After receiving the results of a parenting evaluation, which likely includes recommendations for timesharing and decision making responsibilities, many parents are left feeling speechless and shocked by the clear signs of biases found throughout the final report. This is because, the reality is, that the results of a Social Investigation (previously referred to as a “child custody evaluation”), often hold a tremendous amount of weight in the courtroom. This fact is especially true if the outcome of the report is not properly challenged by the less favored parent and their attorney. There are many warning signs that should alert unfavored …

After a divorce that involved children, although the idea may be dreadful, we are often placed in a position where we have to communicate with our former spouses and manage our behaviors in front of the kids. Because we encounter this scenario on a daily basis at our forensic psychology practice, we have come up with several tips to help improve your communication without worsening the situation: Separate your feelings from your behaviors It’s okay to be hurt and angry, but your feelings don’t have to dictate your behavior. Instead, let what’s best for your kids—you working cooperatively with the …

Several weeks ago, a guy in a pickup truck came flying down the dirt road that leads to my house and as he reached the soft bend in the road, he lost control of his car and plowed directly through my fence. Without slowing down at all, he sped through our front yard and came way too close to hitting my husband and our two precious little boys, who were all playing together outside. It didn’t end with that though, surprisingly, the man decided that he wasn’t going to stop and take responsibility for what he had done. Instead, he …

As a father involved in a child custody dispute, you may feel nervous when thinking about the possibility that some child custody evaluators and judges could hold antiquated and inaccurate belief that men are less capable of providing nurturance than the mother, or that your bond is somehow less important than the child and mother’s. History Before the eighteenth century, a father who divorced his spouse had property rights to not only any marital asset, but his children as well. During the 19th century, thing flipped when the Tender Years Doctrine came out. In this doctrine, a mother would get …

We know what you are probably thinking, “I’m willing to do this stuff, but my ex is a moron who only thinks about his or herself.” As a forensic psychologist focusing on high conflict divorce and parental access disputes, we hear this type of information on a daily basis. The fact of the matter is, when people are getting divorced they often do act like idiots. There’s no denying that fact. People who were once able to have a level head, are all of a sudden acting completely out of character, doing things that they swore I would never do. …

Court-ordered therapy is meant to be a catalyst for change, for an individual or family who, is at any time, involved in the legal system and subsequently ordered by a judge or magistrate to participate in therapy with a mental health provider. Throughout the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, court-ordered therapy is used to persuade litigants to get the help they need, when they are unable or unwilling to seek it out on their own. If a judge has ordered that you or a loved one must participate in individual therapy sessions, special consideration should be made to …

When going through a divorce, if it has become abundantly clear that you and your ex are not able to come to an agreement regarding post-divorce parenting plans, families can ask the Court to order a child custody evaluation, also referred to as a social investigation, to occur, in order to help the Judge make an informed final decision. Because these evaluations can literally change the outcome of a case, careful consideration must be made prior to agreeing to a forensic psychologist.  Once the order has been signed by the judge, the evaluator cannot be replaced and you are stuck with them, despite concerns that may arise as the investigation is taking place. At our …

One of the hardest tasks that parents face when going through the divorce process is creating a parenting plan that works for the children and both of the parents. To complicate matters, if one parent decides that it is necessary to move a significant distance from the other, the ability to negotiate details and compromise on small issues diminishes. Bottom line – one parent often feels as if they are getting the very short end of the stick. The idea of being physically far from one’s child can evoke some very STRONG emotions, so naturally, these cases tend to be …

Best Interest Factors for Interstate Relocation Disputes When dealing with an interstate relocation dispute case, it is very important to be aware and familiar with the “best interest of the child” factors for all states involved. Each state has unique “best interest” factors that they believe play an important role in keeping children safe in their state. These factors also play a major role in relocation disputes when the court must make a decision about which services to provide, what action to take, and which intervention to implement. The term “best interests of the child” refers to the long and …

Among many other states, Florida has taken a strong stance when it comes to protecting innocent children from being exposed to those who have been accused of sexually abusing them. In 2007, The Keeping Children Safe Act was adopted in the Florida legislative session and was intended to be utilized when a child’s parent, relative, or caregiver has been accused of any form of sexual abuse. The Act demands that until the matter can be presented in a court hearing, protective actions must be put in put in place to prevent the child from potentially being re-exposed to any further …