NJSBA Family Law Section

I have a DCPP case in Morris County that involves an 8 year old child who was removed from the custodial biological mother 2 years ago and is currently in DCPP's custody. The child has had 6 different placements but has been in her current resource home for the past 11 months. DCPP had previously initiated termination proceedings (which remains pending) with plans for resource parents to adopt the child.

My client has just been identified as the child's biological father, which was confirmed by paternity test results in March 2016. Mother had previously identified someone else as the father which turned out false. My client is seeking immediate contact with the child and desires to form a relationship with and ultimately obtain custody of the child.  My client is currently unknown to the child and we just had our 1st status conference with the Court where my client was involved earlier in June.

DCPP is resisting permitting my client to have contact with the child and appears to want to continue forward with the adoption.  DCPP's expert, Dr. Nadelman, conducted a psych evaluation of my client to assess his psychological capacity to meet the child's needs and provide safe/appropriate parental care for child.  DCPP's expert appears to be heavily biased against my client and in favor of proceeding with adoption of child by resource parents.

QUESTIONS

1. I would like recommendations for a psychologist with experience in DCPP matters to perform a rebuttal psych evaluation of my client.

2.  I would request any input as to DCPP's obligation to provide services to biological father who has been identified after child has been removed from custodial biological mother and place in DCPP's custody?

I have substantial experience handling family law matters, but my experience in DCPP matters is very limited.  Thank you all for any help you can offer.

I have a DCPP case in Morris County that involves an 8 year old child who was removed from the custodial biological mother 2 years ago and is currently in DCPP's custody. The child has had 6 different placements but has been in her current resource home for the past 11 months. DCPP had previously initiated termination proceedings (which remains pending) with plans for resource parents to adopt the child.

My client has just been identified as the child's biological father, which was confirmed by paternity test results in March 2016. Mother had previously identified someone else as the father which turned out false. My client is seeking immediate contact with the child and desires to form a relationship with and ultimately obtain custody of the child.  My client is currently unknown to the child and we just had our 1st status conference with the Court where my client was involved earlier in June.

DCPP is resisting permitting my client to have contact with the child and appears to want to continue forward with the adoption.  DCPP's expert, Dr. Nadelman, conducted a psych evaluation of my client to assess his psychological capacity to meet the child's needs and provide safe/appropriate parental care for child.  DCPP's expert appears to be heavily biased against my client and in favor of proceeding with adoption of child by resource parents.

QUESTIONS

1. I would like recommendations for a psychologist with experience in DCPP matters to perform a rebuttal psych evaluation of my client.

2.  I would request any input as to DCPP's obligation to provide services to biological father who has been identified after child has been removed from custodial biological mother and place in DCPP's custody?

I have substantial experience handling family law matters, but my experience in DCPP matters is very limited.  Thank you all for any help you can offer.

I have a DCPP case in Morris County that involves an 8 year old child who was removed from the custodial biological mother 2 years ago and is currently in DCPP's custody. The child has had 6 different placements but has been in her current resource home for the past 11 months. DCPP had previously initiated termination proceedings (which remains pending) with plans for resource parents to adopt the child.

My client has just been identified as the child's biological father, which was confirmed by paternity test results in March 2016. Mother had previously identified someone else as the father which turned out false. My client is seeking immediate contact with the child and desires to form a relationship with and ultimately obtain custody of the child.  My client is currently unknown to the child and we just had our 1st status conference with the Court where my client was involved earlier in June.

DCPP is resisting permitting my client to have contact with the child and appears to want to continue forward with the adoption.  DCPP's expert, Dr. Nadelman, conducted a psych evaluation of my client to assess his psychological capacity to meet the child's needs and provide safe/appropriate parental care for child.  DCPP's expert appears to be heavily biased against my client and in favor of proceeding with adoption of child by resource parents.

QUESTIONS

1. I would like recommendations for a psychologist with experience in DCPP matters to perform a rebuttal psych evaluation of my client.

2.  I would request any input as to DCPP's obligation to provide services to biological father who has been identified after child has been removed from custodial biological mother and place in DCPP's custody?

I have substantial experience handling family law matters, but my experience in DCPP matters is very limited.  Thank you all for any help you can offer.