This category is about terminating parental rights, reporting child abuse or neglect, prisoners' parental rights, and reunification services for parents and children.
Legal Representation in Child Protection Cases
Representation of children in child protection cases is overseen by the Louisiana Supreme Court, which designates appropriate programs for qualified legal representation in accordance with a plan for service delivery approved by the Court.
Foster Care: Who's Looking Out for Me?
Two-video series gives an introduction to the court system and Child In Need of Care (CINC) proceedings and an introduction to foster care.
Child in Need of Care Cases
The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) starts Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases when they determine that a child has experienced some form of neglect. While the goal of CINC cases is "reunification," or having the child go home, parents need to know about the CINC process and parental rights and responsibilities during the process.
Custody and Visitation Rights for Grandparents
Grandparents have a legal right to seek custody and visitation rights with their grandchildren in Louisiana. Grandparents may need to file a petition to the court requesting custody or visitation. The court decides whether to award custody or visitation based on the best interests of the child. In some cases, the court may award grandparents custody or visitation rights even if the parents are still alive and able to care for the children.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Resource Guide
The resource is about custody, visitation, and other legal problems that face grandparents.
Modifying or Changing Child Custody Judgments in Louisiana
This resource explains when the law allows a party to ask for a change in a custody judgment. It also discusses the reasons why the Court might agree to make the change and the different standards that apply to consent judgments versus considered judgments of custody.
Understanding Custody by Consent
This resource explains how a Court can approve a Consent Judgment when parents agree on the issue of custody and what the Court will consider in deciding whether to approve the agreement.