
(3) Custodian of the child.
(4) Guardian ad litem of the child.
(5) Petitioner.
(6) Person standing in the place of the parents of the child.
c. A plain statement of those facts and grounds which indicate that the parent-child relationship should be terminated.
d. A plain statement explaining why the petitioner does not know any of the information required under paragraphs "a" and "b" of this subsection.
e. A complete list of the services which have been offered to preserve the family and a statement specifying the services provided to address the reasons stated in any order for removal or in any dispositional or permanency order which did not return the child to the child's home.
f. The signature and verification of the petitioner.
