At Minella Law Group, we recognize the paramount importance of protecting your rights in regards to your family because family is what is most important in life.
Our dedicated team of qualified attorneys is dedicated to providing support, advocacy, and resources to your family in order to protect your family in a safe and nurturing environment.
We have a plethora of attorneys who have significant experience working with families in family court and juvenile court. All our attorneys have a deep understanding of the legal complexities surrounding juvenile dependency cases.
Represent parents, guardians, or sometimes relatives in cases involving Child Services (CPS or CWS) and the juvenile dependency court system. These cases are serious — they can involve allegations of abuse, neglect, or risk to a child, and may affect custody or even lead to removal from the home.
Juvenile Dependency
The goal of a juvenile dependency proceeding should be to protect children while providing educational services to parents to preserve the family unit.
CACI Registry
If you are placed on California’s Child Abuse Central Index, we will file a Grievance on your behalf and fight to get your name off this registry.
When your family is being investigated by Child Welfare Services, this can be frightening. This is a pre-filing of a petition to seek services for a child, it is a process where a case worker gathers information due to an abuse or neglect claim. Don’t go through this process alone as the findings can lead to the filing of a petition to remove the child from the home or supportive services. Avoid a petition from being filed by having legal representation from the start.
If a petition has been filed alleging an unsafe home environment for the children, it is imperative you have the right attorney to assist in your defense with the ultimate goal of keeping your children home. Our defense includes challenging the allegations, presenting evidence in court, and ultimately working with the social workers to advocate for keeping your family together. We collaborate with all the professionals involved and use the strength of our relationships to bring the case to a successful resolution.
Getting our help is easy, just fill out this short form and one of our qualified team members will reach out to start the conversation within a day.
*Please note that an initial consultation is not intended to provide legal advice, as we do not represent you at this stage and are not yet your legal counsel. The purpose of the consultation is to understand your situation, assess the nature of your case, and explore whether our firm is the right fit for your representation.
All submissions are confidential
If you are related to a child who has been removed by Child Welfare Services, we can assist in your advocacy as a relative to have the child placed with you, rather than in foster care. Timing of these requests are crucial as well as knowledge of the system. The goal is to have the child placed with a familiar person pending the finalization of the investigation or services required. With family in mind, we will fight to support the family and the best interest of the impacted children.
We’re sure you have questions! This isn’t easy and the best outcome starts with knowledge. Here are the top inquires we get about child welfare.
Yes. In cases where parents are unable to care for their children, we assist family members obtain a guardianship of a minor to ensure a stable and supportive environment.
Yes. We assist juveniles who have been neglected or abandoned by a parent and cannot return to their country of origin to petition for legal residency in this county and get permission to work here
Yes. Having your name on the Child Abuse Central Index can be burdensome and stressful. It can also have serious implications for your professional and personal life including restrictions on employment opportunities, volunteer work, and your ability to have custody. If you believe your name has been incorrectly added, you have the right to try and have your name removed. Our skilled CACI registry removal attorneys can assist in requesting a review and providing evidence to support your removal.
If you are a foster parent seeking to adopt the child placed in your care, we can assist with the process. When reunification is not possible or appropriate, foster parents can petition to legally adopt. Our attorneys are skilled in assisting foster families with the process so you can focus on maintaining the bond and focus on your family.
Here’s a blog post that breaks down more questions we get about this.
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