Okay, I don't want to make this longer than it has to be, so if I don't explain enough, PLEASE ask questions. I know one of the grounds for terminating parental rights is abuse, but I need that to be explained a little more. My husband has full custody of his son and biomom received standard visitation(which she never kept). The question--during biomom's visitation, son was removed from her home for being the "victim of out-of-control abuse", biomom and b/f were arrested. Two children(my husband's son, and then biomom's and b/f son) were removed from the home. Biomom and b/f had to do parenting classes, anger management, counseling, etc., which they completed. They have regained custody of the other child, but this happened in another state, so visitation issues have to be addressed in our state regarding my husbands son. Can my husband terminate parental rights? CS was ordered in March this yr. I have been raising this child for the past two years, with biomom only having 15 hrs visitation(at the most) with him. I spend more time with my step-son than either of his parents. I am a stay-at-home mom(I had two children before my husband and I married, that he has now adopted), and my husband works 12 hr shifts. I want to adopt the son that has decided to call me mommy. I just need help, and support. Thank you

mom, not biomom, bio is a term used in adoption scenarios


I would ask a local attorney- tpr issues can get touchy

If she is paying the support (even if it is late or less than the full amount) or if there is ANY contact, you're going to have an uphill battle. The fact that the other child was returned to the home will not help your cause, either.

I agree with Zephyr. If you are really interested in getting this done, this is a time for you to spend the money to talk to a good atty.

has she actually paid support and when was the last contact with the child- of any kind- phone call, letter, visit, etc

Yes, she has been paying support. She has not seen him since March, last year. I know it has to be at least a year of no contact and no support to have grounds to tpr, but I didn't know how the abuse would come into that.

Just for further clarification on the grounds for TPR, what state are you in?

Please understand that I think that you will be going into this with a very slim chance of success unless she voluntarily agrees to TPR and consent to the adoption.

Arkansas. I know she would never voluntarily give up her rights. She doesn't want him(one of the reasons she gave custody to my husband), but she doesn't want me to have him. Thanks for all the replies.