Dwain Downing

I was put in a really hard situation from the start . I was contacted by CPS and told that my granddaughter was going to be put in some kind of housing that was not beneficial to her because of the situation where she was living was also not a place she did not want to be in and should of never had t...o. I did not know any of this because the rest of the elders grown ups that were supposed to care for her never told me anything about it even though I tried several times to make sure she was ok . Even though they knew how she was living the whole situation they would never tell me anything. I was told lies and fantasies never told the truth how she was really having to live that is all she knew. By the time CPS was notified about me they had very little trust that there was anyone in her family that would look after her, love her and most of all make sure she did not get lost in the system. It all began when CPS called me when I was walking out the door to close on the sale of my house . I think most of us knows how long this usually takes. I was told under the circumstances that I had exactly one hour to pick her up at a designated meeting place I had never been to or they were taking her to a place called Houston. I assume it is not a place a 12 year old girl already scared would want to go. So I rushed and made it happen. Still with not a clue of the gravity of the situation and how much distrust had developed with CPS and who my grand daughter was with. I was also told at the time that this was temporary I was frightened and had not been able to see her for a while so I did not know how bad it was. I picked her and when we talked and I found out for the first time how she had been living I just freaked. I knew the first thing I had to do was to make sure that she would never have to live like that again and just be a child without worrying about anyone taking it away from her. I was also afraid because CPS would not tell me what was going to happen and kept calling me we were both afraid they would take her from me I am not an expert and was afraid so I called one. I checked around and was referred to Mr. Downing I was told he could help me that he knew about CPS and adoption. I was happy that he met with me very quickly . He showed compassion and worry for us he knew what to do . He told me not to worry and sent us home I never had anymore trouble from CPS. They left me alone after that and he told me flat out she needed to be adopted so I could legally take care of her without interference from CPS or anyone else again. He gained my trust so I listened to his advice and did everything he told me to do I submitted to background checks and home checks whatever he told me to do. The adoption has went through it has been over a year now. I did not want to do it but he was blunt and truthful about my chances of keeping her if I did not adopt her. So I did and now she is doing great and loving life going to school and her biggest worries these days are what is she wearing to the school dance. she is doing great . I never have to wander where she is again and if she is ok. And she is keeping her grades up so she can go to college now that she has the chance to make that happen. I am forever grateful to Mr. Downing and Dawn for helping me through a tough time and helping me realize I have absolutely done the right thing. It give me faith in the legal system and the people that choose to work in fields like adoption that are not cut and dry and but do what it takes to make a child's life good . Thank you again Mr. Downing. I think you are an excellent family law attorney . You never missed a step.