HABLA ESPAÑOL • AVAILABLE 24/7/365 • HELP WITH BAIL BONDS

(949) 622-5522
(949) 622-5522
En Español
Schedule Consultation

Reunification Timelines in California Juvenile Dependency Court

Available 24/7/365
See All Criminal Defense Practice Areas

As Seen In

10 News First
CNN
Court TV
Forbes
Huff Post Live Alt
Huff Post Live
KTLA

Reunification Timelines in California Juvenile Dependency Court

Summary: This page covers How Long Does Reunification Take in Foster Care?, How Long Does a Parent Have to Get Their Child Back From Foster Care?, Learn What to Expect From Reunification Timelines in Dependency Court.

While the foster care reunification process can vary from case to case, there is a general reunification timeline that you can expect in California juvenile dependency court. If you are worried about what to expect from your case, contacta juvenile dependency attorney in California. With the right insights, you can navigate Child Protective Services (CPS) and learn how to regain custody.

How Long Does Reunification Take in Foster Care?

In the majority of cases, the foster care reunification process takes 6 to 18 months to wrap up with the courts. Under the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), the government is supposed to seek a permanent living situation for the child, ensuring stability and safety for the child’s future. This means that the government is required to find a permanent placement if the child is in foster care for 15 out of the last 22 months.

The Reunification Timeline

If you have been assigned reunification services in California, your lawyer can walk you through what to expect. In general, juvenile dependency cases will go through the following process.

  • Emergency Removal and Detention Hearings: The dependency case often begins with the child’s emergency removal. Afterward, CPS has to petition the court, and the court must hear the petition by the end of the next day. The detention hearing will decide if the child’s removal is necessary.
  • Jurisdictional Hearing: Within the next 15 to 30 days, a jurisdictional hearing will take place with the juvenile dependency court. This is where the court will decide if the allegations are true or not, and your chance to disprove their argument.
  • Disposition Hearing: The dispositional hearing will be held within 30 days in most cases. In it, the judge will decide what types of family reunification services are necessary, visitation rights, and what will happen with the child.
  • Six-Month Review: At the six-month review, the judge will see if the parent has made progress with family reunification services. If not, they may decide to delay the case, requiring everyone to reconvene to review matters in another six months.
  • 12-Month Review: Again, the judge will check the status of the case. The child can be returned home, or the judge may give you more time to complete your family reunification services.
  • 18-Month Review: Unless very unusual circumstances apply according to WIC 366.22(a), the court will either return the child to their parent or find a permanent solution with someone else.

Major Deadlines in CPS Cases

As you proceed with the dependency court process, keep a few important deadlines in mind.

  • Dispositional Hearings: There is a 60-day deadline for these hearings.
  • 12-Month Reunification: The goal of the court is to achieve reunification in 12 months.
  • 18-Month Reunification: At the 18-month mark, the court will make a final decision about the child if a permanent solution hasn’t been found.

What Causes Reunification to Fail?

Many factors can cause family reunification to fail. If CPS requires specific reunification services, these services must be completed in order for the process to be completed successfully. If they aren’t completed or it takes longer than 18 months, reunification will fail. Additionally, parents need to continue a relationship with their child in foster care so that reunification can be successful.

How Long Does a Parent Have to Get Their Child Back From Foster Care?

If you are battling CPS, you can talk to a juvenile dependency lawyer in California about the timeline you can expect. As a general rule, children cannot stay in foster care for more than 15 out of the last 22 months. Otherwise, the court is obligated to find them a permanent solution with an adoptive family or relative. Additionally, the 18-month hearing is generally the family’s last chance for reunification.

Learn What to Expect From Reunification Timelines in Dependency Court

If you are dealing with the foster care reunification process, you are not alone. Our team is here to help you understand the reunification timeline and what to expect in juvenile dependency court. To find out more information, reach out to our team of legal professionals today.

Get A Criminal Defense Consultation Now

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Recover Your Future with a Commanding Legal Defense

Immediate Action to Restore Control

Neutralize threats & prevent escalation with a firm that begins active case management as soon as you retain us

24/7 Access to Elite Legal Counsel

Connect with a member of our team at any time to begin addressing your legal challenges swiftly and decisively

Resolve Uncertainty with Clear Guidance

Reduce stress and uncertainty through honest, candid assessments and a clear, strategic path to resolution

Fierce Representation for Urgent Situations

Secure lasting stability for you or your loved one through an aggressive defense and diligent case preparation

Contact Us 24/7/365

Criminal Defense Case Results

Mr. R was charged with embezzling close to $100,000 as a utility salesperson using a scheme to steal customers’ identities. Client avoided any jail time and received probation.

Mr. P was charged with embezzling equipment from John Wayne Airport while working as a contractor. Our office negotiated a civil compromise, resulting in the dismissal of felony charges and sealing his arrest record.

Mr. W. was charged with eight counts, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and criminal threats. Our office negotiated an offer of one year in therapy and then a dismissal of all charges.

Mr. H. was found by police passed out in his vehicle with drugs out in the open. Our office was successful in obtaining a diversion out of the criminal justice system and ultimately a dismissal.

Read More Case Results

Hear From Our Clients

Refreshing & Life-Changing Experience

Lauren Johnson-Norris was not only responsive, she was compassionate and reasonably priced. I would highly recommend her. She negotiated with the district attorney and brought the case to a win/win.

Shannon, a Criminal Defense client

Lauren Johnson-Norris was amazing. She explained everything in ways that were easily understood, & answered all of my questions. She was respectful, but also open & honest. She started work on my case the first day we met & got results quickly. She demonstrated passion, concern, and showed true feeling for my situation. My expectations were greatly exceeded. I would say she has an incredible attention for detail, & has a real dedication to her work. Lauren Johnson-Norris would be my first recommendation to any of my family or friends similarly in need of legal assistance.

Heather, a Juvenile client

Thank you, Ms. Johnson-Norris, for your help and support in a very scary, bad time in my life! You were a ray of sunshine in a very dark place. I didn’t have to step foot in a courtroom once; Ms. Johnson-Norris was there for me. Always kept me up to date and informed of the progress of my case, was able to work out a very good deal with the courts. If you need a great attorney that will work for you and with you, then I would highly recommend you hire Lauren Johnson-Norris!

J.B., a criminal client

Ms. Johnson-Norris was very effective in dealing with a juvenile criminal charge, getting it routed to a diversion program, minimizing court appearances, and being supportive to both my son and me.

Keith, a Juvenile client

Lauren Johnson-Norris changed my life and my family’s in September 2014. I was a troubled young girl with some convictions on my record from my early adult life. I have grown older and changed my life but my past kept rearing its ugly head. I started researching expungement and found Ms. Johnson-Norris, and I am so glad I did. She treated me like a person and as I told her about myself she really engaged in my situation and I felt I was not some number to her but a real person. She expunged two felonies I had. One of them the courts did not want to expunge, but Ms. Johnson-Norris would not take no for an answer and fought for me! She always kept me posted on what was going on. I believe God led me to her. She is very talented and knows what she is doing. She is extremely professional and is not only after your money. She has a heart under her tough Lawyer position that she does so well. She cleared my record and gave me hope for my future, my husband’s and my son! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER. If you had a rough past and are trying to change your life. Go see Ms. Johnson-Norris; she knows what she is doing.

A.M., a criminal client

Read more Testimonials

Criminal Defense FaQ

What immediate steps will you take to protect my rights?

We provide immediate crisis command by reviewing the allegations against you and intervening with law enforcement to prevent further exposure. From the moment you retain the Firm, we act as your shield, managing all communications and executing a decisive strategy to protect your liberty and reputation.

We prioritize discretion and exposure management. We understand that a public allegation can be as damaging as a conviction; therefore, our strategy focuses on minimizing the visibility of your case while challenging the prosecution’s narrative to preserve your standing in the community.

We begin by meticulously reviewing the allegations to determine if the conduct even constitutes a crime under the law. We then scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence against the highest standard — proof beyond a reasonable doubt. By analyzing the “who, what, when, where, and how,” we identify the natural questions a jury will have, allowing us to build an expert strategy that derails the prosecutor’s narrative.

.

Yes, our firm offers comprehensive legal services in Orange County with a unique focus on “crossover” cases where criminal and juvenile law intersect. Johnson Criminal Law Group provides the specialized expertise necessary to navigate investigations that threaten parental rights and family stability.

When you partner with Johnson Criminal Law Group, you receive 24/7 responsiveness and a clear, strategic plan designed to resolve your legal emergency decisively. We balance aggressive defense strategies with genuine human connection, ensuring you are treated with the respect and transparency you deserve during a crisis

Habla Español • Available 24/7/365 Help With Bail Bonds

Schedule A Consultation
(949) 622-5522