Psychiatric evaluations in divorce cases

Mario Testani, M.D.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

When children are involved in situations of divorce or separation, it's necessary to make visitation and custody arrangements. Some parents, working alone or with a mediator, come to agreement on these arrangements. Sometimes, however, disputes end up in court. In these cases, a psychiatric evaluation may help decide matters.

Why it's needed: The guiding principle of most courts, including in New York state, is serving the best interests of the child — although the term "the least detrimental alternative" is preferred now, because divorce itself is not in a child's best interests. And when children are caught in a tug of war between their parents, compromises are made that often are not in the children's best interests.

Source: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050526/LIVING/505260334/1032