The Role of the Child Custody Evaluator: APA Guidelines A. The role of the psychologist is that of a professional expert who strives to maintain an objective, impartial stance. The psychologist does not act as a judge, who makes the ultimate decision applying the law to all relevant evidence. Neither…
Illinois Divorce Lawyer Blog
When Child Custody is in Dispute: APA Guidelines
The majority of child custody disputes are settled, through negotiation, mediation, or collaboration on a parenting plan that works for both parents. When the issue of custody is not resolved, it is my practice to petition the court to engage a highly qualified custody evaluator (a specially trained psychologist) to…
Father Blocks Daughter’s Move-Away
Do unmarried fathers have the right to stop the move away of a child that they love, and with whom they have had a strong parenting relationship? The Illinois Appellate case of Fischer v. Waldrop illustrates the principle that a father, though he be unmarried to the mother of his…
DuPage Custody Case: Ethnic Identity a Factor?
Despite the recommmendations of two custody evaluators that a DuPage County father have the primary residential custody of a two year old daughter, the court awarded custody to the mother, based in part, on the fact that the mother and child shared an African-American heritage. The question arises in all…