When parents divorce or separate, their children are often caught in the emotional crossfire. Many couples continue to fight bitterly - both during the actual divorce and often for years after a divorce is final. Research has shown repeatedly that the children's adjustment and mental health depend considerably on how well their parents are able to get along and co-parent. Perhaps it sounds ridiculous to think that parents who could not get along in a marriage could be able to get along in a divorce. For the children's sake, however, they can learn to communicate, resolve disputes and put the needs of their children ahead of their own.
Carol is always appointed by the Court and never represents one parent or the other. Her goal is to represent the needs of the children and to assist the parents in any way possible - including coming to a joint agreement in lieu of litigation. Carol continues to be encouraged by the number of families who are able to sit down and negotiate parenting time plans and parenting agreements through her office. When that is not feasible, however, she conducts a thorough investigation of the parents, the children and the circumstances and makes a recommendation to the Court as to what, in her clinical opinion, is in the children's best interest. As one can imagine, this puts any professional who works in this arena in a position that might upset one parent or the other. This is why Carol always encourages a parent who may disagree with her recommendations to obtain a second opinion. These are "your" children and this is your right. Parents everywhere want the same opportunities to share in raising their children in peace, to give them the love and protection they deserve and to enjoy supporting and encouraging their successes. This is Carol's goal as well, in every family she works with.
Carol charges a Flat Fee for her Parental Responsibility Evaluations (PRE) and Child and Family Investigator (CFI) evaluations. This allows the parents to take as much time as needed to explore all of the issues affecting the best interest of their children without worrying about an hourly charge. Once the Flat Fee is paid, the parents no longer need to worry about escalating charges in their PRE or CFI investigation. The focus can be solely on the evaluation. This has been Carol's practice for the 20 + years that she has been doing evaluations and/or investigations.