When facing child custody issues, the court’s priority is to order arrangements that prioritize the child’s safety and well-being. To achieve these goals, the judge requires adequate information about the case and other details that can be relevant before finalizing decisions. Sometimes, the court can order custody investigations, which usually involve different types of interviews.
The main objective of an investigation is to learn about the circumstances impacting the child’s life, serving as a guide for the court when making custody and visitation setups. The investigator can conduct interviews to gather information, often including the following:
- In-person discussions with the involved parties, such as the parents and other members of the household
- Interviews with other individuals who have regular exposure to the child, such as teachers, childcare providers, neighbors, doctors and other people
- One-on-one conversations with the child, allowing the investigator to learn about the child’s perceptions and opinions
Workers chosen to conduct the investigation have adequate qualifications to do so. They may also pay close attention to the child’s preferences and comments when conversing about the parents and other family members. The output of these interviews is a report, which will go to the judge for review. It can affect what happens next, but its usage may be discretionary, depending on the situation.
Approaching child custody issues appropriately
Some parents can feel threatened when faced with child custody disputes, especially in high-risk scenarios. In these situations, seeking legal counsel can help lessen worries and determine the most appropriate option to address custody and visitation issues. Legal insight can also be valuable when sorting out complications that may stem from the family’s unique circumstances.
