Massachusetts Attorneys Handling Children and Family Services Matters
At The Massachusetts Family Law Group, our attorneys defend clients against allegations of child abuse based in a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) complaint. Our lawyers have the knowledge and resources to provide clients with the vigorous representation they need in these circumstances. Our goal is always to seek justice for our clients and protect the children involved.
Whether or not the allegation is true, it is critical to have zealous representation that seeks the true facts of the matter. Our attorneys have defended parents against child abuse allegations that have arisen out of hotly contested child custody hearings. In these instances, one parent seeks the upper hand and files a complaint of child abuse against the other parent to bolster his or her contention that the other parent is unfit. Our law firm employs investigators and other experts to determine the truth of such charges.
Child Abuse Hearing Process
We advise clients about the process that starts when someone files a complaint of child abuse or neglect. This complaint, known as a 51(a) complaint, triggers an investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) that must be completed within ten days. If DCFS decides to move the case forward based on the investigation, they may also refer the matter to the local district attorney for criminal prosecution.
Why Choose Us? There Are Many Choices.
There are many Boston-area divorce and family law attorneys, but few who really concentrate on Probate and Family court matters and events such as DCFS hearings on a day- and day-out basis. When you hire The Massachusetts Family Law Group, our attorneys will help you prepare for meeting the DCFS investigator and advise you about responding to questions and statements. We also help parents appeal a negative decision arising from a DCFS investigation.
Unfavorable Reports from DCFS
When unfavorable conclusions are reported, the attack must target the report itself, not the competence or bias of the investigator. Our attorneys will emphasize the inadequacies that are the result of time constraints imposed by a heavy caseload, because most investigations are "typically splendid, notwithstanding the difficult and demanding constraints put upon the Department." Flaws in the report which would likely cast doubt on the conclusions may include:
- Too much time was spent with one parent, not enough with the other.
- The Report contains statements not supported by facts.
- The Report conflicts with the court-appointed evaluator's conclusions.
- Only a cursory inquiry occurred.
- One parent was interviewed at home (with children); the other at the office (without kids).
- The investigator did not interview teachers, daycare providers, or others who have first-hand knowledge of the family.
The DCFS attorneys from The Massachusetts Family Law Group ensure that we file for a hearing within the required time frame and represent our client during that hearing. We work hard to protect the rights of our parent-clients and ensure the safety of their children.
Possible Consequences of DCFS Hearings
The stakes in DCFS matters are high. Parents could lose their children to foster care or adoption. They may find that visitation schedules change or become severely limited. Parental rights may be terminated and the parent may be placed on a list of possible abusers. Our lawyers have the knowledge of the system and experience with a wide variety of DCFS cases to be strong advocates for parents. Our lawyers have more than 40 years of combined legal experience; many of us are divorced parents ourselves. We know what you're going through.
For more information about DCFS hearings, call us at (800) 763-1030 to speak with a Boston child custody hearings attorney. Or, send an e-mail to schedule a free initial consultation. We represent clients throughout the Greater Boston area, including people from communities such as Gloucester, Dedham, Malden and Lowell.
