Being a parent can be one of the most joyous and rewarding things a person can do, but parenting is not without its challenges. Fathers often face particular challenges when they are not married to the mothers of their children and may sometimes feel as though the legal system’s hurdles are too much to overcome. Other times, a mother or a father may feel totally unequipped or unprepared to raise a child he or she did not want to bring into the world and may wonder whether relinquishing parental rights is an option. Wherever you are in your parental journey, you can get legal advice from an experienced Illinois family law attorney who can help you understand your options and assist you in making wise decisions.
When Can a Parent Voluntarily Give Up Parental Rights?
The feelings and emotions of parents are often complex and influenced by many factors, all of which are real and legitimate. Parents who are very young or who hardly know each other may be devastated by an unplanned pregnancy and understandably feel reluctant to take responsibility for a child they do not want.
However, parents do have automatic legal responsibility for their children. For example, even if a father does not want a relationship with his child and declines the opportunity to exercise parental responsibilities and parenting time, a court can still determine the child’s paternity and require the father to pay child support.
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