Psychiatric Assessment for Family CourtIf a divorce or any other family law case is brought to court a psychiatric assessment is often requested. A wrong diagnosis could result in family or personal harm. This article reviews the most common disorders that are evaluated and the problems associated with a psychiatric evaluation in family courts.
Evaluations are often requested
You may have been required to undergo a psychoiatric examination in the event of a family case. These types of assessments can be a useful tool to determine the extent to which a parent is abusive.
Evaluators are often psychologists or licensed clinical social workers. They conduct interviews with the parents and the child and write up the report. Although the report does not necessarily make a custody determination however, it may be used as part of the court's decision-making process.
An evaluation may be ordered by a judge or divorce arbitrator for a variety of reasons. A high level of conflict between spouses is one of the most frequently cited reasons. In this situation it is crucial to examine the mental health of each parent to determine if the parent is able to care for the child.
A judge may deny custody to parents who are considered mentally unfit. The court may also limit access to the child and limit visits to the child.
An evaluation of the psychological state can be requested if there's an history of neglect, alcohol or drug abuse, or other mental health issues. It can help determine the best parenting strategy for your child.
Most courts will not permit an evaluation if there's no reason to believe that the parent is mentally in a state of mental illness. This is due to the possibility that discrimination may result. If there is any evidence of mental illness, a judge might make a decision.
A psychologist or an evaluator will meet with each parent separately during an evaluation to inquire about their child's behavior, attitudes, values, and parenting style. They can also review the child's medical record and other family records.
A full assessment can take a few weeks depending on the specifics of each situation. Full evaluations typically include interviews with both parents and other family members.
A focused-issue review can be a shorter version. These mini-evaluations focus on specific aspects of the child custody matter. Typically these evaluations are much less expensive than a complete evaluation.