Top Middletown, DE Child Abandonment Lawyers Near You
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
Nemours Building, 1007 N. Orange Street, Suite 600, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
123 S Justison Street, Suite 100, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
222 Delaware Ave, Suite 1105, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
824 N. Market Street, Suite 710, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1313 North Market Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
222 Delaware Ave, Suite 1410, Wilmington, DE 19801-1621
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1105 North Market Street, Suite 1700, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 800, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1201 N. Orange Street, Suite 728, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1380, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
500 Delaware Ave, Suite 730, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1201 N. Market Street, Suite 2300, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
919 North Market Street, 11th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1201 N Market St, Suite 1001, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | New Castle Office | Serving Middletown, DE
2 Penns Way, Suite 300, New Castle, DE 19720
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1201 N. Market Street, Suite 2201, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
222 Delaware Ave, Suite 1600, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1015, PO Box 588, Wilmington, DE 19899
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
919 N. Market Street, Suite 300, PO Box 2323, Wilmington, DE 19899
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1201 N. Market Street, Suite 1407, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1201-A King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
712 West Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1201 North Market Street, Suite 2100, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1007 N Orange Street, 4th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801
Child Abandonment Lawyers | Wilmington Office | Serving Middletown, DE
1201 North Market Street, Suite 800, Wilmington, DE 19801
Middletown Child Abandonment Information
Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Middletown
Lead Counsel independently verifies Child Abandonment attorneys in Middletown and checks their standing with Delaware bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
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Find a Child Abandonment Attorney near Middletown
Child Abandonment Cases
A child may be deemed abandoned in a variety of ways ranging from leaving an infant on a doorstep to parents being unwilling to provide care, support or supervision of a child. The exact situations that count as child abandonment vary from location to location, so it is best to contact a local attorney know precisely constitutes child abandonment in Delaware.
What Is Child Abandonment?
Child abandonment typically refers to an offense in which one or more parents knowingly and intentionally deserts a child without regard to the welfare of the child or fails to provide the necessary and required care of their child, leading to gross neglect.
In less grave circumstances, child abandonment cases can also be brought against defendants on the basis of more technical matters, such as leaving the child in the care of a non-relative or non-custodial guardian for more than three to six months without making contact or providing financial support to said child.
How to Prove Child Abandonment
In more egregious cases of child abandonment, it is evidently clear to investigating authorities that child abandonment has taken place such as eyewitness accounts, no parent present, no guardian present, the child living in squalor or suffering from obvious malnutrition.
However, in many cases, the nuances surrounding a child abandonment case may actually be a matter of contested facts or circumstances between the prosecution (representing a private plaintiff, whether a spouse, ex-spouse or family member attempting to annul parental rights of the alleged offender) and the defendant.
In these cases, the prosecution typically looks for firmer evidence that meets the requirements for termination of the defendant’s parental rights and any further penalties belonging to the alleged abandonment according to state statutes. For example, illustrating via a lack of messaging and/or money that the defendant likely did not make any effort to contact or support a child legally under their care.
How Many Days Away Is Considered Child Abandonment?
The answer to this question depends entirely on the state in which the plaintiff is pursuing charges. In some states, a definite time frame is not laid out in contested cases where a parent may be making “token” or “incidental” visits to the child they are legally responsible for, fostering no meaningful relationship over a long period of time, etc. However, if the parent(s) cannot be found by authorities after a 60-day search period in more obvious cases of abandonment, that is the legal deadline before charges can be filed.
In other states, if the child has been left without proper documentation (birth certificate) by the legal parent(s), or if the parent(s) have left the child in the care of another person for at least six months with no material support or connection, or if the plaintiff themselves has been caring for the child for one year without any material connection being made from the defendant to the child this can be grounds to form the elements of a child abandonment case.
In general, these rules apply more broadly to most states, with the vast majority of U.S. jurisdictions having enacted similar statutes regarding the practice of child abandonment.
Can You Go to Jail for Child Abandonment in Delaware?
Yes. Child abandonment is a serious offense and those convicted of it are likely to face incarceration as well as monetary fines.
What Is the Penalty for Child Abandonment?
The penalty for child abandonment depends both upon the state statutes relevant to the case (which state the case is being tried in) as well as the severity of the situation surrounding the abandonment, with a focus on the particulars.
In certain states, child abandonment can be classified as either felony or as a misdemeanor. The former can result in a possible six-year prison term, while the latter can see those convicted facing up to a year in jail in addition to a fine of $2,000.
Can a Lawyer Help With Child Abandonment Charges?
If you are facing charges related to child abandonment, your first step toward resolving the matter should be to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.
A skilled attorney familiar with child abandonment cases, case law and the precedent established by former state court judgments is an invaluable asset in protecting yourself. A lawyer familiar with these matters can advise you as to how best to proceed with your case.
A conviction related to child abandonment can lead to a lifelong criminal record, and so it is vitally important to secure adequate legal counsel before proceeding.
Are You Facing Child Abandonment Charges?
Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney
- How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
- How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
- What is the likely outcome for my case?
In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.
The Importance of a Good Consultation
The goal of an initial consultation is to find an attorney you are comfortable working with and someone who can help you understand your options under the law. Seek to understand the relevant legal experience the attorney brings to your case. While it is not realistic to expect an attorney to resolve your legal issue during an initial consultation, you should gain a level of comfort with his/her ability to do so. A good consultation can clarify issues, raise pertinent questions and considerations for your case, and help you make an informed decision towards resolving your legal issue.
Points to Consider Before Hiring a Lawyer
Experience. Regardless of the type of legal matter you need help with, an experienced attorney will usually be able to get you better results.
Competence. Determine an attorney’s expertise by asking about their track record for the issue you need help with resolving.
Fit. There are plenty of good attorneys out there; make sure you find one you are comfortable working with.
Common legal terms explained
Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.
If you have been charged with the crime of child abandonment, you need legal representation. Each state has its own child abandonment laws categorizing child abandonment as either a felony and other states may categorize it as a misdemeanor. For information regarding the penalties and punishment for violating child abandonment laws, contact an attorney.