De Facto Parent Status (Foster Children)

If you’ve been caring for a child who has been declared a dependent of the juvenile court, you may want to petition the court for de facto parent status. Once you’ve been granted this status, you may be present at dependency hearings, represented by an attorney, present evidence and cross-examine witnesses, and participate as a party in the disposition hearing and any hearing after that.

Our offices can help you through this process in which you will be required to file an application with the juvenile court and prove to the court’s satisfaction that you have taking care of the child such that you have a significant relationship with the child and/or have been effectively acting as the child’s parent. Please contact our office for a complimentary 15 minute consultation.