Whenever DCF is involved there is always the risk that they might file a Neglect Petition in the Juvenile Court. Ordinarily, a Neglect Petition is filed when the abuse or neglect allegations are serious enough that DCF is attempting to remove the child (or at least threaten the child’s removal) or when DCF is trying…
For DCF cases in the Stamford Juvenile Court, most hearings occur on Thursdays. Here is an overview: Orders of Temporary Custody In the most urgent of cases, DCF will remove a child under a 96-hour hold and then apply to a judge for an Order of Temporary Custody (OTC). For a judge to grant…
Filing Termination of Parental Rights in Connecticut? There must be legally sufficient grounds for a judge to terminate parental rights in Connecticut. In my opinion, here are the strongest: 1. Abandonment. This occurs when a parent has failed to maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility as to the welfare of their child….
I get calls from time to time about foster parent appeals. The first question is usually: Do foster parents in Connecticut have any recourse when a child in removed by DCF? The answer is yes – but keep reading……. Except in the case of an emergency, DCF is required to notify a foster parent, in…
An open adoption provides for some form of ongoing contact between a child and his/her biological parents after an adoption has been granted by the Probate Court or Juvenile Court. In Connecticut, open adoption agreements may be governed by Connecticut General Statutes Section 17a-112 or may be based on strict contract principles – referred to…
There are six grounds to terminate parental rights in Connecticut. The three most common are: 1. Abandonment. This occurs when a parent has abandoned the child by failing to maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility as to the welfare of their child. 2. Failure to rehabilitate. Rehabilitation refers to whether or not…