When it comes to court-ordered evaluations, expertise goes beyond qualifications and training. The key is working with a professional who not only has the right credentials but also the specific skills and experience necessary for forensic work.
Parental Capacity Evaluations
Selecting The Right Professional: Key Considerations For Court-ordered Parental Capacity Evaluations
Key factors to consider when selecting an expert include:
Forensic expertise:
Professionals with specialized training and experience in forensic psychology.
Court experience:
The expert should be comfortable with legal proceedings and able to withstand rigorous cross-examination.
Assessment proficiency:
Ensure the professional is well-versed in utilizing reliable, court-accepted assessment tools and methodologies.
Communication skills:
The ability to explain complex psychological concepts in clear, understandable terms.
Timeliness:
Court deadlines are often strict, therefore prompt delivery of reports and services is essential.
Ethical practice:
Professionals who adhere to the highest ethical standards.
The court will order a parental capacity evaluation in some cases involving child custody, return to home, or other child and family-related situations.
After an initial consultation and the gathering of necessary releases to speak to relevant persons involved in your case, we will schedule a block of time to meet with you for a detailed interview and testing. These evaluations typically require a full day. The end result of the evaluation is a report that goes to the court.
Parental capacity evaluations are paid by the jurisdiction requesting the evaluation. We do not typically conduct private evaluations.
The end product of the evaluation is a report that goes to the court. Additionally, our psychologists may testify about the evaluation in court if requested by the court.

The ideal expert combines extensive academic training with practical courtroom experience, offering insights that are both scientifically sound and legally relevant. They should be able to produce comprehensive, well-documented reports that can withstand legal scrutiny while also being able to articulate their findings persuasively in court testimony.