Services for Family Court
At Evaluate, I offer independent, evidence-based evaluations to support informed decision-making in child protection and high-conflict family matters. These assessments are designed to assist the court, parents, and legal professionals in understanding what is in the best interests of the child(ren) when it comes to legal guardianship, as well as parenting arrangements, responsibilities, and time.

What Is a Family Court Evaluation?

A family court evaluation is a formal psychological assessment conducted by a qualified expert, either jointly retained by the parties or appointed by the court. It is typically requested when the court requires expert insight to make informed decisions about matters such as parenting arrangements, mental health, capacity, or potential risks to a child.

These evaluations are impartial. I do not represent either parent.  Instead, my role is to gather and synthesize information from a wide range of sources, including interviews, observations, third-party and archival records, and psychological testing (if appropriate), to produce a balanced, evidence-based report.  This report offers findings and recommendations that help the court determine what is in the best interest of the child(ren). 

While the process can feel intrusive or emotionally difficult, the purpose is to provide the court with clear, objective information to support fair and well-informed decisions.

Family court evaluations are often requested when:
  • There are concerns about abuse, neglect, or high-conflict dynamics
  • A child is resisting contact with one parent
  • ​Co-parenting relationships have broken down or trust has eroded
  • A parent’s caregiving capacity or mental health is in question
  • One parent is proposing a relocation that may affect the child’s stability
  • ​The court needs help understanding the child’s wishes or developmental needs.
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Specific Types of Family Court Evaluations
I offer six distinct types of family law assessments, each tailored to address specific questions about parenting, child well-being, and the best interests of the child(ren).  Each of these assessments is summarized below: 

1. Section 211 Assessments (Parenting Plan Evaluations)
This is a comprehensive assessment under Section 211 of the Family Law Act.  It evaluates each parent’s caregiving capacity, the developmental and emotional needs of the child(ren), and the degree of fit between each parent’s abilities and each child’s specific needs.

The evaluation includes:
  • Interviews with both parents and the child(ren)
  • Observations of parent-child interactions 
  • Psychological testing (when appropriate)
  • Review of archival and third-party records
  • ​Interviews with collateral sources (e.g., teachers, health professionals)

The resulting report provides an opinion and recommendations regarding parenting responsibilities and time, decision-making authority, and necessary safeguards to support the child(ren)’s best interests.

2. Brief Focused Section 211 Evaluations
This is a limited-scope, time-sensitive evaluation designed to answer a narrowly defined legal question under Section 211 of the Family Law Act.  This evaluation offers a streamlined alternative to comprehensive parenting assessments when the court or counsel requires timely, targeted input on a specific issue, such as the feasibility of a proposed parenting schedule or the presence of protective concerns.
This service is appropriate when:
  • The parenting issue is discrete and well-defined;
  • All parties agree to the limited scope;
  • ​There is a need for faster turnaround than a full evaluation allows.
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Brief evaluations include focused interviews, a review of relevant records, observation, psychological testing (if appropriate), and interview with third-parties.  The resulting report addresses the specific referral question, with recommendations if appropriate. These evaluations do not replace full Section 211 evaluations and are not suitable when broad, multi-domain assessment is required (e.g., to provide recommendations on what parenting arrangement is in the best interests of a child).  

3. Voice of the Child / Hear the Child Reports
This assessment is designed to gather and report a child's expressed views and preferences without interpretation, analysis, or recommendations.  It is non-evaluative and descriptive.  My goal in conducting these evaluations is to facilitate a child's expression in order to elicit their views and preferences.  I do not assess the credibility, influence, or developmental appropriateness of those views or preferences.  The scope of this assessment is narrow and focused only on what a child says.  The final report represents a factual summary of the child's statements, and is often used to ensure the child's voice is heard in court.  This assessment is most appropriate in low-conflict cases where parties agree to give weight to the child's views, but do not require analysis of those views.  

4. Views of the Child Assessments
This is an evaluative interview process designed to gather and report a child’s views and preferences within their developmental, emotional, and relational circumstances.  It is similar to a Voice of the Child Assessment, yet is evaluative and involves an assessment of factors like consistency, influence, emotional tone, and developmental understanding.  The final report includes a summary of the child's statements, as well as clinical impressions of how the child's voice fits within the family system and whether the child's views appear to reflect true preferences, loyalty conflicts, or external pressure.  This assessment is more appropriate in moderate to high-conflict situations, or where the child's views are complex, inconsistent, or need clinical interpretation.    

5. Parenting Capacity Assessments (PCA)
A Parenting Capacity Assessment is a comprehensive psychological evaluation that examines a parent’s ability to meet the developmental, emotional, physical, and safety needs of their child, both currently and in the foreseeable future. These assessments are commonly used in family court, child protection, or custody disputes, particularly when there are concerns about a parent’s functioning, judgment, or caregiving abilities.  

The evaluation includes:
  • Interviews with the parent and the child(ren)
  • Observations of parent-child interactions 
  • Psychological testing (when appropriate)
  • Review of archival and third-party records
  • ​Interviews with collateral sources (e.g., teachers, health professionals)

6. Violence Risk Assessments
In family law proceedings, a Violence Risk Assessment is a specialized  evaluation used to determine the likelihood that one party poses a risk of physical, psychological, or coercive harm to another party or to a child.  These assessments are typically court-ordered or requested by counsel when there are concerns about domestic violence, threats, coercive control, stalking, or other safety-related issues in the context of parenting time, custody, or supervised access decisions. 

​The purpose of these assessments are to provide the court with information relevant to parenting time and responsibilities, supervision requirements or contact restrictions, and protective conditions or safety planning, and to distinguish general allegations of violence from substantiated, imminent, or high-risk concerns that impact parenting decisions.  Recommendations may address whether contact should occur, and under what conditions (e.g., supervised access, safety plans, therapeutic supports).

Cost of Family Court Evaluations

  • Standard Hourly Rate: $375
  • Tax: All court-ordered and court-directed evaluations are subject to 5% GST
  • Billing Method: Work is billed against a minimum retainer, payable in advance. Time is tracked in 10-minute increments. Actual time required may exceed the average for each service type and will be billed accordingly. Any unused retainer balance is refunded.

Priority Access & Expedited Turnaround
​A limited number of priority access slots are available each month for clients requiring accelerated timelines.  These are billed at a higher hourly rate because they require evening, weekend, or overtime scheduling to meet condensed deadlines without delaying standard cases.

  • Priority Hourly Rate: $575
  • Tax: All court-ordered and court-directed evaluations are subject to 5% GST
  • Billing Method: Work is billed against a minimum retainer, payable in advance. Time is tracked in 10-minute increments. Actual time required may exceed the average for each service type and will be billed accordingly. Any unused retainer balance is refunded.​
  • Turnaround Advantage: Expedited scheduling, faster report completion, and prioritized case handling (subject to availability)

Evaluation Types & Required Retainers
Comprehensive Section 211 Evaluation
Average Hours: 80–100 hours
Retainer Amount: $30,000 (based on 80 hours)
Total (Incl. GST): $31,500
Views of the Child (Evaluative)
Average Hours: 15 hours per child
Retainer Amount: $5,625 (based on  15 hours)
Total (Incl. GST): $5,906.25 per child
Hear the Child Report (Non-Evaluative)
Average Hours: 13 hours per child
Retainer Amount: $4,875 (based on 13 hours)
Total (Incl. GST): $5,118.75 per child
Violence or Risk Assessment
Average Hours: 30–40 hours
Retainer Amount: $11,250 (based on 30 hours)
Total (Incl. GST): $11,812.50
Please note: These reflect average time requirements. Actual hours may be higher depending on case complexity, number of parties involved, and collateral needs.

Why Family Court Evaluations Matter ​

I understand that both separation and family court evaluations can be costly.  These assessments are also time-intensive and may feel intrusive for families.  However, a well-executed, balanced evaluation can often be the turning point in a complex situation.  A strong report can lead to resolution by:
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  • Helping parents avoid further litigation or reach agreement outside of court
  • Reducing prolonged conflict and clarifying next steps
  • Informing the development of safer, more sustainable parenting plans
  • Providing a path forward in stalled mediation
  • Supporting the closure of a child protection file when risk has been sufficiently addressed
  • Helping the court determine whether continued supervision or intervention is necessary
  • Offering clarity for children, parents, counsel, and decision-makers when emotions or allegations have clouded the picture
    ​
In short, while the process can be challenging, the outcome often provides structure, stability, and direction—particularly when families are navigating uncertainty.

How to Get Started

If you are a parent:
Please speak with your lawyer first and provide them with my contact information.  They are welcome to contact me directly for information about fees, availability, timelines, and procedures.  I can also provide my CV and respond to any additional questions they may have.   If you have been asked by your lawyer to collect information, feel free to email me to request administrative details such as fees, process overview, availability, or a copy of my CV.   To protect neutrality and fairness, please do not share details about your case or your family situation when requesting information.  I am unable to discuss details of your case or family situation with you outside of a formal assessment process.  

Ready to take the next step?
Either I or my virtual assistant will respond within 48 business hours.
📧 Email: [email protected]

If you are a lawyer:
The best way to begin is with a brief conversation via email.  Please reach out to let me know what type of evaluation you are seeking and the timeline for the case.   I will provide you with:
  • A cost estimate;
  • Information about availability and typical turnaround times
  • My CV for your records
  • An overview of my procedures, policies, and expectations
  • Answers to any questions you may have about fit, process, or scope.
You’ll hear back from me or my assistant within 48 business hours.
📧 Email: [email protected]

If you are a social worker:
The best way to begin is with a brief conversation via email.  Please reach out to let me know what type of evaluation you are seeking and the timeline for the case. I will provide you with:
  • A cost estimate
  • Information about availability and typical turnaround times
  • My CV for your records
  • An overview of my procedures, policies, and expectations
  • Answers to any questions you may have about fit, process, or scope.
You’ll hear back from me or my assistant within 48 business hours.
📧 Email: [email protected]