Blog Posts in Department of Children and Families

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Seven Ways that Massachusetts Courts Determine Parental Unfitness April 15, 2019
Attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews the factors that Massachusetts judges use to identify unfit parents in Juvenile and Probate and Family Courts. Claims of parental unfitness are frequently made in ...
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How Does Legal Marijuana Impact Child Custody Cases? March 5, 2019
Attorney Nicole K. Levy explores how legalized recreational marijuana may impact child custody and parental rights in Massachusetts. Since recreational marijuana was legalized in Massachusetts, ...
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Orders for the Release of Confidential Drug Treatment Records in Child Custody/Welfare Cases August 7, 2018
Massachusetts attorney Kimberley Keyes reviews how and when Massachusetts courts will release federally-protected drug treatment records in child welfare cases. The Massachusetts Appeals Court ...
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What Does "Parental Unfitness" Mean in Massachusetts? January 10, 2017
Massachusetts family law attorney Nicole K. Levy discusses parental unfitness in custody, guardianship and adoption cases. In highly contested divorce and custody cases, I commonly hear parties ...
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The Crucial First Steps of a DCF "51A Investigation" for Child Abuse or Neglect in MA April 25, 2016
Massachusetts family law lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the crucial first steps taken by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) after there is a report of child neglect or abuse. For many ...
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Feds: Massachusetts has Highest Child Abuse and Neglect Rate in Nation February 9, 2016
Massachusetts family law lawyer Jason V. Owens reviews new federal data indicating that Massachusetts has the highest rate of child abuse and child neglect in the United States by a substantial ...
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