DCF cases can arise from a wide range of allegations, from claims of abuse or neglect to concerns tied to substance use, domestic violence in the home, or a child's living conditions. Regardless of how the case begins, DCF and the court and DCF will typically try to place you on a case plan; a case plan is a set of tasks and requirements a parent must complete, such as counseling, parenting classes, or substance abuse treatment, before custody can be restored. First, you should know that if you did nothing wrong you have a right to a trial. If you win your trial there will be no case plan and your children will be returned to your care immediately. If however you negotiate to complete a case plan, these case plans carry real deadlines, and falling behind can move a case toward termination of parental rights rather than reunification. Having an attorney who understands this process from the very first hearing can make the difference between a temporary setback and a permanent loss of your parental rights.

At Allen Law, P.A., I bring the same aggressive, dedicated advocacy to DCF cases that I bring to every case I take. That means appearing with you at shelter hearings, scrutinizing the state's evidence and allegations, working to secure the earliest possible reunification with your children, and holding DCF accountable when its case falls short of what the law requires. Parents are often at their most vulnerable when facing the state, and I make sure you're never navigating that fight alone.
No parent should have to face DCF without someone in their corner. With nearly 30 years defending clients' rights throughout Polk County, I'm ready to stand beside you at every hearing, challenge the case against your family, and fight to keep your parental rights — and your family — intact.