Being the subject of an investigation by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) can be tough. This can be especially difficult to endure when your marriage is also breaking down. . Many calls and reports to DCF involve disputes between divorcing spouses when children are present.
If you have questions about divorcing parents and Brookfield DCF investigations, now is the time to ask, as these situations can worsen if your rights are not protected. Fortunately, there are ways to resolve and conclude an investigation instead of avoiding the issue. Let a skilled DCF investigation attorney serve as your advocate during this difficult time.
DCF investigations can be triggered in different ways. Arguments or disputes between divorcing parents in Brookfield often lead to police involvement. When police are called in a domestic dispute and children are present, police are required to contact DCF and file a report. DCF will often arrive at the scene of the domestic dispute following a report from police and assess whether the children are at any risk of abuse or neglect. It is the job of these agents then to investigate any allegations of abuse or neglect, following a domestic dispute.
These investigations can also begin following a report made directly to DCF. In many cases, DCF will respond to an anonymous tip that abuse is taking place. The department does not require that the anonymous reporter disclose who they are in order to move forward with an investigation. The state will often investigate these allegations regardless of who provided the tip. Information provided by a mandated reporter, such as a nurse or a teacher, can also trigger investigations.
Having an ongoing DCF investigation can also impact divorce proceedings in Brookfield. Most people would prefer to resolve their divorce quickly. However, court proceedings can stall when there are abuse allegations against you or your spouse.
Whenever there are impending investigations that relate to the health and safety of your children, the family court will delay proceedings to allow the DCF to reach a conclusion first. This means they will not make any final decision on custody or visitation until a DCF investigation concludes. Fortunately, in most cases, DCF investigations cannot extend beyond 45 days.
Ultimately, the courts are required to make custody decisions based on what is best for your child. Judges can consider a wide range of factors, including the final determination made by the investigators in this case. They may take into account the substance of any interviews that DCF has carried out. It is why it’s important to have support and advice from a knowledgeable DCF lawyer in the very early stages of a DCF investigation.
Divorce and custody matters can become more complicated if Brookfield DCF investigators substantiate any allegations of abuse or neglect against you or both you and your spouse. One common approach is for DCF to request a safety plan that involves continued state involvement in the lives of your family. In extreme cases, a judge could even order the removal of your children from the home and award temporary custody to DCF.
Thankfully, it is possible to reduce the impact of an investigation with the help of an experienced attorney. Experienced legal counsel can help show a DCF investigator that these allegations should not be substantiated. This can reduce the impact on an already strained relationship.
Undoubtedly, there can be animosity between you and your spouse at the end of your marriage. When these feelings lead to disputes that become loud or violent, the state will often have no choice but to step in and act. You still have rights, and an attorney can help you enforce them. Call Mark Sherman Law today to discuss divorcing parents and Brookfield DCF investigations, and click here to read some of the 300+ certified reviews from satisfied past clients on our Avvo.com profile.
