Things Your Attorney Wants You to Know – D&N

Juvenile Court is a Problem-Solving Court

The goal of a dependency and neglect case is to give parents the skills and help they need to provide safe and loving care to their children. The Department of Human Services is required to make reasonable efforts to help you achieve this goal. Part of this includes providing you and your children with services to help reunify you with your children or keep your children in your home.

Your Compliance with Your Treatment Plan Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do

In every dependency and neglect case, the court will enter a treatment plan. Typically, you have one year to meet the goals in the treatment plan. At the end of the year, the Court looks at whether you have completed your treatment. If you have not, the Department can seek to terminate your parental rights. Therefore, the most Important thing you can do to ensure success is to engage with and complete your treatment.

Asking For Help Does Not Compromise Your Case

Parents often think that if they ask for help or call a crisis line, it will keep them from getting their kids back. However, the judge and the team want to see that you are able to recognize your triggers and ask for help when you need it.

Termination of Parental Rights is Not Immediate

Most parents are terrified of losing their children forever due to a human services investigation. However, before a Court can terminate your parental rights, a judge must decide: (1) you have not complied with your Treatment Plan and are unlikely to do so within a reasonable time; or (2) an appropriate Treatment Plan cannot be developed.

Once a Treatment Plan is adopted by the Court, you typically have one year within which to comply with your Treatment Plan. You should work with your attorney to review the proposed Treatment Plan and make any changes are necessary before it is signed by the judge.

Do you need an attorney for a dependency and neglect case? I’m here for you!