The first step is to determine paternity. The second step is to establish the amount the non-custodial parent will pay for child support. This blog deals with the next step – collecting child support. In Connecticut, there are three avenues to consider: Hire a lawyer; Represent yourself; or Request the assistance of the State through […]
According to the DCF Policy Manual, educational neglect occurs when a parent of a child, age seven through fifteen, interferes with the ability of the child to receiver a proper education. Essentially, educational neglect is when a child is not registered in school or not allowed to go to school and there is no state […]
Co-parenting involves two parents working together for the benefit of their child. Seems easy enough. But I see all too often that some parents simply cannot co-parent. And in many of those cases, it is simply because a parent puts his or her own needs ahead of what is best for the child. It becomes […]
Family Courts and Juvenile Courts in Connecticut have the authority to order hair follicle testing to determine whether there is a pattern of drug use. I have seen these tests ordered with increasing frequency as the reliability of these tests are now widely accepted. The standard hair follicle test goes back about 90 days and […]
Grandparents in Connecticut may apply to the Family Court to obtain visitation with their grandchild. For a judge to grant grandparent visitation over a parent’s objection there must be two separate findings: 1. The grandparent must have a relationship with the child that is parent-like; and 2. Denial of the visitation will cause real and […]
Yes – restraining orders in Connecticut can be extended. In order to do so, the Applicant (the person in need of protection) must file a Motion to Extend before the restraining order expires. But once it lapses, you have to start from scratch and there’s no protection in the interim. So – do not wait […]