The Probate and Family Court can be a long dragged out process especially when one parent is trying to prove another parent is not handling their part of the parenting in an acceptable manner. This can possibly endanger the child/children, or even neglect them. While this is a hard thing to prove in the eyes of the court, a generic set of guidelines has been created to determine the best interests of a child's welfare.

The most important thing is the child, above all else. Because of this, the guidelines are set to ensure the child has a safe, healthy, loving and stable environment to grow up in. In an evaluation, the child’s interests are all that matter. Depending upon the individual court, more in-depth questions may be brought to light. Many parents begin throwing accusations around the courtroom in order to win their case. The evaluation helps to sort through the accusations and determine if there is indeed a need to stop visitation with the other parent, change the visitation to supervised, or any other alteration that is deemed necessary. The children need to be in a suitable household at both parents’ residences when and if possible.

There are numerous factors taken into consideration when the court determines the custody parent, and a suitable visitation arrangement with the no custody parent. One of the main factors in this determination is the ability to parent. The evaluation will determine if the parenting skills are up to par. If the skills are not benefiting the child or are harmful, this will weigh heavily on the court’s decision. An assessment of parenting skills can consist of finding out if a parent is capable of providing a loving, healthy, clean, safe and happy environment for the child or children involved in the particular case. If there is room for improvement, the court can give recommendations on where help is available for sharpening parenting skills.

The outcome of the evaluation of the parent is extremely important in the court's final decision. This is mainly because the results in the report are not blinded by personal involvement in the case. The psychologist is an impartial professional providing only a service that they personally cannot benefit from. If the parent is capable of providing a suitable environment for the child or if there has been a negative influence on the child or children, it can sway a court's decision to one that may not be the one desired by the individual parent.

A psychologist is required, in order to keep the hearing factual and impartial. The reports and finding from a psychologist are given to the judge for review and are used in determining the outcome of the child. The judge has the final say in all matters, however the psychologist informs the judge of the pros and cons for each household.

The benefits to having an evaluation done are fairly simple. Getting the proof that there is actually a problem with the children visiting the other parent and hopefully being able to correct the problem so that they can have a happy and healthy relationship with both parents. Another benefit is piece of mind by knowing in fact that there is not a cause for concern when the children are away on a visit. This process can also give valuable insight on ways to improve parenting skills to ensure the children are happy, healthy and safe at all times.

Though it is important, normally, that each parent or known guardian remain a strong part of a child’s life, it is equally important that your child not be in an unhealthy environment. In a divorce or custody dispute, it is up to the courts to decide what constitutes an unhealthy environment. We can help you in your efforts to prove your case, documenting the evidence to support your claim; ICS private investigators get results for your investigation.

Our private investigators are your eyes and ears.

We interview, we do surveillance, we check records, police reports, we do covert work, and we are only limited by the scope of the investigation. The purpose of our investigation is to deliver you the facts to make an accurate and informed decision. Our reports are court admissible and we stand ready to dispute the claims of court ordered evaluations. WE DO NOT MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT- OUR FINDINGS DO!


We leave that in the hands of the laws evaluation, but with irrefutable evidence the choice can be clear.

During the course of a Child Custody or Visitation Investigation we may Interview:

    * Friends
    * Relatives
    * School Personnel
    * Doctors
    * Day Care Workers
    * Neighbors 

Call ICS today to discretely gather the evidence needed to help you, and the courts, make the right decision for the welfare of the children.  

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