{"id":1167,"date":"2026-06-12T20:10:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T20:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corey-law.com\/?p=1167"},"modified":"2026-06-12T20:10:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T20:10:56","slug":"settle-outstanding-tax-liabilities-pennies-dollar-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/12\/settle-outstanding-tax-liabilities-pennies-dollar-2-2\/","title":{"rendered":"When Criminal Allegations, DHS Investigations, and Custody Disputes Collide: Four Questions Every Parent Should Ask"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jeffrey Ott is an attorney licensed in Oregon and Washington.\u00a0\u00a0 He has helped numerous families and defendants for more than 15 years. Questions?\u00a0 Email him:\u00a0 jeffrey@corey-law.com<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the most expensive mistakes I see is when a person assumes they have only one case.<\/p>\n

In reality, they may have a criminal case, a custody case, a DHS investigation, and a developing narrative that affects all three.<\/p>\n

Each system operates under different rules. Each gathers information differently. Each reaches decisions independently.<\/p>\n

What occurs in one proceeding may nevertheless influence another.<\/p>\n

Over the course of my career, I have represented individuals charged with Measure 11 offenses and other serious felony crimes. I have also represented parents involved in custody disputes where criminal allegations and child welfare concerns became central issues.<\/p>\n

The challenge is often not understanding one system. The challenge is understanding how multiple systems interact.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. If I Have Been Charged With A Crime, Will It Affect My Custody Case?<\/u><\/h2>\n

Potentially.<\/p>\n

Family courts and criminal courts serve different purposes.<\/p>\n

A criminal court determines whether a crime has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n

A family court determines what arrangements serve the best interests of the children.<\/p>\n

Those are not the same inquiry.<\/p>\n

An allegation that never results in a conviction may still affect parenting time, custody evaluations, or temporary restrictions.<\/p>\n

Likewise, a criminal conviction may have consequences that extend far beyond the sentence itself.<\/p>\n

The question is not simply whether criminal charges exist.<\/p>\n

The question is how those allegations may affect every other proceeding connected to the family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. What If DHS Becomes Involved?<\/u><\/h2>\n

Many people assume that DHS involvement means wrongdoing has already been established.<\/p>\n

That assumption is often incorrect.<\/p>\n

DHS investigates allegations. It gathers information. It conducts interviews. It evaluates concerns.<\/p>\n

Whether those concerns are ultimately substantiated is a separate question.<\/p>\n

What matters from a strategic perspective is that investigations frequently create evidence.<\/p>\n

Statements are made.<\/p>\n

Records are generated.<\/p>\n

Witnesses are interviewed.<\/p>\n

The question becomes whether that information later appears in another proceeding and how it may be interpreted.<\/p>\n

Understanding those consequences before speaking is often more valuable than understanding them afterward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. How Can One Case Affect Another?<\/u><\/h2>\n

More often than people realize.<\/p>\n

A statement made during a parenting evaluation may later become relevant in a criminal proceeding.<\/p>\n

A statement made during a criminal investigation may later appear in family court.<\/p>\n

A DHS interview may influence both.<\/p>\n

The issue is not whether information exists.<\/p>\n

The issue is how that information moves between systems and how decision-makers interpret it.<\/p>\n

People often focus on defending the allegation in front of them.<\/p>\n

They fail to consider how today\u2019s explanation may affect tomorrow\u2019s hearing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4. What Is The Most Important Thing To Do When Allegations Arise?<\/u><\/h2>\n

Slow down.<\/p>\n

Gather information.<\/p>\n

Preserve records.<\/p>\n

Avoid assumptions.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, recognize that allegations frequently create consequences before they are ever proven.<\/p>\n

The strongest legal positions are usually built deliberately rather than emotionally.<\/p>\n

Criminal allegations, custody disputes, and DHS investigations often generate substantial legal fees. They also create substantial risk. The cost of skilled representation should be weighed against the cost of a criminal conviction, a restricted parenting plan, or a narrative that becomes accepted before it is adequately examined.<\/p>\n

Experience becomes most valuable when multiple legal systems begin interacting with one another.<\/p>\n

Understanding the allegation is important.<\/p>\n

Understanding the terrain surrounding the allegation is often equally important.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jeffrey Ott is an attorney licensed in Oregon and Washington.\u00a0\u00a0 He has helped numerous families and defendants for more than 15 years. Questions?\u00a0 Email him:\u00a0 jeffrey@corey-law.com   One of the most expensive mistakes I see is when a person assumes they have only one case. In reality, they may have a criminal case, a custody […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,10,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-debt","category-irs","category-tax","czr-hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1167"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1168,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1167\/revisions\/1168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}