Custody and Parenting Time Studies
Process
Appointing me to conduct a Custody and Parenting Time Study must be done via Court Order. For this reason, the attorneys involved must contact me beforehand to inquire about my availability and other logistical details.
As a forensic evaluator, I am a neutral and objective third party. The work I do is to assist the court, regardless of who pays my fees.
I conduct a thorough, structured evaluation that follows APA and AFCC guidelines. Statutory criteria are addressed in my evaluation. Since every case is different, it is not possible to determine ahead of time exactly what the evaluation will entail. However, most evaluations include the following:
Several Individual Interviews of the parties
Parent-Child Observations with the child(ren)
Individual Interviews with the child(ren), depending on age
Home Visits, as I deem necessary
Psychological Testing (I administer and interpret myself; I do not contract out)
Behavior rating scales regarding the child(ren)
Additional Testing as I deem appropriate
Interviews of collateral contacts
Review of supporting documentation
Timeline
Prior to beginning a Custody and Parenting Time Study, I must receive:
Signed Court Order appointing me as evaluator
Signed Service Agreements
Relevant Legal Pleadings
Retainer payment
DHS and related documentation, if any
In general, a final report can be expected approximately 14 weeks after commencement of the study. However, this is only an estimate. The actual completion date is affected by many factors specific to the individual case, some of which are beyond my control.
Experience
I specialize in working with families in high-conflict divorce situations. I have over 20 years of experience in adult and child psychology. I have been working on Family Court cases since 2009, and also have conducted over 800 evaluations for Juvenile Court involving parental capacity (Termination of Parental Rights) and comprehensive evaluations of children placed into the state’s custody. In addition, I have expertise in interpersonal violence, physiological and psychological effects of trauma, characterological issues in adults, unique needs of adolescents, neuropsychological functioning, and family dynamics. I also have extensive experience providing expert testimony in this regard.
Prior to establishing a private practice, I worked in private clinics, educational settings, juvenile and adult detention facilities, and community mental health agencies. As part of my professional practice, I regularly attend seminars and conferences, keep abreast of current research, and consult with other professionals who do similar work.
Please see also my Curriculum Vitae