SOME ETHICAL AND LEGAL FEATURES OF CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTES: A CASE ILLUSTRATION AND APPLICATIONS

In the interface of law and psychology, few tasks have evoked more criticism of psychologists than have assessment procedures and expert testimony on child custody. This paper explores the numerous ethical and legal problems that can attend a child custody dispute. Psychologists should note the differences between legal and clinical methods and goals, and be aware of the numerous broad issues they confront in the custody arena. If they proceed carefully and deliberately, psychologists can be an essential resource to the trier of fact in a custody matter.