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Withdrawal of parental authority
A parent cannot give up their parental authority. But it can be withdrawn from one parent or from both parents.
Key points of the sheet
- Withdrawal is possible if the child is put in danger or if the parent shows no interest in the child. A court makes this decision.
- One example of a situation: putting the child in danger. This means physical or psychological violence.
- Another example: lack of interest in the child. It is the voluntary failure to exercise parental rights and duties for more than two years, despite an educational assistance procedure.
- Another example: a conviction for a serious crime (crime) or an offence (délit). The parent committed it against their child or the other parent, or took part in one committed by their child.
- With a total withdrawal, the parent loses all their rights and duties over their child. They can no longer make decisions for the child and have no right over the child's property.
- The parent must still contribute to the upkeep and education of their child. They remain the child's father or mother.
- With a partial withdrawal, only some rights and/or duties are withdrawn. For example, the parent can keep their rights over the child's property, and their rights and duties of supervision and education.
Words to know
- parental authority (autorité parentale)
- A parent cannot give it up, but a court can withdraw it from them.
- lack of interest in the child (désintérêt pour l’enfant)
- It is the voluntary failure to exercise parental rights and duties for more than two years, despite an educational assistance procedure.
- putting the child in danger (mise en danger de l’enfant)
- Physical or psychological violence is an example of putting the child in danger.
- educational assistance (assistance éducative)
- It is assistance decided by a court.
- total withdrawal of parental authority (retrait total de l’autorité parentale)
- The parent loses all their rights and duties, but remains the father or mother.
- partial withdrawal of parental authority (retrait partiel de l’autorité parentale)
- Parental authority is withdrawn only for some rights and/or duties.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Who decides to withdraw parental authority?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui décide du retrait de l'autorité parentale ?
The withdrawal of parental authority is a decision made by a court.
After a total withdrawal, what does the parent keep?
In French, the language of the exam: Après un retrait total, que garde le parent ?
After a total withdrawal, the parent keeps the duty to contribute to the upkeep and education of their child.
Can a parent give up their parental authority?
In French, the language of the exam: Un parent peut-il renoncer à son autorité parentale ?
A parent cannot give up their parental authority.
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More in this topic (Parenthood)
- Parents' duties and role at school
- Exercising parental authority (1/2)
- Exercising parental authority (2/2)
Source
Sheet “Retrait de l’autorité parentale” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.