Divorce can bring out the worst in people. Sometimes, it causes one parent to report the other for child abuse, even when the accusation has no basis. Other times, the parents lose control and expose their children to intense arguments or even violence.
Whatever the cause, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) often becomes involved. If you are in this situation, it is essential to work with an attorney familiar with divorcing parents and New Canaan DCF investigations. Contact our team of DCF investigations attorneys for help as soon as DCF contacts you.
You will usually learn about a DCF investigation the moment a social worker knocks at your door. They will want to inspect your home, speak to the members of the household, and interview your children privately.
You are not required to let them in, but you should be polite and cooperative. The best strategy is to set a time for a return visit. Sometimes, the agent will want to reschedule for the same day or will insist on an appointment within a day or two.
Seek legal assistance immediately after the social worker leaves. A New Canaan DCF attorney can ensure you understand your rights as a divorcing parent and walk you through the DCF’s obligations. You have the right to an attorney in any DCF investigation, and a legal professional can be present during an interview.
If you are going through a divorce, you will likely want it resolved as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, a DCF investigation can significantly delay your proceedings.
When child custody is an issue in a divorce, a DCF investigation will stay the proceedings. This means the court will not hold hearings or make decisions until the review is complete.
Most investigations close within 45 days. The investigator may find that the allegations against you are not supported, or they may believe the problems are relatively minor and have been corrected.
If the DCF worker insists that you sign a safety plan or removes your children from your home, the DCF can remain involved for months or even years. You must work with an experienced legal professional in these cases. A New Canaan DCF defense attorney can often limit the scope of the investigation, request an internal review, and shut down the investigation before it interferes with your divorce proceedings or damages your family.
Connecticut General Statutes §46b-56 requires family court judges to make custody decisions in the children’s best interests. When there has been a DCF investigation, the judge will consider the results before issuing a custody order. The judge will request to review a record of the investigation and testimony from the social worker involved in your case.
Skilled DCF defense attorneys in New Canaan tailor their representation to the specific situation when working with a parent during a divorce. They will work to limit the scope of the investigation and press DCF to close it as quickly as possible so that divorce proceedings can resume. They will also review DCF’s file to prepare for any issues that may arise.
The combination of divorcing parents and New Canaan DCF investigations can trigger serious complications in both matters. Therefore, it is important to work with an attorney who has extensive experience defending parents in DCF investigations.
The lawyers at Mark Sherman Law have the knowledge, skills, and mindset you need in a legal representative. Read some of our 300+ certified Avvo reviews, then contact us as soon as DCF contacts you.
