Some of the most important things parents need to know about actions to terminate parental rights are summarized below. If you are a parent named in a termination of parental rights case:
- You need to get a lawyer to represent you as soon as possible. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, you may be eligible to have a lawyer appointed for you. See How to get a lawyer and How Can You Make the Best Use of Your Lawyer?.
- You have the right to ask DYFS for services that will help you solve the problems that may have caused DYFS to file this lawsuit against you. See Getting services from DYFS.
- You must attend all scheduled visits with your child, and you have a right to request more frequent visits. Visiting with your child is very important. See Visiting with your child.
- You should attend all court sessions, evaluations, classes, therapy, or other appointments related to this case. If you miss these scheduled appointments, you may hurt your chances of winning your case. See Getting services from DYFS.
- You are entitled to a trial to determine whether or not your rights to your child should be terminated. See What Happens at the Trial?.
- You will lose all rights to have contact with your child or even to get information about him or her if your parental rights are terminated. However, if you keep current information about yourself in the DYFS Adoption Registry, it will be there for your child if your child looks for you when he or she grows up. See DYFS Adoption Registry.
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