What do you do when the child welfare services initiate a case against you?
You are entitled to a lawyer at every stage of the case.
We recommend that you get in touch as early as possible to ensure that your rights are protected.
Our lawyers will help you deal with the child welfare services and stand by your side in important meetings.
Child welfare cases can feel very burdensome and dramatic.
The starting point in Norwegian law is that children should grow up with their biological parents.
The child welfare services cannot make exceptions to this rule without a valid reason.
However, the Norwegian system has received criticism from the European Court of Human Rights.
Despite this, we often see decisions based on poor professional quality and tunnel vision.
Our lawyers are committed to opposing unreasonable decisions made by the child welfare services and want to help you.
You have a fundamental human right to family life.
This is affected when the child welfare services decide that your child must be placed in another home or that they will take over custody.
It is also an intervention when they initiate an “investigation case” against your family, impose assistance measures, or require drug testing.
In such serious situations, you need a skilled lawyer who will stand up for you and your family.
Our lawyers have solid experience in handling child welfare cases.
We recommend that you get in touch as early as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
The child welfare services are obligated to investigate reports of concern. Often, the case is closed after a three-month investigation, and the child welfare services decide not to proceed further.
During the investigation, you as a parent will be invited to a meeting where you can explain your view on the contents of the concern. If you’re nervous or unsure about what to say, we recommend contacting us for a free consultation before the meeting.
If the child welfare services have taken the drastic step of placing your child in emergency foster care or an institution, or taken over custody or want to pursue forced adoption, you are in a very vulnerable position. A care order can feel like a lifelong sentence, and in such cases, it’s essential to get strong legal help.
Our lawyers are trained to stand up to the child welfare services and can help you assess your case, advise you on what to say and not say, and identify important evidence or witnesses the authorities may have overlooked.
If the child welfare services have made what’s called a coercive decision against you, we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible to ensure you receive the best legal support.
Many find it difficult to stand up to the child welfare services alone and may feel they have to agree to everything they’re asked. However, we find that the authorities too often request confidential information. This is not always in your best interest. Signing such a waiver may lead to multiple agencies, including your children’s school and healthcare providers, learning that you’re involved in a child welfare case.
We recommend contacting us before signing any confidentiality waiver. We will advise you based on your situation and challenge the authorities if there is reason to do so.
You are not obligated to attend or speak to the child welfare services. However, we often find it wise to attend the first meeting they invite you to. A lack of cooperation can lead to overreactions from the authorities, which might result in serious interventions against your family. On the other hand, showing up and explaining your side can sometimes calm their concerns.
We recommend that you contact us so we can discuss your case and accompany you to any meetings. Often, attending with a lawyer who can make you feel secure is better than not attending at all.
You can send us an email at advokat@adalat.no, or fill out the contact form on our website. You can also read about our different lawyers here and contact them directly by phone or email.
