5,310
edits
Changes
Minor language changes for clarification
==Views of the child reports==
Under s. 37(1) of the ''[[Family Law Act]]'', when the court or the parties are making orders and or agreements about guardianship, parenting arrangements, or contact with a child, the parties and the court must consider the best interests of the child only. Under s. 37(2), this means that all of the child's needs and circumstances must be considered, including the child's views.
The reports of lawyers and mental health professionals can be prepared as quickly as the reporter's calendar allows, sometimes the same day but more typically within a week. The cost of these reports can range from $500 to $3,000, depending on the number of children involved and the reporter's hourly rate. The website of the [http://hearthechild.ca/roster/ BC Hear the Child Society] lists the society's roster of trained lawyers and mental health professionals and where they practice.
==Evaluative reports==
In cases like this, s. 211(1)(b) of the ''Family Law Act'' allows the court to go a step further and appoint someone to <span class="noglossary">assess</span> the views of a child in relation to a family law dispute, and to make orders about how the report <span class="noglossary">will</span> be paid for. When a mental health professional is asked to ''<span class="noglossary">assess</span>'' the child's views, the process is professional will do a lot more than an interview with the child and a summary of what simply speak to the child said. For an evaluative report, the assessor is asked to make an assessment of the views. The assessor may want to meet with also give the child for two or more interviews. The assessor may also a test to complete and speak with to the child's parents or and the other important people in the child's life.
Evaluative views of the child reports like this are cheaper to get than needs of the child assessments (see the page [[How Do I Get a Needs of the Child Assessment?]] for more information on that process), but evaluative reports <span class="noglossary">will</span> can still cost somewhere between $2,500 and $5,000. They can usually be completed in two to three months.
==Arranging for the views of the child report==
The parties can agree that a views of the child report <span class="noglossary">will</span> be prepared. They then need to agree on whether the report will be evaluative or non-evaluative, but if and pick someone to prepare it. If they can't agree, an application either party can be made apply to court for an order that a report be prepared. If you have to apply to court for such an order, make sure that you do your homework before going to court so that you will be able to can tell the judge what kind of report you want, who you suggest think should prepare the reportit, how much the anticipated costs cost will be, and their availabilitywhen it can be completed. The order <span class="noglossary">will</span> usually specify who is being retained to prepare the report and can also specify say how the report <span class="noglossary">will</span> be paid for.
Once the report is ordered or agreed upon, either party one of the parties should get in touch with the person professional who <span class="noglossary">will</span> be preparing the report. The reporter professional <span class="noglossary">will</span> tell you what happens next, when the interviewing process <span class="noglossary">will</span> begin, and when the completed report <span class="noglossary">will</span> likely be ready. The reporter professional can also give you some tips on how to explain the interview to your children.
You can find more information about views of the child reports in the chapter [[Children in Family Law Matters]].