Frisco Divorce Attorney

Child Protective Services (CPS)

Child Protective Services (CPS) is a part of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (FPS), a State Agency. CPS is charged with investigating claims made regarding the safety and welfare of children in Texas. Each county has a CPS agency in Texas, however there is a general hotline number that is forwarded to their main office in Austin.

If a report is made regarding your children you may be first notified by a letter called a Notification for Removal, you may be contacted by law enforcement, CPS or the school in which your child is enrolled, or CPS may remove your child(ren) without your knowledge based upon an Emergency Removal Order obtained by the attorney for CPS from the Court.

Upon your first contact with anyone from CPS or law enforcement you should immediately contact an attorney. CPS is a powerful agency and you need help. Your attorney can talk with you before every hearing, speak for you in court, help you understand your rights, tell you about the hearings you will attend, communicate with your CPS caseworker, and tell you what to expect at each hearing.

Once CPS has removed your child(ren) you can expect to attend several court hearings and other meetings including at least eight different court hearings and meetings during the first year. The court must enter a final order before the first Monday after the anniversary of the order appointing CPS temporary managing conservator, unless on or before that date the court has granted an extension of no more than 180 days.

It is imperative that you obtain counsel immediately. Your children are important to you and should be raised by you.