Investigations of parents and legal guardians by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) for allegations of child abuse or neglect are a serious matter that can have lasting and significant impacts on the lives of you and your children. Too many parents downplay the gravity of their situation or are under the false assumption that DCF agents will quickly investigate and close their case without any findings of fault.
When the DCF becomes involved, many parents are shocked to learn the seriousness of what is at stake only after DCF has completed its preliminary investigation and filed a neglect petition with a request that a child be removed from the home. The agency has the right to make many recommendations, most of which interfere with your parental rights and your relationship with your child.
But you have legal rights throughout this process, not just when DCF makes things uncomfortable. We recommend that you hire an experienced Connecticut DCF attorney as soon as you learn that the agency has you in its sights. Once you decide to hire an attorney, now you to ask, “How do I know which DCF attorney is best for me?” While our law firm provides this important service, you have many options. Here is what you should look for when you hire a qualified DCF defense attorney.
Choose Someone Who Will Fight for Your Interests
Our law firm understands that the stakes are incredibly high when you are dealing with the Connecticut DCF. Whoever you hire must have an sense of urgency equal to yours. The agency might have removed your children from your home or made threats to do so. This is never something to be taken lightly.
When DCF becomes a fixture in your life, you need the strongest advocate possible. Ideally, that advocate would have worked for DCF in the past and will have a thorough understanding of the agency’s procedures as well as the laws they must adhere to.
Your attorney will not only understand the mechanics of the law, but also the reasoning behind the actions that DCF agents take. With this understanding, your attorney will be in the best position possible to build a strong case for your defense and advocate for your rights and your children’s rights.
Hire an Attorney Who Is Honest With You
Some attorneys might tell you what you want to hear. But, in the end, this won’t do you or your children much good if the outcome of your case isn’t positive.
We believe that the best policy is to tell our clients the truth about their situation and how best to address the issue they are facing. We let you know the strengths and weaknesses of your case and then work together to find solutions. In the end, the goal is to get DCF out of your life and/or have your children returned to the home as quickly as possible.
Find a Lawyer Who Listens to You
If your attorney isn’t listening to you, find someone another attorney. Our DCF defense attorney makes it a point to listen to every client so that they feel heard and understood. For us to completely understand your situation, it is imperative that we listen to everything you have to share about your children and the environment you have created for them at home.
That said, we also listen to what DCF has to say so that we can understand their goals and use that information to our client’s advantage. Once we have a full picture of the situation, we can form a unique strategy to bring a case to a successful conclusion. With our law firm, that strategy is put into a written case plan with action items for the attorney as well as the parent/s.
Choose a Lawyer With a Winning Team
Running a law firm and fighting DCF on behalf of parents and their children is a challenging endeavor. It is virtually impossible for one person to successfully bring about a positive outcome by themselves. The Christie Law Firm brings an experienced legal team to your case that includes a focused and driven Connecticut DCF attorney, a paralegal, a legal assistant, and a social worker who formerly worked for DCF, creating a cohesive team that works diligently on behalf of clients.
Look for a DCF Lawyer With Positive Results
At the end of the day, you are looking for results from the law firm you hire. Fortunately, you can research attorneys and law firms online to investigate their past results and find out about other people’s experiences with them before you make a decision to hire them.
A great place to start is Google Reviews and Facebook Reviews. You can also check the firm’s website for testimonials. The Christie Law firm is proud of the positive feedback it has earned from prior clients.
If you need to hire an experienced Connecticut DCF attorney, The Christie Law Firm has years of experience in these types of matters. Call our office today at (860) 461-7494 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.