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Saturday, May 25, 2013
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Family Division |
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Circuit Ct. Divisions |
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Circuit Court Family Division
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0534
Fax: (269) 673-0466
HOURS:
8:00am-12:00pm
1:00pm-5:00pm
Monday through Friday
Legal Terms - Protective Proceedings
- Child protective proceeding
- A civil legal action concerning neglect or abuse of a child by a parent or custodian.
- Petition
- A complaint or other written allegation that a parent, guardian, nonparent adult, or legal custodian has harmed or failed to properly care for a child.
- Preliminary Inquiry
- An informal review by the court to determine appropriate action on a petition.
- Preliminary Hearing
- A court proceeding, on the record, to determine if a legal basis exists for a child protective proceeding to be accepted for filing with the court. Placement of the child/children outside of the parental home may be authorized at this hearing.
- Placement
- A court-approved transfer of physical custody of a child to foster care, a shelter home, a hospital, or a private treatment agency.
- Adjudication
- Plea of admission, no contest, or finding of responsibility after trial to determine the Family Court’s jurisdiction over a child.
- Disposition
- Determination of consequence, action, or services after adjudication.
- Referee
- Person empowered by Judge and Statute to conduct hearings in Family Court matters.
