Have you been contacted by Child Protective Services?
Navigating the Colorado child welfare system is one of the most challenging experiences any parent or family member can face. When the Department of Human Services (DHS) intervenes due to concerns about a child's safety or well-being, the resulting court action is known as a Dependency and Neglect (D&N) case.
These cases are civil, but the stakes are incredibly high, potentially leading to the termination of parental rights and permanent separation from your child. Immediate, experienced legal representation is absolutely essential.
Understanding the D&N Process in Colorado
A D&N case moves quickly and involves several critical phases. Our role is to provide continuity and expert defense at every step:
Phase 1: Initial Hearings
Filing & Advisement: DHS files the Petition. We appear at the advisement hearing to ensure you understand the allegations against you and are informed of your rights.
Adjudication: This is a trial-like hearing where the court determines if the child is, in fact, dependent or neglected based on the evidence.
Phase 2: Case Planning & Review
Disposition: The court approves a treatment plan tailored to the family's needs (often focused on reunification).
Review Hearings: These mandatory, periodic hearings review your progress on the treatment plan. We advocate for appropriate modifications and present evidence of your successful completion.
Our firm is dedicated to providing compassionate and aggressive advocacy for all parties whose rights and interests are at stake in a Colorado D&N proceeding:
Parents: Advocating for your due process rights, guiding you through the treatment plan, and fighting for reunification.
Intervening Parties (Grandparents/Kin): Seeking to establish custody or guardianship to ensure the child remains within the family unit.
Non-Offending Parents: Ensuring that your rights and access to your child are protected throughout the case.
Why Quality Representation Matters
In D&N cases, the State has extensive resources. Without skilled counsel, it is easy for parents and family members to feel overwhelmed, lose track of court-mandated deadlines, or misinterpret the treatment plan requirements.
Our Commitment to You:
Protecting Your Rights: Ensuring that DHS and the court adhere to all statutory and constitutional due process protections.
Strategic Guidance: Interpreting the treatment plan and providing a clear path forward focused on successful completion and reunification.
Effective Advocacy: Presenting compelling evidence of compliance and progress to the court, demonstrating why reunification is in the child's best interest.
📞 Your Rights Demand Immediate Action
If you have been served with a Summons for a Dependency and Neglect case, you have a limited window of time to act. Every day counts toward meeting deadlines and preserving your relationship with your child.
Do not attend any meeting or sign any document without legal advice.
Contact us immediately to schedule a confidential consultation. We are here to stand with your family and fight for your future.
