Hearings

Are your parents getting divorced and a decision has to be made about where you will live? Are you experiencing problems at home and have to move to a foster family? Or are you having trouble at school and have to change schools?

Whenever it’s about you, it is important that you are listened to and that your opinion matters. This is your right. If a court or the KESB (Child and Adult Protection Authority) makes a decision that involves you, they must ask you for your opinion. That’s why they invite you to a hearing. At the hearing, you will be listened to and you can ask questions.

Here is an example of how a court hearing works:

You receive an invitation to a hearing from the court. You make an appointment and you visit the court on the agreed time and date. There, you meet the people who are also present for the hearing. This is usually a judge and a person who takes notes of the conversation. Sometimes there are more people or fewer people. The judge asks you how you are and what you would like to happen. But you are also allowed to talk about other things that you find important. If you have questions, you are able to ask them.

You may even feel anxious about the hearing. If so, you should think beforehand about what you really want to say or ask. During a conversation, if you don’t know the answer to a question or if you don’t want to answer something, you can say so. You are allowed to express your opinion. But you don’t have to if you don’t want.

One person takes notes of the conversation. Would you like certain things to remain private? Then you can say that.

The judge cannot always make decisions in the way that you would like. Nevertheless, it is important that your wishes are known. This will help the judge to find the best solution for you and your parents.

  • Have you not received an invitation to a hearing or an interview?
  • But you want to give your opinion and don’t know how?
  • Or do you have questions for before or after a hearing?

Then give us a call!

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