Furtado Law - New Bedford, MA

Trusted Family Law and DCF Legal Defense in Bristol County

When legal conflicts involve family structure or child safety, having an assertive and understanding advocate is crucial. Furtado Law, situated in downtown New Bedford at 93 Spring Street, represents parents, spouses, and guardians facing challenging legal battles in the Bristol County Probate and Family Court. Whether you need a lawyer immediately to respond to a child protective inquiry or want to hire an attorney with deep family law experience, Attorney Cynthia M. Furtado delivers practical, empathetic representation under the guiding philosophy of working together to achieve the best results.

Dedicated DCF Defense and Care and Protection Proceedings

Investigations initiated by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families can be overwhelming, confusing, and intrusive for families. Attorney Cynthia M. Furtado concentrates heavily on child welfare defense, guiding parents through 51A reports, 51B investigations, and family assessment meetings. Her thorough understanding of DCF administrative procedures enables her to identify key steps for resolving concerns before an agency petition reaches the courtroom.

When DCF initiates care and protection proceedings to remove children from parental custody, Furtado Law acts decisively. Attorney Furtado represents mothers, fathers, and custodians at emergency temporary custody hearings, permanency hearings, and termination of parental rights trials. Furthermore, she assists clients in administrative fair hearings to appeal supported findings of abuse or neglect, fighting diligently to maintain clean records and promote family reunification.

Comprehensive Divorce, Custody, and Support Solutions

In addition to child welfare advocacy, Furtado Law provides complete representation in domestic relations matters across Southeastern Massachusetts. As skilled divorce lawyers and child custody lawyers, the firm handles matters including:

• Contested and uncontested divorce: Resolving asset division, marital home disposition, and alimony obligations with strategic negotiations and courtroom advocacy.
• Child custody and visitation rights: Establishing legal custody, physical residential arrangements, and balanced parenting time schedules tailored to the welfare of the children.
• Child support lawyers and enforcement: Determining appropriate child support orders under state guidelines and modifying support agreements when incomes change.
• Adoption lawyers and kinship guardianship: Guiding stepparents, grandparents, and relatives through legal guardianship and formal adoption procedures.
• Domestic violence lawyers and protective orders: Navigating 209A restraining order petitions to ensure safe family environments while defending wrongful accusations.

Bilingual Legal Counsel in English and Portuguese

Effective legal advocacy requires clear communication and mutual trust. Recognizing the rich heritage and diversity of New Bedford and Bristol County, Attorney Cynthia M. Furtado is fluent in Portuguese, ensuring that Portuguese-speaking clients can fully express their concerns and understand their legal choices. This bilingual capability ensures that language is never a barrier to receiving exceptional legal protection in Massachusetts courts.

Accessible and Collaborative Family Representation

At Furtado Law, every client is treated with dignity and personalized care. When individuals seek to find a lawyer who approaches difficult legal matters with both toughness in court and compassion in counsel, Furtado Law is an established and trusted advocate. Flexible consultations, including after-hours and weekend appointments by arrangement, are offered to accommodate working families. Contact Furtado Law today at 508-992-0069 to schedule your consultation.