After a divorce, many parents rely on regular child support payments from their former spouse to help with childcare expenses. However, parents owe almost 400,000 Florida children almost $7 billion in unpaid child support. Why do such a large amount of court-ordered...
Beverly L . Brennan
Beverly L. Brennan Attorney & Counsellor at Law Naples Florida
ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR AT LAW
Do you understand your child welfare hearing?
If officials suspect that your children are experiencing neglect, they may remove them from your home. A court hearing is sometimes necessary to evaluate the situation. According to the Children's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, hearings...
What rights do you have when DCF shows up at your door?
Even if you have nothing to hide, few things have the potential to be more intimidating than dealing with the Department of Children and Families. After all, a DCF social worker may come to your house with a police officer and demand to talk to your son or daughter....
How do you pay for an alcohol rehabilitation program?
Recently, the Florida Department of Children and Families took your kids from your home. To get them back, you must prove you have what it takes to overcome your drinking habit. Rehab programs may cost money you do not have. WebMD explores ways to pay for alcohol...
What to know after the removal of your child from the home
After the removal of your child, you are more than likely distraught. You may be wondering what is going on and if you will get your child back. The state has a system in place to protect children from dangers in the home, and, ultimately, it wants to see the child...
Why is determining “best interests” so important?
The unanticipated effects of divorce on your children can complicate their lives forever. While it would be ideal for you to keep their lives unchanged while you navigate the complexities of your relationship, this is simply not realistic. The term "best interests"...
An overview of juvenile dependency cases
If there is concern that a child is experiencing abuse, neglect or abandonment in a home, someone may file a complaint with the court. The court that oversees these types of complaints is the Juvenile Dependency Court. Juvenile Dependency Court deals with child safety...
What is the juvenile dependency process for a parent?
Of the many reasons Florida parents can end up in court, juvenile dependency is one of the most dreaded. According to the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel First District, Florida, a dependency action often follows allegations of the abuse,...
When parents want their children back
For better or worse, the most important relationship children in Florida have is with their parents. Not all parent-child relationships are healthy, which may result in forcible separation. Neglect and abuse are the most common reasons for this. In other instances,...
How forcible separation from parents affects children
There are times when termination of parental rights is absolutely necessary to protect a child. When there are cases of sexual abuse, starvation and severe beatings, there is no doubt in anyone’s minds that these children need to be removed immediately. While...
