Dependency Law
Fort Lauderdale Family Lawyer – 954-928-9832
During a dependency hearing, a family law court will decide whether or not to remove a child from the custody of a parent or guardian who has been accused of abuse. Attempting to navigate Florida’s dependency laws – as defined in Florida Family Law Statute 39.507 – and going into a dependency hearing unprepared will give a significant advantage to Child Protective Services (CPS). To do everything you can to fight for your right to raise your child, you should team up with a trustworthy Fort Lauderdale family law attorney.
At Lorri K. Fishman, P.A., I take dependency cases seriously and treat my clients’ concerns as if they were my own. In many ways, your priorities do become my priorities. Led by me, attorney Fishman, I personally have 25-plus years of legal experience managing difficult and sensitive cases, such as dependency hearings. I am confident that I can bring your case to the most favorable outcome.
There is no time to lose if the CPS has already taken your child. Contact my firm now.
Convincing The Court Of Your Right To Parenthood
Child Protective Services rarely act without first being presented with convincing evidence of an unsafe household for a child. To convince the court that you should be reunited with your child, you may need to dismantle any arguments from the CPS and work to dismiss the supposed evidence of your wrongdoing. My law firm has a keen understanding of both family law and criminal defense, which work together in unison to improve your chances during a dependency case.
Aspects and evidence I will consider include:
- Your clean criminal record.
- Statements from friends and family that describe your calm demeanor.
- The child’s medical history showing no unexplained or suspicious injuries.
- Reasons why the reporter of alleged abuse may have falsified claims.
In some situations, disproving evidence against you might be extremely difficult, if not impossible, due to the overwhelming amount of circumstances. When this occurs, I will shift my focus to negotiating fair terms to show the court that the alleged incident is isolated and that you deserve to remain an active part of your child’s life.
To maintain your reputation and parentage rights, you may need to complete or participate in:
- Alcohol or drug abuse rehabilitation
- Family counseling sessions
- Anger management lessons
- Courses on effective parenting
Discover Your Options Today With A Free Consultation
You must act without hesitation after Child Protective Services removes your child from your custody and schedules a dependency hearing. The sooner you start preparing your argument, the more likely it will hold up well in court. Call 954-928-9832 today to connect with me, a Fort Lauderdale family lawyer, and start exploring the possibilities. During a free consultation, I would be happy to let you know just how serious I am about reunifying you with your children.