FORM 8.980. PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS BASED ON VOLUNTARY RELINQUISHMENT

FORM 8.980. PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL

RIGHTS BASED ON VOLUNTARY RELINQUISHMENT

PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF

PARENTAL RIGHTS

Petitioner, .....(name)....., respectfully petitions this Court for termination of parental rights and permanent commitment of the minor child(ren), .....(name(s))....., to .....(agency name)..... for the purpose of subsequent adoption, and as grounds states the following:

A. PARTIES

1. The child, .....(name)....., is a male/female child born on .....(date)....., at .....(city, county, state)...... At the time of the filing of this petition, the child is .....(age)...... A copy of the child’s birth certificate is attached to this Petition and incorporated as Petitioner’s Exhibit ......

COMMENT: Repeat above for each child on petition.

2. The child(ren) is/are presently in the care and custody of .....(name)....., and is/are residing in .................... County, Florida.

3. An affidavit under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act is attached to this as Petitioner’s Exhibit .......

4. The natural mother of the child(ren) is .....(name)....., who resides at ....................

5. The natural/alleged/putative father of the child(ren) .....(name(s))..... is .....(name)....., who resides at ....................

COMMENT: Repeat #5 as necessary.

6. A guardian ad litem ..... has ..... has not been appointed to represent the interests of the child(ren) in this cause.

B. GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION

1. The parent(s) have been advised of their right to legal counsel at all hearings that they attended.

2. The parents will be informed of the availability of private placement of the child with an adoption entity as defined in chapter 63, Florida Statutes.

3. The mother, .....(name)....., freely, knowingly, voluntarily, and ..... with ..... without advice of legal counsel executed an Affidavit and Acknowledgment of Surrender, Consent, and Waiver of Notice on .....(date)....., for termination of her parental rights to the minor child, .....(name)....., under section 39.806(1)(a), Florida Statutes.

COMMENT: Repeat above as necessary.

4. The father, .....(name)....., freely, knowingly, and voluntarily, and ..... with ..... without advice of legal counsel executed an Affidavit and Acknowledgment of Surrender, Consent, and Waiver of Notice on .....(date)....., for termination of his parental rights to the minor child, .....(name)....., under section 39.806(1)(a), Florida Statutes.

COMMENT: Repeat above as necessary.

5. Under the provisions of chapter 39, Florida Statutes, it is in the manifest best interest of the child(ren) for parental rights to be terminated for the following reasons:

..... allegations which correspond to sections 39.810(1)–

(11), Florida Statutes.

6. A copy of this petition shall be served on the natural mother, .....(name).....; the father(s), .....(name(s)).....; the custodian, .....(name).....; and the guardian ad litem, .....(name)......

7. This petition is filed in good faith and under oath.

WHEREFORE, the petitioner respectfully requests that this court grant this petition; find that the parents have voluntarily surrendered their parental rights to the minor child(ren); find that termination of parental rights is in the manifest best interests of this/these child(ren); and that this court enter an order permanently committing this/these child(ren) to the .....(name)..... for subsequent adoption.

.....(petitioner’s name and identifying information).....

Verification

.....(attorney’s name)..... .....(address and telephone number)..... .....(email address(es)..... .....(Florida Bar number).....

Certificate of Service