Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Connecticut General Statutes Title 45A. Probate Courts and Procedure § 45a-8d. Employment of a family specialist by a Probate Court or Regional Children’s Probate Court. Duties of family specialist

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) As used in this section, “family specialist” means a staff position established by the Probate Court Budget Committee under section 45a-85 to perform the functions set forth in subsection (c) of this section.

(b) If authorized by the Probate Court Budget Committee, a Regional Children's Probate Court or a Probate Court that is not located in a region served by a Regional Children's Probate Court may employ a family specialist. A family specialist employed by a Probate Court may, with the consent of the Probate Court judge, perform functions under this section for another Probate Court that is not located in a region served by a Regional Children's Probate Court.

(c) A family specialist may perform any of the following functions in connection with children's matters, as defined in subsection (a) of section 45a-8a:

(1) Conduct conferences with interested parties, attorneys for interested parties, representatives from the Department of Children and Families and social service providers, when appropriate;

(2) Facilitate the development of the family's plan for the care of the minor;

(3) Facilitate the development of a visitation plan;

(4) Coordinate with the Department of Children and Families to facilitate a thorough review of the matter being heard;

(5) Assess whether the family's plan for the care of the minor, if any, is in the minor's best interests;

(6) Assist the family in accessing community services; and

(7) Conduct follow-up regarding orders of the court.

(d) The family specialist may file with the court a report that may include:

(1) An assessment of the minor's and family's history;

(2) An assessment of the parent's and any proposed guardian's involvement with the minor;

(3) Information regarding the physical, social and emotional status of the interested parties;

(4) An assessment of the family's plan for the care of the minor; and

(5) Any other information or data that is relevant to determine if the proposed court action is in the best interests of the minor.

(e) Any report filed by a family specialist pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be admissible in evidence. If a party or an attorney for a party notifies the court prior to a scheduled hearing that such party or attorney wishes to examine the family specialist who filed the report, the court shall order such family specialist to appear at the hearing.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Connecticut General Statutes Title 45A. Probate Courts and Procedure § 45a-8d. Employment of a family specialist by a Probate Court or Regional Children’s Probate Court. Duties of family specialist - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ct/title-45a-probate-courts-and-procedure/ct-gen-st-sect-45a-8d/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard