Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 42. ADOPTION

CHAPTER 2. ADOPTION OF CHILD

Part 6. Petition to Terminate Parental Rights

Grounds For Termination Of Parental Rights

42-2-607. Grounds for termination of parental rights. The court may terminate a parent's rights to a child who is the subject of an adoption proceeding based upon:

(1) the voluntary acts of the parent in:

(a) executing a voluntary relinquishment and consent to adopt;

(b) submitting a notarized denial of paternity executed pursuant to 42-2-421; or

(c) submitting a notarized acknowledgment of paternity and denial of interest in custody of the child executed pursuant to 42-2-422;

(2) a determination under 42-2-608 that the parent is unfit;

(3) a determination under 42-2-609 that the relationship of parent and child does not exist;

(4) a determination under 42-2-610 that a putative father has failed to establish and maintain a substantial relationship with the child; or

(5) a determination that the parent has irrevocably waived parental rights by failing to timely act to protect the rights.

History: En. Sec. 70, Ch. 480, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 257, L. 1999.