Services
Voice of the Child Reports
When parents are separating or experiencing conflict, children often have thoughts and feelings about their family, routines, and relationships. A Voice of the Child Report provides children with an opportunity to express those perspectives in a safe, supportive, and neutral environment.
The purpose of a Voice of the Child Report is not to ask children to choose between their parents or make decisions about parenting arrangements. Rather, it is to ensure that children's voices are heard and thoughtfully considered as families, lawyers, mediators, or the court make decisions that affect their lives.
What is a Voice of the Child Report?
A Voice of the Child Report is a brief, non-evaluative report that summarizes a child's views and preferences regarding matters affecting them.
Unlike a parenting assessment, a Voice of the Child Report does not include recommendations or opinions about parenting arrangements. Its purpose is simply to communicate the child's perspective in a clear, balanced, and developmentally appropriate manner.
Voice of the Child Reports may be requested by parents, lawyers, mediators, parenting coordinators, or ordered by the court.
My Approach
Children deserve the opportunity to share their thoughts without feeling responsible for making adult decisions.
I strive to create a comfortable and respectful environment where children feel safe to speak openly. Every child is different, and I adapt my approach to each child's age, developmental stage, personality, and individual needs.
Throughout the process, I remain neutral and focused on accurately representing the child's perspective without influencing or interpreting their views.
The Process
Although every family is unique, a Voice of the Child Report typically includes:
-
An initial meeting with each parent
-
One or more meetings with the child or children
-
Preparation of a written report summarizing the child's views and preferences
-
Distribution of the report to the parties or their lawyers, as agreed or directed
The process is generally completed within a relatively short timeframe compared to a comprehensive parenting assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child be asked to choose between parents?
No. Children are never asked to decide where they should live or which parent they prefer. The focus is on understanding their experiences, thoughts, and feelings—not placing responsibility for adult decisions on them.
How old does my child need to be?
A child's ability to participate depends on many factors, including their developmental stage, communication skills, and individual circumstances. I would be happy to discuss whether a Voice of the Child Report is appropriate for your child.
Will I receive a copy of the report?
Yes. The report is typically provided to the parents, their lawyers, or other professionals involved in the matter, according to the terms of the retainer or court order.
Why do families choose VOC reports?
A Voice of the Child Report can:
-
Give children an opportunity to feel heard.
-
Help parents better understand their child's perspective.
-
Provide valuable information during mediation, parenting coordination, negotiation, or court proceedings.
-
Support child-focused decision-making without asking children to make adult decisions.
Is a VOC report right for my family?
A Voice of the Child Report may be appropriate when parents, lawyers, or the court would benefit from understanding a child's views and preferences in a structured, child-focused, and developmentally appropriate way. It can be particularly helpful when parents are experiencing disagreement about parenting arrangements, when mediation has reached an impasse, or when families want to ensure that children's perspectives are respectfully considered during decision-making.
Because every family is different, a Voice of the Child Report is not appropriate in every situation. If you are unsure whether this service is the right fit for your family, I would be pleased to discuss your circumstances, answer your questions, and help you determine whether a Voice of the Child Report is appropriate or whether another service may better meet your needs.
Contact
If you are considering a Voice of the Child Report or would like to discuss whether it is appropriate for your family, I welcome you to get in touch.