Child Evaluation

[MBMom]

What is the name of your state? Oklahoma

What are some of the reasons a parent would object to a child having an evaluation, requested by the other parent, done without it looking bad on you? Assuming there's nothing major this parent would want to hide, why object to it? Strategy?

My attorney has requested one for my son, which my ex has objected to. His reason being that I've already told the court he was a good dad, and shouldn't go back and question it by having the evaluation. Yet, on the other hand, he ALSO told the Court that I was a good mom, yet he's trying to bring up little things to hopefully convince the Judge I'm not worthy. (If only you knew this guy...he considers the fact that I allowed my son to watch Liar Liar actions of a bad mom.) I know he's not a bad dad, but he is also lying about many things regarding how he handles and raises our son when he's with him. I believe that an evaluation may bring some of that out since there is no other way to prove things. I'm not scared of what will come of it, why should he be?

 

[snostar]

It may come down to the money. My evaluation and re-evaluation cost a total of $14,000 split 50/50. It was well worth it, and I now have to pay $475 per hour for her to testify. That would be a much more reasonable objection than the one you posted. Did the judge order it?

 

[MBMom]

No, the hearing for that is June 16. The objection came in form of a reply from his attorney to my request. We've already said that we would pay for the evaluation, and that would include when they testified. I don't think this was something that his attorney or my ex knows though.

 

[snostar]

You would only pay the evaluator for the time to testify if your attorney called him/her as a witness - not if the other party calls them to testify. Many times attorney's object just to object - especially when they are not in front of a judge. It doesn't mean they have a good reason for it. When both parents are fit and have played an active role in the child's life judge's often look to evaluations to help bring to light determining factors. Try to relax if you can - I'll be in my own hearing on the 16th - good luck and let us know what happens.