Psychiatric Assessment for Family Court

If a divorce or psychiatric assessment any other family law case is brought to court a psychiatric assessment is often requested. The issue with such an assessment is that the results can be in error and a victim or family member could be hurt due to the wrong diagnosis. This article will look at some of the most commonly reported disorders and the issues that could be caused by the psychiatric examination.

Evaluations that are frequently requested

If you're involved in a family law issue, chances are that you've heard about or been asked to undergo a psychiatric assessment. These types of assessments are a useful tool in making a determination about whether or not the behavior of a parent is abusive.

Psychologists and licensed clinical social workers are frequently the ones who evaluate. They conduct interviews with parents and children and then write the report. Although the report does not necessarily mean that a custody decision is made however, it could be used in court's decision-making process.

There are a myriad of reasons why a judge or an arbitrator of divorce might order an evaluation. Conflict between spouses that is excessive is one of the most frequently cited reasons. In this scenario it is crucial to determine each parent's mental health to determine if the parent is healthy enough to care for the child.

If a judge finds that a parent is mentally unfit, they may refuse custody of the child. The court may also restrict access to the child or limit visits to the child.

A psychological assessment may also be requested if there's a history of neglector alcohol or drug abuse, psychiatric assessment or any other mental health issues. It can help to determine the most effective parenting plan for the child.

A majority of courts will not allow an evaluation if they are no evidence to support the claim that the parent is mentally ill. This is due to the possibility that it will cause discrimination. A judge might make a decision in the event that there is a history of mental illness.

A psychologist or an evaluation expert will meet with each parent individually during an evaluation to ask questions about the child's behavior, attitudes to values, behavior, and parenting style. They will also go over the child's medical record and other family documents.

Depending on the circumstances of the particular case, a full evaluation can take several weeks to complete. Full evaluations typically include interviews with parents as well as other family members.

A focused-issue evaluation is a less invasive form of evaluation. These mini-evaluations are focused on specific aspects of the child custody dispute. Typically they are not as expensive than a full evaluation.