St. Charles Psychological Evaluation Attorneys

Lawyers for Family Psychological Evaluations in Kane County

Disputes related to child custody or parental responsibilities can become extremely contentious. In order to determine what arrangement is in the best interest of the child, the court will consider numerous factors, including the recommendations of outside sources. In some cases, the court will order a psychological evaluation of a parent, child, or other family members. The psychological evaluation is used to assess the psychological needs of the child and what tpye of parenting arrangement best meets those needs.

At the Kane County family law firm of Goostree Law Group, we are experienced in handling child-related cases involving psychological evaluations. Our attorneys will explain what a psychological evaluation entails and how you can best prepare for one.

Child Custody Psychological Evaluations in Kane County

Either party may request a psychological evaluation when litigating a parental responsibilities or child custody dispute, or the court may order one on its own. Typically, the evaluation will involve the child(ren) and both parents and will be conducted by a court-appointed psychologist or other mental health professional. The evaluator's responsibility is to present a neutral opinion on the mental health effects of the custody situation. The court is not bound by the recommendations of the evaluator, but a judge will usually give them significant weight, as the evaluator will have spent more time with the family.

Psychological evaluations are comprehensive, and they can take some time to complete. They may involve the following:

• Interviews with both parents;
• Interview of the child(ren);
• Psychological testing of both parents (personality and parenting approach);
• Interviews with others who have relevant information about the custody matter, including teachers, neighbors, babysitters, stepparents, grandparents, and other relatives;
• Review of school and medical records;
• Observation of parents interacting with the children; and
• Home visits.

The custody evaluator will compile all of the information gathered into a report to present to the court. If the court has also appointed a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to represent the interests of the child, the evaluator and the GAL will likely share information and coordinate their efforts.

It is usually in the best interest of both parents to be open and cooperative with a custody-related psychological evaluation. We understand how difficult it can be to open your family up to the scrutiny and judgment of a stranger, and our attorneys seek to help you through the process and ensure you are treated fairly.

Contact Our St. Charles Child Custody Lawyers for Psychological Evaluations

If your divorce or custody dispute involves a psychological evaluation, or if you feel like your case could benefit from a psychological evaluation, contact us at 630-584-4800 to schedule a free consultation. We will discuss the mechanics of psychological evaluations and answer any questions you might have. Our firm works with clients throughout Kane County and the surrounding areas of Northern Illinois.