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When you are faced with a difficult legal matter, you need an attorney who will put you first, no matter how complex your case may be.
DuPage County Lawyers for Parents and Foster Parents Under DCFS Investigation
When you are being investigated by officials from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), it can be very frightening. DCFS has the power to change your life and that of your family by taking action to remove your child from your home and to seek the termination of your parental rights.
This applies to biological parents, adoptive parents, and even foster parents. At Anderson Attorneys & Advisors,we take child welfare cases very seriously, and we advocate on behalf of parents and foster parents in cases involving allegations of child abuse and neglect.
Few attorneys handling DCFS cases have the experience Attorney Audriana Anderson offers. Before entering private practice, Audriana served as Supervisor of the Juvenile and Family Justice Unit for the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office. She remains the only private-practice DCFS lawyer with that leadership experience. Having worked closely with child welfare and family-related matters, she understands the factors that influence DCFS decisions and uses that knowledge to help families respond effectively to investigations and proceedings.
Lawyers Helping Parents in Wheaton and Warrenville
From the very beginning of a DCFS investigation, parents often face an uphill battle. An allegation of abuse or neglect often creates the assumption that the parent is automatically guilty. As a result, parents are frequently treated with hostility by investigators, attorneys, and other state and county officials. At Anderson Attorneys & Advisors, we understand that it is always best to cooperate with investigators and DCFS specialists, but prejudices and presumptions can create serious problems for parents.
Our attorneys are prepared to work with you from the moment you are informed of a pending allegation. We will take steps to ensure that your rights are not compromised and that you are treated fairly throughout the process. If your child has been removed from your home as the result of an investigation, we are also prepared to help you regain legal custody. No matter what challenges you may be facing, our team is here to help.
Carol Stream Attorneys for Foster Parents
Foster parents often play a crucial role in providing for the welfare of children in Illinois. They voluntarily take abused or neglected children into their homes without any guarantee of permanency. By their very nature, foster parents are placed in incredibly difficult situations as they must plan for the possibility of adopting the child permanently while supporting and facilitating a possible reunion between the child and his or her legal parents.
Unfortunately, the court system is often rather indifferent to the concerns and desires of foster parents. On one side of most cases, there are the child’s legal parents with child welfare officials on the other. Foster parents tend to be caught in the middle and largely ignored. At Anderson Attorneys & Advisors, we understand and appreciate the sacrifices that foster parents make to provide for the children placed under their care.
We also provide guidance and legal advice to foster parents fighting for the right to adopt their foster children. When a child’s natural parents no longer provide a safe and loving home, our attorneys work hard to achieve the best possible outcome for the child.
Successful DCFS Case Highlights
A mother sought legal guidance after learning that DCFS had opened an investigation involving her family. Concerned about the possibility of losing custody of her children, she contacted our office immediately. We explained the investigation process, prepared her for interviews with DCFS, and advised her on how to navigate the agency's requests. We attended the home visit and interview with our client, helping her understand each stage of the process and protecting her interests throughout the investigation. At the conclusion of the meeting, DCFS informed us that the investigation would be closed without further action, bringing significant relief to our client and her family.
A grandfather retained our firm after being falsely accused and indicated by DCFS, resulting in the loss of contact with his grandchild. The indicated finding created serious personal and family hardships and prevented him from continuing his role as an important caregiver. After evaluating the evidence, we determined the case was a strong candidate for appeal and immediately began preparing for the administrative hearing. Through thorough preparation and effective advocacy, we successfully challenged the finding and demonstrated that the allegations were unfounded. The appeal resulted in the DCFS indication being overturned, clearing the way for the grandfather to restore his relationship with his grandchild.
Call 630-877-5800 for an Appointment
If you are a parent or a foster parent involved in a dispute over a child’s welfare, contact our office for help. Call 630-877-5800 to speak with a compassionate member of the team at A Anderson Attorneys & Advisors today. We represent families in Wheaton, Warrenville, Winfield, West Chicago, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, and throughout DuPage County.