Answers To Common Questions Regarding Psychological Testing Child Custody Hearings Require

By Scott Wright


It is an unfortunate fact that when couples divorce, and children are involved, things can get ugly quickly. Accusations may be flung back and forth between the parties until no one actually can separate fact from fiction without the help of professionals. Psychologists and child advocacy lawyers have answers to some of the most common questions couples ask when they are faced with the psychological testing child custody hearings require.

Parents want to know the purpose of an evaluation. When a divorce is acrimonious, a judge will want an outside mental health professional to come in and assess the functionality of parents. Judges need to know if the couple is capable of co-parenting and whether the children in question would be better off with one of the parents. Judges need answers to questions about whether the children will be safe with one or both parents.

Parents wonder how much the tests influence the final custody arrangements. Psychologists explain that tests are only a portion of the whole evaluation. They also take into consideration other factors like observation, teachers, parent-child interaction, family interviews, and any other information from parties close to the family that might be pertinent.

What happens when a parent gets an unfavorable assessment is a common question. In order to prepare for court, the lawyers say they request a phone call prior to the psychologist filing the evaluation report. If the news is bad, the options are limited. The lawyer can request another expert, but most judges are reluctant to put children through multiple evaluations. A second evaluation may not change the outcome in any case.

Parents want to know if there is room for compromise if neither parent is deemed especially problematic. Psychologists say that they sometimes work with families for months in order to really get to know the inner workings of the family. They study everything that is relevant. When an issue is outside their area of expertise, it is incumbent upon them to call upon another professional to come in and assess that situation.

Couples may want to know if they can hire their own evaluators. Both the lawyers and the psychologists say they see this all the time. Normally, both psychologists come to the same basic conclusions. It is rare for an evaluator to be one sided or show a preference for the person who did the hiring.

A parent may want to know if the children can be forced to spend time with the alienated parent. The answer to this question is difficult because most judges are reluctant to force a child into a relationship with the alienated parent. It usually ends up making matters worse. If it is the other parent keeping the children from the alienated parent, the court may try to put a stop to the negative behavior early in the proceedings.

Divorce is tough, especially when children are involved. The best idea is to work out custodial arrangements in private with respect and patience. When courts, lawyers, and psychologists have to get involved both parents will lose control of the situation.




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