If you want to be included in your child’s dependency case
You may believe you have or should have parental rights to a child in a dependency case. For example, you may be father of the child or believe you might be the father of the child. You may also be a non-biological parent or the partner or spouse of the child’s biological parent. In this case it is very important you let the social worker and the court know that you want to be included in the child’s dependency case as a parent.
Parentage and parental status
Parentage is a word used in dependency court to refer to a child’s parents. There are different definitions of parental status for parents in dependency court, and you may qualify as a parent even if you are not biologically related to the child.
At the first hearing, the court is required to ask the parent who shows up, and anyone else present who has information or knowledge, about the identity and location of anyone who may qualify as a father or other parent to the child. The court must then send that person notice of future court hearings.
If the child has been removed from the other parent, the social worker is required to gather information about all possible parents, including any possible fathers. The social worker is required to provide notice of the first hearing. This notice could be on the phone, in person, or through the mail. That is your opportunity to show up in court to determine whether you are a parent and what your status may be.
If the father has not been identified or the mother has not provided enough information to identify or locate the possible fathers, at the first hearing, the court is required to ask the parent who shows up, and anyone else present who has information or knowledge, about the identity and location of anyone who may qualify as a father or other parent to the child. The court and/or the social worker will then send that person notice of future court hearings.