Main description:

n order to assist families embroiled in child custody disputes, Ithe courts order thousands of child custody evaluations each year. Some of these evaluations are brief, problem-focused asse- ments aimed at quickly resolving a specific area of dispute. Other evaluations are more comprehensive, covering all aspects of family functioning in complex cases. The process of ordering, conducting, or assessing either type of child custody evaluation requires a clear understanding of how legal and psychological issues are int- twined in each case. This book is designed to meet this need for a comprehensive guide that combines legal information and forensic procedures with the social science research that must be the basis for all custody recommendations and decisions. The book should be helpful to three separate but related groups of experienced professionals: (a) family and probate judges, (b) family practice attorneys, and (c) forensic mental health professionals. Before they can order a custody evaluation and use the inf- mation it provides, judges must have a clear understanding of how to integrate clinical information about each family with the related social science research. This book will also enable judges to assess each custody report in terms of (a) the professional and legal gui- lines for conducting custody evaluations, and (b) research-based criteria in each area of family functioning. The text and CD also offer examples of how best to write orders for custody evaluations, and detailed parenting plans that address the issues in each family.

Feature:

Incorporates discussion of the laws and the specific issues, e.g. sexual orientation, mental illness, substance abuse, violence and physical abuse

Unique combination of legal guidelines with social science research

Provides samples of child custody cases

Contains lists of references and resources

Includes glossary of psychosocial terms

Back cover:

Whether assessing general family functioning or specific areas of conflict, professionals ordering, conducting, or reviewing child custody evaluations require sound knowledge of three interrelated fields: up-todate legal issues, psychological findings, and forensic procedures. A Comprehensive Guide to Child Custody Evaluations covers these three essential areas to walk readers through the evaluation process clearly and concisely. This unique interdisciplinary book emphasizes professional ethics, children’s psychological well-being, and clear communication among all parties as keys to resolving disputes with efficiency and thoroughness, and minimizing the chances of children and their families getting lost in red tape.

Among the Guide’s features:

• Legal standards for custody evaluations and recommendations.

• Procedures for conducting custody evaluations, with the latest data on psychological testing, interviewing children, and home observations.

• Guidelines for writing: evaluation reports, orders for evaluations, parenting plans.

• Legal and ethical standards for critiquing evaluation reports.

• Current legal and research-based information on special issues, including alternative family arrangements, medical problems, child sexual abuse, estrangement, and parental abduction.

• Reference and resource sections provide additional support.

The Guide’s interdisciplinary approach will be of invaluable aid to forensic mental health professionals in conducting evaluations and communicating results, family and probate judges in ordering and assessing custody evaluations, and family attorneys in deciding how to approach various aspects of the family situation, whether to request a custody evaluation, and how to proceed after the custody evaluation is done.

Contents:

General Considerations.- The Search for Truth: Science and Pseudoscience in Child Custody Evaluations.- Roles and Ethical Issues in Custody Disputes.- Models and Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations.- Standards for Resolution of Custody Disputes.- General Legal and Professional Issues.- Communication Among Professionals.- The “Ultimate Issue” – Recommendations.- Social Science Research and Parenting Plans.- Developmental Needs of Children and Families.- Managing Parent/Child Contact in High-Conflict and Abusive Families.- Parenting Plans and~Interventions.- Ordering, Conducting, And Reviewing Evaluations.- Uses and Limitations of Psychological Tests.- Starting the Evaluation.- Collecting Information.- Writing the Report.- Reviewing Custody Evaluations.- Special Issues in Evaluating Children and Families.- Diversity in Family Structures.- Relocation.- Estrangement and Alienation.- Abduction and Parental Kidnapping.- Children with Disabilities.- Mental Illness in Parents.- Substance Abuse.- Domestic Violence.- Child Abuse and Neglect.- Child Sexual Abuse.