What Happens to Parental Rights During Adoption in Georgia?

Adoption is a life-changing legal process that permanently establishes a parent-child relationship. But what happens to the biological parents' rights? Here is how it works in Georgia.

Termination of Parental Rights Is Required

Before an adoption can be finalized, the biological parents' rights must be legally terminated. This can happen voluntarily — through a consent to adoption — or involuntarily, if a court finds that termination is in the child's best interest.

Voluntary Termination

A biological parent can consent to the adoption of their child. In Georgia, this consent cannot be given until after the child is born, and there are strict rules about when and how consent can be revoked.

Involuntary Termination

If a parent abandons a child, is found unfit due to abuse or neglect, or has failed to support the child financially, a court may terminate their parental rights without their consent. This is a serious legal step that requires clear and convincing evidence.

Stepparent Adoption

One of the most common types of adoption in Georgia is stepparent adoption. If your spouse has been a consistent parental figure for your child and the other biological parent is absent or willing to consent, stepparent adoption can formalize that relationship legally.