Family Forensic Evaluation and Review
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- Family Forensic Evaluation and Review
Mediation
Dr. Young offers mediation services to help parents resolve custody and parenting-time disputes collaboratively, outside adversarial litigation. Drawing on his forensic evaluation background, he brings a structured, neutral approach that is attuned to the family’s needs to help them reach agreements that serve their children’s best interests. Mediation services may include:
- Facilitated discussion of custody and parenting time arrangements.
- Development of parenting plans tailored to the family’s circumstances.
- Support in resolving specific points of disagreement (holidays, relocation, and decision-making authority).
- Referral to legal counsel to formalize agreements reached in mediation.
Focused Parenting Plan Evaluation (Focused Custody Evaluation)
A Focused Parenting Plan Evaluation addresses a specific, narrowly defined question in a custody matter, such as a parent’s fitness in a particular domain or a discrete change in circumstances. This targeted approach is well suited to cases where the court or counsel needs a clear answer to a single question, rather than to multiple questions or a broader question before the court that has significant implications for multiple parties. A Focused Parenting Plan Evaluation is often appropriate when:
- A parent’s fitness is in question due to a discrete, identifiable concern (e.g., a single documented incident or recent change in circumstances).
- The court seeks a narrow modification to an existing parenting plan rather than a full re-evaluation of both parents.
- One parent has requested a relocation that is likely to have minimal impact on the child, and the court needs an opinion on that specific question A Focused Parenting Plan Evaluation may include:
- Clinical interview of the parents (generally without psychological assessments unless directed by the court).
- Review of relevant records (legal, medical, educational, or psychological).
- A written report addressing the specific referral question, with recommendations where appropriate.
General Parenting Plan Evaluation (Child Custody Evaluation)
A General Parenting Plan Evaluation is a comprehensive assessment conducted when the court or counsel requires a full picture of the family system to inform custody and parenting-time decisions. This evaluation seeks to address a broader question that the court or counsel has, with its ultimate answer being impactful across multiple parties and its decision being consequential and focused on what is in the best interests of the child(ren). A General Parenting Plan Evaluation may include, but is not limited to: – Clinical interviews and psychological testing of both parents/guardians – Observation of parent-child interactions – Interviews with collateral sources (children, family members, or other relevant parties, as appropriate) – Review of legal, medical, educational, and psychological records – A comprehensive written report with findings and recommendations that address the specific question(s), which focuses on the child’s best interests A General Parenting Plan Evaluation is often appropriate when:
- Custody is being determined for the first time, with no existing parenting plan.
- Multiple overlapping concerns have been raised about both parents (e.g., fitness, home environment, co-parenting capacity).
- The family system is complex or has high conflict (e.g. a child with special needs, or allegations affecting more than one domain of parenting).
- A relocation request, which will have significant and multiplicative impacts on the children (e.g. due to distance, educational access, etc.)
Records Review
- Review of prior psychological, medical, legal, or educational records.
- Critique or consultation on an existing evaluation or report.
- Consultation with counsel regarding case strategy or the necessity of further evaluation.
- A written summary or expert opinion based on record review alone.