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409 Washington Ave, Ste 909, Towson, MD 21204
Get experienced CPS help from Law Offices of Stephen J. Kleeman, a reputable law firm in Halethorpe, Maryland.
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6990 Columbia Gateway Dr, Suite 360, Columbia, MD 21046
3500 Boston Street, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD 21224
600 Washington Ave, Suite 202, Towson, MD 21204
10451 Mill Run Cir, Suite 400, Owings Mills, MD 21117
250 W Pratt St, Suite 2200, Baltimore, MD 21201
10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044
303 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD 21204
406 E Joppa Rd, Towson, MD 21286
1 South St, Suite 2440, Baltimore, MD 21202
1 W Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 900, Towson, MD 21204
614 Edmonson Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228
307 W Pennsylvania Ave, Towson, MD 21204
300 E Lombard St, Suite 900, Baltimore, MD 21202
1215 East Fort Ave, Suite 301, Baltimore, MD 21230
6011 University Blvd, Suite 250, Ellicott City, MD 21043
8850 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suite 303, Columbia, MD 21045
100 West Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 300, Towson, MD 21204
1501 Sulgrave Ave, Suite 311, Baltimore, MD 21209
One South Street, Suite 1100, Baltimore, MD 21202
1 North Charles Street, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21201
1777 Reisterstown Rd, Ste. 385, Pikesville, MD 21208
1 Olympic Place, Suite 900, Towson, MD 21204
8684 Veterans Highway, Suite 302, Millersville, MD 21108
10632 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 236, Columbia, MD 21044
Halethorpe CPS Information
Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys in Halethorpe
Lead Counsel independently verifies CPS attorneys in Halethorpe and checks their standing with Maryland 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.
Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
What Does CPS Look for in a Home Visit?
When a CPS worker visits a home, they’ll look for signs that indicate how safe a home is or not. For example, is it exceedingly dirty to the point it poses a health hazard? Is there adequate food? Are there open signs of illegal activity like drug paraphernalia? Are dangerous objects or weapons easily accessible to children? Do the children have appropriate necessities? They won’t expect a spotless, perfect home, just one that meets reasonable safety standards. They’ll also be gauging your and your family’s behavior and will likely want to interview some or all of you to get a better sense of your routine and the kind of home life you have.
When Can CPS Take Your Child?
CPS can usually only remove a child from their home if there’s a valid, reasonable concern for the child’s safety. An order for removal is typically granted by a judge, either after an investigation or before an investigation if they consider your situation such a severe emergency that it requires instant separation. Emergency removal cases are rare, however, so unless there is an immediate threat, an investigation will need to take place first. Cases of neglect and abuse are the most likely causes for CPS to take your children.
What Happens if You Ignore CPS?
If a CPS caseworker contacts you as part of an investigation against you, you have some options for how to respond. Unless the caseworker has a warrant signed by a judge, you don’t have to let them into your home. You can also refuse to answer questions, and if your kids are home with you, you could prevent the caseworker from interviewing them at that time. However, your case will remain open and the investigation will continue. They may be able to come back with a search warrant to enter your home, get a court order to interview your children, or may even be allowed to interview your kids while they’re at school, even without your permission.
What Is a Dependency Case?
Minor children are considered legally dependent on adult caretakers. When a child is left without a guardian who can take care of them, Child Protective Services may intervene and petition the courts to step in to support the child as a dependency case. Children may end up as dependents of the court if there’s evidence that they’re being abused by their parent or guardian, if their caretaker is neglecting or has abandoned them, or if the guardian becomes incarcerated, is struggling with substance abuse, or is otherwise unable to take care of the child. In most cases, the courts will try to assign programs to help the parents or guardians gain resources and education to better care for their children for family reunification. When that’s not possible, the children will usually wind up living with another relative or in foster care.
What if I Have a Complaint About CPS?
CPS exists to take care of children and families, but the process doesn’t always go perfectly each time. If you have a complaint about a CPS employee, you can try to talk to them directly and then escalate your concern to their manager if the employee is not willing to work things out with you. There are several levels of supervision within the CPS system, and you can escalate complaints all the way up to the state director. Some jurisdictions will even have a dedicated ombudsman who will investigate administrative complaints. If your concern applies more to systematic or policy issues within CPS, you may have related community organizations in your area you can contact, or you can reach out to your state representatives.
Are There Any CPS Lawyers Near Me In Halethorpe, MD?
The possibility of losing your children is more than many parents can bear. Getting the representation you deserve to protect your rights is never more important than when you are faced with a CPS case. You have rights under the law and an experienced CPS attorney will help you navigate the system to work toward a positive outcome for everyone. The LawInfo directory can assist you in finding a verified CPS lawyer in Halethorpe.
Tips for Hiring a Family Law Lawyer
Finding a lawyer who is right for you and will represent your best interests is an important first step in protecting your rights. Find a lawyer who understands your case, knows your needs and goals, and has the experience to get the best outcome. Things to do:
- Ask for recommendations
- Research lawyers online
- Schedule consultations
- Review experience and expertise
- Talk about billing and fees
- Trust your instincts