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- Title
Hybrid processes within parenting plan assessments: Rationale and an illustrative model.
- Authors
Simon, Robert A.; Shienvold, Arnold T.
- Abstract
Parenting plan Assessments, also known as child custody evaluations, are forensic psychological investigations into the needs of children, the parenting capacities of their caregivers, and the resulting fit between the children's needs and caregiver capacities. Typically, they result in recommendations that are, in the opinion of the assessor, formulated to meet the best interests of children regarding a parenting plan, child sharing, parental responsibilities and ancillary services that are likely to support the children's optimal functioning as well as the functioning of the now reconfigured family. Such assessments are part of a pathway to untangling conflicts between the parents regarding the most appropriate parenting plan for the reconfigured family. Paradoxically, the assessment process can exacerbate the conflict, entrench parental polarization, and create lingering feelings of helplessness, frustration, and disempowerment in the parents. This article provides a rationale for the use of a hybrid process that incorporates alternative dispute resolution as an integrated part of the parenting plan assessment and provides an illustrative model of such a hybrid process. Key points for the family court community: Parenting plan evaluations can include a settlement componentWhen a hybrid model is used, its incorporation into the evaluation should be specified in the appointment orderNot all cases are suited for a hybrid model of parenting plan evaluationEthical issues must be contemplated prior to using a hybrid parenting plan evaluation model and during its useEvaluators who use the hybrid model must have competence in dispute resolution
- Subjects
PARENTING; CUSTODY of children; FORENSIC psychology; CAREGIVERS; JUVENILE courts
- Publication
Family Court Review, 2023, Vol 61, Issue 4, p801
- ISSN
1531-2445
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/fcre.12750