Article Figures & Data
Tables
Item % Endorsing True n I have represented clients in custody litigation/law suits. 98 59 I have served as a guardian ad litem. 95 59 I have sought an evaluation by a mental health professional as an advocate of the parent: 95 59 I prefer to have all parties involved in the evaluation [versus just one parent or the child(ren)]. 95 58 I have sought an evaluation by a mental health professional as an advocate of the child. 83 59 A mental health professional is the best person to conduct a custody evaluation. 73 52 In custody litigation, joint custody is most commonly sought. 61 56 In custody litigation, sole custody is most commonly sought. 40 55 In custody litigation, modification of custody is most commonly sought. 33 54 In custody litigation, change of visitation is most commonly sought. 28 53 Obtaining an evaluation is limited by the following factors: Lack of resources of clients 98 59 Excessive cost 86 58 Lack of available experts 64 58 Lack of faith in such evaluation 23 57 Undue delay in completing the evaluation 16 56 The following individuals usually respond unfavorably to the request for a custody evaluation: Custodial parent 47 53 Mother 25 53 Father 22 54 Noncustodial parent 15 54 Child(ren) 10 52 A custody evaluation usually helps the child(ren). 83 54 A custody evaluation usually has little impact on the child(ren). 40 53 A custody evaluation usually harms the child(ren). 2 53 It is my opinion that custody award should be guided by: Best-interest standard 95 56 Preference for joint custody 62 53 Preference for sole custody to the more suitable parent 12 51 Tender-years presumption (young children should go to mothers) 4 53 Percentages have been rounded.
Item % Endorsing True n I expect the following from the evaluation: Review of pertinent medical/psychological records 100 54 Interview of the parent(s) 100 56 Interview of the child(ren) 100 56 Interview of significant others (e.g., stepparents) 98 56 Assessment of the parent-child relationship (e.g., interaction observation) 98 56 Provision of a written report 98 56 Parenting skills assessment 96 56 Psychological testing of the parent(s) (e.g., personality testing) 91 54 Psychological testing of the child(ren) 89 53 Participation in deposition or court testimony 89 56 Substance abuse assessment 88 56 Assessment of child's parental preference 84 55 Review of pertinent legal documents 69 54 Provision of a verbal summary 68 56 Drug screening 65 54 Psychological testing of significant others 65 52 I expect the following from the evaluation report: Description of the quality of the parent-child relationship 100 56 Description of the psychological/psychiatric functioning of the parent(s) 98 55 Description of the psychological/psychiatric functioning of the child(ren) 96 54 Determination of whether abuse has occurred 91 55 Clear unequivocal recommendation as to the custody/visitation 75 56 I find the following parts of the report helpful: Conclusions/summary (e.g., diagnoses) 100 59 Recommendations regarding custody/visitation 95 56 Recommendations regarding psychological/psychiatric treatment 95 57 Background information regarding the parent(s) and/or child(ren) 91 58 Qualitative (i.e., verbal) findings of psychological testing 91 58 Specific recommendations regarding visitation schedule 84 55 Quantitative (i.e., numerical) findings of psychological testing 79 57 Background information regarding the separation/divorce and custody/visitation dispute 77 56 The evaluation plays a large role in my determination to proceed to trial or negotiate a settlement 89 56 I generally use the report to negotiate a settlement 81 54 I generally use the report to proceed to trial 62 53 - Table 3
Descriptive Statistics Regarding Rankings of Factors That Prompt Child Custody Evaluations
Factor Mean Ranking Range n Sexual abuse allegations 2.96 (2.37) 1–10 54 Physical abuse or neglect allegations 2.98 (1.74) 1–9 54 Parental fitness (mental illness/alcoholism/instability) 3.12 (1.67) 1–7 55 Parental conflict/lack of compliance with court orders 4.41 (2.07) 1–11 53 Clear bias of the child/alienation issues 4.53 (2.27) 1–10 52 Domestic violence 5.12 (1.90) 2–10 54 Unclear child preference 7.74 (2.43) 1–11 50 Parental relocation 7.90 (2.11) 1–11 50 Parental remarriage issues 8.26 (1.71) 2–11 50 Parental sexual orientation 8.42 (2.87) 1–11 49 Grandparent or adoption issues 9.38 (1.75) 5–11 50 Data in parentheses are standard deviations.
