Child Custody Investigation

Child custody investigation documents what is actually happening with your children, not what either parent claims in affidavits. Investigations Plus builds dated records of parenting-time compliance, who is present in the home, exchange conduct, and safety concerns that Ontario family courts weigh in motions and trials. We work from Brampton and Toronto and travel throughout Ontario when the children’s pattern requires it.

When this service is the right file

• A parenting order sets exchanges or overnight time, but the other parent does not follow it and you need dates and times, not argument.
• You need to know who is living in or visiting the home when the children are there.
• Relocation, school changes, or unexplained absences need a timeline before you file a motion.
• A new partner or caregiver is around the children and their presence or conduct is disputed.
• Contact with your child has deteriorated and you suspect interference rather than the child’s own preference.

How the investigation is done

Intake starts with the court order, any section 30 or OCL materials, and the specific question counsel wants answered. We design a plan that may include surveillance at lawful exchange points, neighbourhood checks that stay within the law, open-source review of public posts, and interviews only where appropriate. Investigators write notes as work happens: time in, time out, who was present, vehicles, and locations. We do not follow children into schools, harass them at pickup, or create scenes that could itself become an issue in court.

What you receive

• Dated surveillance logs with locations and duration
• Photographs or video from public or otherwise lawful positions
• A chronology counsel can attach to an affidavit
• Notes on vehicles, residences, and third parties who appear in the pattern
• A written summary that separates observed fact from inference

Legal and ethical limits

Ontario custody files are governed by the Children’s Law Reform Act and the Divorce Act, depending on the case. Investigators must follow PSISA and privacy law including PIPEDA where it applies. We do not trespass, hack accounts, or impersonate officials. If a step would endanger a child or breach an existing order, we refuse it and say why.

Who typically retains this work

Parents represented by family lawyers, self-represented parties preparing a motion, and counsel who need fieldwork they cannot perform themselves. Grandparents and litigation guardians sometimes retain us when a child’s living situation is in dispute. This page is for children and parenting-time, financial or cohabitation questions belong on our divorce investigation service.

Where we handle these files

Most custody files run in the GTA and wider Ontario. We do not publish separate city URLs for the same custody service; investigators deploy to where the children and exchanges are.

Bring your order and your lawyer’s questions to a confidential consultation. We will tell you what investigation can add, and what it cannot.