What is a Social Investigation and a Parenting Plan Recommendation?
A social investigation and parenting plan recommendation is an investigative process conducted by a mental health professional. The investigator is an impartial examiner that will assess each party, the children, and any other necessary collateral sources in order to formulate an opinion as to how parents should share parental responsibility and recommend the best time-sharing arrangement for each parent and the child. After the assessment, the investigator will provide the court with a social investigation report that includes facts regarding all parties and a parenting plan recommendation to assist the court in making decisions that are in the best interest of and consider the special needs of the child involved.
Who Performs Social Investigations and Parenting Plan Recommendations?
Social investigators are qualified to provide the Family Court, the parties, and the parties’ attorneys with impartial and competent recommendations that focus on what is in the best interest of child(ren). They have knowledge, training and experience with issues typically seen in family law cases, and they practice in accordance with the highest standards and are governed by Section 61.20 of the Florida Statutes.
What Can You Expect From the Social Investigation and Parenting Plan Recommendation?
The areas of assessment may include (but of course are not limited to any of the following):
Social Investigations:
Interviews with each child, parent, step-parent, or adult in a parenting role.
Contact with relevant professionals, such as teachers, doctors and employers.
Interviews with objective character references submitted by each parent.
Visits to the homes of each parent.
Background checks of the parties, including relevant police and court records.
Completion of relevant surveys and questionnaires as requested by the social investigator.
Review of communications between the parties, between the parties and the children, review of photographs, review of videos, and any other relevant video or digital evidence which may be relevant to best interests of the children.
Recommends whether further psychological testing of the parties or the children is needed.
Presentation of facts to the court offering professional opinions as to parental responsibility, and time-sharing arrangements that are in the best interest of the child(ren).
If you would like further information about a social investigator and what they can do for your case, or are contemplating filing a case and want to know more about whether a social investigation can help you, call Lauren Roderick Brusca at Brusca Law today. Navigating Social Investigators in the midst of litigation is very confusing, and you should know what to expect from an experienced family law attorney.
Call Brusca Law today at 407-501-6564 for your free consultation to learn more about a social investigator and whether they are a right fit for you and your family.
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