Challenging Child Custody Evaluations With Joshi

When it comes to your children, nothing is more important than safeguarding their well-being and maintaining a meaningful relationship with them. Child custody evaluations are critical in determining the arrangements that will shape your child’s future. What if those evaluations don’t reflect the true picture?

If you believe the custody evaluation process has been unfair or has failed to consider crucial aspects of your child’s best interests, you need to take steps to protect your parenting rights. Our legal team can help you combat these findings effectively.

Joshi leverages decades of experience when advocating for parents in high-stakes family law cases. Our attorneys understand the intricacies of child custody disputes and are adept at negotiating acrimonious situations. We represent clients who seek to challenge custody evaluations, offering strategic guidance and robust representation in litigation or as consultants.

Types Of Custody And Your Rights

The cornerstone of any custody decision is the best interest of the child. This includes determining:

• Legal custody: The right to make significant decisions about your child’s life regarding education, health care and religious upbringing, also called legal decision-making
• Physical custody: Where and with whom your child will live
• Parenting plan: A detailed agreement outlining how parents will raise their child post-separation
• Visitation: The schedule and conditions under which the non-custodial parent will spend time with their child

As your legal allies, our lawyers work closely with you to develop a strategy that seeks an arrangement aligning with your child’s best interests while also respecting your rights as a parent.

Strategies For Challenging Custody Orders

In many custody disputes, judges may rely on the insights of a custody evaluator to inform their decisions. These evaluators are valued for their thorough investigations, experience and their supposed impartiality in assessing the family’s circumstances. Their recommendations can carry significant weight and often play a pivotal role in the outcome of contentious custody cases.

Should the case proceed to trial, it is common for the custody evaluator to be summoned to discuss their observations and conclusions. This testimony represents one of the final contributions an evaluator makes in a divorce or child custody proceeding.

Our attorneys have extensive experience challenging custody evaluations in Michigan and across the country. Approaches they may take to contest a review may include:

• Requesting psychological testing to analyze whether tests were administered properly and interpreting results accurate
• Reviewing diagnosis criteria to ensure that it meets established standards
• Questioning admissibility of evaluation reports based on relevance, reliability and validity
• Applying the Daubert and Frye standards to examine expert testimony and methods used during evaluations
• Utilizing cross-examining experts to skillfully questioning evaluators’ qualifications, methods and conclusions

While family law judges do hold custody evaluators in high esteem, they do not rubber stamp evaluations. If you believe the evaluator’s report does not provide a favorable recommendation, you can take action.

A successful challenge can lead to outcomes like:

• Reunification plans tailored to rebuild parent-child relationships
• Family counseling sessions aimed at addressing underlying issues
• Comprehensive family therapy designed for long-term resolution

If you’re questioning the fairness or accuracy of a child custody evaluation, don’t hesitate. Joshi is ready to stand by your side. Our knowledgeable attorneys understand both sides of these sensitive issues, and we provide dedicated support focused on achieving just outcomes for our clients.

Let Us Help You Take Control Of Your Child Custody Case

Contact us today. Our lawyers strive to ensure that every aspect affecting your children’s future is thoroughly considered. To arrange your consultation at our Ann Arbor office, simply call 734-249-6170 or complete our online form.