PRACTICE PARAMETERS FOR CHILD-CUSTODY EVALUATION

These practice parameters are presented as a guide for clinicians eval uating the often delicate and complex issues surrounding a child custo dy dispute. The historical basis of child custody and the various judi cial presumptions that have guided courts are reviewed. The difference s between performing child custody evaluation and engaging in traditio nal clinical practice are emphasized. Issues that are common to all ch ild custody disputes are presented, including continuity and quality o f attachments, preference, parental alienation, special needs of child ren, education, gender issues, sibling relationships, parents' physica l and mental health, parents' work schedules, parents' finances, style s of parenting and discipline, conflict resolution, social support sys tems, cultural and ethnic issues, ethics and values, and religion. in addition, special issues that complicate custody evaluations are discu ssed, including infants in custody disputes, homosexual parents, grand parents' rights, parental kidnaping relocation problems, allegations o f sexual abuse, and advances in reproductive technology, such as froze n embryos, oocyte donation, and artificial insemination. An outline is provided that describes the complete evaluation process, from assessi ng referrals and planning a strategy through conducting clinical inter views, writing the report, and testifying in court.