Florida Divorce Lawyer Protecting Your Legal Rights
The bond between parent and child is strong. When the state threatens to terminate your parental rights for any reason, you and your child face life-altering consequences. In this situation, an experienced lawyer can help you fight to remain in your child's life.
My name is Faith Z. Lodder. A dedicated family law attorney, I am committed to helping families find creative solutions to difficult legal problems. My goal is to prevent the termination of your parental rights and protect your child's best interests.
What Is a Dependency Action?
Anyone can report suspected child abuse, abandonment or neglect, initiating a dependency proceeding. After receiving a report, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) will send an investigator to your home to evaluate the validity of the claim. This investigator has the authority to remove your child from your house.
As your lawyer, I will represent you in dependency court, challenging the validity of the state's claims that you have mistreated your child. I will help you develop a workable case plan and strive to show that separating you from your child does not protect the minor's well-being.
Termination of Parental Rights
In some instances, the DCF will file a petition to terminate parental rights. This document requests that the court sever the adult's rights to the child. If an order is entered against you, you face the possibility of permanently losing contact with your child.
If you are involved in a termination of parental rights hearing, it is critical that you hire a skilled lawyer to protect your rights. A Sarasota attorney preventing the termination of parental rights, I understand how serious these proceedings are. As your legal advocate, I will work to keep you and your child together in a loving environment.
Preserving Child/Parent Relationships
To learn more about dependency hearings, contact me online or call 941-328-8170 or 877-217-7197.
My office is located in the Dooley Mack building. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. However, evening and weekend appointments are available upon request.
Se Habla Español.
Credit cards are accepted.
