Legal Question in Family Law in Connecticut

I have recently gone to court in Litchfield , Ct. to ask the judge to let me intervene in my sons modification for visitation, concerning his 11 year old son. The judge has granted me my intervention. DCF has told me that I am now allowed to view the DCF file on the mother. The father does not have one. The mother holds sole custody now and is refusing me and my son visitation because I reported her to DCF for abuse and neglect. My question is, since I have proved to the court a Parent/child relationship excisted between me and the child, and I have access to the DCF file, do I have the right as a third parent, to open the school and medical files on this child? Online it states that I have access to any legal file, does that include school and medical? What legal letter do I need to present to these places in order to open his files. DCF only needed my judgement granting me the intervention and a formal written request. I understand that I will be part of the nagotiation yet to take place over visitation and possible change in custody, because of further abuse and neglect observed by Family sevices, social worker, concerning the mother. I also understand that now I am a legal viable option for this child along with the father. Am I correct on these assumptions and do I have the right to open other files concerning this child? Thank you Jamie


Asked on 10/23/10, 1:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Linda Subbloie Linda A. Subbloie, Esq.

Unfortunately, I can not give you a definitive answer because I do not have enough information concerning what kind of order the judge entered regarding your role in this case. I also do not know what court the case is in, family or juvenile.

At first blush, I will say that I doubt that you will be entitled to review the DCF file on the mother. The rights to view DCF files are quite limited under the statute. Since you are not a "parent" I also doubt whether you will be successful in obtaining medical and educational records of the child.

My best suggestion is to obtain a court order making it clear as to what you are allowed to obtain from third parties. This way they will have to turn over documents that the court actually states you are entitled to.

Read more
Answered on 10/29/10, 9:02 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Connecticut