Parenting Arrangement Assessment

If parenting time and decision-making responsibility is at issue, the court may order a Parenting Arrangement Assessment to assist the court to determine the most appropriate parenting time and decision-making responsibility arrangement for the child. 

A family court  clinician, in the Family Court Counsellors' Office, completes the assessment of the child’s needs and each parent’s ability and willingness to meet those needs.  The clinician prepares a parenting arrangement report which is filed in court and provided to the parties' lawyers (or to the parties, if self-represented).

What does the assessment involve?

The assessment consists of individual interviews with the parties, individual interviews with the children (provided they are of an appropriate age to participate in an interview) and the gathering collateral information such as from the child's school, child protection services, the police, medical information and addiction and mental health information etc.  The assessment may also involve gathering information from family members  and other relevant sources.  The assessment includes home visits to the parents' residences.

How long will it take to complete an assessment?

An assessment typically takes three to six months to complete from the time it is assigned to the clinician. However, assessments time lines may vary.

Is there a cost for the assessment?

There is no charge for in-province assessments. If a parent lives in another province, a clinician in the other province may be asked to assist with the interview. Parents may be responsible for any charges for the out-of-province assessment.

What if circumstances change after an assessment?

The court may order an updated assessment to assess a change in circumstances after an earlier assessment report was completed.