“My daughter is 19 and is pregnant the father of the child wants to sign off his paternal rights. Can this be done? My daughter is a single person who lives at home with her father and myself.”

Many states have laws concerning the voluntary termination of parental rights. Courts can either accept the application or not. It is not necessarily automatic. Though a person can easily decide to not exercise their rights, this does not relieve them of parental responsibilities. Laws vary from state to state, and the Courts take termination of parental right very seriously.


Michael Durgavich is an accomplished attorney and mediator. Maintaining a general practice in the San Jose, California area, Mr. Durgavich specializes in family law, bankruptcy, and alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Durgavich can be reached through his website at http://www.MichaelDurgavich.com. Contact This Author

State laws vary, and the above is intended as general advice, and not direct legal advice regarding any one particular situation in any one state. For direct personal legal advice related to your own situation you should consult an attorney familiar with the laws of your state and with your situation.