Efficient, understanding representation in Abuse and Neglect cases.

Abuse and Neglect Best Interest Representation

I contract through the Office of Children’s Representative. Through this contract, I am appointed by a magistrate or Judge to investigate and provide representation of children’s best interests and if they are over 12 years old represent their expressed interests in dependency and neglect cases. Parents have a constitutional right to raise their children. Grandparents have very few legal rights to their grandchildren even if they are the primary caregivers. When parental rights are restricted, I put myself in the shoes of parents’ or grandparents’. I know it is painful to not be able to see your children and you may not be happy to have the state telling you how to raise your children. My focus is on helping children and families through parents  legal counsel to rehabilitate and reunify with your children. This can be a hard process and you are going to have to do some work in order to make this happen. 

No one takes parenting classes before they become a parent, but somehow we expect everyone to be good at it. The truth is, we are not all good at it from the get-go especially if we grew up in situations where we were abused or neglected. Often parents who have had parental rights limited due to abuse and neglect charges were also abused as children, have mental health or substance abuse issues. So they may not have a model or the right support to create healthy family dynamics with their own kids. Although the legal process can be unpleasant, I work with you to create long term positive outcomes. This may involve counseling, diagnostic assessments, parenting classes, addiction counseling or treatment programs. The more co-operative you are the faster we can get it done and you can move on with your life.

I only take cases where I can wholeheartedly advocate for my client.