If your child or children have been adjudicated abused, neglected, or uncared for following a neglect petition in Connecticut and there is a risk of child removal, having an attorney by your side for the secondary dispositional hearing can be helpful in working towards a positive resolution.
What is the Dispositional Hearing?
Once a child is adjudicated as abused or neglected, either after an admission to allegations of abuse or neglect or after a finding by a juvenile court judge, there will be a second dispositional hearing.
This second hearing is where the court will decide what the best choice is moving forward for the safety and wellbeing of the child. There are a number of options a judge can choose from.
What can the Court Do at a Dispositional Hearing?
At this hearing, the court can make one of several decisions depending on a variety of factors like the severity of the allegations, the age of the child, and the risk for future harm. The court can choose (1) to leave the child with his or her parents either with or without DCF supervision; (2) transfer custody of the child to a relative or other person suitable to care for the child; or (3) remove the child and place him or her in DCF custody. A top DCF investigation attorney lawyer can help you analyze your situation and gather evidence to help show the judge why keeping your family together is in the child’s best interest.
Is the Case Over after a Neglect Petition?
Not necessarily. Until the child is 18 or emancipated, DCF will typically remain involved. During this time, unless parental rights have been terminated, DCF can modify the disposition in an effort to get the child back in the home. Once parental rights have been terminated, the child is emancipated, or the child turns 18, the case is considered closed.
What is Termination of Parental Rights?
If DCF believes that the parent/child relationship cannot be mended, they may petition to terminate the parent’s rights. This is a very serious termination and the advice of a lawyer can help ensure that your family is not broken up. If this petition is granted, this completely severs the legal relationship between the parent and the child. At this point, the child can be adopted. To learn more about termination of parental rights hearings, click here.
Contact a DCF Removal Proceeding Lawyer Today
When it comes to family, it is of the utmost importance to protect and advocate for your rights. A DCF removal proceeding attorney can help to gather evidence, find witnesses and present your case to protect your family. To learn more about how a lawyer can help in your specific case, call Mark Sherman Law today.
