Psychiatric Assessment for Family Court

A psychiatric examination will usually be requested when a case related to divorce or family law is brought to court. A wrong diagnosis could result in family or personal harm. This article outlines the most commonly diagnosed disorders that are assessed as well as the problems associated when a psychiatric assessment is conducted in family courts.

Evaluations that are frequently requested

If you are involved in a family law dispute there is a good chance that you have heard of or been requested to undergo a mental health evaluation. These types of tests are a useful tool in making a determination about whether or not a parent's behavior is abusive.

The majority of evaluations are psychologists or licensed clinical social workers. They conduct interviews with parents and children, and then compose reports. The report may or might not be used to make a custody determination, but it can be used as a tool to aid the court's decision-making process.

There are many reasons why a judge or an arbitrator in divorce would require an evaluation. Excessive conflict between the spouses is among the most commonly cited reasons. To determine if a parent is able to manage the child, it is important to evaluate their mental health.

A judge may deny custody to parents who are deemed mentally unfit. The court may also restrict access to the child as well as limit visits.

If the child has a history of neglect, abuse of drugs or mental health issues or mental health issues, a psychological assessment could be sought. It will aid in determining the most effective parenting strategy.

The majority of courts will not allow an evaluation if there is no reason to believe that the parent is mentally ill. This is due to the possibility that discrimination may result. However, if there is an underlying mental illness, a judge might decide.

During an evaluation, a psychologist or evaluator will meet with each parent separately to discuss the child's behavior, needs and attitudes, values, and parenting style. They can also review medical records and other family records.

Based on the particular circumstances of the case, an entire evaluation could take several weeks to be completed. Interviews with parents and other family members are an essential element of full evaluations.

A focused-issue examination is a shorter type of evaluation. These mini-evaluations focus on particular aspects of the child's custody issue. These evaluations are typically less expensive than a comprehensive evaluation.