The answer unfortunately is it has occurred where many times in terms of not needing to get a Guardian ad Litem (“GAL”) which can be very costly or sometimes the court not being willing to appoint an attorney for the children. They will have what is called “Family Service Officer or Probation Officer” do a quicker investigation which many times encompasses interviewing the child or the children.

However, because of COVID-19 there have been different policies about interviewing children in person and depending on the age of the children there are now restrictions which could change, but there are now restrictions in terms of even being able or willing to interview the children by zoom or by phone if they are at a certain age.  This has changed back and forth with COVID-19, but it is something to be aware of if you are either seeking a probation officer or family service officer to interview the children; or if they have been ordered to interview the children.  Again, based on the current policies and the age of the children (a) they won’t be able to do that in person and (b) if the children are a certain age, they won’t interview them at all even by phone or by zoom.