Family Law

Fremont Family Law attorney explains the juvenile dependency court process

By Scott Sagaria

Fremont Family Law attorney explains the juvenile dependency court process.

Juvenile dependency is the process by which a child is removed from his or her parent?s custody and care, and is declared a ?dependent of the court?. These cases often involve children who have been abandoned, neglected or injured by their parents, foster parents or legal guardians. Juvenile dependency cases may also be brought when parents or caretakers are unable to meet the needs of a special needs child.

A juvenile dependency case typically begins with someone filing a report with a law enforcement or child protective services agency, which will investigate to determine if abuse or neglect is occurring. If the agency determines that abuse or neglect is happening, the child can be removed to the care of a foster home. It is at this time that the agency can petition the court for ?dependent of the court? status for the child.

If you have a child that has been removed unfairly from your home, you need a family law attorney to protect your rights. Your attorney can protect your right to a trial and work on your behalf to ensure that your rights, and your child?s rights, are protected during the process, which may take months to reach completion. The court may require an action plan on your part complete with visitation by a child protective agency, to ensure that you are complying with the court and acting on behalf of your child.

Here at Sagaria Law, we offer a full range of family law and legal services including divorce, paternity, adoption, child custody and visitation matters, child support, spousal support, alimony, juvenile dependency, domestic violence, division of property, grandparent visitation and custody, etc. We have seven Northern California locations including San Jose, San Francisco, Redwood City, Fremont, Salinas, Roseville and Sacramento. We offer a free thirty minute consultation, either in person at any of our offices, or over the phone. Call our offices today and we can connect you with an attorney immediately or we can schedule your free consultation with one of our family law attorneys : (408) 279-2288 or (800) 941-6730 or visit www.sagarialaw.com.

Full post as published by California Family Law Blog on August 26, 2009 (boomark / email).