CINA & TPR Issues

CINA & TPR Issues in Columbia, Maryland

We help parents, relatives, and potential guardians with CINA (Child in Need of Assistance) and TPR (Termination of Parental Rights) cases

FACTS

If a child protective services agency believes that a child is at immediate risk of harm, they can remove that child from their parents’ care at a shelter care hearing.

If the agency believes that the child has been abused or neglected, they can ask that the child be found CINA (Child in Need of Assistance).

If the child is found to be a CINA and the parents do not address the issues within a reasonable amount of time, the agency may seek to terminate the parents’ parental rights and free the child for adoption so that permanency can be achieved.

LAW

A child is a CINA if they require court intervention because:

  • they have been abused or neglected
  • they have a developmental disability or a mental disorder and the child’s parents, guardian or custodian are unable or unwilling to give proper care and attention to the child and the child’s needs.

If a child has been in an out of home placement for 15 of the most recent 22 months, the Department of Social Services will file a petition to terminate parental rights.

Within 180 days of the filing of a petition to terminate parental rights, the trial court will decide whether the Department has proven by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the child’s best interest to terminate parental rights.

ASSISTANCE

FLAG can offer parents facing the potential loss of custody and/or their parental rights the experienced advocacy they need in these highly emotional cases.

The stakes cannot be higher; take the wrong path or action and your legal right to call yourself the parent of your child can be terminated.

The Managing Attorney of FLAG’s Child Welfare Division, Michael Katz, has over sixteen years of experience in CINA/TPR cases and has represented hundreds of parents and thousands of children.

He has served for the past twelve years as supervising attorney of the second largest provider of representation for children in child welfare cases in the state of Maryland.

FLAG has the experience; we can help you take positive steps to regain custody of your child.

GOAL

The goal of any CINA/TPR case should be to reunite families. Maryland CINA/TPR law is clear that the Department of Social Services must work with parents towards reunification.

FLAG has developed relationships statewide with stakeholders in child welfare cases. We will assist you in achieving your goal by acting as an intermediary with the local Department and a strong advocate in the courtroom.

You need to act immediately as time passes quickly once a TPR Petition has been filed; in most cases it is often too late to achieve reunification.

Avoid getting engulfed in conflict and further away from your goal. Seek assistance from our experienced attorneys immediately to help you achieve your goal of reuniting your family.

Our Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Have to Say
  • "Anna Lindner was very helpful through the entire process, professional and very responsive."
    Amanda
  • "Ms. Laynor was extremely knowledgeable, personable, and thorough throughout the time we worked together."
    Kimberly
  • "Emily was fantastic to work with! She walked me through every step along the way and made sure I was comfortable with what was happening. She is patient, kind, and understanding but also fights for what her client deserves."
    Becky
  • "Sarah has the unique ability to get right to the point and tell it ” like it is” while also being sensitive and considerate, which means that she isn’t wasting time and racking up needless billable hours."
    Janine
  • "Anna Lindner walked me through the roughest time in my life. She was patient, understanding, resourceful, responsive, and comforting while also being my strength and confidence. She was aggressive when she needed to be and fought for what I deserved."
    David
  • "Anne Kelly Laynor was extremely prepared and always in control of the situation. Most importantly for me though, she was a calming force during an extremely emotional time. I feel extremely lucky and even grateful to have had her by my side."
    Former Client
  • "Ms. Thomas was a pleasure to work with during my case. She was an excellent advocate for my son and won my case for him. He now has all the help he needs in school because of her determination."
    Toula

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