Georgia law provides that you can permanently lose your rights as a parent.

A petition to terminate parental rights has been filed requesting the court to

terminate your parental rights to your child. A copy of the petition to

terminate parental rights is attached to this notice. A court hearing of your

case has been scheduled for the day of , , at (time of day)

, at the Court of County.

If you fail to appear, the court can terminate your rights in your absence.

If the court at the trial finds that the facts set out in the petition to

terminate parental rights are true and that termination of your rights will

serve the best interests of your child, the court can enter a judgment ending

your rights to your child.

If the judgment terminates your parental rights, you will no longer have

any rights to your child. This means that you will not have the right to

visit, contact, or have custody of your child or make any decisions affecting

your child or your child's earnings or property. Your child will be legally

freed to be adopted by someone else.

(1) You will still be responsible for providing financial support (child

support payments) for your child's care unless and until your child is

adopted; and

(2) Your child can still inherit from you unless and until your child is

This is a very serious matter. You should contact an attorney immediately

so that you can be prepared for the court hearing. You have the right to hire

an attorney and to have him or her represent you. If you cannot afford to hire

an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney if the court finds that you

are an indigent person. Whether or not you decide to hire an attorney, you

have the right to attend the hearing of your case, to call witnesses on your

behalf, and to question those witnesses brought against you.

If you have any questions concerning this notice, you may call the

telephone number of the clerk's office which is ."