Mental Health of Parents

At Stange Law Firm, PC, we help clients with divorce, child custody, relocation, and paternity matters. An issue that can become important in child custody proceedings is the mental health of the parents. When this occurs, it is important to understand the mental health issues, including personality disorders, that can affect a child custody determination. Our child custody attorneys understand the seriousness of custody issues and can help devise a legal strategy to assist no matter your concerns. In Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Indiana a parent’s mental health is one relevant factor for a court to consider when considering what is in the best interests of the child to determine custody. A diagnosis of mental illness or personality of one parent does not automatically make that parent unfit to have custody or to be an active part of the lives of their children. However, in some cases, a court could find that this is a significant factor when it places the emotional or physical health of a child in danger. Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska,  Oklahoma, and Indiana Courts agree that the physical and mental health of the parents in a custody case is put at issue. For this reason, a judge may order the parties to sign releases for their mental health records or undergo a psychological or custody evaluation.  This can cause parties who are part of a child custody proceeding significant concern.

The Relevance of Mental Health Records and Reports in Child Custody Matters

In most cases, the results of psychological and custody evaluations are admitted in court once they are undertaken.  In many cases, the psychologist or psychiatrist who performed the examination may also come into court and testify. Additionally, the mental health records of the parties are also often released and admitted in court when allegations of mental health are sufficiently pled by a party. These mental health records can ultimately be used by a family court judge to render a custody determination. It is critical that you have experienced counsel at your side if you believe that the other parent to your children has a mental health condition that affects the best of the children. At the same time, if you are the subject of the allegations and believe the allegations are not founded, you need counsel in your corner as well to ensure that your privacy interests are protected. To gain more information on this topic, you can also read the article titled:  Common Mental Health Conditions Affecting Custody and Asset Division.

Multi-State Child Custody Lawyers in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Indiana

If you are a parent in the midst of child custody litigation, and the issue of mental health is involved, contact us online or call us at 855-805-0595. We have locations in St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, Wichita, Topeka, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Omaha, Lincoln, and beyond.

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Helpful Information Regarding Family Violence From our Webpage

We handle many different issues related to family violence:
Domestic abuse
You do not have to suffer through domestic abuse. The attorneys at Stange Law Firm have a great deal of experience handling domestic violence matters. We can help you understand your options
Child neglect
If your child has been taken into custody by the Department of Social Services, Stange Law Firm can help you in this matter.
Protective orders
The attorneys at Stange Law Firm, PC, have successfully obtained orders of protection and can work to obtain protection for you and your loved ones.
Psychological Evaluations in Divorce
The psychological state of the parties might be an important issue in a custody dispute. We can help request a psychological evaluation if this is an important issue in your case.
Juvenile Matters
Important child custody issues might be litigated in the juvenile court. Attorneys at Stange Law Firm, PC can help if that is the case.
Supervised Visitation
In some severe cases, one parent might be a risk to the physical health or emotional development of the children such that supervised visitation might need to be explored. We can help in these cases.
Guardian ad Litem
A Guardian ad Litem might need to be appointed in a custody case to ensure the interests of the children are protected
Parental Alienation
In extreme cases, children might be alienated from their parents. This can happen in unfortunate cases and we have experience in these types of cases.
Estranged Children
Opposite of parental alienation, in some cases, the conduct of a parent might be so extreme that the children become realistically estranged from their parent. It's important to have an attorney who understands realistic estrangement and how it can often be overlooked.
Parental Abduction
Parental abduction is a crisis type situation where one of the parents flees with the children in violation of a court order or to deprive the other parent of any custody time. It is critical to act fast and have an attorney in your corner if this is the case.
Drug Tests
Drug use can be significant problem in child custody cases. In certain cases, a parent might be a drug or alcohol abuser. It is vital to have an attorney who understands this issue and can help obtain an order for a drug or alcohol test.
Parent Coordinators
While it is not allowed by statute in Missouri or Illinois except by agreement, in some extreme cases, the parties might agree to have a parent coordinator help resolve legal custody disputes between parents who cannot co-parent. At Stange Law Firm, PC, we can help you explore this option as it might help minimize the need for costly litigation.
Sexual Abuse Allegations
In some child custody cases, sexual abuse allegations can arise. In some instances, the allegations regrettably turn out to be true. In other cases, the allegations are false and/or brought maliciously. No matter the situation, it is critical that you have counsel in your corner if sexual abuse allegations are part of your child custody matter.
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Serving the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield, Wichita, Topeka, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Beyond in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma

From our webpage, you can also read articles about family law, view informational videos, seminar videos, listen to our podcast, download our mobile application or view support calculators for MissouriIllinois and Kansas.

If you are looking to find and hire a child custody lawyer, contact us online or by phone to schedule a consultation at any of our convenient locations.

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