Jean E. Schumer, LCSW, Ph.D., LLC

Evaluations for Court

Child - centered family evaluations or CCEs assist the court in deciding matters relating to parenting time arrangements and legal custody when parents are unable to reach decisions in these areas on their own.

Starting the CCE process, what to expect, etc.

1. Have your attorney to contact me via email to verify availability and create a record. The ultimate court order appointing me as the evaluator will outline the question(s) to be addressed in the evaluation prior to its commencement. Your attorney will provide a list of involved parties for a conflict-of-interest check.

2. You and your attorney will review the consent and agreement forms (Professional Services, Outline of P&P, Informed Consent). Questions you have regarding these documents will be answered. Upon receipt of these consent forms with your signature and full payment, family history questionnaires will be sent to you via a secure link. You will return these questionnaires via the secure link provided to you. These will be reviewed prior to our first individual meeting at which time you will be provided with a one- inch binder and dividers for collateral information you may wish to provide. Your attorney can help you decide which information to put into the binder.

3. Appointments will proceed as follows: I will meet with each parent, with each parent-child dyad, and where feasible do a physical home visit and where not feasible, virtually. I will contact personal references who can speak to your family circumstances, as well as teachers, medical staff, and other identified individuals and/or professionals who have contact with your family and speak to topics relevant to the matter at hand. When requesting that I contact family members, friends or others, keep in mind that their opinions are evaluated in the context of their relationship with you and your children, rather than at face value.

4. Prepare your children by saying I am a talking doctor who wants to help their parents find ways to agree and cooperate about how to raise them. Tell them I want to understand and learn about them and their feelings. You may tell them I have toys and games in my office, depending on their age.

5. As the parent, a good way to prepare for the evaluation is to adopt a framework that includes a focus on the needs of the children rather than on the parent’s deficits. Try to separate the adult relationship problems from your parenting concerns. Putting your child’s needs first at this time is important while your family is changing, your child(ren) will be moving between two homes and two parents, and recognize that there will probably be at least a year adjustment period. Be open and honest about the other parent and their strengths and weaknesses.