Book a child custody/child visitation intake now
Child custody and child visitation issues arise in a variety of circumstances, including divorce, separation of unmarried parents, death of a parent, DCS involvement, etc. Grandparents and other relatives are taking a larger role than ever before in caring for children whose parents are unable or unwilling to provide that care themselves.
No child custody arrangement in Tennessee is permanent, so it is important to consult with an attorney to determine the range of options and select the one that best fits your facts. Contact Julia Spannaus to help you get what is best for the child in your life.
Child Custody and Divorce with Children
Parents who do not live together often share parenting responsibilities through a Parenting Plan, developed either during a divorce or between unmarried parents. From time to time, parenting plans must change due to changing life circumstances.
Parenting children across two households is a difficult task. Julia Spannaus has the experience necessary to help you design a successful parenting plan for your family. She will help you come up with a flexible yet strong plan that will protect the best interests of your child. Contact Julia today to help you understand your options during this difficult period.
Book a child custody/child visitation intake now
Grandparents Visitation Rights
Sometimes, grandparents are not able to remain involved in their grandchild’s life, either due to the death of their own child, the military service of their own child, DCS involvement or other circumstances.
Some grandparents in Tennessee may seek to establish rights to visitation if they are denied contact with their grandchildren, depending upon the particular facts of their circumstances. This area of law is rapidly changing, so it is important to know where the law stands today. Julia can guide you through the analysis and help you achieve the outcome you seek. Contact Julia Spannaus to learn if you can seek visitation with your grandchild.
Book an intake appointment now
Department of Children’s Services (DCS) Investigations
Have you or a family member been the subject of a DCS investigation? Do you work in a field of child care, as a teacher, foster parent or other role that may be threatened by a child neglect or abuse finding?
A Child Abuse or Neglect investigation can feel intrusive, shocking and can have wide ranging impacts for you and your employment. If you are the subject of a child abuse or child neglect investigation by DCS, contact Julia Spannaus today to assist you with this process. DCS has wide-ranging authority to make custodial determinations for a child or administrative findings that impact your employment, but you have a right to a hearing to challenge those findings. Competent representation at that hearing is crucial for you to ensure your story is told and you and your child’s rights are protected.
Julia Spannaus is uniquely qualified to assist you with your DCS investigation and potential Juvenile Court custody case. She has worked as a DCS agency attorney in New York City and in Tennessee and has represented the agency at these same hearings. She has vast experience navigating this agency and has successfully protected many families and workers from false or inaccurate accusations. Book an appointment now and Julia can guide you through the investigative process.
If you work in child education, child care, or otherwise work with children, it is especially important that you work with an attorney to ensure that your employment is not impacted by this investigation. You have rights, and Julia Spannaus will help you ensure those rights are protected.
Book an intake appointment now
Foster Care Placements
If you are related to or know a child who is placed into foster care, it is important to act quickly if you are interested in taking custody of that child. DCS is required to attempt to place children with extended family members. However, the longer a child remains in DCS custody with non-relative foster placements, the more difficult it can be to obtain custody of them.
Contact Julia Spannaus now if you are seeking custody of a relative in DCS custody. You can learn the necessary steps to take to ensure your relative stays with family, and can hire representation to ensure success.
DCS Resources and Links
DCS has many responsibilities and very specific rules to follow. If DCS is involved in your life, consult the policies they publish. The terms they use are sometimes confusing and have very specific legal or technical meanings. Consult the DCS Glossary to make sure you understand. An attorney can assist you ensure that agency policies are followed and that all appropriate options are explored for your family.
Primary Counties of practice: Blount, Knox, Loudon and Monroe. This includes the cities of Knoxville, Farragut, Alcoa, Maryville, Rockford, Lenoir City, Loudon, Madisonville, Sweetwater and all other communities within those counties.
Additional Counties of practice: Julia may travel to additional counties in East or Middle Tennessee as needed for your case, in select instances.
Contact Julia Spannaus now, at (865) 984-1923, to set up a consultation.