DCP&P (DYFS) Investigations in New Jersey

DCP&P Defense Lawyers with offices in Hackensack, Newark, Morristown NJ

The DCP&P defense attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm recently succeeded in having an Order to Investigate dismissed on behalf of another satisfied client. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency (“DCP&P”), formerly known as the Division of Youth and Family Services (“DYFS”) is responsible for the investigation of any and all child abuse, neglect, and welfare concern allegations in New Jersey. And, to a certain extent, parents are obligated to cooperate with DCP&P investigations. However, sometimes parents don’t initially cooperate and DCP&P files an Order to Investigate with the Superior Court, Family Part, to compel the parents to be interviewed, provide information regarding their family, or permit access to their children.

In our recent client’s case, there were allegations of drug use while taking care of a young child. Initially, the parent did not cooperate with providing information to the Division and, before the parent knew it, DCP&P filed a Complaint and Order to Show Cause for an Order to Investigate and the parent had to be in court. Fortunately, the parent called the DCP&P defense team at the Tormey Law Firm and we were able to get the client’s court appearance waived, negotiate a mutually agreeable approach that permitted the Division to fulfill its statutorily mandated investigative responsibilities while protecting the family’s privacy, and ultimately have the Order to Investigate dismissed without our client having to appear in court a single time.

This case demonstrates that oftentimes, saying “take me to court” to the Division is not necessarily the best strategy to get DCP&P out of your family’s life sooner rather than later. Rather, if DCP&P knocks on your door, you should contact the DCP&P defense attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm to learn about your rights and what you can do to minimize the Division’s intrusion into your family’s life. Importantly, having an experienced DYFS defense attorney on your side during a DCP&P investigation not only gives you someone to talk to about what you’re going through, but it also opens a door for having your attorney work with the Division’s attorney to hammer out an amicable plan to provide the Division with certain information while not intruding too far into your family’s life. If you are being investigated by DCP&P or you have been served with notice of an Order to Investigate, contact the DCP&P defense lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm to take the first step in getting DCP&P out of your family’s life.

Here is our client’s review of our recent success:“I hired Tom Ercolano after a horrible run in with DCFS. I hired him and he truly is the reason I came out of this mess intact. He took care of all of my concerns, explained everything regarding my case that I did not understand and he put my anxiety and nerves at ease. He was calm, cordial, professional but at the same time made me feel like a friend. I could not be more pleased with the results of my now CLOSED case. For anyone looking for an attorney to handle their case I highly recommend hiring Mr. Ercolano.”

For more information, contact Mr. Ercolano directly at 201-556-1570. The initial consultation is always provided free of charge.