Child custody is a difficult and sensitive matter. During the disputes people go through multiple interviews, background checks, and other privacy invading matters. Child custody evaluations are need when parents are divorcing. This is all done in order to obtain custody of one or more children. The children do not have to be the parents biological children in order to be able to fight for custody of the child. In the evaluations multiple factors are taken into consideration. Through the entire process the most important aspect about the outcome of the evaluations, is that the child’s best interest is always the main factor. Child custody evaluations attempt to investigate and find the best situation for the child between the parties fighting over custody.
Child custody evaluations cover multiple issues such as custody, maintenance, support, valuation, visitation, relocation, and termination of parental rights. There are multiple forms of custody that can result from a child custody evaluation. First is physical custody which is defined as “how much time a child spends with each parent, if the parents share physical custody” (Costanzo & Krauss, 2012). Another form of custody is legal custody, which gives a parent the authority to decide certain influential factors in the child’s life (Costanzo & Krauss, 2012). Joint legal custody is also an option. Another form of custody is sole custody which is defined as “one parent has legal and physical custody while the other typically has agreed upon some rights to visit the child at regular intervals” (Costanzo & Krauss, 2012). “Most custody decisions – about 90% - are made without resorting to litigation” (Costanzo & Krauss, 2012). “Estimates of actual custody arrangements in...
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...hat can be decided on by the court in order to place the child in the best possible position. Psychologist conduct multiple tests and processes on the parents and children in order to gain the most information possible to give the best recommendation that they can to the courts concerning the child. Laws have evolved overtime in order to best fit the current social standards. The child custody evaluation remains with one main goal throughout the entire process, which is to determine the best interests of the child and to place the child in the best situation available.
Works Cited
Costanzo, Mark, and Daniel Krauss. Forensic and legal psychology: psychological science applied to law. New York, NY: Worth Publishers, 2012. Print.
"Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Family Law Proceedings." American Psychologist. 65 ed. 2010. APA.org. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
Costanzo, M., & Krauss, D. (2012). Forensic and legal psychology: Psychological science applied to law. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
According to many the custody of a child should be determined with the best interest of the child in mind. However, it is not easy for a judge to make such an important decision in such a short amount of time with limited information. Smith (2004) stated that, the simple fact of being a mother does not indicate a willingness or capacity to render a quality of care different than that which a father can provide. Some might argue that what Reynolds (2004) calls deadbeat dads, or in other words fathers who refuse to pay their child support, are often times confused with Turnips, who are ex-spouses who can not afford to pay child support. One example of a turnip is a father who is in prison; he is obviously not making money while he is on the inside. Now an example of a deadbeat dad is when the father is enjoying all the finer things in life and he cannot reach far enough into his...
Thoburn, J.; Lewis, A and Shemmings, D. (1995) Paternalism or Partnership Family Involment in the Child Protection Process, Blackwell.
Fulero, S. M., & Wrightsman, L. S. (2009). Forensic psychology. (3rd ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
The family discussed includes a father (M.M.) age 27, a mother (J.M.) age 25, and an infant son (J.L.M.) age four months. M.M. and J.M. are the biological parents
Copyright (c) 2005 Virginia Journal of Social Policy & the Law Virginia Journal of Social Policy & the Law, 2005, 12 Va. J. Soc. Pol'y & L. 371, 13986 words, SYMPOSIUM: THE STATE CONSTRUCTION OF FAMILIES: FOSTER CARE, TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND ADOPTION: FROM ANTICIPATION TO EVIDENCE: RESEARCH ON THE ADOPTION
]In the case of Hart v. Hart, Michael Robert Hart (Father) was granted sole legal and primary physical custody of the minor children he shares with Kari Rose Hart (Mother) with an additional order that Mother’s time with the children be supervised. This order a divorce in 2003 at which time Mother was awarded sole legal custody and primary physical custody of the children, followed by her remarriage and relocation with the children to Texas in 2005, Father’s relocation for 6 months to be near the children in Texas, Father’s return to Arizona after not finding steady employment, Mother’s separation from her new husband and subsequent move to an apartment with the children (that resulted in a change of schools). Father filed a petition for mediation
Child custody laws, stigmas against parents based on gender, and how the process of deciding custody has undergone much reform over the years leading to its current form. Such a complicated issue creates many obstacles for judges to come to a conclusion on a custody case. Kramer vs Kramer gives an inside perspective on the challenges that both family involved, and the court must face. Kramer vs. Kramer throws the audience into an emotion filled journey to grant custody to the most capable parent after the Kramers undergo a divorce. The film demonstrates how stigmas against parents, and the unlawful ness of prior custody laws did not put the child's welfare at the forefront, something that is the primary element in custody laws.
...t to providing the child with protection when determining what is in the child’s best interests. The risk of violence within the home is considered when contemplating on parenting orders, so the child is not exposed to what is considered an unacceptable risk.
A state that undertakes custody of a child is declaring that it can do a better job providing protection. This system is a powerful agent of support, providing positive nurturing environments that enable a child to reach his or her potential. Nonetheless, when children suffer additional abuse in the system, this government intervention should be questioned.
In the following literature review, scholarly and peer-reviewed journals, articles from popular news media, and surveys have been synthesized to contribute to the conversation pertaining to forensics in pop culture in the courtroom and the overall criminal justice system. This conversation has become a growing topic of interest over just the past few years since these crime shows started appearing on the air. The rising popularity of this genre makes this research even more relevant to study to try to bring back justice in the courtroom.
Review, PubMed PMID: 19543886. Saferstein, R. (2011). Criminalistics: An introduction to forensic science (10th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
In the criminal justice system psychologist play several roles, but in the jury selection process they serve as a consultant. This essay will provide three instances of psychological concepts and illustrate how they are applied to the determination of juries. The essay will also address a common ethical obligation confronting psychologist in the areas of corrections, law enforcement, court systems, and academia.
Greenfield, D. (2007). Introduction to forensic psychology. issues and controversies in crime and justice. Journal of Psychiatry & Law, 35(2), 201-201-204,105-106.
...r an equal amount of time can increase the happiness of the child. Not having shared custody can create a bridge between the child and one of the parents. This is a way for the child to see how independent the parent can be and how they take care of business. Modeling how a person should be in satisfying relations is another way a child can benefit. Seeing that the parent can move on from something that they felt was not good for them and turn it to something positive can be a life lesson for the child. Therefore showing the child to never settle for something less than what they want.