2nd Opinions Custody Evaluations CD

Attorneys are asking experienced custody evaluators to critique their colleague's work. Either completed full evaluations or psychological testing data may be reviewed, with the consulting psychologist often writing a formal declaration and/or appearing in court to offer additional opinions regarding the methodology, clinical reasoning, conclusions and recommendations of the evaluation. As there is no formal standard for such reviews, attorneys and independent evaluators face difficult questions and decisions about how to collaborate responsibly and ethically, while keeping children's needs the focus of attention. This phenomenon also raises many controversial questions about the value of these reviews. Are they providing the court with useful information, or are they upping the ante and prolonging litigation? Are they a means by which the quality of court-ordered evaluations can be monitored, or are they simply adding to the confusion and the on-going conflict between divorcing parents? This workshop brings together a multidisciplinary panel that includes representatives from the different disciplines in such cases: child custody evaluators, family law attorneys, and the family law bench. Together, they will discuss their diverse viewpoints and opinions and attempt to sort through these sticky, but very critical questions.

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