Legal Question in Juvenile Dependency in California

Your question did not give many facts, but your rights can vary from "termination of Parental Rights" completely under 366.26 hearing, or somewhere inbetween. In the latter case, you might still have rights but not custody pending resolution of your behavior, for example, as a suitable/safe parent. Children do not get awarded to courts. The dependency courts are there to protect children, and that might mean taking the child away from the parent and placing the child in a foster home immediately, or with relatives. The entire termination of rights process can take 18 months. You will be entitled to be present in court at certain stages and be represented by a lawyer ...court appointed if you can not afford one. Contact your nearest County Child Protective Services Agency to learn more details about your specific situation.