Some divorces can be straightforward, but others are complex, posing different challenges because of the family’s circumstances. The issues can be severe, especially if the parties have contradicting beliefs and opinions regarding their child’s welfare. When these conflicts escalate, and the tension becomes too much, the court can step in and help settle the issues fairly.
In these scenarios, the judge often relies on facts presented in court before making decisions. But sometimes, these details are not enough to finalize determinations. To complete this task correctly, the court can order a custody investigation, helping them learn more about the family’s situation before deciding what to do.
Conducting custody investigations
This type of investigation can be crucial to what happens in a child custody case, making it vital to perform it competently, thoroughly and objectively. Additionally, only qualified professionals can conduct these investigations. They would use various methods to gather information, such as having involved parties answer questionnaires and visiting the family’s home to observe them or facilitate one-on-one interviews.
The process can vary depending on the court’s requirements and whether the details are relevant to the case. Usually, the assigned worker will assess each party’s willingness to cooperate, the stability of the home environment, parenting styles, and family dynamics. Using the gathered information, the worker can make recommendations for the judge’s consideration.
Learning more about the family’s situation
After this investigation, the judge can create an appropriate child custody and visitation arrangement. Sometimes, the court can adopt the worker’s recommendations. But other times, the process can reveal crucial information further complicating the case, such as evidence of abuse, mental health disorders or other family concerns that pose risks to the child and other parties. These scenarios may require further assessments and court intervention based on the circumstances.
