Shree.
( Advocate.)
28 April 2008
In many custody cases, one parent alleges that the other parent is an unfit parent, and they should not have custody. In this type of case, the court will order an evaluation of the parties. These types of evaluations are called a best interest investigation, a risk assessment, and/or a psychological evaluation.
A risk assessment is an evaluation that is provided by the court on request. A risk assessment is usually requested when one parent is alleged to have an alcohol or drug problem. A risk assessment is also often requested when one parent has a history of s*xual abuse. These types of cases are the nastiest.
For a risk assessment, a member of the Probation Department will go to the parties homes and determine if it is safe for the child to have visitation there. Many courts are just overwhelmed.
Another type of evaluation conducted by the courts is called a "best interest investigation." This type of investigation is also performed by the Court . There is no charge to the parties for the court to conduct this type of investigation. This type of investigation looks into the character and fitness of the parents, the economic condition of the family, and the financial abilities of the parties.
Finally, a court can also order a psychological evaluation of the parties. Whether a court grants an application for a psychological evaluation will depend on the individual judge. A psychological evaluation is costly, and the parties must also pay for this expense.
If your health is only marginally better than your spouses, such as you exercise daily while he or she is on the couch, then a judge will likely ignore this. If, however, your health is significantly better than your spouses, who has a chronic or serious disease, then a judge may consider health in deciding custody.
This does not mean, however, that a disabled parent is automatically out of the running to become the custodial parent. The disability will be one of the factors considered by the judge when awarding custody. If the disabled parent can meet the child(ren)s needs and provide a good, stable, home environment for the child(ren), the disability may not be of any relevance.
If, on the other hand, one parent suffers from a mental disability that would make caring for the child difficult or next to impossible, of course this would be become a major factor. If the mental disability can be successfully treated by drugs or other methods and would not pose difficulty or danger when attending to the child, it may not be as relevant. Be aware that some judges in some states still have a prejudice against mental illness when deciding child custody and believe that any mental illness renders a parent unfit. Again, your lawyer will be able to advise you on this issue. If you are the parent with the mental disability, be prepared to demonstrate that your disability is being treated and/or poses no difficulty or danger when attending to the needs of your child(ren).