Does being granted sole custody terminate the other parent’s parental rights?
No, sole legal custody does not terminate parental rights.
Sole legal custody refers to a custody arrangement in which one parent has the legal authority to make decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, including matters related to education, healthcare, and religion. The parent with sole legal custody has the sole authority to make these decisions without needing to consult the other parent.
However, even if one parent is granted sole legal custody, both parents typically retain their parental rights, including the right to visitation or parenting time with the child, unless those rights have been legally terminated by a court.
Termination of parental rights is a separate legal process that permanently severs the legal relationship between a parent and a child, typically due to circumstances such as abandonment, neglect, abuse, or unfitness to parent. It is a serious and irreversible action that requires a court order and typically involves a thorough legal proceeding to determine whether termination is in the best interests of the child.
In summary, while sole legal custody may grant one parent the authority to make decisions for the child, it does not automatically terminate the other parent’s parental rights. Termination of parental rights is a separate legal process that must be pursued and granted by a court.