A Judge’s Guide

c. Special Considerations ...............................................................75
d. In-Chambers Interview..............................................................76
e. Parenting Considerations...........................................................77
f. Information Needed to Assess Parenting in Relation
to Developmental Needs...........................................................77
IV. Parenting Considerations ................................................................................81
A. Assessing the Parent-Child Relationship ..............................................81
1. The Parent’s Grief Process................................................................81
2. Attachment ..........................................................................................82
3. Changes in the Parent-Child Relationship ......................................83
4. Stepparents and Significant Others..................................................83
5. Parenting Considerations...................................................................84
6. Gender..................................................................................................85
7. Religion, Culture and Ethnicity ........................................................85
8. Sexual Orientation..............................................................................86
9. Socioeconomic Status ........................................................................86
B. Potential Parenting Impairments ...........................................................86
1. Mental Illness ......................................................................................86
2. Domestic Violence .............................................................................87
3. Substance Abuse.................................................................................88
4. Chronic Illness ....................................................................................90
C. The Co-Parenting Relationship .............................................................90
1. Co-Parenting vs. Conflict .................................................................90
2. Assessing Co-Parenting Skills ..........................................................91
3. Parenting Seminars: Learning to Co-Parent Effectively .............92
4. Special Topic: Relocation.................................................................92
V. Expert Help with Custody Cases ...................................................................97
A. Framing the Questions – What Specialized Information Do You
Need About the Child ..............................................................................98
B. Picking Experts – What Skills Does the Expert Need to
Answer Your Questions? .......................................................................100
1. The Three Skill Sets..........................................................................100
2. Ethics and Conflicts.........................................................................103
C. Assuring Relevancy – The Nexus Between the Child Custody
Evaluation and the Best Interests Legal Issues...................................104
1. Elements of the Investigation.........................................................104
2. The Expert’s Report.........................................................................107
3. Court’s Assessment of Report........................................................108
4. Conclusion.........................................................................................111
VI. Recurring Issues in Child Custody Cases ...................................................115
A. Visitation ...................................................................................................115
1. Types of Visitation Orders..............................................................116
2. Denying or Restricting Access........................................................118
3. Supervised Visitation Methods.......................................................118
4. Psychiatric Illness of Noncustodial Parent ...................................121
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