When parents are involved in a custody dispute, the court’s top priority is always the well-being of the child. In certain cases, a parent in a New Jersey divorce can request a psychological evaluation in a child custody matter if there are serious concerns that one parent’s mental health, history of abuse or neglect, or substance abuse may affect their ability to care for the child.
While these evaluations can provide valuable insight, judges do not grant them automatically. Instead, the requesting parent must present compelling evidence showing that an evaluation is necessary to protect the child’s best interests.
Courts prefer parents to come to an agreement on child custody and parenting time. If they cannot agree, New Jersey courts will typically order mediation through the New Jersey Custody and Parenting Time Mediation program. If mediation fails to resolve the parties’ issues, then the court will have to entertain arguments and resolve the parenting time dispute based on its own judgment. If the court must make a decision, it may choose to order a child custody evaluation. To learn about psychological evaluation in a child custody dispute, continue reading. Call a knowledgeable Englewood child custody and parental rights attorney for help with a New Jersey family law matter.
A psychological evaluation in a child custody matter, often referred to as a child custody evaluation, is an independent assessment conducted by a specially trained mental health professional, typically a psychologist. The evaluator will assess the child and both parents in order to make a recommendation to the court concerning custody and visitation rights.
The evaluation might include multiple interviews with the parents and the child, psychological testing, discussions with therapists and other professionals who have worked with the family, and even collateral sources of information such as teachers, friends, and relatives. The specialist may also observe the relationship and interactions between the parents and child, as well as review important records such as school and medical files. Throughout the process, the evaluator must focus on the child’s needs, the child’s relationship with each parent, and whether each parent has the skills and stability necessary to meet those needs.
The psychological evaluation in a child custody matter is meant to give the court a report from a mental health professional about the needs of the child at issue and each parent’s capacity to meet those needs, and to recommend an arrangement that best serves those needs.
The professional will evaluate and make determinations about a number of issues, including:
Ultimately, the mental health professional will submit a report to the court overseeing the case. The report will include the evaluator’s recommendations regarding how custody and parenting time should be apportioned.
If you’re considering divorce in New Jersey or dealing with child support, child custody, property division, or other family law issues, contact the Englewood family law attorneys Herbert & Weiss at (201) 440-6300.
