When starting down the road toward a custody dispute, it’s tempting to want to do all you can to disparage the other parent in an attempt to further your own position. We often hear one parent call the other “crazy” and ask for a psychological evaluation to be done, but going down the path of evaluations is not right in all cases.
First of all, psychological or custody evaluations are very expensive. The initial deposit alone can be anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500, and if the case proceeds to trial or depositions are taken, the evaluator’s cost may rise to $7,500 or $25,000 or more depending on the issues in the case. Additionally, there is no certain outcome in a psychological or custody evaluation. Your own evaluation of your soon-to-be ex may differ greatly from what an expert comes up with. You may also discover that the expert uncovers less than flattering aspects of your own personality. That lack of certainty combined with the cost means the decision to ask for an evaluation should be not taken lightly.
In almost all custody disputes the parents have animosity toward one another, but the hope is that with the passage of time and some distance, the parents will understand that long after the court case is over, they will still have to deal with each other to some extent. An attorney who advises you on the best way to proceed forward, not taking a knee-jerk reaction and assuming the worst in each case, is an invaluable resource.
For this or other family law questions, please contact one of the attorneys at Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C.
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