A child’s voice in the legal process must be heard.
Michael Katz, Managing Attorney of FLAG’s Child Welfare Division, has over sixteen years of exclusive experience representing hundreds of parents and thousands of children in child welfare cases.
Maryland provides for representation of children in Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) and Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) hearings.
The focus of these hearings is not the protection of parents’ rights, but rather what is in the best interest of the child.
However, the Court of Appeals of Maryland has held that there is a rebuttable presumption that it is in a child’s best interest to be raised by his or her parents.
Harmonizing these two theories can be challenging unless you have an attorney with a vision for a better future for our children and who understands that working collaboratively and collectively toward the child’s future will achieve the best possible outcome.
Child abuse and neglect is often multi-generational; parents teach what they learn from observation.
FLAG implements a holistic approach to child welfare law; we help advocate for families now and assist with the development of a foundation for the future.
When you break the cycle of abuse and neglect, you strengthen the family and, more importantly, build a foundation that allows future generations to thrive.
FLAG offers a unique perspective to the child welfare arena.
- In most instances, we believe families can be reunited if all parties are focused on the common goal of what is best for their child.
- In some instances, when parties deviate from this universal goal, other individuals must step forward in the child’s best interest.
FLAG will first and foremost zealously advocate for our clients. We will also educate, assist with problem-solving and open lines of communication to help concerned individuals with a vested interest in the well-being of the child navigate the emotional, stressful and often complex world of child welfare.
Whether you are a parent, guardian, custodian, relative or friend of a child, we can help you make a difference in that child’s life with experienced, passionate, prepared, goal-oriented advocacy that infuses humanity into a process that is often engulfed by despair.
All children want a “forever home” where they will be loved and nurtured and whether this is with their parents or some other individual, we will assist you with advocacy from the heart and a voice and from the soul.
