How much does parental rights termination cost?

Termination of parental rights is a serious legal procedure with significant legal and social consequences. It is used in extreme cases, when parents systematically do not fulfill their duties regarding the education and maintenance of the child, or cause harm to it.

However, a question that often worries those who plan to initiate such a procedure concerns the cost of this process.

In this article, prepared by the law firm “Prikhodko and Partners”, we will consider in detail all aspects related to the costs of deprivation of parental rights in Ukraine, as well as provide advice on cost optimization.

It is important to note that the cost of the procedure may differ significantly depending on the specific situation, region, complexity of the case and the need to involve additional specialists.

Deprivation of parental rights means the complete loss of the legal relationship between parents and the child. This means that the parents no longer have the right to raise, communicate, represent the child's interests, and are also obliged to fulfill their responsibilities regarding its maintenance.

However, even after deprivation of rights, parents remain obliged to pay alimony.

The main stages and costs associated with the deprivation of parental rights:

1. Consultation with a lawyer

The first step in the process of termination of parental rights is consultation with a lawyer. The consultation will help you assess the prospects of the case, determine the necessary actions and collect initial information.

The cost of consultation depends on the complexity of the case, the experience of the lawyer and the region. Usually, prices vary from 500 to 5,000 hryvnias per hour.

2. Preparation of documents

The procedure of deprivation of parental rights requires careful preparation of documents that confirm the grounds for this measure. The cost of preparing documents depends on their number and complexity.

For example, drawing up a claim to the court can cost from 2,000 to 20,000 hryvnias, depending on the volume of work and the complexity of the case.

Additional costs may also be required to obtain the necessary documents, such as medical certificates, psychologists' opinions, characteristics from the place of residence, certificates and other documents confirming your position.

3. Court fees

Filing a claim in court requires payment of a court fee. The size of the court fee in Ukraine is regulated by legislation and depends on the nature of the claim. For lawsuits related to the deprivation of parental rights, the amount of the court fee is 0.4 of the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons (for 2024 – UAH 1,211.20). The exact amount of the fee should be clarified before filing a claim, as legislative changes may affect these amounts.

4. Involvement of experts and specialists

In the process of deprivation of parental rights, the services of experts may be needed, in particular, psychologists, social workers, and medical experts. The conclusions of these specialists can be decisive for the successful conclusion of the case.

The cost of such services can vary significantly depending on the specialist and the complexity of the work, but usually the price ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 hryvnias for each conclusion or consultation.

5. Representation in court

One of the most important stages in the process of deprivation of parental rights is the court hearing, where the fate of the child and parents is decided. Legal representation in court is a necessary element of success, as an experienced lawyer will be able to protect your rights, provide the necessary arguments and ensure that all procedures are followed.

The cost of the services of a lawyer or lawyer in court can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer's experience and the length of the process. On average, representation services in court can cost from 5,000 to 50,000 hryvnias for the entire process, or hourly, depending on the agreements between the client and the lawyer.

6. Legal support in court

Some legal companies and law offices offer full turnkey support for court cases regarding the deprivation of parental rights, which already includes the preparation of documents, communication with guardianship and custody authorities and the court, representation of your interests at meetings, etc.

Usually, such comprehensive support has a lower cost than paying for all the above stages separately. The cost of full legal support for such a case can vary greatly depending on the qualifications and experience of specialists, the authority and ratings of the company that provides legal support, and the complexity of the situation itself.

The price of such support can start from UAH 20,000.

7. Additional costs may apply

In addition to the main costs, additional costs may arise in the process of deprivation of parental rights, such as transportation costs, notary services, costs of obtaining additional evidence or copies of documents, costs of an appeal, if necessary.

How to optimize (reduce) costs for the process of deprivation of parental rights?

• Consultation with a lawyer at an early stage: Get advice from an experienced lawyer at the very beginning of the process to avoid unnecessary costs in the future.

For example: you make a decision to do your own business and due to possible ignorance of the legislation of Ukraine, you make a mistake that leads to a significant complication of the case and, accordingly, the amount of potential costs increases. A lawyer will help you draw up an action plan and determine the necessary documents.

• Gathering evidence, yourself: You can collect some evidence and documents yourself, which will reduce the costs of legal services.
• Choosing an experienced lawyer: Choose an experienced lawyer who has a successful experience in similar cases. This can help avoid delays in the process and reduce overall costs.

Deprivation of parental rights —it is a complex legal process that requires careful preparation and can be associated with significant costs. The cost of the procedure depends on many factors, including the complexity of the case, the need to involve experts and specialists, costs of representation in court and other factors.

The law firm “Prikhodko and Partners” is ready to provide you with professional assistance at all stages of the process of deprivation of parental rights.

Our experienced lawyers will help you assess your chances, collect the necessary evidence, prepare documents and ensure effective protection of your rights in court.