Blog Posts in Department of Children and Families

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

    DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy outlines the DCF Fair Hearing process for individuals seeking to appeal a supported finding of neglect or abuse. In Massachusetts, the Department of Children and Families ...

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  • Surviving a DCF Family Assessment in Massachusetts
    Surviving a DCF Family Assessment in Massachusetts

    Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews DCF’s “family assessment” process following a supported findings of child neglect or abuse. Once the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has ...

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  • Seven Ways that Massachusetts Courts Determine Parental Unfitness
    Seven Ways that Massachusetts Courts Determine Parental Unfitness

    Massachusetts DCF 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 ...

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  • How Does Legal Marijuana Impact Child Custody Cases?
    How Does Legal Marijuana Impact Child Custody Cases?

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

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

    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
    What Does "Parental Unfitness" Mean in Massachusetts?

    Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy discusses parental unfitness in custody, guardianship and adoption cases. In highly contested divorce and custody cases, I commonly hear parties accusing one ...

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