---
title: O.C.G.A. § 15-11-261. Scope, effect, and duration of order terminating parental rights.
collection: code
id: 15-11-261
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 15-11-261 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-261
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-261.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-261/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t15-ch1-11a-(v13)-2020-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=d8a8826c_0#page=964
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: COURTS / JUVENILE CODE / TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 15-11-261. Scope, effect, and duration of order terminating parental rights.

(a) An order terminating the parental rights of a parent shall be without limit as to duration and shall divest the parent and his or her child of all legal rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations with respect to each other, except:

(1) The right of such child to receive child support from his or her parent until a final order of adoption is entered;

(2) The right of such child to inherit from and through his or her parent. The right of inheritance of such child shall be terminated only by a final order of adoption; and

(3) The right of such child to pursue any civil action against his or her parent.

(b) When an order terminating the parent and child relationship has been issued, the parent whose right has been terminated shall not thereafter be entitled to notice of proceedings for the adoption of his or her child by another, nor has the parent any right to object to the adoption or otherwise to participate in such proceedings.

(c) The relationship between a child and his or her siblings shall not be severed until that relationship is terminated by final order of adoption.

(d) A relative whose relationship to a child is derived through the parent whose parental rights are terminated shall be considered to be a relative of such child for purposes of placement of, and permanency plan for, such child until such relationship is terminated by final order of adoption.

## History

Code 1981, § 15-11-261, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.

## Law Reviews

For survey article on wills, trusts, guardianships, and fiduciary administration, see 59 Mercer L. Rev. 447 (2007).