Accomplished Legal Professional Using Insights from Both Sides of the Law

Division of Family & Child Services in North Georgia

Speak to Our Cumming Custody Attorneys Before You Talk to the DFCS

When the Division of Family and Child Services, or DFCS, gets involved in a child custody or other family law matter, it is important that you have a lawyer on your side to protect your best interests. The DFCS process hundreds of thousands of cases annually and they do not put the care and attention into the individual circumstances behind each case that they should. This means that smaller issues can get greatly blown out of proportion, and the results can be disastrous for your family.

At The Epps Law Group, we do the right thing and work hard to protect your rights as a parent. Call (678) 257-4507 to discuss your situation with Attorney Kyle E. Epps, III. Our service areas include Cumming, Dawsonville, Gwinnett County, and Dahonega.

What Is the DFCS?

In Georgia, the Division of Family and Child Services is a social service meant to provide assistance to families in need, such as providing food stamps or social services to low-income parents. The DFCS’s Child Protective Services (CPS) division is responsible for investigating claims of child abuse or neglect, stepping in with police when they deem it necessary to protect a child’s wellbeing.

This, however, can lead to your child wrongly being taken from you. You will then have to jump through hoops to get them back. CPS also doesn’t take your best interests into account and may not even listen to your side of the story. The truth is, each of their social workers handle many cases at any given time and they often do not have the time and resources to devote to individual matters. This can lead to snap judgements based on perceived or incorrect claims of abuse or neglect.

At The Epps Law Group, we prioritize your best interests. If you’ve been accused of any of the following, do not hesitate to contact our firm:

  • Neglect
  • Delinquency
  • Abuse

Our Cumming child protective services lawyer will represent your side of the story in deprivation actions, including trials, brought on by the DFCS or a private individual. We can help you prove that your child is not at-risk when they are under your care by ensuring your side of the story is told and help you cut through the system’s red tape to get your child back.

Child Dependency Actions in North Georgia

When you, as a parent, are accused of neglecting or abusing your child, the DFCS has the authority to remove your child from your home and put him or her into state custody. They will then initiate a child dependency action, also known as a child deprivation action, to keep them in the state’s custody. According to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-150, the DFCS, or a private individual, must file a petition with the juvenile court that alleges they have actual knowledge or a belief that there is neglect, abuse, or abandonment of a child or children.

While the juvenile court will not accept petitions filed by one parent against another while they are going through divorce proceedings, as this can be seen as an unfair way to get custody, dependency petitions of this nature may be filed in the Superior Court. These actions can lead to the termination of parental rights or the child’s permanent removal from the family home. That is why it is vital that parents facing a child dependency action waste no time in enlisting the services of our CPS defense attorney in Cumming.

Call The Epps Law Group today at (678) 257-4507 or contact us online.

5-Star Reviews

READ WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT US
  • “Attorney Epps and his paralegal, Elicia, worked wonders for me!”

    - Lucie F.
  • “I am so grateful for meeting this man.”

    - Anthony C.
  • “Kyle and Elicia were beyond fantastic!”

    - Amy B.
Uniquely Experienced Defense Attorney

With a background as a police officer, prosecutor, and Judge Pro Tem, The Epps Law Group can provide you or your loved one with detailed and trusted representation. Our attorney has been involved in the criminal justice system for more than 30 years. Put our experience on your side.

Why Choose Us?

See What Sets Us Apart
  • Dedicated Team

    Skillful legal counsel that carefully and meticulously examines all aspects of the case for critical information.

  • Unquestioned Integrity

    A reputation of treating judges and prosecutors with honesty allowing him to be taken seriously when it could matter the most.

  • Former Police Officer

    The knowledge that comes from a former police officer to serve clients needing accomplished criminal defense representation.

  • 30 Years of Experience

    Over 30 years of legal experience as a prosecutor and Judge Pro Tem, we can use insights from that experience to help you.