Posts In Department of Children and Families

Do Not Underestimate the Seriousness of a DCF Investigation Nov 11

DCF attorney Nicole K. Levy examines common mistakes made by parents and caregivers under investigation by DCF for child neglect ...

Tips for Surviving a 51A DCF Investigation for Child Neglect or Abuse Sep 03

DCF attorney Nicole K. Levy explores strategies for parents and caregivers who are under investigation by DCF for child neglect or ...

Responding to DCF Findings of "Substantiated Concern" in Child Neglect and Abuse Investigations Jul 29

Massachusetts DCF attorney Nicole K. Levy explores the increasingly common finding of “substantiated concern” in DCF ...

The DCF Fair Hearing Process: Appealing Supported Findings of Child Neglect or Abuse May 28

DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy outlines the DCF Fair Hearing process for individuals seeking to appeal a supported finding of neglect ...

Surviving a DCF Family Assessment in Massachusetts May 14

Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews DCF’s “family assessment” process following a supported findings of child ...

Seven Ways that Massachusetts Courts Determine Parental Unfitness Apr 15

Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews the factors that Massachusetts judges use to identify unfit parents in Juvenile ...

How Does Legal Marijuana Impact Child Custody Cases? Mar 05

Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy explores how legalized recreational marijuana may impact child custody and parental ...

Orders for the Release of Confidential Drug Treatment Records in Child Custody/Welfare Cases Aug 07

Massachusetts attorney Kimberley Keyes reviews how and when Massachusetts courts will release federally-protected drug treatment ...

What Does "Parental Unfitness" Mean in Massachusetts? Jan 10

Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy discusses parental unfitness in custody, guardianship and adoption cases. In highly ...

The Crucial First Steps of a DCF "51A Investigation" for Child Abuse or Neglect in MA Apr 25

Massachusetts DCF lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the crucial first steps taken by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) ...

The Dismal Treatment of Child Sex Abuse Victims in Massachusetts Probate & Family Courts Feb 16

Massachusetts family law lawyer Jason V. Owens reviews a recent Boston Globe article detailing the dismal treatment of child ...

Feds: Massachusetts has Highest Child Abuse and Neglect Rate in Nation Feb 09

Massachusetts family law lawyer Jason V. Owens reviews new federal data indicating that Massachusetts has the highest rate of ...

Three SJC Justices Blast DCF in Recent "Spanking" Decision Jan 07

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Jason V. Owens reviews a recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision criticizing DCF for the ...

A Massachusetts Problem: Parental Discipline vs. Child Abuse Jan 05

Massachusetts family law lawyer Jason V. Owens reviews the growing confusion between “child abuse” and “parental discipline” in ...

DCF Wants to Talk to me About my Children. What do I do? Dec 18

Massachusetts DCF lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the choices parents face when the Department of Children and Families (DCF) knocks ...

Shakeup at DCF: 10 Workers Fired Dec 18

Massachusetts family law attorney Jason V. Owens comments on the recent firing at DCF. The Massachusetts Department of Children ...