As parents, most of our lives revolve around making sure our children are safe, healthy, and happy. Children come with a lot of responsibilities and require a significant amount of time and effort. However, this is a commitment we make when our children are born, and most often, the responsibility falls on both parents — regardless of our relationship status. When the other parent of your child fails to help or disappears, you have the right to pursue legal action.
Finding a reliable North Carolina child abandonment lawyer is vital to holding the other person accountable for their actions and keeping your child safe. Abandonment and neglect are serious offenses and can result in harsh consequences for the other party. When you work with a King Law child abandonment lawyer, you will have all the tools and resources you need to have a smooth and successful case. We are passionate about keeping communities safe and will provide you with dependable legal services.
What is Child Abandonment?
Child abandonment refers to when a guardian or parent does not voluntarily provide their children with the necessary care and resources required to live a healthy and safe life. From not providing your child with proper shelter or clothing to deserting your child entirely, there are many ways for a parent not to provide the necessary care. With so many types of abandonment and negligence, each child abandonment case is different and requires thorough investigation. Some of the ways you can be charged with child abandonment are if you act in any of the following:
- Abandoning your child for six or more months
- Refusing or failing to provide support during that time period, you are gone
- Attempting to conceal your whereabouts with the intent to escape your child support obligation
Some individuals are unaware of the seriousness of child abandonment and how it can affect their career, parental rights, and relationship with their child. If you are in a situation where the non-custodial or other parent abandons your child either physically or financially, contacting a reliable attorney is essential.
Can Neglect Qualify as Child Abandonment in North Carolina?
The severe consequences of abandoning or neglecting your child can have a devastating effect on your life. You may lose custody of your child and become subject to an investigation by the Division of Social Services (DSS). Some individuals may be unsure what qualifies as child abandonment or whether leaving your child or not paying child support are the only ways to be suspected.
Neglect can also be a form of child abandonment and is also unique to every case. The North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) §7B-101(15) defines a neglected juvenile as one who:
- Lives in a harmful environment
- Is not receiving proper care from their caretaker
- Has been abandoned or unattended for an extended period
- Is not receiving the necessary and proper medical care
- Placed up for adoption in violation of the law
- Their custody was illegally transferred
If you know that the other parent has severely neglected your child or your child has experienced any of the above symptoms of negligence, immediately contact an experienced attorney. It’s stressful knowing that you are unable to depend on the other parent to take proper care of your child, but a reliable lawyer can help you through the process of holding them accountable.
Can Your Parental Rights Be Taken Away as a Result of Child Abandonment?
When a parent neglects their child, one of the consequences can be losing your child’s parental rights. There are many ways a negligent parent can lose their right as a parent; some of the reasons include:
- A juvenile court deemed your child was abused or neglected by the other parent.
- The other parent left their child in foster care or somewhere outside the home for more than 12 months.
- The child was placed in foster care, DSS custody, or an institution for six months.
- The other parent failed to pay for your portion of the child’s care
- The other parent has not provided financial support for one year, and the other parent granted custody of the child.
- The other parent abandoned the child for six consecutive months.
- If the child was an infant, the parent abandoned them for at least 60 days.
An experienced attorney in North Carolina can help prepare you for the process and information you need for the case. They can also help gather evidence and support for your case.
Contact a North Carolina Child Abandonment Lawyer at King Law
When a parent is not taking their responsibility as a parent seriously and puts your child’s health and safety at risk, you have the right to hold them accountable for their actions. In situations where a child’s well-being is threatened, it is crucial that you seek assistance from an experienced child abandonment attorney in North Carolina.
When you work with an attorney at King Law, you can trust that your case will be handled with respect and honor. We provide clients with dependable and honest legal services that they can trust. Our positive past results and testimonials show King Law’s dedication to North Carolina communities and their residents. If you are in a situation where the other parent of your child is neglecting and disregarding their parental responsibilities, look to King Law for help.
Call (888) 748-KING (5464) or fill out our contact form for more information about how we can assist you.