fightcps.com

I really think you need a good lawyer on your side. You and he need to find out exactly "what the child is accusing you of." Forensic interviews of children are supposed to be recorded and are discoverable as evidence before the trial (either criminal or civil). A good attorney would be ab...

There is a high turnover rate among caseworkers. They tend not to stay in their jobs very long.

"Dependent" generally means legal custody is awarded to the state. It doesn't really make sense that they are "dependent" because the "mother is homeless." You were the legal guardian and you weren't homeless, correct?

Yes, CPS can get real tough and obstinate when they realize that you're going to fight them in court. Who has custody of the children right now? There are two kinds of custody: Physical and legal. The person with physical custody is the one who takes care of them on a daily basis. Where are the chil...

A prior involuntary TPR constitutes grounds for the state to bring a case to terminate parental rights to all future children the mother may have. It doesn't mean the court will automatically grant the state's request to terminate. There still has to be a trial. But it will be up to the mother to sh...

It's possible, but it's a double-edged sword. If you convince CPS that he has been "abusive" to the children, then CPS could turn around and say that you failed to protect them from that abuse. Both of you would be blamed. I would say it's better to leave it alone until you get custody. Th...

He's not going to get a dime from the state. After all, he signed on to helping these kids, and damaging furniture is what kids do. A slightly bigger worry is what he's telling CPS about your parenting skills. If he says you have no control over your children, and that they're constantly damaging th...

Nope -- the "services" that CPS is likely to offer are: psych evals, counseling sessions, parenting classes, home inspections, and foster care.

Thank you for joining this forum. Your insights are a welcome addition here. In my current state of Texas, CPS is barred by law from characterizing the failure to treat depression through medication as being "medical neglect." (See http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/FA/htm/FA.261.h...

I would think that he wouldn't have to testify "with certainty" that alcohol had little to do with the event -- just that alcohol might not or probably didn't affect the vent. That's what reasonable doubt would be.

I agree -- it's time for a different attorney.

Without a court order, nothing has legally changed. The mother is still the guardian of her child and still has full custody over her. Some states do recognize the right of parents to give temporary guardianship to another person, but the parent has the right to rescind this guardianship at any time...

Go to a pediatric neurologist. It might be that the prescribed level was too low. It has to be increased as the child's weight increases.

I thought I had it all figured out. I was no longer going to deal with meth addict parents, this house would not have a revolving door with children going and then being returned, that I would never deal with CPS and if they ever became involved, I would walk away from any and all obligations, and ...

I'm not sure I completely understand your situation. How many children do you have, and where are they staying right now? Your 13-yr daughter, the one whom you "whooped" and who was allegedly "kissed" by her father, is staying with the father's mother, correct? To give a brief an...

Hello again. You may not want to hear my advice, but you should probably tone down your rhetoric a bit, especially when you're around your CPS caseworkers. Otherwise, they may deem you to be "uncooperative," "combative," or even "mentally unstable." Please don't think t...

Let's just take what the caseworker said at face value and assume it's true, until we see otherwise. Despite the impression one might receive reading this forum, most investigations are closed as unfounded, and most allegations are ruled out. I hope this scary incident concludes quickly, and that yo...

You're doing everything correctly. The family assessment is a box they have to check in order to close their case. Don't feel like they are singling you out for special treatment. I like how you're arranging for the children to be out of the house during the upcoming interview. That way (1) they can...

An "open case" may be an investigation, or a family preservation case. In both of these, the parents still have custody (legal and physical). Legal custody can only be changed by a judge, who may award it temporarily or permanently to CPS or another person. Yes, physical custody means the ...

You are not violating any laws if you move anywhere you want. If you still have legal custody of your children, you may take them with you. Even if you don't have custody, you can still probably move if you have a "good" reason to do so, such as a new job. I moved to a different state with...

In my state of TX, it is a misdemeanor to change addresses during an open CPS investigation without informing CPS of that change. If you do this in TX, the police in TX (and only TX) will have your name on a "watch for" list. However, in my previous state, where I had all of my CPS difficu...

The letter means your CPS case is now closed, and that child abuse was ruled out. Congratulations. You should immediately return the form requesting that this unfortunate incident be removed from their records, so that it won't be held against you in future investigations. I can't help you if your w...

Under the ICPC, CPS of the other state agrees to monitor the family while your state retains legal custody. I don't know why the other state couldn't also provide for monitored visits at one of their centers, although I don't think they're obligated to do so. It wouldn't hurt to inquire with the oth...

I guess I would modify one little thing in what Linda wrote. CPS is there to protect only the children. They have no say in what consenting adults do. They can't forbid the two of you from meeting each other, as long as children are not present. It is considered to be child abuse to have children be...

Have they terminated your parental rights? Are they planning to do so? If so, when is your TPR trial scheduled? What does your court-appointed lawyer say? You have one, right? If you've completed everything on your case plan, with documentation, you should be fine. But things don't always go as they...

I would get my own drug analysis performed ASAP from a reputable lab that you can use as evidence at the initial emergency custody hearing, if it goes that far. No you didn't have to sign any of the papers, and without action from a court, any agreement you do sign or did sign is voluntary. What may...