Child Welfare Lawyers in Calgary Fiercely Advocating on Behalf of Clients to Resolve Family Issues

The main objective of Alberta Child Intervention Services (CIS) is to protect children from suffering abuse and neglect. If abuse is suspected, these child protective services have the legal authority to investigate the parents or remove the child, depending on the circumstances.

Sadly, in many instances, a child’s life is in danger, and it is in their best interests to be removed from the home and placed with foster parents. However, in child welfare matters, CIS is quick to judge based on faulty information and accuse parents of abuse or child neglect.

During this time, families are often separated and placed under a temporary guardianship order, with the children potentially being removed for up to six months. If CIS has visited you, it is best to hire a child welfare lawyer immediately. Contact JK Law of Calgary to learn how we may be able to help.

When Can Child and Family Services Take Your Child Out of the Home?

If child and family services believe there is a threat to a child’s safety, they will always err on the side of caution and take steps to remove the child from the home.

Some of the most common reasons for removal include:

• Sexual abuse
• Drug abuse
• Alcohol abuse

In addition, if child protective services have evidence to believe that parents have failed to seek medical treatment or cannot meet the child’s basic needs, they may place the child in a foster home. Another alternative is that children may be placed in kinship care, where they live with a close family member, rather than in foster care.

What is the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Agreement?

The Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Agreement (CYFEA) allows Canadian child protective services legal authority to provide services for children who have been abused, neglected, or in need of intervention.

Child Intervention Services must strictly adhere to the rules and procedures outlined in the CYFEA when determining if a child requires protection. After completing their investigation, CIS may determine their suspicions or allegations are unfounded, and the case will be closed.

However, in other instances, CIS may decide that they have probable grounds to obtain a court order that further work must be done to allow a child to return home if they have been placed in some other care.

Regardless of where you may be in a case with CIS, you must hire a skilled child welfare lawyer who will fight to protect your rights and work to bring your child home. Our Calgary child welfare lawyers can provide you with more information regarding the Family Enhancement Act and have a proven track record of successfully helping families and would be honored to help you.

What Do I Have to Do to Get My Child Back?

In some cases, the court will determine there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe that a child will be harmed if they are returned to the parents. When this occurs, it can take a significant amount of work for the parents to prove their worthiness to have the children returned to them.

In some cases, parents must submit to parenting or psychological assessment, mental health assessment, and other administrative review processes before they may resume contact with their children. In other cases, parents must adhere to a supervision order where the child is permitted to stay with them but must comply with regular visits from child protective services.

No matter what your situation may be, having your children removed or being monitored by child and family services can be a traumatic event. Often parents are so distraught they are unsure what to do to resolve family issues. However, with the help of JK Law, our lawyers can act as your legal advocate and help you navigate the complex world of child and family services.

Why Should I Choose Your Family Lawyers to Assist Me With My Legal Needs?

If you have been accused of child neglect or abuse, you cannot wait to hire a qualified family law lawyer who can represent your interests. In extreme cases, parents face their child being placed in a permanent guardianship order where the child is removed, and there is no guarantee they will be returned in a reasonable time.

JK Law of Calgary realizes that parents love their children and want to ensure they can adequately care for them. However, the court will always consider the child’s well-being. Our family lawyers will work tirelessly to help you be reunited with your children and provide the legal advice you need to protect your rights.

Contact JK Law at 587-742-2136 to schedule a consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.