Child Custody and Divorce - That Child Custody Evaluation - Is it Really That Important?
A Majority of Courts today are requiring some type of a Child Custody Evaluation in any contested Child Custody or Divorce Action.
Time constraints and Judicial economy are behind the request.
Judges often do not have the time to listen to numerous Witnesses and the lengthy testimony which is necessary to allow them to thoroughly understand the dynamics of the Parents, Children and Family interaction.
Making a Custody decision which will impact a Family for years must be based upon as much valid, neutral information as is available.
The purpose of a Child Custody Evaluation is to employ a professional, generally a psychologist, to interview the family members and other relevant witnesses.
Often they administer personality, or psychological tests to aid in the fact gathering.
After obtaining as much independent information as available, the Custody Evaluator prepares a recommendation for the Family Law Court, which includes their analysis upon which their Custody recommendation is made.
A Child Custody Evaluation is as important, if not more important, then the Custody Trial itself.
Judges often adopt the Recommendation of the Child Custody Evaluator as its order without any changes or occasionally a few minor changes, based upon any other evidence they may hear at the Custody or Divorce trial.
Judges place major emphasis upon the Child Custody evaluation because they generally do not have sufficient information and evidence from any other source upon which to base their decision.
So the Answer to the Question is "YES," take it very seriously.
Child Custody evaluations can "make or break" your Custody or Divorce Case.
If you have the opportunity to choose who shall perform the Custody Evaluation, study your options.
Learn as much as you can about the Evaluator, their experience, their prejudices for and against Moms, Dads, Joint Custody and Sole Custody.
If you are represented by a Family Law attorney, ask your attorney if he or she knows this proposed Evaluator and Has a good relationship with him or her.
Evaluators are human and have subtle prejudices and beliefs which can have a major impact upon their analysis of your Family and their Custodial recommendation.
After you have decided upon the Custody Evaluator, it is essential that you to prepare extensively before (not during or after) the evaluation.
Your preparation, how to present yourself and your knowledge of what the Evaluator is looking for will impact his or her recommendation and ultimately the Child Custody Order.
Should you receive a Poor Child Custody evaluation, don't give up.
Several alternatives are available to turn it around.
There are methods to change the Evaluator's Mind, or if that is impossible, to attack the credibility of the Evaluator or the facts upon which the Evaluator based their Custody recommendation.
Don't just accept the Evaluator's recommendation for Custody as if it is a "done deal," if you don't like it.
Be persistent and assert your Custody Rights until you find a Custodial Arrangement that you feel is in the Best Interests of your Children.
Time constraints and Judicial economy are behind the request.
Judges often do not have the time to listen to numerous Witnesses and the lengthy testimony which is necessary to allow them to thoroughly understand the dynamics of the Parents, Children and Family interaction.
Making a Custody decision which will impact a Family for years must be based upon as much valid, neutral information as is available.
The purpose of a Child Custody Evaluation is to employ a professional, generally a psychologist, to interview the family members and other relevant witnesses.
Often they administer personality, or psychological tests to aid in the fact gathering.
After obtaining as much independent information as available, the Custody Evaluator prepares a recommendation for the Family Law Court, which includes their analysis upon which their Custody recommendation is made.
A Child Custody Evaluation is as important, if not more important, then the Custody Trial itself.
Judges often adopt the Recommendation of the Child Custody Evaluator as its order without any changes or occasionally a few minor changes, based upon any other evidence they may hear at the Custody or Divorce trial.
Judges place major emphasis upon the Child Custody evaluation because they generally do not have sufficient information and evidence from any other source upon which to base their decision.
So the Answer to the Question is "YES," take it very seriously.
Child Custody evaluations can "make or break" your Custody or Divorce Case.
If you have the opportunity to choose who shall perform the Custody Evaluation, study your options.
Learn as much as you can about the Evaluator, their experience, their prejudices for and against Moms, Dads, Joint Custody and Sole Custody.
If you are represented by a Family Law attorney, ask your attorney if he or she knows this proposed Evaluator and Has a good relationship with him or her.
Evaluators are human and have subtle prejudices and beliefs which can have a major impact upon their analysis of your Family and their Custodial recommendation.
After you have decided upon the Custody Evaluator, it is essential that you to prepare extensively before (not during or after) the evaluation.
Your preparation, how to present yourself and your knowledge of what the Evaluator is looking for will impact his or her recommendation and ultimately the Child Custody Order.
Should you receive a Poor Child Custody evaluation, don't give up.
Several alternatives are available to turn it around.
There are methods to change the Evaluator's Mind, or if that is impossible, to attack the credibility of the Evaluator or the facts upon which the Evaluator based their Custody recommendation.
Don't just accept the Evaluator's recommendation for Custody as if it is a "done deal," if you don't like it.
Be persistent and assert your Custody Rights until you find a Custodial Arrangement that you feel is in the Best Interests of your Children.
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