Can a father relinquish parental rights in kansas?

Answer 1

In general, parental rights are terminated either preparatory to an adoption, or after a trial in which it is determined that the parent is unfit. In any case, termination of parental rights does not, in itself, terminate child support.

Answer 2

Yes you may if you petition the court for the same and such a petition is awarded. Here is the statute:

Statute 38-2268: Voluntary relinquishment; voluntary permanent custodianship; consent to adoption. (a) Prior to a hearing to consider the termination of parental rights, if the child's permanency plan is either adoption or appointment of a custodian, with the consent of the guardian ad litem and the secretary, either or both parents may relinquish parental rights to the child, consent to an adoption or consent to appointment of a permanent custodian.

(b) Relinquishment of child to secretary. (1) Any parent or parents may relinquish a child to the secretary, and if the secretary accepts the relinquishment in writing, the secretary shall stand in loco parentis to the child and shall have and possess over the child all rights of a parent, including the power to place the child for adoption and give consent thereto.

(2) All relinquishments to the secretary shall be in writing, in substantial conformity with the form for relinquishment contained in the appendix of forms following K.S.A. 59-2143, and amendments thereto, and shall be executed by either parent of the child.

(3) The relinquishment shall be in writing and shall be acknowledged before a judge of a court of record or before an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments. If the relinquishment is acknowledged before a judge of a court of record, it shall be the duty of the court to advise the relinquishing parent of the consequences of the relinquishment.

(4) Except as otherwise provided, in all cases where a parent has relinquished a child to the agency pursuant to K.S.A. 59-2111 through 59-2143, and amendments thereto, all the rights of the parent shall be terminated, including the right to receive notice in a subsequent adoption proceeding involving the child. Upon such relinquishment, all the rights of the parents to such child, including such parent's right to inherit from or through such child, shall cease.

(5) If a parent has relinquished a child to the secretary based on a belief that the child's other parent would relinquish the child to the secretary or would be found unfit, and this does not occur, the rights of the parent who has relinquished a child to the secretary shall not be terminated.

(6) A parent's relinquishment of a child shall not terminate the right of the child to inherit from or through the parent.

(c) Permanent custody. (1) A parent may consent to appointment of the secretary or an individual as permanent custodian and if the secretary or individual accepts the consent, the secretary or individual shall stand in loco parentis to the child and shall have and possess over the child all the rights of a legal guardian. When the consent is to the secretary, the secretary shall have the right to place the child in the permanent custody of an individual who is appointed permanent custodian.

(2) All consents to appointment of a permanent custodian shall be in writing and shall be executed by either parent of the child.

(3) The consent shall be in writing and shall be acknowledged before a judge of a court of record or before an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments. If the consent is acknowledged before a judge of a court of record, it shall be the duty of the court to advise the consenting parent of the consequences of the consent.

(4) If a parent has consented to appointment of a permanent custodian based upon a belief that the child's other parent would so consent or would be found unfit, and this does not occur, the consent shall be null and void.

(d) Adoption. If the parental rights of one parent have been terminated or that parent has relinquished parental rights to the secretary, the other parent may consent to the adoption of the child by persons approved by the secretary or approved by the court. The consent shall follow the form contained in the appendix of forms following K.S.A. 59-2143, and amendments thereto.

History: L. 2006, ch. 200, § 63; L. 2008, ch. 169, § 18; July 1.

It should be noted, however, that relinquishment of parental rights does not terminate child support obligation until the child is legally adopted. All it does is terminate your rights to see your child, or otherwise have any say-so in their lives.