Psychological Evaluation report

[ER]

Got to review my report and found it quite interesting. Although there were good and bad things about myself as well as my ex, the final determination was that I was deemed the parent to take responsibility of child. It was a great concern of the Pscycholgist that the mother shows no interest in supporting her child other than visitation. I didn't read much into it but now that that is finished, I am awaiting the GAL report. How much does the Pscy Eval report weigh in in considering cusotdy? One determination in the report mentioned that the mohter wanting a shared parenting plan, but the Pscy stated that this will not work. No other mention as to what type of custody would work. Would this me I have a better chance or retaining custody of my child as oppsed to say joint?

[DecentDad]

The GAL is likely to have some variation of the same opinion, because the GAL knows that it's in his/her interest to continue to get appointed on other cases, and if the GAL causes trouble or disagrees with psych evaluations, then it makes his/her credibility questionable.

You probably haven't read many evaluation reports, or perhaps much about them.  What you describe is pretty damning for the mother's position.

The court's expert witness (i.e, the psychologist) is stating that shared parenting (i.e., joint custody) won't work.

That expert witness is stating serious concerns about the mother's willingness and/or ability to support the child other than visitation.

So, if mom isn't an effective caretaker, and if shared custody won't work-- read between the lines.

The only type of custody left is for you to have sole custody with some level of visitation to the mother-- to be suggested by the GAL and/or decided by the court.

Stay the course, everything is looking good for what you've said is best for your son.

DD

[ER]

>The GAL is likely to have some variation of the same opinion,
>because the GAL knows that it's in his/her interest to
>continue to get appointed on other cases, and if the GAL
>causes trouble or disagrees with psych evaluations, then it
>makes his/her credibility questionable.

Thanks, I was just concerend that the GAL could possibly suggest a different solution since my ex is good at acting and is also a Social WOrker. She has used her position before.
>
>You probably haven't read many evaluation reports, or perhaps
>much about them.  What you describe is pretty damning for the
>mother's position.

Even though we both had bad things, to read the report gave me a small impression that I was being non-cooperative towards the mother and my child. It was stated very clear; however, in another sentence the Psyc states that the mother had every chance including the 2 court hearings to obtain some type of custody and yet she still allowed my son to stay with me. The Psyc even went further as if to say that she has shown no effort to involve herself with our child's therapy. Only recently at our pre-trial hearing did she make an attempt by calling the therapist to see what was going on after a 6 months!


>The court's expert witness (i.e, the psychologist) is stating
>that shared parenting (i.e., joint custody) won't work.

My ex had files a shared parenting plan with the courts after she files first for sole custody. SHe related this to the Psyc who in turn "saw" the truth and realized that this parenting plan will not work. I have never offered one no backed down from my original bid for sole custody.
>
>That expert witness is stating serious concerns about the
>mother's willingness and/or ability to support the child other
>than visitation.

Yes, exactly, he did state that he was "greatly concerned" with the mohters ability to take on the responsibilities of my son. He went on to further state that she did not "seem" to even really want the responsibility of day to day care other than simple visitations.
>
>So, if mom isn't an effective caretaker, and if shared custody
>won't work-- read between the lines.


I know, but I am not out of the woods just yet. Her daddy is behind this who game and he has very deep pockets. And if his princess daughter wants it, she will use anything to get it. She has a daughter from a pervious and I have witness the daughter being used as a pawn for fiancial gain.
>


>The only type of custody left is for you to have sole custody
>with some level of visitation to the mother-- to be suggested
>by the GAL and/or decided by the court.

If this is suggested, the judge can still over rule or make his own deceison but I would tend to think that given both the Psyc and GAL reports both in similar agreement would be hard to argue?
>
>Stay the course, everything is looking good for what you've
>said is best for your son.
>
>DD

Thanks again for you input. I am just making sure I have not forgot anything. I am very tired and stressed from this game being played with my son. He is the most happiest child and cheerful when he is with me and his progress with the therapy has shown excellent improvement. And yes, if it does go to court, I have plenty of documents as well as many involved to show the "courts" the truth.

[backwardsbike]

Good Luck to you and congrats on coming out tops in the eval.  I would not worry too much about there being good and bad things about you in it.  Your are human afterall.  I think that will just make it all the more believable.  The GAL should take it into account that the Psych thinks you should be responsible.  They wouldn't have asked for the report if they weren't going to use it.  Looks good for you.  Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

[ER]

The only part that cocerns me and this may be nothing being that "we are all human" was the fact that my test scores or at least a part of them on the MMIP-2 showed that I was portraying myself as more "perfect" so to speak. But on the parenting test it was not as significant and more "normal range" It went onto say that I did not approach the test answers truthfully. Eventhough the psyc determined I as the better parent, can her attorney possible argue thefindings of the results? Again it goes back to her "daddy" who has funded this whole game and will still provide funds if he does not win for his little daughter.

I could take the test again and more than likley get a different answer provided that they let me take it in an appropriate testing area instead of the waiting room with noisey patients. I did not particularly feel my test was fair given the situtation in which they made me take the test but if it is favorable, there is no need to argue then..LOL Just making sure being that I do not know what is up my x's attorneys sleeve.

[DecentDad]

Hi,

Just a few responses to your recent post...

If the evaluator didn't find anything substantially negative about you, he'd be easy pickings for cross-examination... it'd be pretty easy to suggest how biased he was.  So, it could potentially be a good thing that he had negative things to say about you.

No one cares if you were trying to look better than you are, when taking those tests.  Duh, we're being evaluated in a custody situation-- we all put our best foot forward.  The only issue can be if the evaluator felt that your results were tainted so much as to not be useful.  Mainly, the tests are to find any psychopathologies, not minor faults or desires to appear perfect.

It would be extremely unusual if the judge ruled in a way that was much different from the evaluator's recommendation and the GAL's recommendation.

Chance of happening?  Very slim.  You'd have decent grounds for appeal (i.e., abuse of discretion).  You think a judge really gives a crap about which one of you gets custody, or does the judge most care about his own credibility and job security?  Having strong evidence/reports makes his job very easy-- just rubber stamp what the experts tell him.

Sounds like your evaluator has basically said that the mom isn't equipped to have custody.  Excluding drugs and prostitution, an evaluation report in favor of sole custody doesn't get much better than that.

Unless her dad is going to bribe the judge, tossing money at the situation will probably only lead to both sides spending more money.  It ain't going to change the evaluator's recommendation, which was likely requested by the court in the first place.

Even after you get custody, you'll be dealing with this crap until your son goes to college.  It's tiresome, and it's stressful, yeah.  That's the price we all pay for making a bad decision in who we picked as the other parent for our child, and it's the price that responsible parents pay to stay involved (i.e., as opposed to parents who walk away from it).  Very hard to deal with, but I know where you're coming from.

Best of luck with it all.

DD

[backwardsbike]

No sweat.  The MMPI has built in "lie" scales.  That means it can determine if people are "faking good" like trying to portray themseleves as the more virtous parent or "faking bad"like people trying to get disability when not as severely disabled as they claim.  It is sometimes called "defensiveness"  In custody evaaluations it is almost universal to be defensive.  Afterall, you DO want the kids.  Relax.  What is important is that the evaluator thinks you are the better parent for your kids.  Like I said almost everyone shows some defensiveness.  There is an article in the archives about the MMPI.  Reading it will help you feel better.  It is a very good article.  Now for the real question:  Will her lawyer argue the findings?  Of course he will.  That is his job.  And if there is a "daddy" picking up the tab you can bet he will argue strenuously.  Still don't get worked up.  The bottom line is that it is very common to have elevations like that in a custody dispute AND the psygh thinks your the parent for the job.  This is one tiny piece of the puzzle.  Best of luck to you!  Just relax as much as you can and do your best to let the concerned and caring parent you are show through.

[ER]

Thanks, the only thing that the evaluated stated was that I was not being "open" in taking the test and putting myself in a "higher light" and stating that it undermined my creditbility for the remanider of the examination. He did comment on the side of caution when reviewing the results for me!!!LOL Guess he wants to make sure I don't look to good.

Honestly the bad things that he said were my ability to handle higher levels of stress and that I could act out in an agressive manner when provoked. (Hmmm well if your threaten my son...) I could also do a better job of fostering a relationship between my son and his mother (yea, I did try and she refused because it wasn't her way that she wanted it)

So rather than make excuses for these results which can have some valid to them, I actually been working with therapy for support for me and my son. Mostly for myson, but Ihave inquired about parenting classes and support groupes to cope with the stress.

I figure if there is a chance that the attroney can convince her if it means money for him, she will. My questions is can I have her pay for the courts cost for me if it does go to trial?

And this is only the begining of 18 wonderful years of this crap as most come to know!

Thanks again!

[DecentDad]

Again, all of us who have been through custody evaluations have had to read negative things about ourselves.

My primary negative personality trait, as described by my evaluator, is that when under high levels of stress, I tend to exert greater control and want others to follow my instructions without question.

Hmmm, I wonder how Bill Gates, or President Bush, act under stress.

The important thing is that you weren't outside of normal range on your personality tests.

In terms of asking for attorney fees, you can ask.  But if she doesn't have the money, you probably won't get them.  A court can't order a third party (i.e., her dad) to pay your attorney fees.  And a custody trial is something to which all of us are entitled.

Just keeping breathing and relying on your gut.  You've been doing well.

If you were to ask a number of fathers, you're really among the top fraction of dad who are looking this good for custody pre-trial.  THAT is your cosmic reward for doing good by your son throughout this.

Knowing how aggressive you can get under stress, just don't start throwing things at the judge or try to grab the bailiff's gun at trial.  :)

DD

[ER]

>Again, all of us who have been through custody evaluations
>have had to read negative things about ourselves.

LOL-I know, I am not really upset by it because I could not be perfect nor could anyone else.
>
>My primary negative personality trait, as described by my
>evaluator, is that when under high levels of stress, I tend to
>exert greater control and want others to follow my
>instructions without question.
>
>Hmmm, I wonder how Bill Gates, or President Bush, act under
>stress.
>
I had a few but a another significant one was as my ability to foster a relationship with my son's mother!

Yes, easy to do since I was giving her the opportunity all the time and she never responded. LOL

>The important thing is that you weren't outside of normal
>range on your personality tests.

Actually, I did better on the parent/child test which made my scores on that more in line and not as shall we say "in a higher light"
>
>In terms of asking for attorney fees, you can ask.  But if she
>doesn't have the money, you probably won't get them.  A court
>can't order a third party (i.e., her dad) to pay your attorney
>fees.  And a custody trial is something to which all of us are
>entitled.

It isn't that I care. I know she does not have the money for a trial but daddy gives her cash or checks to support her based on her other daughter and how she manipulates the daughter in front of him to make him feel guilty. (She had a new car yesterday...) I just figured that even if I ask for this, it may help in a strategic manner.

>Just keeping breathing and relying on your gut.  You've been
>doing well.
>
>If you were to ask a number of fathers, you're really among
>the top fraction of dad who are looking this good for custody
>pre-trial.  THAT is your cosmic reward for doing good by your
>son throughout this.

Thank-you! It does feel good to see my son shin!
>
>Knowing how aggressive you can get under stress, just don't
>start throwing things at the judge or try to grab the
>bailiff's gun at trial.  :)

LOLOL--Oh wait maybe my ex will throw in a domestic violence charge out of the blue!!!LOL I am pretty cool under pressure when need to be, I am aware of what attroney's can do to "provoke" I was a big witnes at my friends' divorce hearing and trial and I got pressured there!!

Thanks Again!!! There is hope!!!
>
>DD