Family Law Consulting

Social Investigations (previously Custody Evaluations) are often used when more extensive information is needed about children and parents involved in high-conflict cases in which the issues of time-sharing and parental responsibility are in dispute. It is a process by which an impartial professional completes an investigation and makes recommendations to the court regarding the best interest of the children. The investigation typically includes interviews of the parents and children, interviews with collateral sources, home visits, and a records review culminating in a formal report with recommendations to the court.

A Guardian ad Litem is a court-appointed special advocate that helps the voices of children involved in judicial proceedings be heard. These children may be abused, neglected, abandoned, or embroiled in their parents' ongoing litigation. The GAL is a neutral third party who represents the child and their best interests in Court, and independently conducts a thorough investigation on behalf of the child. A report is created with recommendations on what is best for the child in order to help ensure that the child's physical safety, psychological health, and emotional well-being are properly protected. 

Co-Parenting is an essential component to creating stable and healthy environments for your children’s overall psychological development and physical growth within two households. Due to the complexity of co-parenting, parents may face challenges where they disagree on what’s best for their children or struggle to meet their children’s needs. When there is a lack of congruence between parenting styles, it can become confusing for the children to operate at their best.

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Co-Parent Consulting can help divorced, divorcing, and never married parents identify current problems, stressors, and challenges the family faces as well as provide you with strategic solutions to everyday parenting problems. This is a self-referred collaborative process and is not court-ordered Parenting Coordination. 

Consultation for other mental health providers who may find themselves in the role of the therapist for a client who is involved in legal proceedings in the family court system. Although many mental health providers seek to avoid being brought into legal matters, it is often unavoidable over the course of your professional career, particularly if you work with minor children in high conflict families. 

Consultation can help providers navigate this unique dynamic and bridge the gap of knowledge between the two fields so that you can appropriately advocate for yourself and for your client(s). 

• case consultation 
• updating your practice policies, fees, and paperwork 
• writing & editing summaries of treatment for legal purposes
• navigating the intersection of laws & your professional ethics
• understanding how and when to respond to subpoenas and court orders
• preparation for court appearances