Few things are more traumatic to a parent than being accused of child abuse or neglect and facing action by the state to remove a child from the family home and possibly terminate his or her parental rights.
If there are allegations of abuse or neglect, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) may investigate to determine whether a child should be removed from the home and placed in the temporary custody of DCF.
A dependency case is brought before the court based on allegations of abuse, abandonment and/or neglect of a child. The term “dependency” is based on the idea of a child being dependent on the state or court to provide help and services.
If the DCF is seeking to remove your children from your home or termination of your parental rights, you need experienced legal representation that will aggressively challenge the state’s claim that you have abused or neglected your child.
We Will Fight For You In DCF Actions
Although the state offers to appoint a lawyer to any parent or custodian who cannot afford to hire one, these attorneys typically juggle several dozen, if not hundreds, of cases at one time. They cannot provide the kind of comprehensive legal representation that is necessary to fully protect your parental rights.
We have the experience and commitment to protect your rights and advocate for you in juvenile dependency and child abuse or neglect hearings.
We represent clients in:
Dependency hearings
Shelter hearings
Arraignment hearings
Adjudicatory hearings
Disposition hearings
Permanency hearings
Mediation
Contact Meador & Johnson, P.A.
Our lawyers provide aggressive, intelligent advocacy to clients throughout northwest Florida. Call 800-785-4969 or use our online contact form to schedule a consultation.
