Office of the Children's Lawyer

[chipper]

My court case has gone before the Office of the Children's Lawyer. I've been told that they interview children and can tell if they were tutored in anyway to find out who they want to live with. I have a letter from my mother explaining who is the primary parent and can tell them in what ways my children have been tutored by the other parent. I am told this will also help. Does anyone have suggestions in dealing with them? Do they come to your home, etc. What is the procedure???

Thanks

[mgchoosey]

I just posted some related questions as I may go this way to.If I do find out stuff I will let you know.

[chipper]

Sounds good!

[mominont]

The Office of the children's Lawyer will speak to members of the family. You could give them the letter your mom wrote but I'm sure they would prefer a verbal conversation.

Be yourself when dealing with them!!! There would probably be appointments at the social workers office and then there would probably be a home visit with the child present..

[jahsunfire]

what about my court documents? should i give them to them? should i tell them confused my children are and what they say to me? i have a recorded cell phone message that says this. plus the things they tell me where i have to brush it off but i know she is being coached. plus things like not being bathed they're going to change their name when they grow up etc.

the reason why i think the judge really asked us to if we wanted the ocl was because my case was much stronger and there were plenty mistakes on the 'other' again i really want to know if the ocl can take an honest look at the whole situation and what has been going on.

[mominont]

what about my court documents? should i give them to them? should i tell them confused my children are and what they say to me? i have a recorded cell phone message that says this. plus the things they tell me where i have to brush it off but i know she is being coached. plus things like not being bathed they're going to change their name when they grow up etc.

the reason why i think the judge really asked us to if we wanted the ocl was because my case was much stronger and there were plenty mistakes on the 'other' again i really want to know if the ocl can take an honest look at the whole situation and what has been going on.

Your post is confusing - you should really start your own thread.

"What about my court documents"? - I'm not sure what your refering to, but if you get to the stage of a parenting assessment, you should have all those documents ready for the social worker.

While you can certainly state what your children say to you but unless you have another party hearing what they say it would be considered hearsay. However a tape recording - I never had that situation so I don't know if it would be accepted.

The judge asked if you wanted the OCL involved - did the judge order it?
Even when the judge orders the OCL involvement, the office of the Children's Lawyer can still choose not to get involved.

If the judge ordered the involvement, you should have been given an intake form to fill out that would need to be completed in 10 days, both parties.

[jahsunfire]

yes the judge did order it upon asking us without prior knowledge of what the OCL is... The court documents I am referring to is my original application, the answer exhibits and affidavits. You mentioned my telephone recording. There are also cases of trying to get into my facebook account which I figure may be hard to prove but since have received I would call a 'pitfall trap' to join the Hi-5 social networking site, which I just stored the invite in my folder. This obviously is to get into my business which I am trying to have fun with my children on my own. I also have pages of facebook pics in the court files to show how much time and things done with with the kids where they don't get from the other side.

So question again can I give the OCL all of this?

[mominont]

If the judge ordered the OCL involvement, you should have been given a big document (about 30 pages) to fill out and fax to the Office of the Children's Lawyer.

This document must be recieved at the OCL within 10 days or they won't process your request. Your ex must to the same thing. For example if on Sept 1 the judge ordered OCL to intervene, the by Sept11th all the documentation would have had to been recieved at the OCL office.

You can provide your exhibits and affidavit once an social worker is assigned. I believe on the application, the OCL asks for any current orders that you and your ex are following.

When were you in court and the OCL involvement ordered?

Your not going to be able to prove attempts to get into your facebook account - don't waste your energy going down that road.

[jahsunfire]

did the whole application two months ago and still waiting.... so just wanted to know that about affidavits, applications, exhibits, etc. so there is minimal talk from me and saving me from putting my foot in my mouth getting emotional how this this thing is stressing me out!

[happy88]

Well with my case it has been going on since Feb. 2008.
The OCL agreed to take on my case in Feb. 2009. However, the OCL started July 28th 2009-----yah 5 months later.
And they've only met my kids once.
There was a lawyer and a psychologist appointed, need I say more.

Anyone else with concerns of how the OCL is operating?

My advice is to keep documentation of all occurences.

I've had so much difficulties with the local police too.

Basically i have a long list and shall pursue, the family law system, domestic violence- esp. among law enforcement it's absolutely shameful.

To be so patient and practical, and then this system is against yah and who suffers the most----the children.

Are the OCL really there for the children?

This is so frustrating.

Lawyers sees the flaws of this system day in and day out.
How come they're not more proactive in making this system more effective and dignifying for families?


Still hanging on.

[wretchedotis]

I am currently undergoing this process as well. The OCL appointed a clinical investigator whom has observed me interact with my child, interviewed me, as well as interviewed all those people he has deemed as being influential in his life. This includes my girlfriend, and baby-sitter, etc. My assumption is that our son's Mother has been through it too.
The Investigator didn't seem too interested in documentation - as he is to write a report stating his opinion as to what would be best for our son - rather than the whole he said / she said aspect of it. I have found the experience to be not un-welcome, as the investigator has listened well to me. I am hopefull that he will see things as I do, and that I am not so biased in emotion to have a skewed perception of what is really going on.

I beleive there are other instances when the OCL may appont the child a lawyer, but as our son is so young perhaps it was not the bst solutuion in our particular circumstance.

My best advice to you is to conduct yourself in the most appropriate manner you are capable of in all things concerning your children. Be yourself in any interviews, and trust that whomever is assigned sees that you are an indespensable part of your childrens life.

[dadtotheend]

Do a search in this forum on "OCL involvement". There is loads to read. Check out this thread that I began when I went through it a couple of years ago.

http://www.ottawadivorce.com/forum/f...olvement-2842/

Also search mominont's posts. She's been there and has lots to say in this forum.

[Edward]

I don't know why, how and when a judge would order an OCL. But I know how they work and I believe it is a good idea for some people who are feeling that they are being "screwed" to get OCL involved.

They will look into all documents and will decide what is relevant and evidential and the rest will ignore. They will "examine" the child/ren's past, present and will decide what is best for the child/ren.

You have to be 100% honest. They do not side with anyone.