Arnelle Strand, P.A.

Interviews: A parenting plan recommendation/evaluation will consist of a series of interviews.  Each parent will talk to the evaluator alone and possibly with the other parent.  A individual, private appointment will give each parent the opportunity to present their individual issues and concerns about the children and the other parent.  Conferences with both parents allow the evaluator the opportunity to assess parents' capacity to work together.

The evaluator may also schedule an interview with each parent and the children. This may take place either at the evaluator's office or in the home.  Conferences with the parent and children will allow the evaluator to observe the relationships between family members.

A thorough evaluation for a recommendation requires both parents be involved in the process.  Be cautious of taking the children to own separate evaluator.  Courts may and usually do consider these evaluations to be incomplete.  One sided evaluations may be a duplication of time and money and may subject the children to added stress.

Near the end of the evaluation, the evaluator may ask to meet with each parent to discuss the findings and conclusions.  Parents may find this information helpful in reaching an agreement regarding plans for the children.

Interviewing the Children: The psychologist regularly interviews and observes the children. It is best if this is done in a comfortable and non threatening environment.  The evaluator understands that the children may be experiencing a range of feelings about the divorce.  Depending on the ages of the children, the evaluator may have the children participate in structured play, draw pictures or tell stories in order to talk about feelings.

Information Gathering: The evaluator may request the parent's written consent to obtain school and health records, social service and police information, and other documents which contribute to a complete understanding of the family.  The evaluator may wish to talk with some of these people in order to understand how others see the issues.

Written Tests and Psycholoigcal Evaluation: Psychological testing may be required when information about each parent's emotional and mental status would be helpful to the judge.  A psychological evaluaiton is conducted by a trained pyschologist.  The psychologist will want to talk with each parent and mau administer several paper and pencil exercises.