My Child is in Foster Care in Florida

At Tate Healey Webster, we believe that every birth parent deserves a voice in their child’s future—even when the child is in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).

When Intervention May Be Available

If your parental rights have not yet been terminated and your child is in foster care, you have the legal right to intervene and propose a private adoption plan that aligns with your wishes. This legal tool is called an Intervention—and it can give you more control, peace of mind, and choice in what comes next for your child.

It is important for you to act fast, as quickly as you can after your child is sheltered by the Department or within 30 days of the Department filing a petition to terminate your parental rights.

What Is a DCF Intervention?

An intervention is a legal process where a birth parent signs a private consent to adoption, choosing a family and pathway for permanency outside of the state system. Our law firm represents the adoption entity or family you select to intervene in an active dependency (foster care) case and seek a change in placement to that chosen family. Instead of allowing the court to terminate your rights and leave decisions up to the state, you take proactive steps to make a plan for your child—one that reflects your values, preferences, and hopes.

Why Should a Birth Parent Consider Intervention?

You Choose the Family: You can select relatives, close friends, the child’s foster parents, or review profiles of loving, approved adoptive families. The family must complete a licensed home study, ensuring your child’s safety and care
You May Preserve Contact: Many adoption plans include open or semi-open agreements, so you can maintain a connection or receive updates, if that’s what you want.
You Avoid a Lengthy Court Battle: Intervention is faster and less traumatic than a contested termination of parental rights case. It gives you a dignified path forward.
You Get a Say: Once TPR happens, the state—not you—controls what happens to your child. Intervention means you still have a choice.
It’s Confidential and Compassionate

How It Works

You or the adoptive parents you chose contact our office confidentially.
We explain options and help determine if intervention is a viable option.
If you do not have a family chosen yet, you select a family (we can help, if needed).
You sign legal consent forms and we file a motion on behalf of the adoption entity with the court.
Our attorneys appear in court to advocate for your plan.

Why Choose Tate Healey Webster?

Interventions are one of the most specialized and emotionally sensitive areas of adoption law. Our firm handles contested intervention trials almost every week, and our firm have decades of experience helping navigate DCF cases with dignity and strength.

We are board-certified in adoption law and offer this option across the State of Florida. You Deserve Support. You Deserve Options. If your child is in DCF custody and you want to explore a private adoption plan, we are here to help—without pressure and with full respect for your rights.

My Child Is In Foster Care Related Pages

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Your Trusted Partner in the Adoption & Surrogacy Process

With years of experience and a commitment to personalized service, Tate Healey Webster Adoption Attorneys is proud to be a trusted partner in adoption throughout the state. We understand that every adoption is unique, which is why we offer tailored legal solutions and support. If you’re ready to begin your adoption journey, contact us today. Let us help you bring your family closer together through the miracle of adoption.