Having your children taken away from you is devastating. No parent wants to go through that, especially when nothing was wrong with your relationship with your children. Unfortunately, accusations and misunderstandings can end up leading to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) stepping in and taking your children away.
If you find yourself at the center of an investigation, you need to do everything in your power to protect yourself. Your first thought should be to call your attorney, because this is not a situation you should handle on your own. To win a case against the DCF, you need to do at least these three things.
1. Show up on time and prepared for hearings
The last thing you want to do is to come off like you don’t take allegations or this situation seriously. Take the time to prepare before court and get there early. If your attorney will appear on your behalf and you can’t make it to the court, write a letter explaining your actions and have it read to the judge.
2. Correct any potential problems at home
Maybe the DCF claims the children didn’t have a safe bedroom, or it thought your children were in danger because of weapons in your home. Do everything you can to correct the issue, so the DCF doesn’t have anything to use against you.
3. Listen to the judge and follow the court’s orders
Finally, do everything in your power to follow the orders made by the court, even if you don’t think they’re fair. The goal is to appear as a parent who takes this situation seriously and who is determined to raise your children safely. A good impression goes a distance in cases such as these.
Your attorney can help you prepare for court, so you know what to expect. With the right attitude and willingness to change, you stand a better chance of getting your kids back.
