On a number of occasions this column has advocated mandatory practice standards to govern forensic evaluations in custody proceedings.1 Two recent decisions, in juxtaposition, underscore the critical need for such standards to ensure that these evaluations produce reliable information.
Coercion and Consequences
In Paul A. v. Shaundell LL.,2 Family Court directed a psychological evaluation. When the mother failed to submit herself or the child for evaluation the court found her in contempt, granted the father sole custody and relegated the mother to supervised parenting time. The court further required her to reimburse the father for funds expended in connection with the evaluation and to pay his counsel fees in connection with the filing of the contempt petition. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed.
