Legal Question in Family Law in Arkansas

Reported case to Child Services

My husband and I have a female friend living in the house with us and our three children. A family member thinks that this is wrong, and reported this to Child Services. What are our rights as parents? What are our children's rights?


Asked on 10/18/99, 5:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jonathan Schiff Self employed

Re: Reported case to Child Services

As far as I know it is still legal to choose who will live under your roof. What you didn't say is whether or not children services responded in any way. If they did, you also have a right of privacy to tell them to get lost. At least in Ohio, and this is based on federal law, one has a right to privacy in connection with one's home and family. No one, including the police (and I doubt that social workers in your state have police powers)can simply enter your home and conduct an investigation without a warrant or court order.

In any event it doesn't sound like you have anything to hide either. But unless you get a call from someone purporting to be one of the "authorities" I would just write the whole thing off as very bad manners.

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Answered on 10/23/99, 11:27 pm


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