When a child under 18 is arrested in Bridgeport and the surrounding towns, they are summoned to Bridgeport Juvenile Court. Here is a brief summary of the process: Initial plea date/Arraignment This is the date referenced on the Summons. A judge will advise the child of the following: The right to remain silent; The right…
What are pendente lite motions in a Connecticut divorce? Pendente lite sounds fancy but it really just means, “while the litigation is pending.” That’s why these motions are often referred to as temporary motions. Common examples of pendente lite motions include: Custody/Parenting Plan – establishes where the child will live, decision-making and visitation; Alimony –…
A post-nuptial agreement is similar to a prenup but it is signed after a marriage rather than before. The agreement usually addresses the same issues that a pre-nuptial agreement would if there was a divorce. For example, alimony, property distribution and other financial considerations can all be set forth in a post-nuptial agreement. In fact,…
Connecticut joint custody is sometimes misunderstood. It is often used too loosely or incorrectly. There are two aspects to child custody in Connecticut. So when creating a Parenting Plan start with these questions: Where will the child live? This is called residential or physical custody. Generally, there are three variations: 1. The most common arrangement…
Parenting Plans in Connecticut can vary greatly. Some are quite detailed – others just cover the basics. Many people think that a Parenting Plan is really just limited to a custody or visitation arrangement but it is much more than that. So, what are the essential elements of Parenting Plan? At a minimum, every Parenting…
In making orders concerning custody and visitation, a judge must consider the best interests of the child. But what does “best interests” mean? Connecticut General Statutes sets forth the following factors: The temperament and developmental needs of the child; The capacity and the disposition of the parents to understand and meet the needs of the…
I get this questions often: Can DCF speak with my child? It is clear that DCF is allowed to interview a child during an Investigation with the parent or guardian’s consent. And sometimes permitting a child to speak with a Social Worker makes sense. The real question is whether a Social Worker is allowed to…
I imagine that there is nothing more unsettling than being investigated for child abuse. This is especially true if the Social Worker presumes a parent is guilty from the beginning. As a result, the whole Investigation is compromised and tainted as DCF searches for any evidence to support the abuse allgeations while dismissing or disregarding…
When DCF files a Neglect Petition in Connecticut Juvenile Court they can also request an Order of Temporary Custody (OTC). They will usually do this after they have executed a 96 hour hold because they believe that the child is in serious danger and therefore the child should be immediately removed for their parents. Here…
DCF home visits can cause anxiety to even the best parents. And DCF has changed their policy in scheduling their home visits. In the past, just about every new case resulted in an unexpected knock on the door. Now, unannounced DCF home visits are reserved for those cases where DCF believes that the child needs…