Dependency, Adoption and Guardianship Practice Areas

Comprehensive Legal Services

Juvenile Dependency: When children are removed from their home due to neglect or harm, a dependency case is often filed. Our office is familiar with the dependency court rules and procedures. Whether you are a relative attempting to get placement of a child, or a foster parent concerned about the best interest of a child in your custody, or a parent striving to reunify with their child, it is important to have a legal advocate.

Adoption: Our office handles a wide range of adoptions, including stepparent, adult, independent, relative, and more. Each adoption case is unique, and if you have questions about adoption, we can help. Whether you are considering expanding your family, starting a family, or may be pregnant and have questions about adoption, our office is here to help.

Guardianship: A guardianship over a minor is a way for a caring adult to step into the shoes of a parent and assume the parenting role and responsibilities without completely severing the parental rights of the parents. Guardians have sole decision-making authority and custody over a child. Guardianships can remain in place until the minor turns 18, or until the parent or parents are able to safely care for their child again and the guardianship is terminated. In some situations, a guardian can ask the court to terminate the parental rights of the biological parents and adopt the child they have been a guardian of.