What the DCF Does

scales and gavel on desk understanding the dcf kevin patrick seaver

At a Glance

Massachusetts DCF has a $1.8 billion dollar budget. With that, they are supposed to investigate and address legitimate allegations of abuse/neglect of children. Unfortunately, many loving and caring families get caught by their broad net due to false, retaliatory, or mistaken allegations. During these challenging times, understanding the DCF and what your rights are during an investigation are critical.

Learn More   

Practice Areas

DCF Investigations

After a 51A Report is screened in, DCF conducts either an emergency or non-emergency investigation, making the initial days critical for taking control and getting the allegations unsupported. Understanding your rights during this process is essential, and the Law Office of Kevin Patrick Seaver provides strategic, tailored assistance to protect your interests. They communicate with DCF on your behalf, obtain the 51A Report, prepare you for interviews, and ensure your rights are upheld throughout the investigation. By hiring their experienced team, you can focus on your family while they work to get the allegations against you unsupported.

Learn More About 51A Reports   

DCF Assessment

After completing a 51B investigation, DCF determines whether allegations are unsupported, substantiated, or supported and decides if a DCF Assessment of your family is necessary. These decisions significantly impact your rights and the outcome of your case, making it essential to act promptly and understand your options. The Law Office of Kevin Patrick Seaver helps you fight against DCF by developing a tailored plan, obtaining your DCF file, requesting a fair hearing, and advising on home visits and collateral requirements. They work to prevent case expansion and guide you through the appeal process to close your case, allowing you to focus on your family while they handle every step.

Learn More About 51B Investigations   

DCF Fair Hearing

If DCF substantiates or supports allegations of abuse or neglect, you have the right to appeal through a Fair Hearing, a crucial process that can reverse their decision and protect your rights, family, and employment. The Law Office of Kevin Patrick Seaver handles every aspect of your appeal, including requesting the hearing, obtaining your DCF file, analyzing your case, preparing evidence and witnesses, representing you at the hearing, and submitting written appeals. With their expertise, you can focus on your family while they work to ensure your voice is heard and your rights are upheld, guiding you toward a successful outcome.

Learn More About Fair Hearings   

“There’s some things you can take chances with, one of them is not your children.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DCF must treat all allegations as if they are legitimate.

As a result, good families spend time, money, and energy fighting these wrongful allegations.

This often leads to situations where they must find help to return their lives to normal, and where we come in.

happy parents playing with their child understanding the dcf kevin patrick seaver

  • Screening 51A Allegations from mandated and non-mandated reporters.

  • Undertaking Emergency or Non-Emergency 51B investigations.
  • Contacting the reporter, relevant witnesses, and collaterals.
  • Determining whether to unsupport, substantiate, or support allegations of neglect or abuse.
  • Opening a family or institutional assessment.
  • Providing referrals and services.
  • Implementing safety and action plans.
  • Completing a written assessment.
  • Keeping cases open for review.
  • Overseeing Fair Hearings via the DCF Fair Hearing Unit, which plays a crucial role in the DCF appeal process.
  • Upholding or overturning investigation decisions.
  • Filing for Care and Protection of minors.
  • Foster care placement.

Want to Learn More?

Understanding the DCF is a difficult and arduous task, but we made it as approachable as possible with our Resource Center.

Explore our Resource Center for more detailed information regarding the DCF investigation process and what DCF does when investigating and assessing MA families. If you’re concerned about DCF parental alienation or how to navigate these complex situations, then contact an experienced Attorney to help provide you a plan to navigate DCF. Avoid the traps and pitfalls others have fallen into that keeps their cases open for months to years.

The Law Office of Kevin Patrick Seaver has been a steadfast ally for thousands of clients since 1991, particularly in cases involving DCF parental alienation. Our extensive experience across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enables us to effectively assist clients in getting allegations declared unsupported, assessments closed, and decisions overturned.

Have a question? Ask our lawyers.

lawyer shaking hands with client understanding the dcf kevin patrick seaver

Over 30 Years of Legal Experience

The Law Office of Kevin Patrick Seaver has been a steadfast ally for thousands of clients since 1991, particularly in cases involving DCF parental alienation. Our extensive experience across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enables us to effectively assist clients in getting allegations declared unsupported, assessments closed, and decisions overturned.

Hear Their Stories   

Want to get the DCF off your back, return to normalcy, and create your own Seaver Success Story?

Get in touch with our team and we can begin today!