An evaluation by a registered Psychologist in order to write a report and make recommendations about residency and contact and care in a report for court purposes, should always be a last resort!
If parents cannot agree between themselves about what is best for everyone involved, then one option can be mediation.
In the event that parties cannot agree at all on what is in the best interest of the child, a residency and parental care and contact evaluation (Custody evaluation in old terms) is advised.
No Psychologist may make any recommendations regarding residency and contact and care if all the parents have not been evaluated by the one psychologist. The parent’s capacity to see to the needs and interests of the child / children will be determined. Thus a whole family evaluation will be done in the following manner:
a) Each parent will be consulted, clinically evaluated and appropriate psychological tests will be administered.
b) Each child will be evaluated clinically and psychometrically with age appropriate tests.
c) The interaction between each parent and each child will be analysed and evaluated.
d) References whom know the parents as a parent will be contacted telephonically.
e) An Unbiased report with recommendations will be issued.
Parents are always worried that the person settling the account or the person whom has the first appointment will have an advantage. This is absolutely not true – if anyone has an advantage it will be the child or children. Recommendations will be made with the child’s age, needs and best interests in mind.