Category: Removal From Home
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Guardianship in Michigan: Attorney Brandy Thompson Explains
When CPS becomes involved, speaking with an experienced attorney who understands your options is crucial. Consulting with an experienced CPS attorney is the best way to know which options are best for you, based on your circumstances. In this blog, we’ll explore the option of guardianship in Michigan child welfare cases, including cases in Ingham…
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Neglectful Parent v. Incorrigible Child: What the decision in In Re D. V. Lange tells us
When a child’s mental health needs escalate, parents may face choosing between household safety and neglect allegations. Michigan courts are often asked to decide where that line is drawn—particularly when a parent has exhausted treatment options but still cannot safely bring a child home. The case discussed below addresses this exact dilemma and clarifies how…
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Permanency Planning Hearings in Michigan Child Welfare Cases
When a child is removed from the home due to abuse or neglect allegations, Michigan law requires the court to hold regular Permanency Planning Hearings. These hearings act as checkpoints to determine if steps are being made for the child to be able to return to the home. Working with an experienced attorney for these…
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What Michigan Judges Consider at a Termination of Parental Rights Hearing: A Guide for Families in Lansing and Surrounding Counties
When a termination of parental rights (TPR) hearing takes place in a Michigan court, the judge’s decision can permanently sever the legal rights of a parent to their child. In places like Lansing, and across Mid-Michigan, these hearings are not taken lightly. Judges weigh numerous factors based on the best interests of the child when…
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CPS Petitioned The Court to Have my Kids Taken Away! What Happens Now? (Pt 2)
Hi there and welcome back to this convo about what happens when CPS petitions the court to have your children taken away in Michigan. For a parent, the thought that a government agency can simply step in and break up your family without warning is terrifying. After all, who else can do that besides a…
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Kids in Foster Care (And Their Parents) Really Struggle Over The Holidays!
There are loads of things that make the Christmas holidays special. Getting together with family. Decorating the tree and baking cookies with your kids. Snuggling up with your family, everyone in their pjs, to watch a favorite holiday movie. If you think about it, you’ll realize that being with family is central to the holidays.…
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Foster Families Face Unique Issues That Many Biological Families Don’t Encounter (Pt 1)
For most biological parents who are only raising their own kids, they decide what they want their children’s lives to look like, and they base their rules and family policies on that projection. “Only organic food”, “an emphasis on education”, “must speak a second language” or “limits on screen time” are good examples. You get…
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Unhappy in a Good Foster Home? Why Would That be?
Imagine yourself with the people you love. They’re flawed, certainly, and they sometimes do dumb things. But they’re family and you love them. You would do anything for them, and they’re the people you turn to when life gets crazy or overwhelming, or you just need a shoulder to cry on. Now imagine that all…
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Termination Of Parental Rights in Michigan: Voluntary vs. Involuntary
Termination of parental rights means the complete and total severance of the parent-child relationship. It is absolute and permanent. A parent loses not just the right to care for and raise their child, but the right to maintain a relationship or have any contact with their child, without prior permission. Essentially, in the eyes of…
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CPS Relative Placement – What Are The Facts?
Relative Placement refers to when Child Protective Services removes a child or children from their parent’s care, and places them into the care of relatives. Michigan law requires that the courts and CPS give serious consideration to any and all viable relative placement options. This is because relative placement is almost always preferred to traditional…