Tag: Parental Rights
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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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What to Expect During a CPS Home Visit in Michigan
If a report has been made against you to Michigan Child Protective Services (CPS), it’s normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed. A CPS investigation can be incredibly intrusive and emotionally draining, especially when you’re not sure what to expect. When there is a report of child abuse or neglect, Michigan CPS normally begins an investigation…
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Understanding the CPS Investigation Process in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is responsible for opening a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation when a report of child abuse or neglect is made. CPS will only open an investigation if the report includes an allegation of actual abuse or neglect, not suspected. For example, if someone makes a report…
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Michigan CPS Removal of a Child and What to Do
In Michigan, Child Protective Services (CPS) is not supposed to remove a child from their home unless an investigation reveals exigent circumstances or an immediate risk of abuse or neglect. To have exigent circumstances, CPS would need to believe that abuse or neglect is occurring based on the information they have and that the child…
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Protecting Parental Rights: The Case for Family Miranda Laws in Michigan
As a dedicated Michigan CPS defense law firm, we strongly advocate for the adoption of “Family Miranda” type laws in Michigan, similar to the recent reforms in Texas. The new Texas child protection law mandates that caseworkers provide a “Notification of Rights” form to each parent or legal guardian under investigation in a child welfare…
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Michigan Leads the Way in Kinship Care: A Breakthrough for Our Families and Child Protection
In a groundbreaking move, Michigan has become the first state to implement a new rule transforming kinship care practices. This rule permits states to develop an alternative path for approving kinship caregivers while receiving federal money to support these placements. Let’s delve into the details of this significant development. The Kinship Care Revolution Prominent child welfare researcher Mark Testa aptly described it as…
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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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Can I Spend Christmas With My Kids if CPS Took Them Away?
If your children were removed from your home by CPS, and placed into foster care, you’re probably wondering how you can spend Christmas with them this year. It must be a terribly stressful time for you, and the prospect of being alone on Christmas can be very disheartening. But while this holiday season may not…
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CPS is Trying to Terminate my Parental Rights! What Happens Now? (Pt 2)
Welcome back and thanks for joining us again for this discussion about what happens when CPS tries to terminate your parental rights, and what you can do about it. In our previous article we looked at what your first steps should be when CPS threatened to take your children (or even if they already have!)…