Judge Christopher Droney
Wife moved to vacate an order of the court arguing the court was misled regarding certain undisclosed prior contacts between husband and Dr. R. She sought appointment of a substitute therapist to conduct supervised visitation between the parties’ children. Husband contacted a list of doctors provided to him regarding therapeutic visitation with the children, and was advised Dr. R. "was the best" by members of the attorney for the children panel. Husband met with Dr. R. several times and subsequently advised the court of the physician. The court signed an order directing Dr. R. to conduct therapeutic visitation between husband and the children. Wife argued Dr. R. has become husband’s defender and argued husband failed to inform the court of his prior meetings with the doctor. The court found that the attorney for the children and the wife’s concerns regarding husband’s contact with Dr. R. was misplaced, stating Dr. R.’s function was not to evaluate the parties, as he was not a court appointed neutral, but to assist in repairing the relationship between husband the his children. Thus, it concluded the alleged conduct was not unethical, denying wife’s motion to vacate the prior order and appoint a substitute therapist.
