First Steps You Should Take if DHR takes your Children
If your children have been taken away by DHR, you must take immediate action to reunite your family. Knowing the first steps to take after the seizure of your children is essential.
For most parents, losing their children is a nightmare. Many parents fear losing their children, even when they have done nothing wrong to warrant such concerns.
Thousands of children are taken away from their parents by the Department of Human Resources each year. While many of these seizures are in the best interest of the children, the department does make mistakes, and children are taken away from loving parents daily.
Regrettably, children can suffer catastrophic damage after being taken away from their loving parents. If your children have been taken away by DHR, you must take immediate action to reunite your family. Knowing the first steps to take after the seizure of your children is essential.
Critical Steps to Take When Your Children are Taken By DHR
Panic begins to set in quickly when children are removed abruptly from their homes. You are likely afraid and unsure of your rights or even how to proceed. The following steps are integral to helping you get your children back as quickly as possible.
Take All Accusations Seriously
Whether the accusations are true or absurd, you must take them all seriously. When CPS workers enter a home, they often have a cynical view of life because of things they have seen and experienced on the job. Most CPS workers view parents as guilty of the child abuse and neglect accusations against them. Keep this in mind.
Ask to See the Allegations
As a parent, you have the right to know the allegations against you. You must understand that DHR will try to keep this information from you, but it is your right to know.
Federal and state laws require the DHR to inform parents of their accusations. You are entitled to know the details of all allegations and not just the broad ones.
Never Let DHR Workers in Your Home Without a Warrant
Many parents do not know they have the right to refuse DHR workers entry into their homes. When a worker shows up at your door asking to gain entry, politely refuse. If they persist, you must stand your ground.
Never allow a DHR worker to enter your home without a warrant. Insist on seeing a copy of the warrant before allowing them into your home. DHR workers sometimes lie about warrants when they do not have one. It is your right to see a copy of the warrant.
Remain Quiet When Possible
When it comes to criminal law, it is always advised people remain quiet, and matters involving the seizure of children are no different. You must talk with no one but an attorney.
Anything you say or do can be held against you. If you say too much, DHR could even get the police involved and have you arrested. Hold your peace, and wait until you have legal representation. It is wise to allow your attorney to speak on your behalf.
Contact a Family Law Attorney
You must contact a family law attorney in Cullman right away. Although you have the right to represent yourself in this matter, it is not advisable.
Family courts do not favor parents who have had children taken away. With such a complex system, it behooves you to contact an attorney and get the representation your family needs right from the start.
Review the Safety Plan
It is essential to note that many parents are forced into signing a safety plan. Parents should never sign a plan without having a lawyer present.
After parents sign a safety plan, the DHR can use this plan to take children from a home temporarily if they feel the parents have been non-compliant. Parents that have signed a safety plan need to take it to their attorney immediately. Your lawyer will need to scrutinize this document carefully.
Take Extensive Notes
When parents are going through the process of having their children ripped from their homes, stress sets in rapidly. Parents often begin to panic and can forget pertinent details that are essential for the protection of their parental rights.
Parents should take the time to write down any details they remember about their communication with DHR. Information can quickly be forgotten. Writing everything down in notes will help parents remember essential facts they need to share with their attorneys.
Ask That the Children Be Placed with Family
It is the right of the parents to request their children be placed with a family member. Typically, DHR prefers this arrangement, and it is better for the children.
It is frightening enough for children to be taken away from their parents. When placed in a stranger’s home, the trauma becomes more pronounced. Lasting damage can often be avoided by having the children placed in the care of a family member until you can get them back.
Appeal the Decision
Parents have the right to appeal decisions made about their children by the DHR or courts. Your attorney should begin working on the appeals process immediately.
Parents will need to prove in court that the decision to take the children was wrong by showing they provided a safe and nurturing environment. Parents will also need to prove they met all stipulations set forth by the safety plan.
Get Legal Help Immediately
One of the most essential steps you must take after DHR takes your children is to seek legal help. Do not wait to call an attorney.
Waiting too long could lead to infringements on your parental rights. Many parents are unaware of their rights and can lose their children because of unscrupulous DHR agents.
While most of these agents are simply acting in the best interest of children, some perform their jobs in unseemly ways. Although you should remain polite, you do not have to comply unless there is an actual warrant.
Call today to schedule a consultation appointment with the attorney if your children have been taken by DHR. It is in the best interest of your family to act quickly.
