How long do I wait before parental rights get terminated in Georgia? 3 Answers as of January 26, 2012

Termination of rights are difficult to obtain without a compelling reason for doing so. Courts issue most parental terminations either in the process of granting an adoption or where the parent has committed such harm to the child that the termination is necessary to protect the child's best interest (such as a physically abusive parent). Your question does not provide your reason for seeking termination of the father's rights. But if you are wanting to do so just because he has been absent, you're not likely to get what you're looking for. What matters in granting termination is not just "how long" the parent has been doing, or failing to do, something. It also matters why the termination is being sought and what it is the parent has done (or failed to do). However, the minimum amount of time to measure the parents action (or non-action) is one year.

It's not a question of time. A court can terminate his parental rights at any time (or he can surrender them willingly). Be aware, however, that is this is done, he probably won't have to pay any child support.

As a general rule, you cannot. The right to be supported belongs to the child, and unless the child is being adopted, courts are going to tell you "no."