468 N. Camden Dr. 3rd Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Juvenile Dependency Law
Juvenile Dependency Law

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    JUVENILE DEPENDENCY ATTORNEYS

    Juvenile Dependency Law is an extremely specialized area of law. Whether you are searching for Dependency lawyers in Los Angeles or Dependency Lawyers in Ventura, the California Rules of Court require attorneys who practice in this field to have an expertise in Dependency Law and familiarity with all state and local rules for Children’s Court. During the attorneys’ initial appearance, they are required to submit a Declaration of Competence attesting to their expertise in Juvenile Dependency Law. There are a limited number of qualified Los Angeles dependency lawyers and Ventura dependency lawyers so it is important to ask for an attorney’s specific experience before hiring them.

    LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED

    SOCIAL WORKER INVESTIGATIONS

    CPS investigations are initiated by a call to the Child Abuse Hotline or through a referral by a mandatory reporter such as a teacher, physician or therapist. Our office provides legal representation during the initial stages of the investigation before the social worker interviews the parties and decides to file a Child Abuse Petition against the parents. The earlier we are involved in the investigatory process the likelier it is we can prevent a Child Abuse Petition from being filed.

    INFORMAL SUPERVISION AGREEMENTS (“301” CONTRACTS)

    When CPS concludes their investigation and finds that child abuse has taken place but believes the underlying issues can be addressed by CPS supervision in lieu  formal supervision by the Superior Court, they may ask the parents to sign a supervision contract AKA 301 Contracts.   301 contracts require parents to complete a range of educational programs addressing issues from domestic violence to substance abuse.  The contract may require  the parent to participate in individual and conjoint counseling, parenting classes,  medical training to meet a child’s special needs and drug/alcohol testing.  It is important to consult with an attorney before entering into a 301 contract.  We represent parents during contract negotiations to attain the most favorable terms for parents ensuring they are limited in scope and time.

    CHILDREN’S COURT REPRESENTATION

    There are many court proceedings in a Juvenile Dependency case.  Our law firm aggressively represents parents and guardians throughout all phases of Children’s Court litigation from the arraignment hearing through the trial to the subsequent review hearings until the case in closed.

    RELATIVE PLACEMENT

    The law requires that certain classes of relatives of children who have been detained by CPS be given preferential placement consideration. These relatives have the right to demand that their homes and backgrounds be assessed first and can retain an attorney to secure this preferential consideration. Our firm represents relatives who qualify under the preferential relative statute both before and after the initiation of formal court proceedings. 
    Los Angeles dependency lawyers play a crucial role in ensuring that the rights of relatives under the preferential relative statute are upheld. In cases where children have been detained by Child Protective Services (CPS), these attorneys specialize in advocating for the rights of family members who seek to provide a safe and stable environment for the child in question.

    FOSTER PARENT/CARETAKER RIGHTS

    7 Day Notices of Removal: If you are a foster parent or relative caregiver and CPS attempts to remove a child placed in your home, they are required to give 7 days notice before removal (w/ exceptions) and notify you of your rights to appeal this decision.  We represent individuals who wish to challenge these removal efforts.

    DE FACTO PARENT APPLICATIONS

    If you are a relative or foster parent who has been the children’s primary caretaker for a substantial period of time, you may have the right to participate in the Childrens Court proceedings and have an attorney represent your interests.  We can draft and file this motion to designate qualified relatives and foster parents as De Facto Parents and represent them at the hearings in court.

    ADOPTION HOME STUDY APPEAL

    If CPS denies your Adoption Home Study you will not be able to adopt the child in your care. You have a right to challenge the home study denial by requesting a grievance hearing. We represent prospective adoptive parents in the grievance hearing process to overturn the home study denial and keep your family’s adoption plans in place.