{4:50 minutes to read} Child-parent observations are a cornerstone of the custody evaluation. A good parenting assessment cannot be made without an observation of the parent and child who will live together.

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{2:15 minutes to read} In this article, we conclude our discussion (see Part I) about the use of collateral sources in forensic evaluation by examining five problems that can limit the accuracy of collateral interviews—and ways for the evaluator to manage those problems.

1. Reluctance: The collateral source (the person being interviewed) is reluctant to participate or has concerns about personal consequences for his or her participation.

Management of problem: Explain the purpose of the evaluation and discuss the voluntary nature of participation.

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{4:00 minutes to read} In our last article, we discussed psychological testing as a tool that forensic evaluators can utilize for the purpose of combating the bias inherent in the interview of the parties who present with their own agenda (e.g., in child custody evaluation, the overt agenda is proving that one is the better parent).

In this article, we look at another way to minimize the negative effects of biased parties’ presentation through the use of collateral data. Like psychological testing, collateral data is designed to provide evidence of convergent validity.

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{3:25 minutes to read} In this article, we continue our discussion of the issues involved with psychological testing in forensic evaluation. 

First, the evaluator must be certain that the measures have enough specificity, that is, that they directly tap into the construct of interest. In custody, for example, the construct of interest is parenting, and ideally, whatever instruments the evaluators choose to administer should bear on the parenting construct. 

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{4:00 minutes to read} The Methodology of Forensic Evaluations.

Forensic evaluations differ with respect to the focus of the questions they seek to answer. For instance, in a custody evaluation, the focus is to assess the fit between a particular parent and a child. In contrast, in evaluations designed to assess competency to stand trial, the focus is to assess whether a party is able to understand the nature of the proceedings against him/her and his/her ability to assist the attorney.  

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{5:30 minutes to read} In our previous article, we began to discuss custody evaluations and relocation. In this issue, we continue to explore this topic.

In New York State the landmark case on relocation has been Tropea v. Tropea (1996). In this case, handled by the New York State Court of Appeals, the court ruled that each relocation request should be handled on its own merits with an emphasis on what is likely to be the child’s best interest. The factors that the court considered critical in relocation cases in New York are as follows:

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{4:25 minutes to read} Relocation evaluations are difficult because they tend to be “black and white” cases by nature (the relocation is permitted or denied) and thus offer little opportunity for compromise.

Relocation, in the context of child custody proceedings, refers to a situation in which the custodial parent chooses to geographically move to a new location far enough from the non-custodial parent to potentially impact on his or her relationship with the child. Historically, the parent who wanted to relocate was required to show good cause for the move.

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{3:15 minutes to read} This is a continuation in our article series that focuses on Joint and Sole Custody. Click here to read part 1, part 2, part 3, or part 4.

This is the last article on this series:

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{3:20 minutes to read} This is the final blog in a series of 3. Read part 1 or part 2.

My prior blogs have attempted to delineate the boundaries of acceptable practices when a mental health professional is hired by an attorney to assist a litigant who is about to start a child custody evaluation. From the perspective of a mental health professional, taking into account our ethical standpoint, there is nothing wrong with educating clients about the varieties of issues which may arise regarding child custody evaluations.

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{3:40 minutes to read} This is the second blog in a series of three. Click here to read part 1.

What is the problem with coaching a client in child custody evaluations?

It could be argued that there is nothing inherently wrong about coaching a client on what responses one should provide to the child custody evaluator. After all, attorneys prepare their witnesses for court appearances and hire psychologists to assist them in processes such as jury selection. So why should the standards on how to assist a client in preparing them for a child custody evaluation be different?  

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