Forensic psychology assessment for the court
Notifications OFF
Some progress with my partner's family court case- request for supervision visitation at a contact centre. Judge has requested my partner give a list of at least three specialists that could do an assessment on my OH risk to his children. The judge will then vet them and say which one or ones my OH can use.
We knew that an assessment was likely because of CAFCASS feedback at the beginning of the year but wasn't heard again in court until recently. Thankfully my partner didn't just go ahead and get an assessment because the judge wants to make sure it meet their expectations.
My partner is aware of a few options, but he is struggling to get ahold of them as he works full time and struggles to get the privacy. And another issue we didn't know was that many of these specialists won't work with private clients- they will only do it on instruction of a solicitor....my partner is representing himself.
This is frustrating and has already limited my OH. He is trying to get at least 5 options. I hope we don't need a lawyer just to get this assessment. Quotes so far range from 1.6k to 3k....to add lawyer costs it would be a struggle for us.
We knew that an assessment was likely because of CAFCASS feedback at the beginning of the year but wasn't heard again in court until recently. Thankfully my partner didn't just go ahead and get an assessment because the judge wants to make sure it meet their expectations.
My partner is aware of a few options, but he is struggling to get ahold of them as he works full time and struggles to get the privacy. And another issue we didn't know was that many of these specialists won't work with private clients- they will only do it on instruction of a solicitor....my partner is representing himself.
This is frustrating and has already limited my OH. He is trying to get at least 5 options. I hope we don't need a lawyer just to get this assessment. Quotes so far range from 1.6k to 3k....to add lawyer costs it would be a struggle for us.
My partner is going to look into Steve's services. Now a tad worried the costs will be crazy since we got a recent quote for 2.4k just for the assessment writer to attend court! That doesn't include doing the assessment. I'm hoping it won't be that much for others.
Update: judge has instructed my partner not use Steve Lowe (despite he was the most experienced and gave a fair price) - instead my partner has to go with someone who is one of the more expensive ones (because my partner found them through a agency so will be paying comission no doubt).
The judge hasn't explained why they went for this person (I suspect based on location rather than anything else). But will mean eating up all my partner's savings, and he won't be able to cover court appearances if required- he is representing himself with no legal support.
Either way, my partner needs to have his report done by end of Nov. Hopefully it should be done by then.
The judge hasn't explained why they went for this person (I suspect based on location rather than anything else). But will mean eating up all my partner's savings, and he won't be able to cover court appearances if required- he is representing himself with no legal support.
Either way, my partner needs to have his report done by end of Nov. Hopefully it should be done by then.
This person has done the assessments before so can't say they don't know what they are doing. Annoyingly the instruction from the courts was issued end of August, we are now near mid September...
Hoping that my partner can get the assessment done in time to avoid delays. It is slow progress but I think this assessment will be so valuable, not just for the family courts but when he looks to reduce his SOR timeframe.
He is just upset because he instantly thought he could not afford Xmas for the kids. I'm happy for us to cut back where needed and we will tell others we won't fuss over Xmas anyway.
Hoping that my partner can get the assessment done in time to avoid delays. It is slow progress but I think this assessment will be so valuable, not just for the family courts but when he looks to reduce his SOR timeframe.
He is just upset because he instantly thought he could not afford Xmas for the kids. I'm happy for us to cut back where needed and we will tell others we won't fuss over Xmas anyway.