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When your family is on the line, experience matters, and so does having an attorney who knows how to act quickly, protect your rights, and challenge the case against you before critical mistakes are made.
No attorney can guarantee a specific result in a dependency proceeding. What is certain is that the quality of your legal representation directly affects the options available at each stage.
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to pursue:
Dismissal or reduction of allegations at the arraignment stage
A favorable case plan with realistic and manageable requirements
Supervised or unsupervised visitation while your child is in state custody
Defense against a Termination of Parental Rights petition with evidence presented to deny the petition
This is not a high-volume practice that moves clients through assembly-line representation. Your case receives the focused attention that high-stakes dependency proceedings require.
DCF will place your child in temporary shelter care. A shelter hearing must occur within 24 hours of the removal, where DCF presents probable cause to the judge. You have the right to attend, present evidence, and be represented by an attorney. You may also request a 72-hour continuance to retain private counsel. This hearing is your first opportunity to challenge the removal, and how it goes shapes everything that follows.
You are entitled to court-appointed counsel if you cannot afford an attorney. However, appointed attorneys in dependency cases often carry heavy caseloads. A private dependency attorney can devote focused preparation to your shelter hearing, respond more quickly, and develop a case strategy tailored to your specific situation and what is at stake for you personally and professionally.
Dependency cases vary based on the circumstances and how quickly parents comply with the court’s case plan. Most case plans run 12 months, with review hearings every six months. If the case plan is completed and risks are resolved, reunification can occur within that window. If complications arise, or if DCF files for Termination of Parental Rights, the process may extend further.
No. Florida law requires a formal hearing before parental rights may be terminated. DCF must file a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights and meet a clear and convincing evidence standard. You have the right to contest the petition and present a defense. If you receive notice of a TPR petition, retain an attorney immediately, the hearing timeline is short.
A case plan is a court-approved document that outlines specific steps you must complete to address the concerns that led to DCF involvement. This may include parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, or housing requirements. Completing the case plan in good faith is the clearest path to reunification. Failure to comply can be used as grounds for Termination of Parental Rights.
Anonymous reports are common, and investigations do not always reflect what actually occurred. You are not required to accept DCF’s characterization of events. A dependency attorney can review the evidence, challenge the probable cause at the shelter hearing, contest the allegations at arraignment, and present your account to the court. Do not make statements to DCF investigators without legal representation.
Dependency court is a separate division that handles cases brought by the State involving allegations of abuse, abandonment, or neglect under Chapter 39 of the Florida Statutes. Family court handles matters between private parties, such as divorce, custody, and child support. A dependency case can run concurrently with family court proceedings and may affect custody arrangements, parenting plans, and other family law matters already in place.
Potentially, yes. Certain professions, including healthcare, education, law enforcement, and childcare, have licensing boards that may take action based on a dependency finding or DCF involvement. How your case is handled, and whether it results in a formal finding, can have consequences beyond the courtroom. For clients with professional standing or significant assets, discretion and outcome matter at every stage.
